The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1889-05-18
Personal.


was III town tlt;s week.
Misses Manar Winn and Sac Pickett.
of Washington, spent several days hire
this week.
Mr>srs. j " Mnnse Of Washington.
and Il. GnSs .! Fahnctlcr, dropped in to
>rc lis on Tuesday.
Onr junior editor MAS accompanied
by ls daughter, Miss Ada, to Thi-g
slauy on Monday. wherc the State Press
Association met this week
Miss Louise iIalphen. after n pleasant
visit OF several months to the principal
cities Of the North aud West. returned
home on last Tuesday.
Our thoughtful friend, Hon H. l.,
Garland, has been sending ms files Of
the newspapers of the various cities
through which be passed on his way to
New York, where he will embark for
Eu,upt, the i"st received being Wash
,agton. d. C., papers Of last Sunday.
Thanks.
Mr.. f. +. Lafieur Of Bc!air's Cove,
and Miss Hermauce Sittig of Opelonsas,
were married at the residence of Mr.. L.
B. Sandoz on The 14th inst, by Judge
Z, T. LeTis, The happy twain imme-
diately left hy rail for New Orleans.
They have our best wishes for long
and happy life
For the information Of our readers
who do not get the city dailies VIZ re-
produce the following telegram from
Opelousas to the N. O. Times Demo
crat and the reply thereto by Sheriff
Fouten0t
May 13.-The town wore somewhat of war
like appearance this morning parties conid be
seen IN the Courthouse square armed with shot
guns and Winchesters. The courthouse and
recorders offices looked like an arsenal. The
tolling Of the courthouse bell calling these
meetings had worked many of the people up
to a high state OF excitement, Ali this was
caused by the report that the regulators or
White Caps Of Vile Platte were expected in
town this morning to rescue three OF their
number who were IN custody under charge
not bailable, and were to have an examination
to-day. The charges were shooting into
houses in the night time with intent to murder;
The friends OF the parties were interviewed
by the The TIMEs-DEMocRAT correspondent,
and they said they had not come for the pur-
T,se OF rescuing the persons to-day, but that
bail; that many persons who have shed human
blood in that vicinity have not been nolested,
aud other offenders who, in cold blood, muir
dered persons, have been released entirely or
bonded, and as these were allowed bond fer
killing Vile Platte men should be bonded OF
they would release them.
The examination was held and the prisoners
were bonded, The bond was fixed at $1,000.
They and their friends have returned home.
Some forty OF the tfoWn people rendered their
services to the aut prities. The majority, how
ever, armed thems Ives and preferred to pro-
tect themselves ae1 their homes if involved
without co-operati. g with the authorities.
OPELoUsAs, La, May Ii. 1859.
Relying upon your desire to publish only
TRUTH Il oa q se peos no o
| to-day's Issue, relative to the bailins of the
Vile Platte White Caps, or regulators, by the
district Judge Yesterday and IN. the steps taken ei
! cipation Of the threatened interference by the
| friends of the accused parties.
| Rumors reached the town that large NUM-
bers of the friends of the accused intended to
| come to the tOwu armed yesterday to take the
! prisoners out of my custody in case they should
| be declined bail. The citizens Of the town oil
! Opelousas, without regard to former political
| or local differences, at once formed themselves
/ into a law and order association to sustain the
officers in maintaining the law. They in
| formed me that they held themselves in readi
ness to obey summons as a posse conlitdtHs.
accepted the offer and summoned them, and
tsey were present TO the number OF hfty; n.
the court building, while Judge Lewis was
! holding the examination.
| The affidavit charged prisoners wlth break
I ing and entering dwelling house in the night
! time with intent TO kill. The statute makes
! the offense punishable with death, and conse
uuently not bailable, il at the time there be Z
person lawfully within the dwelling house
/ The evidence showed that no person was In
| the house at the time of the breaking and Ell
! terng; consequently the accused were en-
! titled by laWsto be bailed.
Your correspondent intinates that the cour
was intimidated by the friends of the accused
! Nobody here was tntimdated, nor were thu
+ DenDIe in a high state of excitement, affiliated
/ by your correspondent. They were prepared
/ were determined and perfectly calm.
] There is no foundation aBr the charges o.
| your correspond mt against the officers or thI
| parish 1t would have been fairer, If instances
/ had been specified wherein the officers hayt
! failed to do q cir duty.
! Year correspondent reports TINT the friend:
Of the accused informed him that they Wouit
| release the accused ii they were not bonded
This statement justifes all the precautions
that were taken by myself and the citizens o
this town.
The law had its course aud any attempt t.
interfere with it's duties would have beel
promptly suppressed by the officers and pose
under my command. Had the prisoners beef
I relnanded 10 jaii without bail their friend
would have made no effort TO release them
seeing that the officers and citizens OF Opeieu
Il sas were prepared and determined to resls
with arms any such attempt
The people OF Opelousas were not divide
in sentiment on this occasion, as intilnated b.
] your correspondent. Those who held aioo
from the support OF the officers were rev j
4 number and Of insignificant influence.
T. g. FONTENOT,
Sheriff of St. Landry parish,