Murder Trial Moved To Claiborne Parish

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

            Jury selection began Monday in Claiborne Parish for the trial of Wayne Joseph Guidry, Jr. of Luling, who is charged with the 2003 murder of Stephanie Pepper Sims. Sims, a 29-year-old English instructor at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, was reported missing by her parents, Barbara and Howard Pepper of Jonesboro, on January 7, 2003. She had apparently disappeared two days earlier from her  West Monroe apartment. She was reportedly last seen with Guidry at a convenience store in Quitman.

            The trial was moved out of Jackson Parish due to publicity surrounding the case. A jury of seven women and five men were seated by mid-afternoon Tuesday and opening statements by both the prosecution and defense were heard.

            Sims, who was reportedly separated from her husband David at the time of her disappearance, had been romantically involved with 26-year-old Guidry. Just over one month after her disappearance, Sim's body was found February 13 in the Jackson-Bienville Wildlife Management area in Jackson Parish. She had been shot once in the chest and dumped in a shallow grave. Guidry was arrested later that same day in New Orleans. He later pleaded not guilty to charges of second degree murder and continues to maintain his innocence. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Deputies Recover Car Stolen From Synco Motors

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

            A car stolen from Synco Motors in Homer on July 5 has been recovered by Claiborne Parish Sheriff deputies according to Sheriff Ken Bailey. Arrested and charged with theft over $500 was Jonathan C. Cooper, 19, of 3017 Hwy. 146 in Homer.

            Synco Motors reported a 2003 red Honda Accord had been stolen from their business on Hwy. 79 north in Homer in July. On Friday, November 18, after stopping a 2003 Honda Accord for traffic violations, Haynesville police officer John Barnett discovered the vehicle had switched license plates and the vehicle identification number showed the vehicle had been stolen from Synco Motor Company.

            Further investigation by Haynesville police officers and a Claiborne Parish Sheriff's detective led to the arrest of Cooper. Additional charges were filed against Cooper by the Haynesville Police. He was booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center with bond set at $10,000.

            In an unrelated case, Sheriff deputies Randy Pugh, Randy Smith and Paul Brazzel were involved in a routine traffic stop on November 16 which resulted in the arrest of Clayton Dale Futch, 23, of Homer. Pugh had observed a silver Chevrolet Malibu turn on Maritzky Road off Hwy. 79. Unable to see the temporary tag displayed, Deputy Pugh stopped the vehicle. They discovered the driver had an expired driver's license. Further investigation  revealed there was an outstanding warrant for Futch's arrest for failure to appear in court. After receiving permission to search the vehicle, deputies also found an open container of alcohol and a clear bag containing a green vegetable material believed to be marijuana. Futch was arrested and charged with failure to appear in court, expired driver's license, open container and possession of Schedule II CDS marijuana. Bond was set at $2,000.

"Uncle Zeke" Returns To The Guardian-Journal

            Beginning in this week, Uncle Zeke from Beaver Creek will return to the pages of The Guardian-Journal after a twenty year absence. In September 1972, Glynn Harris began his outdoor writing career with his Uncle Zeke column that appeared weekly in the Guardian Journal, continuing each week until he moved from Homer. Since leaving Homer, Harris has been published in dozens of newspapers as well as state and national outdoor magazines. He was won more than two dozen "Excellence in Craft" awards for his work in newspapers, magazines and outdoor radio. Harris' weekly column in The Guardian-Journal will be sponsored by Gene Coleman State Farm Insurance.Harris currently lives in Ruston with his wife, Kay. They have three daughters and eight grandchildren.

The Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival featured horse and buggy rides by James Cox Exotic Animals of Arcadia and entertainment by a number of area artists including 12-year-old Kyla Rose of Leesville (on stage) who was recently voted best upcoming new star.

Jerry Byrd Book Signing Set For December 8

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

            Jerry Byrd, North Louisiana sports writer for almost 50 years, recently completed his sixth book, Perfect Seasons, which wraps up 95 years of Louisiana high school basketball. It includes results of state championship games dating back to the first State Rally in 1909, and nearly 600 All-State teams as far back as 1926.

