The Ouachita Telegraph - Former Governor Warmoth Arresting in Killing of D. C. Byerly
Submitted by: Lora Peppers  July 2000

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The Ouachita Telegraph
Friday, January 1, 1875
Page 2, Column 2

        On Friday last, in New Orleans, ex-Gov. Warmoth and Mr. D.C. Byerley, of the
Bulletin, had a personal rencontre, on Canal street, the result of which was
several bruises on Warmoth's head from a cane in the hands of Mr. Byerly and the
stabbing of the latter, in four or five places in the abdomen, by Warmoth, from
the effects of which Mr. B. died in a few hours.  Warmoth was arrested and is
now in prison awaiting the course of the preliminary investigation.

        The unfortunate difficulty grew out of a newspaper controversy.  The
Bulletin advocated the renewal of the "star" car system on the city railroads.
Warmoth replied in a letter depreciating the move, quoting sundry political
resolutions and declarations of conservatives to sustain his position.  The
Bulletin replied in an article severely arranging Warmoth for political
corruption and charging him with an intention to place himself at the head of a
negro party with the view of being reelected Governor.  To this article Warmoth
replied in a card charging Mr. Byerly, and Mr. Jewell, also of the Bulletin,
with "unmitigated lying."  Jewell challenged Warmoth; -- the challenge was
accepted, and the terms and place of meeting agreed upon.  It was during this
armistice that Mr. Byerly saw Warmoth on Canal, and at once attacked him with a
cane, hitting him two or three blows, when Warmoth drew a spring knife, the two
men clinched and fell, Warmoth underneath, and when they were separated Mr.
Byerly was found to be mortally wounded.

       The Bulletin pays a touching tribute to the memory of its deceased
manager whose course in life fully justifies the tribute and creates wide spread
regret at his death, the wider because so noble a life should be forfeited for
an act so unlike any that preceded it.  And the man in the prison is also to be
pitied for having to imbue his hands in a fellowman's blood, although he did
what most other men would have done similarly imperiled. NOTE:  Warmouth was
acquitted of the murder on the grounds of self defense. (Ouachita Telegraph,
Friday, January 8, 1875, page 3, column 2.)