New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-01-19
Death of DesperadO-JOhn Jackson
Killed.

The Houston Times of Wednesday says
The notorious negro murderer, j John Jack
SON. who has been confined in the county
Jail for six months past, on charge OF assas-
sinating the peddler Franks, was shot and
instantly killed by the jailor at about $50
Z. NJ. yesterday.
Ever since his incarceration he had been
boisterous and troublesome, having effected
his escape once and made several attempts
that were nearly successful. He was re-
garded by those who knew him as the most
dangerous man that has been in the country
for years, and his very name was enough to
strike terror to many OF his own color and
certain whites against whom he expressed
prejudice.
The murder of Franks was a most out
rageous one. having been committed in
broad day, within the city limits, and on
one of the most public thoroughtares lead
ing into the country. The evidence was
of such a character as to fix the crime on
Jackson beyond all reasonable doubt, but
upOn one preteXt or another his trial was
postponed from time to time, until people
began to think he never would be ar
raigned.
He had repeatedly threatened the lives
of those in charge of the jail, and on two
or three occasions endeavOred to carry his
threats into execution. Being man of
herculean strength and most desperate
character, it was no easy task to keep him
safely, even when ironed heavily and con-
fined to narrow cell in the county jail.
Yesterday the .jailor. Mr.. Gilliland, opened
the door of the cell in which John Jackson
and another colored boy were confined in
order to afford them breath of fresh air,
and when he visited the cell in the afternoon
for the purpose of closing the door he found
jackson armed with formidable weapon,
and threatening death to any one who at
tempted to enter the door.
In the centre of the floor of the cell in
which the murderer was confined was ring
and staple. to which refractory prisoners
could be chained. The staple was of seven
inch iron, doubled so as to form the post
passing through the floor, while the ring
was OF about an inch round bar, fully eight
inches in diameter and weighed six pounds.
By dint of perpetual exertion, and laying
out his entire strength, he had twisted the
staple off even with the floor, and with the
ring most formidable weapon in the
hands OF a desperate mamie was prepared
to assail whoever attempted to bar his es-
CAPE
The jailOr asked him what he had broken
the ring OF for The reply was flourish
of the deadly weapon, the utterance OF
fearful oath, and Ito kill you if you offer
to close the door The jailor told jackson
that he would certainly kill him unless lie
| Threw uOWH euc "cdpou anu pcTLHluteu tHc
| cell to be shut up.
jackson instantly made q dash for the
door, attempting to use the ring, but the
| jailor was too quick for Manipulating four
shots from his revolver into the breast and
side of the murderous desperate, bringing
him down, but not until he had exhausted
| all but two of the chambers Of his six
| shooter.
After jackson fell and failed to make any
further attempt to rise. the .jailor locked
the cell and reported to Deputy Sheriff Van
| Patton what had occurred.
| There is no disputing the fact that the
community received the news of Jackson's
death with evident satisfaction. He was
undoubtedly the worst man that has been
in the country for many years; his crimes
are enumerated by the score, and yet he
had not passed the age of twenty-five. The
only wonder is. reviewing his past career,
ever since his incarceration, that he was not
| killed sooner.