1878 Farmerville Execution of Jesse Walker for Murder

Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Shawn Martin, 6/2007


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1878 Farmerville Execution of Jesse Walker for Murder

The Dallas Morning Star, June 1, 1878
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                        CRIME CASUALTY

     Walker Launched into Eternity for the Murder of 
        Violet Simmons in Louisiana — The Penalty for 
         Child Murder Not so Great in New Jersey


   FARMERVILLE, La. May 21  –  Jesse Walker, colored, who was indicted by the grand 
jury of Union parish and found guilty at the April term of the district court of the 
murder of Violet Simmons, on the nineteenth of February last, was executed here today.  
He was brought out of jail at fifteen minutes before one o’clock and ascended the platform.  
After prayer by Reverend Mr. Butt, the prisoner was notified that he would have five 
or ten minutes in which he could say what he wished to say.  Walker then proceeded to 
state that he was innocent of the crime of which he was charged.  While he did not know 
who killed Violet, his remarks went very strongly to implicate one John Simmons.  After 
talking about fifteen minutes and giving some advice to the spectators, he said he was 
prepared and would be better off in the next world.  About twenty minutes before two 
o’clock the rope was cut and Walker was launched into eternity. After hanging about 
twenty minutes and pronounced dead, the body was taken down, put in a coffin and given 
in charge of his father.

 
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