Criminal Justice Matters:  Monroe Bratton, 1928, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From:  August 2, 1928 Winn Parish Enterprise

Monroe Bratton Killed Sunday


A coroner's jury Monday recommended that Clarence Jones, farmer of Grant
Parish, who shot and killed Monroe Bratton, 35 years old, also of Grant
Parish, with a .38 caliber pistol on the court house square in Winnfield
Sunday afternoon, be held in custody, pending the action of the Grand Jury
in September.  The verdict of the jury was that Bratton died as the result
of a pistol shot would received in the head just below the left eye from a
shot fired by Clarence Jones.

Bratton was killed during a pistol battle between the Hyde and Melton
factions, families of each faction residing at Allbright Prairie, 12 miles
south of Winnfield, in Grant Parish.  The shooting is believed to be the
climax of an old feud started by a quarrel regarding the ownership of some
cows.  Walker Melton's claim of ownership of some cows alleged to have
been killed by Sam and Walter Hyde is thought to have been the immediate
cause of the shooting fray.

During a free-for-all on the square, Sam Hyde received a scalp wound from
a shot from Jones' gun.  Another bullet from Jones' pistol passed through
the hat of Walter Hyde.  Melton was bruised about the head.  Neither Hyde
nor Melton were seriously injured.

Walker Melton and Clarence Jones are said to have come to Winnfield Sunday
seeking the hides of cattle alleged to have been killed by the Hyde boys
and belonging to Melton.  The battle began in a fist fight between Sam
Hyde and Walker Melton, Bratton, Walter Hyde and Jones interferring, Jones
pulled his gun, killed Bratton and slightly wounded Sam Hyde.

Jones surrendered to authorities and was placed in jail by Sheriff Bryant
Sholars.  A pistol was found on the dead man by Sheriff Sholars and
Marshal Jolley.

Bratton was buried near his home in Grant Parish, Monday.  He is survived
by a wife and five children.  Jones is also married.