Monument moved from Schumpert Cemetery in Bethany, Louisiana.
Harrowing accounts of the murder of John L. Agurs over a land/money dispute in the Shreveport newspapers:
The Times.
Shreveport, Louisiana
8 April 1884
Page 4
FOUL ATTEMPT TO ASSISSINATE. - At Bethany, La., on the 31st ultimo a cowardly attempt was made to assassinate Mr. J. L. Agurs. At 2 o'clock p.m., as Agurs and Mr. Jackson were leaving Bethany for a bird hunt the former was shot at from the garret window of J. M. Trosper's store as a broken glass and a powder stain on the window showed. The shot is supposed to have been fired by Richard Higgins as he was seen coming down from the garret a short time after the shot was fired. The cause of the attempt is attributed to some previous difficulty between J. M. Trosper and Agurs, which Agurs thought was settled. We are indebted to a correspondent for the above facts, who rightly thinks that all such cowardly practices should be published to the world.
12 April 1884
Page 4
THE AGURS MURDER.
ACCOUNTS OF THE MURDER AS GATHERED FROM THE CITIZENS OF BETHANY BY J. M. MARTIN, DEPUTY SHERIFF.
Our account of the murder of J. L. Agurs, as reported by Wade Hodge, colored, was, in the main, correct so far as the incidents of the shooting were concerned, but further particulars as learned by Deputy Sheriff Martin and narrated to this reporter, put a very bad aspect upon the case and stamps it as one of the most deliberate and determined efforts to assassinate that has yet come to our knowledge. The history of the case is as follows: Many years ago J. M. Trosper came to this country virtually possessed of a "Kentucky fortune." Mr. W. C. Agurs, father of the victim of the late murder, was a wholesouled, generous man, willing to help any one who applied to him for assistance. Trosper applied and was encouraged and aided so long as he needed assistance. After the death of Mr. Agurs, J. L. Agurs was one of the principal heirs. He was young, inexperienced and in a measure wild, but retained a strong friendship for Trosper, whom he knew to have been largely benefitted by his father. A part of the estate to which John Agurs was heir, was located in Panola county, Texas, and in a litigation suit this property was sold to satisfy costs in a suit to which John Agurs was party in the sum of total costs and amount in question of $75. John Agurs had paid little attention to these proceedings - in fact being absent from Bethany most of the time and not in communication with counsel in Panola county, Texas, but thought that Trosper was, and that he, as a friend of the family, would protect his (John Agurs') interest in the proceedings. After purchase Agurs' stepmother called on Trosper, thanked him for his kindness in John's behalf, and offered to pay him costs, principal and interest. Trosper refused and demanded $500 for the redemption of the land for which he had previously offered John Agurs $1500 cash, and had been refused. John Agurs, hearing this went to Trosper to enforce, if refused, a redemption of the land and secured the same on the payment of $100. This affair was smoothed over, ostensibly, and Agurs supposed the affair settled with Trosper, as he had repeated assurances from Trosper that all was settled.
The next development in the case is the firing at John Agurs from the garrett window of Trosper's store as reported in the TIMES a few days since. This was also overlooked by Agurs, Trosper agreeing to send Higgins to his uncle in Texas. Higgins left Sunday with this point in view, but returned Monday; coming back armed with a Winchester rifle. Agurs was informed of this fact and remarked, "Then he has come back to kill me."
On Wednesday, the day of the fatal affair, Agurs came to Gill's store in Bethany, saw Higgins sitting in front of Trosper's store, he returned into Gill's store and came out with pistol, with which he fired two shots at Higgins, who rose up and turned into Trosper's store. As he went in Agurs fired at third shot at him. Agurs went down the street to the State Line grocery, and when on the gallery, Higgins came out with a shotgun and discharged both barrels, loaded with buckshot, at Agurs, killing ahorse hitched nearby, but missing Agurs. Higgins ran back to Trosper's and came out with a 16-shooting rifle, with which he opened fire on Agurs. Agurs discharged the remaining loads in his pistol, threw up his hands and said, "I am out, unarmed; don't kill me." Higgins continued the firing, Agurs ran into the grocery, J. R. Vance coming out the front door and J. H. Brambles escaping by the back door) Agurs then fastening both doors. Vance remonstrated with Higgins, to which he received the reply: "We both can't live in this country, damn him' I've come here to kill him, and g---d him, I'll camp here till I do kill him." Vance went to the back of the store, where Agurs said to him "Jack, I haven't got anything; please go to Trosper and tell him to stop Dick; don't let him kill me." This message was delivered, Trosper replying, "I have no confidence in Agurs, and don't want anything to do with it." During this action, Agurs was besieged for nearly one hour in the store by Higgins waiting for an opportunity to kill him which he finally succeeded in doing by firing through the thin board walls of the store. It is thought that the first shot through the wall killed Agurs, as Higgins says he heard the exclamation, "Oh, Lord!" from Agurs after the shot, and that he afterwards fired eight or ten shots in the direction of that sound to insure his work. Details are too lengthy, but Agurs was found in the store as reported yesterday by the TIMES. Trosper fled that night, and Higgins the next morning early, and both are supposed to have gone to Texas. Great indignation was expressed by the citizens of Bethany, and Deputy Martin says he fears that Trosper and Higgins would have been lynched if arrested. An inquest was held by Justice A. A. Carter and writs were ready for the arrest of the parties when Mr. Martin arrived in Bethany.
