New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-06-05
THE ROMANCE OF CRIME
Outlaws of Winn Parish
RECORD OF THEIR BLOODY DEEDS

The following is reproduced in our cola
umns from the Natchitoches Times. It is a
fearful tale of the deeds of outlaws, which
almost makes the reader shudder with
horror:
We, the people of VIM parish, Louisiana,
feel it our duty to inform the public OF the
facts concerning the affair which occurred
near Atlanta, on the twenty-fourth day of
April, 1870. The following is true and
correct statement, which is established by
unmistakable evidence.
Immediately after the surrender, John R.
West, j. L. Kimbrel and others, organized
company for the purpose of keeping the
country regulated, and specially the colored
people. But it appears in THIS, as in other
similar cases, that they soon needed regu-
lating themselves; for they soon became
terror to the surrounding country. first by
taking government property. and atterward
stealing generally and committing murders
on the highway.
ST appears tha, they broke the ice by stealing
thirty or forty bales OF cotton near wheeling.
After this they committed another crime by
robbing some Federal soldiers at Nantachs
bridge. near old man kimbreps, taking all
their money and four fine government
mules.
Various crimes of theft have been com.
mitted in different parts Of the country,
and it is generally believed that this Clan
was either directly or indirectly concerned
in most all of them. We will not, however,
attempt to enumerate all the depredations
that we know to have been committed by
this clan, but passing over these smaller
crimes. will proceed to relate others OF
Greater concern, which we think will more
Clearly illustrate the character Of these men.
Lieutenant Colonel Butts, of the United
States army, on his way from st. Maurice to
Vernon, was arrested by the clan, and muir
dered near brakes Mills.
man by the name OF Jones, returning
home in Nstchitoches parish, was arrested
and killed at Nantacha bridge. He begged
| was led to an old we'll by ]. L. Kimbrel and
! his father, the latter OF whom said, send
him to hell, boys. for he went to the Yam
KEGS during the war. and, therefore, he
| ought to die. Billy Kimbrel, standing be-
| hind Jones, shot him through the head,
and they forced him head foremost down into
| the well.
| bow. because he was not willing to remain
| with old man Kimbrel, his former master
| Sometime later they made an attempt to as
| sassipate lawyer Stafford, whiie on his way
from Natchitoches to Winfield, on profes-
sional business for his client; but fortunately
| they did not succeed.
| The grand jury, being then in session, at
| Winfield, succeeded in finding true bills
against John R. West, J. L. Kimbrel, and
others. for said attempt. To evade trial and
| conviction. they set fire to the courthouse
and destroyed all the books and papers be-
longing to the parish. Conscious of being
| successful in their wicked designs, they be-
gan to commit crimes in daylight on the
public highway. Two Of the clan in day
| light. went to Hal Frazier's saw mill, killed
him and another colored man named Jessee
Robertson, both Of whom were consl dered
| good citizens.
Tpon another occasion, two freedmen,
| who were travelling, were directed by the
| Kimbrels to John R.West's, to stay all night.
| Next morning, shortly after leaving Vests
thew were attacked by some OF the clan, anC
robbed of two fine mules, and sixty dollars
| in greenbacks, also ordered to leave The
country Immediately, or death would be
! their portion. Not satisfied with theil
goods and burned their own storehouse, tol
| The purpose of obtaining the insurance.
Several members Of the clan have repeat
edly been indicted, since the Court.houst
| was burned, but they succeeded in stealing
the indictments, and thus escaped with i'm
punity.
Every attempt to have them tried ant
committed by civil law, proved lne1ect uai
John r. West said he intended to regulate
the country, and specially around Atlanta
He boasted of his friends, he could prove
any thing, or have any person killed tor 6
pair of six dollar boots. But fortunately
tor.the community, one of their number
being goverpowered by remorse OF conscience
withdrew from them and exposed the whole
band. Being present when Jones was kllie!
and hearing him beg for his life to be spared
/; Ioor Vrffn rh1lHr1n
was determined to be no longer membe
of clan that would commit such teroclou
crimes. He remarked ''If the design O
the clan is to murder, you may consider M
no longer member" The murderers sail
to him. sIf you divulge thing, death viii
be your fate.' The dying words OF Jones
were continually singing in his ears, and n
though to tell someipersons of the circum
stance would ease his troubled mind
accordingly he related the sa
affair to his parents and nea
relations, some of whom told contdentla
J friend. and by some means it soon becam
common. When the report became curren
in the country, and threats were continual
being made by the clan, he LETT home an
was absent about twelve months. On Sal
urday night, April %, 1870, John 4. Yves
found him at nome, pretended 10 De yer
| friendly, and insisted (but in valn) that
would return home with him. After suppe
they both walked out to the gate, and Yves
made an attempt to cut his (D's) throa
but failing, was saluted by pistol shot
which, however, failed to do execution
Both being fearful that the attack would b
renewed, the combat ceased, and the
parted, going in opposite directions. Mex
morning Sunday, April "a, West gave his vii
several hundred dollars, and said: "lf l al
killed to-day, here is money enough to SUI
port you and the children as long as yo
i've
He then collected several of his clan an
arrested, without legal authority, Able Dee
and family, also Walter Deem and A. v
: Brook, all of whom were marched to Atlai
ia and strictly guarded. West being aske
D by what authority he arrested I'll
Deems, pointed to a double.barrel gu
and said: "Ihis is my authority" 1t Wa
generally believed that they intended
murder the Deen family that night, consf
! ouently considerable excitement preValle
, throughout the surrounding country; bu
fortunately, as we believe, for the Dee
family, about noon company Of near for'
men, who were strangers to the people
: Atlanta, rode up, released the prisoners al
arrested the whole guard. The compan
renamed in Atlanta several hours, the
started off with their prisoners in the dire
| tiop of John R. Vests, Shortly after the