The Ouachita Telegraph - Robert Symmonds Murdered

Date: Aug. 2000
Submitted by: Lora Peppers <lpeppers@ouachita.lib.la.us>

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The Ouachita Telegraph
Friday, December 14, 1877
Page 3, Column 2

        Robert Symmonds, confined in the town calaboose, was murdered on Monday
night.  The details, so far as we have learned them are horrible.  The door
was broken open and he was killed by blows upon his head.  No cause is known
for the horrible crime.  The Coroner’s inquest will be published in full
next week.  Symmonds had been lately released from the State penitentiary,
where he was incarcerated for the killing of Pritchard, in this place, some
years ago.  He was pardoned by the Governor, and for some months past has
been living quietly in Homer.  He was arrested a few nights ago by the town
police, and on trail pleaded guilty to keeping a disorderly house.  Rather
than pay a fine of twenty-five dollars he preferred incarceration in the
calaboose for ten days.  While serving his time out the door was broken open
and he was killed. – Claiborne Guardian, 5th

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