The remains of Agurs were carried to the residence of J. I. Schumpert and from there interred at the graveyard at Bethany. Higgins had never passed a word previous to this fatal affair.
The Times-Picayune.
Monday, April 28, 1884
Page 1
SHREVEPORT.
The Murder on the State Line - Higgins and Trosper in Custody and Awaiting Trial.
[SPECIAL TO THE PICAYUNE.]
SHREVEPORT, April 27. - Dick Higgins, charged with the murder of John Agurs, in Bethany, La., a few weeks ago, and J. M. Trosper, as particeps criminis, were arrested yesterday, by Sheriff Lake, on indictments found by the Grand Jury here. Higgins was refused bail and jailed, and Trosper gave bond.
It will be remembered that Agurs was killed while locked up in a store on the Texas line, Higgins firing from the Louisiana side through the door with a Winchester rifle.
When the firing ceased and the store was broken open and Agurs found dead on the Texas side. It is supposed he received the fatal shot while peeping through the key hole of the door, which is on the Louisiana side and stepped back and fell dead on the Texas side.
Higgins and Trosper retreated into Texas and surrendered to the Panola county authorities and had a preliminary trial at Carthage, Texas, when Trosper was discharged and Higgins was placed under $500 bonds. The trial will take place here during this term of Criminal Court and is looked forward to great interest.
Harrowing accounts of the murder of John L. Agurs over a land/money dispute in the Shreveport newspapers:
The Times.
Shreveport, Louisiana
8 April 1884
Page 4
FOUL ATTEMPT TO ASSISSINATE. - At Bethany, La., on the 31st ultimo a cowardly attempt was made to assassinate Mr. J. L. Agurs. At 2 o'clock p.m., as Agurs and Mr. Jackson were leaving Bethany for a bird hunt the former was shot at from the garret window of J. M. Trosper's store as a broken glass and a powder stain on the window showed. The shot is supposed to have been fired by Richard Higgins as he was seen coming down from the garret a short time after the shot was fired. The cause of the attempt is attributed to some previous difficulty between J. M. Trosper and Agurs, which Agurs thought was settled. We are indebted to a correspondent for the above facts, who rightly thinks that all such cowardly practices should be published to the world.
12 April 1884
Page 4
THE AGURS MURDER.
ACCOUNTS OF THE MURDER AS GATHERED FROM THE CITIZENS OF BETHANY BY J. M. MARTIN, DEPUTY SHERIFF.
Our account of the murder of J. L. Agurs, as reported by Wade Hodge, colored, was, in the main, correct so far as the incidents of the shooting were concerned, but further particulars as learned by Deputy Sheriff Martin and narrated to this reporter, put a very bad aspect upon the case and stamps it as one of the most deliberate and determined efforts to assassinate that has yet come to our knowledge. The history of the case is as follows: Many years ago J. M. Trosper came to this country virtually possessed of a "Kentucky fortune." Mr. W. C. Agurs, father of the victim of the late murder, was a wholesouled, generous man, willing to help any one who applied to him for assistance. Trosper applied and was encouraged and aided so long as he needed assistance. After the death of Mr. Agurs, J. L. Agurs was one of the principal heirs. He was young, inexperienced and in a measure wild, but retained a strong friendship for Trosper, whom he knew to have been largely benefitted by his father. A part of the estate to which John Agurs was heir, was located in Panola county, Texas, and in a litigation suit this property was sold to satisfy costs in a suit to which John Agurs was party in the sum of total costs and amount in question of $75. John Agurs had paid little attention to these proceedings - in fact being absent from Bethany most of the time and not in communication with counsel in Panola county, Texas, but thought that Trosper was, and that he, as a friend of the family, would protect his (John Agurs') interest in the proceedings. After purchase Agurs' stepmother called on Trosper, thanked him for his kindness in John's behalf, and offered to pay him costs, principal and interest. Trosper refused and demanded $500 for the redemption of the land for which he had previously offered John Agurs $1500 cash, and had been refused. John Agurs, hearing this went to Trosper to enforce, if refused, a redemption of the land and secured the same on the payment of $100. This affair was smoothed over, ostensibly, and Agurs supposed the affair settled with Trosper, as he had repeated assurances from Trosper that all was settled.
