Monday, January 12, 2015

**MARCH 27TH M C




UNDER THE BIG OAK:
Easter Edition




Happy Easter. Its a special Easter Edition of "Under the Big Oak." Special Easter Day items mixed with the news of today's date, April 20th. from the newspapers of Vermilionville and Early Lafayette. 




THE HAPPIEST EASTER.
A STORY OF THE QUEEN OF FESTIVALS AMONG THE TYROLESE.
(Copyright 1893, by American Press Association.)






 Grandma sat knitting and looking out of window. Easter was not far off, and Nellie had been talking of her new dress, which would be done that day, while Maggie has been thinking of a beautiful Easter card which she knew she would be sure to receive. All of them had been talking of the beautiful eggs of every imaginable color which they they would have that morning.

  
 "Grandma," said Tommy as he quit pinching the cat's ear for a moment, "did you love Easter when you were a girl?"

"Yes, indeed," said a gentle voice.

"Tell us of the happiest Easter you ever remember," said Nellie as she glanced up.
Grandma sat looking dreamily out of the window for a few moments and then said:

"I will tell you about my Buster across the ocean."

Nellie climbed upon her knee, and Mary crept up closer, while even Tommy forgot to tease the cat, and it jumped down and scampered under the bed.

"Well," said Grandma, "it was many years ago that I lived as the happiest of happy girls in the beautiful Zillerthall of the eastern Alps. Poets may rave over Switzerland, but people cannot know what real beauty is till they have seem the mountains and valleys of Tyrol. I had been left an orphan when only 4 years old and had been reared by my aunt and uncle and treated as one of the family. I did my part of the work about the house just as the other girls - my cousins - did, and having known no other home was just as happy as they. We lived well for my uncle was in comfortable circumstances, as, in fact, all the Tyrolese are, but that did not prevent us doing the work that is a part of every Tyrolese family, and there were few girls in all the Zillerthal who were better judges of good wool and flax, or who would spin and weave faster or more neatly, than I. In the summer of my 17th year I met Wilhelm Constanz, who was two years older than I.

"For a week I had wondered how he looked. He was the son of our near neighbor and friend but I had never seen him, for he had spent all his life away from home except the two years I had been in Germany. For four years past he had been in the wonderful city of Inuspruck, with its deeply learned people, and since he had come back with his diploma I knew he must be very, very wise. So wise did I think him that I was really afraid to meet him, and when I went up on the side of the mountain back of our house and called the cows the echo of his mellow voice, which came across the valley, caused my heart to beat with a strange trepidation."






 Sedate Miss Maggie, with a flush on her face, opened her book and appeared to be very much interested, and it deceived every one in the room, except grandma.

"Though he had been home for a week," continued the gentle voice, "I had never seen him when preparations were begun for the ceremony of "blessing the grain fields."

"What is that?" asked all the children.

"In the Tyrol, my dears, for many hundreds of years, the people have not had a great deal to do with the outside world, but have lived to themselves, untouched by the changes of civilization. As a result, they have preserved the primitive simplicity and childlike faith of generations gone before, and continue to celebrate the festivals and rites of their ancestors as they were originally celebrated. Two of their most important ceremonies are the blessing of the grain in midsummer, and the rejoicing of their joy at the beginning of their new religious year on Easter morning.

"When the morning for blessing the grain fields came, we all, for miles around, assembled down in the village in front of the church. I found that I had had been chosen to lead the girls and that Wilhelm was the leader of the young men. And then for the first time I saw him and saw how handsome he was. The procession was quickly formed. The venerable father - out priest - coming out from his church, carried the host under a golden hued canopy. Crowds of little girls in pure white went in front of him. We older girls came next, followed by the married women, and then came the boys, young men and elders. And all the time the procession was forming and marching through the streets, out of the village into the country, and during the chants and prayers on the way, and in the fields when the procession would stop and prayers of thanksgiving would be offered, followed by supplications for future blessings, I fear my thoughts were fare away from the religious ceremony.

"And as for Wilhelm, I fear his thoughts were equally astray, for whenever we came near enough to see each other a furtive glance would show me that he was looking at me. The festival of the Maria Himmolsfahrt - the ascension of the Virgin - when the sacred rite of blessing the grain fields takes place among the Tyrolese, is the great summer festival, and the beautiful church banners, the oil paintings of religious subjects, the highly colored or gilded statues from the church and chapels, all carried aloft by the men and glistening in an August sun, make a sight which once seen can never be forgotten. But all things come to a close, and even upon the day of the Himmelsfahrt the evening found me laying aside my quaint flat, round hat and bright colored silk apron to go up on the mountain side and call the cows and hear the "Hunter's Love Song" in Wilhelm's voice come floating across the valley, as usual to me.

\
* * * * * * *


"The fall and winter passed away and spring came. The snow still lingered on the top of the mountains, and the ice was still locked in its gorges. It was the closing of the season of Lent, the time of humiliation and prayer and penitential thoughts. One day I went to uncle, who was a very stern man, and I summoned courage to tell him of the love existing between Wilhelm and me.









