The Ouachita Telegraph - J. H. Walker Shoots and Kills Simon Doyle

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



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The Ouachita Telegraph
Friday, August 5, 1881
Page 2, Column 3

HOMICIDE OF MR. SIMON DOYLE.
 On Thursday, the 21st inst.; Capt. J.H. Walker shot and killed Simon Doyle
at Harrison’s store, in the northern portion of this parish.  The facts as
we have heard them are as follows:
 The deceased, over a year ago, was a neighbor of Capt. Walker, and was on
intimate terms with his family.  He paid his addresses to Capt. Walker’s
daughter and under a solemn promise of marriage, accomplished her ruin.
Knowing that the father of his victim would vindicate the outraged honor of
his family by the death of the despoiler, he fled the country and took
refuge in Texas.  Last week he returned to the neighborhood.  He was seen by
one of Capt. Walker’s sons, who instantly hurried to his father, who was
fishing on Dorcheat, and informed him of Doyle’s return.  The father,
burning with indignation against the betrayer of his daughter’s confidence,
instantly mounted his horse and proceeded to Harrison’s store.  Ascertaining
that Doyle was in the store, he dismounted and entered.  Approaching Doyle,
who was conversing with Mr. Harrison and another gentleman, he exclaimed,
“Oh, my boy, I have got you at last!” and raised his gun and fired.  The
shot took immediate effect, killing Doyle instantly.
 If this is a correct statement of the facts, then we have no hesitancy in
asserting that Capt. Walker is justifiable.  Men must realize the fact that
when they tamper with virtue, and under a false guise of a promise of
marriage accomplish the ruin of unsuspecting and over confiding females,
that they take their lives in their won hands, and that they will be shot
down with out mercy; that their lives, like the base, outlaw and desperado,
is forfeited.
 Capt. Walker has our sympathy, and we trust hat he will be honorably
acquitted when tried by a jury. – Webster Tribune.
 It will interest many of our readers to know that the Capt. J.H. Walker,
here spoken of was an old citizen of Ouachita.  He resided in the Colony
before the war and went off as a soldier in Gov. McEnery’s original company
the Ouachita Blues.  He served with distinction throughout the war and
afterwards located in Claiborne now Webster Parish, where he has made the
reputation of being one of the best practical teachers in that portion of
the State.

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