Volume I Issue 1
News and Stories from Acadiana’s Past
January 2018
Get Noticed! Place Your Ad Here! Call 337-348-2958 for Details. or Email: acadianabackstory@gmail.com
Best advertising money can The Lafayette Gazette January 26, 1901
1901
The Institute Building
Nearing Completion - Mr. Roy's and Other Homes to Add to the Appearance of the Locality. Contractor A.E. Mouton is usually happy these days. After many months of constant work he is on the eve of seeing the completion of the main building of the Industrial Institute. A few more days and the elegant and spacious structure will be finished. Aside from its great architectural beauty, this building has many exceptional advantages possessed by few others in the country. It is thoroughly modern in every respect, and now that it is about completed, one may have an idea of how well it was planned. That the plan was conscientiously executed there seems to be no doubt. All, the president, building committee, architect, contractor and everybody else connected with it, tried to give the State a good job, and the building itself is the
best evidence of the success of their efforts. It is a grand structure which will stand for ages as an eloquent monument to theintelligence and skill of the builders and to that enlightened spirit of progress which the people of Lafayette displayed in their efforts to have the institution located here. The cost of the building is about $41,000. In this are included a few extra improvements not stipulated in the original contract, amounting to a little over $2000. As soon as practicable the dormitory and other buildings will be erected, preparatory to the opening of the first term next September. An engraver is working on the corner-stone. The lettering originally made on the stone was not satisfactory. The residence of Mr. J.A. Roy near the institute is a very handsome and commodious structure, and adds greatly to the appearance of the surroundings. The building is the work of Contractor Ross.
We are informed that Dr. Moss and other citizens of the town intend to build fine homes in the neighborhood. Mr. Geo. K. Bradford, of Rayne, was at work during the week surveying Mr. Girard's land, with a view of laying it out in lots. We understand that it is Mr. Girard's intention to sell these lots.
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Inside this issue Free Letter From The Editor ………………... …………………
pg. 2
Happy New Year Friends………………... …………………
pg. 5
Ordinance
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pg. 7
Prosperous Lafayette
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pg. 8
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pg. 10
Police Blotter
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Letters From Our Readers
From Our Sister Paper Dear Editor, While waiting to change planes at the Atlanta airport recently, I noticed your paper on a table near where I was sitting. I picked I up and began to skim through it and was pleasantly surprised by the content. Whaat a joy it was to read and what a wonderful idea for a publication! I had never been to Jennings, Louisiana but read every single article on my flight to Chicago and craved more upon finishing. Please add me to your subscriber’s list along with the two others I’ve included payment for. Is it possible to buy back issues as well? I look forward to
reading each issue. Best of luck to you and your staff! I doubt you'll need it thought. Bravo! Linda Davenport Peoria, Illinois Ms. Davenport, Thank you so much for writing to us! We’re amazed that you found our paper in Atlanta, Georgia and we’re glad you enjoyed it so much. Our entire first Volume will be available for purchase soon. Thank you for subscribing. I hope you’ll enjoy our future issues as much as you enjoyed the one you picked up in Atlanta. You can also read our paper online at www.issue.com until you receive our printed copies.
If you have something you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you! Please send letters to the editor by email: acadianabackstory@gmail.com or by mail: 21531 Hwy 395, Jennings, Louisiana 70546.
The Acadiana Backstory
Letter From the Editor It's been said that the daily news is the first draft of history. For more than 150 years, stories about people and events in Acadiana have been written, printed, read, then thrown away. Most of these articles never had a second draft written and were forgotten by readers once the next story came along never to be read again. The complete and unedited first draft of the history of Acadiana exists today on the pages of local newspapers covering daily news since the time of the area's founding. Articles written in the parlance of their times and based on firsthand accounts of those who were eye witnesses gives today's readers the most honest and reliable account of history available. These newspapers are preserved on microfilm and available for viewing at local libraries and universities. You can also view is-
sues of historic papers on The Library of Congress's website. But until now, there has been no other way to get an intimate glimpse into the window of Acadiana's past. The Acadiana Backstory is a new monthly historical publication that offers a convenient and easily accessible way for newspaper readers and history lovers to read about the happenings in the lives of the people who long ago occupied the same ground that we're living on today. We're committed to re-printing long forgotten articles that we find interesting or important without editing any content. The sometimes raw and shocking language you'll see in some articles may be hard for some to digest because of how far we've come as a society. Yet that very language allows us to see the unfiltered truth that existed
in the past that we often want to believe was rare and not as bad as we're now told. It is not the intention of The Acadiana Backstory to offend anyone, but to show the reader exactly what was written so that he or she can have the best opportunity to understand the social norms and conditions of a given time and to see how some ways of thinking evolved as the decades passed by. Most of what you will see, however, are things that will hopefully entertain you and show you why Acadiana is one of the most unique and impressive allAmerican stories never told. Thank you for reading our first issue. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we've enjoyed bringing it to you. Please find us on Facebook and like and follow our page!
