davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-05-08
BY a Large Majority-The
Whole Ticket Elected.
A Signal Victory Over the
Allied Forces of the
Combine.
An Ingenious Trick Re-
sorted to, But to no
Avail.

The Gazette's gay chandelier ap-
pears this morning under very auspi-
cious circumstances. The recent
victory of the Democratic party
has stirred this feathery songster
and he bees to offer his earnest
congratulations to the unterrified
Democracy of the town. 1t has not
been the custom of The Gazette to
call upon this faithful bird to cele-
brate victories of local character,
but last Mon days election proved
such = manifcent victory that the
complete and tame affair with out
his elegant form and lusty voice.
He is good-natured chicken an d
though his personal appearance is
not calculated to soothe the bleed.
ing hearts of defeated candid ates
and assuage the wounds of political
disappointment, he means no harm,
but is simply exercising his constitu-
tionai right to crow.
The election was holly contested
and the supporters of both tickets
worked hard from the early hours
of the morning until the closing of
the polls at o'clock. A full vote
was cast, SAG men having voted.
Everything passed off quietly and
no disturbance of any kind took
place. The Australian ballot law
worked we'll, every voter beng
given an opportunity to prepare his
ballot and vote it unhindered by
the obnoxious ward bosses whose
presence at the polls under the old
law made elections such disgrace
full affairs.
The ballot box was placed in
the courtroom and officers we're
stationed near the entrance to allow
only two voters to 60 in and vote
at the same time. AS soon as these
two had voted, two more were ad
mit.ed, and in this manner all who
applied were given an opportunity
to exercise their right of suffrage.
During the early part of the day
the supporters of the Peoples
ticket were not very conspicuous
around the polls, the presumption
being that they were tenderly nurs-
ing some formidable coup d'&tat
which was in process of incubation.
<3But whether or not this was
true, has not been definitely ascer-
tanned.
The box was opened at 7 o'clock.
The following gentlemen were the
commissioners: J. ALT. Mouton,
ID. j.. Veazey, F. G.. TRAY, and
Baxter Clegg served as clerk.
The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-05-08
THE MOTHER
OF Ernest and Alexis Blanc
Writes to Know if
Her Sons
Were Really Guilty and In
What Manner They
Died.

Blanc brothers, who were executed
here on April 2, always contended
that their mother was dead and that
they had not a relative on earth.
In his written confession Ernest
Blanc pays a beautiful tribute to
the memory of his mother, and de-
picts in eloquent language the scene
which he alleges took place in
Paris some years ago when he and
his brother, Alexis, ministered to
the last wants of their mother who
expired in their arms after painful
and lingering illness. Those who
read the confession written by
Alexis may remember that passage
where the younger brother says:
s'Poor mother! How she must
have suffered, if from her heavenly
abode, she looked down upon us
and followed US through our lives ~
TO a New Orleans reporter the
brothers stated that after commit
ting the crime they had left for
France to visit the grave of their
mother and with their 1ll-gotten
money they intended to buy a
tombstone 10 place upon the rest
ing place of their beloved parent.
AS these statements and confess
sions were made by the young men
when an awful death on the gallows
was a certainty few doubted their
story, especially that part of 1t con-
corning their mother, but the fol-
lowing letter received Thursday
morning by Rev. E. Forge, goes to
show that there is no credence to
be placed in what the youthful
murderers wrote and said. The
letter, which explains itself, reads:
"NEw York, May z, 1897.
sReverend Sir-Permit me to
ask of you the details relative to
the death of two young men, Ernest
and Alexis Blanc, who, it appears,
were executed in your parish in ex-
piation of crime committed by
them. 1t is the bother of the two
young men who requests me to
write to ascertain if her sons were
really guilty, and under what cir
cumstances, and in what spiritual
condition they died.
"Thanking you in advance, be-
lieve me, etc.
"THEo. WUCHER,
<sPriest of St. Vincent de Paul,
"12o w. cath street, New York. u
The letter which was written in
French, is undoubtedly authentic
Rev. E. Forge has replied to it,
giving the desired information.
The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-05-08

did not concur inethis opinion.
Mr.. Davidson, of Terrebonne,
made strenuous kick because he
considered that $500 on the
Houma branch was too low. Bnt
the railroad company held a pat
hand and Mr.. Davldson's protesta-
tons we've to no avail.
The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-05-08

