The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1893-03-25

and told them that he knew the people
believed him guilty of the crime fol
which he was about to be hanged, AMI
that the people might have some preju
dice against giving employment to hi
wife. and that they may die from starva
ton. and il such was the case, to Civ.
them something to eat.
lie protested his innocence TO the last
and said he was not hanged for the Ro-
bertson murder. but for an old grudgt
the people had against him which dates
back - years.
The fifteen witnesses to the hanging
were: Gabriel Grevemberg, James T.
Mouton, TheOphile Elmer. Laurent Du.
crest. AnatOle COrmier, DIR. A. C. Durio
Clairville Bienyenu. Taylor Daspit, Jos
Rees. Emanuel Liviachi. c. NJ. Olivier
Adolphe Cormier. Arcade Gauthier. Pau.
lin Guidry. Besides the Sheriff and his
deputies and the newspaper reporters.
Outside OF the Jail yard there were be.
tween six hundred to thousand people.
Louis was bold and plucky while Oh
the gallOws and died brave.
The execution was properly carried
through by the Sheriff and his deputies.
Lewis Chambers who was TO hang
with Michel was respited by the Cover
nor, while his application is pending be-
fore the board of pardons, for cOmmuta-
ton to his sentence of death to life im-
prisonment at hard labor in the peni-
Tertiary.
Louis Michel was a fine specimen of
the African race. He was tall, a little
StOop. but was good looking negro,
with a smooth face. which. outside Of his
fiat nose, was devoid Of any negro fea-
lures. He was aged AZ years and leaves
n wife and several children, some of
them grown.
Michel was for time. during the Re-
publican reign in the seventies, a pro-
minent politician. exercising great in
fluence upon the voters Of his race. He
figured prominently in several Gntri-
guess during that time that made him an
character. He was considered
a brave, bold and dangerous character.
HISTORY OF THE CRIME.
At about seven o'clock. Wednesday
the ~, of August, 1891. there
was the appearance and suspicion Of
wrong that enveloped the
Robertson mansion.
The people i'm the neighborhood soon
went to the house to see and learn the
cause of the late rising Of those indus
triOns people who were early risers, but
a dead calm reigned in the apartments
occupied by Mrs. Jas. S. Robertson and |
Miss Isabelle J. Robertson. her step
daughter. Mr.. Philip COyne, the engi-
neer on the branch road and Chas Doer.
The then brakeman on the same branch,
slept in the house. They were awaken
md they tried to arouse the ladies Of the
house. but without success. The sus-
picion Of foul play was than more than
certain. and peep through they key
hole revealed the horrible condition that
existed in the murderOus chamber.
The police officer was immediately
'ent for, aud on his arrival. the doors of
he looms of the unfortunate women
we're forced in. Their eyes fell upon the
chastity sight. The mother laid In bed
With her throat cut. cold in the embrace
II death. while the daughter laid on the
lOOr by the side Of her mothers death
'ed. strangled to death. What an horri-
lie sight! 1t chilled the blood in the
ems of the citizens, men, women and
hildren who beheld the horrible sight.
he indignation and CONSERVATION of
he people was terrible.
At first suspicion pointed to several
ersOns, among whom was Lewis Cham
ers. His strange dOings the very day
the murder caused his arrest. Seve-
al other negroes and cOlOred women
'ere arrested and jailed, but were sub
released.
The disappearance Of Paul Cormier s
'lio was seen i'm town late the evening
revious to the murder had disappeared ,
nd left no clue whatever to his where
bouts. The general impression Is that
was one of the assasins. lie was Ia
r on seen in New Orleans In company !;
18th Louis Michel. 1t was soon after
'e murder learned that Louis Michel,
las Louis BrOussard. who had been
luished from the parish by the Regu- a