" 'Yes, the impudent fellow has told me,' said Uncle angrily, 'and I at once forbade him ever coming near here or speaking to you again. I have already selected your future husband. There is no better man in the Tyrol than Caspar Rechtmann, and his farm on the other side of the village is as lovely a piece of land as there is in the whole Zillerthal. Who is this Wilhelm? What can he do? A spoiled child rendered useless by indulgent parental. An idle minnesinger who knows only how to troll Tyrolese love songs to silly girls and waste his time hunting the red deer and the chamois when he should be garnering grain like an honest farmer. No! The tinkling sound of his zitner and the twang of his guitar may turn your foolish brain, but they cannot affect me.

 " 'The broad acres of my friend Caspar and the gold in his strongbox will insure you a prosperous life and a secure home. And besides I have given him my word, since your father, relying upon my good judgment, left you to me in his will to be reared as one of my own daughters. I have spoken. You may go.' And I left my uncle's presence almost wishing I could die."

"You didn't desert Wilhelm, did you, grandma?" said Maggie as the color came and went.

"Children in the Tyrol do not lightly disobey their parents," said grandma, with a smile, "and while I might not have felt my duty go so far with uncle the dying wishes of my father. I felt were sacred. I think I must have wept all the nights and most of the days for the next week and one morning as I went to call the cows whom should I meet upon the side of the mountain but" -

"Wilhelm!" exclaimed Tommy, "and did he have his gun and pistols, and horse to carry you away?"

"No, dear," said grandma laughing: "he was almost as downhearted as I. And I told him about my father's will, and he bade me hope, for he did not believe it, and he would find out. And so I felt hopeful, for I knew that Wilhelm was very, very wise, since he had been among the learned men of Inuspruck.

"Next evening he met me, and his face was wreathed in such happy smiles that my heart leaped for joy. And he told me he had seen a copy of the will in the hands of the notary who held it, and that while it did say for my uncle to bring me up as one of his own daughters it especially said, 'But when my daughter reaches womanhood's estate I desire that her choice of a husband shall be free and untrammeled, so that in talking the one great step in life she shall follow only the dictates of her own heart.' And then I cried for joy, and Wilhelm insisted on going back to the house with me, and he and uncle were closeted together for a long time, so long that I went with my cousins to sleep and did not see them anymore that night.


* * * * * * *


"Next morning was Easter morn. Of course we were all up long before sunrise, for no one in the Tyrol would miss seeing the sun dances on Easter."
"You don't really mean to say that the sun dances?" asked Nellie, looking up into Grandma's face.

"Did you never hear of the sun dancing on Easter morn?" asked grandma in return.
"Why, the children of the eastern Alps from early infancy are told of this, and is said that the season of Lent, with its penitence and sorrow having passed away, the sun on Easter morn, starting a new full year of hope and promise after the washing away of sin, rises so full of happiness that it dances for joy.

"On the morning i mention my uncle, as soon as he knew I was awake, called me into his room and told me of Wilhelm showing him a copy of my father's will. He said he had not known of the 'strange request' it contained, as he had merely been told of its provisions by the notary, and while he was amazed beyond expression, yet having learned his dead brother's wishes he felt it his duty to carry them out, and hence withdrew any opposition to my foolish desires."

"But did the sun dance?" asked Nellie.

"It certainly appeared so to me that morning," said grandma. "When I went out of doors, the sun was just rising over the top of the distant mountains, and it danced and danced so that I could scarcely see it when I first looked at it, and my eyes filled so full of tears with unspeakable happiness that I finally couldn't see it at all."

"Oh,! You mean it looked like it was dancing because you were crying," said Tommy in disgust.

"And when the Trolese musicians singing Easter hymns, came past our house," continued grandma, "I knew a voice and a zither before they came in sight. They came up to the door, as they always go, and we rejoice in the chorus and to me the flowers that decorated the singers never looked so beautiful. The guitars and the zithers, with human voices, never blended in such exquisite melody, and the lovely Easter carols never before seemed to have such a grand yet tender meaning."

"Did you have any colored eggs?" asked Tommy.

"Oh, yes, and to the children who came along with the singers we made our offering of Easter eggs, which my aunt poured in to their baskets, and to the older ones we made other little offerings. Each one gave some little Easter offering to some one else."

"What did Wilhelm give you?' asked Nellie.

"A little jeweled heart which he said represented his own."

"And what was your offering to him?" asked Maggie.

"Myself," was the reply.

"Oh, I thought you married grandpa," said Tommy, "and his name was Heinrich."

"His first name was Wilhelm, my dear," said grandma as she wiped her spectacles.
REBECCA BREEMAN.
Lafayette Advertiser 4/1/1893.






 From the Lafayette Gazette of March 27th, 1897:


Sheriff Broussard Will Not Hire Hang-man.
Sheriff Ike Broussard
  The announcement made by Sheriff Broussard that he would execute the Blanc brothers without the aid or services of a hangman, should meet with the approbation of all right-thinking people.


[Following is from the Baton Rouge Truth.]