The next development in the case is the firing at John Agurs from the garrett window of Trosper's store as reported in the TIMES a few days since. This was also overlooked by Agurs, Trosper agreeing to send Higgins to his uncle in Texas. Higgins left Sunday with this point in view, but returned Monday; coming back armed with a Winchester rifle. Agurs was informed of this fact and remarked, "Then he has come back to kill me."
On Wednesday, the day of the fatal affair, Agurs came to Gill's store in Bethany, saw Higgins sitting in front of Trosper's store, he returned into Gill's store and came out with pistol, with which he fired two shots at Higgins, who rose up and turned into Trosper's store. As he went in Agurs fired at third shot at him. Agurs went down the street to the State Line grocery, and when on the gallery, Higgins came out with a shotgun and discharged both barrels, loaded with buckshot, at Agurs, killing ahorse hitched nearby, but missing Agurs. Higgins ran back to Trosper's and came out with a 16-shooting rifle, with which he opened fire on Agurs. Agurs discharged the remaining loads in his pistol, threw up his hands and said, "I am out, unarmed; don't kill me." Higgins continued the firing, Agurs ran into the grocery, J. R. Vance coming out the front door and J. H. Brambles escaping by the back door) Agurs then fastening both doors. Vance remonstrated with Higgins, to which he received the reply: "We both can't live in this country, damn him' I've come here to kill him, and g---d him, I'll camp here till I do kill him." Vance went to the back of the store, where Agurs said to him "Jack, I haven't got anything; please go to Trosper and tell him to stop Dick; don't let him kill me." This message was delivered, Trosper replying, "I have no confidence in Agurs, and don't want anything to do with it." During this action, Agurs was besieged for nearly one hour in the store by Higgins waiting for an opportunity to kill him which he finally succeeded in doing by firing through the thin board walls of the store. It is thought that the first shot through the wall killed Agurs, as Higgins says he heard the exclamation, "Oh, Lord!" from Agurs after the shot, and that he afterwards fired eight or ten shots in the direction of that sound to insure his work. Details are too lengthy, but Agurs was found in the store as reported yesterday by the TIMES. Trosper fled that night, and Higgins the next morning early, and both are supposed to have gone to Texas. Great indignation was expressed by the citizens of Bethany, and Deputy Martin says he fears that Trosper and Higgins would have been lynched if arrested. An inquest was held by Justice A. A. Carter and writs were ready for the arrest of the parties when Mr. Martin arrived in Bethany.
The remains of Agurs were carried to the residence of J. I. Schumpert and from there interred at the graveyard at Bethany. Higgins had never passed a word previous to this fatal affair.
The Times-Picayune.
Monday, April 28, 1884
Page 1
SHREVEPORT.
The Murder on the State Line - Higgins and Trosper in Custody and Awaiting Trial.
[SPECIAL TO THE PICAYUNE.]
SHREVEPORT, April 27. - Dick Higgins, charged with the murder of John Agurs, in Bethany, La., a few weeks ago, and J. M. Trosper, as particeps criminis, were arrested yesterday, by Sheriff Lake, on indictments found by the Grand Jury here. Higgins was refused bail and jailed, and Trosper gave bond.
It will be remembered that Agurs was killed while locked up in a store on the Texas line, Higgins firing from the Louisiana side through the door with a Winchester rifle.
When the firing ceased and the store was broken open and Agurs found dead on the Texas side. It is supposed he received the fatal shot while peeping through the key hole of the door, which is on the Louisiana side and stepped back and fell dead on the Texas side.
Higgins and Trosper retreated into Texas and surrendered to the Panola county authorities and had a preliminary trial at Carthage, Texas, when Trosper was discharged and Higgins was placed under $500 bonds. The trial will take place here during this term of Criminal Court and is looked forward to great interest.