            The first 322 pages of this 524-page "Encyclopedia of Louisiana High School Basketball" consists of 73 chapters about many of the great Louisiana high school teams, coaches, and players. There are 28 pages filled with pictures and the last 174 pages include lists of the winningest coaches and top scorers. In addition, there is a "For The Record" chapter listing the championship game results and All-State teams in both boys' and girls' basketball. Besides teams with perfect seasons, the book includes teams that won state championships. Two Claiborne Parish schools featured in the book are Summerfield and Pineview. Byrd will hold a book signing for his new book Perfect Seasons on Thursday, December 8 from 2:00-5:00 PM at the Claiborne Parish School Board in Homer.

Pearl Harbor—64 Years Later

            Francis C. Roberts of Homer, was 20 years old and based in Pearl Harbor as an instructor with the Marine Corps the day that Japan attacked 64 years ago, plunging the United States into World War II. His trainees were prepared for the next week's graduation_the completion point of instruction in ground based anti-aircraft guns. They used their newly acquired skills on December 7, 1941, against the Japanese. The unprovoked act was catastrophic in terms of lives lost and equipment and military installations destroyed or damaged. The following is Roberts' account of that day..

            "The sneak attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese "Kamikaze" (suicide) air armada commenced at 7:55 a.m. I was assigned to the Fleet Anti-Aircraft Training Command whose mission was to train Naval and Marine Corps personnel as anti-aircraft gunners employing 50-caliber, 20-caliber and 40-caliber anti-aircraft weapons. We were one of the very few units that went in a position to retaliate against enemy air attack, due to the fact that all military operations were in a "peace time" status with only routine training being conducted.

Students At Bridges Mill School About 1916 were (front, l.-r.) Earnest Ratcliff, Bernice Beavers, Clawson James, Fannie Bridges, Milton Methvin, Gussie Beard, Ardis Powell, Polly Holley, Lucille Methvin, Vada Methvin, (2nd row) Olin James, Myra Beavers, Ezra Ratcliff, James Holley, Obie Rhee Bridges, Mary James, Roy Bridges, Johnnye Jordan, Albert Bridges, Suzie Luker, (3rd row) Teacher Evelyn Simmons, Annie Mae Bridges, Bessie Bailey, Aubyn James, Odessa Jordan, Convie Bailey, Essie James, Emmitt Bridges, Vera James, Frank Luker, Lois Powell, (4th row) Lila Ratcliff, Dorothy Bridges, Velma Beavers, Ollie James, Maude Methvin, Minnie Bridges, Edna James, Claudia James, Bessie Methvin, Teacher Miss Demoss, (5th row) Roy Powell, Buck Johnson, Chester Poweell, Jay Bailey, (unknown), Claude Luker, Elmer "Boy" Jordan, Irene Powell, Ruby James, Irma Powell, and Mary "Sweetie" James. (Anyone who can identify unknown child, call 927-3541.)

This Beautiful Old Home located south of Athens was once the Bridges Mill (or Union) School, attended by Dorothy and Johnnye Bridges. Dorothy and husband, Henry Shaffer, purchased the school after it closed and converted it into a home. Their four children_Yvonne, Travis, Donia, and Dottie_were born there. The youngest, Dottie Cathey, and her husband still own the house.

Bridges Mill School Remembered

BY LINDA VOLENTINE AND SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

            Many residents in Claiborne Parish may remember walking to school with lunch pails filled with a biscuit or sweet roll, fried sausage, a sweet potato, and maybe a fried egg. Joseph Sanders and Johnnye Bridges sure do. They also remember when there were no buses and they had to walk to school. Schools had no running water then. Water was drawn from a well. Each student drank from their own folding collapsible cup. Wood heaters kept children warm in winter and there was no air conditioning in warm months. Bathrooms were located outside. If you were fortunate, there would be one for the boys and one for girls. At least that was the way it was at Bridges Mill School, located south of Athens. Both Sanders and Bridges attended school there, but they remember it being called Union School.

