davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13
EXECUTED.
Willis Ednlunds Pays The
renalty OF His Crime.
Said Ho Committed The
Deed And Deserved The
Punishment Flo
Received.

Willis Edmunds the young ne,
gro who attempted to ravish Miss
Pellegrin last May was hung yes
terday, in the parish jail yard.
His last words we're ''IJo not do
as you seen inc do"
Promptlyat 1902 y. N. he walked
Oh the Scaffold, the drop fell at
1906 and at 1916 Coroner Duval
pronounced him dead.
EdmundS was calm, the nervous
ness he showed for several days
before theexecution having nearly
altogether left him. In a short
speech to the crowd inside of the
Jail yard, he confessed that he
committed the crime with which
he was charged, and SAID he de-
served to die. He said that he
had repented and was ready td
face his Maker. He continued ia
talk while the moose was being
placed around Ills neck and soon
after he uttered his last words
Sheriff Conncly cut the rope and
the body dropped from Il height
of nine feet. Death was almost
instantaneous.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

way to sober second thought, and as jus
tice is nearly always metered out to
criminals by TerrebOnne juries, the citi-
zens decided to let the law act.
The law dill act and acted vigorously
for notN outstanding the fact that the
court appointed able lawyers to defend
Edmunds, lawyers who realized the
nature If the responsibilities imposed on
them by the court, and labored untiringly
to save their clients neck, the jury after
listening to the evidence, the brilliant
speeches of the attorneys for the de
fonse and States attorney rendered an
unqualified verdict of guilty.
The case was taken to the Supreme
Court but that court sustained the yer
Of the lower court.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

yesterday was rerpetrated on The morning
ofMay 18th, 1895. He selected an isolated
section of the pnblic road, between Mr..
3 +. Barrow's Myrtle Grove and Roberta
Grove plantations.
On that incoming Miss Elvira Pellegrin
left her home with the intention Of visi-
ting a friend. She resided on the opposite
side Of bayou Terreboume from the public
road aud bad to cross the Myrtle Grove
bridge, AS she did so she saw Willis Ed
munds pass by going in the direction
which she had to take. He did not follow
the pubic rJad but kept close to the bayou
side where he was partly hidden by weeds
and the hedge that separates the public
road from the bayou. The young lady
took only casual notice OF the negro, as
such a thought that she would be attack
ed on the public thoroughfare in broad
day light never once entered her head.
AS she passed Que of the openings in
the hedge she was suddenly confronted
by Willis Edmunds who had a stick in
bis hand Before sue could realize the
danger she was in, Edmonds grabbed her
by the throat and tried to throw her to
the ground. In thishe partly succeeded,
but the young lady who is a stout Creole
girl and made Stronger By the terrible
predicament in which she found herself
struggled heroically and finally succeeded
in tearing herself away from the black
brute.
She did not succeed in getting out Of
harms way, however, for the negro, trans.
formed into a greater demon by his first
failure to accomplish his hellish purpose
picked up astiUk of wood and struck the
young igirl a fearful blow on the head.
She fell to her knees completely stunned
by the blow.
At that moment a merciful Providence
willed that the unfortunate young girl
should be saved from tho awful fate that
seemed to stare her in the face, for Jim
Robertson, a respected middle aged negro,
who was on his way in u sulky to Myrtle
Grove, put in an al 3earance. Seeing that
the girl was lat the mercy of the young
fiend, he whipped his horse and reached
tlie scene in time to rescue Miss Pellegrin
before tho would be-rapist could accom-
plish his purpose, He took her home in
his sulky where the wounds, which
proved to be- very painful received atten-
ton.
Willis Edmunds then tried to make his
escape but was captured as he was pass
ing through the back Of town by Justice
Larrieu,
That night as all of THE COURIER:
readers know an unsuccessful attGmpI
was made to lynch Edmuhds. A hol,
was dug through one of the walls of the
jail by u crowd of indignant citizens; bu
on entering the building it was foun'
that the prisOHer was not there, having
been previously conveyed to New Orleans
by way of Gibson, under the di ection o
Sheriff Connely who considered it hi
sworn duty to protect the prisoner by al
means i'll his power.
When Edmunds wal brought to Terre,
bonnie for trial last October the senti.
ment in favor of mob justice had givor
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

