1878 Hanging of Jesse Walker for Murder of Violet Simmons, Farmerville, Union Parish Louisiana
Submitted by:       Shawn Martin
Date of Submission: 8/2001

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1878 Hanging of Jesse Walker for Murder of Violet Simmons, Farmerville, Union Parish Louisiana

From the Dallas, Texas "Weekly Herald", issue of 1 June 1878 and the Dallas "Morning Star", 
issue of 1 June 1878
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                                     CRIME CASUALTY
         Walker Launched into Eternity for the Murder of Violet Simmons in Louisiana


Farmersville, La., May 24 — 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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