CHAPTER 2
1. The opening letter is an excerpt of a correspondence between Robert Russ and his daughter Mollie dated May 8, 1896. “Winfield” refers to Police Chief Winfield Scott May.
2. John Tom Sisemore married Nora F. Lyles on February 18, 1886. Source: Lincoln Parish Civil Records, Marriages, Book C (1885- 1888), p. 49. In 1896, the Sisemores lived on the Lincoln-Jackson Parish line in the Woodville or Redwine community.
3. Whether Russ played a role in recruiting Sisemore is unknown. Sisemore’s oath of office as a Ruston policeman is dated May 8, 1896. Source: Lincoln Parish Civil Records, 1896.
4. The details regarding Sisemore and his family, such as his stature (he wore a size four shoe) and the children’s names, were obtained in numerous interviews including Buddy Sisemore, Maynard Sisemore, Clarice Sanderson, Iley Barr, Mather Farmer, and Melba Duque.
CHAPTER 3
1. It is unknown when or how Sisemore and Martin actually met. The November 28, 1898 issue of the Ruston Leader says Sisemore “fell in” with Martin while the marshal was conducting raids in the region. Calhoun’s book, The Lawmen: United States Marshals and their Deputies, explains there was no standard badge until the 1970s. According to historians at the United States Marshals Service, there had been no deaths of federal marshals in the Western District of Louisiana when Sisemore took office. In 1895, Martin advertised his real estate business frequently in the Shreveport papers.
2. James M. “Captain Jim” Martin was born on August 17, 1846, in Greenwood near Shreveport, Louisiana. He served as a private in Company G of the 3rd Louisiana Cavalry during the Civil War. After the war, he returned to his Caddo Parish farm and joined organizations intent on overcoming carpetbaggers and espousing white supremacy. In 1880, he became a Caddo Parish deputy sheriff. Later, he served as U. S. Marshal for the Western District of Louisiana and Shreveport’s city marshal. He died June 25, 1903. Source: Louisiana History, Winter 1994, p. 34.
3. The Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad is referred to as the “Very Slow and Pokey” in Historical and Pictorial Review.
CHAPTER 4
1. This chapter typifies the obstacles federal officers often encountered on a local level. Although many deputy marshals faced uncooperative lawmen like the sheriff portrayed here, whether Sisemore did is purely speculation on my part.
2. Sisemore’s weapons are known from the following Lincoln Parish records: Transcript of testimony to coroner’s jury at inquest on February 28, 1898, and Probate Docket No. 2165.
3. Very few copies of the Progressive Age newspaper have survived. Less than ten issues are known to be in the possession of the Lincoln Parish and LSU libraries. While none of these issues mention Sisemore, it is likely his activities were reported much as they were in the Ruston Leader and other papers.
4. The “exceedingly risky” quote appeared in the Ruston Leader, November 28, 1898.
CHAPTER 5
1. The town well was located in the middle of Railroad Avenue in front of the V. S. & P. depot.
2. The biographical information on Sheriff Eugene Howard came for Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana. Volume 1, pp. 484.
3. The Historical and Pictorial Review erroneously lists W. S. May as Ruston’s first police chief.
4. Mullins’s “profession” as a photographer is mentioned in Shreveport Times, March 1, 1898.
CHAPTER 6
1. The material on Ben Smith was obtained from “Some Memories of the Smith Family” by Bennett and Lincoln Parish History, edited by Fletcher and Ropp.
2. Mullins was arrested February 22, 1895, for aggravated assault (State of La. vs. T.F. Mullins, Docket No. 842, Lincoln Parish Criminal Records) and again in June for the same charge (State of La. vs. T.F. Mullins, Docket No. 849).
3. May was charged with carrying a concealed weapon on February 22, even though he was chief of police at the time. Lincoln Parish Criminal Records, State of La. vs. W. S. May, Docket No. 833. District Court Judge Allen Barksdale ruling that May’s appointment was invalid at the time of the incident was later overturned on appeal.
4. Mary and O. W. Mullins are buried side by side with Frank and Will at Walnut Creek Cemetery near Simsboro in Lincoln Parish.
