Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-04-19
LOUISIANA TRAGEDY.
A Short History of a Noted
Family,
Who are Concerned in the Late
Louisiana Tragedy.
Orleans states.l

The terrible tragedy which occurred
near Shreveport, last Monday, when
Capt. S. M. Thomas shot and killed
his brother in-law, Hugh M. Dickson,
has been fully told in the dispatches
from that point. The story. runs that
Thomas daughter, who was married
not long ago, gave birth to a child
whose speedy appearance belied Its
legitimacy.
1t is said that Thomas received con
vincing proof that Dickson had taken
a base advantage Of the girl while she
was under the influence Of chloroform.
Upon this information he rode to
Dickson's plantation and shot him
while lying in his bed.
The principals in this affair are
prominent people, and r almost as
well known in New Orleans as in
Caddo. Themselves and their eonnec-
lions have, in times past, made them
selves notorious in various ways. The
sad tragedy recalls some past expert
ences Of the family which will be read
with interest at this time.
Michael Dickson was a native born
freshman, who came to this country
and settled in the Felicianas, this
state, at quite an early age.
Being Of a frugal and Industrious
nature, he acquired considerable
wealth when still a young man. He
married into one of the influential
families OF that region, and afterward,
10 1855 or '5G, removed to the Red
river parishes, where, at the time OF
his death, which occurred in Bossier
parish during the war, he owned four
or five good plantations.
He was the father of six children
four girls and two boys. Victoria,
who married 5. NJ. Thomas; Elizabeth,
who is single; Emma, who married Il.
Mcdowell, once a prominent and
wealthy merchant Of this city both
are now dead; Mary Eliza, whose first
husband name was Trigg, but who
after his death married Major General
g. j. Pillow, of Memphis. She is
said to have been a very beautiful, fas.
cinating and brilliant woman.
The two sons were Palmer and
Hugh-the latter Of whom was the
victim of his brother law revenge.
The wealth OF their father accustomed
the children to every luxury and
pleasure. Whatever whims a spoiled
caprice invented were carried out by
the lavish generosity of an indulgent
parent. They wore denied nothing
and given everything. Their educa-
ton was guided with every care; the
girls were taught all those accom-
plishments which make women fasci-
mating and attractive, while the boys
received all the advantages Of Euro
pean training and travel.
AT the close of the war the family
held a thousand bales Of cotton on
their various plantations. Prices for
this staple ruled high, and the sale oil
their cotton brought in a handsome
fortune. Thus recouphd, as it were,
they we're again supplied with a full
purse, and their old luxurious ways
were. resumed. During a portion of
this period the family lived in New
Orleans, and the Dickson girls" as
they were called, excited no little
comment and gossip by certain rapid
ways they persued. Whether they
really deserved the talk thus excited,
is not a question to be decided at this
time, but ont ofthe numerous stories
set aaoat regarding them resulted an
other tradegy. The brothers had re
turned from Germany and we're living
in Bossier parish about 1874. A
neighbor was accused by them Of
slandering their sister. The accuse
ton led to a quarrel, which, however,
had no immediate result. A week or
more elapsed before they again met.
In the interval the Dicksons we're
told that the alleged ~slsnderer had
threatened their lives. The next en-.
counter proved fatal, as the brothers
drew their pistols and killed him. For
this they were arrested, and before
the trial could come off, Governor
kellogg sent them a pardon. The
authorities, however, held that a par
don was imperative until sentence
had been passed, and the trial accord
took place-the accused being
acquitted.
The family has not been. altogether
as united and cordial in their relations
as they might have been. The Target
Inheritance left by the father has
proved an incentive to litigation and
judicial ~wrangling, although it is not
that any personal differences
had ever taken place. The relations
ofCapt. Thomas with his brothers in
law have always been of a friendly
character, until the late scandal was
developed.
Carrie, the daughter Of Captain
Thomas, seine four months ago eloped
with a young man named Dawes, Of
Shreveport, whom she married. 1t was
directly after this event that her con-
became delicate and she charged
her uncle, Hugh Dickson. with beirg
the father Of her child.
ms information so worked upon his
mind that Thomas killed Dickson, as
previously stated.
In an interview in the Shreveport
with Captain Thomas, the latter
makes the following statement:
Friday night last he was informed
that IN outrage had been perpetrated
In his family and that Hugh Dickson
was the author of the crime. Having
reason to believe that Dickson would
leave the country after exposure, he
left here Saturday night and proceed
ed to his residence on Rush Point.
Arriving there Sunday morning, short
lv alter dnulinht hn nnr,s.ul.