The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-13
LETTER FROM PLAQUEMINE.
Crop Prospects-The FOrdoehe and Crosse
Tete Countries Threatened. o.
An Important False Imprisonment Case
Decided by Negro Jury, Not One
Of Whom Could Read or
Write.
Verdict for the 'sAflidavit."

PLAQUEMINE, aug. y, 1910.
Mr.. Editor-Times have been supremely
dull here of late, and there is no change yet
though we still have the prospect of some
thing better this fall Crops are still growing
finely, and the Indications of an abundan
yield of all kinds Of staple crops continue, ex
cept for the portion of our parish affected b!
the "Morganza crevasse.
The recent heavy rains in the West hav'
put the river up almost bank full, and thu
water is now pouring through the cut Of the
Morganza crevasse and spreading over The
Fordoche and Crosse Tete countries at a ratt
that threatens to reach higher stage thar
that of last spring. in which event many flint
crops Of corn and cot.on, planted as thu
water went down, will be destroyed. This il
not very pleasing reflection for those who
have struggled as hard as those poor over
flowed people.
Our District Court has been in session ths
past three weeks, but we have not done very
much in the way Of business.
A big false Imprisonment. case attracted a
good deal attention.. There was "a lady in it.
from your city, and as the case had been tried
last January and verdict of $40, 600 awarded
the lady, considerable interest was mani
tested to know how the new trial would turn
out Hon E. John Ellis and Mr.. Lingan, OF
your city, with Messrs. Barrow and Pope,
Of this place, represented the pI sintif, while
Col Gus. A. Breaux and Hon. Augustus Tai
bot looked after the interests of the defendant.
The case was fixed for Friday, and after the
trial of some motions and the satisfactory dis
posal of some cases that we're assigned 10
take precedence, it was called and taken up.
Col. Breaux looked serious, and Mr.. Ellis
well, Mr.. Editor, you know how he looks
How he felt, however, must be left to immsgi-
nation, when he arose to address the jury-a
jury of "men and brothers, not one of
whom knew how to write
Objection and protest had been made to
some members OF the PANEL, but as no reason
sufficient in law was made e., our law
they were taken, and we had a jury of twelve
men-judges of the law and the facts, called
upon to try case in which 500 600 was
claimed and in which every point and ques-
ton resulting from alleged wrongful arrest
and imprisonment was to be considered and
weighed-not one of whom could write or
sign the verdict y "a
The case was submitted last Saturday
QjRnI, asa the Ver0lcG was returned MONDAY
morning, the foreman announcing: eve find
he had right to make the affidavit" The
Court asked if it was not that they found "for
the defendant" to which they answered
eyes," and the Court ordered the Deputy
Clerk to SO write the verdict, end had the
foreman to sign it with his mark in open
court, and under the attestation of the Clerk
and his deputy. ..-.s-
Whether the case is rightly decided or not,
is not the question here, nor do wish to re-
fleet upon the colored man in his effort to dis
charge the duties a luckless policy has i'm
posed upon him, but / submit this case aft ords
food for serious reflection on the part Of
every good ci'izen and suggests wide field
for the wise law-maker in the future 9.
In this connection, let me ask should not
the members of the bar take affirm and de-
termined stand, and take it at once? Our
State groans under abuses on every side, and
here is one which can not be corrected too
soon, coming up in the face of every member
Of that honorable profession which has ever
kept the society, IN which it moves and has
its being, true and free as it and it's members
have stood firm and pure. PELICAN.