The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-02-02
The Hynes Trial.


At the last term of the District Court
criminal case of more than usual interest
was tried, and resulted in tho acqnittal
of Samuel Hynes, accused Of the murder
of James Sullivan. The circumstances
attending the homocide, created pro-
found sensation at the time, and pubic
opinion WAS manifeetly against Hynes,
until the facts were elected on the first
trial. On the 26th day OF August 1876,
the uniform quiet Of our CITY was sud-
denly and rudeiy disturbed by the re-
port OF firearms on st. Denis Street.
Soon it was known to every inhabitant
HINES had shot aud killed James Sulli-
van in open day on one OF the principal
thoronghfares OF our city. 1t appears
that 8, was a brother-in-law OF H, and
until few years since, was residing in
Texas, that he was in very bad circnm-
stances and was induced to como to La.
that he might avail himself Of the assist
ancr of Hynes. At this time Hynes had
an only daughter, to whom he wa. devo-
teddy attached, and to whom an informal
donation had been made Of the plantation
on which Ilynes resided, situated on Cane
river about miles below thi, city,
Thro; gh the influence and intrigue Of g.,
this youn. girl the only hope of her faith
CT was induced to run away with and
marry a WORTHLESS, fellow by the name of
Lecour, over whom Sullivan had unboun
died. control Capt. Hynrs was at the
time on a bed of sickness unable to exer-
ciSn his authOrifV ~ a DarpNt
This base act Of insratitule on the part
of Sullivan toward his relation and bene-
factor, was the origin Of all the trouble
which finally led to his death. Believing
that the donation in favor of Hynes'
daughter was legal and valid, Sullivan's
object was to disposess Hynes, put Le-
cour in possession, when the plantation
won]d virtually brlong to himself. With
this object in view, repeated demands
were made on Hyncs for the property,
rcfnsals returned, and much angry and
hostile feeling engendered. Hyncs being
an old citizen of tho parish, very sue
cessful planter, owning considerable
property here, and withal ola very peace
able disposition, was inclined to avoid
difficulty with Sullivan. The latter find
ing that he could not bully Hyucs out of
his property evidently, from evidence adj
duce.l on the trial. entered into conspir
acy with Lecour to effectually get rid Of
Hvnes. A few days before the homicide,
Sullivan crossed Red river going in the
direction Of Hyncs' house, and told the
witness Thos. Bailey that if he found
Hynes that day, or saw him, he would
kill him, that he had killed seven men
already. At about 8 o'clock in tho even
ing of the same day Henry Peyton living
on Hynes' place was shot by Lecour and
another man, who, from the description
given was Sullivan. The same day the
witness Valmore pnt Leconr and Sullivan
across Cane river below Hynes' place to |
attend shooting match the following |
day, bnt afterwards offered the ferryman |
any amount to take them over the river !
again that night. Albert Robinson saw !
Sullivan and Lecour lurking about Hynes I
house that night, but fortunately Hynes
was from home and did not return until
late hour. Being thus foiled in their
murderons design, AMI annoyed by an at
tack from Peytou's dogs, they wantonly
shot and severely wounded the old negro
without any provocation whatever.--
About week before the homicide, Sulli
van and LecOur armed with double bar
relied shctyuns with Hyncs' daughter, now
Mrs. Leccur, riding between them, passed
Hynes' door on their way to town. In
the evening, they returned and after pas
sing the house, Sullivan returned and
asked the witness Martha Peyton where
Hynes was, that he had a power Of atty
from Mrs, Lecour for the property, and
that Hynes had commenced game that
he would not live to see over. He said
that Hynes crayiished into his hole and
damn him he would make him see the
muzz|e of his gun" All this was commu
nicated to Hynes, as well as the following
threats made on the very day Of tho hon.
icide. Leconr and one Moses had been
arrested and were in the custody Of two
deputy shtritfs' and posse. Sullivan ac-
colnpaniet' them to Cane river opposite
Hynes' house when the posse crossed he
continued mp the river. Sullivan told
Dotl,l one OF the posse that he was going
to use bis shot gun against Hynes. He
crossed Cane river about one mile below
town he met the witness Hutch Baldwin,
Sullivan had double barreled shot gun
and revolver, tho witness asked him if
the pistol was tor sale, when Sullivan re-
piled that he wonld sell him the pistol
for $S, after he had killed curly headed
Hynes with it that day. He then came
on to town where he arrived about half
an hour before the sheriff and his posse
with whom Hynes had been summoned
as one Of the posse, also arrived.
The same morning Sullivan told Jas.
Collier, Depy sheriff that he had killed
three men in bis life and had spotted
Hynes for his fourth one and said he
would 60 to town that day and settle with
Hynes. After Sullivan arrived in town
he told the witness J. E. Breda that he
would kill Hynes before dark that day, if
it was the last act of bis life. After these
and many other similar threats had been
proven the Judge permitted the defence
to prove that the general character OF de-
ceased was such as to induce . well
grounded fear that he would carry his
threats into execution. 1t was proved
that everyone who knew Sullivan in his
ncighborho,d feared and dreaded him,
that he was resolnte, dangerous and
lad man. The evidence for the State
clearly established the fact of the killing
of Sullivan by Hynes, but there was some
conflict in the details.
The preponderance of testimony estab-
lished the fact that Sullivan had drawn
his pistol aud was about to shoot Hynes
when he was killed. The prosecution of
this case was conducted by W. p. Hall,
DIST. Atty, who displayed more than bis
usual ability in behalf Of the State, and
the confidence already reposed in him by
bis friends and the public, US q faithful
and competent officer was fully main