Percy Taliaferro Alexander

southernsoulspodca

Jun 25

2 min read

In August 1912, Percy Alexander was a rising star in the local legal world. A graduate of VMI, West Point, and Tulane, he had been admitted to the Louisiana bar and had tried his first case in front of the US Supreme Court. As he sat with his late fiance's mother, he did not know that all of that would end soon as well as his life.

CONTENT WARNING: The images below contain copies of newspaper articles using racist language that was common on the time of this event.

The Grave

Percy Alexander's grave is not particularly ornate when compared to some of the monuments surrounding him in Oakland Cemetery, but it catches the eye with its many surfaces full of inscriptions. Photo by Tarah Thomas — Percy Alexander's grave is not particularly ornate when compared to some of the monuments surrounding him in Oakland Cemetery, but it catches the eye with its many surfaces full of inscriptions. *Photo by Tarah Thomas*

The inscription on this side of the stone states that Percy was shot nearly two weeks before he died. Photo by Tarah Thomas. — The inscription on this side of the stone states that Percy was shot nearly two weeks before he died. *Photo by Tarah Thomas.*

The Ones Who Came Before

Four tiny graves are next to Percy's grave in the Alexander plot. Three are siblings who were born and died before Percy was born. One was born after Percy, but still died as a child. Photo by Tarah Thomas. — Four tiny graves are next to Percy's grave in the Alexander plot. Three are siblings who were born and died before Percy was born. One was born after Percy, but still died as a child. *Photo by Tarah Thomas.*

The Man

A young Percy in his West Point cadet uniform in an undated photo, likely taken about 1907. Photo courtesy of Findagrave.com and user Jen Snoots. — A young Percy in his West Point cadet uniform in an undated photo, likely taken about 1907. *Photo courtesy of* *Findagrave.com* *and user Jen Snoots.*

The Shooting

On a Sunday night in August 1912, Samuel Johnson, shot Percy on the veranda at Mrs. Walter B. Jacobs' house. Percy survived the initial shooting.

The Manhunt

After the shooting, a manhunt ensued across multiple parishes for the murderer, Sam Johnson. Sam was eventually captured in Provencal, Louisiana, and held in the Rapides Parish jail; Sheriff Flournoy fearing that in Shreveport, a mob would try to exact its own justice. Photo courtesy of the News-Star and Newspapers.com. — After the shooting, a manhunt ensued across multiple parishes for the murderer, Sam Johnson. Sam was eventually captured in Provencal, Louisiana, and held in the Rapides Parish jail; Sheriff Flournoy fearing that in Shreveport, a mob would try to exact its own justice. *Photo courtesy of the News-Star and* *Newspapers.com*.

The Death

Percy improved initially, but 13 days after the shooting, he died of an infection. Courtesy of The New Orleans Weekly Item and Newspapers.com. — Percy improved initially, but 13 days after the shooting, he died of an infection. *Courtesy of The New Orleans Weekly Item and* *Newspapers.com*.

The Mob

Despite attempts by Sheriff Flournoy to bring Sam Johnson back to Shreveport in secret, word got out and a mob accosted deputies transporting the prisoner and lynched him, leaving a typewritten warning. Courtesy of The Times-Democrat and Newspapers.com. — Despite attempts by Sheriff Flournoy to bring Sam Johnson back to Shreveport in secret, word got out and a mob accosted deputies transporting the prisoner and lynched him, leaving a typewritten warning. *Courtesy of The Times-Democrat and* *Newspapers.com*.

Percy Alexander's murder left his parents with one remaining living child. Percy was buried in Oakland Cemetery next to his four siblings who died before him.