St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-08-28


edness Of the affair. The first intima-
tIon any one had was when Wade turned
loose with double-barreled breech-
loading shotgun at Mr.. Jordon. Wade
at that time was standing almost in
front of the bank. He then fired the
other barrel at some men standing
near, then retreated few steps south
INTO stairway, where he reloaded,
reappearing in a few seconds to fire
at the nearest persons. He did not
discriminate. The nearest persons
were the objects of his aim. From
then until finally brought down he
conducted the same tactics. He would
retreat in the stairway to load, jump
out, fire both barrels, and retreat to
reload. That his aim was good is
evidenced by the fact that although
he only fired about twelve times,
twenty-nine were wounded.
The unexpectedness was one cause
of so many being injured. People
rushed to their doors to see the cause
OF the shooting only to be greeted with
loads of scattering shot, and minute
or two elapsed before citizens could
arm themselves and attack the negro.
Hearing the fusilade and divining the
cause armed men came hurrying from
every point of the compass, and soon
Wade was attacked from three sides.
Guns were popping like frecrackers,
and the fight assumed the proportions
of small battle. Doorways in build
ings near the. scene were filled with
citizens and officers with leveled
weapons firing at Wade every time he
came out of his retreat to shoot, and
others could be seen hurrying to the
spot with rifles and shot guns.
Finally the negro fell, with scream
of mortal agony, to the sidewalk. 1t |
is not known who fired the shot that
killed him, but it was either Mayor
Forsythe or Policeman Biggar, both
of whom were shot, the latter serious
ly.
AS the negro fell, the crowd rushed |
forward, and that section of the city
soon blockaded with men crowding |
to catch glimpse of the crime -crazed |
negro. After lying On the sidewalk a
short while some one secured rope, |
and the body was soon swinging 10 the
awning in front of drug store. 1t
hung there short while until Coro-
ner Surghnor arrived, when it was
cut down for the inquest.
After the inquest, which required
very little time, the body again was
hoisted up. 1t did not remain sus-
pended very long the second time as
it was soon cut down placed in a
wagon and carried away. 1t was be-
lieved that this was the end, but such
was not the case. The body was car
ried to vacant lot lot near the City
Hall, where was pile of lumber. 1t
was placed on this lumber, several
cans of oil were poured over the pile,
and match applied. The flames
sprang up Immediately, and the body
was lost sight of in the mass of flames.
just as the crowd started to fire the
funeral pyre Mayor Forsythe appeared
and made an attempt to dissuade the
crowd. His pleas and efforts proved
useless. Some one struck a match,
another shouted to the mayor that his
clothes were on fire, and as he sprang
backwards several additional cans of
oil sent the flames skyward.
News of the burning quickly spread,
and soon vast crowds were surround
ing the lot. AS the fire burned down
more fuel was thrown on, and the fire
was kept burning several hours.
Wade purchased the gun with which
he did his work to-day a short time
before the shooting from the Ouachita-
Monroe Gun and Bicycle Co., only a
block and half from the scene of the
shooting. 1t was sold to him by j.
D. Heron, and Wade was very care
full to examine the weapon and see
that it was in good working order.
He was asked if he needed any shells,
but replied that he had all the buck
shot shells he would need. 1t is for
tunate that the negro did not have
buckshot shells as he stated. He was
using birdshot, and if it had not been
for this fact between twelve and fif-
teen probably would have been killed,
as great many of the wounded were
struck in vital parts.
He evidently was under the impress
sion that his shells were loaded with
buckshot, or would have bought them.
1t has not developed yet where the
negro bought the birdshot shells.
During the affray several large plate
glass show windows were broken.
Many bullet holes were made in the
doorjam of the stairway in which
Wade MD, and the marks of bullets
were left on nearby posts.
tn Destroy ROll WnnviI |