The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-08-19

walked through the bsautiful quadrangle to rem
der thanks at what Ia not the st. Louis Osthedraf
It needs only the awakening Of these old and
sleeping facts to give poetic touch to what 10
now in our eyes most commonplace.
We were led up as IL were to these thoughts by
an entertaining and most delightful talk with
that veteran soldier and esteemed gentleman,
Gen. John l.. Lewis, yesterday morning, in the
Supreme Court room, situated In the old building
just above the Cathedral, the same room where
OUR GALLANT BOYS
stood guard duty for 30 long time during our
late State troubles. The rain was pouring down
on the outside and the lowering sky gave p0rtent
OF continuance. 30 settling down in one OF the
easy chairs we gave oursef to the pleasant pic
lures, ss Gen. Lewis limned them to us, of New
Orleans sixty or more years ago, and more par
The upper building, in which now the Supreme
Court meets and the lower story Of which is
occupied by the Third Precinct Station and
Second Municipal Court. was built under the
to the oesson. The building at that time, or
rather those attached to it, occupied oil the
space between Ohartres, Royal, Cathedral Alley
and st. Peter street. The present edifice was
covered with fat terrace roof covered with
tiles and presented a very diff rent appearance
from what it now does. Ii was used az
THE SPANISH oABrLDo,
| where the alcalde or mayor sat, and where all
the government affairs Of the city were transact
ed. just in front OF the present building. and
from where the arsenal, which is modern. now
stands, to Royal stree, was the old calaboose. 1t
was two stories in height, with enormous walls
and a ponderous single iron gate. It covered all
the ground now occupied by the private resi-
denoes on 81. Peter and Royal streets in the rear
| of the court building, aud its dungeons were
| reached only by crooked aud marrow passages.
Ia the lower story Of the court house, where now
the police hold forth, in those days Of 1909 the
gendarmes were wont to meet before relieving
| their canadrades on duty. In the guard-room
glistened long row OF escopetas, whilst the men
themselves carried at their sides short artillery
sword or briquet.
Gen. Lewis half closing his eyes said, 81 can
hear now the tramp, clamp, clamp OF those old
| fellows who always went out in squads during
| the night. They used sometimes to keep me
awske for an hour" Beneath the old hanging
| lanterns, suapt nded acioss the intersection Of
streets these guardians Of the peace marched,
little d. canning OF police telegraph and Calling
guns.
The time came TO remove the old cslaboose
after the session Of the State to the United States
| and in it's removal the most
HORRIBLE CRIMES WERE UNVEILED.
"It was current at the time when was boy"
said the General, shat when they tore down the
walls and RACED the building, the workmen came
across secret cells walled up, where dry and brit
tie skeletons were found, some OF them in chains,
q ghasty legacy from the Spaniards. IL was also
leading to certain cels where other skeletons
were discovered chained TO the wall"
All these stories were current IN those days,
| and never were doubted by those who lived st the
time.
Coming back to the Supreme Court room, IL
| was first occupied by the Superior Court Of the
Territory of Louisiana just after the cession in
1803 and remained until the territorial govern
Orleans, Nicholas dirod, occupied IL as his Office.
| He was followed by Augustin MCCARTHY and he
/ by Joseph Roffignac and next Denis Prieur. All
of these had their offices there whilst the present
clerks Office was the City Treasurer's.
Not only is this room interesting for It's asso.
| Citations with our local history and men, but it
| also figures conspicuous1y with the visit here OF
GEN. LAFAYETTE.
| In the year 1926, when that brave man and true
/ patriot visited New Orleans, this room was his
headquarters and he dined and slept in It,
When it became known that Gen. Lafayette
| was to visit the Crescent City there was imme-
diately stir amongst our then city fathers. Or
ders were given to Mr.. Seignorst, who was
then the prince OF upholsterers and furniture
men in the city, to spare no money or pains in
fitting up this room for the Generals reception.
Windows were fitted with the richest curtains,
gorgeous Get Of bedroom furniture, just from
France, was put up, and everything done to make
the place vie with
IMPERIAL CHAMBERS.
The furniture cost an enormous sum, and the
bedstead is doubtless still in the city.
When Gen. Lafayette arrived the freedom OF
the city was voted to him, and himself and suite
established themselves in the now Court Build
ing. Their meals were sent there and during
the stay this was the centre Of attraction. Ac-
cording to the vouchers filed with the old Council
the cost Of the visit was over 900.
The lower court building, now occupied by our
Districts courts, 10 1910 was still unfinished. 1t
had one story completed just as it now IL, but for
| some reason the Spaniards did not go on with the
work, and at the osssion OF the State il was
rooted over to protect IL from the weather. It
was some years before the second story was put
up and the edifce finished.
When
MADAME PoNTALBA
erected the two rows OF buildings on Jackson
Square she desired to have the surroundings in
keeping with the architectural regusrities Of her
new work, and accordingly gave orders to her
architect to have change made in the Cathedral
front and courthouse roofs. Accordingly new
spire was put mp on the church and the present
Mansard roofs on the courts and the old Spanish