Jan. 11, 1896, the authorities of Jefferson Perish claim they
are unable to discover the perpetrators of the arson and murder that killed Patrick
Morris and his wife Lottie even though the couple’s 11-year-old son says he
identified several members of the mob that killed his parents.
The Morris’ were an interracial couple who lived on a flatboat
in the Continental Grain Company canal in Westwego Louisiana near the company’s
large grain elevators. Patrick Morris worked for the railroad and the couple
rented beds in their flatboat.
Whether it was just the interracial marriage and biracial
child or something more has been lost to history. The local newspapers report
that there was a large public outcry over the level of violence committed,
however, they also make excuses for the crime. Among other things, they mention
that Mrs. Lottie Morris was a rude and disrespectful woman and that the lodging
of guests was illegal.
A mob of 20 men reportedly surrounded the home in the early
morning hours and set it afire. When Mr. Morris came out the mob shot him a
number of times. Young Patrick Morris Jr snuck out the back but was also shot
at before he made it to the woods.
Mrs. Morris was found within the remains of the building,
curiously her head had been separated from the body. There was no explanation
for the violence committed against her. While it was said that the flatboat was
used as a rooming house there was no one else there at the time.
Patrick Morris Jr was turned over to the New Orleans Waifs Home and there is no further record after reports of the grand jury. He appeared before the grand jury that was impaneled but everyone he named had a story and the jury refused to indict any adult based on the word of a child.
The Times-Picayune newspaper of New Orleans, Westwego is not
far from the city and gives the most complete record of the incident with three stories
over the span of a week. Even with several hundred words they could not explain
what the disorderly conduct was that the neighbors were so upset over, nor were
they able to get any authority to go on the record.
The Times-Picayune led their final story with, “to all
appearances, the murder and cremation of Patrick Morris and his colored
domestic partner had even been forgotten in Jefferson parish.” This appears to
be the most honest statement in all their reporting.
Sources:
https://www.newspapers.com/image/28193491/?terms=Patrick%20Morris&match=1
https://www.newspapers.com/image/28193755/?terms=Patrick%20Morris&match=1
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