St Landry County Louisiana Archives News.....Assassination of Colonel Wm. Offutt January 29, 1876
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Mary K Creamer marykcreamer@yahoo.com August 27, 2014, 11:04 pm

The Opelousas Courier (Opelousas, La.) January 29, 1876, Page 1 January 29, 1876
ASSASSINATION of Col. Offutt.
Last Sunday evening at about 4-1/2 o'clock, this community was thrown into a 
fever excitement by the arrival of a courier from Washington, bringing the news 
of the horrible assassination of Col. Wm. Offutt, in broad daylight, on the 
public highway, between his plantation and that town. It appears that Col. 
Offutt was returning from Washington to his plantation, situated about 4 miles 
from that town, in a buggy, at about 2-1/2 o'clock in the evening, and was 
almost in sight of his residence when the dastardly murderer who was probably 
ambushed near the road, crept up behind him and with a shot-gun literally blew 
out his brains. The assassin, a negro or griff named Gustin Kenison, then had 
the audacity to go on to the Colonel's residence, and calling out Miss Offutt, 
told her that he had better go to her father's assistance, he was lying bleeding 
to death in the road. Before any one could reach him, the unfortunate gentleman 
was speechless, but by signs he gave those who were around him to understand 
that he wished to write something. Paper and pencil were soon brought, but when 
they were placed before him, he was already insensible. He was then removed to 
his residence, and died about six hours afterward without uttering an articulate 
syllable.
The scene of the murder is a public road,over which there is consideral travel. 
The report of the gun, discharged near the victim that the wad remained in the 
wound, so startled the Colonel's horse, that at a bound, he tore the forward 
wheels ** of the buggy and rushed away towards home.
As soon as these facts became known, the citizens of Washington and the 
neighborhood started in pursuit of Gustin. Assisted by the Sheriff and his 
deputies, they scoured the woods in every direction for miles, but up to this 
writing no clue has be discovered as to his whereabouts.
Gustin Kenison was raised in Prairie des Femmes, in this parish, it is about 20 
or 21 years of age, of less than medium height and of griff complexion. He is 
well known in the neighborhood of the Junction, where he bears an unenviable 
reputation.
Col. Wm. Offutt was in his 68th year. All our readers in this parish knew him 
personally or by reputation. He was one of our best citizens. Christian charity, 
generosity, kindness, integrity, all the qualities which go to make up the good 
man and the good citizen were centered in him. His violent death caused a 
universal feeling of regret and indignation impossible to describe. He was a 
native of this State, we believe and removed to this parish when 6 or 7 years of 
age. He held the rank of Colonel in the State militia before the war, and was 
elected to the State Senate for the short term in 186*. The latter, we believe, 
is the only political office he ever held or aspired to, as he never took a very 
prominent part in politics.
The motives which compelled the commission of this atrocious crime are unknown. 
Col. Offutt was thought to be without an enemy, was universally esteemed by both 
white and black, and no one has ever had occasion to complain of the last 
injustice at his hands.
The finding of the Coroner's jury is that "deceased came to his death by a gun-
shot wound inflicted by Gustin Kenison."


Additional Comments:
Colonel William Offutt is buried in the St. Landry Catholic Church cemetery 
located in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, LA.

www.findagrave memorial number 103942919

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