Criminal Justice Matters: Inquest of Henry Besaint, 1920, 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 A, Office of the Clerk of Court, Winn Parish Courthouse, Winnfield, LA. State of Louisiana Parish of Winn An inquest taken at Winnfield, La., on the 26th day of May in the year 1920, before the Coroner of the Parish of Winn, upon view of the body of Henry Besaint, 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 Henry Besaint came to his death, upon this oath do say that said Henry Besaint came to his death May the 25th, 1920, by a gunshot wound inflicted by a pistol in the hands of one Freeman Cole, in our opinion, therefore, we recommend that a warrant be issued charging the said Freeman Cole with murder, and that he be held to answer said charge. In testimony whereof the Coroner and Jurors of this inquest have hereunto subscribed our names the day and year above written. J. J. Peters, M. D. Dy. Coroner Edgar Jackson B. L. Anderson J. Monroe Teagle J. E. Waters C. B. Cole Winnfield, La., May 26, 1920 Freeman Cole, sworn, says: I work at nights for the Creosote Co. I punch the clock. Clean the loader and help fire. I went to work last night at 6 o'clock. Henry Besaint also works at night for the Creosote Co., we both met there at 6 o'clock. We worked til about 9:30. I went to supper, I told him to raise steam while I went to supper. I was gone to supper about 15 minutes, and when I got back Henry was firing up. I punched the 10 o'clock round and went back to the boiler room and Henry was there. I then left the boiler room and went to my work about 10 minutes after I left the boiler room I heard a shot fire and looked and saw the flash of the gun it was 30 or 40 feet from boiler room about 4 or 5 minutes later I heard another shot it was in the boiler room. I called Henry and he did not answer and I went to see what was the matter and found Henry lying on the ground with his head against the boiler. He was dead. I saw a pistol lying by his side. I did not see any body around there last night. The lights there are poor. I gave the alarm at once. I never saw the pistol before. Freeman Cole (X) his mark Attest: C. B. Cole Winnfield, La., May 26, 1920 Almeda Cole, sworn, says: I stayed at home last night up to the time of the killing. My husband's name is Freeman Cole. He works at the Creosoting Company. He went to work last night at 6 o'clock. He went to the Lodge in the T. & G. Quarters some time between 6 o'clock and nine o'clock last night. At 9 o'clock he came home for his supper. When he had eaten his supper he went on to his work. Henry Besaint came to the door about 8 o'clock and asked if Cole was here. Almeater Cole May 26, 1920 C. B. Nash, sworn, says: I saw Freeman Cole yesterday evening about 5:30 o'clock he was in the T. & G. Quarters. He said he wanted to pay his Lodge dues and assessments. I am Secretary of the Lodge, our Lodge had a meeting last night. We met about 8:30 or 9:00 o'clock. Freeman Cole was not there he did not attend the meeting. The Lodge adjourned last night about 10 o'clock. I did not see Freeman Cole after 5:30 o'clock yesterday evening. Freeman Cole paid his dues and assessments and said he didn't think he would be out with us. Chas. B. Nash Filed and recorded May 26, 1920. Recorded this the 27th day of July 1920. Eugene Beck Dy. Clerk & Ex-Officio Recorder