Monument moved from Schumpert Cemetery in Bethany, Louisiana.
Harrowing accounts of the murder of John L. Agurs over a land/money dispute in the Shreveport newspapers:
The Times.
Shreveport, Louisiana
8 April 1884
Page 4
FOUL ATTEMPT TO ASSISSINATE. - At Bethany, La., on the 31st ultimo a cowardly attempt was made to assassinate Mr. J. L. Agurs. At 2 o'clock p.m., as Agurs and Mr. Jackson were leaving Bethany for a bird hunt the former was shot at from the garret window of J. M. Trosper's store as a broken glass and a powder stain on the window showed. The shot is supposed to have been fired by Richard Higgins as he was seen coming down from the garret a short time after the shot was fired. The cause of the attempt is attributed to some previous difficulty between J. M. Trosper and Agurs, which Agurs thought was settled. We are indebted to a correspondent for the above facts, who rightly thinks that all such cowardly practices should be published to the world.
12 April 1884
Page 4
THE AGURS MURDER.
ACCOUNTS OF THE MURDER AS GATHERED FROM THE CITIZENS OF BETHANY BY J. M. MARTIN, DEPUTY SHERIFF.
Our account of the murder of J. L. Agurs, as reported by Wade Hodge, colored, was, in the main, correct so far as the incidents of the shooting were concerned, but further particulars as learned by Deputy Sheriff Martin and narrated to this reporter, put a very bad aspect upon the case and stamps it as one of the most deliberate and determined efforts to assassinate that has yet come to our knowledge. The history of the case is as follows: Many years ago J. M. Trosper came to this country virtually possessed of a "Kentucky fortune." Mr. W. C. Agurs, father of the victim of the late murder, was a wholesouled, generous man, willing to help any one who applied to him for assistance. Trosper applied and was encouraged and aided so long as he needed assistance. After the death of Mr. Agurs, J. L. Agurs was one of the principal heirs. He was young, inexperienced and in a measure wild, but retained a strong friendship for Trosper, whom he knew to have been largely benefitted by his father. A part of the estate to which John Agurs was heir, was located in Panola county, Texas, and in a litigation suit this property was sold to satisfy costs in a suit to which John Agurs was party in the sum of total costs and amount in question of $75. John Agurs had paid little attention to these proceedings - in fact being absent from Bethany most of the time and not in communication with counsel in Panola county, Texas, but thought that Trosper was, and that he, as a friend of the family, would protect his (John Agurs') interest in the proceedings. After purchase Agurs' stepmother called on Trosper, thanked him for his kindness in John's behalf, and offered to pay him costs, principal and interest. Trosper refused and demanded $500 for the redemption of the land for which he had previously offered John Agurs $1500 cash, and had been refused. John Agurs, hearing this went to Trosper to enforce, if refused, a redemption of the land and secured the same on the payment of $100. This affair was smoothed over, ostensibly, and Agurs supposed the affair settled with Trosper, as he had repeated assurances from Trosper that all was settled.
The next development in the case is the firing at John Agurs from the garrett window of Trosper's store as reported in the TIMES a few days since. This was also overlooked by Agurs, Trosper agreeing to send Higgins to his uncle in Texas. Higgins left Sunday with this point in view, but returned Monday; coming back armed with a Winchester rifle. Agurs was informed of this fact and remarked, "Then he has come back to kill me."
On Wednesday, the day of the fatal affair, Agurs came to Gill's store in Bethany, saw Higgins sitting in front of Trosper's store, he returned into Gill's store and came out with pistol, with which he fired two shots at Higgins, who rose up and turned into Trosper's store. As he went in Agurs fired at third shot at him. Agurs went down the street to the State Line grocery, and when on the gallery, Higgins came out with a shotgun and discharged both barrels, loaded with buckshot, at Agurs, killing ahorse hitched nearby, but missing Agurs. Higgins ran back to Trosper's and came out with a 16-shooting rifle, with which he opened fire on Agurs. Agurs discharged the remaining loads in his pistol, threw up his hands and said, "I am out, unarmed; don't kill me." Higgins continued the firing, Agurs ran into the grocery, J. R. Vance coming out the front door and J. H. Brambles escaping by the back door) Agurs then fastening both doors. Vance remonstrated with Higgins, to which he received the reply: "We both can't live in this country, damn him' I've come here to kill him, and g---d him, I'll camp here till I do kill him." Vance went to the back of the store, where Agurs said to him "Jack, I haven't got anything; please go to Trosper and tell him to stop Dick; don't let him kill me." This message was delivered, Trosper replying, "I have no confidence in Agurs, and don't want anything to do with it." During this action, Agurs was besieged for nearly one hour in the store by Higgins waiting for an opportunity to kill him which he finally succeeded in doing by firing through the thin board walls of the store. It is thought that the first shot through the wall killed Agurs, as Higgins says he heard the exclamation, "Oh, Lord!" from Agurs after the shot, and that he afterwards fired eight or ten shots in the direction of that sound to insure his work. Details are too lengthy, but Agurs was found in the store as reported yesterday by the TIMES. Trosper fled that night, and Higgins the next morning early, and both are supposed to have gone to Texas. Great indignation was expressed by the citizens of Bethany, and Deputy Martin says he fears that Trosper and Higgins would have been lynched if arrested. An inquest was held by Justice A. A. Carter and writs were ready for the arrest of the parties when Mr. Martin arrived in Bethany.
