1887 Daily Picayune Article about the Trimble - Ramsey Shootout in Farmerville, Union Parish Louisiana 
Submitted by:       T. D. Hudson
Date of Submission: 11/2008

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1887 Daily Picayune Article about the Trimble - Ramsey Shootout in Farmerville, Union Parish Louisiana  

From the New Orleans paper "The Daily Picayune", issue dated 20 December 1887, page 2
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                                 A DEADLY DUEL.
                                _____________

              A Personal Altercation at Farmerville, Union Parish
                                _____________

         J. E. Trimble and J. A. Ramsey Shoot Each Other Dead in Their Tracks.
                                _____________

      FARMERVILLE, La., Dec. 19. --- [Special.]
A most unfortunate personal difficulty happened here at about 5:15 o'clock this evening, 
by which two of our most prominent citizens lost their lives.

                          THERE HAD BEEN BAD BLOOD

between Judge J. E. Trimble and James A. Ramsey for some time, which had been added to by 
a personal question involving the veracity of one or both. They met this evening at the 
front door of J. Stein & Co.'s store. Hot words were spoken, and both from all accounts, 
drew their weapons. There were some five or six shots fired, and Judge Trimble and Mr. 
J. A. Ramsey were seen to

                                FALL BACK DEAD.

   Both gentlemen leave most estimable families, and the affair throws gloom over the community.

   There was a large crowd present at the shooting, and it is a wonder that no one got struck 
from a stray bullet. Colonel Ed. Jonas, brother of Collector Jonas, had a hole torn in his 
coat and shirt by a stray bullet.

                                THE DIFFICULTY 

grew up as follows: At a mass meeting held at Farmerville on the 8th of November. Mr. Ramsey 
made a speech in which he sharply criticised [sic] the Farmerville Gazette for publishing 
injurious statements concerning Governor Nicholls' official conduct, and when proofs of their 
falsity were presented had refused to make corrections.

    The Gazette, of which J. E. Trimble was editor, in its next issue assailed the moral 
character of Mr. Ramsey.

     On the 18th of November, in the Farmerville Advocate, Mr. Ramsey published a card signed 
by a number of citizens of Farmerville, certifying to his high 

                              MORAL RECTITUDE AND INTEGRITY,

and at the same time he announced the fact that by reason of his conscientious scruples he was 
prevented from appealing to the dueling code to wash out the affront put upon him by 
Editor Trimble.

     The matter seems to have remained in this condition until the two men had a chance meeting 
on Monday evening, when the fatal altercation took place.                       

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