The Donaldsonville chief., 1879-09-20
Iberville News.

Tberville News. 81
Homicide at Bayou Goula-A Brilliant
Wedding The Whitecastle Planta-
Observation-Disclosures
Crops.
UP THE RIVER, Sept. lS, 1879.
An unfortunate and fatal affray oc-
Cured in Bayou Goula on Nenday last,
the 18th inst, in which Mr.. L. A. Cour-
tade, teacher of a private school in that
town, was shot and killed by DR.. A. B.
Smell, a well known physician residing
there. According to public reports,
there had been i'll feeling existing be-
tween the parties for seme time, growing
out Of a suspicion on Courtade's part
generally deemed unreasonable and un-
founded-that improper relations had
been sustained by his wife and the Doc
tor during the latters professional visits
to Mrs. Courtade. Upon several occa-
sions Courtade made hostile demonstra-
tions towards DR.. Smell, at one time ad-
vancing upon him with an open knife.
but by the interference of bystanders a
collision of the parties was prevented
Courtade was always the aggressor in
these affairs, while the Doctor acted in
variably on the defensive. A week or
two before the shooting, the jealous
teacher is said to have sent communi-
cation to New Orleans journal severely
rejecting upon his antagonist, and upon
the refusal Of the journal to publish the
effusion, Courtade "posted" the Doctor
by means Of placartls displayed OH the
Bayou Goula streets, denouncing him in
unmeasured terms. -.
On the day of the fatal encounter be-
tween these parties, DIR. Snell paid a
visit to lady patient in Bayou Goula,
and upon returning to his buggy in
front of the PATIENTS house, was con-
fronted by Courtade, who had evidently
taken up his position there to await the
arrival of his enemy. An alteration en-
sued which the Doctor endeavored to
avoid by making q motion to enter his
vehicle, but Courtade drew revolver
and fired, missing his man. DR.. Smell
promptly returned the fire, discharging
three chambers of his weapon. All three
balls took effect il the body Of his as
sailant, one il the groin and two in the
head, producing instant death. After an
inquest had been held DR.. Smell pro-
ceeded to Plaquemine and surrendered
himself to the Sheriff of Iberville. A
judicial examination of the case was
held on Wednesday and the Doctor was
discharged from custody, it being clear
case of justifable homicide.
Brudder Bones is sadly at sea in his
glowing account of the renovation Of the
Whitecastle plantation. So far from be-
ing restored to it's ancient splendor,
demolition and dismantling would be
more appropriate terms to apply to the
work going on there. The sugar-house
is being torn down and material sold.
The place has been leased for two years
by a prominent firm Of New Orleans rice
dealers, and will be managed by Mr.. z.
T. Earle, whose capacity as a rice culti-
vator is of the highest order.
A brilliant wedding was celebrated in
Bayou Goula on Tuesday, the 10Th inst,
which will long be remembered by all
who participated in the festivities at
tending the event. The contracting par
ties were Mr.. Aramise Lorio and Miss
Alice Berthelot, members Of two of the
best families in this section. The cere-
mony was performed in St. Paul's church,
and a soiree, dnnsonto followed at the resi-
dence of the bride-groom's father, Mr.. f.
Lorio. Champagne corks popped almost
necessarily and the generous liquid
flowed like water. There was large
attendance of guests and the affair
passed off with great eclat. Your cores
pondent hopes the future Of the hand
some young couple may be as happy as
the beginning Of their welded life was
auspicious.
At cotfee-house in Bayou Goula the
other day match game of crack-about
was played by several individuals, bill
lard cues and balls being the principal
weapons. Clubs were trumps and a chap
with a poor hand came off with bruised
head. The little town also boasts an
association of hoodlums who make q
practice Of cutting or stealing the reins,
brides and saddles from the horses o.
visitors to balls and other evening en-
tertainments. The town ought to be i'll
corpoated and the vagrant law enforced
The political pot begins to boil il
Iberville. A lively contest is in pros
pect between the rival candidates fol
Sheriff, Capt. Chas. Brusle, Democrat
and Andrew Caneza, Republican. Hon
J. Sluby Davidson was regarded as hav
ing the inside track for the position, bu
he is understood to have withdrawn il
Capt. BRUSHES interest. Hon. NJ. Car
Vile, prominent Republican, is als'
supposed TO favor the Captain.
The work of repairing the damage tt
sugar-houses and other buildings by th'
recent storm is nearly completed. Cane
is growing finely from the top, and in I
few days from now it will be difficult tt
discover any injurious effects of tn
storm on the crop. Labor is plentiful