  
 "The Secretary of State, Hon. Jno. T. Michel, a short time since received a letter from Taylor, the hangman, requesting that when the Governor signs warrants for the execution of criminals in various parishes that he would fix a different date for each, in order to enable the writer to do a wholesale business. He says he is an adept and never bungled a job, although he has sent many a poor wretch into the presence of his God. He also suggests that the next session of the Legislature a law be enacted providing for an official State executioner, and that he receive the appointment. This is a strange ambition, and shows plainly to what depth of brutality human nature can sink. He is a man of excellent traits, so we are told, otherwise than his desire to make a small amount of money out of the death of a human being. We do not think the law should permit such creatures to be employed, but should require the sheriff and his regular deputies to perform this disagreeable duty. There is something so repulsive in having to do with a hireling hangman that every decent man shrinks from the contact, while no odium attaches to the performance of one's lawful duties. A sheriff may execute a criminal without compunction or remorse, and public sentiment would approve, as it does in the case of a military officer who commands a firing detail at the execution of a soldier. It is the paid ruffian who is held in abhorrence, and not the public official."
Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.







A REPRIEVE
Will Be Asked for the Blanc Brothers by the French Consul of New Orleans who Will try to Get a Commutation of Sentence.

 M. D'Anglade, the French consul at New Orleans, the Times-Democrat tells us, has become interested in the fate of the Blanc brothers sentenced to hang here on the 3d day of April. It seems that the representative of the French government has called upon Attorney General Cunningham to find out what measures must be taken in the application for a reprieve, with a view of ultimately securing a commutation. Speaking of his visit to the attorney-general the Times-Democrat says:

 "Consul D'anglade does not deny that a horrible crime was committed, nor does he contend that there was anything irregular in the trial. Neither is he influenced by any feeling of nationality, as the boy murderers and the murdered man were all French. He is actuated solely by a broad feeling of humanity in trying to stay the execution. He takes the view that the boys never had the advantage of restraining home influence or education, and from the roaming life they led became depraved and easily fell into error. This fact, taken in connection with their youth, he thinks should save them from the gallows. The younger boy, at any rate, he thinks should not be hanged, as he was under the influence of his brother and was actuated in the part he took solely by motive of robbery, the actual murder being committed by the elder brother.

 "Attorney General Cunningham listened attentively to everything Consul D'Anglade had to say, and advised him as to the proper form in which to get his request before the Board of Pardons. The Attorney General also suggested to the consul that a movement looking to a commutation of sentence would probably have more weight if it came from Lafayette parish, where all the facts were known. The consul appreciated the force of the suggestion and it is probable that efforts will be made to enlist sympathy for the boys in the parish where the murder was committed."

 The Gazette does not think that there will be or should be a reprieve, much less a commutation, in this case.

 We do not believe that a single person in the parish of Lafayette will sign a petition asking that a reprieve be granted. It is unnecessary to comment upon the atrocity and fiendishness of this crime, whose details are only too well known, and no sympathy for the murderers can be expected from the people of this parish. They were fairly tried, ably defended, convicted and sentenced to hang and justice should be speedily meted out to him. Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.





THE BLANCS

Visited in the New Orleans Prison - They Attend Mass in the Chapel.

 A representative of The Gazette visited the Blanc brothers in the New Orleans prison last Saturday. Being accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Mouton, we found no difficulty in being admitted into the prison. So many people call to see young murderers that Captain Fulhan was compelled to place the following notice on the door: "No one can see the Blanc brothers without an order from the sheriff of Lafayette." Despite this information some curious folk insist upon an audience with the notorious criminals and retrace their steps only after being repeatedly told that they can not be seen without a written request from Sheriff Broussard.

 The visitor who expects to be ushered into dismal corridors and dingy cells, is agreeably surprised. On the contrary, upon entering the prison he is struck with the open-handed hospitality of he officials and the scrupulously clean appearance of everything that meets his eyes. Captain Thomas Fulham and the turnkey, Jack Villere, are exceedingly courteous gentlemen and it does not take them long to make their guest feel perfectly at home. When we called, Ernest and Alexis had not yet been place in the condemned cells on the fourth floor.

 There was no perceivable change in the appearance of Ernest, but Alexis did not look as well as he did when he was taken out of the Lafayette jail. He said that he had no appetite and was losing flesh rapidly. He asked several times if the governor had fixed the day for the execution and seemed to be more interested in that fact that was his brother, Ernest. The latter held in his hand one of Dumas' novels which he placed on a shelf when he recognized the visitors. He said he was still enjoying good health and was very well treated by the officials of the prison. He appeared pleased to see some one of Lafayette and asked if there was anything new. After a few minutes spent with the prisoners and Capt. Fulham, we left the prison. Ernest asked Deputy Sheriff Mouton to call again and the next day we paid another visit to the prisoners. It being Sunday morning services were held in the chapel. About 150 prisoners were in attendance. The Blanc brothers were seated together and participated in the ceremonies with apparent devotion. After mass had been concluded all the prisoners were returned to their cells, with the exception of Ernest and Alexis who remained several minutes in the chapel. Sister Mary Borgia of the convent of Mercy spoke to them and gave them a few devotional articles which they received with evident satisfaction. The kind words of the good nun seemed to please them very much.
Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.





LIVES AND CONFESSIONS

Of Ernest and Alexis Blanc Written by Themselves.

 The lives of Ernest and Alexis Blanc written and signed by the young murderers themselves and printed in pamphlet form, will be sold at 25 cents a copy on the day of the hanging, Friday, April 2. It is in the French language and contains an account of the murder as well as the confessions of he murderers. In the pamphlet will, be found the early impressions of the Blanc brothers, who tell the story of their lives in their own language and in their own way, They speak of their mother, and one of the them devotes several pages to his sweetheart.

