Port Union Affray Between Robert C. Webb and Hillory Crawford Ham

Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by T. D. Hudson, 8/2005



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The Farmerville 'Gazette'
Wednesday, 19 September 1900
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	In a difficulty at Port Union between Messrs. R. C. Webb and H. C. Ham, the former was 
shot in the wrist and side and the latter was severely cut in the side. We could learn no further 
particulars.
	Since the above was put in type, we get the following particulars of the difficulty from 
the Monroe News of the 17th inst.:
	Yesterday on Port Union Plantation on the Ouachita river in Union parish a difficulty 
arose between R. C. Webb, of this city, the owner of the plantation, and Mr. Crawford Ham who 
lives upon the place, in which a pistol and a knife played a part. From what we can gather Webb 
went to his plantation to see Ham about gathering the cotton. Soon after starting the 
conversation the two men grew angry and Ham pulled his pistol and began firing at Webb, shooting 
him through the arm and hitting him also with a glancing shot in the side. Webb stabbed Ham in 
the side under the left arm. Our informant, who was speaking from hearsay, states that Ham 
was the aggressor in the fight and after shooting Webb twice snapped his pistol three times at 
him.
	Mr. Webb returned to his home in this city yesterday. Ham's wound is serious.

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NOTE:  Hillory Crawford Ham (19 June 1852 – 23 Jan 1910) was the son of Hillory Herbert Ham [Sr.] 
and Isabella Ann Robinson. He was born into a life of luxury, as his father and grandfather were 
among the largest slaveowners in Union Parish prior to the War Between the States. However, the Ham's 
wealthy was primarily tied up in slaves and large land holdings, and by 1872 their fortunes had 
deteriorated severely. Crawford Ham had numerous legal problems throughout his life. He survived 
this incident, but in 1910 he was killed by his son-in-law.


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