The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1881-07-16
A bit of

were Dittl VA wa. Nalb.
sed a company Of volunteers, N
this Parish of Lafourche for ser
vice in the Confederate States
Army, known as the Lafoarche
Guards.
Among them was a young man
residing near L%afonrclle Crossing
named Hiida Bourgeois.
IN the yiciss.tuaes Of the Rebel
lion Bourgeois was made a PR.
sorer OF War 10y the Federal
Troops, at the bloody battle
fought at franklin Tennessee.
He was taken to tina Northern
prisons at in which many a
Confederate soldie: passed long
and lonesome days Eliminating
over the ups and downs Of a sol
diers life.
This restraint did not suit
young Bourgeois. and in order to
issue beyond the prison walls he
agreed to take the oath OF allie
glance, and join the Federal Ar
my, with the stipulation that he
was not to be sent against the
Contederatrs.
He was assigned to some com
pany of the Federal Army that
was OH duty in the Western plains
or Rocky Mountains, watching
the movements of sitting Bull,
Captain Jack, or any other "Lo'
that might be prowling around
infringing On the forbidden
grounds in snch Of prairie dogs
and human scalps.
News of Bourgeois, after leav-
lug his prison, never reached his
friends, who had, given up
all hopes of ever seeing him again
surprising that his scalp was
adjoining tic trapiiies OF some
Brave of the ''Lo" tribe in the
far West. .
Some months ago, to his own,
and every one else's surprise, his
brother, residing near kacelaud
received Il letter from him stating
that he had a home in California
and was wealthy.
That he had ships upon the
seas carrying rich Argosies to diff
ferent lands ; that from the bow
els OF the Earth Gold and Silver
treasures we're in his reacn, and
that he was anxious to see and
hear of the friends of Ills youth,
and the relatives he left behind
HIM in the cane fields, aud Orange
groves of Louisiana.
He rendered Il pressing invita-
ton to his Brothers to come to
him in his western home, where
he would give them employment
to support themselves easily and
comfortably. The contents of
this letter appeared more like a
vision than a reality to those TO
whom it 81 writtel.
One of his brothers replied to
him that he was willing to go,
that he was a widower and. had /
children under his charge, for
whom he would have to provide
homes before leaving Lafourche.
Another warm invitation was
sent for him to come to his home
with bis children to leave none
behind. chat all would be provi
ded for.
The Brother wrote that lie was
anxious to go, and that he had a
young friend who was DESTROYS to
accompany him, but that neith,:
had or could raise the money to
make the trip.
This letter was answered by Il
check on the Bank in California
for seven hundred dollars, with a
request to hasten, and bring his
friend with him. The Check was
presented to IL Bank in New Or
leans who telegraplled to the
Bank in California upon which
the check was drawn. inuuirine
if was good. The answer came
back overtime wires B%eourgeois's
check is good; pay it.
With this money the brother
left for the California home, tax
ing his four children with him.
Accompany ing him was Felix
InRlanr. son Of the late Et;nnne
Leblanc, II very worthy young
creole of Lafourcha.
They have been at their Yves
tern destination for a mouth O,
more. Bourgeois received them
10 princely style aud hospitality,
and had positions for them ut
once, with good salaries attached.
Thus runs. the story Of. a La.
fourche boy.
--O---