The Ouachita Telegraph - Nat Jones Shoots and Kills Lizzie Colbert
Date: Oct 2000
Submitted by: Lora Peppers <lpeppers@ouachita.lib.la.us>
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The Ouachita Telegraph
Saturday, October 15, 1887
Page 2, Column 6

 DELHI, LA., Oct. 7. – [Picayune Special. ] – On the Heckler (Hecla) plantation of

Mrs. Gibbs, near Mounds station, on the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific

Railroad, in Madison parish, two negro men, Call Garter and Nat Jones, the

latter a laborer, became involved in a discussion, when a negro girl named

Lizzie Colbert made some remarks to Jones which gave him offense, and

without any provocation he drew his pistol and deliberately shot at her, the

ball striking her near the heart, killing her instantly.

 In the confusion Jones fled from the house and was soon lost in the

darkness.  He boarded a west-bound train at California station and was

stealing a ride between the cars.  The train stopped at Quebec, and in the

jerk of the train, which was a long one, Jones lost his balance and fell

between the draw-heads, which caught his left knee, crushing it in a

frightful manner.  He held on, however, knowing that if he let go he would

be instantly killed, and was carried to Dallas station, on the Tensas river,

a distance of about three miles, where the train stops for water.

 Jones says he let go his hold and fell to the ground.  Being unable to

walk, he crawled into the bushes and remained until this morning, when some

persons passed who notified the section foreman, who went with his hand car,

and on learning from Jones that he was an employee of Section 2, and not

knowing the crime Jones had committed, brought him to Delhi, and sent work

to his parents, who live near here, who went with a wagon and took him home.

 In the meantime Sheriff Lem Scott, of Richland, had been notified to keep a

lookout for him, and on hearing that a man had been hurt on the railroad,

and the description comparing very much with the man wanted, he repaired to

the house, and being personally acquainted with Jones recognized him

immediately.  He then had a litter prepared and took Jones to Tallulah,

where he was placed in jail.

 Jones claims that the girl assaulted him with a razor.  This, however, is

improbable, as the girl is said to have been quite inoffensive and an

invalid, being paralyzed on one side.

 Jones will in all probability lose his leg, and after a trial his neck

also.



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