The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-08-03
R~eprehensible Pastime
Lives Endangered by the Reckless
Use of Firearms.

ing against M "practlce OF shooting
with rifles and pistols, INDUCED in
very frequently by passengers on
board of excursion boats that pass from
time to time' before the doors of the
inhabitants oflower Lafourche.
1t seems that the thoughtless pleas.
ure seekers think it fine sport to
practice their weapons on the many
unwary %alligators which infest the
lower LafOnrche, Or on the hapless
blackbirds circling over patches Of
rice, but they never think for q mo-
ment of the fright they cause to nerv-
Gus women and tim,id children. Nor
do they ever consider that in the ex-
citemcnt and ~carelessness Of the Occa-
sion they endanger the lives of the
peaceful inhabitants along the seclud-
ed banks Of our beautiful stream.
The section of the parish of which
we speak is thickly populated and
the ridge along the bayou being very
narrow, the dwellings are all situated
very near the banks hence the great
danger to life by balls fired at alliga-
tors glancins off from the water.
Our correspondent gives an instance
of this reckless shooting. which took
place from ON board the Louisiana on
the 23d ult when shots were fired
within some fifty steps from the Duet
sclioolliouse, while full of children.
Needless to say. the children were very
much frightened. OF course he knows
not who the careless marksman was.
Our justly incensed correspondent
intimates that should some Jhe be
unhappily hurt by the promiscuous
shooting of these inconsidcrate sports
men, tie Inhabitants Of his vicinage
would be sorely tempted to wreak
dire and speedy vengeance upon the
miscreants. While we appreciate the
fact that these peoples patience is
severely taxed by this misconduct, yet
we cannot but alphabetically condemn
the proposed remedy. One wrong
can never be cured by an
other, even more serious. We feel
satisfied that this reprehensible prac-
tice of some of the excursionists is due
to thOughtlessness rather than to any
desire to modest, much less hurt, any
IN ; and we have every reason to be-
lieve that the mere calling of their
attention to the matter will be suffi-
cient to put an end to it. And for
this reason we are glad that our cor
respondent has furnished us with the
facts.
But should this gentle remonstrance
fail to force a respect to the rights of
others, the inhabitants of the disturb
ed community might set to securing
the names Of the needless sportsmen,
and report them to the proper author
tiles and see whether a course of law
would not bring about the desired ef-
feet.
For the law provides "that any per-
SON who shall go into any public
place, into or near any private house,
or along any public street or highway
near to any private house, and who
| shall " srudely display OF
wantonly or maliciousiy discharge OF
use any pistol OF other deadly weapon
in such public place, or upon sucl
public street or highway. or near sucl
private house, in Il n calculated
! to disturb or alarm the inlabitant,
thereof. shall, on conviction thereo
before any court Of competent jurisdic
! ton, be condemned to pay Il fine no
! exceeding fifty dollars, and in defaul
of the same be sentenced to imprison
ment for not less than ten days no
more than thirty, or suffer both, at tn
dircretion of the court"
An application Of this remedy woul'
no doubt he both wiser and safer thai
the one suggested of going outside o
the law. Keep within the law, nj
ways.