Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-08-23
rerrib.e ARRAY in Thibodeaux.

The Minerva gives an account of a terrible
affair which took place in that tow on Friday
the 18th inst. 1t seems that one VIM. b. Aus
tin. said to be a desperate man, refused to pay
a demand from a livery stable keeper, named
Burten, whereupon he presented Austin with
the amount of his bill, which made Austin fu-
rious, He abused Burten very much, and al
forwards posted him as q liar and scoundrel.
This caused a rupture on the following day be-
tween A. Roger and Austin, the former con-
tending that Burten's bill was correct; they
came to blows, Austin kicking Roger in the
abdomen and presenting two cooked pistols at
his breast. The Constable, then, attempted to
arrest Austin, who presented the pistols at lin
and said he would kill the first man who at
tempted to arrest him. A warrant was then
issued for his arrest, upon the affidavit of Roger
but before the Sheriff had time to return, Austin
had concealed himself in the house of Mr..
| Marshall, on the canal. The Minerva gives the
following conclusion;
"The she,i III Immediately repaired to the spot
and ordered his arrest. The light in the room
was Immediately extinguished, and Austin
swore death to any one who attempted to
seize him. The sheriff here forbid such citi-
zens as had voluntarily, came to his aid in as
serting and maintaining the supremacy of the
law, entering the house, as the gentleman,
whose residence it was, was absent, and be-
sides there were a number of young children
,,,bo,n l;,,oc rirhf ha apHnrrora1 hv mnEinr
use of c~oersiye means. Matters thus rested
for a considerable time, until forbearance ceas-
ed to be a virtue. Some were asserting the
cowardice of the officers and the citizens in
thus being bu!lied by a single individual, and
it was finally resolved upon to put the law in
execution at all hazards. The lady of the
house was very politely and earnestly re-
quested TO vacate the premises, as the ar
rest of Austin, at all risks, was resolved upon,
but their advice was not needed. DIR. P. w.
Tucker, another messenger, was dispatched to
request her to leave for her own satety-who
on entering the gate in company with deputy
sheriff Knoblock, j. Billiard, and G. Y. Mar
tin, book keeper at A. B. Raglan and Cos, was
fired upon by Austin from the window. Depu-
ty sheriff Knoblock fell MORALLY wounded at
the first fire. At this stage a rally was made,
some twenty reports of fire arms were heard;
in the melee Mr.. Martin and Ballard were Sc
riously wounded with a bowie Knife in the
hands of Austin. Austin was very seriously
wounded on different parts of the body, by cuts,
bruises and gun shots; his arms being broke
in two different places, and his eyes serioualy
bruised. Austin had in the room in which he
had concealed himself-two double barrel
guns, and pistols, a rifle, a single barrel pistol,
and two bowie knives. After his arrest it
was seriously meditated blythe citizens, almost
unanimously, to execute him on the first tree.
Taking the affair altogether it was one of
the most desperate aftrays that we have ever
witnessed or read of. The criminal is now
confined in the Parish Prison to await his trial
at the September term of the District Court"