 The book will be on sale at the office of The Lafayette Gazette, the post-office, Mouton Bros.' and Martin & Ducote's.
Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.




Not Friendless.

The following letter has been sent to the Blanc brothers, through Sheriff Broussard:

CROWLEY, La., Blanc Brothers,

  Dear Friends - As I have learned of your condition through the papers I feel it is my duty as a child of God to ask you how do you stand with your God. Do you feel satisfied that when you leave this world you will be at rest? If not, I beg you in the name of Him who died to save you from sin, to get ready now. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, pleading for us and inviting us to be saved. It was your honesty in your confession of the deed that impressed me most, and Jesus says if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And as he forgave the thieves on the cross I know that he can save you. And now, once again, in the name of Jesus, I beg you to go to him and confess your sins and ask his forgiveness and believe his promises and be saved. This is the prayer of your humble servant.
                                                                                                      AMEN.
Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.






A FATAL SHOT
Accidentally Fired by a Nine-Year-old Boy Kills His Playmate Four Years His Senior.

Joseph Emile, 9 years old, Ulysee Cook, 13 years old, and several other little negroes living on Mr. Levy's plantation near Scott went out hunting last Sunday. The gun which Emile's hands was fired accidentally, the load taking effect in Cook's liver, causing instant death. Dr. Trahan was called and held an inquest Monday morning over the body of the boy. As everything showed there was no criminality attached to the killing the jury reported a verdict of accidental homicide. Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.




A COTTON COMPRESS

Will Very Likely be the Next Improvement in Lafayette.

 The Business Men's Association of Lafayette held a meeting a few days ago to consider the meeting a few days ago to consider the matter of a projected enterprise in this town, which, if successful, will be of immense benefit to the local trade. A compress would be of incalculable good to this town and parish, and it is to be hoped that the gentlemen who are endeavoring to organize a company that will build and operate a compress will be encouraged and assisted in every possible manner by those who are in a position to do so.

 At its last meeting the Business Men's Association appointed the following committee to take the matter in hand:  Dr. Thos. B. Hopkins, J. J. Davidson, T. M. Biossat and Crow Girard. The committee met Monday in Mr. Girard's law office and organized by electing Mr. Girard chairman and Mr. Davidson secretary.

 The Gazette is informed by the members of the committee that every indication points to the fact that before the harvest of the next crop the compress will be another unmistakable evidence that Lafayette has made up her mind to be classed in the future among the progressive and thriving towns of Louisiana.
Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.



An Enjoyable Outing. - Last Saturday a number of young folk accompanied by their chaperons spent the day at the Beausejour Springs. After enjoying themselves in the swings and in games they partook of a splendid feast spread for them on the green lawn. During the afternoon they took a pleasant ride aboard the Edith and went a few arpents beyond the Pin Hook bridge. Those present were: Mmes. Winkler, T. M. Eves, Misses Alice Abbott, Daisy Mouton, Lizzie Cayard, Cecile Breaux, Medora Lindsay, Virgie Younger, Victoria Riu, Messrs. W. C. Triay, J. W. Johnson, J. L. Mouton, Joe Lisbony, Ed Bertrand, W. Riu, J. M. Marsh. Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.



In Lafayette for Health. - Mrs. Eugene Derbes, of Chicago, arrived in Lafayette a few days ago, and is the guest of Mrs. Priollaud. Mrs. Derbes has come South on account her health and should the climate prove beneficial to her she will remain her permanently. Mrs. Derbes is a talented musician, having been during a number of years connected with the Metropolitan Conservatory of Chicago and is recommended by Mr. George W. Kelsey, director of that well-known institution, as a vocal teacher of a high order of ability. The Gazette is requested to state that Mrs. Derbes will be pleased to receive the visit of any one who wish to take lessons in vocal music. Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.




Amicably Adjusted.

The differences which existed between the Police Jury and the Pauly Jail Building Company concerning the material to be used in the construction of the steel cells, has been amicably adjusted. Key-bar iron will be used instead of flat-bar iron, and the parish will pay an additional amount of $187.50. Mr. Harmon, the superintendent, is pushing the work and will no time to complete the job.

 The committee, Messrs. Wm. Clegg, R. C. Landry and R. C. Greig, met with Mr. Hull, the contracting agent of the jail company, last Tuesday and effected an adjustment. The entire misunderstanding grew out of the fact that Mr. Hull had proposed six different plans or propositions to the jury, four direct and two alternate. The jury accepted plan No. 4 which did not provide for the key-bar work. According to the compromise entered into the parish will get the desired wood by paying $187.50 additional - just half the regular price. Mr. Hull gave assurance that the work should be strictly first-class and when completed the jail will be one of the finest in the State. Mr. Wm. Clegg, the superintendent architect, is attending to his duties in the premises and will allow no imposition in the way of inferior material.
 Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.