Mr.. Ward L. Smith, ofFrederickstown
Mo-, was troubled with chrome diarFhoea
for over thirty years. He had become fully
satisfied that it was only a question of a
short time until he would have to give
up. He had been treated by some of the
best physicians in Europe and America
but got no permanent relief. One day he
picked up y newspaper and CHANGED to
read an advertisement of Chamherlain's
Collie. Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy.
He got q bottle Oflt, the first dose helped
him and its continued use cured him. For
sale by The Standard Drug Store.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13
EpMuNps

A few hours before the execution the
reporter of this paper sought an interview
with Willis Edmunds who seemed very
nervous and several times during She con
versation that followed he seemed on the
point Of breaking down. The air of
complete indifference that characterized
him during his rial had disappeared, aud.
he seemed to realize his hours on earth
were very few in number.
In reply to questions asked him the
condemned man said that hs was born ia
Plaquemine, and when lie was a smal
baby his father and mother moved to
Terrebouue. Since then no resided in
this parish. He did not know boz old he
was; but from other sources, il was learn ed
that he was between twenty and twenty
one years Of age, He said he knew that
he had lone wrong, and deserved punish
ment for his crime; but had made his
peace with his Maker, and was fully pre-
pared to pay the penalty that the strong
arm of law was about to inflict. He then
confessed that he assaulted Miss Pellegrin
with the intention ofravishing her, but
declared that he was not actuated by any
feeling Of enmity toward the young lady
or by any desire for revenge as he had nc
grudge against her.
He attributed his crime to the habit o.
drinking Intoxicating liquors that he had
acquired by association with dissipatsd
young negroes. On the morning Of the
assault, while at the store on the Myrtle
Grove plantation, some of these friend
persuaded him to take several drink
with them. The doomed man spoke very
bitterly of sue friends.
Edmunds then gave a detailed account
o fthe assault on Miss Pellegrin, which
account was in substance the same Al
that given by the intended victim on tn,
witness stand during the trial.
HISTORY OF THE CRIME.
The crime for which Willis Edmund
pai1 tfe eXtreme penalty OF the ter
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13
rERREBoNNE WINS THE BANNER

Members Of Terrebonne Lodge
No. 3745 Knights Of Honor were
delighted to hear that their lodge
won the prize banner, offered by
the Grand Lodge to the lodge that
at the expiration OF the past year
would show the largest increase in
membership. The way the Terre-
bsune boys worked for the banner
WAS a caution; but they were am,
ply repaid for their lnbars, The
Donaldsonville lodge won the ban
ner during the year previous, with
Yerrebonne a close second. Mr..
L. A. Fraisse, formerly of this
place but now Of New Orleans
received a Past Dietators jewel.
At it's last meeting our local lodge
*. of II. appropriated 500 for the
relief of the drouth sufferers. This
amount was forwarded to the
chairman Of the state relief com
| mittee,
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

If you have eyer seen q child in the
agony Of group, you can appreciate the
gratitude of the mothers who know that
One Minute Cough Cure relieves their
little ones as quickly ny it is administered
Many homes in this city are never with
out it, l., j. MELVILLE.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13
SHBRIFFS SAFE.
THE STATE or LOUISIANA.
Civil District Court, Parish Of Orleans.
Huntsville Bell Line and Monte Sang
Hailroqd Go VS.. No 49l55, G..
Norbert ELLerbe.

-
HmtSpillc Bell line and Monte Sang
HaiiroqG Go VS.. No 49I55, G..
Herbert Etgerbe.
DY VIRTUE OF AND IN OBEDf-
DENCE T0A WRIT OF FIERY
fac a. emauating from the above named
Court. in the abuve entitled and num-
bered suit ard to nre directed, Thavs'
seized and taken into my possession
and VIII offer for sale, ut Public
Auction to The last and highest bidder,
in front Of the Court House 10 the
town of %ilouna, La. on
SATURDAY, THE 27th. DAY OF
MARCH, A. D. 1897,
Communicating ut tile hour Of II o'clock
n, III HE following Observation-Disclosures
| ty, to-wit:
"Ail of the writ, title and interest Of
G.. ii"I bert Ellerbe, in and 10 a GER
tain Judgment, rendered and pro-
nOuncea by the Honorable the 18th.
judicial District Court of the State of
Louisiana, sitting in and tnrthe Parish
Of Terlebonne on the 9th. day Of
! July, A, ID. 1896, in the suit entitled
u. IL. Elletbe VS. HenIy G. Miner,
30. SOL, on the Civil Docket Of said
{! Court"
Terms Cash in U. S.Currency.
For fnrther particulars seeindgmon t'
on file IN Clerks Office Of Parish Of
T%elrebonne.
A. w. CoNNELY,
Sheriff Of Terleb0nne.
Houma, La, Mach 18th, 1897.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13
CHURCH NOTICE.