5. The younger brother of Frank Mullins ran the illegal operation during Frank’s incarceration according to the Shreveport Times, March 1, 1898.
CHAPTER 7
1. The Beatty family Bible records Malcom Edwin Beatty died on September 26, 1896. He is buried at the Wesley Chapel Cemetery on LA Highway 818.
2. This chapter is based almost entirely on articles appearing in the September 29, 1896 issue of the Shreveport Times. The incident was almost certainly reported in the Ruston Leader, but no copies for that period exist.
3. Interviews of Annie Bell Beatty Strozier and Sarah Jo Beatty Sisemore revealed Beatty’s head fell in his supper plate when he was shot.
CHAPTER 8
1. This chapter was developed based on Shreveport Times articles of September 30 and October 1, 1896.
2. The arrest of J. T. Winn was reported in the Shreveport Times on October 18, 1896; the arrests of David King and Eli Snow on October 24, 1896.
CHAPTER 9
1. This story is purely fictitious but illustrates how officers often obtain information. John Sisemore most assuredly used such informants in developing cases.
2. In his book, Too Tough to Die, Sabbag describes the great dangers faced by U. S. marshals during this period: “The Moonshine Wars, in which more deputies would lose their lives than any theater of operations beyond the boundaries of Indian Territory, were a legacy of the large conflict in which North and South so recently engaged...” Sabbag reports in the 200-year history of the U. S. marshals, one-quarter of the deputies killed died in the Indian Territory that now makes up modern-day Oklahoma.
CHAPTER 10
1. The circumstances of the capture of Cook and Horton are unknown. The arrests are briefly mentioned in Shreveport Herald, December 11, 1896, p. 2.
CHAPTER 11
1. This chapter was developed from a brief article that appeared in the Shreveport Herald, December 15, 1896, p. 4. The article says Williams was captured “not without some resistance.” “Young Matt Wood” may not have been on this outing, but he and Calvert are mentioned in Sisemore new accounts more than any other lawmen.
2. The Allen and Crocker arrests are described in Shreveport Herald, December 30, 1896, p. 1.
CHAPTER 12
1. Numerous articles in Louisiana newspapers during late 1896 and early 1897 describe the horrendous drought conditions. Trains of food were sent into Ruston and starving cattle were shipped to Texas.
2. McKinley won the Presidency with only 50.8% of the popular vote. Source: Garraty in The American Nation, p. 810. In Lincoln Parish, 1,240 voted for Bryan, 16 for McKinley, and 26 for Palmer. Source: Shreveport Times, November 5, 1896, p. 2.
3. May and Huey had served terms as marshal of Vienna. Source: Historical and Pictorial Review. Huey was sworn in as Ruston’s chief on January 6, 1897. Lincoln Parish Civil Records, Oath of Office of James G. Huey.
4. Charles Lewis was elected mayor without opposition according to the November 3, 1896 issue of the Shreveport Times.
5. The “still hunt” described in this chapter is based on a March 4, 1897 article on page 4 of the Shreveport Times: “United States Officers Went on a ‘Still’ Hunt.”
6. It is likely Jesse James, Cole Younger, and others robbed a stagecoach on the Wire Road near Arcadia.
7. My explanation of how John Tom Sisemore found stills using informants and investigative skills is based on my own experience investigating drug trafficking.
CHAPTER 13
1. This chapter is based on two extensive articles appearing on April 1 and 2, 1897 in the Shreveport Times. An article called “Early Vienna Settler Does Some Reminiscing on First Days of Railroad Here” in the Ruston Daily Leader 1959 Mid-Century Edition seems to describe the same incident. A
s sensational as this chapter may sound, it is almost identical in content to the original reports.
CHAPTER 14
1. Huey’s resignation was published in the April 21, 1897 issue of the Ruston Leader. Lott was elected police chief according to the Shreveport Times, April 22, 1897, p. 2.
2. The May Day arrest of Frank Mullins is documented with few details in Lincoln Parish Criminal Records. The plans for picnic are briefly mentioned in the Ruston Leader, April 21, 1897. Since the events occurred on the same day, I draw the conclusion they were related.
