Obituaries: "Has - Haz"; Winn, Louisiana Submitter & Submitters date as listed with obit. Source: As listed * ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** List of names in this file: Otha Hastings James R. Hatcher Grover Toler Hayes ================================================= Submitter: Greggory E. Davies Date: 20 June 2004 Source: Winnfield News-American September 9, 1938 Brother of Local Man Dies Monday At Pittsburg, Tex. Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Hastings were called to Pittsburg, Texas Monday on account of the sudden death of Mr. Hastings' brother, Otha Hastings. The body was brought to Alexandria and funeral services were held Wednesday and interment made in the Rapides Cemetery. Besides C. J. Hastings, his brother residing here, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. J. P. Hastings of Alexandria, his widow and four children, one brother Odie Hastings of Kilgore, Texas, and two sisters, Mrs. Gould Owens and Mrs. Katherine Johnson of Alexandria. ===== Submitter: Greggory E. Davies Date: 20 June 2004 Source: Winnfield News-American January 14,, February 18, April 8 & 22, 1938 Article No. 1 James Hatcher of Sikes In Hospital from Knife Wounds Attacked and Cut With Knife By Tom Sandidge Thursday James Hatcher is recovering in a Shreveport hospital from knife wounds inflicted by Tom Sandidge during an altercation between the two men at Sikes last Thursday afternoon. Hatcher, proprietor of a service station, according to best available information, had requested payment of an account from Sandidge. Whereupon Sandidge, it is alleged, attacked Hatcher with an open knife. Hatcher for a while succeeded in holding Sandidge in abeyance, but after he is supposed to have considered the affair closed was again attacked by Sandidge. Immediately Hatcher was rushed to Shreveport to a hospital where he was treated and later reported to be recovering from the wounds. Sandidge was brought to Winnfield by Sheriff Bryant Sholars and placed in jail to await final developments in Hatcher's condition. Article No. 2 Knife Wounds Are Fatal to James H. Hatcher of Sikes Funeral Services Held Near Sikes Monday Afternoon James Hatcher, who operated a caf‚ and service station at Sikes died Sunday morning in a Shreveport hospital where he had been under treatment since about January 6 for knife wounds, allegedly inflicted by Tom Sandidge. Mr. Hatcher, the son of Mrs. Laura Hatcher, formerly resided here, where he attended high school and was a star athlete, excelling in football and basketball. He graduated from the local high school in 1923. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at two o'clock and interment made in the Union Hill Cemetery near Sikes (believed buried in Sikes Cemetery), with Rev. Alwin Stokes, pastor of the First Presbyterian. Church here, and close friend of the family, officiating. Sandidge, about 53, who has been held in the parish jail here awaiting the outcome of Mr. Hatcher's injuries, will remain in jail pending the action of the Grand Jury that meets March 7. Sandidge was convicted in district court here several years ago on a charge of robbing graves and served a term in the state penitentiary. Article No. 3 Two Cases Completed, Third in Progress in District Court Here; Jury Strike Congests Docket Tom Sandridge Found Guilty As Charged; Negro Girl Gets Manslaughter Verdict. Earl Hutchinson Now On Trial For Murder Criminal district court for Winn Parish that encountered a snag Monday evening when the twelve jurors in the first case up went on a "sit down strike" because of no assurance of payment for services, has completed two cases and the third is now in progress. Judge Cas Moss, presiding, has held night court in an attempt to complete the week's docket as nearly as possible. It appears that special effort is being made to at least clear the docket of the murder and manslaughter cases. Tom Sandridge, charged with the death of James H. Hatcher of Sikes, was found guilty as charged by the jury that returned their verdict Tuesday night about nine o'clock. It was in this the first case that the twelve jurors refused to come out of the jury room following the evening meal about six o'clock Monday after reading the notice on the door of the parish treasurer's office, "It will be impossible for the Police Jury to pay Jurymen and witnesses for serving the balance of the year. The funds appropriated for that purpose have already been exhausted." This was signed by Jesse Temple, president, and B. L. Anderson, treasurer. The strike believed to be the first on record by a criminal court jury started after two witnesses had testified. Refusing to return to the court, the jury requested Sheriff Bryant Sholars to notify Judge Moss that it had gone on a sit-down strike which would continue until it received assurance that the members would be paid for their services. This was followed by a special conference attended by Judge moss, Sheriff Sholars, Parish Treasurer B. L. Anderson, and District Attorney Harry Fuller. After being informed that every effort would be made to secure the necessary funds the jurors resumed services and the trial of Sandridge proceeded. Following this conference a special session of the Winn Parish Police Jury was held Tuesday morning under order of Judge Cas Moss and attending were Jesse Temple, president, C. C. Henly, E. C. Willis, J. E. Strickland, P. F. Huddleston, John Mosley, Mack L. Branch. The police jury it is reported pledged every effort would be made to borrow the money to pay this term of court operating costs, which is estimated at between $1,500 and $2,000, the delay causing additional expense. The jury was composed of the following Winn Parish citizens: A. Lawson, Ward 6, I. J. Keyes, Ward 1, Jim Moffett, Ward 4, J. J. Kelly, Ward 3, George Roberts, Ward 7, Arthur Moffett, Ward 4, Curtis Moffett, Ward 4, J. M. Greene, Ward 4, W. G. Graff, Ward 6, Dudley D. Lang, Ward 6, S. L. Garrett, Ward 1, and E. R. Curry, Ward 2. In overruling a motion by the defense counsel Casimer Moss and A. A. Moss, for discharge of the jury, Judge Moss held that the jurors had not indulged in any outside communication, but that all discussions and talk had been through the sheriff's office which is the regularly channel. In going on "strike" the jury knew that other cases in the court here had gone unpaid for long periods of time. For the past few years the general tax receipts in Winn Parish have been insufficient to take care of all obligations, causing court costs to go unpaid in cash for a long period. Reduced assessments and need of paying on bonded indebtedness are said to have been largely responsible, although millage has remained high. Negro Girl Found Guilty Agilie Smith, 17 year old negro girl charged with murder was found guilty of manslaughter for the death of Lauralee Stewart, another negro woman on December 4, 1937. The entire day Wednesday and up until about eleven o'clock Wednesday night was taken up with this case. The jury was out about ten or fifteen minutes when they reached the verdict of manslaughter. Earl Hutchingson On Trial Seven jurors for the trial of Earl Hutchinson charged with murder for the death of Loy Greer at Sikes on or about February 19 had been selected at the time this paper goes to press. This trial started at eight o'clock Thursday morning and bids to consume the remainder of the week. Julius T. Long, Shreveport, attorney, and A. A. Moss of the local bar are the defense counsel. Article No. 4 Two Sentenced To State Penitentiary Saturday Morning White Man and Negro Girl Given Sentences By Judge Moss Sentences were passed on those convicted in district court here last week by Judge Cas Moss at a session of court held Saturday morning after a week's recess. Tom Sandage, convicted of manslaughter for the death of James H. Hatcher at Sikes early in January, was sentenced by Judge Moss to not less than six nor more than 20 years in the state penitentiary. Angilie Smith, negro girl, convicted of manslaughter for the death of Lauralee Stewart, another negro woman, was given not less than five nor more than fifteen years in the state penitentiary. Angilie Smith was charged with murder, but the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter. Both prisoners were taken to the penitentiary by deputies of the sheriff's office Sunday. ===== Submitter: Greggory E. Davies Submitted: June 2004 Source: Winnfield News-American Date: July 19, 1945 Dane Tolar of Jonesboro Charged With Negligent Homicide in Infant's Death Following Car Wreck Near Here Infant Killed in Auto Wreck Near Winnfield Saturday Night Dane Tolar of Jonesboro is charged with negligent homicide in the death of 24 day old Grover Toler Hayes, who was killed in an automobile collision which occurred Saturday night, July 14 at 9:45 o'clock on Highway 167 near Tannehill, La. Charges were filed in the Winn Parish courthouse by the infant's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Grover Hayes of Orange, Texas and Tolar's bond has been fixed at $2,000 by Judge Cas Moss. Warrant for Tolar's arrest is in the hands of Ruston, La., officials pending Tolar's release from the Ruston hospital, where he is receiving treatment for injuries received in the wreck. The case will be presented to the Grand Jury when it convenes September 4, 1945. An investigation made by Sheriff Bryant Sholars revealed that the Ford car driven by Dane Tolar, who had W. H. Brown, of Jonesboro, as a passenger, collided with the Buick car driven by Herman Grover Hayes of Orange, Texas. Other occupants of Mr. Hayes' car were Mrs. LaVerne Hayes (wife), Miss Inez Hayes (sister), Sandra Hayes (3 year old daughter, and Toler Hayes (infant son), who was killed in the crash. According to Sheriff Sholars' investigation, the following information regarding the wreck was obtained: "The Buick car driven by Mr. Hayes was traveling south, enroute from Leola, Ark., to Orange, Texas, and the Ford car driven by Dane Tolar was traveling north, enroute from Winnfield to Jonesboro, La. All parties in both cars were injured except Sandra Hayes, the little girl. "Mr. Hayes stated that he was driving approximately 30 miles per hour and was well on his side of the back line when he noticed the Tolar car coming at high rate of speed and pulled as far as he could toward the right side of the road, an, that the car driven by Tolar came across the black line and collided with his car approximately three feet over the back line. The Buick car was carried 50 feet in the opposite direction by the force of the impact and was headed toward Jonesboro, La., and the Ford cart went north approximately the same distance and was headed back toward, Winnfield, La. "Several persons who arrived at the scene of the wreck stated that Tolar and Brown were under the influence of liquor and officers found two whiskey bottles in Tolar's car, one a pint bottle which was empty and the other No. 5 whisky bottle which had all been consumed except about one-fourth. "All occupants of the Hayes car were treated by Dr. J. F. Faith and Dr. Roy Wright at the Faith Clinic in Winnfield, and Mr. Tolar and Mr. Brown were treated at Jonesboro and Tolar is reported to be in the Ruston-Lincoln Hospital at this time."