New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-05-12
STATE NEWS.
A BURNING BUSH IN AvoYrL1Es.

BURNING BUSH IN AvoYELLEs.
From the Marksville Bulletin of May 8:
Seven months ago the cabin of col
ored man living few miles south of this
place was consumed by fire, and large
magnolia tree standing in close proximity
to the hut was ignited. Since that time
it has been steadily burning, and neither
the drenching rains of winter nor the
driven SHOWS of January could queneh the
flames, and, strange to say, this tree is
now green with leaves and full of large
and perfect blossoms. This we consider
quite a local item, showing natures almost
incomptehensiblef freaks. The smoke still
issues from the tree. evidencing the fact
that the slow work of destruction is unre-
mitted.
FISH STORY OF ASCENSION.
From the Donaldsonville Chief OF May s.:
We heard of curious accident that re-
Gently happenned to MIR. Miguel Gonzales,
an old and well known citizen of the
eighth ward. While Mr.. Gonzales was
padding on the Amite river in his canoe,
large fish Topped out of the water and
struck him violently across the face,
knocking his pipe from his mouth, bruis-
ing his countenance quite severely, and
splashing him from head to foot with
water. To cap the climax the ashes fall
ing from the pipe set fire to his clothing,
but as soon as MIR. Gonzales recovered
from his amazement he extinguished the
| incipient conhagration, and padded
| thoughtfully home, musing upon the
novelty of his mishap, and wondering
| what species of the finny tribe this an
daclous tlsh belonged To which Aad pei Pc
| trated the sudden and vicious assault upon
his person.
HOMICIDE IN ST. LANDRY PARISH.
From the Opelousas Journal, of May 5:
! Last Sunday afternoon our usually quiet
town was startled by the report of hon.
icide at the Catholic church. Louis, a
young black man, an employe OF said
church, shot and instantly killed, with a
small deringer cartridge pistol, Azenor
Lesassier, colored, carpenter-the ball
entering near the nipple of the right
breast. 1t seems they had quarreled just
before at Dietlein's grocery, when Louis
drew his pistol on Lesassier, but was
seized by some lof the bystanders and
made to put it in his pocket. He re-
marked that he would meet LesassieI
again and get even with him. Shortly
afterward they met at the church, with
the result above mentioned. Reports diff.
fer, we believe, as to the final encounter.
The case is clear one of manslaughter,
if not Of murder-and the general opinion
is that it is the latter. The slayer
was Immediately arrested and lodged il
Jail.
AN HONORABLE AFFAIR IN DE SOTO.
From the Shreveport Times of May G:
We learn that Mr.. James Wilcox was
killed by Mr.. John F. Durham on, Friday
last at Mansfield, De Soto parish. 0ul
informant states that the killing grew out
of difficulty between the parties that oc
Cured about two weeks ago, since which
time Wilcox had threatened to kill Dur.
ham on sight. On Friday it seems tina
Wilcox took stand near Durham's livery
stable, with pistol in his hand, anC
made known his intention TO kill him
Durham came TO the door of his estab
lishment and told several friends of tn,
deceased that if they felt any interest il
Wilcox to take him away, as he Durham
weuld Kill him rather than be killed him
self. No one seemed disposed 10 inter
fere, and as Wilcox continued bis threats
Durham shot him with double barrelel
shotgun, killing him instantly.
Durham had preliminary trial, and