THE ISSUE IS CLEAR.
 When the present City Council took charge of the municipal affairs of this town the condition of things which then prevailed was not at all satisfactory, but two years of wise and judicious administration have brought about a decided change. When the preceding Council went out of office, there was not enough money in the treasury to pay outstanding debts and the corporation was indebted to a number of citizens. These debts were paid by the present Council, despite the fact that the revenues during the first year of its incumbency were curtailed nearly one half owing to the decision of the Supreme Court which prevented the collection of taxes from the "additons." By this decision the town was deprived of nearly half its revenues. But the "additons: were soon re-incorporated and it required the same amount to run the town although the money collected was far from being what it was the year before. We repeat that the Council was handicapped by this large decrease in the revenues of the town; nevertheless old debts contracted and left unpaid by the preceding Council were liquidated and all new obligations were met in regular order. The financial affairs of the corporation have been administered in a straight, business-like manner. The proceedings of the council published monthly never failed to show how every cent collected had been spent, or if not expended, where it was. This part of the people's business has been particularly well attended to. Theses are the facts, cold, stubborn facts. The books are the there to prove their correctness. The town has been as well lighted as ever before; the police have been equally as good; the town owes no one, and there is a surplus in the treasury of over $1,200 without counting the amount raised by the collection of the special tax - the last report of the treasurer shows $1,600 to the credit of the latter fund.

 How was it that under the former Council, when the men who want to get into power, were at the helm?

 Without wishing to be unnecessarily severe, we are compelled to say that the finances of the town were in very bad shape. Will any supporter of the People's ticket gainsay this? Is it not a fact that there was a shortage of some seven hundred dollars, the result of loose management of the public funds?

 There is no use getting excited about this thing. The issue is clear. It is whether we are going to have a continuance of good municipal government or a return to the old order of things.

 The success of the Democratic ticket headed by Mr. Charles D. Caffery means an intelligent, business-like administration such as we have been having under the present Council. Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.




Proclamation.

 State of Louisiana, Parish of Lafayette, Town of Lafayette, March 22, 1897.-- Notice is hereby given that at the municipal primary election held in said town on March 18, 1897, pursuant to a call of the Democratic Executive Committee of said town, the following candidates for mayor and councilmen, received the following votes, to-wit:
 It is therefore proclaimed that the foregoing candidates having received the majority of the votes cast at said primary are the regular nominees of the Democratic party for mayor and councilmen, to be voted for at the municipal election on the first Monday of May, 1897, according to the provisions of the charter of said town.

 Notice is further hereby given, that the following Democrats were elected at said primary, to constitute the Democratic Executive Committee of the town of Lafayette, to wit: Julian Mouton, Edward G.  Voorhies., Isaac A. Broussard, Dr. A. R. Trahan, Henry Church.
              A. R. Trahan, M. D., Chairman Executive Democratic Committee, Town of Lafayette. -- J. J. Davidson, Secretary. Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.









 From the Lafayette Advertiser of March 27th, 1897:

 BLANC BROTHERS.
   [From the Time-Democrat.]

 The French consul in this city has become interested in the fate of the Blanc brothers, sentenced to be hanged on the 2d. of April for the murder of Begnaud, in Lafayette parish. The crime for which the youthful murderers are sentenced to be hanged was of a most deliberate and cruel nature, and the boys are confined in the Parish Prison awaiting their doom.

 Consul D' Anglade called on Attorney General Cunningham yesterday afternoon for the purpose of ascertaining the necessary steps to make application for a reprieve, with the view of ultimately securing a commutation of sentence.

 Consul D' Anglade does not deny that a horrible crime was committed, nor does he contend that there was anything irregular in the trial. Neither is he influenced by any feeling of nationality, as the boy murderers and the murdered man were all French. He is actuated solely by a broad feeling of humanity in trying to stay the execution. He takes the view that the boys never had the advantage of restraining home influences or education, and from the roaming life they led became depraved and easily fell into error. This fact taken in connection with their youth, he thinks should save them from the gallows. The younger boy, at any rate, he thinks should not be hanged, as he was under the influence of his brother and was actuated in the part he took in the murder solely by motives of robbery, the actual murder being committed by the elder brother.

 Attorney General Cunningham listened attentively to everything Consul D' Anglade had to say, and advised him as to the proper form in which to get his request before the Board of Pardons. The Attorney General also suggested to the consul that a movement looking to a commutation of sentence would probably have more weight if it came from Lafayette parish, where all the facts were known. The consul appreciated the force of the suggestion and it is probable that will be made to enlist sympathy for the boys in the parish where the murder was committed.

 The death warrant, signed by Gov. Foster, for the execution of Ernest and Alexis Blanc the 2d proximo, was read to the prisoners March 24 by Sheriff Broussard. Sheriff Broussard, with Mr. LeBlanc and Dr. Trahan and several other citizens, some from Lafayette and the others from the parish of Iberia, reached the city yesterday over the Southern Pacific road. They went at once to the Parish Prison, where the sheriff was to carry out the unpleasant mission.

 It was 8:30 o'clock when the party arrived at the prison, and when Capt. Fulham learned the object of their visit he had Ernest and Alexis Blanc removed from their cages and taken into one of the large and brightly lighted corridors. Here the two condemned boys greeted the sheriff politely, and Alexis said that he had been unwell. Sheriff Broussard felt his pulse and remarked that he had some fever then. The prisoner's cheeks showed a hectic flush from the fever.

 As the two boys stood together the crowd uncovered their head, and in a clear voice Sheriff Broussard read the warrant.

 Alexis Blanc, the younger brother, was perfectly calm at the reading of the document, but Ernest was nervous and turned very pale as the words speaking his doom fell from the lips of the sheriff. When the sheriff had concluded both of the brothers expressed themselves as being perfectly satisfied, and said it was what they expected. They said they thoroughly understood the reading, but wanted to be positive as to the day of the execution, and the sheriff said April 2d. Ernest Blanc remarked that is one week from next Friday.