            As early as 1727, schools were in Louisiana, in New Orleans. While most of those schools quickly failed, the efforts put forth by parents showed the importance they placed on educating their children. One school, the Ursuline Academy was taught by Catholic nuns. It was successful and open to girls of all races. Children who did not attend academies were educated either by their parents, by private tutors, or were sent back to France for their education. Many children, however, received no education at all.

            In Claiborne Parish, education had its beginning in 1822 when John Murrell, the first permanent settler in the parish, hired  James Ashburner Conley to teach for $15 per month. The Murrell home  served as the first school. About 1850, a small log schoolhouse was built on Lyon's Hill in Homer. Jane C. Smith, great aunt of Miss Belle Davidson, was the teacher.

            Over the next century, public and private schools were established throughout Claiborne Parish. There were as many as 70 schools when F. C. Haley was named Superintendent of Schools in 1945. Over the past several weeks, the Ford Museum has been actively seeking information and pictures on these early schools, some which to be featured in The Guardian-Journal. The known schools are Sexton, Relief, Ward's Chapel, New Home, Good Springs, Gordon, Colquitt, Haynesville, St. James, Bethel, Spring Grove, Fellowship, Pleasant Grove, Cherokee, St. Paul, Mt. Sinai, Mt. Calm, Oak Grove, Pine Hill, Mt. Obie, Mt. Olive, Shady Grove, Wafer Chapel, Mt. Tabor, Blackburn, Rising Star, Friendship, Beach Hill, White Oak Grove, Chatham, Forest Grove, Mt. Pisgah, St. Rest, Buck Bottom, Salem, Gum Grove, Homer, Liberty Hill, Mt. Pleasant, Providence, Rocky Mountain, Oil Field, Rogers, Bamaville, Rogers Mill, St. Mark, Moreland, Bennett Grove, St. John, Point Pleasant, Cedar Grove, Kimble, Mt. Superior, Richland, Walthall, Athens, St. Luke, Good Hope, Pleasant Valley, Calhoun, Frazier, Hurricane, Antioch, Haynesville, Harris, Athens, Cross Roads, Hurricane, Lisbon, and Summerfield.

            Bridges Mill School, which closed before Haley every took office, was located several miles south of Athens, about one city block west of the sawmill located at the intersection of Bridges Road and Cook Road. The sawmill was owned and operated by Neri A. Bridges, Johnnye's grandfather, who also served as principal of the school. Neri's daughter, Annie Mae, taught grades 1-4. When the school caught fire in 1930, it was Neri who called for help to put it out. To this day, there is still evidence of that fire in the attic.

Johnnye remembers studying spelling, arithmetic, reading and writing. She said, "I don't think I learned anything. When I got to Athens, I did not know one thing about how to do that arithmetic." She did admit going to rally in writing at Homer and winning second place.

            Anyone with information or pictures on any of these early schools in Claiborne Parish is asked to please call Linda Volentine at the Ford Museum at 927-9190. Look for future articles in the upcoming months in The Guardian-Journal on other early Claiborne Parish schools.

Meetings On Medicare Part D

Are You Confused About Medicare Part D?

            There will be a 'Part D Medicare Forum' Friday, December 9 at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury office for Medicare beneficiaries trying to determine what to do. Information will be presented to help you choose a plan if you want to enroll. If you want personal assistance, CALL 927-3557 NOW FOR AN APPOINTMENT. Be sure to bring the following: your Medicare card and your prescription bottles. There will also be another forum in Haynesville at City Hall from 2:00-4:00 on December 16.