The Acadiana Backstory Volume I * Issue 1 * January 2018 Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley Publisher/Graphic Design/Sales Email: acadianabackstory@gmail.com Dustin Chaisson Research Megan Malespin Marketing & Sales Email: jambanews.megan@gmail.com Joshua Daniel Sales/Advertising Email: jambanews.josh@gmail.com Heather Hughes Sales/Advertising Email: heatherhughes808@gmail.com The Acadiana Backstory is an independent monthly historical publication printed in newspaper format. Content is reprinted articles from old newspapers published in the local area that have now ben archived. Some articles are edited for space. Copyright 2018. The Acadiana Backstory is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. Articles and opinions selected for inclusion do not necessarily reflect the view of The Acadiana Backstory. Distribution. The Acadiana Backstory is distributed free of charge Lafayette and the surrounding areas at select locations (you can find them on Facebook) and all our advertisers who choose to distribute.
We Are Now Hiring … We are looking for Sales Representatives in your area! Advertising experience preferred but not necessary. Please contact Dawn Daley at 337-348-2958 and email your resume to address below: jambalayanews@gmail.com
The Acadiana Backstory
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The Opening of the New Hotel Vermilion The Meridional - January 7, 1905
1905
On Wednesday last the new three story brick hostelry, Hotel Vermilion, threw open its doors for the accommodation of the public. It is under the management of G.A. Levy, an erstwhile merchant of our town. Mr. Levy is a suave and agreeable gentle man and will doubtless give entire satisfaction to his patrons. The building is a very handsome one in design, and the interior furnishings unique and costly, and the owner, J.O. Lege, Esq., has spared no expense in erecting this up-to-date hotel, which is an honor to our growing and thriving city. The building has all the usual accessories, baths, tonsorial parlors, an elegant cafe, and is heated with steam throughout. It will be run on both the American and European plan, and promises to be one of the most popular country hostelries in the South.
If you are a history buff, then look no further than Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park in Lafayette, LA. The Bayou Vermilion District’s (BVD) mission focuses both on the environment and the unique culture of Lafayette. As a result of this mission, BVD opened the Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park as a way to preserve and represent the Acadian, Creole and Native American cultures in the Attakapas region from the time period 1765-1890. Since its opening in 1990, the historic village has become one of Lafayette’s premiere tourist attractions welcoming more than 50,000+ visitors each year from around the world. Vermilionville sits on a beautiful tree-covered 23-acre site on the banks of the Bayou Vermilion in the heart of Lafayette, providing a place for history, music, food, cultural exchange, historic architecture and much more. Guests can take a journey through time with costumed artisans, who inform visitors on factual knowledge pertinent to various homes, the village and the represented time period. In fact, artisans practice many customs and traditions relevant to the Acadiana, Creole and Native American cultures such as woodcarving, cotton spinning, soap & candle making, musical styles, dance routines, basket weaving – just to name a few. Vermilionville is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with self-guided or guided tours available. The village also includes a gift shop, La Boutique at Vermilionville, with items available for purchase made by artisans and that are unique to southwest Louisiana. Should you get hungry while touring the park, you can stop in for Creole and Cajun cuisine in their restaurant, La Cuisine de Maman. The restaurant serves daily plate lunch specials Tuesday – Thursday (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.) with weekend buffets Saturday & Sunday (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.) guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds. And, don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes for the Saturday Cajun Jam Session and the Bal du Dimanche featuring Cajun, Zydeco and Swamp Pop bands every weekend. From kayak and canoe lessons and yoga classes to craft workshops and monthly film showings, there is always something taking place at Vermilionville. Please visit BayouVermilionDistrict for a schedule of events and to learn more about the organization.
Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park 300 Fisher Road Lafayette, LA 70508 337-233-4077
www.BayouVermilionDistrict.org
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The Acadiana Backstory
Electro-Anthropology The Opelousas Courier - January 1, 1853
1853
Prof. Shaw has been engaged in our town, for the last ten days, in delivering lectures on the new science of ElectroAnthropology. He has been successful in almost all his experiments, which are truly interesting, edifying and amusing. He is a scientific man and a classical scholar, and appears to have absolute control over the imagination and will of his subjects. Persons put under his influence, perform all things suggested by him, see what he sees, feel what he feels, and are another himself (pass the expression). We believe the Professor can
produce effects not alone entertaining, but also useful in their nature. In fact we have witnessed several cases where Professor Shaw has instantaneously relieved persons from painful rheumatism and other chronic diseases. We have seen in the Professor's hands several notices from the Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia press, and testimonials from a large number of respectable and influential citizens of those States, which testify of his knowledge in this new science. We hope his lectures and classes will continue to be always successful.
