The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-03-15
Our Troubles
rom the Morning Star and Catholic Messer

ger March 9Th
At 8 o'clock last Tuesday night the
18th Precinct Station was captured from
the metropolitan police by q party Of
citizens without difficulty of any kind,
the police force there being very small,
as the station was considered of little
Importance, being way up in Jefferson
City: On Wednesday night, at about
8 O'Clock, a party of men, numbering
some three hundred, marched into
jackson Square i'll front of the Cathe-
themselves Immediately in front of the
Second District Central St~ation-house.
from which position they commenced
a brisk fire upon the police stationed
therein. The police responded, and for
a few minutes a lively fire was kept up
by both parties. Seeing that the militia
in the Square were greatly exposed,
having no protection whatever, whereas
the police were well protected by the
thick walls OF the station house, their
commander marched them to a position
in front of the Cathedral where that
building protected them from the fire
Of the police. Patrols were then sent
out in different directions, a large body
being posted at the corner of Toulouse
and Charities street. About 81 o'clock
Gen. Badger, with eighty men armed
with Winchester rifles, and one twelve
pound Napoleon gun, marched down
Charities street from Canal, and upon
reaching st. Louis street, opened fire.
The cannon was fired three times, and
for a few moments the rifle balls flew
down the street in a lively tanner.
Of course this dispersed the opposite
party, the larger portion of whom were
,~~--,-l 1yonn+a+~Tr Will a., l.IL
was progressing General Smith, of the
U. S. army, called upon Col. Wagga-
man, who was commanding at the
Square, and demanded, in the name of
the Z. S. the dispersion of the men.
Col. Waggaman Immediately gave the
necessary orders and in q short time
the men had all dispersed. The result
of this unfortunate conflict was the
killing Of a young man named Hartman
and the wOunding Of some dozen others.
At one o'clock Thursday morning the
police recaptured the 18th Precinct sta
ton, which was guarded by about 90
men. About q dozen shots were here
| fired, resulting in the death of a young
man named Kendrick Chandler and the
WOunding Of another named Livaudais.
At Il o'clock Thursday a detachment
Of police took possession Of Odd Fellows
Hall where the Fusion Legislature held
its sessions, capturing Speaker MOncure
and several other members who where
imprisoned i'll the cOmmOn cells at the
Station for two hours. Since this time
I'LL has remained quiet and the police
have been returned to their ordinary
duties. Three companies of United
States Troops were ordered to the city
at the commencement of the difficulties
and remained for the protection of the
Kellogg government throughout. This
was done under the following order
from Washington;
Col, D. Fl. Emory, Comd'g Department
Gulf;
The President directs you to prevent
any violent interference with the State
Government of Louisiana, Acknowl-
edge receipt,
(Signed] w. 7. SHERMAN.
Tie Fusion Legislature met on Thurs
day at the st. James Hotel, twenty-five
Senators and ffty-six Representatives
being present. The following preamble
and resolutions were adopted:
Whereas the recognition, by the
President, of the Mechanics Institute
Government as de facto, during the
tendency Of the Congressional inYesti-
CATION, is merely provisional, and in no
wise presents a solution of the great is
sues distracting Louisiana:
1. Be it TeSOtred, That the General
Assembly, profoundly convinced that
this is the legitimate government of the
State of Louisiana, will persevere in the
discharge of its duties until a final and
honorable Adjustment of this contro-
yersy.
3. Be it resolved, That when the term
Of this General Assembly shall have ex-
pired by limitation, 1t is the duty of the
Governor to continue in the discharge
of his official duties. That should he
deem it necessary to issue q call for al
extra session, the members will respond
to said call and that i'll the month OF
January next they will meet as required
by the CONSTITUTION,