St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1881-06-18
mi, . eoO,,y;,,r from, tho ,l-a u

The following from the Lake Provi
depce Herald, is the most circumstan
tial account of the killing of the two
Young Lofts we have seen. If this
statement is correct, and the affair had
occurred in this parish, it would not
have been necessary for the slayer of
the Lofts to leave for parts unknown,
as far as the law is concerned--he could
Justly plead self-defense. He probably
left to avoid becoming a victim of Just
such danger as he had escaped. Idle
ness, drunkenness, and carrying con-
cealed weapons, backed by bad spirit.
cause much crime and SORROW:
It is with profound sadness that we
make note of the killing of Jessie and
Richard Lott, sons of the Hon. H. r.
Lott, in the town of Floyd, on Tuesday,
the Oath inst. The particulars of this
terrible affair were brought to town by
Mr.. Beasly from West Carroll, on the
eth inst. 1t seems that considerable
unpleasantness has existed for a great
sons living in the upper end of said
parish, and several old citizens dwelling
in and around the town of Floyd. This
hatred, or jealousy, or whatever it may
be called, would break out every now
and again, with ominous features, espe-
cially when some of the parties had in
dulged freely in the exciting liquid
called "Floyd beverage" Some such
circumstances existed on Tuesday last
Too much whisky, abusive language,
and the fatal results we refer to. 1t
seems that Mr.. Jessie Lott was indulg-
ing in violent abuse of Mr.. Bill Bradley,
Sheriff of the parish, better known on
the bills as "WildCat Bradley" His
deputy, Mr.. L. Sage, Il quiet, and as was
supposed, inoffensive, timid young man,
expressed himself freely about the a buse
heaped upon his principal-styling it as
too outrageous to be borne. Mr.. Lott
overhearing the language, turned upon
Sage, and the lie, with the Floyd vari-
atiOns, was freely exchanged, when
Lott drew his pistol and began banging
away at Sage, who was not slow in re-
Sage, Lott fell pierced through the
breast, dying almost instantaneously
Mr.. Richard Lott, younger brother.
being in the neighborhood, came upon
the scene and with frantic haste, began
shooting at Sage. He fired three shots
unsuccessfully when Sage, taking his
pistol in both hands, deliberately
brought it down on his assailant, and
the leaden messenger of death entered
IL vital part of the younger brothers
body, and there they both lay weltering
in their life's blood. A more tragic
scene could scarcely be conceived of.
Two intelligent, high toned and worthy
young men cut off on the very threshold
of their manhood. We are panied to
leern that they both leave, in heart
stricken grief, interesting families
while the gray hairs of their respected
sire is being bowed down with sorrow
over the premature graves where they
are gone. Mr.. Sage, Immediately after
the killing, mounted his horse and left
for parts unknown. We know nothing
of the real merits of this double death
dealing, but have told it as it was told
to us, The bereaved ones have our sin
cere sympathy in their unexampled
sorrow.
Since the above was put in type, we
have seen a communication to person
in New Orleans, from the father of the
deceased, published in the New Orleans
Democrat, which puts all entirely differ
ent face on this sad affair." 1t appears
from this communication that there was
conspiracy to kill the Lott's-one OF
them at least.