The remains of Agurs were carried to the residence of J. I. Schumpert and from there interred at the graveyard at Bethany. Higgins had never passed a word previous to this fatal affair.
The Times-Picayune.
Monday, April 28, 1884
Page 1
SHREVEPORT.
The Murder on the State Line - Higgins and Trosper in Custody and Awaiting Trial.
[SPECIAL TO THE PICAYUNE.]
SHREVEPORT, April 27. - Dick Higgins, charged with the murder of John Agurs, in Bethany, La., a few weeks ago, and J. M. Trosper, as particeps criminis, were arrested yesterday, by Sheriff Lake, on indictments found by the Grand Jury here. Higgins was refused bail and jailed, and Trosper gave bond.
It will be remembered that Agurs was killed while locked up in a store on the Texas line, Higgins firing from the Louisiana side through the door with a Winchester rifle.
When the firing ceased and the store was broken open and Agurs found dead on the Texas side. It is supposed he received the fatal shot while peeping through the key hole of the door, which is on the Louisiana side and stepped back and fell dead on the Texas side.
Higgins and Trosper retreated into Texas and surrendered to the Panola county authorities and had a preliminary trial at Carthage, Texas, when Trosper was discharged and Higgins was placed under $500 bonds. The trial will take place here during this term of Criminal Court and is looked forward to great interest.
Harrowing accounts of the murder of John L. Agurs over a land/money dispute in the Shreveport newspapers:
The Times.
Shreveport, Louisiana
8 April 1884
Page 4
FOUL ATTEMPT TO ASSISSINATE. - At Bethany, La., on the 31st ultimo a cowardly attempt was made to assassinate Mr. J. L. Agurs. At 2 o'clock p.m., as Agurs and Mr. Jackson were leaving Bethany for a bird hunt the former was shot at from the garret window of J. M. Trosper's store as a broken glass and a powder stain on the window showed. The shot is supposed to have been fired by Richard Higgins as he was seen coming down from the garret a short time after the shot was fired. The cause of the attempt is attributed to some previous difficulty between J. M. Trosper and Agurs, which Agurs thought was settled. We are indebted to a correspondent for the above facts, who rightly thinks that all such cowardly practices should be published to the world.
12 April 1884
Page 4
THE AGURS MURDER.
ACCOUNTS OF THE MURDER AS GATHERED FROM THE CITIZENS OF BETHANY BY J. M. MARTIN, DEPUTY SHERIFF.
Our account of the murder of J. L. Agurs, as reported by Wade Hodge, colored, was, in the main, correct so far as the incidents of the shooting were concerned, but further particulars as learned by Deputy Sheriff Martin and narrated to this reporter, put a very bad aspect upon the case and stamps it as one of the most deliberate and determined efforts to assassinate that has yet come to our knowledge. The history of the case is as follows: Many years ago J. M. Trosper came to this country virtually possessed of a "Kentucky fortune." Mr. W. C. Agurs, father of the victim of the late murder, was a wholesouled, generous man, willing to help any one who applied to him for assistance. Trosper applied and was encouraged and aided so long as he needed assistance. After the death of Mr. Agurs, J. L. Agurs was one of the principal heirs. He was young, inexperienced and in a measure wild, but retained a strong friendship for Trosper, whom he knew to have been largely benefitted by his father. A part of the estate to which John Agurs was heir, was located in Panola county, Texas, and in a litigation suit this property was sold to satisfy costs in a suit to which John Agurs was party in the sum of total costs and amount in question of $75. John Agurs had paid little attention to these proceedings - in fact being absent from Bethany most of the time and not in communication with counsel in Panola county, Texas, but thought that Trosper was, and that he, as a friend of the family, would protect his (John Agurs') interest in the proceedings. After purchase Agurs' stepmother called on Trosper, thanked him for his kindness in John's behalf, and offered to pay him costs, principal and interest. Trosper refused and demanded $500 for the redemption of the land for which he had previously offered John Agurs $1500 cash, and had been refused. John Agurs, hearing this went to Trosper to enforce, if refused, a redemption of the land and secured the same on the payment of $100. This affair was smoothed over, ostensibly, and Agurs supposed the affair settled with Trosper, as he had repeated assurances from Trosper that all was settled.
