PARTIAL REPORT OF GRAND JURY

Crowley Signal October 26, 1901

A partial report of the grand jury to date, shows a finding of twelve true bills, up to Wednesday morning. Eighteen case investigated up to this morning, have been thrown out by the grand jury. Of the twelve true bill thus far found, the following five can be made public, inasmuch as the parties concerned are now in jail.

They are:

Joseph James, murder (see below)

(KILLING AT CHURCH POINT OF LUCIEN WASHINGTON

Crowley Signal August 24, 1901

Sheriff Murrell returned Thursday night from Church Point with a negro man by the name of Jos. James, who was lodged in jail charged with having killed another negro by the name of Lucien Washington.

An inquest was held over the body of Washington and the jury was composed of J.E. Daigle, Dr. L.B. Arceneaux, R.S. Gregg, M.L. Andrew and Edmond Deville.  The testimony at the inquest showed that the killing was nothing less than a cold blooded murder, James having walked up behind Washington and struck him with the end of an old buggy spring, crushing his skull.  There was no hard feeling between the two men that could be learned and James’ motive in the killing the man is a mystery.)

Rousseaux Mouton and Verna Lyons, shooting with intent to kill.

Olivia Jackson, assault and battery Will Smith, murder

Eugene Guidry, carrying concealed weapons.

The following persons, against whom affidavits have been filed, were dismissed by the grand jury:

Hermogine Chargois, shooting with intent to kill.

Jos. Victor, cutting with intent to kill.

Leon Franquez, assault and battery

Leigh Wimberley, larceny

Delia Jones, shooting with intent to murder.

Louise Chargois and Hermogine, lying in wait with dangerous weapons

Sherman Dowe, assault and battery.

Emile Smith, trepass

Ernest Caruthers, assault with intent to rape.

Scott Cowen, assault with a dangerous weapon.

Adam Sonnier, obtaining money under false pretenesses

Henry Murrell, carrying dangerous weapon.

Onezime LeBlanc, assault with a dangerous weapon.

Guillaum Born and Albert Benoit, assault and battery.

Sidney O’Pry, assault with dangerous weapon.

Ignace Guidry, assault and battery

Corine Romero and others, larceny

Marie Baptitse, larceny

GRAND JURY FINISHES

Crowley Signal Nov 2, 1901

The grand jury made its final report Saturday morning, after a week’s very hard work. The gentlemen comprising the grand jury were exceptionally well fitted for the work that came before them. After a thorough investigation of all the cases they were called upon to examine, they examined the parish jail and found everything in excellent shape.  They also, in their report, congratulated the parish on the prospects of a much needed new courthouse. In reference to the parish roads, the grand jury regarded them in good shape, considering the inconvenience which always results in the waste water that comes from the flooded rice fields. They had no complaint to make of road overseers in the least.  District Attorney Campbell was thanked for his kindness and promptness in extending valuable advice to the grand jury.  The following are not true bills:

Ophelia Abshire vs. JacobAbshire, assault with dangerous weapons.

Andrew Jigot, slander

Adolph Thibodeaux, striking with intent to kill.

Eraste Guidry, Slander.

Arcade Lavergne, horse stealing.

Geo. Citizen, larceny.

Collin Daigle and Paul Daigle, assault with dangerous weapons.

M.A. Hamilton, assault and battery.

C.T. Bradley, cutting levees.

Albert Hall, assault and battery.

Ignace Guidry, assault and battery.

Ernest Daigle, killing a hog.

Isaac Sidney Grien, carrying concealed weapon.

Emma Robertson, larceny.

George Doyle, treatning to kill.

Theodore Courier, assault and battery.

Jules Thibodeaux, larency and assault and battery.

TRUE BILLS

Will Parker, carrying concealed weapons & discharging fire arms in Public Street.

Eugene Guidry, larceny.

John A. Williams, shooting with intent to kill.

Joseph Johnson, entering house in the night time with intention to steal.

Robt. Story, assault and battery.

Nelson Wilkins, carring concealed weapons.

Achile Guillory, horse stealing.

Alcee Etienne, horse stealing.

Six additional true bills not to be made public at present were also found.  Most of the members of the grand jury left today for their homes, having completed their work.