The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1891-04-11
A Hoodlum Brought to Bay.

WIZ LAS uCCu III SCtClni
rows lately, and bears the reputation of
a dangerous character, had been Great
ing disturbance on Mrs. Gray's
premises in town, last Sunday evening,
by beating his wife most numerically,
and when demonstrated with by Mrs.
Gray, turned on her with insults and
abuse, and refused TO leave the yard.
Mrs. Gray who was naturally very
much excited and alarmed ut the brute's
outrageous conduct, called on Mr.. C.
M. Thompson, her nephew, for protec-
tion against the negro's lnsolence. Mr..
Thompson, on reaching the house,
found Jaco's wife suffering and groan-
! ing from the effects Of the brutal treat
ment of her husband, and going into
the yard, where several negroes were.
though the darkness prevented his
distinguishing who they were, nor how
many. he inquired who had beat the
woman, Jaco answered in an insulting
/ tone that he did it, when Thompson
1 ordered him off the premises; the negro
again insolently refused to go; and
/ knowing the mans desperate character
and not wishing to be forced to shoot
the desperate, Mr.. Thompson sent a
messenger to Clements s., Wilson aud
| Nj. Halphen's in the vicinity, for assist
ance in arresting Jaco. As soon as the
negro heard the order, he went in his
ca bin as if after weapon. but instead
/ of returning, took back track and
made his escape in the direction of the
railroad track as soon as he heard
/ rein forcements coming He was fol-
/ fa I,Jn I'd
4 when be was lost in the darkness, and
] Mr.. Thompson returned to his home
/ telling Mrs. Gray TO let him know in
case the negro returned aud rsnewed
1 the disturbance. Mrs. Gray, who was
! still much excited soon sent for Mr.
j Thompson again, stating that Jaco had
returned and resumed his lawlessness.
Mr. H. Crawford who was at Mr.
i Thompson's al. the time, accom- panied
him to Mis-. Ge; Mr.. {. having put a
pistol in bis nrcket and armed himself
with an iron poker, and Mr.. c. being
provided with a heavy stick. On their
/ arrival at Mrs. G's. the negro disappear
ed and could not be found, but Mrs.
\ G.. was unwilling to be left without
some protection, as she expected the
1 negro to return at any moment. About
half an hour later, while Thompson and
/ Crawford were yet in the house, Jaco,
returned and started racket in the
yard Messrs. L. and G. went out
and ordered him off, which order he
4 fatty refused to obey. Mr.. Thompson
1 then called upon some of the men stand
ing near by to assist him in arresting
4 Jaco-these were several colored men
standing near at the time-but not one
would venture to respond to the call
i Then they attempted to arrest him to
s put him in Jail, one on each side taking
him by the arm. As soon as they laid
hands on him he pushed Thompson of,
& and turned on Crawford with a savage
assault, knocking him down and pro-
ceeding .te follow up the attack
4 Thompson as soon as he recovered his
4 footing struck the negro heavy blow
with the iron poker he held in his hand,
u but it did not appear TO have any other
effect upon the brute than to increase
bis ferocify, and as Crawford had been
stunned by the first blow the negro
dealt him, and fallen to the ground, his
assailant was proceeding to use him up
most eHectualiy, some of the cuts on
his head and face resembling wounds
produced with brass knuckles, or some
similar weapon, and it was evident to
3 Thompson that Crawford would be
killed by the1brnte unless he was driven
off; it was fhen that Thompson drew
his pistol and fired ali Crawfofd's
assailant as he was bending over his
4 helpless victim pouring down murder
Gus blows upon his PROSTATE form, the
ball taking effect in the back, near the
4 shoulder blade and supposed to have
ranged upwards. 1t is not thought
that the wound is dangerous, but it lad
the desired effect of interfering with
lJaco's innocent amusement for the time
i being, aud it didn't take him long to
get out Of range Of that pistol, and
Il make his escape He was arrested next
morning and jailed
Mr.. Crawford was seriously hurt,
3 being badly cut and bruised about the
head and face, ami has been confined
/ to his room ever since. The woman
also was confined ta iler bed several
4 days from the efefas Of the beating
d Jaco gave her.