Defendant Wayne Joseph Guidry, Jr. (center) enters the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. He is on trial for the January 2003 murder of Stephanie Pepper Sims, who was shot once in the chest, then  dumped in a hole in the Jackson-Bienville Wildlife Management Area near Quitman. Guidry, who was 26 at the time, was the last known person to see Sims before her disappearance January 5. If convicted, Guidry could receive a mandatory life sentence.

Jurors Hear Guidry's Jailhouse Confession

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

            Three years ago, Stephanie Pepper Sims left her husband, David, just after Thanksgiving and moved Highland Court Apartments in West Monroe. Roughly five weeks later, on  Monday, January 6, 2003 the 29-year-old English instructor at Louisiana Tech failed to show up for work. She was reported missing. After searching for more than a month, detectives from the West Monroe Police Department and the Jackson Parish Sheriff's Office found her body February 13 in the Jackson-Bienville Wildlife Management Area near Quitman.

            According to Dr. Frank Perretti, who conducted the autopsy, Stephanie had been shot once in the chest with a .25-caliber bullet. She died within three to four minutes from internal bleeding. A rope found loosely tied around her feet had apparently been used to drag her body to the old abandoned well located off Sisemore Road. Perritti was unable to determine the exact date of death, but based on the condition of the body, it would have been consistent with January 5, 2003.

            Wayne Joseph Guidry, Jr., 26, of Luling, who had been staying at Stephanie's apartment, was arrested the same day at the City Park Golf Club in New Orleans. He ws charged with second degree murder.

            Stephanie first met Guidry November 20, 2002 at Stow's Bar in Ruston. He told her he was a professional golfer. According to statements to police by Guidry, Stephanie was going to divorce her husband. They planned to take the $100,000 divorce settlement and move to Tennessee where Guidry would play on the golf circuit and Stephanie would go back to school.

            Stephanie, the only child of Howard and Barbara Pepper, had grown up in Jonesboro. In August 1998, she met David Sims. They married February 27, 1999. David testified he and Stephanie did not have a picture book marriage and often slept in separate beds, but it wasn't until February or March 2002 he saw a dramatic change. Just before Thanksgiving, Stephanie told David she wanted to move out; she wanted to stand on her own two feet. She had always lived with parents or at college and wanted an opportunity to be independent. He reluctantly agreed and helped her move.

            Over the next few weeks, they occasionally attemded church together and talked on the phone. Their conversations would always turn to when was she was going to come home. At the time, David was unaware that Stephanie was seeing Wayne Guidry or that he had moved in with her. David testified he had no knowledge of Wayne Guidry until the morning Stephanie disappeared. When he found out, he said it made him physically sick.

            Detective Sgt. Jeff Terrell with the West Monroe Police Department said they were able to corroborate statements by David Sims_that he and Stephanie went to church Sunday, January 5, shopped at Wal-Mart, stopped at the Citgo, then went home. By this time David said he had accepted the fact their marriage might end in divorce, however, that morning  Stephanie had asked him if he would be willing to go to counseling. He said definitely. She headed back to West Monroe.

            Terrell testified that Guidry had placed two orders with the Golf Warehouse over the internet  using Stephanie's credit card. This was verified by Loan Tran, director of operations for Golf Warehouse in Wichita, Kansas. The first order placed Saturday, January 4, was  in the amount of $4,775.99 for 2 sets of golf clubs, 30 boxes of balls, and a bag. That order never shipped because orders over $1,000 had to be verified by phone. The second order was placed on the morning of Sunday, January 5 for $832.41 for men's golf clothes. This order did ship and was picked up at Highland Court Apartments by Guidry.

            Former Jackson Parish deputy Scott Brown testified that Guidry was first located in Jonesboro on January 7. With permission from Guidry, they searched his vehicle and found a receipt for transmission work,.another for new tires, a traffic citation, and admission tickets to the Jackson-Bienville Game Reserve. Brown then drove Guidry to West Monroe for an interview.

