The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-06-29
A. o. O'NEIL SHOT AND KILLED
BY OFFICER WARD.
A MiSDEMEANOR CHARGE
Was Being Filed in the Police Station
When O'Neil, in the Presence of Sew
eral Policemen, Dashed Through the
Doorway-Is Pursued and Killed.

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newspapers, there is little to add to
what has already been said O'Neil was
worker in the Caddo oil field He
was from Texas. He was the adopted
son Of J. B. Holloway of Waelder, Tex,
who, as said, declined to have anything
to do with the case. Perhaps this re-
fusal to take notice of O'Neil's death
may have been suggested by the avoid
ance of responsibility for any expenses
necessary for a decent burial.
In justification of this homicide much
stress is being laid on the alleged un-
savory reputation of the deceased. In
contradiction, men who have worked
with him in the oil fields of Texas have
declared that while glib of tongue and
imaginative, particularly when under the
influence Of beer or whiskey, and that
when intoxicated would quarrel and
fight, but otherwise he was not bad
man.
1t was disclosed at the coronerss in
quest that O'Nei1 had been in the dives
of the restricted district, that he had
|quarreled and slapped negro wench's
face and that he had been disorderly,
which may all be accepted without a
Question of doubt, since he had been
indulging freely in intoxicants, but it
apears that he was not arrested when
he was disorderly, but afterwards when
it was believed he was bad man dld
was wanted for murder in Oklahoma.
Who will say that at the time he fed
from the station he was not laboring
from some Of the effects Of the intoxi-
cants he had drank in the restricted dis
trict or elsewhere?
There is one faeture of this case
which is also remarkable It is the ex-
onerating of Officer Ward by the co.o-
ner's judy. 1t is only charitable to as
sumo that these jurors were moved by
greater sentimental expression Of
compassion for Officer Ward than any
intent to disregard their legal scope Of
the inquiry, which is cireumscribed te
| the facts of the case. A coroner's jury
has no authority to exoneTate any one
who has slain human being. The find
| ings of the coroner's jury is limited t
the cause Of death and at whose hands
the homicide may be charged. Wf1er
such verdict has been reached the ex-
ecution of the law must rest on the dis
trict attorney, who must cause the arres'
of the person charged with the homi
eide. Such warrant or affidavit j:
executed by the sheriff or one of his
deputies. The party charged with the
homicide, if an officer Of. the law, i:
immediately relieved from duty. If he
lis held for manslaughter he may be re
leased on bond. IF for murder, h
must be jailed until released by ordel
of the court after trial, at which h,
may be cleared:
| In this, as i'll other instances, the eau
casian may express its regret over sucl
| a deplorable occurrence, but something
more substantial and lasting than word.
expressions must give assurance o
safety to the people against the bullet
fired by officers of the law when in pur
suit of fugitives fleeing through tn
streets and alleys of city.
| When O'Neil was fleeing up the ale
he was fired at by one of the officers il
pursuit. This shot failed in its aim
Suppose it had struck some innocer
| individual and killed him or maine
Thin for life? The fatal shot was fire
I by Officer Ward, when, it is salt
i IO'Neil was distant sixty-six yards. Sue
la shot, it is being explained by tn
friends Of Officer Ward, was Academia
land being accidental should lead to HI
exoneration Suppose this shot ha
missed O'Neil and struck some lady {
some citizen homeward bound or cross
! ing the street at the Methodist churc
where O'Neil fell dead?
i The arraignment of the Caucasian
not instigated in personal sense, nc
particularly against Officer Ward or ar
individual of the police or any offics
of the law. It is simple. 1t IS: Sha