The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-11-04
THE HARRIS CASE.


There has been considerable mention made In
print lately regarding the case OF the State Vs.
Thos. Devereaux who was charged with the
killing Of Harris. n well but not reputably
known detective. The trial was n very short
one. the State after hearing the evidence Of sev.
era OF Its witnesses. abandoning the case
From the interest manifested and comments
made. II DEMOCRAT reporter yesterday visited
Mr.. Devereaux and interviewed him relative TO
the subject. He stated that he regretted trial
had not been gone into for he was very anxious
to bring out the full faats'in the case.
The writer. who was on the Bulletin at the
time of it's occurrence, in his journalistic du-
ties had Occasion to publish the record of Har-
ris In other States. which Information was
learned from Devereaux. This was verified by
records. and Harris begged to be lot alone. as
he stated he had reformed
The events given below followed shortly af-
forwards.
MIR. DEvEREAux's STATEMENT.
published the record OF Harris In the Bulle-
tin. having given 1t to Mr.. Whitney In 1875, for
the purpose Of keeping him (Harris) Off the po
lice force and being reappointcd as detective,
In pursuance to an agreement between myself
and other detectives not to go to work on the
force should he be retained. There WAS a
strong influence beh n d the throne to keep him,
and 1t WAS SO strong we deemed it necessary to
take this course.
In pursuance of his business Mr.. Whitney
interviewed Harris and informed him who the
author of the published charges was. and Har-
ris then made threats. Shortly after this he
began me by false charges for
the murder of thief; all Of which fell to the
ground without the necessity Of any introduce
on the part of the defense then
Loan before the Police Board, but nothing
came Of i and there was no full hearing.
About this time the whisky cases came up,
and an attack was made upon United States
detective in st. Bernard parish. in which the
officer was stabbed and thrown into the river,
He called upon me to assist him to bring the
parties to justice, and acted in the capacity of
The matter was placed before the Grand Jury
of the parish and a true bill found against one
J. Ward for laying in wait, etc, and against
Kobt. Harris as accessory before and after the
From this time Harris made open threats
against my life TO various persons and at vari-
Gus times, to gil of which paid no attention.
1876. on returning from a meeting about II 80 .
M. a noise as if the CATS of a pistol or gun
we're snapped on the opposite side of the street
| inside of wood yard. attracted my attention.
There was a high wind blowing. and thought
that might be mistaken, and attributed it tc
falling wood, or the settling Of the, same. Mex
| foot urints. Several times hetwe n that night
and the 25h of the same, month received al
various times hints to look out for myself and
| to be careful. On the night OF the 25th, [ was
entering the door Of my residence. a, report Of
| firearm sounded from the same lot Upon
| close examination the fragments of shotgun
one barrel loaded, the other bursted, with clots
| of blood and pieces of flesh We're found, anC
| the traces were followed, and the party seen
and spoken to as he climbed the rear fences
and who fired the shot.
Next morning a person was found in the
| Charity Hospital, who hal presented himsel
| about 1 a. m. for admittance, his left HAND
shattered and burned from powder. the right
side of his face burned with powder also. This
man gave no explanation az to how he received
| his injuries, and refused to do so.
| Upon examination he was recognized rs the
| same person who had attempted to assAssnate
the United States detective in ST. Bernard par
| ish, and it was Ward.
After this Harris was interviewed and par
| ties stated that it was The public opinion tina
! he was the instigator of the act and on each oc
| casiOn he made repeated threats against m!
| life. and expressed his regrets at nay escape
| from WARTS attempt.
| Twas warned on the 9th of the same montl
| by three different reporters of the press as t.
| Harris interview with them and mis- threaten
| ing language etc. ; on the 18th again by some O
| the police; on the 29th by several citizens ant
| by an officer of the mounted police who stater
Harris was out there target shooting and stated
| that he tHarrisI had something to do and want
ed to make sure work of it
On the morning of the first of March was a
/ the State House and was informed that Harris
and jim Smith q sse.estiYe, had inglired Wheth