Fired At Slave The Opelousas Courier - January 1, 1853
1853
A young man named Baptiste Commeau, residing near Grand Coteau, fired at a negro slave, on Saturday last, and lodged a bullet into his body. It appears that the ball has been extracted, but the boy will probably die. Not knowing the particulars of this affair, we refrain from making any comments upon it.
Man Drowned Himself The Opelousas Courier - January 1, 1853
A RUN AWAY IN JAIL. The Opelousas Courier - January 1, 1853
1853
WAS COMMITTED into the jail of the parish of St. Landry, on the 7th of November 1852, a runaway negro calling himself HENRY, and saying he belongs to a certain John H. Harris, residing on Bayou Sale, in the Paris of St. Mary, from whom he ranaway about the 20th of October last.
Henry is about 35 years old, five feet 6 inches high, of a copper color, and speaks English. The owner is hereby requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take him away, otherwise he will be disposed of according to law. CHS. THOMPSON, Jailor
A-1 Speed Shop & Acc. 213 Service Rd. Rayne, LA 70578 337-334-0344
Let LARC's Acadian Village host your next event in one of our unique venues. Our outdoor, covered Pavilion has nearly 10,000 square feet and can accommodate over 250+ guests. It is an open area venue designed to bring the outdoors in. This is a natural setting for your next company crawfish boil, corporate reception, wedding reception or picnic. The Stutes Building has 3,000 square feet with the ability to hold 150 guests. The building is a replica of an iconic Lafayette landmark which sat on the corner of Ridge Road and Ambassador Caffery Parkway. This legend was a place you could spend a Saturday afternoon drinking beer, getting a haircut, and buying he groceries you needed. This is truly a "room with a view" and is a perfect location to hold your corporate luncheon or next training event. It also provides a unique backdrop for your baby or bridal shower. Step back in time as you walk down the aisle in the New Hope Chapel. This nondenominational building is a replica of an 1850's Acadian style church can seat up to 84 people. This charming chapel is an intimate setting with a rustic feel that is perfect for your wedding or vow renewal. It does have air conditioning and heat for your comfort. Learn more about our rental rates by visiting our website or visit our Facebook page. To schedule a consultation to view our venues or to schedule a contract signing, please contact Erin Shedlof at 337.504.5365 or email a request to erin@acadianvillage.org.
1853
We learn that the body of a man, the name and age of whom we could not get, was found in the Bayou Courtableau, near Washington, on Sunday last. Some suppose that he was one of the hands of some boats employed in transporting the products of Bayou Beuf to Washington, and that he fell overboard and drowned himself.
200 Greenleaf Drive Lafayette, LA 70506 Phone: 337-981-4554 www.acadianvillage.org
The Acadiana Backstory
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A Happy New Year, Friends. The St. Landry Whig - January 2, 1845
1845
With the commencement of 1845, we have nothing particular to say to our friends and patrons, but "a happy and prosperous New Year." As you all know, the close of the old one has been very fierce. We think it well that it has been so. But, as the past year has not been so prosperous to this country as some would have had it, all we can say to you is, endeavor to make the best out of it, by working harder this, and thus make up all losses -if any you have sustained. "Pay whom thou owest," -if you have the money; -and let no man owe you, -if you can help it. As change is very scarce, curtail your small expenses, and you will not need much. And, as large money is ditto, curtail your large expenses, and you will not
need much of that. Be very careful in going out from your warm rooms into the open air. Colds are easily taken and the consequences many be serious.
will be wanted but small beer.
This is a season of festivity and gladness, and our wish is that all may enjoy it.
We hope we shall get a "wing, a leg, and a piece of the bosom," when we sit down to dinner at _________'s.
We hope the heart of the sinner may on this day become penitent. We hope the drunkard may on this day keep sober. We hope the sober man will not on this day get drunk. We hope the faces of the girls may be wreathed in smiles We hope it will rain, and that the streets will be muddy, that we may see the ladies leap the pools. We hope the scythe of death will be put aside for the day, and that no beer
We hope the preachers will preach wholesome sermons, and the listeners profit by them.
We hope, in short, for all good things to all good people -to the orphan, the widow, and the wife -the father, the brother, and the sister the young, the middle-aged, and the old -the matron in her cap and spectacles, and the joyous girl in the rosy morning of young life when all is one sweet dream of bliss, and everything is redolent of love, light, and beauty.
