The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-04-22
Special Correspondence Of lhe
Democrat.
CoIPAx, la,
April 10, 1874

DEAR SIR:--In reply to many inot,i-
ries concerning the recent attempt to
murder the Tax Collector of this Par.
ish, will give you the substance Of tho
confession made by Henry Tyler before
Judge Register on the 9th inst. On the
evening of the eth, he, Tyler, Robert
Lewis, Henderson Reed and Henry
Do'1d put mp job to murder and rob
the said Tax Collector, 6. II. Radetzki.
in order to obtain money to pay their
passage to New Orleans. Three of the
party, to-wit: Tyler, Lewis and Reed.
went to Eadetzki's house about mid.
night to accomplish their helNsh de.
sign, bat from some anaccountablc
cause deferred their bloody work till
about daylight. Tyler appears to have
been the one selected to do the job. He
states that Lewis and Reed told him to
go in the house and and see ii Radetzk;
was awake. He stepped on the gallery
and called Isadetzki, who answered
him, asking who WAS there. He re-
piled that he was ore of the hands who
worked for Peter Borland at Smith
field; was or his way lroHe and would
like to stay ON the gallery until the ap-
preaching storm was over. ,Radetzki
consented, got up and went outside;
took some corn and fed his horse. liz
going from the honse to the stable he
passed close by where Lewis and Reed
lay concealed. In the meantime (by
Ra1c.zhi's permissionJ Tyler cut some
wood and made fire in the house,
Radetzki returned, sat By the fiye few
minutes and smoked his pipe, then
went to bed. He tried to go to sleep,
but was several times awakened by Ty-
Ter, asking him if he stayed there alone,
and intended to stay there all the year,
and such like questions. Tyler grew
| impatient as daylight was appearing,
and went out to confer with his accom-
plices. Radetzki soon got into a doze
of sleep. The trio consulted together,
and it was determined that Tyler
should return Immediately and kill RAJ
dctzki with his own axe, while they
would post themselves in the back
room and rush in to his assistance, if
needed. Accordingly he re-entered the
room, and after asking the Tax man
few questions in a low tone and finding
him asleep, he took the axe and struck
the mu,derous blow. The blow did not
| have the desired effect, however, rs it
must have been CHANGING stroke, aud
only aroused the sleeper. The mur-
tlercr alarmed thcrrat, then thought Of
flight, but discerning the openings all
closed and Radetzki in the act Of rising,
concluded to give the finishing touch;
but owing to the nerve aud muscular
powers Of the assaulted. who was sufti-
GENTLY awake by this time to comprc-
bend the situation, the axe descended
only to be caught in the hands of its
int nded victim, and scutfle then en-
sued for it's possession, which soon re-
suited in the hasty flight Of Tyler, his
confederates working in the lead. RAJ
'detzki dressed himself and went to
camp, bleeding like a stuck hog, and
had his wound dressed. 4
Mr.. Ralctzki now walks the street
with defiant air, declaring himself to
be "shoost so good as any tam mig
gcrs"' Radetzki's testimony fully cor.
|roborat, the above, SO far as his
knowledge of the affair extends. -Four
parties were arrested npon the above
charge, but there not appearing suffi-
Gent evidence to establish the guilt Of
any besides Tyler, the others were re-
leased on bond to appear before the
District Court. Tyler wears his jewel
ry with becoming dignity and easy
grace, and puts in his appearances at
your Parish Hotel this week.
CITIZEN.
THAT STINK. - There is an awful !