The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-01-12
KILLING OF j. ID. ToMPKINs.

be avoided. z
There had been ill.feeling between
Mr.. Tompkins and Mr.. Dunn for ia,
past five or six years, caused by som,
Misunderstanding, and since then Mr.
Tompkins has never let an opportanit,
pass that he would not villify Mr.
Dunn. Mr.. Tompkins would in the
meantime become friendly again witt
Mr.. Dunn, only in short time te
again say something disparagingly
against him, or of the manner in which
he was conducting his o1fice. Mr.
Dunn was never heard 10 say any thine
against Mr.. Tompkins, except when ht
would hear of these remarks against
him. 1t has often been predicted thai
there would be a shooting scrape 10
take place between them, and that one
or the other would be killed, or per-
haps both.
Last week Mr.. Tompkins circulated
the report in the second ward, where
Mr.. Dunn has the staunchest kind of
friends among the leading citizens of
that ward, that he Dunn, had allowed
two prisoners, who are confined in Jail,
TO be turue,l out at nights aud to
walk the streets. These remarks of
Mr.. Tompkins about Mr.. Dunn were
told to him, which he branded as lies.
On Saturday morning Mr.. Tomp-
kins told a gentleman by the name of
r. j. Weatherly. who has lately come
to our parish to reside, that MIR. L j.
Hamley, one OF the leading and pro-
gressiye citizens of our town, was
COW thief and that he had the proof.
Mr.. Weatherly had never met Mr..
Haunley, but told Mr.. Dunn what be
had heard, and as he was a stranger
he did not know whether to believe
what Mr.. Tompkins told him or not,
and asked MIR. Dunn il it was So.
Mr. Dunn told Mr.. Weatherley that
MIR. liamley was his personal friend
and that they would go together aud
inform Mr. Hamley what he had said,
which they did. Judge Ransdell hav-
ing heard what was going Oh, went to
MIR. Tompkius 10 the interest of peace
iii the community and to try add pre-
vent trouble. Mr.. Tompkins denied
making these remarks, but was very
severe in his language towards both
MIR. Dunn and Mr. Hamley. This made
MIR. Tompkins furious, who had al
ready armed himself during the morn
ng hours. AT Urias Copn's restau-
rant he took dinner. where Messrs.
Will I'll. Davis and Clark Maben |
we're also eating at the time. |
and be told them that be would |
kill both Hamley aud Dunn be.
fore evening. These gentlemen told |
Mr.. Hamley what they had heard, but
ailed 10 see Mr.. Dunn. who was at |
lome. Mr.. Dnnn was in town on
he morning of the killing, but went
rome, aud did not return to town
Until about four O'Clock, when he went
Immediately to the post Office 10 get
lis mail. After getting it he crossed
be street to Mcguire 81 Schneider's
tore on his way home, when he saw
Judge Ransdell coming up Scarbor-
ugh street. He waited for him and
10Th gentlemen walked 10 the office
'uildiBg of RaHsdell e. Ransdell, aud
lad walked on the inside of the double
ate and were conversing, when in a
ew moments Mr.. Tompkins was seen
pproaching towards them. He must
ave been watching for Mr.. Dunn.
Is be came up to the fence he cursed,
t the same time striking the top of the
ence with his left hand and saying he
to know who told those lies
bout me-" and Mr.. Dunn replied, 81
m the man who said SO, and you can
esent it if you want" Both men
ulled their pistols at the same time, l.
nd both going off at the same instant,
r perhaps Mr.. Dunn being the first
} fire. The first shot from Mr..
,unn's pistol struck Mr.. Tompkins
luare in the heart, going clear through
le body, which was the only shot 10
it him. The first shot from Mr.
ompkins' pistol went through the 2x4
all of the fence, the second shot struck
Ir. Dunn's right index finger, tearing
way small piece of flesh at the
uckle and just touching the elbow,
here it came out; the third shot made
slight flesh wound above the left nip
e and the. fourth shot carried away
Is watch charm. Nine shots were
red, six by Mr.. Tompkins and three
Y Mr.. Dunn. After Mr.. Tompkins
as shot be leaned against the fence
II few seconds and then fell to the
dewalk q corpse
Mr.. Dunn's vest, coat and overcoat
I'VE twelve or fifteen holes in them,
here the bullets passed in and out. /.
was a narrow escape for Mr., Dunn.
Shortly after the killing of Mr.,
ompkins, coroDer's jury was en- i
Ineled by Squire Egelly, who view
the body and adjourned until Mon
~; but no evidence was taken as
urt would meet ard the grand jury
ouid investigate the Killing. Upon
nvening of court on Monday morn ii
g and after the grand jury had been
ven the charge by Judge Ransdell, y
requested that body TO make it 81
cir first business as favor to him. IT
If and Mr.. Dunn, which was done.
Idge Ransdell and Judge j. M. Ken G
dy, eye witnesses, and Mr.. w. II. {,
avis, Mr.. Clark Maoen and others
ere called before them, who gave Il
out the same testimony as above. II
he grand jury made thorough ill.,
declared the killing "
Mr.. Tompkins justifiable and Mr.. n
unn was honorably discharged.
Mr.. aud Mrs. w. B. Frost had the
d affection of losing their daughter ri