Waits Kills Husband, Attempts Cover-up

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

            Claiborne Parish Sheriff detectives have concluded that Londa Waits acted alone in the death and dismemberment of her husband, Danny Waits, sometime after his disappearance on Thursday, October 27. The Summerfield teacher failed to show up for school on Friday, October 28, however, it was the following Tuesday, November 1, before his wife reported him missing.

            CPSO detectives immediately submitted information on Waits to the National Crime Information Center and began searching across Louisiana and Arkansas. On Saturday, November 5, family members discovered Danny's truck near his home and called the Sheriff's office. Detectives arrived on the scene and began searching the area. Sometime later, Londa Waits went into the bathroom of her house with a shotgun and apparently shot herself in the head.

            It wasn't long before detectives discovered the upper torso of Waits in the pond behind the house. After draining the pond over the next several days, other body parts and the weapon used to dismember Waits was found.

            Due to all the evidence found at the crime scene, Chief Investigator Chuck Talley said they know for a fact it was Londa who committed the crime and they are convinced that no one else was involved. Talley believes ballistic tests will confirm that Londa used a 38 caliber pistol to kill her husband, then placed his dismembered body in the pond.

            Danny Waits had taught math for almost 33 years, more than 20 of those years in Claiborne Parish. "Danny was good friends with everybody, especially his students. He loved his students," according to longtime friend and former Haynesville Principal Steve Craig.  He remember once when Danny gave him a load of firewood, even split it for him to show off his new splitter., then drove him around his place. "Danny was very proud of his home and his land, and loved his Tundra truck. It was the first brand new truck he had ever owned."

            Craig added, "We will miss him. Those folks that didn't know him really missed some kind of `character'. He marched to his own drummer."

CNET Arrests Athens Man

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

            Henry "Russell" Robin Jr., 41, of Athens was arrested Monday, November 7 by the Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team (CNET) according to Sheriff Ken Bailey. Robin was charged with possession with intent to distribute Sch I (marijuana), possession with intent to distribute Sch II (methamphetamine, and possession of Sch IV (Alprazolam).

            Bailey said the arrest was the result of an investigation in October by CNET and the Louisiana State Police. Agents conducted an undercover operation and surveillance in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Homer on Friday, October 7, which led to the seizure of marijuana, hydrocodone, extract, methamphetamine, and alprazolam from Robin and his vehicle

            After seizing the drugs, agents continued their investigation and earlier this month, a Claiborne Parish Grand Jury indicted Robin on the above charges.

            Bailey said after receiving information that Robin was at the Pizza Hut in Homer on November 7, he was again placed under surveillance by CNET and CPSO patrol supervisor Lt. Jimmy Brown. After leaving the Pizza Hut, Robin was stopped by Lt. Brown  a short time later and arrested. He was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and booked. Bond was set at $75,000.

            Robin was also arrested on October 17 by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office and charged with possession of marijuana.

MICHAEL HAYNES AND LYNN WARNOCK (seated) met with members of the Claiborne Parish Industrial Board and Claiborne Chamber of Commerce last week to discuss joining a bi-parish film commission, (l.-r.) Tip Sherman, Wade Holloway, Melissa Watts, Cynthia Steele, Dennis Butcher, J. T. Taylor, Gurvis Vines, Renee Lincoln-Buggs, and John Wesley Cooper.

Claiborne Industrial Board Considers Film Commission

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

            Members of the Claiborne Parish Industrial Board (CPID) and the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce (CCOC) met twice the past two weeks to explore the possibility of joining Webster Parish to form a non-profit film association. Louisiana Films North for the purpose of promoting economic growth and to highlight areas of interest for the film-making industry.

