Obituaries: James R. Hatcher, 1938, Winn Parish, LA Submitter: Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 Source: Winn Parish Enterprise News-American Date: January 14,, February 18, April 8 & 22, 1938 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** 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.