The SubjecG of universal saliva
ton will be discussed at II a. ill.,,
at the Presbyterian Church by the
Rev. Mr.. Youngof T%hibodaux, who
cordially invites the public to at
tend. All seats free. Evening servi-
ces Will be discontinued for the
present.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

have purchased the store formerly
belonging to my brother, Mr.. Writ
Bergeron, on Bayou Black, and in the
future the business will be carried on
in my maine.
feh-20, HARRIS BERGERoN, Jasa
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

An effort is being made by
postmaster JnO, r. Grinage to
secure an assistant to be paid by
the government, and he has aceOr-
dinghy correspondent with the
proper officials in regard to the
matter. Houma certainly needs an
assistant postmaster Al their is
entirely too much work connected
with the Office for one man to
perform with satisfaction to the
public. The business Of the Office
ought 10 justify the postal depart
ment in providing for a salary for
an assistant. The public is certain
ly interested in this subject. The
quicker the'mailis distributed the
better will it be for those whose
time is money, and can i'll afford
an hour or so waiting for their
7paiI.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13
Z WATCH AND SEE ~

Tor coughs, colds, Lagrippe and Head
[ ache; use Laxtive Bromo- Qninine
Positively Suarenteed. No cure no pay.
Sold by L.. j, MELVILLE.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

m OR SAIL CHEAP. A small ssconfl
hand, g mbinatiUn lock, Aosley safe
in geo. order. Just the safe needed
q ia a PIantation store ar plantation
rrsldenu" Viii ba sold very cheap
Apply to or address CoURIER,
Iloama, La.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

Mr.. j. E. Leblanc, who for
the past three years has made his
home in Assumption parish spent
several days this week with friends
aud relatives in Huuma.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

The Courier wishes to again call
the attention of the travelling
public to the penalty of $500
attached to driving four mules
wagons, three mules carts or
heavy drays over the bayou
Lacache road. This road is intended
only for the use of light vehicles.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

Tortuflng, itching, scaly skin erup-
lions, burns and scalds are soothed at
once and promptly healed by De Wits
Witch Hazel SAlve, the best known cure
for piles. L. j. MELVILLE,
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

The many friends OF Mr., Fred
j. Louwere regretted to hear
that he had resigned his position
as assistant postmaster of HORma.
During the short time Mi. LOuviGFe
was connected with the Office he
rapidly acquired the knack of
distributing the mail, and old
Uncle Sam himself would have
smiled to see how fast the letters
ana packages were sent to their
proper places. MI. Louviere was
polite and accommodating to ali
who visited the post office and, by
his gentlemanly bearing engrafted
himself into the good will of the
public. Mr.. Louviere has secured
a position as public school teacher
and took charge of his school last
Monday.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13
Sbe DOuIQa0 Courier.
sATURDAY MARCH Is, 1897.

One Minute is all the time necessary to
decide from personal experience thar One
Minute Cough Cure does what its name
implies. L.. j. MELVILLE.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

Houma Fire Co. No. 1, has
fixed Sunday, May 18th, 1897,
Tor an Excursion from Houma to
New Orleans. and return same
day. Fare round trip $50, children
under u years of age rs cts,
for benefit of Building fund. Train
leaves Houma at s o'clock
A. NJ. Leaves New Orleans ut
1890 P. M.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

Don't allow the lungs to he impaired
by the continuous irritation of a cough,
1t IL easier to prevent consumption than
to cure it, One Minute Cough Cure taken
early will ward off any fatal lung
trouble. L j. Monvillo.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13
Gard orTh:.nI5s.