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(337) 534-4140
Now Located in Broussard, LA
Phone: 337-824-2176 | 1300 Airport Road, Jennings, LA 70546
Under New Ownership
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The Acadiana Backstory
A Revolting Outrage
Food For The Flames
The Lafayette Gazette - January 3, 1903
1903
There are crimes which are so horrifying to the moral sense as to arouse the righteous indignation and wrath of every decent man. Yea, to cry aloud to high Heaven for punishment. Such indeed, is the latest outrage which liquor and debauchery afford to shock public sentiment. Last week a ball was given at a public dance hall at Kaplan, this parish. Among those who attended was the thirteen year old daughter of a worthy farmer of the neighborhood, who was at the time absent in another parish. The child was plied with liquor and "kop kop," a sort of knockout drop specially concocted in Kaplan, and when properly dosed was assisted into a buggy by the proprietor of dance hall and driven by her abductor -
a young man about twentyfive years old -to a house on the other side of Gross Isle, where she was subjected to indignities that can better be imagined than described. Here she remained for several days, until her anxious mother discovered her whereabouts and Sheriff Hebert arrested them and returned the child to her family. We refrain from mentioning any names as we do not care to prejudge the case. It is just such crimes as this which the vile liquor of the viler cross roads doggeries incite in the depraved wretches who hang about them like flies on a festering carcass. Take away the opportunity to fill up on mean rotgut whiskey at every corner and you will remove from many the temptation to idleness and crime.
The Day of Conveniences The Lafayette Gazette - January 4, 1902
1902
The day is almost at hand when everything is done by simply pressing a button. Pretty soon we will not have to work anymore. We are being overwhelmed by conveniences. Do we want a light? Press a button. Do we want breakfast? Turn on the electricity. Do we want more warmth? Turn on the steam heat. Do we want a messenger? Press a lever. Are we coming to a business? There's the automobile. Do we want to "see a man?" There's the telephone -yes, there's the "visual telephone." Wifey can call up hubby at the bank and ask if her hat is on straight. -Atlanta Constituon
It Was Loaded Too. The Lafayette Gazette - January 5, 1901
1901
It was stated last week that young Lilian DeLahoussaye was shot in the face with a toy pistol loaded with a blank cartridge. It has since been ascertained that such was not the case. The cartridge contained birdshot, one of which lodged near the eye, but fortunately caused no serious injury. Children caught shooting loaded cartridges ought to be religiously spanked by their parents.
The Meridional - January 6, 1900
1900
Last night about half past six o'clock, the most disastrous conflagration the town of Abbeville has ever known, broke out in Dr. Mark Theriot's dental office in the front on the second floor of the Bourque building at the corner of State and Peace streets, on the south side of the courthouse square. In a few moments the upper floor was a seething mass of flames. We are told that a few buckets of water at the start would suffice to put out the fire but as
usual the crowd was panic stricken. Owing to the lack of hose the steamer could not reach the fire properly and the bucket brigade did most effective work. Steamer No. 5, of New Iberia with 3 hose carts and a number of firemen came over on a special and did good work in wetting down the debris and checking the spread of the fire. It is impossible now to state the loss. The Bourque building occupied by N.C. Young's Central Pharmacy with offices upstairs was destroyed, then the
large two story building occupied by O. Bourque and the Abbeville Hardware Co.; J.G. Griffin grocery; W.T. Torian, dry goods; A. Scharfiski, clothing store; Severin Leblanc, general store. The flames crossed to the west of State street and destroyed the two story building of W.W. Edwards occupied by Schoenman & Dresner, clothing and dry goods. A hard fight was made by the bucket brigade and they saved C.T. Guidry, Jr's grocery and residence and saloon at the corner.
Ordinance
The Acadiana Backstory
The Meridional - January 7, 1905
1905
An Ordinance to prevent the killing of or otherwise destroying the alligators within the limits of Vermilion parish. Be it ordained by the police jury of Vermilion parish in regular meeting convened, that it shall be unlawful for any person to kill, or otherwise destroy the alligators or to have in possession hides there of, within the limits of Vermilion parish, for a period of
five years from the publication of this ordinance; and that to better enforce the observance of this ordinance it is further ordained that a fine $25.00 be imposed for each and every violation thereof, and upon the failure of party paying fine, then they shall be condemned to work on
public roads of this parish for a period of thirty days; said fines to be imposed by any court of competent jurisdiction.
