New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-13
DrsperaslO's Einish.s
We copy the following from the Franklin
As6sa OF the third:

We copy the following from the Franklin
.Axsa OF the third:
We have again to record the killing of a
ssrse thief in our parish. About SIX months
zgo J. b. Watson killed Walter Bell.
wso bad stolen horse from one OF cur
.aiizena, and was 80 much applauded for so
sa4ing that his thirst for blood became
sarry into effect the ASSASSINATION OF two OF
,assr peaceable and quiet citizens. the Bur-
rolls. he being the principal actor in this
nsrEioie tragedy. After this he was ar
Hss.ee, and put in jail, but by reckless and
daring act effected his escape and started
sac Texas; he, however. stopped at Green
wood, Louisiana, just this side OF the Texas
sane, until few weeks since. when. getting
without a horse, and finding that the
Bsstmaster at that place had very
ssod one, appropriated her to his
a.yn use and started back TO the scene
of his former lnisdeeds. When he arrived
rs Monroe he took the cars for kayville,
where he got of on the morning Of the
twenty third ultilno. Colonel Moore. the
aeriff Of Rlchand parish, having received
notice Of what he had done, AID that he
would probably pass through that place,
attempted to arrest him on said morning
Just as he was leaving town. Colonel Moore
caught WatsOn's horse by the Birdie and
demanded his surrender, but with bis usual
rsoklessness and disregard for lawful an.
Ghority he resisted and made an attempt to
draw his pistol Colonel Moore reached
back to draw his. but it having slipped too
Sar around for him to reach ii with one
hand he had to turn loose the bride, and
Watson, whirling his horse. escaped,
Colonel Moore firing 1T him three times as
no left. After this he came down in the
asighborhoOd OF Mr.. w. K. Adams and
asked Mr.. James Hewitt to go to Eayville
and get his saddle bags. MIR. Hewitt
wont, but Colonel Moore having examined
the saddle bags and found a bloody knife
IN them and some clothes supposed to be-
long to Ned Burns. refused to give them
mp. and told MIR. Hewitt to return and
screst Watson Immediately. Nr. Hewitt
-eturned, and together with Mr.. John
adams went to the woods where Watson
was lying out (Mr. Adams taking shot
,un and Mr.. Hewitt a pistol, and at
tempted to arrest him; be declared he
would rot surrender, drew his pistol and
cooked it, when Mr.. Adams shot him Just
-nder the right shoulder, and Mr.. Hewitt
then shot him in the eye; his pistol shot off
suto the ground and Mr.. Adams fired the
other barrel of his gun into his left side.
Watson uttered one terrible groan, fell |
eDon the ground and breathed out the last !
Of his miserable and fiendish life. Messrs. |
Adams and Hewitt sent forthwith Tor |
Justice OF the peace to hold al inquest. and |
Or. A. Il. Hendry went ont and did so.
The coroner's jury, which was composed |
Of William L. Ogden, L. L. Pennebaker, |
William Burns, Il. Scott aud 4. A. Scott. |
utter hearing the evidence, returned q YER
dsct of iustitable homicide.
Watson had an his pockets at the time he /
was killed, in money, So 3d. a pair Of brass
snuckles, bullet molds and half dozen
t1llets.
Esls generally a sad duty to us to have to
the death of one OF our fellow
beings. 1t would seem rather inhuman TO
say that it is the reverse in this case, but
'eoliDs as we do that had not the career of
his desperate man been cut short by the
Frompy and timely action of Messrs. Adams
ind Hewitt, some, perhaps several, of our
Roaceahle and useful citizens would, ere
&Dg. have met with the fate of the poor,
negroes, We must say that we
egsra his death as blessing. instead of
to our country. We have
aeaad from a reliable source that he had
hreatoned vengeance against several
Who were most active in ferreling
,rst his former crime, and those who know
he character of the man will not doubt his
Intention to carry his threat into effect.
bar parish, through the instrumentality of
sa6 Etlrn. has acquired such a disreputable
Ian,e abroad that horse thieves, murderers
Shel plief uau characters. neeiDS from JUS |
ace, appear to think il they can just reach
he couiines of Franklin parish they will be
'afei but when our people find they are
oai!y .sw breakers, and deserve the penalty
he int.cts, they will find cold comfort
.nong US. We hope our people will con.
snue TO act promptly in such matters as
kese. and regardless of the tales of the
and Buffers of murder and blood.
he'd at the South, use their best efforts to
ring such characters to justice, even if
hey have to kill them in the attempt.
Since the above was in type we have seen |
letter from Mr.. Ned Burns, the young man |
rho w&s supposed to have been killed BY
Vatson.