            According to Sgt. Terrell, they found a number of inconsistencies in Guidry's statements. In his first interview, he said he and Stephanie had spent the day at the apartment. He had cooked her dinner. Sometime that evening he watched a movie while Stephanie was taking a bath. The lights flickered and went out. He heard Stephanie say, it didn't work. According to Guidry, Stephanie had dropped the hair dryer in the tub in an attempt to kill herself. Later that night, he said they fought about his planned trip to Luling. Stephanie kicked him out. He spent the night outside in the cold. Using the spare key, he got in Stephanie's car. He tried calling Stephanie all night and said he could hear the phone ringing inside but she did not answer.

            Guidry's story changed somewhat during his second interview. This time he told detectives they had headed toward Jonesboro to see her parents, but changed their mind and drove around, to Choudrant and Quitman before returning home around 4 PM. When asked what he thought happened to Stephanie, Guidry suggested she may have committed suicide, probably by cutting her wrists. He gave three possible locations, but could not explain how she would have gotten there since her car was at home. Or he told detectives, she may be with one of her thirty or more boyfriends.

            Guidry's last interview was taped January 23 and played in its entirety to the jury Friday. Detectives told Guidry they knew his earlier statements had not been completely truthful and asked for explanations. They told him they knew the suicide attempt could not have happened as he described since 1) the plug was on a separate breaker and could not have affected the lights and 2) the hair dryer physically did not reach the tub. They also knew there was no way Guidry could have called Stephanie and heard the phone ringing in the apartment as he claimed, because the computer was connected to the internet all night.

            Internet activity showed someone was looking at golf and pornographic web sites till the wee hours of the morning, sites never visited by Stephanie before Guidry moved in.  Terrell said this proved Guidry was in the apartment when he claimed he was locked out. In order not to prejudice the jury, however, Judge Clason allowed the computer evidence to be presented but only if porn sites were referred to as "centerfold" sites.

            During the 2-hour interview, detectives asked Guidry again where he and Stephanie had gone January 5. This time, he said they they drove to Ruston by David's house, then to Quitman, Choudrant, and back to West Monroe. To verify their trip, he suggested they check at the convenience store in Quitman. Detectives later verified Stephanie had been seen by store clerk Sarah Fitzpatrick, who attended school in Jonesboro with Stephanie. He also acknowledged he last saw Stephanie's gun in the car that day.

            Records show the last check written by Stephanie on January 6 was for $3,000 to Wayne Guidry. Guidry told detectives the check was for him to have some work done on his vehicle. Around 8 AM on Monday, January 6, he drove to Community Trust Bank and cashed the check. He drove back to Stephanie's apartment, parked her car, then walked to a U-Haul dealer and rented a truck. He drove 298 miles to Luling and back the same day.

            Over the past week, Hugo Holland, prosecuting attorney and assistant district attorney for Caddo Parish, has called more than 30 witnesses and submitted more than 60 items into evidence in the Guidry's second-degree murder trial. The trial was moved  to Homer because of the pre-trail publicity in Jackson Parish. Among the long list of witnesses were Guidry's father, Wayne Joseph Guidry Sr. who testified he provided information to investigators which led to the discovery of Sims' body. On the stand, he said he loved his son, but understood how the Peppers felt because he also had two daughters and he would want closure.

            Eric Dufrene, a friend of the Guidry family, also told detectives about the hole. Guidry Jr. had shown it to him during one of their three hunting trips to the Jackson-Bienville Wildlife Management Area. He testified he was "shocked" when told that Stephanie's body had been found in the hole.

            Terry Lynn Coleman, Guidry's former cellmate in the Jackson Parish jail, testified Tuesday, that Guidry admitted to him that he killed Stephanie and dumped her body in a hole in the Jackson-Bienville Wildlife Management Area, then threw the gun in a nearby pond. Coleman, who himself is charged with first degree murder in Jackson Parish, had to undergo a competency hearing before Judge Jenifer Clason would allow his testimony. Defense attorney, Joseph Clark, argued that Coleman had been ruled incompetent to stand trial and had a long history of mental illness. He also questioned why Coleman waited 18 months to record what  Guidry had told him.