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Of Many Nationalities Inhabitants of the Storm ravaged Region of Louisiana The St. Landry Democrat - January 13, 1894
1894
Of the 2,008 counted victims of the Louisiana coast floods only fifty-three were negroes, says a letter to the Troy Times. There are few colored people in the section visited by the storm. They are a mixed-up people in that part of Louisiana. The predominating races are Acadians, Austrians, Creoles, Islingues, Italians, Maniliamen, Chinese, and Spaniards, the number of each ranging in the order named. The Acadians are descendants of the people who have been immortalized in Longfellow's poem "Evangeline." These people have large families, frequently from twelve to fifteen children each. The Manillamen are full-blooded Tagais, from the Phillipine Islands; these people had no women among them; they had only one stove the whole colony, and they eat their fish raw. They fraternize well with the Chinese, and are treated by the whites on equal terms. The people called Autrians are genuine Slavs, generally Morlachs from Daimatia. They speak speak Italian, a relic of the days when Venice ruled Dalmatia. They are all fishermen, and are an industrious, bold
and hardy people. The islangues are the descendants of a colony of Canary Islanders who came over to Lousiana during the Spanish invasion. They have a dash of the Berber blood of the Canary aborigines and are darker than the average Spaniard. Scattered among these various people are a few Americans and Germans and many creoles. In spite of their propinquity, these races generally live separate, and one can in traveling a few miles find settlements of pure-blooded people of each nationality. this is a remarkable fact, as many families are natives who can count their American descent back for ten or a dozen generations. They live in the swamps and lowlands, and this accounts for the terrible destruction of life by the storm. They control the entire fishing industry, but the packing houses for oysters and shrimps are owned by Americans. There were 1,830 fishermen lost in the flood; the others were sailors, traders, storekeepers and farmers. The absence of negroes is due to the fact that they have been driven out by the overwhelming numbers of these queer people.
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Page 8
The Acadiana Backstory
Prosperous Lafayette The Lafayette Gazette - January 20, 1900
1900
The foregoing article is from the pen of our friend, Mr. Will Chevis, the able editor of the Baton Rouge Advocate. The neat and, we believe, deserved compliment paid our town, is very much appreciated. As our contemporary truthfully remarks, years ago Lafayette was an old-fashioned town where the mossback pursued the even tenor of his way, unhindered by the elements of progress. Moss grew luxuriantly on the corner-post, the bobolink nursed its yourn in the gardens, the cheerful notes of the festive lark rang out melodiously in the ambient air and softened the harsh tones of the batrachian band playing its twilight serenade down in the timehonored village pond. then the mossback reveled in rustic simplicity, monarch of all he surveyed; happy within himself and at peace with his narrow world, his mind was restful and his heart was overjoyed. But the locomotive came along. That great pioneer of progress made its influence felt. The town doffed the hoary garments of inactivity and lethargy and lost no time in donning the more attractive habiliments of progress. Mossbackism lingered a while, then silently withdrew from the strife for more congenial environments and men with public spirit
and modern ideas came to the front. The town moved on at good and steady gait, kept up in the race with surprising speed and soon outstripped its more pretentious neighbors. Lafayette's prosperity has not been of an ephemeral character. Its growth has been substantial and its steady advancement has been based upon solid foundations. There has been no inflated boom, but the town has grown because of its splendid location and superior advantages, and it is not to be wondered at that when the citizens abandoned a policy of inaction and employed more intelligent methods the town took its place among the progressive communities of the State. The town appreciates the fact that it has prospered during the last six years as it never did before. it points with pardonable pride to a number of achievements of the past few years and feels that it has not been a laggard in the race of life. In the establishment of the Southwest Louisiana Industrial College , the people of the town see ample cause for gratification. An institution of this kind, so auspiciously begun, can not fail to do a great deal of good. Its benefits are not to be measured by dollars and cent. Its salutary influence will permeate every artery of the social, moral and commercial life of the community. It will be like the dawn of a new era, the rising of another sun whose beneficent rays will fill all, young and old, with hope and ambition.
FIENDISH BARBARITY BY A SLAVE The St. Landry Whig - January 30, 1845
1845
On Monday afternoon, his Honer the Mayor, received through the Post Office, an anonymous letter informing him, that there was confined in a house No. 52 Bayou Road, a female the prisoner of her slave who for some time past had been treated in a most horrid manner. The Mayor accompanied by Recorder Genois and some officers of the Police, immediately repaired to the spot designated in the letter where they found Mrs. Rabeneck, the lady of the house, with three of her children, aged 7, 4 and 2 years, confined in a back cabinet, all of them in a most horrid condition: dressed in rags, covered with dirt, and in many placesa, showed marks where the instruments of flagellation had broken the skin.
