New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-01-07
CHRISTMAS IN NATCHIEOCaEs.
A Desperado's work.

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city:
1t has already been published throughout
he land that Natchitoches has, of late, been
infested with a GLASS of men who were des.
persdOes of the worst character, and whose
sole aim seemed to be to overswe defense
less citizens, and especially to take delight
in making colOred citizens targets for pis-
tOl practice, 1t was but q short time ago
that one jim Horton and several comrades
invaded our city and inaugurated perfect
reign of terror, by shooting at citizens with
pistols and rifles, insulting ladies and
making it dangerous to walk the streets.
At that time they seriously wounded col
Ored man and then disappeared.
Last Christmas day Jim Horton, with q
comrade named William Franklin, once
more appeared in this city. There was a
general disposition shown to avoid them
and prevent trouble, and the stores were
all closed, business suspended, and the
streets almost deserted, every one seeking
OF joyment around the family fresides and
in social gatherings. But this demon OF
disorder must needs intrude his presence,
and with his companion began his usual
work of shooting at colored men.
Horton and Franklin both chased col
Ored man down st. Denis street about
three o'clock in the afternoon, wOunding
him in the neck. When Horton reached
the corner of st. Denis and Second streets
several citizens came out of a building near,
where they had been enjoying themselves.
Among those gentlemen were Mr.. Alex
CARA, Mr.. M. H. Carver, Colonel
johnson. Mr.. CARA approached Hor-
ton, and putting his hand on his
shoulder, told him that his conduct was
outrageous and the citizens desired peace
and quiet, and asked him not to act as he
did, speaking not angrily, but firmly. Mr.
Garza's friends were close around him
Horton made some reply and showed Mr..
CARA back, pulled Smith g. Wesson i'm
proved revolver and shot him in the left
breast just below the nipple, the ball pass
ing through his body. He next shot Mr..
johnson through the thigh and fred at MIR.
Carver, the ball passing through his cloak.
Mr.. johnson fred at Horton once or twice,
Colonel Breazeale four times and Mr.. Car
yer five timee, but failed to strike him. AZ
ter shooting MIR. CARA and Mr.. johnson,
Horton fed up st. Denis street into the
woods west of the city and skirting Sibley's
lake. He was holly pursued by white and
colored citizens, both on foot and horseback,
but eluded capture that evening Mr..
CARA was carried to Mr.. 7. Schuman's
house across the street, where he expired in
about ten minutes. Mr.. JOhnson's wound
was serious, but not mortal.
So close was the pursuat of Horton that
he dropped his OvercOat az he ran. and it
was found by one of the puFsuers. Shortly
after the shooting Franklin was arrested
and placed in Jail. Christmas night informa-
ton was brought that Horton had forced a
negro to pilot him back to town, and was
making his way toward Grand Ecore.
Citizens armed and mounted, and FASTENED
to the ferries and out on the roads, riding
and Watching through all the bitter cold
hours of the night. Messengers were sent
in ell directions to arouse the people and
prevent the murderer's escape. A fearful
excitement prevailed, and there was but
one aim and thought, TO hunt the outlaw to
his death. The next day again information
was brought that Horton had crossed Bros
sets ferry, on Bayou Pierre, several miles
northwest of here. Citizens immediately
fastened to the point named and by means
of threats of Lynch law, compelled BrOsset
to acknowledge he hsd piloted Horton to j.
c. Britt's place, opposite Campte, ten miles
north of this city. Britt was watched and
followed to NatohitOches by several armed
men, and closely scrutinized while here.
He was finally dismOuDted on Front street,
and crowd of excited citizens gathered
around him. When first questioned, he
pleaded ignorance of Horton or his acts. He
seemed much frightened, however, and
when threatened with a dose of hemp, con-
fessed to Colonel D. Pierson that he had fed
Horton that morning, given him blankets,
purchased 200 cartridges for him, and was
going back to give him q mule and outfit to
escape the country. Britt was told that
his own life depended on his plotting the
citizens to Horizons place of cODcealment.
This he agreed to do, and with number of
armed men left this place about four o'clock
Tuesday afternoon. That night about
eleven O'Clock Britt Guided the party to the
spot. They planned an ambush. Britt
went into the thicket and soon re-appeared,
followed by Horton. As soon as he reached
some of the party in coDcealment he was
| halted and ordered to surrender, when he
threw up his pistol, in his right hand, as II
| to shoot, and was fired on and killed in
| stantly. Eight buckshOt entered his left
| shoulder and penetrated into his body
| When killed he had on two wooden shirts
pants and an old pair of shoes, and also {
| new pair in his left hand. He had Travelled
barefoot during his flight, and was frost
bitten to his knees where he had wadeC
into Sibley lake.
Horton was q young man, brown hair
| light mustaohe. low forehead, thin face
| about six feet high, slim built, and had 1
| wicked looking face. He boosted of shoot
| ing lpeople as a pastime. His body wa
brought to NatchitOches and put in the jai
room, where it was viewed by hundreds o
| citizens during Wednesday. All classe
| were unanimous in their sentiments that b
| Justly deserved his fate.
| Mr.. Alex. CARA, the victim of this COLI
bloOded deed, was a native of MatamOros
Mexico, forty.two years old. He was I
prominent merchant here, doing goo'
| business, largely connected, and honore'
| and respected by all GLASSES. His remain
were followed to the tomb by the citizen
en- masse, the stores all being closed, AM
St. Francis Cathedral packed with people
to witness the last sad and solemn rite
over the remains of beloved citizen. !
was q somewhat singular circumstance
that while the murdered victim of the des
perado was followed to the Cathedral by
mourning community, the murderer's bod
was brought to the jail house, opposite tn
church, and the CHASTITY, blood-stained bod
laid on the floor TO be gazed at with bittei
ness filling the heart of every one VIII
looked upon his CHASTITY and distorted tac'
He is said to be native of Georgia.
Such scenes as those Of Christmas day al
ineradieabIe. citizens shot down in col
blood, followed by the screams of fair vi
men whose loved ones are thus strieke
down without warning; the armipg
aroused men galloping through the stree
and rushing along the pavements. II
q Weakening is fearful, and the day aft
these terrible scenes, the citizens held
meeting, and, regardless of race, color I
political creed, formed q league for the
mutual protection, and wo betide the ms
or men who again visit this community f
the purpose of hunting down any oitize
/ be ho white or black,