            Coleman said it was because he did not like the sheriff. He waited until after Andy Brown was sworn in July 2004, Coleman's 8-page letter details Guidry's statement and provides a possible motive. According to Coleman, Stephanie wanted to break up with Guidry. They argued but made up before they drove through Ruston to Quitman January 5. He described the route the took, how they got out of Stephanie's car and walked into the woods.

            Guidry told Coleman Stephanie was unaware he had her gun. At this point, he gave her an ultimatum, "marry him or else". At this point, he shot her one time with a .25- or .32-caliber handgun, then dragged her to the hole, which he described as an old well. He then walked to a nearby pond and threw the gun in. Coleman said Guidry wanted his share of the divorce settlement which he thought was about half of $500,000. Guidry then drove back to the apartment, signed on to the internet so it would look like Stephanie was at home.

            Sheriff Andy Brown, who is Coleman's second cousin, testified this was the only letter he ever received from Coleman and that he had never asked for any favors in return. He only asked that he start a commissary for the inmates, which he did after Coleman was moved to the Claiborne Detention Center. Concerning the content of the letter, Brown stated there were 2 or 3 items that were never released to the media, but did not elaborate on what those were.

            Testimony continues Wednesday with cross-examination of Scott Brown. Prosecutors plan to call two more witnesses, including Barbara Pepper, Stephanie's mother, before resting their case. The defense should begin calling witnesses in the next day or two. If convicted, Guidry faces a mandatory life sentence.

MEDIA FRENZY IN HOMER! Covering the Stephanie Pepper Sims murder trial this week are (l.-r.) reporter Jim Roberts and cameraman Trey Lankford (not shown) with KTBS (Channel 3) in Shreveport, reporter Joseph Pleasant and cameraman Chang Howang with KTVE (Channel 10) in Monroe, Jordan Blum, reporter for The News Star in Monroe and Gannett News, camera man Jeremy Antley and reporter Jennifer Townley for KNOE (Channel 8) in Monroe, and CBS News/48 Hours producers Peter M. Henderson, Marc Goldbaum and (not pictured) 48 Hours associate producer Joanna Cetera.

Homer Council Wants Study For New Hospital

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

            By a vote of 3-2, the Homer Town Council voted to re-appoint Mike Hays and Dottie Palmer and to appoint Anthony Smith of Haynesville to the Board of Directors of Homer Memorial Hospital (HMH) at their regular meeting Monday night. Although the town Ordinance requires board members to live in Claiborne Parish and since Hays no longer resides in Claiborne Parish, Jesse Ford said if not legal, the Council would have to make changes. Carlette Sanford stated once terms are up, she felt board members should rotate off. She and J. C. Moore opposed the motion.

            Toney Johnson reported on the conclusions of the Hospital Committee appointed to investigate options of the Town regarding building a new hospital. The committee was specifically charged to look at "what was in the best interest of the Town of Homer regarding operation, control and ownership of Homer Memorial Hospital".

            They considered four viable options: 1) lease the hospital to management company, 2) sell the hospital; 3) leave hospital as is under town ownership and management, and 4) build a new hospital. The report listed the pros and cons of each option, but concluded that they cautiously recommend the Town proceed to implement the Board's recommendation to proceed with plans to build a new hospital with all necessary legal requirements.

            Johnson stated he did have one concern, cost of material costs which have increased 60 percent in last six months, but he said, "A successful hospital is a must if the town is to provide services and infrastructure that makes a desirable, safe, successful and growing community." Mayor Huey Dean suggested it would be better to build a new hospital now before the cost goes up.

            Lawson Wilder said he did not want his comments to be taken out of context or for people to assume he was opposed to a new hospital, but he said, "I have a lot of questions. I can't believe this Board would ask the Council to give away a facility without knowing where and what they are going to build, the cost, or what support would be required by the Town." He added, "What bothers me most are the misstatements concerning the hospital." We have a fine hospital and he resents anyone who says we don't.

