Criminal Justice Matters: Oscar Barton, John Swafford, 1936, 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: September 3, 1936 Winn Parish Enterprise Night Marshall Kills Drunk Negro Sunday Negro Attacks Barton As Barton Attempted to Arrest Him John Swafford, about 40 years of age, negro from near Cedar, was killed last Sunday morning at 4:20 o'clock by Night Marshal Oscar Barton, when he refused to be arrested and attacked Barton. According to Barton he was making his regular rounds about the town when he discovered the negro at Moorhead's station. The negro was drunk and Barton attempted to arrest him. Swafford, it is alleged, began fighting Barton and refused to be arrested. In the affray, Barton knocked the negro down twice, and as he got up the last time he caught Barton by his throat. Barton believing the negro was getting the best of him, pulled his gun and shot him. He then notified Sheriff Bryant Sholars and Coroner J. F. Faith, who viewed the body of the negro. No report had been filed by the coroner Wednesday afternoon.