 Some of the present chatted with the prisoners in French, and some of those present gave them some pocket change. When asked if they did not know that the French consul was working trying to save them, they said they knew he was, but they thought it was too late, for him to accomplish anything in their behalf.

 Ever since the two murderers have in in the Parish Prison Sheriff Uniacke has kept them closely confined in their cells, and this the prisoners did not like. Ernest Blanc appealed to Sheriff Broussard, who promised to see Sheriff Uniacke and if the latter could safely allow them the privilege of the corridor their request would no doubt be granted. The sheriff says he will return the murderers to Lafayette either Monday or Tuesday of next week.

 The French consul will not interpose any official objections  to the consummation of the death decree against Blanc brothers. His efforts in behalf of the young Frenchmen and a man, inspired, as he says, by humanity.

 The French population will make an immense effort to save the boys. Tuesday night a meeting was held of representatives from the fourteen French societies of this city, and a petition was started praying for the commutation of the death sentence. The petition will be carried all over the city among the French residents, and it is expected to hand to the Governor a list embodying thousands of names.

 Mr. J. B. D' Anglade, the French consul, was interviewed at his office in Rampart street yesterday afternoon. "I will not take any official action in connection with the death sentence of the Blanc brothers," said he. "I have no grounds upon which to predicate any such action. I have called upon the Attorney General and had a private conservation with him. My object was to find out what can be done for the boys. It seems that I can do nothing but to interest my friends and representative people in their behalf. I shall do this to the best of my ability. If it becomes necessary to go to Lafayette in order to do this, I shall go. If the French societies see fit to send to me the petitions which they are getting I shall transmit the same to the proper officials with my personal endorsement thereupon.

 "It is impossible for any one not to be sorry for the poor brothers. Their heads were turned by reading dime novels. They are so young, and it seems so hard for them to have to die. The were so innocent except for the this horrible crime. Why should they have gone back again to the scene of their crime? You can not say it was to commit another murder. There are thousands of other places where they could have committed another murder with less danger than there. No, it was a proof of their mental irresponsibility. They are very friendless. They have not one friend in the whole country. Most criminals, or those who are accused have some one to work for them. These boys have none. It is for all of these reasons that I am trying to do something for them. I hope they may be saved from the gallows." Lafayette Advertiser 3/27/1897.


A Narrow Escape. - The young son of Mr. Chas. Guidry living seven miles south of Lafayette, met with an accident Monday, which in some miraculous manner did not prove fatal. The young boy, about 6 years old, was following behind the horse that was attached to the clever of a horse power, when the rope broke allowing the alarm to fly back striking the boy in the forehead crushing in the skull the size of a half dollar. Dr. Tolson was at once sent for and through his prompt and careful attention hopes are entertained for the boy's recovery. Lafayette Advertiser 3/27/1897.


B.M.A./Cotton Compress.

 The Business Men's Association of Lafayette met at The First National Bank last Friday to discuss the advisability of erecting a Compress at this point.

 The following committee was appointed to fully investigate the matter and report to the next meeting.

 Messrs. F. V. Mouton, T. B. Hopkins, T. M. Biossat, and J. J. Davidson. It is to be hoped the gentlemen will receive sufficient encouragement in their investigation to warrant them in landing in a favorable report.
Lafayette Advertiser 3/27/1897.

RACES.

 Races will take place on the Surrey Race Course, near Lafayette, Sunday, March 28th, 1897, between Silvanie, belonging to Sylvin Cormier of Breaux Bridge and Fi "D" the Cochrane filly, of Lafayette. Distance 6 arpents; purse $50.00 admission to the track: 25cts. Other interesting races will take place on the same day.  Laf. Advertiser 3/27/1897.



News Notes (Advertiser) 3/27/1897.

 The parlors of the Century Club are open to all visitors to Lafayette, who wish to spend a few hours reading any of the journals and Periodicals on the Club tables.

 Mrs. Alb. Voorhies met with a slight accident Sunday. While passing along the side walk that was badly out of repair she tripped and was thrown violently, breaking one tooth.

 R. F. Hogsett, general manager of the Teche and Vermilion Telephone line was in town Tuesday, inspecting the lines and making some slight changes.

 A two week mission will begin in the Catholic church March 28th to be conducted by the Rev. Father Knapp, whose reputation as a gifted preacher and an eloquent pulpit orator will attract large audiences. Lafayette Advertiser 3/27/1897.










 From the Lafayette Advertiser of March 27th, 1869:


Wet and Disagreeable Weather.

 The weather for the few days past has been wet and disagreeable, and will, we are certain, interfere with the repairing of our highways and the planting interests of the Parish ;  a great many have already planted and seed is still in the ground with an almost certainty, there to rot. The heavy rains of this and the preceding week, are certainly injurious to our cropping prospects, but we know the same will be remedied by the determination and indomitable disposition evinced by our planting and growing population, white, and black, in their many preparations for the coming harvest. As we have already said, more can be effected for our country by the united and untiring efforts of the cultivator and husbandman, than by the useless and futile declamations of our ablest orators, against the exactions of a government whose cut and dried system and programs of oppression must run its course to self destruction. Let our great planting interests be never lost sight of, but by proper cultivation, untiring industry, improvement in our different staples and misfortunes and in the midst of oppression make our fields smile and teem with plenty. 
Lafayette Advertiser 3/27/1869.


