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JOSEPH LOUSIGNONT
Daily Appeal - Sat 7/29/1905, p1 - Manslaughter Charge For Joseph S. Abrams - Joseph Lousignont Dies as a Result of Injuries Received From Being Ejected From Store - At midnight last night death ended the existence of Joseph Lousignont, who had charge of the wood on the Cline Bull place in Plumas district, and District Attorney Brittan will this morning charge Joseph S. Abrams, a clerk in the store of A. Abrahams, at 216 C street, with manslaughter. Yesterday afternoon about 4 o'clock Abrams pushed Lousignont from the store and he fell heavily to the sidewalk, striking his head upon the cement pavement, and received injuries which later resulted in his death. - Abrams was arrested shortly after 5 o'clock last evening by Marshal Maben and locked up in the City Prison, and Mr. Brittan stated last evening to an "Appeal" representative that he will formally charge the young man with manslaughter this morning. - It was about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon that Lousignont went into the store conducted by Mr. Abrahams to collect a bill for $19 for wood. The bill was presented and Abrahams told him that he was short of money, but that he could give him $5 on account, at the same time promising to give him some more money the next time he came to town. Lousignont was far from satisfied with the proposition, and demanded at least $10. Those who were near at the time assert that Lousignont was partially under the influence of liquor, and that he made some uncomplimentary remarks to Abrahams. A war of words followed and soon Lousignont began to curse the proprietor of the store. - He refused to leave the place unless the $10 was paid, but when he was assured that he could not get any more than $5 he commenced to retreat towards the door, and had reached it and was standing almost in the door, when Abrams, the clerk in the place, stepped up to Lousignont, and, grabbing him by the shoulders or collar, pushed him backwards into the street. As he stepped back he fell down a step of about four or six inches, and seemed to lose his balance, and he went entirely over, his head striking against the sidewalk with such force that some of those who were in the vicinity at the time said the report sounded more like the crack of a revolver than of a head striking the cement sidewalk. - Some of the witnesses, who have been secured by the District Attorney, are of the opinion that Abrams struck Lousignont on the chest or face, but there seems to be no evidence to bear out that theory. - As soon as the accident happened the police were notified, and Officers McCoy and Sayles carried the injured man to the U. S. Hotel on a stretcher. - Dr. David Powell was hastily summoned and after an examination he stated that the injured man was suffering from a bad concussion of the brain, and he said later in the evening that a blood clot had no doubt formed at the base of the brain. The physician held out no hopes for his recovery. Lousignont was unconscious when taken up from the sidewalk, and he never regained consciousness so that his side of the story could not be secured. He was breathing very heavily, but last evening Dr. Powell treated him, and he seemed to be easier for some time, but it was never thought that he could live for more than a few hours. - Lousignont was a very large man, of robust build, but he was a drinker, and was aged about 54 years. No definite information regarding his family could be learned last night or this morning, but it was reported that he had eight children residing at the home place. Nothing could be learned regarding his wife, but it was stated that she is now in Portland. - Immediately after the accident yesterday afternoon word was sent to the home for the oldest son, and it was hoped that he would arrive before his father passed away, but up to the time of going to press he had not put in an appearance. - Soon after the accident District Attorney Brittan investigated the case and secured ten witnesses, but only three are reported to have seen the entire affair. John Cullen and a man named McMullen were placed in safe keeping, so that they would be on hand when wanted to tell all they know of the episode. George Scott is another important witness who will figure prominently in the case. - At 6 o'clock last evening an "Appeal" reporter sent word to Abrams that he wanted to talk with him, but he told the officer that he would not discuss the affair in any way at the present time. - A. Abrahams was in a more communicative mood when seen a short time later. He said that Lousignont went to his store to collect a bill, but refused to accept the $5 which he offered on account, and insisted on getting $10, and when he told him that he did not have that much on hand Lousignont became very abusive. Mr. Abrahams stated that it was then that his clerk, Joseph Abrams, pushed the man from the door, and that he fell on the sidewalk. - Immediately after the man passed away last night Coroner Kelly was notified, and he took charge of the remains and removed them to the morgue. Later he and the District Attorney conferred, and it was decided to hold the inquest this afternoon at 4 o'clock. An autopsy will probably be held this morning to determine the exact cause of death.
