Powell-Melton Murders, 1907, Winn Parish, LA Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, Winnfield, LA ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** >From the Winnfield News-American, February 1, 1907 O. S. Powell and Pleas Melton Killed At Moore O. S. Powell, proprietor of the Powell Marble Works at Alexandria, was shot and instantly killed at about 5 o'clock on Thursday evening of last week by Bud Melton near Moore Station, five miles east of Winnfield on the Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad. Powell had shot and killed Pleas Melton, a brother of Bud Melton. The trouble between them seems to have been the sequence of a dispute between Powell and Mrs. Laura Melton, mother of Bud and Pleas Melton, over the settlement of a debt Powell owed. After the quarrel with Mrs. Melton, Powell went to the residence of J. D. Lambert, about three miles away, and the Melton boys proceeded there to see him about the debt. Pleas Melton went into the house and told Powell he wanted to see him, when Powell suggested that they walk out and away from the house. They walked about 150 yards away when Powell shot and instantly killed Pleas Melton. Bud Melton, who had never left the front gate, heard the four shots which killed his brother, and, running around the house, opened fire on Powell with a Winchester. Powell endeavored to shoot Bud Melton, but the first shot from the latter's Winchester broke Powell's right arm and he could not use his gun. Four shots from the Winchester struck Powell and he died almost instantly. Coroner J. J. Peters impaneled a jury Thursday night, held an inquest over the dead bodies and rendered a verdict exhonorating Bud Melton from any responsibility for killing Powell. Powell was 43 years old and was well known in this section. He had a wife and one small son. The Meltons are well known, having resided near Moore for many years. (Moore Station was located about eight miles south of Winnfield, about two miles north of Pacton, near the railroad overpass on current day U. S. 167. Submitted by Greggory Ellis Davies, Winnfield, Winn Parish, LA.)