Both of her eyes wer blackened and her hair was matted with blood. The three children presented nearly the same shocking condition, the two eldest in particular. Upon being questioned by the Mayor, as to the cause of her condition, Mrs. R. seeing that her slave Pauline was present answered that she had been beaten by her husband and showed much agitation and fear, whenever the eyes of her servant were turned upon her. Upon the servant being removed, Mrs. R. stated that she was afraid of telling the truth in her presence, for fear that she would kill her and her children. Her husband, she stated, had been absent on a visit to Missouri for the last six weeks, since which time, Pauline had taken posses-
sion of her bedroom and confined herself and children in her (Pauline's) room, where they had been beaten almost daily by Pauline, with a came or strop, and had been furnished with barely sufficient food to support life. Medical aid and attention was immediately furnished by the Mayor, and the negress Pauline arrested and committed to prison to await an examination before Recorder Genois. The penalty of the charges preferred against her, if found guilty, under the Black Code, is death. It is stated that the husband of the woman had instigated his slave, who was also his paramour, to the commission of this horrid outrage. If so we hope he will not go unwhipt of Justice. -Bee of the 15th.
The Acadiana Backstory
The Latest Cargo of Slaves
Edison's Talking Pictures Most Wonderful Invention
The Meridional - January 12, 1889
1889
Probably the most interesting character hereabouts, says the Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle is a negro man who was one of the cargo of the Wanderer, the last slave ship to bring to this country a load of captives from Africa. Lucius Williams, as he was christened by one of the young ladies of the family into which he was sold, or "Umwalla," as he was called in Africa, lives in a small hut on the outskirts of Hamburg, across the river from here. Since freedom he has earned a livelihood working the gardens, sawing wood and whitewashing. He was a little surprised when asked about his early life, but talks well once he has begun, requiring to be questioned frequently, however. Umwalla was born in Guinea, according to his story, not in Liberia. One day when he was about ten years of age he was sent to his aunt to carry
her some pinders to plant. When he was going through the woods two strange black men seized him and bound his hands. he cried terribly and they soon gagged him. They sold him to a native, who took him to Liberia. There, for the first time in his life, he saw a white man, and he was terribly frightened at him. Umwalla was then taken to the Wanderer, where a large number of captives had already been stored away in the hold. When the Wanderer approached the South Carolina coast she was sighted by a government boat and given chase. During the night she dropped anchor of Pocataligo and the cargo of negro men and women was debarked. Umwalla, or, as he was soon afterwards called, Lucius, was taken to a Carolina plantation near Beach Island and put to work there.
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The Lafayette Advertiser - January 20, 1914
1914
Last Wednesday night the Jefferson theatre was filled practically to capacity to witness Edison's latest and possibly most wonderful accomplishment, talking pictures. The performance was carried through without a flaw and was enjoyed and marveled at by everyone present. The performance opened with a lecture, the lecturer was a moving picture and as he moved and talked the Kinetiscope spoke in absolute time with the motion of his lips, producing such an illusion that the audience
involuntarily applauded. The lecturer, picture man, then introduced other pictures, ladies singing, musicians playing, dogs barking and always the Kinetiscope accompanied with the sounds timed exactly making everything almost real and actual.
securing this great attraction, giving the people of this city the opportunity of seeing this astonishing invention. As a great many did not see the pictures he is making an effort to secure a return engagement and has strong hopes of succeeding.
After the lecture a splendid program of comedy, music and drama was given, not a flaw occurring to mar the reality of the pictures. The performance was not alone wonderful, but delightfully entertaining. Manager Parkerson of the Jefferson is due thanks for
A Modern Theatre Building The Lafayette Gazette - January 17, 1903
1903
A handsome fire-proof opera house capable of accommodating high-class theatrical companies, is the new acquisition Lafayette is to have in the near future. This statement has been given out by Mr. Frank E. Moss since he has acquired by purchase from Mr. C.D. Caffery the corner lot across the street from the First National Bank. Mr. Moss and his associates in this enterprise purpose to erect a two story brick and iron theatre building and equip it throughout with all the latest devices and conveniences pertaining to places of high-class
amusements. the floor space of the first story of the building is to be arranged conveniently for use of retail stores. The new opera-house as planned is going to be a distinct improvement to the town. the stage is one of the greatest teaching agencies that have ever been given to man, ranking with the school and the press in this respect, as the amusements of a people have fully as important an influence in molding their lives as anything else in their environment, and it is well for the people of Lafayette that they should be placed in a position to enjoy some of the really good stage attractions touring the country.
This ad is only for a historical value ‌ not redeemable at any location of McDonald’s
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Fire Started The New Iberia Enterprise January 14, 1899 On Monday morning last, at three o'clock, an attempt was made by incendiaries to burn the Millard building, corner of Main street and Railroad Avenue occupied by the Weil Commission Co., on the lower floor, while the rooms upstairs are occupied by boarders. There is a rear stairway to the building leading to the upper floor and at the head of which is a door. Near this door, on the outside, a box containing kindling saturated with coal oil was set on fire. Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Pollard were the only occupants of the upper floor at the time and hearing a sound resembling the scratching of a cat against the door, they at firs paid no attention to it; but as it increased, Mr. Pollard opened the door of his room, which was the front apartment and leading into the hall, which was filled with smoke. Running out on the front gallery, he gave the alarm and assistance came in time to extinguish the flames. Officer Carter, after investigating the case, arrested the negro employed in the Weil Commission house, upon circumstantial evidence and he is now in custody. It is believed that other parties are implicated in the dastardly deed, and it is to be hoped that developments will follow that will lead to their identity.