3. Information regarding the Louisiana Chautauqua were obtained from several sources: Townsend’s History of the Louisiana Chautauqua; Lincoln Parish History, Fletcher and Ropp, ed.; and Historical and Pictorial Review.
CHAPTER 15
1. Lott died November 29, 1897. Greenwood Cemetery marker.
2. William Green Sisemore had a large apple orchard and lived near the Lincoln-Jackson parish line. Peggy Sizemore Harvey interview, 1998.
CHAPTER 16
1. The circumstances of this December 1897 encounter between Sisemore and Mullins are unknown. Ned Ballance is listed as a witness in Lincoln Parish Criminal Records, State of La. vs. J.T. Sisemore, Docket No. 1060. As a result of the incident, Sisemore was indicted for aggravated assault.
2. Excerpts of a statement from officials of the Arkansas Southern Railway appeared in the Ruston Leader of November 24, 1897. The north-south railroad would not reach Ruston until 1900.
CHAPTER 17
1. The U.S. battleship Maine sunk in Havana harbor on February 25, 1898. Initially, a Cuban mine was believed to be the cause, but more recent studies have cast doubt on that theory. Source: Blow in A Ship to Remember.
2. Mullins was found not guilty on at least some of the charges heard in January 1898. Whether he was found guilty on others is unclear. Lincoln Parish Criminal Records and Shreveport Times, January 23, 1898.
3. Sisemore charged with aggravated assault of Mullins on Dec. 14, 1897. Source: Lincoln Parish Criminal Records, State of La. vs. J.T. Sisemore, Docket No. 1060.
4. The incident with the hounds actually occurred but the date is unknown. Colvin’s dogs and Smith’s horse did participate. Source: Interview of Capt. Milton Kidd in “Early Vienna Settler Does Some Reminiscing on First Days of Railroad Here,” in Ruston Leader Mid-Century Edition, 1959.
CHAPTER 18
1. This chapter is developed using newspaper articles and court records. Sources: Testimony to coroner’s inquest on February 27, 1898; Lincoln Parish Criminal Records, State of La. vs. J.T. Sisemore, Docket No. 1075, Shreveport Evening Journal, February 28, 1898, p. 1; March 3, 1898, p. 1; Shreveport Times, March 1, 1898.
CHAPTER 19
1. This chapter is developed using newspaper articles and court records. Sources: Testimony to coroner’s inquest on February 27, 1898; Lincoln Parish Criminal Records, State of La. vs. J.T. Sisemore, Docket No. 1075, Shreveport Evening Journal, February 28, 1898, p. 1; March 3, 1898, p. 1; Shreveport Times, March 1, 1898.
2. McElroy’s occupation as a fire insurance salesman was determined from ads in Ruston newspapers.
CHAPTER 20
1. The ladies’ visit to the jail is described in the Shreveport Times, March 6, 1898. No names are provided.
2. Biographical information on Judge Barksdale was obtained from Lincoln Parish History, p. 399-400.
3. The article Finley read appeared in the Shreveport Evening Journal, March 3, 1898, p. 1.
4. Judge George Wear was born in Charleston, S.C., in February 1843. He enlisted state's service in Charleston as civil war drew near. After about six months’ service came the fall of Fort Sumter. His unit was disbanded and he re-enlisted in the Infantry Regiment of the Hampton Legion and served through the war, participating in the two Bull Run battles, Seven Pines, the Seven Days around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Sharpsburg and other engagements. He surrendered in May 1865, in Virginia, and returned to his home in South Carolina. He soon left for Louisiana and settled in Caldwell Parish. He met and married Rachel Stringer who bore him nine children.