            Lynn Warnock, executive director for the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Michael Haynes, Stunt Coordinator and President of the International Stunt Association, met November 7 with Dennis Butcher, J. T. Taylor, Tip Sherman, Wade Holloway, Melissa Watts, Cynthia Steele, Gurvis Vines, Renee Lincoln-Buggs, and John Wesley Cooper.. Warnock told them she was first contacted by the State of Louisiana Film Office last March, looking for possible film locations. She sent information on Webster Parish. The following Monday a representative was in her office.

            At the time, eight films were scheduled for production—all in south Louisiana. Warnock was hoping to get at least one in north Louisiana, then Katrina hit. "As of this date, we have three films being produced in Webster Parish, one in Webster and Claiborne," said Warnock. Production is set to begin before the end  of the year.

SIGNS AT LAKE CLAIBORNE DAM warn individuals not to litter or trespass on the dam. Apparently these warnings are ignored. Trash can be seen along the embankment as well as erosion caused by walking along the slope. The Claiborne Parish Watershed District is seeking a 1/8 percent sales tax which will provide much-needed funding to hire an individual to write grants and oversee maintanence and repairs to buoys, public landings, and the dam.

Watershed District Seeks Sales Tax Support

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

            Members of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District met in special meeting to discuss ways to raise revenue to be used for the maintenance of Lake Claiborne and other watershed areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the watershed district.

            At the work session the previous week, commissioners agreed to seek a 1/8 percent sales tax to be used for operations of the Watershed District.

            "We are really giving false assurance to the people of this parish that this work is being done when we don't  have any real funds to do it on a sustained basis," said Chairman Alice Stewart. "If the people of the parish consider our work serious and important, I think they will want to fund it." Right now, watershed matters are being left to volunteers.

            "I believe the lake matters," said Stewart. It is important we manage the lake and not leave things to chance. The Watershed Commission has a responsibility similar to the Library Board, yet the library is adequately funded and well managed. What if the library were operated only with volunteers. The question is, do we consider our lake and water resources as important as our library?

            "Any kind of development in this parish is going to depend on good quality water," said Stewart. "That is the business of this commission."

            Commissioners agreed to ask the Police Jury to call an election for 1/8 percent sales tax to be dedicated to the Watershed District. Attending the meeting were Roger Pemberton, Chic Hines, Wilson, Almeter Willis and Alice Stewart. Absent were Butch Fincher and Butch Lee.

Flu Vaccine Is In

Health Unit To Give Shots Wed.-Thurs. To High Risk Individuals

            Flu shots will be available Wednesday and Thursday, November 16-17 at the First Presbyterian Church in Homer (behind Hibernia Bank). The Claiborne Parish Health Unit will offer shots on a first-come, first-serve basis for individuals who fall in one of the high risk groups_65 years or older, age 2-64 with underlying chronic medical condition, pregnant women, and children 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy. Flu shots are free for those with Medicare or Medicaid coverage. All other clients have a $10 co-pay. For info, contact the Health Unit at 927-6127.

HMH Adminstrator Asks Jury To Appoint New Board

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

            Doug Efferson, administrator at Homer Memorial Hospital, presented a list of possible names for the Claiborne Parish Police Jury to consider appointing to a new Board of Directors for Hospital Service District No. 3 at their regular meeting last week.. He said, "By no means is this list a firm recommendation."

            The list of names submitted were Helen Campbell (Dist. 1-2), Mary McDaniel (Dist. 3-4), Freddie Spigener (Dist. 5-6), Dottie Palmer (Dist. 7-8), Buddy Pixley (Dist. 9-10), George Tigner and David Aubrey (at large members), Cliff Salmon and Clint Butler (physicians). Additional names mentioned were Eddie Butler (Dist. 2), Sherman Brown (Dist. 4), Ray Spurlock (Dist. 5, Elmer Poss (Dist. 7), and Anthony Smith (Dist. 4).

            Several who declined appointment were Dump Hatter, Keith Killgore, Elmer Poss and Freddie Spigener. Others willing to serve were Joe Richardson, Spurlock, and Aubrey Members presently serving on the HMH Board willing to serve on the District 3 Board are Palmer, Pixley, Tigner, Dr. Salmon, and Dr. Butler. .

