New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-09-15
The CpciOusas Tragedy.

The Opelousas Courier has this report Of
the latest tragedies there:
1t is already generally known that Mr..
James G. Hayes. of our town, was commit
ted TO Jail few weeks ago, under an accu
sation of murder.
On last Friday week, the second instant.
between nine and ten o'clock at night, while
Mr.. Hayes was asleep, and his two little
boys. one on each side OF him, likewise
asleep, a cowardly wretch basely murdered
him By shooting him in the back through the
open window, with gun loaded, 1t Is said.
with twenty-five buck shot.
The assassin was his own keeper, one of
his iaiiors. to whom Mr.. Hayes, when he
was Sheriff and had him in his custody, had
been very kind and Obliging. 1t was
Theaphilus Evans who thus rewarded his
protector. who thus snatched away the life
which had been committed to his guardian
ship.
A Jury of inquest met on Saturday morn
ing, and came to the conclusion that Evans
was the author OF the crime. A preliminary
examination took place in the evening, and
the testimony adduced fully confirmed the
verdict of the jury OF inquest. The accused
was then sent to jail. where he Immediately
confessed his crime.
On Monday evening. at about half-past
five o'clock, about one hundred men, armed
and mounted, presented themselves at the
iail, III good order, and without noisy
demonstrations, and demanded that Evans
should be given up to them. Resistance to
such a force was out of the question:: the
demand was acceded to. and Evans was
taken from his dungeon and conducted to
tree Oh the Courthouse square. adjoining
the jail. and there summarily hanged i'll the
presence Of a crowd which had gathered
when the news OF the approach of the horse
men was made known.
We will add that the latter drama was
enacted. as we intinlated before. very
quietly, without threats and without any
noisy demonstrations whatever.
After this act of summary justice. the at
tors and spectators silently Withdrew.
Comments are now unnecessary.
The Journal says of Evans:
He was arrested by the Sheriff on the evil
dence Of one OF the guards who was absent
at the time, but hearing the shot started to
the iail. and came across Evans coming out
of the gate from the direction of the rear
of the Jail. Next day a preliminary exam
ination was held before Justice GUidry, and
Evans committed. After his commitment
he made confession, fouc Or five of them,
two Of which were rednced to writing.
The Courier publishes what it calls the
'confcssion' OF Evans:
When asked Have you anything TO add
to what you have already said i'll the way
of Il confession!" he answered Il have" He
was reminded, in the strongest terms, not
to ilnplicate any one with the hope Of being
| released or pardoned. His answer was Il
wish to confess the whole matter. / was
| persuaded to kill Captain Hayes" The
| question was asked "Who persuaded YOU to
commit the deed" His answer was The
| Mayos." Again he WAS reminded, "lou
cannot prolong your life by duplicating any
! one. AS you have to be judged before God,
| do not add to your crime by duplicating in,
| noccnt persons" He WAS then asked
| (Which of the Mayos influenced youT His
! answer was "Claudius and Henry Mayo
made nae drunk and urged me to kill him.
tie was asked Did they pay you to do it >
| His answer was NO. thcy persuaded me to
! do it. hope God may forgive me for the
| deed CURLiE {. DCSON.