Biographies: Bryant Sholars, 1944, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: January 14, 1944 Winnfield News-American Reprinted from December, 1943 Louisiana Peace Officers Magazine Winn Sheriff Has Been Under Fire Several Times Record of Service Told In La. Peace Officers Magazine Tall, lean, smiling Bryant Sholars, veteran North Louisiana peace officer of twenty-eight years of actual experience, rounding out the fourth successful term as sheriff of Winn, is a determined fearless officer, ready and willing to go the limit, even to "shooting it out," to preserve the peace and order of his community or his state. Thrice, while serving as deputy under Sheriff W. T. Heflin, recognized as outstanding in Winn Parish political history, Sheriff Sholars was under a barrage of bullets, engaging in fierce battles with outlaws; once being seriously wounded and he himself fatally wounding an ex-convict, after seeing his lifelong friend and close associate, Deputy R. E. Boyett, shot to death. It was on the night of May 1st, 1926, when John Rayburn, Columbia, Miss., white man, overpowered the Winnfield night marshal after having burglarized a hardware store, obtaining several guns and a large supply of ammunition. Quickly answering the call of law enforcement Bryant Sholars rushed in pursuit of the parolee from Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. Deputy Boyett, under fire twice before, was there to lend his friend all assistance possible. Coming upon the fleeing outlaw in Winnfield at 5 o'clock in the morning the deputy sheriffs answered fire as the youthful ex-con attempted to shoot his way to freedom. In the exchange of shots, Mr. Sholars was wounded in the left side. While suffering intense pain, he witnessed his brother officer, who, he claims was one of the finest men to ever give up his life for the law and order, reel over dead as Rayburn made a dash for liberty. More determined than ever and vowing to avenge his friend's death Sheriff Sholars cast all caution to the winds, and despite his wounds, advanced on the fleeing convict, firing at him with a .44 special. Six shots took effect just below the right arm pit in a place 3 inches in diameter, the murderer of the popular Winn Parish deputy sheriff paid with his life for believing that he could get away with crime. Sheriff Sholars spent two weeks in a hospital and another two weeks recuperating. He was not able to pay final tribute to his friend and ally, whose funeral was one of the most largely attended in all the long history of the city. On two other occasions Sheriff Sholars had to do some shooting to get his man, and on both these encounters he was accompanied by Deputy Boyett. The first in 1919, when Grand Leader, Winnfield dry goods store, owned and operated by A. T. Drewett, now seeking to unseat the sheriff, was burglarized by three South Louisiana white boys. They had previously broken into the People's Hardware Store and secured guns and ammunition. Overtaking the youths on the Ruston Highway the two Winn Parish deputies engaged in a gun battle, sending the inexperienced culprits into different directions and afterwards capturing them like wounded birds. On December 10, 1921, the day the Hood Act went into effect, Deputies Sholars and Boyett sought to arrest two negro employees of a turpentine plant engaged in bootlegging. In the gun battle that ensued one of the negroes was wounded, later captured and sent to the pen. The other escaped to Florida and has succeeded in eluding officers. Bryant Sholars, known personally by practically every inhabitant of Winn Parish, was born on a farm near Dodson. In 1916 he moved to Winnfield as a deputy under Sheriff Heflin, to become one of Winn Parish's most prominent and influential citizens, choosing to run for sheriff when his chief relinquished the post in 1928. Victorious by 300 votes in the second primary Sheriff Sholars' popularity has increased with years of efficient, courteous service. In 1932, with three opponents seeking to oust him, he was victorious by 750 votes majority. In 1936, the voters returned him to office without opposition. In 1940, the most turbulent political year in Louisiana since the turn of the century, the Winn Parish Sheriff was returned to office by an overwhelming vote of 2,300 majority. Sheriff Sholars attributes his political success to his sincere desire to cooperate with parish, state, and federal officers, and the courteous, efficient manner in which his office has been conducted. Much of this credit he gives to his valuable employees. Serving with four judges, four district attorneys and four coroners, Sheriff Sholars has enjoyed the hearty support and cooperation of all. This is a record few sheriffs in Louisiana can point to. Working closely with Harry Fuller, for twenty years one of North Louisiana's most capable and forceful district attorneys, Sheriff Sholars has been able to obtain pleas of guilty from many suspects, thus saving the parish thousands of dollars in court costs. But the proudest achievement in his long career as a law enforcement officer is his record of arrests of Winn Parish citizens without once being threatened with the least injury and without having to lift his hand against any of them. Almost thirty years as an aggressive peace officers without being struck by one of his fellow citizens, and without being compelled to use force on those who know him best, is a record unsurpassed in the annals of Louisiana politics, and unquestionably stamps Bryant Sholars as a man of fairness and great popularity. In asking his people for reelection the other day Sheriff Sholars pointed to his record of fair dealing and close cooperation with officers and citizens of Winn Parish. He has never attempted to influence the grand jury, in depression time he helped taxpayers in many ways to meet their obligations without undue hardships and when compelled by law to foreclose on Winn Parish property he has gone out of his way to seek bidders in order that unfortunates might secure best possible prices and avoid deficiency judgment. Bryant Sholars is not only a good, brave Sheriff but he is a splendid citizen, a wonderful friend and a patriotic American, with a record of duty well and impartially performed. There's not wonder his people have repeatedly honored him with reelection, each time by a larger majority than the previous one. A prominent member of the Louisiana Peace Officers Association, Sheriff Sholars is a charter member, and as first vice president of the Louisiana Sheriffs Association he is scheduled to and will be elevated to the presidency at the next election. Known throughout the state the Winn Parish sheriff is one of Louisiana's best liked law enforcement officers.