            Efferson told jurors they would need to consider 1) accepting the assets and liabilities of the hospital if the Homer Council votes to transfer ownership to the parish, 2) appointing new members to the Hospital Service District No. 3 Board as soon as possible, and 3) calling an election for a one percent parishwide sales tax.

            The cost to construct a new hospital with equipment is $15,000. A one percent parishwide sales tax would generate about $1 million per year over 15 years. A property tax would generate $730,000 per year with a 23-year payback at best. He does not expect the bonding commission would go over 20 years.

Finances, Overtime Top Homer Council Agenda

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

            Bob Robinson, president of the Homer Industrial Foundation, made several recommendations to the Homer Town Council at their regular meeting November 7, that he said would promote sound management and progress the Town. Councilmen approved 1) transferring Industrial Funds now in the LAMP account in Baton Rouge to Citizens Bank in Haynesville in order to get the highest interest rate possible; 2) transferring $10,000 to the Homer Industrial Foundation account to be used to develop and maintain a website to advertise and promote Homer and the parish to business and industry prospects; and 3) hiring Carlos Martin to conduct a past and current audit of all Industrial Funds collected and distributed in the past five years, specifically between 2002 and 2003 when the fund went from $400,000 to less than $100,000, and determine where the funds were used, if they were spent correctly, and what is being done to replace those funds. Billy Kirk Jenkins opposed the last motion.

            Toney Johnson asked if the previous audit had determined what the funds had been used for. Jenkins said the Finance Committee recommended some changes, one was to put the funds in a separate account.

            Robinson said the Industrial Board also opposed reducing the amount of sales tax collected for the Industrial Fund and asked the Council to delay making any changes at this time to the percentage of dedicated sales tax collected for the Industrial Fund.

            Toney said if they approve building a new hospital, the $360,000 received for rental of existing facility could be used to replace that money or could be used to build the new hospital. Dean said he would like to put at least $2,000, and as much as $5,000 per month, in the Industrial Fund.

            Former Mayor David Aubrey said funds were spent because they were combined in a master bank account. Money was taken out of all restricted accounts, not just the Industrial Fund. Once the deficits are reduced to zero, the money will be there.

            Robinson said, "Those were dedicated funds for specific purposes, not to be spent in the general or enterprise fund."

            Elmer Poss, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the proposed budget for 2006 with revenues totaling $3,435,583 and expenditures of $3,105,000, anticipating an expected surplus of $330,000. He said figures were somewhat inflated because they include transfers between restricted funds. The General Fund shows an excess of only about $17,000 and the Enterprise Fund about $98,778. Both funds are extremely tight, however, the Enterprise Fund includes a transfer of $100,000 to replace the deficit in the Industrial Fund. The Council voted to advertise for a public hearing prior to adopting the budget  next month.

Community Thanksgiving Service

Sunday, November 20 , 6 PM, First Baptist Church In Homer

            The Homer Ministerial Alliance will offer its Annual Community Thanksgiving Worship Service on Sunday, November 20, at 6 PM. The host church this year will be First Baptist Church in Homer. Music will be under the direction of Keith Beard and the FBC Choir. Rev. Larry Maxwell of First United Methodist Church will bring the evening message. This event gives Claiborne Parish residents an opportunity to give thanks to God before the holiday madness sets in and we have a tendency to lose track of the one to whom the season should be dedicated. It also provides an opportunity to contribute to the Transient Fund, a central fund where all churches contribute to provide emergency housing, food, and fuel for one evening for needy persons traveling through the parish. Jesus clearly requires His people to provide hospitality for those who have such needs. (Matt. 25:31) Others involved in the service are Reverends Robert McGaha, John Markley, Jimmy Simeon, and John McClelland. Everyone is encouraged to attend and take this opportunity to give thanks to God.