Daily Appeal - Sun 7/30/1905, p1,8 - Coroner's Jury Hears Details of Accident - The Jury Does Not Justify Abrams for Pushing Lousignont From Door - Clerk Is Released on Bail - "We, the jury, find that the deceased, Joseph Lousignont, a native of Oregon, aged 53 years, came to his death on the 28th day of July 1905, in the United States Hotel, from injuries received by being thrown to the sidewalk by one Joseph Abrams. John T. Allment, Foreman." - Coroner J. K. Kelly held an inquest at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon to inquire into the causes leading tot he death of Joseph Lousignont, which was reported in "The Appeal" on Saturday morning. - The following jurors were sworn: Joseph Haugh, John T. Allment, J. C. Gillespie, William Bedeau, W. Harvey Richardson and Henry Erwin. - James Lousignont in reply to District Attorney Brittan stated that he was a son of the deceased, and last saw him alive on Friday morning at the Cline Bull ranch. He was born in Jacksonville, Oregon, and was 53 years of age. - A. Abrahams testified that he had a store on 216 C street. On Friday afternoon the deceased came to his store to collect a bill for wood for $19. He told him that all he could pay was $5, and he left the store. He returned later and wanted $10, and was under the influence of liquor at that time, and was very abusive, and called him vile names. - Joseph Abrams, the clerk in the store, asked him to behave himself, and he got very angry. When he was within two or three feet of the front door Joseph shoved him out of the store, and he fell backwards on the sidewalk. The deceased had directed his conversation to Joseph before he put him out of the store, and said that he could lick them both. Joseph said something to deceased before he shoved him out, but could not say what it was. - Dr. David Powell testified that he had attended the deceased, first at the Station House, where he found him suffering from a serious injury to his head, and had him removed to the U. S. Hotel, where he attended him up to the time of his death. Had made an autopsy on the body of the deceased, assisted by Dr. G. W. Stratton and found no external marks of violence on his body. On removing the scalp found a fracture on the right side of the head, just above the right ear 3 1/2 inches long. Found a clot of blood on the right side of the brain caused by hemorrhage of the temporal artery. Also found a clot of blood on the left side caused by a rupture of a large vein. Concussion of the brain and hemorrhage was the direct cause of his death. A fall on a pavement would cause such a condition. - Dr. G. W. Stratton corroborated his testimony with reference to the autopsy. - Robert Nolte testified that he heard loud talking in Abraham's store on Friday afternoon about some money and saw the clerk, Joseph Abrams, shove the deceased out of the door and he fell backwards, hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk. The witness was only two or three feet away at the time. Saw the clerk walk four or five steps toward him before shoving him out with pretty heavy force. - L. Stuart saw the deceased shoved out and when he struck the sidewalk thought at first that he was dead, as he never moved. He struck the sidewalk very hard. The clerk threw some water on him as he lay on the sidewalk, and also tried to give him some to drink. He heard no cursing in the store. - John Lally saw the deceased enter Abraham's store, and heard an argument about money; afterwards saw the defendant throw out and he struck the sidewalk very hard. - John Cullen was also an eye witness to the case, but did not see the man who shoved him. Had heard no loud talk in the store. - George Scott testified that he heard no loud talk in the store. Saw the deceased shoved out on the sidewalk by the clerk and striking the back of his head on the pavement. He shoved him in a rough manner. - Terry McMullen testified that he was in Abrahams store when the deceased was shoved out by the clerk. Heard him ask Abraham for $10, but could not say that he was drunk at the time. Heard Joe say to him; "You will get your money, keep quiet," and the deceased replied, "I will take it out of your hide." The deceased was growling and using bad language to Abraham. Thought that Joe only used one hand in shoving him out, he did not appear to be angry. - A. B. Stuart testified regarding very bad language that the deceased had used. Had seen Joe shove him out through the screen door, he was using bad language to Abraham at the time. - Ben J. Lynch testified that he saw the deceased laying on the sidewalk. - W. E. Jared saw the deceased shoved out, and when his head struck the sidewalk there was a report like a pistol shot. He never moved after he struck the sidewalk. - W. H. Jacobs testified that he heard loud talking in the store and saw deceased laying on the sidewalk, and saw some men take hold of him and drag him out towards the street. - This concluded the testimony, and the jury rendered their verdict as stated above. - Attorney W. H. Carlin and City Attorney Waldo S. Johnson watched the proceedings on behalf of Abrams. - The funeral will take place at 3 o'clock this afternoon from Coroner J. K. Kelly's parlors. - District Attorney M. T. Brittan made out a complaint which was sworn to by Marshal Maben, charging Joseph S. Abrams with manslaughter, and Judge Raish fixed his bond at $1000. - The preliminary examination was set for Monday, August 7, at 10 a.m. - A. L. Brown and Richard Klempp qualified as bondsmen and Abrams was released. - It was learned yesterday that the deceased leaves a family consisting of a wife, eight sons and three daughters. He and his wife had not lived together for some time, but five of the younger children made their home with their father. - The children are left in straightened circumstances by the sudden death of Lousignont. He had $50 upon his person when taken to the U. S. Hotel and that is reported to be all the ready cash the family had. There are a number of outstanding debts which can be collected, and there is a quantity of wood which can be sold.
Marysville Appeal - Tue 8/1/1905, p8 - Louisgnont [sic] Funeral - The funeral of the late Joseph Lousignont took place at 3 o'clock on Sunday afternoon from J. K. Kelly's undertaking parlors. Rev. J. Charles Rhodes officiated at the parlors and at the city cemetery, where the interment took place.
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