We desire to tender to friends
and relatives our heartfelt thanks
for many kindnesses shown our
late deceased, Mrs. Lafayette
Watkins, during her last illness,
and for attendance at the funeral.
We especially desire to publicly
thank Mr.. and Mrs. John Gaidry,
Mi. and Mrs. Lulu Rouen, Mrs.
John p. Rouen, Nj. Alexis Du-
plants, Mrs. Theophile Chauvin,
and Mr.. Amede Celestin fer many
manifestations OF sympathy and
valuable assistance rendered
during the dark hour of our
sorrow and distress. All of which
is deeply appreciated by
The Watkins Family.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

1t is surprising what a "wee bit of n
thing" can accomplish. Sick headache,
constipation, dyspepsia, sour stomach,
dizziness, are quickly bunished 10y De
Wits Little Early Risers. Small pill.
Safe pill. Best pill. l.. j. MELVILLE.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

ITANTED to buy one or two lots in or
III near Houma. State size, locality,
F9 nrioG and terms Rcx 2o2 HeUna.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

Many, cases of 2 Grippe" have lately been
cured by One Minute Cough Cure. This
preparation seems especially adapted to
the cure of this disease. 1t acts quickly
thus preventing serious complications
and bad effects i'll which this disease often
leaves the patient. L. j, MELVILLE.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

E. e, Turner of Compton, Mo, writes
us that after suffering from piles for
seventeen years, he completely cured
them by using three boxes of De Wits
Witch Hazel Salve. 1t cure eczema and
severe skin diseases. l.. j. MELVILLE.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

They are so small that tho most SEN
sitive persons take them, they are SO
effective that the most obstinate eases of
constipation. headache and torpid liver
yield to them. That is why De Wits
Little Early Risers are known as the
famous little pills. L. J. MELVILLE.
The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-03-13

- lIe eEtFana - IN tR1 ~
The herald., 1897-10-22
repted the cottage at 333 Sixth stree
taking possession today.
DOWNEY

DOWNEY, Oct 21.-(Regular Core
sponG'snce.) Charles H. Hammerton
aged 81 years, and native of Downey
Cal, died last evening of lockjaN
caused by sticking a pitchfork into his
foot a week or so ago. Mr.. Mammertor
has lived con ontinuously in this place
since his birth ard was we'll and favor
ably known.
Deceased leaves a wife and three
small children besides numerous rela-
tives to mourn his sudden death.
The alarming frequency of deaths from
tetanus in this vicinity is the cause OF
much concern, as it has been almost
invariably fatal.
Mrs. Zike met with quite a Sc
we're accident yesterday afternoon. In
company with a gentleman she was
driving toward towp when something
went wrong with the harness causing
the horse to become unmanageabe. The
buggy was overturned and the occu-
pants spilled out by the roadside. Mrs.
like received sprained ankle and a
good many bruises, the gentleman es-
Gaping more fortunately.
E. P. Truitt OF the Norwalk Call was
over yesterday
The revival services continue at the
Capt. Ruddock is having some of the
rooms of the Central hotel repapered and
renovated.
The herald., 1897-10-22

his cousin, Mrs. M. A. Yarnell Of this
city, Tuesday.
o. P. Jones and wife left yesterday for
their home in Kern county, after an ex-
tended visit with their daughter, Mrs
George S. Smith of this city.
Rev ]. T. Hopkins and John T. Nourse
of this city left Wednesday for Oakland
to attend the synod and presbytery in
session there.
c. E. French and wife of Los Angeles
are in town for few days.
Miss Annie Hill of Los. Angeles is the
guest of her parents, H. c. Hill and wife
| for a few weeks.
Carl Crew of Los Angeles is in town to
| day on business.
| Miss Maude Roper arrived in Santa
Ana today from Dakota to join her
parents, who are residing here
Editor Baker of the Standard is al
the San Juan hot springs.
The city officials are nicely located in
their new quarters in the Gildmacher
building.
A marriage license was issued yester-
day to Mary E. Ball, aged 80 years, and
VIM. Kidner, aged %, both residents of
Garden Grove
The infant child of r. r. Mcdowell of
Bolsa died yesterday.
]. P. Greeley returned today from San
Francisco, where he went to attend the
grand lodge of Masons.
Mrs. Della Kernoodle and, daughter
Flora returned home yesterday from a
visit to relatives in Los Angeles.
The herald., 1897-10-22
NO PAY
TILL
CURED
DR.. r1EYERS
Diseases and Weakne

