New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-13
The Trouble In st. James Parish.

Various and entirely an:agon istic reports
having been either published or circulated
of riot or disturbance in the parish Of St.
James, it has become important that the
exact facts should be presented. Itis proper
to notice at first the statements which indi-
cate an organized riot. These are merely.
quoting from the Picayu,se::
The feeling became high among the lead
ers of the party, and the result was an in
discriminate fight. Knives and pistols were
used with telling effect.
These are, as found on investigation,
quite incorrect.
As the article Of the Pcay creme would in
dicate. it was simply a quarrel between
leaders Of that parish, but it was not in
tended by either side that the disagreement
should culminate in bloodshed. The whole
trouble is now over, and it is not true, as
the Picayuns states, that
The whole country is in . state Of excite.
ment, as turbulent demagegues are still
parading the country and may At any time
renew the trouble.
The plain facts Of the case are these:
There was q meeting called ON Saturday
for Sunday as one o'clock, on the Vacherie
road. on the right bank. In this meeting 1t
was expected no contest between the cup
porters Of Hon. George E. Bovee and his
opponents would take place. At this meet
ing General 4. Morris Chester had been
announced and was present to address the
audience.
Nothing out Of the way was observed at
first. The people gathered. women and
children included. quietly around the
SPEAKERS stand. and everything seemed
fair for an impartial disc ussion. But at
this moment difficulty occurred between
several Of Mr.. Bovee's supporters and
about an equal number Of his opponents.
Great excitement followed. several pistol
shots we're fred. but no one Was hurt and
the BOvee men retiredo
At this time. General Chester and Mr..
Dickerson, president Of the club, addressed
the people. and admonished them that
peace must be preserved.
At this time the meeting would have sub
sided into good order, and the proceedings
been conducted with harmony. but about
four OF five men came charging down the
road, armed. the leader having double
barreled shotgun. The m Getting was again
alarmed, and all believed it was the Bovee
men returning for revenge. Almost all the
meeting Immediately fell back behind the
schoolhouse. Some of them had pistols.
and, believing their lives were in danger.
fired at those who were advancing on them.
The fire was Immediately returned. and one
man, employed on the Burnsid plantation.
killed, and another dangerously wounded
sone others being slightly wounded.
The meeting was OF course broken up
but as far as can be learned aone Of the
Bovee men, who made the disturbance, were
hurt. The opponents Of tho Boree 'nen
were 80 much exasperated that they went
home to their plantations and armed thens'
selves, and returned in a body for tho pur.
pose Of ayengins the death Of their COM
rade. but on the way they were met by Gen.
eral Chester and Pierre Landry. who
addressed them. They. counsefed peace.
exhorted moderation, and assured their
hearers Of ultimate Justice. and the result
was tha: the people returned pacified to
their homes. 1t has since been learned that
tho man who was severely wounded has
since died.