Tally Brown killed by Dr. R.L. Walker, Rapides Parish Louisiana
Submitted by Bryant Walker 
Date: January 9, 2015

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Rapides-St Landry Parish Louisiana Archives News
Tally Brown killed by Dr. R. L. Walker 
November 20, 1897

The Clarion, Opelousas, La. November 20, 1897
Opelousas, Nov. 20, 1897
St. Landry Carion Co., Raymond Breaux, Editor and Business 
Manager

TALLY BROWN KILLED BY DR. R. L. WALKER

The Tragedy Occurred Near Loyd, on Bayou Boeuf
Alexandria Town Talk

The shooting occurreed on Saturday morning, 6th inst [Nov. 6, 
1897], at about 7:30 o'clock. The deceased was shot three times 
and died almost instantly.

We got the following version of the affair from Mr. Henry 
Brown, a brother of the deceased:
Tally Brown rented Dr. Walker, about the first of the year, a 
house and three acres of land for which Walker agreed to pay 
$100. Last week Dr. Walker attempted to move his property away 
without paying Brown the rent, or giving him any security, and 
Brown went before Justice J. R. Moore and made preparations to
seize Dr. Walker's goods.

On Saturday morning Dr. Walker and Constable N. L. Stewart came 
up to Tally Browns' home, the Constable being there to serve 
the writ on Dr. Walker. Dr. Walker told Constable Stewart to 
call Brown out of his house, which he did. When Brown got to 
where they were standing, Dr. Walker said to Brown: 
"You have done me a d__ dirty trick." Brown replied: "I would 
not do anyone a dirty trick. Give me security for my $100 and 
you can move your effects." Walker replied: "You are a liar," 
and then Brown struck him a punching lick and Walker struck 
Brown. Then they separated and Walker pulled his pistol and 
Brown said: "Walker, don't shoot me," and constable Stewart 
also begged him not to shoot, but Walker with an oath, said 
that he would, and commenced firing. The first shot stuck Brown 
in the lower part of the neck, close to the chest and the
ball ranged downward. Brown then turned to run and Walker shot 
him in the back and another shot struck him in the left arm. 
Four shots were fired by Walker, only one of which failed to 
strike the deceased. He ran about fifty-six yards and fell 
dead, the first shot that struck him being a fatal wound.

The shooting occurred in Brown's front yard, five miles below 
Lecompte, on Bayou Boeuf.

Dr. Walker was immediately arrested by Constable Stewart, and
brought to Alexandria on Saturday evening and lodged in Jail.

Dr. R. L. Walker was born and raised in this parish, and was 
practicing medicine at Loyd. In shooting Brown he used a 38 
calibre, Smith & Wesson, six inch barrel revolver.

From the Walker version of the affair we get the following:
The Constable went to Walker's house on Saturday to serve a 
writ of seisure. Dr. Walker was away from home to see about 
getting wagons to move his goods. On Walker returning home he
met Constable Stewart who asked him what was the trouble 
between him and Brown. Dr. Walker told the Constable that he 
knew of no trouble, that he had been in Browns yard that 
morning and talking to him. Constable Stewart then went on to 
Brown's house and Walker went home. After Walker had been at 
home about fifteen minutes, Brown and Stewart came up, and
Brown and Walker had some words, and Walker started to walk 
off, when Brown jumped at him and called him a s__ of a b___ 
and struck him with both hands, striking Walker in the mouth 
with one hand. They clinched and Walker told him to stand back 
and not to strike him again. Walker commenced to back from 
Brown, telling him all the time to stand back. Brown then 
struck Walker again knocking him to his knees, when Walker 
commenced shooting.

Justich [sic] J. R. Moore, of Lecompte held an inquest on 
Saturday and the verdict of the jury was that the deceased came 
to his death at the hands of Dr. Walker.

Tally Brown was 38 years of age at the time of his death. He 
was born and reared in this parish. He had the reputation of 
being a quiet and peaceable citizen and was very popular with 
all his neighbors. He leaves a wife and five children, four 
girls and a boy, the oldest about 9 years of age.

The remains of the deceased were laid to rest Sunday at 11 a. 
m. in the Tanner graveyear near Cheneyville. To show the 
unbounded respect with which the deceased was regarded, and the 
friends he had, will state that 460 people attended his 
funeral, and 50 vehicles were of the funeral cortege.

Dr. Walker is about 28 years of age. He has a wife and one 
child.

Mr. Henry Brown, brother of the deceased, informs us that there 
was a movement on foot to lynch the slayer of his brother, but 
he urged the people to allow the law to take its course.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/rapides/newspapers/tallybro478gnw.txt