The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-10-31
District Court in ST. James.
The Tern, Adjourned on Account of Judge
Duffels III Health-Report of the
Grand Jury, etc.

The Term dtourned on Account Of Judge
DufYel's lls Health-Report of the
| Grand Jury, etc.
Judge Duffel had not fully recovered
| from his recent attack of illness, but he
| managed to return to st. James on the Goth
ult., to receive the report of the Grand
Jury and dispose of such unfinished bust
| ness as would admit of immediate action.
| Stating that he would be unable to hold
court during the week, his Honor instructed
| the Sheriff to discharge the persons sum-
moned for jury service.
The Grand Jury came into court and
submitted their final report. The docu-
puent is of more than average length and
indicates an intelligent comprehension and
efficient performance of duty on the part
Of the members of the grand inquest. They
reported having returned one indictment
for murder and one for rape, and attributed
the former crime to the evil habit of gam
bling on the public highways and store gal
leries so prevalent among the lower classes.
If the local authorities would suppress this
practice and the carrying of concealed
weapons, crilae would be greatly lessened
III the parish. Concerning the Jail the re-
port says: 1--WE found the prisoners in the
parish Jail suffering from blood poison.
This is caused, we have been informed, by
the want of necessary ventilation in that
building to permit the free circulation of
pure air through the cells. This matter
has become SO serious that we have devoted
the greatest part of our tine to investigate
it i'll order to prepare some plan by which
the Police Jury can be guided in making
the necessary repairs to render this build
ing place of safety for the persons con-
fined therein and not dungeon in which
prisoners die for want of fresh air. We
have caused Drs. Lambremont and Win
chester to be examined before US as to the
cause of the sickness of the prisoners here
in mentioned, and suggest the building of
sinks and ventilators in each cell with holes
not more than ten inches in diameter, to-
gether with an extra ventilator in the CEN
tire of the roof, also the opening of extra
windows in each one of the cells with sashes
or shutters to protect them from cold
weather. A we'll should be dug in proxi-
nifty to the building in order to furnish
water into tank or cistern which should
be placed in convenient position to fur
nish all the water necessary for washing
the pipes of the sinks. We also suggest
that one room on the lower floor be secure
ly and conveniently arranged as a sick
room for prisoners. The reports of former
Grand Jnries have been made to the Police
Jury recommending the absolute necessity
of doing something to better the condition
of the poor inmates who are kept i'll con-
fnement therein, to which reports, we un-
derstand, no attention has been paid. This
being the case, We fear that the present re-
port will share the fate of the others, and
recommend that your Honor give the neg.
essary orders to remove all the 5rTisoners
presently and to be herees.f1er confined to
some other jail, t5era n he Kent and fed at
'"e expspsse of this parish until the repairs
elm recommended shall have been made.
The building is otherwise kept clean and
the prisoners are we'll fed, as none of them
have complained to US of the food, which
seems good and substantial"
The books, papers and accounts of the
Clerks, Sheriff's and Parish Treasurer's Of
fees were found in good condition and
properly kept. The parochial trearury con-
-4ai..s- cash t.,t.l-e sons'e ov1s A-,--.:-e=
to the parish, and $1229 "a belonging to
the school fund.
The Justices of the Peace were summoned
for examination and all responded except
ing the magistrate of the Vacherie ward,
who has resigned and abandoned his Office.
The records of these officials were found in
good shape excepting that of the third
ward Justice, who is charged with being
"somewhat incompetent to fill the Office"
The public roads were reported as gen
orally in bad condition and the leyees as
needing attention before the next high wa
ter season. The throwing of rice straw i'll
the river was condemned as detrimental to
the public health, and the hope expressed
that the river parishes will enact strict laws
to prevent this pernicious practice.
Before discharging the Grand Jury Judge
Dutfel coYmented appropriately upon the
subjects treated in their report. He severe
ly condemned the failure of the Police Jury
to heed the repeated recommendations for
the improvement of the parish Jail, and in
timated an intention to punish the mem
bers for contempt if no action was taken
in this important matter before next term
of court.
The following business was transacted
and the court then adjourned to term in
| course:
CIVIL MATTERS.
| Henry Horn rs. Camille Roussel; judg-
ment in favor of the plaintiff for 1854 49,
with legal interest from judicial demand.
| A. Wilbert & Sons rs. Fannie Tureaud Ell
al; judgment in favor of plaintiffs fol
S1376 81, with five per cent. interest from
September l, 1888.
F. Simon Is. his creditors; final &C
count of administration, filed by P. F. ST.
mon, approved and homologated.
Euphemon Falgoust Us. Doriford Webre
Judgment by default entered up in favol
of plaintiff.
Victoria Millet wife, rs. Eugene Jay, hus
band; divorce granted.
CRIMINAL MATTERS.
Dismissed by nolle PROSTATE Us. Flanl
Bass, petit larceny; State Us. Henry Crate
larceny; State Us. John Garrison, larceny.