The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-12-06
NIGH UNTO DEATH.

The warehouse of Nj. Justin Ber-
trand was situated on the Rue Made
leine. 1t was supposed to be burglar
proof, SO when NJ. Bertrand put up his
sutherland went home the safety of
his goods troubled him but little. 1t
appears, however, that on the morning
Of February Is, 1849, as the watchman,
accompanied by fellow officer, was
passing, he noticed that one of the shut
ters had apparently been removed.
This aroused the suspicious of the Off
GERS, and advancing q few steps he
stumbled over the bleeding and inani-
mate form of young man. At this
moment two men rushed out of rear
door. The companion of the officer
gave chase and succeeded in capturing
one Of the two who had just left in
such great haste. The watchman then
summoned assistance and the limp
body of the young man was borne to
The Palais de Justice. Further search
revealed the fact that NJ. Bertrand had
been murdered while in his warehouse.
When sufficiently restored to conscious
ness the young man, Henri Gourard by
name, protested his innocence. His
story was heard but not believed.
''Alasp he exclaimed, s'why did
they not kill me and save my mother
this great sorrow ?''
The one captured by the watchman's s
companion, Richet, an ex-galley slave,
then told his story on promise of
being set at liberty.
The three had put up a job to gut
N. Bertrand's warehouse Soule, the
one who had escaped, Gourard and HIM
self. They had entered the place and
: were progressing admirably when a
noise startled them 1t was M. Ber-
uand, who had entered the place to as
certain the cause of the shutters being
down. As he approached to where the
three were erouching, Gourard struck
hm tremendous blow on the head
with ''jimmy,n which felled him life
less 70 the tioor. Apparently terrified
~ ms own act, Gourard then rushed
downstairs, and when he reached the.
middle ne stumbled, his head striking
me corner of the counter. He fell
senseless. They carried him from the
puiding, intending to convey him to a
piaeeof secresy. They had Just reached
sne street when they remembered that
.ney had left something compromising
esnind, and had gone in search of it
shea the officers arrived. The rest is
AnoWn Gourard was remanded to be
4 asled before the Presiding Judge at the
inDuneux. He first. however, sent a
lstser TO his mother informing her of
Nv great trouble and assuring her of
Ms innocence. His mother, Fastening
9 raris, had secured the services of nj.
ne1Ot 70 defend her son. The day of
ae sllal at length arrived. It happened,
aONeVer, that on that very same day
soung lawyer, Pierre CASTOR, was stop
pang IN Paris, awaiting the arrival of
selsaln persons with whom he had inn
potsant business. Not having anything
ao' ne sought the courtroom for the
purpose of passing the time in observ-
.ng tne proceedings of the court. His
,oase led him by the jail where Gourard
lncareerated. Just before reach
me grim receptacle of crime
au misery two officers, having in
s1g s11asge pale young man, apparently
-oous twenty-one, came from the prison,
hepped upon the walk Immediately in
ou1 u him, and moved in the same
ssceson ne was going. NJ. CASTOR had
.,ss s,sa 20 opportunity to observe the fea-
tssss ,ses oi the young prisoner. His fea-
ssacs' his manners, his respectable
salng, all struck the young LAWYER
ss~;s.SeEably: s;.e The three persons walked
E Esn rapid strides toward the Court
sso.s ssse. !, They had proceeded but a
s-s.l distance when they were met by
iosssp osssspeetaoly appearing woman of about
49, years OF age. The moment she
~ ~ aam she sprang forward and clasped
I'm ~ Y her arms, exclaiming:
,oaS; Y; Henri Henri Ny boy, my
..niss g sudden appearance of the woman
asea ..s the officers to halt.
IL. %notner, Why did you not wait at
eouFt House for msP'' said the