The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-05-04
TRIAL AT SHREVEPORT
OF THOMAS, WHO KILLED DICKSON
HIS BRoTHER-IN LAW.


Special Telegram to New Orleans Times.
SHREVEPORT, La, J
April 20, 1881. :
The case of l.. NJ. Thomas, for kill
ing his brother in law, Hugh Dickson,
for the seduction of bis daughter, was
called to- day about noon, with an in
telligent jury.
Palmer Dickson, brother of the de-
ceased, testified to the relation of the
parties, and heard of the birth of the
child Of Mrs. Carrie Dawes on the 9th
Of April; was then engaged in the trial
of a suit in connection with Captain
Thomas; did not mention it to him;
was stopping at his residence; told his
wife Charley Dawes has a bond of Mrs.
Dawes who gave birth to child four
months after marriage. He told him
he had suffered disgrace and been re-
moved from business position, and if
Hugh and himself would raise two
thousand dollars he would acknowl-
edge the child and leave the country.
This was just after the birth. The
proposition was not acceded to, and
Dawes told Thomas of the matter on
the 9th, after which I talked with
Thomas who said he did not then be-
lieve Hugh Dickson guilty of running
his daughter, and would wait for fur
Their developments. He believed when
Mr.. Dawes was stronger she would
vindicate her uncle from the charge
she had made on Sunday morning.
At daylight on the 10th, he beard a
report of a pistol, and entering his
brothers room, found him shot
through the head below the ear. He
thought then it was suicide, but no
pistol or other weapon was near him.
Charles Freeman and Dock Moore.
colored, were at Dickson's place the
morning of the killing, and saw Tho
mas enter Hugh Dickson's room,
heard the pistol and afterwards saw
the wounded man. The State closed.
Mrs. Carrie Dawes. the lady who
charged her uncle with the fearful
crime of her ruin, which lead to his
killing by her father, testified that
While she was in a convent in this
city, she was visited by her uncle;
that she attended a party at Minden
with him, afterwards at Mrs. Wood
wards, in Benton, both sleeping up
stairs in opposite rooms. He Knocked
at her door asking her if she was
afraid.
On the way home next day be tried
to take liberties with her. They stop
ped at Cumpston's hotel when here.
On returning late at night, he brought
her some cake and wine; she had re-
tired, and he importuned her to let
him in. The next time they met was
dnring the last illness of her aunt,
Mrs. Emma Mcdowell, when he i'll
duced Mrs. Thomas, who was sick, to
visit her sister at the hotel.
He returned to the house where
Mrs. Dawes was alone, gave her some
wine, which made her drowsy. She
retired to her room, followed by Dick
son, when he effected her ruin, which
was twenty-fifth of last August.
She met Charley Dawes, her hus-
band, on October 2lst, and married
him the 23d of November. In Janu-
airy she consulted physician who in.
formed her that she was enceiute. She
begged for an abortion, which he re-.
fused, but proffered to send her to
Cincinnati where she could he re-.
lieved.
Her uncle gave her medicine and an
instrument to produce the effect, but
she oid not use them. After the birth
ne called to see her, and when alone
he asked her whose child it was. She
replied, its seven months child. and
be knew more about it than she did.
He pulled out a copsule which he
said to her contained her honor, that
of her family and his life, if she would
break it and apply it to the child's
nose twenty minutes, it would be dead
and pass off for miscarriage. She re.
fused; he tried it himself, when the
child screamed, bringing awes. He
made second effort and was preyen-
ted by Dawes. Her father called Fri
day night following, when she gave
the facts.
After three days trial, the follow
verdict was handed in: We, the iury.
lind the accused guilty of manslaugbter
with the least possible punishment
In addition, taking into consideration
extreme mitigating circumstances, We
recommend the accused to the ex-
treme mercy of the court.
4. H. LINDSAY, Foreman.