 Damaging Winds.
 In another article to writing this we noticed the heavy rains, with which our section of country has been drenched and afflicted, but since the same, heavy winds have occurred, which inevitably must have blown down fences and residences and out houses, in various portions of our Parish. In out Town a good deal of the fencing was destroyed and one crib and stable completely torn down. At Vermilion Bridge, a negro girl had both legs broken and her head severely, if not fatally injured, by the fall of a tree. Various other accounts of damages to property and person are every moment reaching our ears ;  the extent of damage by the wind on Wednesday, cannot as yet be ascertained. Lafayette Advertiser 3/27/1869.


 Cotton Crop.
 The Cotton crop of this Parish for last year is about 12,000 bales--the previous 4,000. Before the war the yearly crop was from 16,000 to 20,000 bales. But the price now is twice what it was then ;  and the advantages to the parish greater, as the laborers' and a considerable part of the employers' money is under the new order of things, expended and put into circulation within the parish, and not sent abroad for unprofitable investments as formerly. From "Journal" and in Laf. Advertiser 3/27/1869.


 Turkey Theft.
 A gent of the colored persuasion was tried during this week for stealing a turkey, weighing twenty-three pounds only, and then in a bony condition. His case appeared before Judge A. J. Moss. The bird, without attorney's and other legal trimmings, cost Cuffes a bond of one hundred dollars to appear at next term of the Court. Dear Turkey !
Lafayette Advertiser 3/27/1869.




 POLICE JURY.

 Regular Meeting of March 1st, 1869.
Members present: P. S. Arceneaux, President, and Messrs. R. LeBlanc and R. C. Landry.
 On motion, A. Monnier was appointed Constable in lieu of Edmond Pellerin, absent.

 The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

 Resolved, that the collections of the Parish Taxes for 1868, be sold by the Constable to the lowest bidder, in front of the Court House.

 Resolved, that Fernest Martin is appointed collector of the Parish Licenses for the year 1869 at the rate of 7 per cent.

Resolved, that the collector of the taxes for the years 1865, 1866 and 1867, is hereby authorized to proceed immediately to collect said taxes by seizure and sale if necessary.

 Resolved that the Collector of the Parish taxes for 1868 and Licenses 1869, furnish his bond with good securities in the sum of Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars.

 By virtue of the Law, all inhabitants regardless of color, from 18 to 45 years of age, owe a certain amount of road duty in each ward respectively in this parish,
  Therefore be it resolved, that the commissioners of their respective wards proceed regularly to notify as soon as practicable those inhabitants to report to him on a specified time to perform those duties so absolutely necessary and due by them as citizens.

 In addition, be it resolved, that any neglect or disobedience shown to the order issued by said commissioners, then said order shall be enforced by fine and punishment.

 Resolved, that Duclise Comeau, Rosemond Leblanc, and Desire Roy be and they are hereby appointed by the President as directors of Public Schools in the 7th Ward.

 The following accounts were allowed :
L. E. Salles, $97.50--S. Chargois, $20.50; Ed. Pellerin, $120.00.

 On motion the Police Jury adjourned.
P. S. Arceneaux, President.
A. Monnier, Clerk pro. tem.
Lafayette Advertiser 3/27/1869.


City Council of Vermilionville
Session of March 6th, 1869.

 Members present: R. Dugat, President; S. A. Salles, Henry Landry, G. C. Salles.
 Absent: Ed. Pellerin.

 Bonds of the street Contractor and lessee of the Market House received and accepted.

 On motion Resolved, that the street contractor be and is hereby authorized to make a bridge at the end of church street, near Godard's upper line, and draw on the Treasurer of corporation for costs of lumber.

 Resolved that the street contractor be authorized to make the bridge across Main Street in front of the Court House from sidewalk to sidewalk, and draw on the Treasurer for additional expenses.

 On motion it was resolved, that the Constable be and is hereby ordered to strictly enforce the following resolutions :

 Resolved, that any one firing a gun or pistols within the limits of the Corporation shall be fined five dollars or be imprisoned twenty-four hours; one half of said fine to be given to the informant.

 Resolved, that any one tying a horse on the side walk or to the Market house shall be fined five dollars.

 Resolved, that all persons keeping public houses shall have racks for the purpose of hitching horses, and bridges over the gutters in front of the same; also persons having coach gates shall have bridge over the gutter in front of said gates.

 Be it further resolved, that any person failing to comply with the above resolution, shall be fined in the sum of Twenty-five dollars.

 Resolved, that all stores within the limits of the Corporation shall be closed at 2 O'clock P. M., on Sundays, and that any person neglecting to comply with this resolution, shall be fined in the sum of Twenty dollars.

 Resolved, that any persons keeping a stable within the limits of the Corporation, shall keep the same clean and free from all stench, and shall, at least once a week, haul away and deposit out of the corporation, the manure etc., which may accumulate around such establishment ;  under the penalty of a fine of ten dollars for each offence. Resolved, that any person throwing, or causing to be thrown, filth of trash of any kind, on the sidewalks, in the gutters or streets, shall be subject to a fine of five dollars for each offence, and if the same is not removed immediately after notice from the Constable to the owner, or keeper of the premises from whence the filth or trash comes, said owner or keeper of the said premises, shall be compelled to pay the cost of the removal of said trash or filth, and one dollar and fifty cents additional to the constable for his services.