"White Lightning Feuds": Hiding Out In The Attic

White Lightning Feud Series: Part 6

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...

* * * * *

            The following is the concluding excerpt from Chapter IX "A Feud and an Indian" of the book War, Reconstruction, and Redemption on Red River, the Memoirs of Dosia Williams Moore, printed in 1990 and edited by Carol Wells.

            The foreword to the book explains that Dosia Williams Lewis Moore lived in Rapides and Natchitoches Parishes during and after the Civil War. Born in South Carolina, she came at three years of age with her parents to Louisiana. The book is based mostly on a collection of Dosia Moore's accounts stored in the Archives Division of the Watson Library at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

* * * * *

(continued from last week)

            William told me of Mr. Tuggle's trouble and that he was going to hide him in the attic. He said that if the officers came in search of [Mr. Tuggle], he could retire to the hiding place.

            In the third story of the house at Loyd [Hall] there was an opening in the south wall, just at the head of the second flight of stairs. This opening led into the loft over the upstairs gallery with no footing but the joists to which the ceiling of the gallery was attached, just a dark hole which we never used or even explored. If danger came, Mr. Tuggle could go into this dark hole, a piece of furniture placed over it, and no one would suspect that it was there.

            I hurriedly prepared a bed in the garret. Mr. Tuggle took possession, and I sent up his supper. During the time that he was in hiding, my husband and I carried him his meals with our own hands, for we dared not let the servants know that he was hidden in the house. One of the maids complained that there "sure was a heap of dishes to wash every morning." We told an interesting story of our indulging in midnight suppers, and as we often did sit up till the "wee small hours," the excuse was good.

            The deputy sheriffs searched about the neighborhood but never thought to suspect Loyd Hall. After a time, the excitement quieted down. Mr. Tuggle's lawyer wrote him "not to be taken, but to get home and give himself up." He could not pass through Alexandria, as they were on the lookout, and he did not know the country well enough to find his way through the woodland trails.

            My husband had a faithful Indian friend, a Biloxi named Banks, who knew every swamp and stream in the country. He could guide Mr. Tuggle to a little-used ferry of which William knew, where his wagon could be carried across on a flatboat. He would then be in Grant Parish, and from there could find his way home. By another Indian, my husband sent word to Banks to come at once, that he needed him. That night when Banks came, I went out to the gate with my husband. The Indian's salutation was, "Friend, who do you want me to kill?" It was said as calmly as if he had greeted him in the usual way.

            William explained what he wanted Banks to do, and as Mr. Tuggle and Elmo were ready, they got in the wagon and started at once. The younger boy (NOTE: This would be Murray) and Mr. Tuggle's brother-in-law had left some time before. Elmo had stayed quietly at my sister's home. Banks, on his horse, silently led the way, and the wagon drove off. The Indian guided him across the river, and from there Mr. Tuggle reached Homer in safety, gave himself up, stood his trial, and was cleared.

            Thus ended the Ramsey-Tuggle feud.

* * * * *

NOTE: "Thus ended the Ramsey-Tuggle feud," according to Dosia Moore. In fact, the feud did not end with the conclusion of Mrs. Moore's recollections. Feud-based fears continued into the 1900s. James Dean, a local barber, tells of an incident involving his father Lon Dean and grandfather James Ebenezer Dean. According to James Dean, his father and grandfather were bringing their first bale of cotton to the gin at Homer in the fall of 1905. They were coming in from the area that would later be the route of the White Lightning Road. "A couple of men said to my granddaddy, `We need to check that wagon, Mr. Dean. We can't be too careful. Need to be sure nobody ain't hiding in the load.' And one of the men randomly stuck a knife several times into the cotton." Finding nothing, the Dean men were allowed to continue on their way.

* * * * *

Claiborne Parish Crimes

            The Homer Guardian-Journal is greatly concerned over the condition of the affairs prevailing in Claiborne Parish and insists that the lawlessness which exists there must be suppressed. We give elsewhere what [the Guardian-Journal] has to say on this subject, and it will be seen that [they have] good cause for complaint.