            Chairman Buddy Pixley said he appreciated Wilder's comments but he was not talking for the Board. The HMH Board voted unanimously for he and Administrator Efferson to serve as spokespersons.

            Carlette said her constituents have indicated they would like her to table this. Johnson said his report is limited and Wilder has raised good issues.

            Billy Kirk Jenkins said the hospital was in bad shape 10-15 years ago. It was the citizens of Homer who saved the hospital. He said, "Yes, I want a decent hospital for our parish...for our doctors and RNs, but I want a good hospital in Homer."  It would be a shame if the Council gave up the hospital at this time. Sanford said she would prefer to put the issue as a vote before the people.

            Efferson said he won't ask for a vote on the ordinance, but at least word the motion that if the consultant you choose concurs with their findings to build a new hospital, the Council will move forward without further discussion. Otherwise, it would be a tremendous waste of time.  Jenkins added he did think a new hospital was something that could happen.

            Ford said they could add a vote of Homer citizens as one condition of the ordinance. Efferson said they could put on the same ballot, both a parishwide vote for the tax proposition and a referendum vote by the citizens of Homer. They could also include the location designated as a certain distance from downtown Homer. 

            Jenkins suggested the ordinance include a location. Ford said he would like the cost and the location. Jenkins asked if the hospital could pay the town attorney fees. Efferson said they did agree to pay expenses through October.

            Councilmen once again considered approving the ordinance submitted by Administrator Doug Efferson, which would transfer all ownership and operation of the hospital to Claiborne Parish Hospital District No. 3. The ordinance would require fulfillment of 13 conditions which include approval by the Police Jury, all three hospital service districts, the State attorney general, the State bond commission not to exceed $15 million, payment in full of FHA debt, and a 2-year lease of existing building to Town. One new condition added was the approval of a 0.75% sales tax parishwide to secure bonds, with all proceeds of tax to pay for the bond debt, and to stop the tax once the debt is paid. The cost for a parishwide vote is $31,000 which would be divided among each entity with propositions on ballot. January  20 is deadline for the April ballot.

            The Council opted to table the ordinance with the stipulation that town attorney David Newell pursue a grant to do a study, and upon their recommendation and with the clarification of possible locations included the ordinance, proceed and that hospital board pay Newell's legal fees not to exceed $3,000.

Richard Wright (left) representing U.S. Congressman Jim McCrery presented Mike Latham, manager of Camp Harris, a check for $15,000 to help the camp replenish their supplies in return for housing all the evacuees for the Office of Emergency Preparedness for 60 days in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. McCrery raised funds in Washington DC and formed the United Way NW Louisiana/McCrery Hurricane Relief Fund. OEP Director Dennis Butcher (right) thought it was appropriate to assist Camp Harris in making any needed repairs or improvements to their facility.

Crack Cocaine Sales Leads To Arrest

District 6 Fireman Charged With Simple Arson

            Sheriff Ken Bailey announced this week an investigation by the Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team, the Louisiana State Police, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration led to the arrest of Vincent McDaniel on Thursday, December 1, 2005. McDaniel was charged with distribution of Schedule II CDS (crack cocaine) and conspiracy to distribute Schedule II CDS (crack cocaine). McDaniel was on five years supervised release from Federal Prison after serving 18 months for a weapons violation in 2004.

            Information received by CNET that McDaniel was selling crack cocaine at 1414 Pearl Street in Homer prompted the initial investigation. Undercover purchases were made which led to DEA agents obtaining a Federal arrest warrant for McDaniel and Devora Ridley. Ridley was also charged with distribution of Schedule II CDS (crack cocaine) and conspiracy to distribute SCH II CDS (crack cocaine). Ridley turned herself in to the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office on Monday, December 5 and was immediately transferred to Shreveport for processing by Federal authorities.