In 1869 Wear was appointed clerk of the district court in Columbia by Governor Warmouth. In 1871 he was admitted to the bar, after which he resigned the clerk's office and formed a law partnership with T. J. Hough, of Columbia. In 1879 he was appointed district attorney of the 12th District, but he only served for a few months as the district was changed by the constitution. He was then elected district attorney of the 4th District and was re-elected in 1884. In 1889, he was appointed to fill the district’s vacant judgeship until an election could be held to fill the vacancy. He was later elected to the position. Described by the source as “highly esteemed by all who know him as a high-minded, honorable gentleman, who is a capable and efficient officer and jurist, and who well deserves the high position he occupies socially and otherwise.” Source: Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892. p. 446.
5. Two former mayors and one future mayor signed as sureties on John Sisemore's bond. J. J. Neilson served as Ruston's first mayor from 1886 to 1888. S. P. Colvin was elected to five one-year terms from 1890 to 1895. H. W. Ragan served from 1908 to 1910. Other signers were prominent businessmen A. T. Jackson, W. F. Ashley, O. M. Wright, G. W. Dudley, W. A. J. Lewis, R. M. Hardy, J. J. Raley, and Ben F. Smith, Jr. Source: Appearance Bond in La. vs. J.T. Sisemore, Docket No. 1075.
CHAPTER 21
1. This chapter was developed using a newspaper account of the post office robbery and Gardner burglary as well as court records pertaining to the arrests of McGowan and Freeman and Smith and Taylor. Sources: Shreveport Times, July 14, 1898; Lincoln Parish Criminal Records, 1898, State of La. vs. Sam McGowan, et al, Docket No. 1065.
2. Material regarding Ruston soldiers in the Spanish-American War was obtained from Muster Roll, Co. F. First Regiment, Louisiana Infantry Volunteers; “Ruston and the Past,” Ruston Daily Leader, May 7, 1972; and Graham’s “Notes.”
3. Emmett L. Kidd was captain of Company F, 1st La. Volunteer Infantry, which included men from Ruston, Monroe, Shreveport, and other Louisiana communities.
4. The speech I attribute to Captain Kidd is a paraphrase of a Ruston Leader article of March 28, 1898, extolling the proficiency of the local troops.
CHAPTER 22
1. This chapter was developed using a newspaper account of the post office robbery and Gardner burglary as well as court records pertaining to the arrests of McGowan and Freeman and Smith and Taylor. Sources: Shreveport Times, July 14, 1898; Lincoln Parish Criminal Records, 1898, State of La. vs. Sam McGowan, Docket No. 1065; and State of La. vs. J.O. Taylor, Docket No. 1069 and La. vs. B.F. Smith, Docket No.1070.
CHAPTER 23
1. Holland’s death was reported in the Shreveport Times, September 3, 1898, p. 3; Graham, “Notes on the History of Lincoln Parish;” and Kidd interview, Ruston Leader Mid-Century Edition, 1959.
2. Howard’s death was announced in the Shreveport Times, September 6, 1898, p. 2.
2. Information on Judge E.M. Graham was obtained from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana. Volume 1, pp. 450- 451.
CHAPTER 24
1. This chapter is based on the testimony before the coroner’s inquest on February 27, 1898, and court records pertaining to Sisemore’s trial. Lincoln Parish Criminal Records, 1898, State of La. vs. J.T. Sisemore, Docket No. 1075.
CHAPTER 25
1. This chapter is based on the testimony before the coroner’s inquest on February 27, 1898, and court records pertaining to Sisemore’s trial. Lincoln Parish Criminal Records, 1898, State of La. vs. J.T. Sisemore, Docket No. 1075. The names of Sisemore’s attorneys are found in the record, but the nature of their role at trial is unknown. There is no transcript of the actual testimony of witnesses.
CHAPTER 26
1. This chapter is based on the testimony before the coroner’s inquest on February 27, 1898, and court records pertaining to Sisemore’s trial.
Lincoln Parish Criminal Records, 1898, State of La. vs. J.T. Sisemore, Docket No. 1075.
CHAPTER 27
1. This chapter is based on the testimony before the coroner’s inquest on February 27, 1898, and court records pertaining to Sisemore’s trial. Lincoln Parish Criminal Records, 1898, State of La. vs. J.T. Sisemore, Docket No. 1075.
Neither Fear Nor Favor: Deputy United States Marshal John Tom Sisemore Page 21