The next development in the case is the firing at John Agurs from the garrett window of Trosper's store as reported in the TIMES a few days since. This was also overlooked by Agurs, Trosper agreeing to send Higgins to his uncle in Texas. Higgins left Sunday with this point in view, but returned Monday; coming back armed with a Winchester rifle. Agurs was informed of this fact and remarked, "Then he has come back to kill me."
On Wednesday, the day of the fatal affair, Agurs came to Gill's store in Bethany, saw Higgins sitting in front of Trosper's store, he returned into Gill's store and came out with pistol, with which he fired two shots at Higgins, who rose up and turned into Trosper's store. As he went in Agurs fired at third shot at him. Agurs went down the street to the State Line grocery, and when on the gallery, Higgins came out with a shotgun and discharged both barrels, loaded with buckshot, at Agurs, killing ahorse hitched nearby, but missing Agurs. Higgins ran back to Trosper's and came out with a 16-shooting rifle, with which he opened fire on Agurs. Agurs discharged the remaining loads in his pistol, threw up his hands and said, "I am out, unarmed; don't kill me." Higgins continued the firing, Agurs ran into the grocery, J. R. Vance coming out the front door and J. H. Brambles escaping by the back door) Agurs then fastening both doors. Vance remonstrated with Higgins, to which he received the reply: "We both can't live in this country, damn him' I've come here to kill him, and g---d him, I'll camp here till I do kill him." Vance went to the back of the store, where Agurs said to him "Jack, I haven't got anything; please go to Trosper and tell him to stop Dick; don't let him kill me." This message was delivered, Trosper replying, "I have no confidence in Agurs, and don't want anything to do with it." During this action, Agurs was besieged for nearly one hour in the store by Higgins waiting for an opportunity to kill him which he finally succeeded in doing by firing through the thin board walls of the store. It is thought that the first shot through the wall killed Agurs, as Higgins says he heard the exclamation, "Oh, Lord!" from Agurs after the shot, and that he afterwards fired eight or ten shots in the direction of that sound to insure his work. Details are too lengthy, but Agurs was found in the store as reported yesterday by the TIMES. Trosper fled that night, and Higgins the next morning early, and both are supposed to have gone to Texas. Great indignation was expressed by the citizens of Bethany, and Deputy Martin says he fears that Trosper and Higgins would have been lynched if arrested. An inquest was held by Justice A. A. Carter and writs were ready for the arrest of the parties when Mr. Martin arrived in Bethany.
The remains of Agurs were carried to the residence of J. I. Schumpert and from there interred at the graveyard at Bethany. Higgins had never passed a word previous to this fatal affair.
The Times-Picayune.
Monday, April 28, 1884
Page 1
SHREVEPORT.
The Murder on the State Line - Higgins and Trosper in Custody and Awaiting Trial.
[SPECIAL TO THE PICAYUNE.]
SHREVEPORT, April 27. - Dick Higgins, charged with the murder of John Agurs, in Bethany, La., a few weeks ago, and J. M. Trosper, as particeps criminis, were arrested yesterday, by Sheriff Lake, on indictments found by the Grand Jury here. Higgins was refused bail and jailed, and Trosper gave bond.
It will be remembered that Agurs was killed while locked up in a store on the Texas line, Higgins firing from the Louisiana side through the door with a Winchester rifle.
When the firing ceased and the store was broken open and Agurs found dead on the Texas side. It is supposed he received the fatal shot while peeping through the key hole of the door, which is on the Louisiana side and stepped back and fell dead on the Texas side.
Higgins and Trosper retreated into Texas and surrendered to the Panola county authorities and had a preliminary trial at Carthage, Texas, when Trosper was discharged and Higgins was placed under $500 bonds. The trial will take place here during this term of Criminal Court and is looked forward to great interest.
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