            Sheriff Bailey said, in addition to CNET, LSP, and DEA, assistance in the investigation was provided by the Minden Police Department and tje Webster Parish Sheriff's  Office. Bailey urges anyone with information about drug trafficking or any other illegal activity to please call 927-2011, 927-9800, the Haynesville Police Department at 624-1311 or the Homer Police Department at 927-4000. All phone calls will remain anonymous.

Fireman Arrested

            Kyle Justin Foust, 19, of 260 Ham Lee Road in Bernice was arrested Friday, December 2 for simple arson according to Sheriff Ken Bailey. A call was received on Tuesday, November 22 at 2:49 AM reporting a structure located on Felton Green Road south of the Weldon area was on fire. Fire District  6 responded. CPSO Detective Chuck Talley was notified the fire was of a suspicious nature. He contacted Ric Abbot, investigator for the State Fire Marshal's office, who led the investigation.

            The house believed to be over 100 years old, was owned by Robert Wayne Prince of West Monroe. No one was living in the house at the time.

            As a result of the investigation, Foust, who had been a fireman with Fire District 6 for about one year, was arrested by Abbott and CPSO Detective Duffy Gandy. He was charged with simple arson over $500. His bond was set at $15,000.

~ Night At The Park & Shopping On The Square ~

 Saturday, December 10, 5-8 PM

Claiborne Chamber of Commerce and Claiborne Christmas Festival invites everyone to attend "Night at the Park" and "Shopping on the Square" on Saturday, December 10 from 5-8 PM in Homer. For your shoppping convenience, local merchants will stay open late. The Chamber will have hot dogs, hot chocolate and coffee on the Square. Horse and buggy rides will take visitors down North Main to the Park where Christmas Festival Committee members will have hot chocolate and cookies. Bring your family smf, enjoy the Christmas spiritz!

Support Your Local Merchants!!

"Toy Run" Bike Ride

Saturday, December 10, 10:30 AM

            A "Toy Run" Bike Ride will be held Saturday, December 10 beginning at 10:30 AM from the Courthouse in Homer. The cost to join the ride is one toy valued at $10-$20. The bike ride will go to Ruston on Hwy. 9 and I-20 with a stop at Ryan's Steakhouse in Ruston. The return ride will follow Hwy. 146 (White Lightning Road) to Homer. Toys collected will be presented to needy children in Claiborne Parish. For more information, call Rickey Bearden at 927-9740..

Christmas  Memory Tree

In Memory Of—Given By

Luther "Coy" Morgan Jr. - Brandi Taylor

Jessie Leon Johnson - Joshua, Cadero Johnson

Sylvester Winzer - Joshua Cadero Johnson

Eva Lewis Sumlin - Joshua Cadero Johnson

Fred Smith - Melissa & Keith Smith & boys

Howard G. Moss - Melissa & Keith Smith & boys

Lura Roberson - Melissa & Keith Smith & boys

John E. Smith - Melissa & Keith Smith & boys

Helen D. Austin - Jimmy, Lori & Austin Hamilton

Landon Hays - Belinda & Adrienne Hays

Lenny Legendre - June & Roy McClure

Bell McDonald - June & Roy McClure

Evelyn McDonald - June & Roy McClure

Josephine McClure - June & Roy McClure

J. D. McClure - June & Roy McClure

Doris Volentine - Cecil Volentine

Louise "Baby Ruth" Andrews - Ruthis, Allie, John, Sammy, Jackie, Essie, Johnnie

Nelle Bailey Lefeaux - Lefeaux Family

Lawrence Ivy Lefeaux, Jr. (Bubba) - Lefeaux Family

Billy Martin - Sherry M. Skipper, Terry Martin, Bobbie Martin

Pervis Lee Cooper - Ella Isiah

In Honor Of—Given By

Mary P. Smith - Melissa & Keith Smith & boys

Chief Rodney Hollenshead - Jimmy, Lori & Austin Hamilton

C.C. "Hamburger" Austin - Jimmy, Lori & Austin Hamilton

James Hamilton - Jimmy, Lori & Austin Hamilton

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.