1899
The Acadiana Backstory
Police Blotter
A Shocking Murder
A Sad Escapade
Miss Daisy The Lafayette Advertiser Hoffpauir, of The Lafayette Advertiser January 27, 1900 Rayne, Listens to January 7, 1873 Deep conster- the Wiles of a Bad nation reigned We have to Man and is Now record one of in Lafayette on last Saturday morning when everybody Sorry the most horrible murders
1873
ever committed in our parish. From what we could learn, it seems that two men, Francois Martin and Joseph Gommary, at Tasso Cove at Memento, were visiting the same young lady, Miss Mary Jane Wright. One night last week the two men met at her house. A quarrel ensued, which was followed by a fight, neither being armed. Miss Wright seeing her favorite, Martin, was getting the worst of it, rushed to his rescue with a hatchet in which was an ax handle, and placed it in the hands of Martin, who, while his antagonist was being held by the united strength of himself and Miss Wright, hacked Gommary to pieces. Those who saw the body state that it was horribly mutilated even after death. We saw the weapon used, which certainly presented a ghastly spectacle, covered as it was with blood and brains. Both the man and woman are in jail here, having been sent before the District Court by Justice Hebrard. The female is said to be only about nineteen years old. -Opelousas Journal
Escapee Captured
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The Lafayette Gazette January 20, 1900
Call: 337-348-2958
A Deplorable Act
Dave Harmon, and escaped convict wanted in Acadia for horse-stealing was captured by Sheriff Broussard a few days ago. Harmon is said to be a very smooth negro, but he displayed poor judgment in coming to this parish. He was taken to Crowley by Sheriff Lyons.
1900
learned of the arrestation of Mr. Jules Pointboeu on the night previous. The following facts were related to us by Mr. Henry Gianelloni who made the arrest. For about a month, said he, railroad men noticed several times that the switch opposite the water works plant had been tampered with during the night time. A strict watch was kept. The railroad company sent detective Long in turn put in a guard. I accepted the job and I came very night apprehending the culprit in the night of January 3rd, but the night was so intensely dark that before I could locate him, he had disappeared. After keeping guard consecutively for nineteen nights; in the twentieth about 10:30 o'clock I noticed a human form approaching towards the switch. Very soon I heard the creaking of the switch and the unknown repaired to another switch further on and I heard the same noise. There he took off the switch red lantern and threw it in the ditch nearby. Coming upon him I pointed my revolver to his face and ordered him to walk on to town where I put him in the hands of the officers. The unknown was Jules Pointboeuf. Mr. Jules Pointboeuf was once in the employ of the railroad company and had been discharged owing to an accident happening to the machine in his charge. Since then he filled the position of night engineer at the Water works plant. We learned that he proclaims his innocence and we heartily hope that such is the case. he is a married man, has five children and from his childhood has always been known as a quiet and peaceful nature, and when the above facts became known to the public it astounded them. The motive of the action is past comprehension. To our mind it is more the act of an insane man than a sane one.