arranging for trip across the continent
on foot.
The officials of the city are anxious to
find the party or parties who have, with
in the past few days. turned loose upon
the streets couple of horses suffering
from aggravated cases of glanders.
The match mile bicycle race between
Carson Shoemaker, amateur champion
of Southern California; and A. L. Tabor,
the fast man from Corona, advertised
to come off today, was declared off after
the men had reached the track The
reason was that Tabor objected to rid e
after the tandem pacing team selected
by the judges. The race off, Shoemaker
went against the track record of 1859
for mile, flying start, paced, and he
made the distance in 1:5S 2-5. After a
short rest he started again to beat the
local record for mile, star6ing start,
paced, and succeeded irs breaking the
coast record for anna teurs, his time be-
ing 2:04.
The 50-yard foot race between w. j.
Cutter of San Jacinto and Chas. Nowl-
ing of Corona was won easily by the
latter in 5 1-5 seconds A second yard
foot race between Cutter and Wester-
field of this city was won by Cutter in
2-5.
The herald., 1897-10-22
ORANGE

ORANGE, Oct. 21.-(Regular Cores
pondence) Next Sunday being Chris
tian Woman's Mission day at the
Christian church, Orange the pastor
will preach at II a. m. on the woman S
motto, 'The Love of Christ Constran-
eth Me" At 1880 p. m. Miss Maud F.
Walker and Miss Ward of Pasadena will
deliver addresses. Miss Ward is or
ganizer Of mission work in Southern
California.
Abraham Weiser of Orange, who has
been visiting friends in the east for
nearly three months. returned to Orange
yesterday. He did not come back alone.
for on September 2Sth he was married
to Miss Arminta Morrison at the home
Of her mother, at Stonestown, Pa.
Hubert Isaacs Of Los Angeles was in
town today.
Harry Harthorn, formerly of Orange,
now with the Hotel del Coronado, greet
ed friends at the depot this morning
He was on his way to Los Angeles.
At their annual meeting yesterday the
stockholders Of the Orange Building and
Loan association elected the following
directors: D. c. Pixley c. P. Mallory,
Fred M. Robinson, F. D. Collins, D. F.
Campbell. Thomas Hall and DR.. W. B.
Wood. The secretary's report showed
the association to be in a safe and flour
ishing condition. At meeting of the
newly t-elected board of director D. C.
Pixley was elected president, and o. p
koerting, secretary.
The herald., 1897-10-22
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
SAN BERNARDINO

SAN BERNARDINO, Oct. 21.-(Rsg-
ular Correspondence) The body of
George w. Wentz was brought down
from the mountains Wednesday evening
and put in the care of the coroner to
ascertain the cause of his death, as it
was very sudden. The deceased was
freighter to the mines on the mountain
range. He was over so years of age and.
was well-known character, having
lived here many years. Friday morn
ing he left with load of supplies, reach
ing the cabin Of John Schenck, about
fourteen miles from the city and five.
miles this side of Fredalba park, where
he usually put up for the night After
taking care of his team he asked Schenck
If he might sleep inside the cabin instead
of outdoors, as was his custom. He was
given permission, and said he felt as
we'll as ever with the exception of a
slight cough. Saturday morning Schenck
went dowa to the city, and Wentz re-
marked he would stay there that day
| till he returned, and asked Schenck to
| bring him some quinine. He did so, aud
on his return found Wentz sitting on
| the porch feeling as well as usual. He
gave the quinine, and was up with him
occasionally during the right, but in
the morning, with hardly a warning.
Wentz died. Schenck came down and
| notified the undertaken and coroner, who
| had the remains brought down for an
| irvestiga ton and burial.
| The attempt of the city board of edu-
cation to employ attorneys against the
| advice of the district attorney is causin g
some interest from the fact that one Of
the warrants issued for that purpose
was most emphatically stopped by
| Treasurer TrumaE Reeves, who states
that only an order from the superior
court will diraw the money from the
| treasury. Ii is evident that the two at
torneys who have taken the $50 useless
warrants for their services will require
an endorsement of the same from the
| individual members Of the board before
they go into court.
The first detachment of hobos for the
morth arrived Wednesday and nir,a of
them were run under cover to keep them
out of the cold for few days. Petit
larceny is charged against one or two
of them. The rock pile is yawning fo:
just such a crowd.
An active baseball fever has broker
out that promises to furnish some inter-
estins games on small scale in the
future. AT meeting held. Wedr,a sd Law
evening three teams were organized
consisting Of the following: First team