New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-25
STATE NEWS.
LAFOI 2CHE.

Mr.. Curtis was always courteous and eh.
,ient officer, and his untimely death will be
much regretted.
. TANGIPAHOA.
From the Amite Industrial, Democrat,
June "a:
We learn from B. Butman, Esq, deputy
coroner, that murder was committed near
on the night of June Ia. The
findings Of the jury were that the deceased.
James Varned0r, oolored. came to his death
by shotgun wounds, stabs with sword and
beating over the head with the stock Of
gun, inflicted by Owen Woods, white. A
further request was made to have the said
Owen Woods ARE sted and dealt with accord
ing to law. Mr.. Butman states that this in
quest was solicited by the citizens Poncha-
loule, as an unla vful or mock inquest had
been held by justice ct that ward; that
the man Woods acknOwlef his guilt, but
the Justice allowed him to escape in open
daylight.
CADDO.
From the Shreveport Times, June %:
Mr.. Trenton Samuels, justice of the peace
of the first ward, in the upper portion OF
this parish, yesterday informed US OF an
act Of brutality which had lately been COM
rnitted in shat section that was no less nys-
ferrous than fiendish. On Saturday night,
about eleven o'clock. DR.. j. K. 4. Harrison,
a planter in that section, was awakened BY
one of the negroes on bis Place, who in
formed him that he had heard the report OF
some guns, apparently at a cabin about ooO
wards from the dwelling. The doctor got
up and went into the yard, but, hearing
nothing further, returned to bed. Ihe
next morning ono OF the negroes on the
place went to the cabin to awaken two
bows who were occupying it, and found
~ hall, AaaI nua 4hOuf twenty
and the other about fourteen years OF age
No cne occupied the cabin with them. DR..
Harrison immediately proceeded to the
spot and upon Examination was satisfied
that the eldest boy was shot while sitting
by the fire place by some party who had
put the gun through a crack in the cabin.
This was evident, because the boy on
which the mnzzle of the gun rested was
powder burned. The boy was shot through
the head and jaw, and probably Killed 10.
srantly. 1t appeared that the younger
bow had become alarmed and got under
the bed a. he was found there shot in
terrible manner. the muzzle OF the gun
having been placed 80 near him tn IT his
clothes were set on fire aud the body badly
burned.
A Jury of inquest was impaneled and the
verdict was in accordance with the above
facts. l. is thinly settled country; but
ten or twelve Of the white neighbors were
prest nj, all of whom were Mortified at the
occurrence.
There seems to be no clew to the perpe-
traitors. The boys are represented to have
been quiet and we'll behaved, and, we be-
lieye. mad been on DR.. Harrisons plantation
ever since their freedom.
The only plausible theory is that it might
possibly have been a case of jealousy, as
there is no evidence that any white man
committed the brutal act. And yet the age
of one of the boys. at least. would go to
tery to the people Of that section, end there
is a determin atiou on the part of the citi-
zens to endeavcr to trace out the guilty
party. The weapon used was shotgun-a
double barrel. j. is safe to infer-whlch was
charged with buckshot.
TERREBoNNE.
From the Republican, June "a:
On last Sunday night, between the hours
of eleven and twelve O'Clock, the residents
of Houma and vicinity were aroused from
toeir slumbers by the frantic yel!s of men
women and children, screaming loudly tor
assistance, to quench the most serious tire
that ever took place since Houma has beer
erected. In response to the alarm and
pitying appeals for help the tiremen and
citizens (Doth white and black CALAMITY
rushed to the rescue, to combat the deyour
inc element The fact that every body had
retired for the night gave tie fire the ad
vantage of 6 considerable start, 30 thai
when the engine and tiremen arrived one
building was totally enwrapped in flames
The fire originated in the building OF Mr.
3. Never on Main street, near the corner o.
Barrow. This building, formerly used as &
store, was for the past few months unten
anted, and it is supposed the fire was tht
work of an iucendiary. Seeing it would ht
useless to attempt tie salvation of wha
was already a mas of roaring flames, Fore
man Meier, with all haste, concentrated hi
main tor e, with the engine, IN the yard o
Mr., Gauthreaux and Immediately set Il
work, saving the buildings most serio Isl.
threatened. Tie engine was put to work !.
short order, and the boys handled thu
| brakes with lightning like rapidi,y. 1T
effects were instantly visible, and amid thu
cheers of the vast congreg CATION and tn
roaring flames overhead, the boys for
| time mastered the danger and appearance
gaye every indication that it would result
| in a vic, ory fer the fre!nen. Unfortunatel,
| the supply Of water st this moment becam
exhausted, and the engine was removed t
| the bayou. During the time thas elapsed
| ere this was performed the dwelling OF MI
j. NJ. Dupont succumbed to the heat an'
| became mass of writing flames.
| I'd To lulS YOlut, "ACA CAO AAAo soAI
menced to turn, our old fireman, Jak
Cune, of New Orleans fame, very cour
ageously held the pipe, and showed marke'
ability in directing the throw of water
Mr., Naouin. The store of Mr.. J. NJ. Du
pont next took fire, followed by the resi-
dence Of Mr.. Gauthreaux. These building
being quite large, the flames reache
alarming proportions. and for time tn
most courageous at heart bid adieu to GU
quiet little village and its charms. 1t bt
came evident that the engine could 60 II
| more service, and Foreman Meier, wa
seemed to be at all places at the same time
| took in the situation at q glance, an
therefore ordered all hands to unite i
tearing down q few rickety buildings t
prevent the fire spreading. This had |.
desired effect, and in very short time til
fire was under control.
Thank God" was the universal exclams
ton Of hearts torn with anguish and frigh
when the danger grew small and due pr
| caution was taken to prevent any reaction
In due time the walls crumbled and fell
tbe earth, a sad relic of what the eVenin
pacore composed a hand some portion Of til
town.
To speak of the many valiant deeds an
acts Of true courage in times of imminei
dan ger enacted by each and every indivi'
uai is beyond our space, aud task y
verify believe ourselves unable to do jnstit
to, Tho tireElon stood nobiy 70 their poi
OF duty, and were ably assisted by citizen
both white and black. Ia fact we hav
been earnestly requested to tender to tt
colored people who assisted tie tiremeu, II
sincere thanks of the entire community II
their woman services at the cOnfiAgratlo
A careful summary of the losses sustaine
aggregates between twenty and invent
five thousand dollars. Ga the followir
dav j. n. Starnes and one Walters we
!: arrested and placed ia Jail, accuse
of having set the fire. Suspicion again
Starnes was aroused by the knowledge tn
| Il lanal cOntrOVQrl