The Ouachita Telegraph - Watchman R. B. Vinson Shoots John Reidy in Self Defense 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 August 31, 1872 Page 3, Column 2 Homicide. An Irishman known as John Reidy, was killed at about 2 o'clock, on the morning of the 27th, in the neighborhood of "Five Points," a badly diseased portion of our little city. Reidy and two companions were seen at ten o'clock by Policeman Lewis, and being boisterous, they were cautioned to go home. They were again found, however, at the place and hour above named, and Reidy, it appears, was furiously intoxicated and flourished a knife in a threatening manner. He approached Mr. Lewis, but being warned that if he persisted in his assaults he would be hurt, he desisted, and, Mr. Lewis retiring from his presence, Reidy asailed Mr. R.B. Vinson, watchman at the depot. While the two were alone, Mr. Lewis being a few steps away, Reidy was shot. The ball hit Reidy on the chin and glanced thence and disappeared into the cavity above the breast bone. It was extracted from the spinal column, at the Coroner's inquest, the jury finding that Reidy died of a pistol wound inflicted by Mr. Vinson in self-defence. Parish Attorney Slack, in acordance with the verdict, declined to prosecute Mr. Vinson. Deceased was a ditcher, and was but little known about Monroe. Another victim to the vice of intemperence. # # #