White Lightning Feuds: Kinder Trial Begins

White Lightning Feud Series: Part 9

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... Part 9 (printed 12/08/05) - Waggonner on the run; Kinder trial begins...

* * * * *

(continued from last week)

            [Kinder] says he wanted to ask Mr. Clingman some more questions about the remarks he had heard he had made about him, notify him that he would not take any advantage of him, and then drop the matter, but he intended no violence. He also says that the trouble between him and Clingman is of several years standing and that the public does not know its origin but will know.

            Mr. Clingman and his agent, of course, adhere firmly to the statements heretofore made.

            This man [Kinder] is in the hands of the law. There are serious charges against him. These charges are to be disposed of legally. Let this be done fairly and impartially, and let no guilty man escape.

            We have had much lawlessness in our parish. The way to suppress it is to fairly, firmly, and impartially enforce the law. Let us return verdicts in keeping with the law and the evidence and then apply the penalties of the law without fear or favor. When this is done, we believe the reign of law and order will be restored.

            The jail is being closely guarded, as it is [thought] by some that it might be attacked by a mob. We do not think there is any danger of such a thing. At a time when we are clamoring for law and order, we cannot afford to resort to mob violence.

----------

            Thos. D. Kinder is in jail and will answer the charges brought against him at the bar of justice. But he is not the only man that is charged with having violated the laws in this parish. There is Hamp Tuggle. He is indicted for a severe criminal offense and has not been arrested. It is whispered around that he spends at least a part of his time in this parish. Let him be arrested and brought to trial. The law must be enforced without any regard to persons. Let no guilty man escape.

----------

There are men still at large who are charged with serious criminal offenses committed in this parish. It is now in order to arrest and lock up all such parties.

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

November 8, 1893

(NOTE: This may refer to Link Waggonner [who had fled to Texas] and Hamp Tuggle [who was at Loyd Hall near Cheneyville]. It's likely the item also refers to several unsolved murders in the parish.)

* * * * *

            Link Waggonner was arrested last week near Nacogdoches, Texas, and is now in the Minden jail. Waggonner is indicted in Webster Parish for attempting to assassinate Holland. A number of other crimes are laid at his door.

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

November 29, 1893

* * * * *

            The Police Jury refused to pay J. H. Bridgeman the reward of $500.00 for the arrest of T. D. Kinder. They also refused to pay the persons who had been guarding the jail.

(NOTE: It was determined that the Police Jury was not permitted by law to offer a reward. J. H. Bridgeman later went to court to collect the rewards; however, it appears none of the $1000 in reward money [$500 by the Police Jury, $250 by the Town of Homer, and $250 by A. K. Clingman] was ever paid to Bridgeman. Both the Town of Homer and A. K. Clingman also refused to pay rewards to Bridgeman. As for the matter of not paying "persons who had been guarding the jail," we can only speculate. We know that Link Waggonner attempted to escape from the Minden jail, the Homer jail, and the Monroe jail. Perhaps "persons who had been guarding the jail" were bribed by Waggonner to help him escape or they were lax in their jobs. Waggonner, Kinder, and others were masters at threatening, bullying, and intimidating to get their way.)

----------

            Thos. D. Kinder was turned over to Deputy Sheriff Reagan of Webster parish last Friday, and by the order of Judge Watkins was taken to the Shreveport jail for safekeeping. W. J. Mercer and O. P. Bailey accompanied Reagan to Shreveport.

----------

            We learn through private sources that Link Waggonner came very near making his escape from the Minden jail last Saturday morning [December 2, 1893]. He had improvised some tools and had almost sawed through the iron bars when the sheriff discovered what was going on.

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

December 6, 1893

* * * * *

            The persons confined in the Minden jail came very near making their escape again Tuesday night of last week [January 2, 1894]. This is the second effort Waggonner has made to escape from the Minden jail within the past few weeks. The Webster authorities will have to be careful when they have such characters as Link Waggonner in charge.

