The Lake Charles echo., 1894-05-25
PAID THE PENALTY.
Henry Jones, the CaIcasieu Rapist Killed in
Iberia Parish.

Some three weeks ago we published
the details of a most revolving crime
perpetrated by negro called, Henry
Jones, the victim being Blanche Ocerman,
who lived with her father on the other
side Of the lake. The local officers used
their utmost endeavors to capture the
black fend, but were unsuccessful.
full description of the criminal was sent
all over this part of the state by Sheriff
Reid, and last Sunday, Sheriff BrOussard,
Of Lafayette, together with the deputy
sheriff Of Iberia parish, found the man
who resisted arrest. 1t was impossible
to capture him alive and he was therefore
taken dead. We understand there is no
doubt as to the identity of the man who
has thus paid the penalty for his heinOus
crime.
The following special to the Times
Democrat is a circumstantial account of
the bloody affair:
FOUGHT FOR HIS LIFE.
New Iberia, May 2O.--HenFy Jones, the
negro who criminally assaulted n thir-
teen -year-Old white child in Lake Charles
last month, full particulars of which were
published in the Times. Democrat at the
time, was run down near this place this
morning and killed by Sheriff j. A.
BrOussard, of Lafayette, aud Deputy
Sheriff Felix Mestayer, of Iberia. After
committing the crime Jones fed from
Lake Charles, hotly pursued by posse
Of citizens, but his knowledge of the
country enabled him to escape. Sheriff
Reid Immediately telegraphed all sheriffs,
giving good description of the negro,
and laid particular stress upon the fact
that he would probably resist arrest, and,
if possible, kill any officer attempting to
capture him. The case was closely fol
lowad by Sheriff Broussard in Lafayette
and by DePOty MestayCr in this parish.
Yesterday Sheriff BrOussaTd obtained i'll
formation that Jones was in this vicinity,
and together with Deputy Mestayer To-
Gated him south of here, near Dayld's
switch, on the Iberia and FerniliOn rail
road a thiuly settled village in the edge
Of Petite Anse woods. The officers went
there last night and found the cabin
where Jones had been hiding vacant, and
| after waiting there several hours Il negro
named johnson came, evidently TO see
| if the coast WAS clear and upon seeing
the officers attempted to run, but was
captured, and told the officers that Jones
was at ball near by. They fastened to
the cabin where the ball was in progress
aud saw Jones sitting at table playing
cards with some women Near him, aud
in reach, was a double -baITelcd shotgun
that he had taken with him. Deputy
MestayeT, whom Jones did not know,
entered the room and covering Jones with
his pistol asked him to surrender. The
negro cOOlly denied that he was Jones,
but when Sheriff Broussard, whom he
knew we'll, entered, the negro grew des,
perate and attempted to get his gun,
when Mestayer closed in on him and a
fearful struggle took place, both being
powerful men. Finally MestayeT got the
negro outside of the cabin and the strug.
gle was renewed. The negro had the
revolver by the barrel, attempting tC
wTest it from MestayeT, and just as ht
was about successful Mestayer pulled
the trigger. The ball hit the negrO'I
head parted the hair in the middle, but
did not enter the skull. Broussard theI
seeing Mestayer's life in danger shot thT
negro in the left breast with Win
chester rifle. Still the negro refused t.
surrender, and said be would either di'
himself or kill them. He then ATTEMPTED
to get back into the cabin to his gun
when both officers fred, aud then JoneD
fell with three balls in his breast anr
died in a few minutes. His body wal
4 brought to town and post morten
examination held by Coroner Burgess
The coTOncrs jury after healiDg th'
evidence, eXOneTated the officers. Sherit
Broussard said that while he regretted
the necessity Of killing Jones, that hut
he taken him to Lake Charles mol
would have lynched him. He saiC
that the negro was one Of til
most desperate Of his race aut
was u terror to the whole section, apC
his death was the best thing that coulc
have happened. He is satisfied that b.
killing the negro he saved the lives 0
both himself and Mcstayer for had Jone
gotten his gun he would have used j
effectively, as it was loaded with twenty
four bucksAOt in each barrel.