The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1901-06-12
MURDERED.
81
John Cray Foster Assassinated
On the Smith Plantation in
Bossier..
I'm Cray Foster Assassinated

| A terrible crime was committed
bis forenoon on the Smith plantation
: ~ Bossier.
John Gray Foster, sged about 10
years, Youngest son of Capt. j. Nj.
Foster, was the victim.
Ills body was riddled with buck
shot, fired by negro from cabin on
he plantation.
John Gray Foster was a young
man OF great energy and activity He
was courtt Gus and gentle and was
held IN the highest estet m. He had
been on the Foster plantation as an
assistant to Mr.. Vickers, the overseer
and general manager of all the NJ
and viii Foster plantations in Bos-
sier.
The Smith plantation is the central
plantation of all these plantations,
from which is distributed supplies
aud where tie central store is
situated.
In the fall of the year about Que
hundred negroes from Texas were
brought to Bossier, aud of this mum.
Der q number were located on the
smith plantation.
These negroes from Texas have
given more or less trouble TO the
manager and his assistants. In many
instances they have defied all discip-
line, aud have attempted to have
their own way. In their iusubordi-
nation they have been brought to
reason by the strongest OF persuasion.
1t ls believed They have been engaged
In conspiracy aud have only awaited
their opportunity. This forenoon,
between 9 aud 10 O'Clock, Mr. Vickers,
the Overseer aud manager, repri-
msnded a negro of gang of fifteen
or sixteen In the field. The negro
aetorted insolentlY when urged to
work intellgently, ana replied by
drawing pistol on Mr. Vickers, who
quickly knocked the negro down.
Tue negroes of this gang, at work
near by, rallied 10 their comrade, but
were dispersed by Mr. VIckers
ABOUT this time John Gray Foster
appeared on the scene, aud when told
what happened rode 10 the quarters
Of these negroes TO urge III IN to re-
sumo work, but as he came Oh, ia a
twinkle OF an eye, a double barrel
gun, loaded with buck shot, was fred
from a door OF house in which the
ASSASSIN was concealed.
John Gray Foster was killt q q. most
instantly. A noble young life, giving
promise OF greet usefulness, has been
cut by the Gssassin's bullets.
When the news was conveyed to a
few at GlasseIl Il Fosters and from
there communicated to friends and
from there TO the public, tie excite
Lnent became intense.
La less than half an hour after the
news had been conveyed fifty ana
more men. armed with gus hao
crossed to Bossier. A posse of six.
teen men left Benton headed by
Sheriff Thompson, but this number
Was greatly increased by armed men
.alIiDg Ia on the way. Ev,ry white !
man in the vicinity for miles around
are gathering to the scene. The ne
groes having realized the euormity OF |
their crime have scattered, hut from
what could be learned the majority |
Will be hemmea in and taken between |
the Red river front and the hills
rhe whole country is being aroused,
Indeed the assassination of John
Gray Foster is more serious than the
simple taking OF q life. II would
indicate that plot had been planne d
an insurrection programmed, which
was precipitatef, perhaps, much
sooner than do irei. AT any rate,
there viii be few if any of the negroes
to escape who are or have been con-
nected with the gang. We shndder
as we think OF the result.
The murder of John Gray Foster
may lead to the sacrifice of good men,
citizens loyal aud true, but we trust
SINCERELY that all these will escape iu-
Jury and only the guilty will be made
10 psy the fullest penalty.