Christmas  Memory Tree

In Memory Of—Given By

Ronnie Lewis-Ray & Margaret Lewis

Ronnie Lewis-Robin Carter

Ronnie Lewis-Mike &Rhonda Bowman

Ronnie Lewis-Michael, Raven, Makaylen Swint

"Sweet Duckie"- O.K. Adekai

Willie Reece Shaw-Kenneth Shaw

Robert Bellotte-Megan & A.J. Kelley

Marion White-Marlene Sanders

Perry A. Hammontree-His Loved Ones

Michael & Melissa Robertson-Their Children

Michael & Melissa Robertson-Their Loved Ones

Felix Faulk Sr.-Stephen & Kayla Faulk & boys

Ronnie Richard-Stephen, Kayla Faulk & boys

Tim Smith-Stephen & Kayla Faulk & boys

Mark Bailey-Stephen & Kayla Faulk, boys

Mr.-Mrs. Jesse Sanders-Marlene Sanders

Perry & Eva Hammontree-Marlene Sanders

Mr. & Mrs. L.P. Pair - Marlene Sanders

Justin Yellott - Forrest & Karen Richard

Ronnie Richard - His Family

Leon Basco - Martin & Dale Tully & Family

Mary Ann Williams - Her Family

C. B. Simpson - Ken, Vicki, & Colin Bailey

Etoil Simpson - Ken, Vicki, & Colin Bailey

Henry Phillips - Ken, Vicki, & Colin Bailey

Earminea Phillips - Ken, Vicki, & Colin Bailey

Ivy Van Hooser - Ken, Vicki, & Colin Bailey

Reese Van Hooser - Ken, Vicki, & Colin Bailey

Howard Bailey - Ken, Vicki, & Colin Bailey

Iva Lee Bailey - Ken, Vicki, & Colin Bailey

Nonie Callender - Eddie R. & Dianne Harmon

Mary Alice & Ralph Harmon - Eddie & Dianne Harmon

Mildred Batton - Barbara Murry Family

Loys Batton - Barbara Murry Family

In Honor Of—Given By

Peggy & Lowell Reeves  - O. K. Adekai

Trae & Johnnie Adkins - O. K. Adekai

Raymond & Peggy Jo Sanders - Marlene Sanders

Shirley White - Marlene Sanders

Earline & Robert E. Smith - Eddie R.& Dianne Harmon

Artie Alford - Eddie R. & Dianne Harmon

To purchase a light for the Christmas Memory Tree, send $5 with name of person (indicate whether in "memory" or "honor") and who the gift is from to  Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival at 400 West 3rd St., Homer, LA 71040 or take to Miss Lizzies For more info, call 927-9009.

Rewards—$1,000 for Tom Kinder!

White Lightning Feud Series: Part 8

NOTE: This is another in our series of articles reprinting prior published information on the White Lightning Feuds.

Historical Series Chronology Resposes have been favorable to this historical series. Additional material continues to come to light. This means the series will be longer than originally expected; therefore, we are including a brief chronology of past articles: Part 1 (printed 10/13/05) - J. H. Tuggle's rabid dog bit several livestock and other animals; W. W. Maddox assassinated by unknown person and rewards totalling $500 offered for arrest and conviction of the killer; J. H. Ramsey wounds J. D. Tuggle near Denman and Co. Hardware in Homer... Part 2 (printed 10/20/05) - Near Denman and Co. Hardware in Homer, J. D. Tuggle shot at John H. Ramsey, missed, and killed Professor J. H. Williams; W. W. Ramsey died and Hamp and Henry Tuggle were wounded in a shootout between the jail and Knighten's saloon in Homer... Part 3 (printed 10/27/05) - J. D. Tuggle and I. N. Glover died when ambushed by unknown assailant about three and a half miles toward Summerfield... Part 4 (printed 11/10/05) - Murray Tuggle, Hamp's 15-year-old son is shot and wounded; continuation of Dosia Williams' account of Hamp Tuggle's stay at Loyd Hall... Part 5 (printed 11/10/05) - Murray Tuggle, Hamp's 15-year-old son is shot and wounded; continuation of Dosia Williams' account of Hamp Tuggle's stay at Loyd Hall Part 6 (printed 11/17/05) - Henry Tuggle killed in field in presence of his three children. Link Waggonner shoots a Mr. Holland, then flees to Texas... Part 7 (printed 11/24/05) - Waggonner-Kinder grudge; Henry Tuggle makes dying statement that Tom Kinder shot him; Coroner's jury determines Tom Kinder shot and killed John Ferguson, a black man; Tom Kinder shoots at A. K. Clingman... Part 8 (printed 12/01/05) - Rewards totalling $1000 offered for Tom Kinder's capture and delivery to sheriff; Kinder surrenders...