 Resolved, that any one who shall encumber the streets with wagons, carts or vehicles of any kind, shall be fined in the sum of ten dollars for each offence.

 Resolved, that a fine be and is hereby imposed on all persons keeping disorderly houses within the limits of the corporation ;  said fine to be fixed at Twenty-five dollars, and to be recovered before any court of competent jurisdiction.

 Resolved, that any person who shall be found within the limits of the corporation, intoxicated and disturbing the peace and quiet of the citizens of the said town, shall be arrested by the constable and lodged in the parish prison, there to remain not less than 12 nor more than 24 hours and fined five dollars.

 Resolved, that the constable be and is hereby authorized to sell all hogs running at large within the limits of the corporation, on the spot, to the last and highest bidder.

 Resolved, that all persons are hereby prohibited from obstructing the sidewalks in any manner under the penalty of a fine of not less than five dollars.

 Accounts allowed :
 S. Chargois, $1.50.
 H. Eastin, $2.50.

 On motion the Council adjourned.
 Wm. Bailey, Secretary.
 R. Dugat, President.
 Lafayette Advertiser 3/27/1869. ..







lagniappe:
ICE CREAM STANDARD SET

State Board of Health Issues Regulation 29 to Standardize This Toothsome Article.
 Do you know what ice cream is?

 Perhaps you think you do, having qualified by experience in eating various products so named, paying therefore in the coin of the realm, also having encountered the same at church festivals, fairs, etc., at so much per. But ice cream may look like ice cream and yet be sadly deficient, for the Louisiana State Board of Health has stepped in and ice cream is not the simon pure toothsome article we thought we knew unless it conforms to Regulation 29, which established the standard. All manufacturers and dealers are warned after April 1 the Board will enforce the law. Here is the way to tell what ice cream is:

 Regulation 29.

 1. Ice cream is a frozen product made from cream (or cream, milk and eggs) and sugar, with or without a natural flavoring, and may contain not to exceed one per cent or butter fat.

 2. Fruit ice cream is a frozen product made from cream (or cream, milk and eggs) sugar and sound, clean, mature fruits, may contain not to exceed one per cent of the harmless filler and shall contain not less than 3 per cent of butter fat.

 3. Nut ice cream is a frozen product made from cream (or cream, milk and eggs), sugar and sound, non-rancide nuts, may contain not to exceed one per cent of harmless filler and shall contain not less than 3 per cent of butter fat.

 However, there is no need for the ladies to become unduly agitated over the regulation. They can go on as usual and make ice cream whenever they wish and serve it to their friends without first sending for an expert to pass on the genuineness of the ice cream. Here is the why of the regulation:

 It was found necessary to make standards for ice cream as the food value was constantly being lowered by adulteration and use of the cheapest materials, thus encouraging low grade and insanitary manufacture. 
Lafayette Advertiser 3/27/1914.




lagniappe:
THE ADVERTISER'S CARTOON.

 Some time ago The Advertiser likened the editor of The Gazette to an insect. We remonstrated with our esteemed contemporary for being so unkind. We said many things that were calculated to soothe and not to hurt his feelings. Not to be offensive we referred to him, not as an insect, but as rare bird; one of those sea-tossed messengers from a foreign shore. He didn't object to being classed with the feathery tribe and we naturally came to the conclusion that we had correctly classified him. But we have to take his word in the absence of better proof that we were mistaken. In the last issue of his great pictorial weekly he printed a picture. It is one of those exquisite productions of his aesthetic mind and skilled hand. He was generous enough to draw the picture of a poor, little dog which he labeled "Gazette." But genius is erratic, and the ordinary mind can not grasp its eccentricities. In drawing our picture, in a moment of thoughtlessness not uncommon in men of superior intellectual faculties, the artistic editor perhaps by mechanical operation, but we rather believe to be true to nature, drew the likeness of an animal famous in historic record, and which inspired the imitable pens of Aesop and LaFontaine, to illustrate in their fables the folly and stupidity of some of our own kind. There is no question that the picture of the ass graced the editorial page of The Advertiser is a splendid specimen of the great genus Equus. When our worthy confrere was drawing with rapturous pleasure what purported to be likeness of The Gazette, his hand, accustomed to the mysteries of his art, made a perfect counterpart of The Advertiser. The cut representing Mr. Randolph's mule has all the master touches of the artist and would adorn the pages of Puck or Judge. The animal as appears from the length of his hind legs and the height to which they are pitched, is a brisk and high kicker. The morbid and inveterate habit of our contemporary to kick in the air at every election is well taken off in the cut. The only question which we found difficult to solve was whether the animal was indigenous to our soil or of imported stock. However the x-ray appearing at the bottom of the cut, furnished sufficient light on the subject and dispelled any doubt that may have existed in our mind concerning the nationality of the animal, and we have reached the conclusion that under the present system of public education no American mule of ordinary intelligence would have been guilty or spelling the name of the illustrious Virginian with an "f," and we are now of the opinion that the cut represents a genuine imported ass.

 Lafayette Gazette 3/27/1897.



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