New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-14
A Mississippi Murderer-Scott Herring
From the Jackson Pilot.

| A AIississippi Nlurderer-Scott Herring
From the Jackson Pilot.]
1t being customary in these times to inter
! view celebrated and remarkable persons
whether thew be warriors, statesmen, OF
criminals, a Pilot reporter, through the cOur
tesy of DEPUTY sheriff Massie, was put il
| iaii' and had q talk with the murderer
| whose name heads this article. We found
him living on pallet in the second story Of
the Jail building, and he was complaining
that he suffered a great deal OF pain from
the wound in his thigh. As the criminals
statement can not be used either for OF
against him. We give his version of the af
fair. Scott says that on the day Of the kill.
ing he was driving an OK team. loaded with
lumber from Mr.. Herrings saw mill that
the oxen were not going in the right direc-
ton and Mr. Herring gave him some orders
in respect to the way he should drive them;
that he obeyed Mr.. Herring's directions, but
the oxen being contrary he commenced
cursing them: that Mr.. Herring came up to
him and asked him what he was cursing
about, and he replied that he was not ours
ing him (Mr. Herring) but the oxen; that
of him by the neck and commenced choking
him that he told Mr.. Herring to
let him go, but Mr.. Herring not doing
so. ne grasped him by the collar and whis-
kers; that Mr.. Herring then tried to get a
trmer hold on his neck, but in doing SO his
hand slipped, and Scott caught his thumb
in his mouth between his teeth; that Mr.
Herring told him to release his thumb. but
he would not do SO unless Mr.. Herring
would agree to let him alone: but that
finally he let go and ran OFF toward the fer
nv. which was near by; that Mr.. Herring
then went to the building and got his gun,
and he and William Herring. also with
gun, followed him to the ferry: that he ran
into the woods and remained some time,
when the ferryman calling him he returned,
supposing that the Herrinys had left; but
that as soon as he got there Mr.. John Her
ring called to him that he was going to ar
rest him. and that he must give up or be
shot; that John Herring laid down his gun
and went up to him, directing William to
shoot him if he made any resistance. Scott
says that he told Mr.. Herring he would give
up and 60 with him. but that as soon as
John Herring took hold of him he threw
him down and began choking him,
and William Herring also laid
down his gun ard took hold of
his hands and drew his arms above his head,
as if to tie them, but that he drew himself
up and wrenched OF s4uirmed loose. and
getting his right hand free. put it in his
pocket, drew out a clasp-knife, opened it,
and commenced cutting about promiscu-
,usly, until he was released, when he got up
md ran; that he did not know he had NOR
ally wounded the two men; that he looked
around and saw William Herring walking
Up the hill and John Herring in the act OF
iring; that he ran for about half mile when
he pain in his thigh from the shot caused
lin to stop; that he did the cutting while
he was down, and the Herrings had hold of
lin. Scott says he was raised by Herring;
lad belonged to him as a slave; that he was
generally good master. but was easily ex-
tied and disposed to quarrel. Scott was
truck on the side Of the left thigh with tif-
cen or twenty squirrel shot, and in the left
rm and hand with several more, producing
'ainful but by no means serious wounds. as
he shot are all scattered. He says he is
bout twenty years old. He is apparently |
i've feet five or six inches in height, and |
Weighs about l35 pounds; of a brown, rusty !
dior; IS wiry and active, and, to use a com
non expression, las hard as a pine-knot."
He is ordinarily intelligent, yet seems to /,
ave no idea Of the magnitude AMI horror |
4 the crime he has committed. but is solicit |
Gus about his wound, and expressed the |
7ish that he was down in Rankin county
where his mother lives. SO that she could
ttend to him. His features are heavy.
yes dull, upper front teeth prominent,
use pug altogether, countenance in
'hich, as the pbrenologists say. the animal
eatures predominant. His expression is
mister, and in looking at him one would
OF care to trust him. Scott says that he is
OF quarrelsome, and never hurt any one
eriously before. That he had fight with
white man named Carnot flor something
milar) last year; that Carnot picked UP a
ole and struck at him, but that he picked
p an axe and warded off the blow, and
len struck Carnot Oh the leg with it, dis
bling him but not trying to kill him.
Altogether, this is remarkable murder,
nd it does seem strange that two large.
ell-armed men should be killed in cap
lring small man. who had no weapon
xcept an old ass-handled Barlow knife.