The Ouachita Telegraph - Phelan Creecy Kills James C. Gibson Date: Apr. 2000 Submitted by: Lora Peppers ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, November 19, 1870 Page 3, Column 1 KILLING OF MR. J. C. GIBSON. — Mr. James C. Gibson, a citizen of this parish, who lived on the river a few miles below Monroe, met a violent death on Monday under the following circumstances: In company with three friends, deceased was going home from this place. About half-a-mile below town, Gibson and one of the party stopped to arrange a saddle. While thus engaged, a negro, named Phelen Creecy, rode up, coming to town, followed by a dog. Gibson had a parley with the negro about the dog, saying it was stolen and that the real owner had given it to him. The negro appeared willing to surrender the dog; but when Gibson ordered him to tie it, he told Gibson to tie the dog himself, and rode on. Gibson answered that he would make him tie the dog, and rode after the negro, who had moved toward town. Overtaking the negro, it appears from the testimony that Gibson seized the negro and also a shot-gun he carried. The horses turned, and the negro disengaged the gun from Gibson's grasp, and holding it a(t) "ready" — diagonally across his chest — he discharged the contents of one barrel into Gibson's head. Gibson fell from his horse, with a ghastly wound in his forehead, from which his brains oozed in a large quantity and from which he died in a few hours after. The negro was apprehended and is now in jail. We understand he has been indicted by the Grand Jury for manslaughter. Mr. Gibson was a native of Alabama; had lived in this parish about two years, and was about 29 years of age. He leaves a wife and infant child, who have our deepest sympathies. He was a man of brave, honorable impulses; somewhat impetuous and reckless, but not to the extent that would justify the manner of his death. # # #