Murder in Morehouse Parish  On Monday, the 16th inst. about sunrise, Isacc Hopson, colored, known as "Honest Ike", living on Mrs. Arundell's place was shot and killed by some unknown ememy. He was in his own horse lot at the time, and from the situation and indications his assasin must have been at the fence on the opposite side of the lot and shot him through the crack, one large shot taken affect under his right arm after passing through the arm. One bone was broken in the same arm below the elbow by a smaller shot. Several other shots struck him inflicting slight wounds. No clue whatever could be found by the inquest held by the Coroner E.K.W. Ross, Isaac was a peaceful citizen, of advanced age, and had no enemies as far as could be learned. His death is a mystery. Date: 1877-04-25; Paper: Times Picayune

The Ouachita Telegraph, of the 16th inst. announces the death of W H Gayle, Esq. at his residence in Morehouse parish. Date: 1867-10-15; Paper: New Orleans Times

 In the Mer Rouge, La., Democrat Capt. C. C. Davenport one of the oldest members of the lower House of the General Assembly, has been publishing a series of Early Recollections of Morehouse parish, where he and his ancestors have lived for more than a hundred years. The papers are of much historical interest. In last week's installmeut Capt. Davenport tells, probably for the first time in. print, a story of the late Sargent S Prentiss,regarded as one of the greatest orators America has produced. Says Capt. Davenport: "APtine time the great and, gifted orator, Sargent S. Prentiss, of Mississippi, was employed to help break a will and came to Bastrop. The presence of himself and the other eminent counsel employed in the case, drew great crowds to Bastrop. Prentiss,after he had made his speech, engaged in a game of cards all night, became drunk and next morning at the breakfast table called for a slice of bread and butter. He called the attention of those at the hotel to the fact that he intended, and wanted them to witness it, to eat the most costly breakfast ever eaten in the town of Bastrop. He then laid a one-thousand-dollar bank bill on top of the piece of bread, spread butter over the bread and over the bank bill and proceeded to eat that expensively prepared breakfast." Abilene Report March 13, 1911

Bastrop, La., Jan. 9.—(By the Associated Press).—J. L. Daniel,father of Watt Daniel, hooded band victim, testified at the opening hearing today into hooded band depredations. In Morehouse Parish, that he had learned that subsequent to the kidnapping of his son and Thomas Richards, whose mutilated bodies reeentlywere found In Lake Lafourche. Four Mer Rouge citizens had been warned they would have to leave the community or "they would be killed. Daniel said the information was given him by Joe Davenport, another Mer Rouge citizen. Davenport, Daniel said told him he had received such word over the telephone. Daniel said Davenport declared he had been told by J. K. Skipwith "that the men would have toget away. J. K. Skipwith of Bastrop is the Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan organization In Morehouse Parish."Following this talk, I received notices written on a typewriter to 'change up.' They were unsigned and were written on yellow paper.N ow, did anything else occur that led you to believe the Klan was active in the community? "Yes, prior to an attempt on Dr.McKoln's life, there was an effort to kidnap Addie May Hamilton.""Where were you the night Dr.McKoin's automobile was shot into?" "I was home." "Where was Watt?" "He was at my home." "Where was Tom Richards?" "He was there and we were playing cards, poker." "Was it an open poker game, it being openly understood that the hoys could always find a game at your house at night?" "That's right, most any time." You are sure you did not leave your home that night?" "Yes, on that night we played almost all night." "When did you first hear you were suspected of shooting at Dr. Mc-Koin?" "Not untll I was held up on the Bastrop road." "Did you make any inquiry or try to ferret out who shot at McKoin?" "No, I always had a hard time managing my own business without meddling in others' affairs.""Anything said about Dr. McKoin during the game?""Not that I remember." "Since the disappearance of your son, have you ever received any anonymous letters?" "Not directly, but Davenport said he had received word over tho 'phone that Campbell, Whipple and his two bodyguards would have to get away from there or be killed."Campbell and Whipple are citizens of Mer Rouge."Who did Davenport say told him?" "J. K. Skipwith." "When did Davenport tell you that?" "It was after the kidnapping, after I had told a friend I believed my son had been murdered." "How about the kidnappings,where did they take place, what direction?" "We were on the Bastrop-Monroe road " "During the period you were being held, did you hear your son,Watt, speak?""I did not." "You did not recognize anyone?" "No, if I did I would have gone to them and faced him."

Stand Gaurd at Home Mer Rouge, La., Jan. 9—Acting on an anonymous telephone message that an attempt might be made to kidnap Adelie May Hamilton, prospective witness in thq investigation now under way of masked band depredations in Morehouse Parish,several men stood guard today at the Hamilton home near Mer Rouge and later two soldiers were assigned to guard duty in that section.The anonymous telephone message was received at the headquarters of department of justice agents directing the assembling of evidence in the inquiry.Miss Hanilton had been generally expected to testify that certain Morehonse Parish men had some months ago forced her to leave the parish. May Identify Members Bastrop, La., Jan. 9— After a dayof conferences and the gathering up of loose threads in the evidence being  waived in preparation for criminal prosecution of the band of blackhooded raiders believed responsiblefor the slaying of Watt Daniel andThomas Richards, state's attorneys today resumed their open hearing investigation of masked band outlawry in Morehouse Parish. A dozen witnesses were to be called.That some of today's witnesses might he able to identify members of the band was regarded as a possibility.State troops sent into MorehouseParish to act in connection with civil officials in any emergency continued to maintain the role of bystanders.

1/9/1923 North Adams Transcript Mass

In Louisiana, Mrs. Edna Kinnaird,36, and Mrs. Nancy Domino, 26, were killed when their car left a road in MorehouseParish and plunged into Bayou Bonne Idee. Both women were from Bastrop. Robert Almond, 87 of OakGrove died Saturday when the car he was in overturned in a ditch along La, 2 east of MerRouge. Mrs. Erna MacDonald died Saturday when her car collided head-on with another car just  east of Rayville. She was driving in the wrong lane on Interstate 20.    Ruston Daily Leader 8/13/1973

W.C. Norsworthy Rites Today OAK GROVE — Funeral services for William Carey Norsworthy, 52, of OakGrove, will be at 10 a.m. today in the chapel of Kidder-Cox Funeral Home here with the Rev. James Hayes officiating. Burial will be in Bonne Idee Cemetery at Mer Rouge. Mr. Norsworthy died Saturday night in Morehouse General Hospital at Bastrop after a short illness.A veteran of World War II, Mr. Norsworthywas a native of Mer Rouge. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Mary K. Norsworthy of Oak Grove; one son, Ludie Norsworthy of Monroe; two brothers, Dan Norsworthy of Bastrop and Howard Norsworthy of New Orleans; one sister, Mrs. Mary Ellen Midge Cooley of Ruston; and one grandchild.
Ruston Daily Leader 11/10/1975