            Claiborne enjoyed for many years the reputation for being one of the most orderly and law-abiding parishes in the state with less crime in it than nearly any part of Louisiana.

            Its white farmers, many of whom came from other Southern States, are industrious, progressive and peaceful. The land is fertile and the parish prosperous and thoroughly Democratic. But of late Claiborne has been making a bad record for itself in the matter of crimes, and crimes, too, of the worst sort. Nowhere in Louisiana have there been more assassinations, most of them of the foulest kind. One single feud between the Ramseys and the Tuggles resulted in no less than six deaths_most of them assassinations, for the victims were shot down from behind by unknown murderers. These are but sample cases, and the disposition in Claiborne Parish seems to be to resort to the shotgun on the slightest pretext as a means of redressing private grievances.

            More than once the [Guardian-Journal] and the grand jury have called attention to the frequency of assassination in that parish; but this does not seem to have had the slightest effect, for a number of murders have been chronicled there in the last few weeks.

            The quiet and peaceful people of Claiborne, who are in an overwhelming majority, naturally want to put an end to this condition of affairs. They want to feel that their lives are safe from murderous attacks, and they wish to free Claiborne Parish from the unenviable reputation it has gained for crime. We hope and believe that they have been sufficiently aroused on this point and will take such decisive measures that all would-be murderers and assassins will conclude to emigrate from Claiborne. This can be done in only one way, by enforcing the law rigidly and allowing no one to escape its penalties. There has been decidedly too much laxity shown in this matter, and the idea has naturally been created that if a man wishes to protect himself, he must rely upon his shotgun. The fact that no one was punished for the assassinations which occurred as a consequence of the Ramsey-Tuggle feud was an invitation to others to take this means of avenging genuine or fancied wrong with the shotgun. If some of the homicides are punished, Claiborne will have no reason to complain of lawlessness but will return to its original condition of peace and order. We trust that its people will see the necessity of punishing all lawbreakers, no matter how popular they may be or what is their social standing.

— reprinted by The Guardian-Journal, page 1, from the New Orleans Times-Democrat

February 3, 1892

* * * * *

Another Assassination

            Mr. Henry Tuggle was shot while picking cotton in his field near Cotton Valley last Friday evening by some unknown person concealed in the bushes near the field. Mr. Tuggle's three children were with him in the field when he was shot. Two shots were fired, the first missing its aim, the second passing through the head. The weapon used was a Winchester rifle. Mr. Tuggle lived until Sunday morning and died. His remains were brought to this place for burial.

            Mr. Tuggle, it will be remembered, left his place near Homer some months since and moved to Webster Parish for the sake of keeping out of trouble, some of his brothers having been involved in an old feud which had resulted in several assassinations. For a man to be shot down in his own field in the presence of his children is horrible, and nothing should be left undone to punish the guilty party or parties.

We learn that Mr. Tuggle made a dying statement, but it has not been made public. Of course, people will naturally connect this assassination with others, but it may be that it has no such connection.

            We also learn that a man was shot on the Waggonner place near Dykesville on Friday night.

— Guardian-Journal, page 3

November 16, 1892

* * * * *

The Two Last Assassinations

            The man Holland who was shot in his house on the Waggonner place Saturday a week ago [November 12, 1892] has since died. It is said that the notorious Link Waggonner did this shooting, and for several days last week a band of armed men were scouring the country looking for Waggonner but failed to find him. Had he been found, it is probable that he would not have been accorded a legal trial, but the enraged and outraged people would have at once lynched him.

            We have since learned that Link Waggonner was in Texas where he will probably be arrested and brought back to Louisiana. It is also said that there are charges against him in Texas.

            We also learn that Henry Tuggle, who was recently shot and killed in his field at Cotton Valley, made a dying statement to the effect that.......to be continued.

******

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

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