The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-08-05
WAR OF DIFFERENTIATION.
Battle Between Csttlemen and Marauders in
Which Nine Men Are Killed.

Houston. Tex, Aug. A-The news of war
on much more than usually extensive plan
has reached here as having occurred some
twelve or fourteen miles from West Lake,
La, on the LockmoIe & Co.'s logging tram
way. In the battle. as reported here. nine
men were killed and sixteen wounded.
The point at which the encounter occurred
is just on the line of Texas and Louisiana,
and the neiRhborhood has long been the
headquarters of gang whose depreda.
tiOns have made them terror to all who
have any permanent interest there. 1t is
known that some of them reside on the
Louisiana side and others in Texas. and it
has been the custom for the forsys into
each State To be made by those from the
other side, thus escaping the penalty of the
law and at the same time sharing the I'M.
lawful gain. This gang is known
as the 'Ashwortb people" and is made
up mostly of lot of half. breeds who
take delight principally in stealing cattle
and fighting. The cattle-owners of the Sec
ton have lived in dread of these men and
have suffered severely at their hands for a
long time. and at last the ranchmen had
sent them q notice that they must desist or
take the consequences. And not only this.
depredatiOns continued, however, and so
bold did they become that the cattlemen
found II necessary to organize. in order
to protect themseives and their property
The RejbOnes are the leaders of the cat
tlemen. and when il was learned that the
gang was again on foray they called
their men together ana set out 10 find the
marauders. They suspected a man named
Morris as the leader of the thieves. and or
'deFed him to leave. Morris was supported
by the whole strength of his faction. and
defied the cattlemen to Danish him or COM
pei him to leave. The quarrel grew bitter,
and one of the Ash worth crowd.
named Ward, drew his gun and shot a Red
Firing became general. and Marion Msrkle
and Lee Perkins. of the Redbones, were
killed and Willets Dupree and Lscomb
were wounded. HOstilitles then ceased for
time. but in the afternoon another attack
was made on the Ashworth people by the
cattlemen. In which William Swan, of the
RedbOnes. aud John Owen and Henry Ash
worth. of the other party. were killed. DIR.
Meyers and his brother, who had come to
attend the wounded, were fired on by the
train boys. but were not hurt. 1t is ImpOs-
sible to yet the exact number of wounded.
the men were carried away by their
friends. Word was sent to Lake Charles
for the sheriff. posse and the coroner. the
presence of the latter seemingly being the
most important
Further details of the battle are that on
Sunday morning a party of "Redbones." a
mongrel crew of mixed whites, Indians and
negroes about twenty-five in number.
went to the store and announced
they would drive away Hooker Morris.
manager of the log camp. in re-
venGe for an insult offered two of
the party. They were well armed and led
by Jesse Dyson. a we'll known and desper-
ate character. The white men. who had
gathered about the same strength. were led
by Jesse Ward. In the battle which ensued
Ward killed Jesse Dyson and was mt once
killed from behind, when the fight became
general
The list of killed is: Jesse Ward. white:
T. t. Swan, white; Jesse Dyson, Lee
Perkins, Andrew Ashworth. Owen Ash.
worth and Marion Msrkle. "Redbones."
Wounded-Dupree Lacombe. keeper Of
the store and saloon. and his son: both shot
through the leg. Lacombe's wife ran into
the woods with her children. escaping in
jury. A complete list of the wounded can
not be obtained, but about twenty are
known to have been hurt. Sunday after
noon thirty Redbones came to the camp
after the bodies of the dead and dispersed
the officers Who were at the scene. and who
are organizing strong force TO storm
the str0DghOlds of the desperadOcS. More
III Ca x.1