Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-10-20
A BLOODY RETROSPECT.
Shreveport Times.

In walking up Texas street last night
about II o'clock, With the vague idea
Of stumbling upon local item, we were
forcibly struck with the difference be-
tween Shreveport now and Shreveport,
say thirty years ago. In those days we
used to think that great portion Of the
population never slept at all. At any
hour ofthe night or Of the early morn
ing, lights were cleaning IN all the sa-
looms while the night air was made mu-
steal with the report Of the Derringer.
In those days revolvers- except the old
fashioned pepper-boxes, which rarely
hit and never killed--were unknown, at
least were not used as articles of person
al adornment. Then the reporter Of a
daily paper could have served up at
least one man every morning for his
readers breakfast. We were then run
ming the Caddo Gazette as weekly,
and considered it poor week for dead
men, if we did not have eight or ten in
our columns.
Standing last night at BogeFs corner
and looking across the way at Dreyfuss'
corner, memory travelled back many
years, and we could recall the death of
fifteen men who were shot and killed
within fifty yards Of that corner. Two
of them We're shot in the eye at dis
lance of not more than twelve inches.
/ One was an Irish tailor named Ward,
who was usually the best natured fel.
low in the world when sober, and not at
all dangerous when drunk. But the
day be was killed he was on spree, and
made some idle threats against q young
man named Peckham, the first telegraph
operator ever stationed in Shreveport.
Peckbam had Just come here, knew lit.
tie of Ward and thought his life
was really in danger; so meeting neal
where Morris drug store now stands
he stuck DerriDger close to his head
and fred, the ball entering the eye and
passing entirely through the head
Peckham was released OH a preliminary
examination.
The other victim was daguerotypist
an inotfensive man, but who had excited
the animosity OF man named Green
The latter met him in q small confec
fectionery shop, presented derringel
pistol and shot him through the head
In both cases death was instantaneous
Green was let out On bond and left tn
i, country.
But probably the most desperate fgh
that ever occurred in this place was on
between DR.. Green and Mr.. Hester, tn
first named practicing physician, ant
the latter planter and ex-member o
the Legislature. Both were prominen
men, and Hester one OF the most popula
men in the parish--a mild-mannered
sober and clever gentleman, he becam
possessed of the demon of jealousy-and
, too, without Just cause-and challenges
J Green to fight duel. The latter &C
cepted, and was in his Office, back 0
/, where the Gem Saloon now is, arranging
his papers preparatory for the duel
when Mr.. Hester, frantic with rage
stepped to the door and told him to de
, fend himself. Green sprang for hi
: bowie knife, and Hester fred Oh him
i inficting mortal wound. Green the
attacked him with bis knife. The figh
9 did not last three minutes, and bot
G men died within half an hour.
: But we will not further weary on
Q readers with such dark and sad reminil
Q cences. Thank Heaven and the advanc
+ of civilization, these bloody days hav
! passed, and to-day Shreveportls Us quit
g and orderly place as any Of its size
y the South or West.