Louisiana capitolian., 1880-04-03
The CaIIows!
An Interview with the Condemn.
cd Man.


On Thursday evening we called Mt the
parish prison, to have IN interview with
Gustaye Breaux, sentenced to DO hanged
for tho murder Of Mr.. John Cazes, on
tho LIST Of November, 1879, vt tho Anto-
MIA plantation In West Baton Rouge,
A preliminary statement Of tho cir.
cunistanccs attending tho murder would
perhaps not prove minteresting. We
therefore repeat tho facts given by this
paper at the time Of the killing:
~ colored laborer, Gustavc Breaux,
u mere STRIPPING, aged about twenty-onc
years, demanded Of the assistant over.
seer Of the above mentioned plantation
the payment of his back wages, which,
according to the contract, were not due
him until tho end Of the m0ntl, Of De-
ccmbcr. Although the matter was fully
explain d to him coupled with tho as
surancc that when the proper time came
hc would bc paid in full the murderer
was not satisfied He went to his cabin
and returned armed with navy six.
Thereupon tho overseer, Mr. John Cazes,
came up, when the discussion was re-
sumcd. After some parleying, Mr.. ca
zes told the man to 20 away, while hc
himself started to walk of. II was at
this time that Brcaux fred at him, the
ball penetrating the left shoulder. Mr..
Cazcs attempted to defend himself with
u small cane, when the fiend fired the
second shot, which penetrated the lungs,
innicting q mortal wound. After firing
II third time, tho murderer fled to cane
patch. He was followed by the assis-
tant oversccr, who kept him in sight
Until Sheriff Kirkland arrived with IL
posse and arrested tho murderer.
"Mr. Cazcs, the deceased, was man
we'll advanced in years, and one Of the
most pcaccablc and inoil'cnsivc citizens
d his ncighborlood. He leaves II family
to mourn his very sad and untimely
demise"
With his usual courtesy, Mr.. Antoine
Cousinard, the faithful jailor, brought
lis opposite the iron barred door Of No.
3 cell. We took u seat there, when tho
doomed man appeared at the jailors call,
who introduced ns to him, stating the
object Of onr visit
Gustavc Breaux politely told ps that
he would chccriully answer whatever
questions we might PROFOUND. He is n
mulatto Of prcpossessing manners and
appearance, about five feet ten inches
in height, wcl|-propmtionet|, though
somewhat slender in frame. He speaks
French in preference to English, WAS
raised II Catholic, but changed his faith
some years since, joining the Baptist
church, Of which Luke Billups, ST., il
the minister. tic is native of West
Baton Rouge.
he sisted that he committed the deed
in anger, To his sorrow, as Mr.. Casrh was
Il good nian. }ie was ready to die, hay
ing made his peace with God. He con-
sidcrrd that the sentence Of the Court
was II just punishment for the crime he
had committed. lie was rcconclcd
with the idea of his impending doom.
He does not regret to leave this world,
because every man hu, to do so some
time or other. ilt believed that he
would he firm when the fatal hour ar
rived. At least, he would try to he so.
When his death order was received here
from the Governor he was not unltrvch,
and began to pray for his soul; which
act gave him strength. He had been
kindly treated by Sheriff Kirkland, who
had supplied all his wants.
The officers Of the prison had also
treated him well. In his dreams he had
seen Mr.. Caves, who had convcrsed with
him. On one occasion, Mr.. Caocs ap-
preached him angrily, holding the stick
Will, which he struck him at the time Of
the occurrence. He asked Mr.. Cazcs to
pardon him, which he did, then they
convcrscd in u friendly manner. He did
NV Nho" NHS'li'I Nv Woh" Slcah W
the crowd at the gallows. Thongh ac-
cnscd Of cutting Il man in st. John the
Baptist, he had never had u serious diff
ticulty with any one in hls life before.
He was not in the habit Of using strong
drink.
The above is in substance the state
ment wlicl, he made i'll response to our
inquiries.
THE FATAL DAY,