Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-04
NEW IBERIA'S FUSILADE.
TWENTY LIVES LOST IN A FOUR
MINUTE CONFLICT.

! NV ENI1 LIN rs LOST IN A FOUR
| MINUTE CONFLICT.
The White Republicans and Their Black
Allies at the Bottom of the Trouble
The Blacks Scatter Like Sheep Before
the handful of Whites-An Quiet at
| Last Accounts.
NEW IBERIA, Nov. 3.-About 200 Re
publicans, principally negroes, entered
LoreauVille little after / O'Clock Satur-
day afternoon cheering in the widest
manner and using profane and obscene
language in the greatest prOtusion. The
crowd was headed by ex-Sheriff Viator.
and they abused the Democratic candi-
date in the vilest terms.
The most reliable and impartial witnesses
agree that few of the citizens of LOreauvllle
not over fifteen, led by Joe GilfauX, met this
crowd OF helloggites and demonstrated with
them, when some unknown party fired on
Gilfaux. The assault was very unexpected
on the part Of the Democrats, and before they
could rally GilfauX and Capt Bell had fallen.
Inc latter S revolver was taken from his body.
IL had not been discharged. AS soon as the
shooting commenced there was the greatest
confusion, and the negroes scattered in every
direction. 1t Is very probable that many of
the balls Of the Kelloggites found victims
IN ther own ranks. When the
negroes stampeded they left their
WOuuueu 10 care 1Or themselves. The
firing was quite general and many were
wounded and some killed who were not
aimed at. Eight horses were killed at the
scene OF the fight and one was found dead a
mile away. Some of the wounded negroes
started to run their horses, and ran until thev
fell from exhaustion. 1t Is reported that
some OF them ran into the bayou. where they
were drowned. Otaers reached the opposite
shOre ana continued their flight.
THE WILD PANIC.
The panic among the negroes was terrible.
Iney had been told so many wild stories about
the Democrats that they verify believed that
the DAY of doom had come. The finding Of
negroes at some distance from the battlefield
caused rumOr that the negroes had been fol-
lowed and shot down wherever found. 1t is
positively stated by the participants that this
Is false. No shots were fired off the field nor
were any OF the negroes pursued by any one
Several had balls extracted here and they
say that their wounds were received in the
engagement. 1t is stated that one man died
miles below here from wounds received in
the fight. The Democrats surrounded the Re
publican leaders, and took them prisoners.
Coroner Maville went to LOreauville to view
the remains OF GllfauX and Bell, but took no
testimony. He will complete his task to- day.
He says that as far as he can learn, there
must have been IA or l6 negroes killed. Many
were wounded. The Radicals have been
waving the bloody shirt here for a long time,
and at last they have got it stained. United
states Deputy Marshal Steel Is very ener-
getic in his efforts to get the prisoners
Judge FOntellieu held a meeting here last
Wednesday, when the gay party were in Lo-
reauvllle, and those who were present say
that the speeches were nothing but a series Of
vile ISLANDERS and abuse. The meeting, which
was secret, lasted until very late at night.
very few whites were present.
THE FIRST SHOT.
All who were in the fight when it began say
that the first shot came from negro, who
fired from his coat pocket at Joe GilfauX.
Bell and GilfauX were killed instantly and
from the first VOlley. Pistols taken from
their bodies show that they had not fred a
shot when they fell. They were two of
Fausse Points most respected and beloved
citizens. Their friends present, consisting of
SIX or eight men, were so infurated that they
went into the battle regardless of everything
and fought bravely. A great many negroes |
stood and fought until they emptied their |
pistols. The majority, however, stampeded. !
Hundreds of them jumped into the bayou and |
some being wounded did not get out. Others |
ran, and some fell down on the way and died. |
One negro was found near by in his cabin |
dead without a bruise on him.
Nearly all of those killed received their |
wounds from stray shots 1t Is reported that |
the white Republicans present were armed |
with breast plates, secured for the occasion. |
Jadge Fontellleu's clothing was full of bullet |
holes, but his skin was untouched. Capt. Bell |
was buried TO-DAY at st. Martinsville, and Joe |
GllfauX at Loreauville. No further trouble |
is expected.
ONLY FOUR MINUTES BATTLE.
went out to meet the Republicans and ask |
them to desist is stated at II. Louis Browne |
and Louis FreelOt cOlored Republicans, were |
among the killed. The additional wounded |
are ST. Clair Dugas and A. F. Dugas, Demo- |
Gratis. The engagement lasted only four |
minutes, but in that time over 1000 shots |
were fired. The negroes, as soon as they |
realized that there was really fight and that /
the Democrats were making a stand. fed in /
all directions, leaving their hats, shoes, horses
and everything. Many of them received ia
"a IN n + Il fnNn
died in ut-of- the-way places. Their bodies
are being found now in fields and |
woods; Between 80 and 80 of them
rushed into the bayou. some sank |
from their wounds and exhaustion, and |
were drowned in the confusion and struggle |
But many reached the other side and cOntln- /
ued their wild flight. There were some re-
ported as found dead in the field this side Of |
the bayou. One man made his WY miles |
below here and died. The excitement of |
Larenville was terrible. When the smoke
cleared away and the citizens found two of the
nOblest men of Fausse Point lying dead |
upon the field, their rage was terrible. The |
leaders of the Republicans had exhausted |
their ammunition and retreated into house
near by. where they asked for quarter A |
courier had been dispatched to this town.
and detachment OF the Iberia Guards were /
sent to receive the prisoners.
KELLOGG CLOSES HIS CANVASS.
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 3.-Gov. Kellogg
closed his canvass last night and left for
Iberia parish, the scene of the late |
troubles. A dispatch from New Iberia
says that it is wonderful how the leading
Republicans managed to escape, many of
them having several bullet holes through
their clothing. The following are names |
of the prisoners who are now in prison as
participants in the Loreauville riot:
Judge FOntellieu, Alph FontelIieu.
l.. Fontellieu, Albert Fontellieu. |
Eug. Dauterive, colored, Alphonse |
Miguez, Abe Pallet (colOred), Dorsey
Gibson, Eugene Conway, Edward Biene-
Were, of st. Martirville; Dick Walker
(cOlOred) and T. B. LabeuX, of st. Mary's.
The preliminary examination Of the pris-
Oners was not had to-day, as was ex-
pected, owing to the absence of the Dis
trict Attorney. Consequently the pris-
Oners will have to remain in prison until
after the election. They are leading
white and cOlored Republicans of the
parish. The Coroner's inquest has been
postponed until Wednesday.