Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-06-26
A FISHERMAN KILLED.

cohtalI.lnS the Iiieiess body OF Il
man, also rifle. a bullet would
in the mans side bore silent tes-
timony to his death. The BODY
was taken in charge by the sheriff
and given respectable burial.
For some time the affair was
wrapped in mystery, but was later
made clear by the volunteer sur
render at Ashwood to Magistrate
J. G.. o Kelley of the Fifth Ward,
of fisherman by the name of
p. C. Butterfeld, who related the
following story:
"The man killed is r. J. Minard.
He was about IS years of age and
L belieye native of ST. Louis,
though for the last several years
has lived in the neighborhood of
Davis Island, where he caught
FISH and drift timber for q living.
This being my vocation also, l
entered into partnership with him
the past winter, and We have been
working together for some months
and since the present rise in the
river have collected several blocks
of drift logs, which we had cabled
and anchored in the Lake Palmy-
IA chute.
IAN alteration having occurred
between some negro employees
and ourselves, Captain Jack, as
we called Mr.. Minard, gave me
specific Instructions to guard the
timber closely, as he feared the
negroes might cut loose the hogs
in the night. Acting on his order,
| ran my skiff out into the tim
Der and laid in wait, keeping close
watch over the situation. About
10 o'clock | was startled to hear
noise of u skili' grating over log,
and immediately called, "Who's
there?" to which challenge 10 re-
ply was made. Seeing the outline
of skiff in the dim starlight,
watched the maneuvers attentive
ly aud became thoroughly con-
WINGED that he was cutting loose
our logs and towing into mid
stream. Unable TO distinguish the
man, who was at some distance,
and believing that depradations
were being made on our property |
by timber thieves, and my hail |
passing unchallenge, l fired at the !
skiff. Immediately a cry, My |
God, was heard and all was silent. |
Ignorant OF the fact that / bad |
killed man, and apprehensive Of !
lay low in my skif, |
afraid to venture near the adver-
sary's boat, who was expected to
fire. Seeing the skilf drift
AWAY, 1 finally rowed back to
camp to tell Captain Jack what
mad happened, but could not find
him, or his boat, when 1t dawned
IN me that perhaps he unfortu-
lately was the man / had shot,
yhereupon | reported the matter
% Mr.. O'Kelley and offered to
surrender if l had killed my part
Ter, of whose presence l had no
suspicion, believing l was coping
With timber thieves, which belief
[ felt confirmed when my chal-
enge was unanswered.
Sheriff Hughes went up TO Ash
wood on Tuesday and brought
5utterfield down to St. Joseph,
where he is held to await further
investigation.
As stated the above is the story
Is told by Butterfield, and we give
for what it may be worth. There
10 not seem to. be any other wit
lesses.
In this connection the follow
ng has been handed us for publ
,ation:
ONLY q FIsNEEMAN.
,Iufled oars in the dark,
rifles sharp and angry bark,
on, my GOd!" the poor man said,
)Hiy fisherman who's dead
They said.
7loating down the rivers tide,
Hole OF bullet in his side,
" alters washing round his head,
)nly a fisherman whose dead
They said.