Criminal Justice Matters:  Inquest of H. W. Jackson, 1919, Winn Parish, La.
Submitted by: Greggory Ellis Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA. 71483
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From Inquest Book A, Office of the Clerk of Court, Winn Parish Courthouse,
Winnfield,    LA.

An Inquisition Taken At Winnfield, Louisiana, on the 11th day of May in the
year 1919, before the Coroner of the Parish of Winn, upon view of the body of
H. W. Jackson, there lying dead.  The Jurors of whose names are hereunto
subscribed, having been sworn to inquire on the behalf of the State when and
by what means the said H. W. Jackson came to his death, upon their oath do say
that the said H. W. Jackson came to his death May 11, 1919 from a Gun Shot
(pistol) wounds, inflicted by a pistol in the hands of Lester Griswald, the
said Lester Griswald acting self-defense, therefore we consider this a case of
Justifiable Homicide.  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. 

R. F. Machen

W. F. Dickerson

C. H. Elliott

R. W. Buce

J. C. Fitch

W. T. Heflin, sworn, says:  About 11 o'clock last night I met H. W. Jackson
over at 
Mr. Carl Swanson's Restaurant.  He was drinking, I smelt the odor of
Antiseptic on his breath.  He said I want to talk with you.  He told me that
Lester Griswald had gone to his house and abused his wife and put his hand on
her shoulder and shook her and told her that if she put her hands on his
mother again he would kill her.  He said his wife had sworn out a Warrant for
him and nothing had been done.  I advised him to go home, and he said he was
going to see that boy tonight and talk it over with him, he said he was not
afraid, he had two little girls with him.

Signed:  W. T. Heflin


Gladys Jackson, sworn, says:  My father, my sister Bettie, and myself went to 
Mrs. Griswald's last night about twelve o'clock.  We left the street and went
down the alley toward Mrs. Griswald's house.  We saw someone go down the
street, we all squatted down and when he was gone we went back to the street
and went down to the negro quarters to the Negro Restaurant and store.  We got
some Ice Cream, bananas, and daddy got himself a cup of coffee.  Daddy drank
Antiseptic twice at the restaurant and when we were in the alley he drank
Antiseptic out of the bottle without water.  WE left the restaurant and went
back the street to the alley way leading to Mrs. Griswald's house, we went
down the alley way nearly to Mrs. Griswald's and he told me and my sister to
go in and tell Mrs. Griswald that he wanted to see what the matter was about. 
We told Mrs. Griswald what he had said, she called her two boys and Lester
said tell him to come some other time.  We went back and told Daddy, he said
lets squat down and he squated and we staid there a little while, he said come
on here girls I'll take you all home, we started toward home and he wheeled
around and said God Dammit I am going in and blow him up.  We went on the
porch and they were talking and all at once Daddy drew his pistol and said
I'll see about that and  commenced shooting.  Daddy fired the first shot. 
Myself and sister ran and screamed, we went up town and Mr. Otis Woods phoned
Mr. Heflin and when we went back Daddy was dead.

Signed:  Gladys Jackson

Filed for the record May 13th, 1919, and Recorded this the 8th day of March,
1920.

Eugene Beck
Clerk & Ex-Officio Recorder