Criminal Justice Matters: Ed Fitchu, Eric Smith, 1932, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: January 7, 1932 Winn Parish Enterprise

Chicken Thief Killed In Trap Set By E. Smith

Ed Fitchu, Negro Man, Killed Last Friday Morning, When Gun Is Set Off By Wire

Eric Smith, truck farmer and poultry raiser, who lives on the edge of town,
had been losing chickens for several months.  Mr. Smith was successful in
catching the thief early last Friday morning.  For two months Mr. Smith had
been setting a trap each night for his visitor.

As the negro, Ed Fitchu, opened the chicken house door, the trigger of the gun
which was set, was pulled by a wire.  The gun, an old time hammer Bristlow,
discharged a load of No. 6 birdshot into his left hip through his body.

Mr. Smith called the sheriff's department and Town Marshal W. H. Peters, who
went to his house and brought the negro to town.  The negro died on the way
from loss of blood.

The negro had been an employee of the Louisiana & Arkansas Railway Company. 
He had served time in the state penitentiary.

It is believed that he is the intruder who has been entering homes in the east
side of town. During the last several months the homes of S. A. Love, Mrs. J.
B. Fick, J. H. Powers, and others have been entered by a man wearing a leather
coat.  When Fitchu was killed he had on a leather coat.

Mr. Smith has lost about fifty chickens in the last several months and more
than one hundred chickens have been taken from this community recently.  Mr.
Smith wants all persons who have lost chickens to notify him so the total
number can be publishes.