New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-17
The Last Act Of the Trage edy.

Last evening Mr.. William Robson. Jr..
came TO our Office and gave Us the follow
ing intormation: He has been for several
days cta-ing on his fathers plantation some
thirty miles below here on the river, and
known as the Goodwin place. Wednesday
morning a negro woman who had been
down the river bank, came running 10 tie
house very much alarmed and crying mur-
der. Upon inquiry lie learned from her
that, when on .he bank OF the river, she
saw vial or bottle lying on the ground,
when black man called to her to put it
down. The sudden and unexpected ap-
pearance Of the man alarmed her and she
ran. Mr.. Robson went in the house, got
his elk shooter, and Went down 20 the river,
where he soon found the tracks of the man.
Accompanied by another gentleman he fol
lowed them down the river some distance,
and then lost the trace. His companion
rode further down and again discovered
the tracks. the negro having evidently gone
some fifty yards upon the branches OF
trees, which were growing tblckiy al that
point. Following On rapidly. they found
that the tracks led into the water. Mr..
Robson remained On the bank, while
mis- companion went for skiff. He thinks
he remained fully half an hour before
the boat came, and just as it was approach
ing him he observed a movement in the
water, among some overhsnging vines, not
more than TEN feet from him. Calling TO
his companion to stop the boat, they inves-
rigated more closely. and discovered the
top of mans head il the water. Both
leveleo their pistols and ordered him 10
come ashore, which he did. The young
man, upon examination, discovered that he
had BACKED his face (he was mulattO)
with some substance. They asked him
where he came from and wha. he was
doing there. His reply was that he had
got into trouble in Bossier parish and had
left there on that account. His story was
badly put together and contradictory. 1t
suddenly occurred to one OF the young
men that ne might be Ed Scott, or Ed
Lucas, whose connection with the murder
of young Elliott he had read in the Times
and turning TO Mr.. Robson. he asked him,
How will this man do for Ed Scott" The
effect upon the negro was SO evident that
both were satisfied it was he. They ques-
toned him more closely and made him roll
up his sleeve, probably to see if he was a
mulatto. On the arm they discovered the
name, Ed Lucas, pricked IN with India ink.
This discovery, OF course, settled the
question beyond doubt. His capture soon
spread through the neighborhood, and sev-
eral persons came 20 the house. The pIis-
oner was safely guarded that night. He
was questioned by several of the party N
regard to the killing Of Elliott. To one he
stated that Jones shot him, but TO others
he said he didu't know anything about it.
Yesterday morning Mr.. Robson and two
other gentlemen, whose names we can not
| now recall, tied the prisoner. placed him on
mule and started to Shreveport. When
| near the convent, some three miles from
town, sixteen or eighteen men, masked,
| and. we understood Mr.. Robson to say, with
| their horses painted, rode up to them sud
| denly from the thicket or woods, leveled
! their pistols and ordered them to surrender
| the negro. The masked party then took
| the prisoner some little distance, hung hin
to a tree and rode otf-Shreceport Times
! June -.