Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-09-13
ANOTHER HORRIBLE MURDER.

The news comes to us from Franklin, thai;
Judge I. s. CRAWFORD and District Attorney
ARTHUR HARRIS were waylaid and Brutality
assassinated, on the road, about twelve miles
Columbia TO the latter place TO hold Court
Their bodies were found lying near each
other in the road, having been shot seven
times. both with their brains shot out. The
cause of this bloody outrage remains mys-
terry, and cannot be attributed to politics, as
Judge Crawford was placed in office by the
Kellogg usurpation and Mr.. Harris was elect
ed on the Fusion ticket, by a large majority
and allowed to serve as District Attorney
Judge Crawford was defeated by Smith, by a
majority Of 600 votes, but was commissioned
by Kellogg, and we are informed that Smith
ford's Court, which shows that he had acGui
csccd in what was done in usurpins an of
flee tina, he was justly entitled to. 1t is al
most an every day occurrence for some one
10 be assassinated by this extensive band of
outlaws, whose haunis are in the lower
portion of Richland ard Franklin Parishes
Unless the good citizens of these two parish
es rise up en- masse and bestir themselves 10
bring these murderers to justice our country
will soon drift into an awful state of barba-
flSm Let every one on whom suspicion
throws the least trace of shadow be arrest
Cd and subjected to a most thorough and rig
id examination. No matter if few inno-
cent parties may be lodged in jail,-keepis
bad company entities any one to such punish,
ihent' "Show me your company and | II
snow You your character" is an old axiom.
ancr-hcgld be made to serve as distinguish
ing mark Ia the present crisis. Our good
Sheriff and his efficient Deputy arc fast win
ming the hearts of our people by their fearless
and uniiring efforts in the discharge of this
duty, and are bringing every one TO an ac-
count upon whom any suspicion can be fas
tened. Let the work 20 on.
Aspecial dispatch to the Vcksburg HERALD
gives the following particulars
Judge Crawford was shot in several place:
in the head and body, and it is thought h,
struggled with his assassins, as his head wa.
badly bruised and manglcd. Mr. Harris wa:
shot in the back of the head and in the thigh
and his horse shot from under him. The bod
les were discovered on Monday evening 10y
/ n Ill. l..
was on his way to Winnsboio TO attend court
IL is thought that the murders were committed
hya party ofdesperadocs known as Tom Wins
gang. The leader of this party was, at til,
last term Of the court. tried before Judge Craw
ford al Columbia for murder aud convicted
being prosecuted by District Attorney Harris
lie made his escape from Jail before bein;
sentenced. and has made repeated threat.
that he would kill the Judge and prosecutor
The people are Indignant, and large mum
Der of men are in pursuit Ii is thought tina
the murdcrers will be taken within twenty
four hours.
Judge Crawford was about 10 years of age
fine lawyer and an upright Judge. He is
brother of Senator Crawford. of Madison par
ish, and leaves Il large family. He will b,
buried at Columbia to day
Mr.. Harris was about IL years old, and wa
universally esteemed for his general socia
qualities. He has been at the bar in Nor,l
Louisiana for nearly % years, and was mas
ter Of the Columbia lodge of Free Masons
His body was brought TO this place, and hi
funeral will take place this afternoon. the ser
vice ''eing conducted 10y the Masonic fraler
nifty.
The District Court at this place has adjourn
ell in respect 10 the memory OF the deceased
The assassination of these gentlemen ha
no political significance whatever. judy
Crawford was a Republican, and Mr.. Hari
a Democrat, and they were murdere by dies
pera'loes whose enmity they had incurred il
the discharge Of their official duties.