The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-11-04
: KILLING OF DAVID STANTON
stimony Taken Before the Coroli-
er's Jury of Inquest.

D1 JElDUC ~ |f 0'
dance of David Stanton, on the same plan
tation, for the purpose of holding an inquest
on the body of him, the said David Stanton,
then and there lying dead. when1 forthwith
summoned Leon. j. Smith, Raphael Richard,
John 0. Richard, Jules Richard and William
Jones. citizens, residing in said parish to
appear before me, at the residence OF said
David Stanton, then and there to inquire
upon view Of the body of said David STAN
ton there living dead, when and by what
means he came to his death. And after
having viewed and examined the dead body
dfhim, the said David Stanton, l have caused
to appear before me and the Jury of Inquest,
the following named persons as witnesses,
viz: Alfred Simpson, Valerie Stanton, ard
Leonore Stanton.
TESTIMONY OF ALFRED SIMPSON.
When said Alfred Stanton, being duly
sworn according to law, testified as follows:
live in the same house with David Stanton
on the night of the oath October, 1871,
early in the night a number Of men, does not
know how many, came to the house of David
Stanton, and asked if David Stanton was
there, on being told that he was, they told
him to open the door, when, the door beng
opened, they took him out and talked awhile
with him, when they tied him. They asked
him where Cola was, Stanton told them that
Cola was at the old place, They told him
to come, they wanted him to show where
Cola was. Stanton was tied and they were
dragging him, and he begged them not to
drag him, they then shot him, one of the
party then united him, and they loaded
their guns and went off in the direction Of
Mr.. Louis Guilbeaux's. The men were not
masked, but witness did not go to the body
until Mr.. Richard was notified, because the
men shut the door on them and told them
not to 90 out. Some of the men, three or
four. went into the house and lighted a can.
die to search for Cola. G'hey all spoke En-
clish, some of them had muSkets and some
pistols. Witness did not see any double
barreled shot guns. Witness did not see
them take any toing from the house.
ALFRED SIMPSON.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
25th day of October, A. d., 1871.
= JOHN F. SMITH, J.. P.
TESTIMONY OF VALERIE STANTON.
Valerie Stanton, being duly sworn, says
that he is the son of David Stanton, was at
home last night with his father. Early in
the night a number of men, witness thinks
about twenty, came to his fathers house and
called for the door to be opened, witness
opened the door. The men then asked for
Cola-Cola works with ns-they asked if
father was there, my mother said he was.
They told my father to come out, when
father vent out, they asked for Il candle and
three or four of the men went into the house
to search for Cola, my mother told them he
was not there, they said if they found him
they would make him pay for it and burn
down the house. They went out and looked
under the house. They tied my father.
My father asked them not to drag him. They
then shot him. Witness did not know any
of the men. Does not know how many
shots were fired. Witness saw guns and
pistols. Does not know if the guns were
shot-g CUR or muskets. Witness is about
seventeen years old. The parties all spoke,
some in English and some in French. My
father spoke to them in French. | did not
hear him call any of their names. One of
the parties witness has seen several times
before, but does not know his name, he had
a black beard on the upper lip, called a
moustache, witness would know him again
if he were to see him. Does not know where
he lives. The moon was shining brightly
when the men came to the house. They
went off in the direction Of Mr.. Loris Gull
beaux's and stopped at Ben Buffers as they
passed. VALERIE STANTON.
Sworn to and subscribed before ME the
25thslay of October, A. d., 1871.
-r r JOHN f. SMITH, J. P.
T,Er1MoNY OF LEoNoRE STANTON.
Leonore Stanton, being sworn. says tina,
14-lk % ,,,oE,r nf r,op o1,onf t,, o,,n<
to her house-witness is wife of David Stan
ton-they asked for Nicolas, witness told
them that he was not there. She opened
the door, when they asked for Davy, witness
told them he was then lying on the bed very
drunk. They told witness if they founc
Nicolas there they would blow out bel
brains. They took Davy out and tied him
then shot him. They told witness to keel
quiet, they came there to settle old account!
of long standing with Davy. They spoke
French to witness and to Davy, and English
to Alfred. Witness did not know any O
them. The one who tied Davy was quite
young man. They were not masked, blu
in ordinary dress. One was a tall man with
a red flannel shirt. One was about the siz'
of Mr.. John Richard, and witness though
at first, from his voice that it was Mr.. Ri
chard. These two had no beard. Their,
were two smaller ones with beard, one .
them having very long hair. Witness ha,
never seen any Of the parties in the neigh
borhood before. They came there on horse
back. When they went away they went t.
Ben Buffers. Witness thinks Butler wa
not there, but his wife cried out a good deal
the parties made a great noise there. The,
then went in the direction of John Edelins
Witness does not know if they stoppe,
there. The young man was riding q smal
red horse with a star or blaze in the fore
head. The horse was in good condition
Witness thinks that all shot together. AT
forwards one asked If he was dead, som
one replied " | do not know" then the frs
speaker said we had better finish him, an,
then shot him with a pistol. They the
said to witness, she might say her prayers
and all burst out laughing. When they ha,
asked for Nicolas, / told them he was at Nj,
Richards, they asked who that Mr.. Richar
was as if they did not know him. ..s
LEoNoRE STANTON.
Sworn to and subscribed before me tn
25th day of October, A. d., 1871.
JOHN F. SMITH, !. P.
TESTIMONY OF ELIZABETH BUTLER.
Elizabeth Butler being duly sworn, say
that early in the night, last night, a numbe
of men, witness does not know how man,
went TO her house, erhusband, Benz. Butte
being absent at the time, and asked for hi
husband, witness said he was not there