The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-06-09
ITEMS FROM IBERvILLE.

PIaquemine-End of the Market Fight
i Sad Case of Death from Broken Heart
"A Practical Joke, etc.
PLAQUEMINE, La, May 80, 1888.
EDITOR CHIEF:
Court has been in session for several weeks
and a number of important trials have
taken place, among which is that of Henry
Dickson, the Negro who killed John Steel
in the lower part of this parish, April %, for
the small amount of ten cents. He was
found guilty and has been sentenced to be
hanged. The day has not yet been fixed for
the execution.
Another was the case of Jessie Conway,
charged with entering and robbing store
of Roth & McWilliams, on Myrtle Grove
plantation, Bayou Jaco, and attempting to
murder the clerk, Mr.. Wash. Baum, some
time about September last. He entered
one Of the windows at night and approached
the bed where the clerk was lying. The
latter awoke, arose to a sitting position and
asked what the intruder wanted, at the same
time reaching under the pillow for his pis-
toll The Negro, seeing the movement,
struck Baum on the head with club, stun
ming him for few seconds, took the pistol
himself, placed it to Baum's head, after he
recovered from the effects of the blow, and
ordered him to open the safe, in which the
Negro thought the money to pay off the
plantation hands next day was kept After
the safe was opened only about $65 was
found therein, which the Negro "cabbaged,"
took the pistol and beat the poor clerk un-
mercifully with the butt of it, leaving him
but was captured and tried shortly after
| and sentenced to ninety-nine years in the
penitentiary. His lawyers got him new
trial, which came up last week, and he was
acquitted He escaped the punishment SO
richly deserved through the able manner in
which he was defended by his lawyers,
Messrs. Alex. Hebert and T.. E. Grace, Jr.
The former is already prominent member
of the bar, and predict for the latter a
most successful career, as his ability and
the earnestness with which he handles his
cases will ultimately prove him to be as
good in his profession ''as they make them"
| made mistake in my letter of the 10th
| inst.-there are four saw-mills now in
operation and two more being erected; one
shingle factory almost ready to commence
work and two more in prospect All little
children around here are getting good, or
are having certain parts of their clothing
| IYo hot
with all these added facilities they will only
too frequently shear the pattering of the
shingle."
| Mr.. N. L. Bruce one of our prominent
merchants, is about to introduce patent
portable electric lights in his store, and if
they prove as good as claimed, hope to see
them generally used here.
Since the new Mayor and Council have
entered upon their duties many improve
ments have been made, and though the new
Mayor is It bear (Hebert) he and the bal
ance of the butchers have ceased growing
and entered the new market-house as quiet
| ly as lambs, and Mr.. G. Henri's market
Investment now promises to be bonanza
| WlaL Is DOna1lIts.
Week before last young man of this
town named Charles McKenna died most
sad death, and the cause of his untimely
end is fearful warning to all, ladies and
gentlemen, not to tride with the affections
of each other Poor Charley had placed his
affections in the keeping of a certain young
lady of this town, and she gave hers in re-
turn, or pretended to do so. They became
engaged. The wedding day was fixed and
every thing went smoothly until the time
drew near, when she for some reason post
poned the wedding and he consented. The
event was fixed for another day, but again
postponed, and finally the young lady broke
of the engagement Loving her, as he said,
"God only knows how WE'LL" Charley
became heart-broken and for week. or
more refused to eat Or drink, thus starving
to death for both love and food. Oh, you
who love, Or imagine you do, take warning
from the sad fate of this poor young man;
remember that men have hearts as true and
tender as those of women. Before becom-
ing engaged look into your hearts and see
if you really and truly love. If you find
you do not, cease to encourage as lover
or sweetheart; say "we may be friends,
nothing more," and stick to it. But should
you love each other and wish to marry, why,
love and marry, though the heavens fall!
Our mutual friend George B. OF this place
was "a few Nights ago made the subject of 6
practical jBke. 1t seems that George is
fascinatedswith a young lady not many
miles from here, and some of the boys
knowing it, planned that ONE should imi
tate the lady's handwriting knd drop him a
) line stating she was in te1 1wn and woule
meet him at certain plgcR, the others te
be in hiding and watch tlte FUN. The plar
was carried out and George unsuspectingly
nibbled at the bait. At tbe appointed time
, and place he promptly made his appearance
: and found female very hnpatiently await
, ing, who at the approachPf the young man
in very musical femini1A yoice exclaimed
els that you, dear tearge?" and ht
. promptly. replied, eyes; Us that you, dea1
,, Bertha?" Receiving an%nfhrmative reply
he passed her arm through his and started
, down the street as happy as if he had stucl
a nail In his foot. Imagine Georges sur
prise when, after walking nearly a square
his companion, who was '' full of laugh " a
the success of the joke, could keep it in M
longer, broke out in loud and masculin
guffaw, in which the confederates hearth,
, joined. George discovered that his 90 dea
' Bertha " was only Tom R. an inveterat
! Joker. Though covered with confusion
: George acknowledged that, though he wa
) not one of those soft-headed " dudes,'' h
was well taken in, and said he wonld trea
. if the boys would say nothing about it. Th
! promise was given and believe the boy
ha-rn Enr, l-,4