Two Bootleggers Caught Near Eunice St. Landry Clarion January 15, 1921
1921
Sheriff Thibodeaux and The Lafayette Advertiser Special Agent Bush of the January 21, 1913 federal department arrested Last Saturday Thursday two white men, Wilevening Miss lie Reed and Dorestas Ardoin, Daisy Hoffpauir, daughter of at the latter's home, about four Mansel Hoffpauir, of Rayne, miles west of Eunice, on Baywas arrested by Officer Don ou de Cannes. The charge Greig on a charge of having against them is bootlegging, left home with a drummer and they were paroled and ornamed T.L. Bryan. The facts dered to appear in Opelousas as gathered are, that Miss yesterday (Friday) before the Daisy, who is scareely sixUnited States commissioner teen years old, met Bryan by and furnish bond for their apappointment Wednesday pearance before the United morning on board the SouthStates court. ern Pacific train at Rayne and A large quantity of the real accompanied him to New old-timed stuff was unearthed Iberia, where the couple reat Ardoin's home valued at mained until Saturday when fully two thousand dollars. Bryan left for Opelousas, The lot contained such almost promising Miss Daisy to forgotten things as rock-andmeet her in Lafayette Saturrye, one barrel: half-barrel of day evening. The young lady anisette; trunk full of mixed at first protested, stating that case goods; one large box of she had married Bryan, but cordials, such as chartreuse, as no license had been issued benedictine, creme-dein Iberia, she acknowledged manthe, etc. The seized wet this was not true and then goods were taken to Eunice claimed she had been imand stored in the post office in posed upon by a mock marthat town. The officers have riage. She finally admitted been working on the case that she ran away with Bryan some time. under promise of marriage. Chief Servat, of Rayne, and the girl's grandfather, Mr. Larkin Hoffpauir, came over later in the evening and at once, with the assistance of St. Landry Clarion Chief Chargois, got on BryJanuary 14, 1905 an's trail, and traced him to Alexandria, from whence he Young Houlileft for Shreveport, but so far han, who shot has not been arrested, Miss and killed his father on Daisy, although disinclined, Christmas day, was disreturned to Rayne with her charged by the court, the grandfather who has reared State abandoning the case. her from infancy and cared The elder Houlihan was a for her with all the kindness clerk at the store of D. Roos and affection possible. Bryan & Son, in Opelousas, and is said to be from Denver, went to his home in New OrColorado, and the officers are leans to spend the holidays still keeping up the search for with his wife and children. him. It is reported Mr. Larkin He got drunk, and attempted Hoffpauir will spare no pains to kill his wife with an ax, or expense to bring the fugi- when his son shot and killed tive to justice. him.
1913
Houlihan Discharged
1905
The Acadiana Backstory
A Mysterious Character
Police Blotter The law firm of Piccione & Piccione was originally founded in 1940 by Joseph J. Piccione I, a graduate of Tulane Law School and a captain in the United States Army JAG Corps. Joe Piccione built his practice in the bustling downtown of Lafayette, representing people and businesses from all over Acadiana.
The Lafayette Advertiser January 11, 1902
1902
There is considerable excitement being caused by a mysterious character known as the "buggerman", who has been seen in different parts of the town after dark and is said to enter yards and walk slowly around the houses. This "buggerman", it is asserted by those who claims to have seen him is a man disguised as a woman. he is tall, dressed in black, and wears a black sun bonnet. No harm has been reported of him, beyond having followed and frightened a number of ladies and children and caused a great many others to be very much alarmed over the chance of his molesting them or prowling about their houses at night. The police should look for this "buggerman" at once and thoroughly investigate the matter.
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In 1987, Joe’s son, Kirk Piccione, returned home to Lafayette to practice law with his father after graduating from Tulane Law School. They soon hired Kirk’s sister Nita to be their paralegal and established themselves as a true family business. Together they represented civil, criminal, and business clients for many years. Joe passed away at 92 years old in 2007. His daughter Nita retired in 2017. The firm continues as a family business, however, with Kirk’s wife, Brenda Sibille Piccione, now as his law partner. She graduated from Tulane Law School in 1987 and spent many years working as a law clerk for Judge Jerry Domengeaux and Judge Oswald Decuir before joining the family business. Kirk and Brenda share the work of the firm according to their talents and experience. Kirk excels at litigation and negotiation. He represents his clients with great zeal in the courtroom and earns the respect of his adversaries in the process. He has described the dynamic of the courtroom as his passion. But Kirk also works well behind the scenes to accomplish necessary, practical, and advantageous solutions to the myriad of problems his clients bring to him. As his clients will attest, Kirk is a lawyer with compassion, skill, integrity, and enthusiasm. With over twenty years working in the Louisiana appellate court system, Brenda prefers to advocate for her clients with the written word. She researches the law and authors most of the briefs, legal memoranda, wills and trusts, and other documents required by the firm’s caseload. Brenda specializes in appeals and has successfully pursued and defended many causes to Louisiana’s higher courts. She views her role as an appellate advocate as interlacing the law with the evidence at trial so that a reviewing court can find the truth and dispense justice. Through eight decades, the partners of Piccione & Piccione have successfully represented thousands of Acadiana residents and local businesses. Each case is important to them. The attorneys and their staff work with respect and diligence, always advocating for their clients’ best interests. Whatever a client needs, they will seek to provide: they will speak Spanish, find the right doctor or banker or other professional, decipher regulatory jargon, prepare insurance claims, or plan for the future. They will advise, argue, negotiate, and pursue whatever is necessary for their clients’ satisfaction. Piccione & Piccione is a longstanding fixture of Lafayette’s legal community. The firm’s spotless reputation and goodwill in our community is well deserved and here to stay.
Piccione & Piccione 2701 Johnston St. Suite 301, Lafayette, Louisiana 70503 Phone: 337-233-9030
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337-837-4325 www.zooofacadiana.org