Winn Railroad Ambush, 1936, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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>From the November 6, 1936 Winnfield News-American

One Killed, Two Injured When L & A Train Is Fired Into

Investigation Now Being Conducted By Officers


Sheriff Bryant Sholars of Winn Parish reported Wednesday morning that two
empty shotgun shells had been found at the spot where the train crew of the
New Orleans bound 
L & A passenger train, "The Hustler," was ambushed Tuesday night, resulting in
the death of a guard and the wounding of two members of the train crew.

The dead man is Max Osborne, 40, of Rodessa.  Fireman E. J. Waskom of
Shreveport was wounded in the jaw, and a buckshot grazed the neck of Engineer
F. A. Bacon of Shreveport.

Four bloodhounds were brought here early Wednesday morning from the state
penal farm at Angola by Sergt. E. C. Ball.  The dogs, however, were reported
not to be effective because of the cold and high wind.  However, the sheriff
reported that signs were found where a car had been parked by the highway a
short distance from where the shells were picked up.  The distinctive marks on
the tracks were followed westward about a quarter of a mile and then showed
that the car had turned around and returned toward Winnfield.  Further tracing
was impossible.

The spot where the ambush occurred is about five miles northwest of Winnfield. 
Engineer Bacon brought the train onto Winnfield, where Osborne's body was
removed and the wounded fireman given first aid.  The train stopped a short
distance from the depot.  Sheriff Sholars was notified and began an immediate
investigation.  

Osborne was struck with several buckshot, one entering the temple and the
other the face.  Fireman Waskom was taken to a hospital at Alexandria.

Night Marshal Oscar Barton of Winnfield found the train engine had been struck
by about ten shot.

It is believed that the ambusher or ambushers used an automatic or pump
shotgun loaded with buckshot and fled immediately after the shooting in an
automobile. 

The body of the dead guard was taken to Shreveport, where it was held pending
funeral arrangements.  Osborne formerly lived at Cleveland, Ohio, it was
reported.

The train was delayed here about an hour and a half while a report of the case
was made to authorities.  Engineer Bacon continued his run to the end of the
division line at the Mississippi River.

Osborne was riding on the cab of the engine on the same side from which the
shot was fired.  A highway parallels the L. & A. tracks at the place where the
ambush occurred.

(Submitted by Greggory Ellis Davies, Winnfield, Winn Parish, LA.)