The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-20
IN THE CONDEMNED CELL.
A short Talk with white, the bayou
sara Murderer.

A short Talk with white, the Bayou
sara Murderer.
Yesterday afternoon DEMOCRAT reporter called
al the Tarieh Prison, and, sitter enjoying short
converse with that genial gentleman, Capt. Cain,
WAS ushered bshind the locks and into the pres
ence of those who, according to the moral code
Of society," are best out of its demoralizing infiu-
ences and behind the bars. Il was evident that
the prisoners had relapsed into their normal con-
dition after the hanging. A few, as they prome-
nsded the yard, cast furtive glances up to where
the soaffold WAS, and went on in their talk,
oblivious Of the late taking of.
Inqriring for J. v. White, The convicted man,
the turnkey with solemn nod motioned the re.
porter towards the condemned cell, and taking up
monstrous key led the way thither. With
acreaking and grumbling the door was opened
and the reporter Was locked up in the condemned
cell. Coleman, Huidry and J. V. White lounged
about on the gallery. Willing away the time In the
sun. The entrance of visitor in the condemn
ed cell is always q matter of interest to those
behind the bars, and when that visitor il re-
porter, that interest Is considerably enhanced to
the inmates.
After short conversation with Coleman the
reporter devoted himself TO the object OF his visit
John V. White, WHO il inoarcerated now for muir
der. Much has been written and said about this
man and his many homicides, and there has been
aroused considerable interest In his case which lie
warranted by the bearing and manner OF the
man, apparently Of about forty-fve years OF age;
his hair has become prematurely grsy, and from
long exposure or nervous anxiety his skin
has assumed q saffron hue. His eyes
are large and OF deep gray shade, full of ex.
preston. and apparently most kindly. His
mouth evidences weakness Of purpose and .
lack Of decision Of character. In bearing White
IL quiet and undemonstrative, showing nothing
Of bis violent disposition. After doesltory con-
versation with White, he expressed q perfect
willingness to tell all about himself and his late
crimes. He said: l-t .tH
II WAS about the 29th day Of November, 1860,
went to stable to get buggy to take lady
out with me. asked for . top buggy and Geo.
Thompson said nothing TO me, but went on to
hitch II up. Instead OF giving me top buggy
he gave me On open buggy. made some short
remarks, and he answered In an insulting way.
started TO strike him with my open hand when
he clinched and caught hold Of me.
Afterward he started back into the stable, AMI
remarked, "Mr. White, Ill hurt you," with one
hand in bis pocket. He approached me and got
about three feet from me when / shot him.
CROSSED the river that evening, and came to the
conclusion would go back and stant my trial,
and went back into Bayou Bara and remained
until nearly daylight, when some fri7ads per.
suaded mo to leave. The people OF Bayou Sara
are prejudced against me, and they shot at me.
gers before that, and got shot very often.
White here rolled up his drawers and displayed
his right leg, on which there were Ell ven ball
holes between the ankle and thigh.
Yesl have killed men before this last one, but
1t was always In q personal difficulty. In 1856 l
had trouble with man named Harmon, and l
had to shoot him. was tried for 1T and prom-
nent citizens testified for me. Afterwards. in
Woodvile. Miss, ] got into trouble with Hodges
and had to kill him.
He said he was going to kill me, and he had
Two Deringers, and when we met told him l
was not armed. Hodges said for me to go and
When came out met him and gave him the
,ontents OF my gun.
There was no hesitapcy on the part Of White
n relating his past adventures, and he expressed
perfect willingness to tell sill he knew about
himself.
After leaving White the reporter took stroll
through the yard Of the prison and met prisoner
rho knew White Of old. He said that he was
perfectly satisfied White had laid out his thirty
men in his time, and that he had "cooked the
,oose Of more"
Why, do you know I had 3 look at his body |
he other day, and 1t is riddied with bullets. Do
'ou know on one side counted thsrty-two holes
made by buckshot and ball. I remember in |
s64, he was brought to New Orleans under thirty
wo charges and was sent to Ship Island and was
forwards pardoned. He was the terror of his |
ountry, and when was plotting on the Ouachita |
Il you had to do to make negro walk straight |
vas to tell him White was coming and he caved
q ut once.
After taking look at the long and deep axe |
nsrk made by the executioner, on Friday last, in |
he block near the galows window, the reporter
1ithdrew.