— Guardian-Journal, page 2

January 10, 1894

* * * * *

            Link Waggonner has been moved from Minden to Monroe for safekeeping.

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

January 10, 1894

* * * * *

            Link Waggonner recently told a newspaper at Monroe that he would come out of his troubles all right and that he would soon be a free man again. He also said that there was but one man in North Louisiana with whom he wanted a reckoning, and that was Tom Kinder. Both Waggonner and Kinder will be tried at Minden next month.

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

January 17, 1894

* * * * *

            Mr. Frank Gill, formerly of Homer, died at Mt. Pleasant, Texas, on Tuesday of last week [January 23, 1894]. The corpse was brought to this place and buried at Coal Springs. We learn that Mrs. Gill will return to Homer to live.

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

January 31, 1894

(NOTE: Part 4 of this series had this: "...friends of Hamp Tuggle advised him to leave, which it is thought, he did; also Frank Gill, the barber, and Joe Clingman, friends of Tuggle." Then Part 7 mentioned Mrs. Frank Gill's Homer visit indicating that Frank Gill and his wife had moved to Mt. Pleasant, Texas, after the killings of John H. Ramsey and an unnamed negro plus J. D. Tuggle and I. N. Glover, all between March and August, 1891. Now it appears the widowed Mrs. Gill planned to return to Homer.)

* * * * *

            Tom Kinder has been moved from the Shreveport to the Minden jail. Court will convene at Minden next week, and we presume Kinder will be tried during the term.

----------

Town Council Proceedings

The following was presented:

[Town of] Homer

To: J. H. Bridgeman

            For the arrest and delivery of T. D. Kinder to the Sheriff of Claiborne Parish, pursuant to a resolution passed by the board, Two Hundred and Fifty ($250.00) Dollars.

            After a vote the bill was rejected.

(signed) J. E. Hulse, Mayor,

R. L. Richardson, Clerk

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

February 14, 1894

(NOTE: We earlier commented on J. H. Bridgeman's seeking to collect the $1000 in rewards offered by the Police Jury, the Town of Homer, and A. K. Clingman in connection with Tom Kinder's capture. However, the Council rejected Bridgeman's claim. We reviewed the original minutes in Book 2 of the town records for the meeting of the Town Council on Friday,  February 2, 1894. The minutes contain no discussion or explanation of the matter, only the Council's rejection of Bridgeman's claim to the reward. We note that in Part 8 of this series, Bridgeman is referred to as "a relative of Kinder's." The impression may have been that Kinder and Bridgeman schemed to make it appear that Bridgeman had "captured" Kinder and turned him in for the reward. If that's true, the conspirators obviously intended to share the $1000 in reward money.)

* * * * *

            District Court is in session at Minden this week. Both the Kinder and Waggonner cases are expected to be tried this term. These cases will excite interest throughout this session. A large number of witnesses have been summoned from this parish in the Kinder case. This case is fixed for Friday, February 23, 1894, and will probably last for several days.

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

February 21, 1894

* * * * *

            The Kinder trial did not come off at Minden last week. The case was fixed for Friday [February 23, 1894] but was postponed until yesterday on account of the absence of witnesses. There are a large number of witnesses summoned for both the State and the defense. Many of the witnesses are from this parish. If the case was taken up yesterday, it will last for several days, probably all the week. This case and the Waggonner case will attract great interest throughout this section of the State.

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

February 28, 1894

* * * * *

The Kinder Trial—No Verdict Yet

            The celebrated Kinder case was tried at Minden last week. Tom Kinder was charged with the murder of Henry Tuggle, who was assassinated while picking cotton in his field at Cotton Valley in Webster Parish in November, 1892. Kinder was indicted by the Webster grand jury. The trial of the case commenced on Tuesday of last week [February 27, 1894]. A jury was obtained sooner than was expected. It is said that the jury was a good one.

            The evidence for the state, in brief, consisted of the dying...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.