The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-08-18
ANOTHER HOMICIDE.
A WOMAN IN THE CASE.

S"pP"'N'' =" NO very HlS SERIOUS
murder, incapable Of solution, has
since been satisfactorily solved
Upon visiting the locality whence
the sounds emanated, Oh Johnston
street, neatly opposite the build.
ing recently occupied by Eliza
Murray AZ Il boarding house, the
dead body of II negro was discover.
ed. 1t was identified as that of
Billy Williams, aged about 50
years. The assassin in the inter
val, had fled and no trace of him
could be found.
1t may be considered a coinci.
dence that the body was found in
nearly the same locality where a
negro was shot OH Christmas eve.
from the effect Of which he expir-
ed in a few moments. The shoot
ing was done with self-cocking,
80 caiibre, Colt's revolver. Three
Of the bullets penetrated the body
Of Williams, one striking the right
side of the neck and breaking it,
one in The left side and another in
the middle Of the back. Upon in
Vcstigatlon, it was aScertalncu
that Jake Hawkins had been seen
with the deceased several times be.
fore and also just previous to the
homicide. Hence, suspicion at
tached to him, but when sought
for, he had eluded pursuit and
could not be found. Upon Motif
cation, Justice of the Peace A. Z.
Rachal, in the absence Of the Cor
oner, repaired to the spot, impan
neIed ID jury and held al inquest
upon the dead body. The .jary,
after viewing the body ANA being
unable to obtain amy witnesses
that night, capable Of unravelin &
the mystery, adjourned till the
uext morning. Upon converting
the next morning sufficient evil
dence was secured to connect Han
kius wi Ii the m r,ler and d YER
dict was accordingly rendered to
that effect.
uanklus lives Oil the plantation
of Mr.. Il. j. Barrett, whittier Dep
uty Sheriff Francis David aud Mr..
Winnie Barrett proceeded Sunday
morning. AS soou us he saw tue
officers, he approached, them,
said he was the man wait.
ed and admitted the killing,
but clAims that he did it III self,
defense. His version of the shoot
ing is to The following effect /:
Williams charged him with living
with another mans wife, which he
denied, when Williams retorted
wilhopprobriousand scurrlousep-
ithets, which were returned III
kind, when Williams ran his hand
to his hip pocket indicating that
he WAS in the act of drawing a
weapon.
lie then considered that bis life
was in danger, drew his own re.
volver and fred upon his antago.
mist with the at, result. When
the pockets Of the dead man were
examined, only two keys and Is
cents in money were found. Ht
was evidently unarmel, as nc
weapon was found upon his per
son, nor anywhere in the immedi
ate vicinity. Williams however
has the reputation Of being a vi
cious and dangerous man, having
already served term in the penl
Tertiary for stealing II beef. Viii
liams lived in Alexandria and it is
probable that his wife, who was I
cook, supported him. Ga the con
trary, tire murderer is said to be {
peaceable, quiet and inotfensivt
man, never having been engaged
in difficulty before. lie is nov
in j Ill awaiting a preliminary ex
animation. the wives of the prln
cipals to the tragedy are said t.
be related. 1t may be that Han
kins thought his life WAS in dan
ger, but it is quite probable tina
both parties were ''tanked up" OF
vile whiskey, as they were knows
to have frequented several saloon
during the afternoon, and becom
. ing involved in the dispute as al
legged by him, took advantage Q
his opponent, knowing him to b
unarmed, and shot him withou
!, giving him any chance for his life
J. not rejecting in his besotted con
. dition, that the finger of suspicio
g would point to him, from the fac
of having been seen in the comps
ny Of the deceased during the eve
ming. BE that as it may, howev
er, indiscriminale shooting upO
the streets Of Il town is repreheL
sible in the highest degree, innt
cent passers.by occasionally bt
coming targets to intercept tn
!. flying missiles, and some way, IL
@ gal or otherwise, must be devise
t to suppress the perniclous prat
tice, or there will be no secnrit
i. for life upon our crowded thu
, rOnghtareS.