Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-08-04
a TALE OF TWO SECTIONS.
A Lost LOuisianan Turns Up as a
Rich Californian.
Thibodaux Ola J Sentinel


In 1861, when peoples thoughts
were bent on war, Captain Wick raised
a company of volunteers in the parish
of Lafourche for service in the Con-
federate States army, known as the
LafOurche Guards. Among them
was a young man residing near La
fourche Crossing, named Hilda BOur.
geOis. In the vicissitudes of the re-
belsiOn Bourgeois was made pris-
oner Of war by the Federal troops at
the bloody battle of Franklin, Tenn.
He was taken to the Northern prisons,
in which many a Confederate soldier
passed long and lonesome days rumi-
mating over the ups and downs Of a
soldiers life. This restraint did not
suit young Bourgeois, and in order to
issue beyond the prison walls he
agreed to take the oath of allegiance
and join the Federal army, with the
stipulation that he was net to be sent
against the Confederates. lie was
assigned to some company that
was only the duty in the Western
plains or Rocky Mountains watching
the movements Of Sitting Bull, Cap
tain Jack or any other "Lo" that
might be prowling around and in
fringing on the forbidden ground, in
search of prairie dogs and human
scalps. News of Bourgeois, after leav-
ing his prison. never reached his
friends, who had given up all hopes of
ever seeing him again, supposing that
his scalp was adjoining the trophies of
some brave of the 10" tribe in the
far West.
Some months ago, to his own and
every one else's surprise, his brother,
residing near Raceland, received a let
ter from him stating that he had a
home in California and was wealthy /;
that he had ships upon the seas
carrying rich argosies to different
lands; that from the bowels of the
earth gold and silver treasures were
in his reach, and that he was anxious
to see and hear of the friends of his
youth and the relatives he left behind
him in the cane fields aud orange
groves of Louisiana. He rendered a
pressing invitation to his brothers to
come to him in his Western home,
where he would give them employ
ment to support themselves easily and
comfortably. The contents of this
letter appeared more like a vision
than a reality to those to whom it was
written. One Of his brothers replied
to him that he was willing to go; that
he was a widOwer and had four chill
dreR under his charge, for whom he
would have to provide homes before
leaving Lafourche. Another warm
invitation was sent for him to come 10
bis home with his children. to leave
none behind that all would be pro.
yided for. The brother wrote that he
was anxious to 60, and that he had
young friend who was DESTROYS to
accompany him, but that neither had
nor could raise the money to make the
trip. This letter was answered by a
check on the bank in California for
500, with request to hasten and
bring his friend with him. The check
was presented to bank in New Or
leans, which telegraphed TO the bank
in California upon which the check
was drawn, inquiring if it was good
The answer came back over the wires
Bourgeois check is good; pay a .
With this money the brother left for
the California home, taking his four
children with him. Accompanying
him was Felix lie Blanc, son Of the
late Etienne LIE Blanc, a very worthy
young Creole Of Lafourche. They
have been at their western destina
ton for a month or more. Bourgeois
received them in princely style and
hospitality, and had positions for
them at once, with good salaries st..
tached.