The Daily Telegraph 1870 Obits, Ouachita Parish La This information generously donated to the La. Gen. Project African American archives by the Ouachita Parish Gen. Project and Ms. Lora Peppers. African American records extracted by S.K. Martin-Quiatte ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ***************************** The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, February 12, 1870 Page 3, Column 1 MURDER. - Anderson Slaughter, a freedman, murdered his father on the 28th ult., on the Greensboro plantation, near Vienna, and is now at large. Anderson is of dark complexion; 5 feet, 7 inches high; weighs 145 pounds, and is rather slow motioned. He was raised by Mr. J. Colvin, near Vienna. Col. Allen Green has offered a reward of $25 for his delivery in Vienna. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, February 12, 1870 Page 3, Column 1 HOMICIDE. - Mr. J.T. Payne, a well-known citizen of Morehouse parish, was killed on his place near Lind Grove the latter part of last week. It seems the origin of the difficulty arose from the intermeddling of some parties with Mr. Payne's laborers. These parties came to his place and sought an interview at the gin with two supposed friends to demand the reasons for such conduct. An altercation ensued, followed by the shooting and speedy death of Mr. Payne, and also the wounding of one of the parties referred to. It is reported that several shots were fired, but with no other damage than that just stated. This is the statement we have recieved. Deceased was a large planter, and a man of great energy, quick temperament and rather uncompromising in his opinions. He it (sic) was who killed the negro St. Clair, of this parish, an act he always justified as one of self-defense and for which he was tried and acquitted. He leaves many friends to mourn his death. We have heard that some of the men engaged in the killing have been arrested. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, February 19, 1870 Page 3, Column 1 There was a fatal case of small pox last week on Mr. Stubbs' plantation, 8 miles east of this. The victim was a freedman. He contracted the disease coming up the river on a boat. As several negroes visited him, we would caution planters to watch carefully all fever cases on their plantations. If we had a town government we would suggest the propriety of municipal action upon the same subject. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, April 2, 1870 Page 2, Column 2 Murder of Sheriff Wisner and Anthony Johnson. Between 9 and 10 o'clock P.M., on Wednesday last, a party of fifteen or twenty mounted men appeared in front of the Sheriff's office. Attracted to the door by the noise or a call, the Sheriff received the contents of two barrels in the left breast - the loads passed through the door, through the body and into the chimney near the ceiling. Mr. Wisner died instantly, no doubt. Anthony Johnson was confined in the jail, and being alarmed at the shot and the pounding on the jail door, cried "murder" from the front grate, and was mortally wounded in the mouth and face by a shot from the street. The jail doors were forced, Johnson shot a second time and Beavers charged with the murder of two freedmen in November, 1868, released. When the mob withdrew from the jail they securely barred the doors on the other prisoners. It was very dark - a man could not have been identified across the side walk. All the streets leading to the jail were strongly guarded, and several parties were stopped and detained until the work was finished. Judge R.W. Richardson was in his office near the jail and stepped out on the side walk to learn the cause of the disturbance, when he was ordered back. He then opened the back door and was ordered to shut it. In fact every body near the jail were compelled to keep closely shut up within their houses. Sheriff Wisner came here in 1865 and was engaged in planting for several years. He was elected Sheriff in 1868. Efficient and energetic, he discharged his duties faithfully and impartially. The people are naturally indignant at his fate. The Monroe Hook and Ladder Company took charge of his remains and consigned them to their last resting place with accustomed honors. The Brass Band generously offered their services. The funeral was attended by the Bar and a large concourse of citizens. NOTES: Governor Warmoth offers a $5,000 reward: Ouachita Telegraph, April 9, 1870, Page 3, Column 1 Tribute of Respect by the Monroe Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, Ouachita Telegraph, April 16, 1870, Page 3, Column 3 In Memorium, Aetna Conclave No. 15, S.W.M. Ouachita Telegraph, April 30, 1870, Page 3, Column 3. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday April 23, 1870 Page 3, Column 1 ANOTHER MURDER. - Thomas Parker, colored, charged with the homicide of Peter Bolden, colored, had a preliminary examination before Judge Caldwell on Thursday. The deceased was shot through the chink of his house - two boys sitting by him were wounded; one dangerously, the other slightly. The balls and shot taken from the door-facing are similar to those found in the gun and shot-pouch of the accused. The track to and from the house of murder corresponded with the patched sole of a shoe in possession of the accused. The evidence is circumstantial but so pointed as to leave no doubt upon the mind as to his guilt. He was remanded to prison without bail, until delivered in due course of law. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, December 24, 1870 Page 3, Column 1 Wm. Harris, colored, charged with the murder of Ned Armstrong, upon a preliminary trial before Judge Caldwell, was committed to jail to await trial before the District Court for the offence charged. The evidence was mainly circumstantial, but pretty strong. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, December 24, 1870 Page 3, Column 1 FOUL WORK UPON THE STREETS! A NEGRO MAN DISAPPEARS - SUPPOSED TO BE MURDERED. Ned Armstrong, a very harmless and industrious old colored man, has suddenly disappeared, and under very singular and mysterious circumstances, indicating that he has been the victim of murderous violence. Ned came to town Thursday, and remained until after dark. Not reaching home yesterday, inquiry was instituted to find out the cause. It appears that he fell in with a negro in town, names Wm. Harris (in the employ of F.P. Stubbs, Esq.,) and that Ned and Harris had a difficulty. The two were seen about half-past 8 o'clock, so it is stated by two other colored men, engaged in a dispute on the sidewalk adjoining Capt. Chamberlain's store, on the north. Precisely at this point, yesterday morning, a quantity of blood was discovered on the ground and on the bed of a small wagon by which the two were standing. Coupling these facts with Ned's disappearance, an affidavit was made against Harris for the murder of Ned, and he is now in jail. Harris denies killing Ned, but admits he was drinking Thursday evening and that his recollection of events is confused. It is possible Ned has not been killed, though such is the belief of those who know his habits, and with them the supposition is that his dead body was thrown into the river. Harris's guilt is, of course, dependent upon Ned's death, and is even then, from what we hear; partly circumstantial. We think it probable that Ned was seriously wounded, and, starting home, crept into some place for shelter and died from his injuries and exposure. - Since the foregoing was put in type, Ned's corpse has been found in Mr. Layton's field below town. There was an ugly flesh wound on the forehead and the pockets were turned. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, December 31, 1870 Page 3, Column 2 Julia Collens, for killing her husband, Lewis Collens, both colored, was yesterday committed to jail by Judge Caldwell for the crime of murder. Julia hit Lewis a love-lick on the head with an axe, from which affectionate evidence of wifely devotion Lewis died. It is said, in Julia's behalf, that Lewis had been overbearing toward her.