The Pike County Journal Zebulon, Pike County, Georgia: March 25, 1892 Lee Blount Kills John Parks The Coroner’s Jury Says It Is Involuntary Manslaughter At Molena last Monday afternoon a difficulty occurred between Lee Blount, a young man about twenty-five years of age, and John Parks, a farmer about forty-five years, in which the latter was instantly killed. Bad Blood has existed between the parties for some time and the comment of those who heard the tragedy on Monday was: “About what I expected.” It was in front of Dr. Whitaker’s drug store that Parks was renewing harsh words with Blount and was in the act of assaulting him with a rock when Blount fired four shots in rapid succession and Parks fell dead in his tracks. He was shot once in the breast and once in the head – either would have produced death. The coroner’s jury returned a verdict of involuntary manslaughter. The coroner made a bunglesome job by issuing a warrant charging murder instead of involuntary manslaughter. The warrant was put in the hands of the sheriff, but Blount had hid out as he did not wish to be arrested under such a warrant. Judge Pope, who has been retained as counsel for Blount, says that he will surrender and give bond as soon as the coroner issues a warrant that is authorized by the facts. (Transcribed 10/23/02 Lynn Cunningham)