* * * * *

(continued from last week)

            Mr. Clingman walked out on his front gallery, took deliberate aim, and fired. Kinder either fell or jumped from his horse and those looking on thought he was killed, but such was not the fact for he was soon on his feet and using his Winchester. He fired several times but failed to hit Mr. Clingman. Mr. Clingman fired the second time but failed to hit Kinder. After Kinder had fired several times he retreated on foot, leaving his horse, and went off towards the woods north of the nursery.

            Kinder's horse was shot three times through the neck, and this is the only sign made by the two shots fired by Mr. Clingman.

            The people were indignant when the report of this murderous assault reached town. A number of armed men were soon on the spot. The sheriff and deputies were on hand as soon as they could ride there. The dogs were taken out but failed to run the track further than a half mile when it was lost. A number of armed men continued to search the woods all day Saturday and to guard roads, etc., Saturday night and Sunday. It is useless to detail the efforts made to capture Kinder. So far they have been fruitless but have by no means been abandoned.

            And this is the state of affairs we have come to in this parish. One of our first citizens, a man of enterprise and liberality, a law-abiding man, is attacked with murderous intent at his own home in the presence of his family by a man who is wanted to answer the charge of murder in an adjoining parish and has been dodging the authorities for months. [NOTE: This refers to Henry Tuggle's murder in Cotton Valley, allegedly by Tom Kinder.]  The rule of law and order has been supplanted by the rule of crime and anarchy. No man knows when he is safe. We are not living in a civilized community. How long do our people propose to tolerate such a state of affairs? If we propose to have a civilized country, the reign of law and order must be reestablished, and it is the duty of every citizen to do all in his power to that end. If it is not done, those who love law and order will seek a home elsewhere.

----------

            The citizen who is satisfied with the state of affairs which has prevailed in this parish for several years past is certainly not hard to please.

----------

            We want law and order in this parish worse than we want anything else. When enough of our people believe this, and believe it strong enough, we will have a better state of affairs.

----------

            The dogs which our police jury bought for the purpose of running down criminals have proved a failure. They don't run anybody any distance. They are a failure.

----------

            For his personal safety, Mr. Clingman has left his home for the time being and taken up abode in town. His home is within a mile and a half of our courthouse. Can we claim to have a civilized country?

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

October 25, 1893

            (NOTE: In the late 1870s Arthur K. Clingman and his brother Joe Clingman opened Louisiana Nurseries about a mile west of town. A. K. Clingman later became sole owner of the nursery, then called Clingman Nurseries. Stocking 250,000 trees and plants, it was by 1890 the largest nursery in North Louisiana. Following the July 27, 1889, fire that destroyed the south side of the square, A. K. Clingman built Hotel Claiborne, which now houses the H. S. Ford Museum.)

* * * * *

            There is but a single recourse left for citizens of Claiborne Parish to regain their old-time record for all the higher and better characteristics for which they have been justly famed, of intelligence and refinement united with peace and order. Let them stamp out with unflinching determination and the stern, unyielding, and impartial hand of power the spirit of red-handed murder that now dominates that section. It can be done, and every man who takes part in the reign of lawlessness should be brought to the bar of justice and unflinchingly punished, no matter what his position in life. Law and order are the only safeguards of society in that land of intelligence and Christian refinement and are potential weapons for the peace and safety of society.

                        — originally printed in the Shreveport Times,

reprinted by the Guardian-Journal, page 2

November 1, 1893

* * * * *

REWARD!

