Criminal: Inquest of Thomas Williamson, 1921, 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. Winn Parish, La. Near Tide, La. August 29, 1921 An inquisition at Winn Parish, La., August 29th, 1921, before the Coroner of the Parish of Winn, upon viewed of the body of Thomas Williamson, there lying dead. The Jurors of this inquest having sworn to inquire on behalf of the State when and by what means the said Thomas Williamson came to his death upon their oath do say: That the said Thomas Williamson came to his death at Winn Parish, La., August 28th, 1921, from gunshot wound inflicted by a shot gun in the hands of Colbert Jordan-Onnie Jordan being there present, aiding and abetting in the crime. We therefore, recommend that a warrant be issued charging the said Colbert Jordan and Onnie Jordan, with murder and that they be arrested and held to answer said charge. In testimony whereof, the Coroner and Jurors of this inquest have hereunto signed ournames the day and year above written. J. J. Peters, M. D. Coroner, Winn Parish David Porter R. F. Brewer R. E. Mathews A. F. Matthews W. L. Owens Winn Parish, Near Tide, La. Autust 29, 1921 Mrs. Lily Huitt sworn, says: I saw Colvert and Onnie Jordan yesterday evening armed, Colobert with a shot gun and Onnie with a pistol. They said they were going to Tom Williamson to kill him. About one hour after they were at my house and made their threats I heard a gun fire. I heard a lady scream and some persons running-Colbert and Onnie Jordan came back to my house and said they had killed him. Attest: J. J. Peters, M. D. Lily Huitt (X) her mark Winn Parish, La., near Tide, La. August 29, 1921 J. A. Huitt sworn says: I saw Colbert and Onnie Jordan yesterday evening armed, Colbert with a repeating shotgun and Onnie with a pistol. About 7 o'clock P.M. they said they were going to Tom Williamson's to kill him. I and my family and the boys' father tried to keep them from killing Williamson. All our efforts were in vain. About one hour after they left my place armed I heard a gun fire and we heard people running toward my house, and the same two boys, Colbert and Onnie Jordan came up and said they had killed-meaning Tom Williamson. Colbert said he shot him and Onnie said heheld him steady while he shot him. Attest: J. J. Peters, M. D. J. A. Huitt (X) his mark Winn Parish, La., Near Tide P. O. August 29, 1921 Mrs. Eunice Williamson sworn says: My husband went to Winnfield yesterday and yesterday evening before he came back. I went to my mother's. Mr. Hunt's boy came and told me that Tom was at the house. I started home and my brother told me to wait, that he wanted to go with me-he and his wife came on home with me. My brother was drunk, he came in and he and my husband spoke to one another, my brother told him he wanted to stay all night with him, before he left. Tom told him all right and he asked my husband where he was going to put him to sleep. He told him in the room right there, and my brother says where aand my husband says in there under the bed. My brother toldh im he wouldn't sleep under anybody's Goddammed bed. His wife took him and went home with him. My brother then came back to the lot. Tom went to the lot where he was and they had a few words but I could not understand what was said. My husband came back to the house and my brother went the other way. My husband sat down at the table and was readinghis paper, he said to me I recon that boy will shoot me tonight, he said he heard him making his threats he said he wouldn't come to his face to shoot him he would shoot him in his back. I told him that he knew he was drunk and he knew that he wouldn't shoot him. We sat by the table and read about one hour. A gun fired and he fell over backwards out of his chair. I took his head in my lap. He told me to raise him up was only a wound he spoke he lived but a few minutes and died. I did not see who shot him. My brother Colbert Jordanshot him he tole me so after it was done. My brother Onnie Jordan was present with Colbert when he shot my husband. They slipped up in the dark and shot him at close range. This occurred about 8 o'clock last night. My husband was not drinking. Eunice Williamson Filed August 29th, 1921 at 3:40 o'clock P.M. Recorded this the 39th day of August, A. D. , 1921. Eugene Beck Dy. Clerk & Ex-Officio Recorder