Criminal Justice Matters: Inquest of James Riser, 1887, 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: Inquest Book 1887-1906, Office of the Clerk of Court, Winn Parish, LA. Process Verbal of Inquest over the dead body of James Riser, filed Sept. 5th, 1887, R. C. Jones, Clerk of Court The State of Louisiana Parish of Winn Tistamony(sic) of Witnesses taken on oath at an inquest held over the body of James Rizer on the 17th day of July 1887 on the Farm of Doctor J. W. Robertson before the Justice of the Peace of the 7th Ward Parish aforesaid and the Jury in said Inquest Empaneld(sic). Lucinda Rizer being duly sworn testifyes(sic) that: On the night of the 14th July 1887, parties unknown to me called at the door and asked for a light to be made which was done deceased turned with the light towards the door he was then ordered to cross his hands which he refused to do. he was then struck at with a gun which he caught, some person from without struck in at the door with something About this time they all got out of the house, shortly after I heard in the yard the report of 3 or 4 guns. I heard James Rizer exclaim "Lord have mercy upon my poor little children I am gone" The same man who first came in the house returned and ordered us to hush which I did not do and he pushed me down with the gun knocking out four teeth and making a gash on my chin he then left. I myself went over to Dr. Robertsons but returned next morning and found James Rizer lying in the door and shot. He lived till 8 o'clock PM the 16th July when he died he was attended by Dr. Robertson while he was lying shot. Catherine Rizer sworn: I corroborate the statement of Lucinda Riser in every particular in substance. Narcissa Riser sworn: In substance I corroborate the statement of the foregoing witness. Lucinda Rizer (her mark) Catherine Rizer (her mark) Narcissus Rizer (her mark) I hereby certify that the foregoing is the testamony(sic) of all the witnesses taken on the foregoing inquest. W. A. Smith, Justice Peace and Coroner for the time being State of Louisiana Parish of Winn An inquisition taken at the house ocupied(sic) by Deceased and on premises of Dr. John W. Robertsons on the 17th of July 1887. before W. A. Smith, J. P. acting as coroner upon view of the body of James Riser (colored) there lying dead. The Jurors whose names are hereto subscribed having been sworn to inquire on behalf of the State when and by what means said James Riser (colored) came to his death upon their oaths do say: that the deceased James Riser came to his death by reason of a pistol shot wound inflicted by some person or persons unknown, The ball having penetrated the right side and coming out on left side of backbone. This was done on the night of July 14th, 1887 and against the peace and dignity of the State of Louisiana. In witness whereof as well as the said Justice of Peace as the Jurors aforesaid have to this inquisition set their hands on the day and year aforesaid at the place aforesaid. W. A. Smith, J. P. D. E. Gaar P. E. Grisham Z. T. Faith J. A. Gaar W. Branch Acct For holding inquest, $ 5.00 For all other fees including the swearing and qualifing(sic) of a jury administring(sic) of oaths the returning of the process verbal, $ 5.00 D. E. Gaar's Jury Claim, $ 2.00 P. E. Grisham's Jury Claim, $ 2.00 J. A. Gaar's Jury Claim, $ 2.00 Z. T. Faith's Jury Claim, $ 2.00 William Branch's Jury Claim, $ 2.00 Total, $ 20.00 State of Louisiana Parish of Winn W. A. Smith, J. P. of the 7th Ward and coroner for the time being, being duly sworn says that the items of the foregoing are correctly stated and that the disbursements and services therein charges have been in fact made and rendered and that the amount claimed therein are justly due. W. A. Smith, Justice of the Peace 7th Ward Recorded Sept. 7th 1887 R. C. Jones, Clerk 4th District Court Oaths of R. W. Caldwell, et als State of Louisiana Parish of Winn Seventh Justice Court R. W. Caldwell a resident of said Parish and State, 7th Ward who being first duly sworn deposes and says that one Newton Taylor of said Parish & State came to my house July 11th 1887, and remained the(sic) overnight and that during his stay he remarked that James Rizer would be waited on this week I ask what for. He (Taylor) said because Riser washed his face & hands in the wash pan and dried on the towel at West Robertson's which insulted Mrs. West Robertson. R. W. Caldwell Sworn to and Subscribed to before me on this the 30th day of July 1887, W. A. Smith, J. P. 7th Ward State of Louisiana Parish of Winn 7th District Court Mrs. J. R. Pepper a residentof Jackson Parish, La., and wife of James Pepper who being first duly sworn deposes and says that she was at little Gib Grears about the 7th of July 1887 and Dr. J. W. Robertson was there also and was mad about James Riser washing from house and was threatening those who hired him (the Risers also the Branches) with sticks, and Mrs. West Robertson who was present spoke and said No Pa (speaking to Doctor) don't bother them but take it out of him James Riser J. R. Pepper Sworn to and subscribed to before this the 1st day of August A D 1887, W. A. Smith, J. P. State of La. Parish of Winn 7th Justice Court John A. Gaar a resident of the Parish of Winn State aforesaid who being first duly sworn by me deposes & says that he was in company with H. K. Brown on or about the 21st of July 1887 and while we were talking about James Riser I said to Brown I recon youj was not Expecting to here(sic) of him being shot but I was Expecting to hear of him being raised, and had been for two weeks here the conversastion fell because of approaching company. J. A. Gaar Sworn & subscribed to before me this 5th day of Aug A D 1887 W. A. Smith, Justice Pease P. S. H. K. Brown is a son in law to Dr. Robertson State of La Parish of Winn 7th Justice Court H. K. Brown first being duly sworn by me deposes and says that the reasons why that He made use of the remark that he did to J. A. Gaar was founded upon what Newton Taylor had previously said to him H. K. Brown Sworn & subscribed to before me this 8th day of August 1887 W. A. Smith Justice Peace State of La Parish of Winn 7th Justice Court Newton Taylor being duly sworn deposes and says that the reason why he made such remarks to R. W. Caldwell and H. K. Brown as he did was founded upon his own opinion because he had heard of how Riser voted and he felt satisfied that he would get a whiping Newton Taylor (his mark) Sworn & subscribed to before me this 8th day of August 1887. W. A. Smith J. P. State of Louisiana Parish of Winn 7th Justice Court Mrs. Mary Young, wife of Robert Young, who being first duly sworn by me deposes and says that on or about the 21st of July 1887 that Frank Robertson in the presents of myself and Sarah Ann Emmons, Catherine Emmons & Mrs. Spillers said that those who did not know anything about who killed James Rizer had better not try to know for they might catch the same the Nigro caught Mary Young (her mark) Sworn & subscribed to before me this the 2nd day of Sept. 1887 W. A. Smith Justice of the Peace 7th Ward Recorded Sept. 7th 1887 R. C. Jones Clerk 4th District Court