American Citizen

Murder.—We learn that Mr. John Hunter, a citizen
of this place, and during the war a member of
Bolton's Battery, was killed in DeSoto on Sunday
by a freedman. The following are the circumstances
as we learn them, and we give them without
comment, as it is a case in which the officers of
Louisiana alone have jurisdiction.

Mr. Hunter, accompanied by three others, crossed
the river for the purpose of searching the interior
for some cattle. They applied at a stable kept
by Mr. Groves, who was absent, for mules to go on
their journey. They obtained the mules, and the
negro who had been left in charge during the owner's
absence went with them to see that the mules
were not retained by the party. They had not
gone far when Mr. Groves overtook them and ordered
them to return; they complied with his order,
after offering to pay for the use of the stock. After
returning an altercation occurred between the
parties, and Hunter made some remark to the effect
that it was a mean trick, and at the same time
started towards the stable. The negro coming
from behind the stable met him, and with a double-barrelled
gun shot him down, the wound causing
instant death. Mr. Hunter leaves a young wife,
and our heartfelt sympathies are with her in this
terrible bereavement. A coroner's inquest was
held, but as yet we have not received its decision.
The negro is at present in the city jail for safe
keeping.—Vicksburg Journal.