The Ouachita Telegraph - Russel Brooks First to be Hanged in Ouachita Parish Date: May 2000 Submitted by: Lora Peppers ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, May 13, 1871 Page 3, Column 2 First Man Executed in Ouachita. Two weeks ago we stated, upon information, that a man named Leslie was the first victim of the halter in the parish. The person thus distinguished in our local annals was not named Leslie but Russel Brooks, which we have ascertained by consulting the records in the Clerk's office, assisted by Major Bry the attentive incumbent. Brooks was sentenced at the October term, 1822; but the day of his execution does not appear, as the Governor fixed that in his warrant which is not on file. Jas. Dunlap was presiding Judge, and Jno. H. Overton, District Attorney. Brooks had no money, and the Court appointed H.A. Bullard and Dan'l I. Sutton as his counsel. As a matter of interest to old settlers we append the names of the Grand Jurors who found a true bill against Brooks, and also the names of the Petit Jurors who found Brooks guilty: GRAND JURY. Foreman — Ferd Morgan, John M. Fenner, George Hamilton, Frederic Lowe, Jno. M. Fonts, Robt. J. Knox, Jas. Huey, Jr., Ebenezer Lane, Wm. Weathersbee, Jno. Huey, Lawchlin McLawchlin, Wm. Birvey, Grammont Filhiol, Joseph Wilds and Jno. Liles. PETIT JURY. J.R. Dewitt; Eli K. Ross, Brutus Larche, Abraham Scriber, Phillip Hook, Wm. Trent, Jno F. Ailes, Jno. Dyson, Richard Ballew, Jno. Perkey, Sylvanus Bascom and Robert Bandy. It is said Brooks was executed for shooting a thief who had stolen his (Brooks') horse, the thief being on the horse when killed; but the indictment not being among the papers we have examined, we are unable to state whether or not this statement is correct. Brooks, we are informed, was buried near the residence of Col. McEnery. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, June 3, 1871 Page 2, Column 3 Crime and Execution of Russell Brooks. COLUMBIA, LA., May 26, 1871. Editor Ouachita Telegraph: DEAR SIR — In your issue of the 13th instant a notice is given of the first man executed in Ouachita, which has been near fifty years ago. After giving the names of the grand and petit jurors, you say that Brooks was executed for shooting a thief that had stolen his horse, &c. My wife and her sister, Mrs. Lowe, widow of Mr. Frederick Lowe, who was one of the grand jury that found a true bill against Brooks, are perfectly familiar with the case. Their father, Mr. James Humble, was then living on the Dugdemonia, immediately on the pass-way from Red river to Monroe, which was only a bridle pathway, there being no public road at that time, and which was a hard day's ride from Monroe. The night before the murder took place, Brooks stayed all night at Mr. Humble's, on the Dugdemonia. He had on a pair of moccasins, and had a bundle tied up in a handkerchief. His conduct was suspicious, which caused Mr. Humble to watch him all night. Brooks left the next morning afoot, and shortly after, Mr. Scamp, a citizen of Red river, came on going to Monroe and soon overtaking Brooks, they traveled together all day, and at night they camped out about four miles from the old Indian Village. During the night while Mr. Scamp was asleep, Brooks got a pine knot and knocked him in the head, and then cuty his head off and hid it behind a log. — He took off his moccasins, put on Mr. Scamp's shoes, took his money, ($30) left the corpse and all things else at the camp and left. Soon next morning some Indians passing discovered the murdered man, and his horse tied where he had stood all night. They gave the alarm, a company was soon gathered and they pursued Brooks, caught him, brought him back, and made him get the man's head he had hid. Brooks acknowledged further that he had murdered his wife and five children. Mr. Scamp was a good citizen, and his untimely death was lamented by all who knew him. Brooks was executed on Friday, the date not recollected, but all the old citizens recollect the cold Friday and Saturday which has so often been spoken of. But Friday was the day Brooks was hanged by the neck until he was dead sure enough. Very respectfully, THOMAS MEREDITH. # # #