            At a meeting of the police jury Tuesday, October 24, 1893, the following was adopted: "Be it enacted by the police jury of Claiborne Parish in extra session convened that there be and is hereby offered a reward of five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the arrest and delivery of the person of Thos. D. Kinder, to the legal authorities of Claiborne Parish charged with the crime of shooting at A. K. Clingman at his residence in said parish with intent to murder on the 21st day of October, 1893. Be it further enacted etc., that the Governor of the State of Louisiana be and is hereby requested to offer a similar reward for the arrest of said party."

Oct. 24, 1893.

Signed: W. L. Oakes, Pres. P.J.

Attest: J. R. Ramsey, Clk P.J.

----------

            At a meeting of the Mayor and Selectmen of Homer on Tuesday, October 24th, 1893, the following ordinance was adopted: "Be it enacted by the Mayor and Selectmen of Homer, La., that a reward of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars, the same to be paid out of the treasury of said town, is hereby offered for the arrest and delivery of Thomas D. Kinder to the Sheriff of Claiborne Parish."

(signed) J. E. Hulse, Mayor

Attest: R. Lee Richardson,

Clerk Corporation.

----------

            In addition to the above rewards, I will pay a reward of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars for the arrest and delivery of the person of Thos. D. Kinder to the Sheriff of Claiborne Parish on the charge stated above.

A. K. Clingman

* * * * *

            There are no new developments in the Clingman-Kinder matter. Kinder has not yet been arrested. The general impression is that he is still in the country. We do not know what efforts are being made to capture him, and it would not be proper to detail them in our columns if we did. We hope our officers will do all in their power to arrest Kinder. The people expect them to do this.

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

November 1, 1893

* * * * *

Kinder Surrenders

            Thomas D. Kinder surrendered Sunday morning and is now in jail. The surrender was effected in this way. Mr. J. H. Bridgeman, who is a relative of Kinder's, met Kinder by appointment in the woods back of the Payne place and advised him to surrender and assured him protection. Kinder consented to surrender and give up his arms to Bridgeman. Mr. Bridgeman then wrote the sheriff a note stating that he had Kinder and requested him to come out with a posse of men. The sheriff went out at once with five or six men and brought Kinder in. He went into the jail about twelve o'clock Sunday [November 5, 1893].

            For more than a week past it has been whispered about that Kinder would surrender. His friends claim that such has been his intention all the while and say that he would have done so on the day he had the difficulty with Clingman but for the fact that excitement was running so high that he did not think it was prudent to do so. His friends also say that he was on the eve of surrendering to the Webster authorities to meet the charges against him in that parish when the trouble came up between him and Clingman. Kinder is indicted in Webster Parish for the killing of Henry Tuggle and will have to meet this charge before he is released.

            Monday evening we went to the jail for the purpose of ascertaining what, if anything, Kinder desired to say in regard to the charges brought against him. He claims that the statements published about the Clingman affair are totally false. He denies that he went to Clingman's on the day of the shooting with any intention of harming or doing any violence of any kind. He denies that he told Clingman's agent that he had come there for the purpose of killing Clingman and says he would have been a fool_if he wanted to kill Clingman_to have been notifying his friends of the fact and to have rode up to [Clingman's] house in the way he did after he had given such notice to [Clingman's] friends. He says, in substance, that it was a mere accident that he concluded to see Clingman at all that day. He went to [Clingman's] for the purpose of seeing a negro [who was there. Kinder said the negro owed him money]. After he [got there], he concluded to see Mr. Clingman. He says he.......to be continued.

******

Note: Bill Hightower and Jimmy Dean researched this series of articles.

NOTICE: Deadline For Advertisements

No Later Than 5 p.m. On Mondays

All display and legal advertisements for The Guardian-Journal must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Monday of the week in which it is to appear. Classified ads will be received until 12 p.m (noon) on Tuesday prior to the Thursday publication date. Thank you for your cooperation.