The Opelousas courier., 1885-03-07
DIR. Felix Guilbeau.

On Wednesday last, sorrowing friends
and relatives accompanied the remains
Of the subject OF this obituary 10 their
last resting place.
Who caustell, what language depict
the broken. hopes lying entombed
within the narrow cell which now holds
all that was mortal of DR., Felix Gailbeau! !
He was, iu the truest aceeptation,
self made man and ii true representa-
tive of the neaD South. He was not of
those who sat quietly contemplating
tile ruins of the past, but he looked al
ways to the future, full OF energy, with
noble aspirations and will that would
overcome every difficulty. He early
prepared himself for the professiQN of
medicine. After graduating in the city
of New Orleans he returned to his ma
tive parish, Lafayette, and embarked at
once in active practice. Though young
in years, he Soon gave unmistakabEe
proof of bis efficiency and capacity as a
physician and surgeon. From Lafa.
yette, he removed to Grand Coteau,
where the late Dr.. E. NJ. Millard well
coined hlm as one thorough in his profess
sion and worthy of implicit confidence.
He was not long in establishing a repu-
tation commensurate to his talents; and
his practice grew to be large and lucra
tive. While Ills skill was recognized
by all, fellow practitioners as well as pa
tients, he possessed in an eminent de-
gree qualities which endeared him to
those who knew him. Of quick per-
ception, he not only understood at once
his patients ailments; but, self-reliant,
he never hesitated to do what he be-
lieved ought to be done to check di-
sease and assist nature in her efforts
to restore health. With all this, in the
sick room, his every word aud every
action breathed the spirit of kindness
and sympathy
His intercourse with his felowmen
was marked by every characteristic
which distinguishes the true gentleman.
Modest, but firm in bis convictions,
quick in discriminating between right
and wrong, he was ever ready
to commend the good and con-
demu the bad: Streng as were his at
tachments-and no man loved his
friends with deeper affection-noth-
ing could induce him to call what he
believed to be wrong otherwise than by
its right name. But, If his genial dis
position, his unostentatious liberality
and generosity, his bright intellect
won him hosts of friends and admirers,
it was around his hearth, surrounded
by his loving wife and little ones, that
the noble qualities of the man shone
with particular luster. saS appeared
as if all his thoughts were of them and
for them. Passing from that relation
to his filial duties, safely can it be said.
there never was a son more sensible of
bis obligations and more ready at all
times to fulfill them to the measure of
his ability ;-and this noble trait was
only eqaaled by bis devotion to his
brothers and sisters
Full of hopes and bright an ntieipations,
with the future SO promising, he has
been called away too soon from his
sphere of usefulness, and his going has
left Il void difficult TO be filled. It is a
trying ordeal to give up the young or
to see the eyes of old age close in death /;
but to die at the threshold of active
life, leaving behind wife, and children
too young to realize their loss, it is sad,
sad Strange, passing strange are the
dispensations of Providence. 0nly
thirty four years old, and now in the
silent tomb be rests from his labours.
i Pea q to his ashes.
4 FpTrNn