Judge McFaddin was appointed
watcher for the Democrats and Ed
ward Judice for the Peoples ticket.
The voting was done without any
friction and all went on merrily
and smoothly. When the hour ar
rived to close the box two addi-
tional watchers from each side were
appointed to witness the count.
Paul Castel and Robt. Bailey
served for the Peoples ticket and
Alfred Hebert and c. NJ. Parker
son represented the Caffery ticket.
Out of the $40 ballots 70 were
thrown out as ''spo,lt." Some of
them bore marks written by lead
pencils In many instances ballots
were nulliied by the failure of the
voter to properly use the blotting
paper. One Peoples ticket had
been written on blank paper. This
fact has given rise to the belief in
the minds of some people that this
was a trick of the opposition to Sc
cure genuine ticket. If it be true
It was a very ingenious trick, be-
cause with one ticket they could
very easily have voted all their men
who could not read.
By preparing the first ticket, Civ.
ing it to one voter, who would be
trained to put the unprePared
ticket in his pocket and voting the
one that had been fixed for him.
The ticket thus secured could have
been given to a second voter and
by repeating this procedure any
number of illiterate men could have
been voted.
The commissioners began count.
ing at about 1890 and announced
the result at II O'Clock. The vote
stood as follows:
The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-05-08

Mr.. aud Mrs. J. {. Couvillon
visited thei1 children near Bayou
Carencro last Sunday. Mr.. and
Mrs. Couvillon joined their children
and friends in very 'cnjoya bic
picnic.
The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-05-08
ASSESSMENTS

Of Railroad, Telegraph and Tele-
phone Lines.
As Usual the Railroad Companies
Fare Well.
The board of assessors of tele-
graph railroad and telephone lines
for this district of the State met at
the courthouse in Lafayette at ,2
O'Clock Thursday last.
Hon. c. c. Brown was made
Temporary chairman and w. d.
Haas secretary.
The following gentlemen we're
sworn in by Chas. D. Caffery, Esq,
as members of the board:
w. D. Haas, Avoyelles; DR.. B.
E. Clark, Acadia;. Jos. Lebleu,
Calcasieu; J. A. Provost, Iberia;
H. Marrero, Jefferson; c. c.
Brown, Lafayette; H. N. Coulon,
Lafourche; J. c. Price, Rapides;
Sam Haas, ST. Landry; A. E. Pi-
card, St. Charles; E. A. Duchamp,
St. Martin; w. p. Miller, Vermil-
ion; A. F. Davidson, Terrebonne.
Assumption and St. Mary were not
represented.
There were present f. Van Week,
general manager; T. Fay, managers
assistant; w. F. Owens and Judge
J. c.. Parkerson, of the Southern
Pacific Company; E. M. West,
manager New Orleans office of
the Western Union Company; J.
T. Fowler, Manager Great
Southern Telephone Company; r.
F. Hogsett, manager Teche and
Vermilion Telephone Company.
These gentlemen were present to
look after the interests of their
respective companies.
The temporary organization was
made permanent on the motion
of Mr.. Marrero- Upon the motion
of Mr.. Marrero the assessment of
the Southern Pacifc's property was
taken up.
On motion of Mr.. Coulon,
seconded by Mr.. Provost, the as
sesment of the Southern Pacific's
main road from Alexandria to New
Orleans was placed at the same
figures as last year-S65oo.
Messrs. Davidson and Duchamp
argued that every branch road
should be assessed separately, and
Mr.. Coulon of Lafourche claimed
that it was the duty of the whole
board to assess all the branches at
the same time. That the intention
of the law is to equalize the assess
ments.
Mr.. Marrero's motion to assess
all branches together was carried.
Upon motion of Mr.. Marrero all
branches of the Southern Pacific
were assessed at $500.
Telegraph lines of the Western
Union were assessed at the same
figures as last year, 500 per mile
for two wires with $12 for each ad-
ditional wire.
The property of the Great South
ern Company was fixed the same as
formerly, $50 per mile. The local
lied portion in Calcasieu was ex-
| cepted.
The Teche and Vermilion tele-
phone line was assessed at SIS a
mile.
The Teche Railroad was as
sessed at $3.50.
The Louisiana Westerns line
from Lafayette to Calcasieu was
taken up. The main line was as
sessed at $1,000 and the Eunice
branch at $500 This is a reduc-
ton from last years assessment Of
$500 per mile.
When the Iberia and Vermilion
railway was reached, considerable
time was consumed, as the two
commissioners, Messrs. Provost
The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-05-08

If you need any printed station
cry, we would like to furnish you
with some Of it.
The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-05-08

DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
For Mayor:
G. d. Caffery....
For Councilmen:
A. E. Mouton.......... ...............1so
DR.. G. A. -..........-.I57
DR.. L. b. Hopkins.....--.. ...-..-........15o
JOhu AAduu.. L
}. }. DaVidSon-. .-..--.......-..--...--.-I49
J. A. Landry-.-.--... -..~..........- ........149
\. J. B1u...,-..- ...146
PEOPLES TICKET.
For Mayor:
Crow Girard
For Councllmen:
VIM. Campbell. .-.-12o
]. p. Revilion 1 z6
Louis Lacoste.. .-117
Chas. Lusted,
L. +. Salles...-..
Jno. O. Mouton..-......-
Nj. Rosenfeld
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-29

of meeting between Tom and George.
Green says that he will not fig ht in futur
any opponent who will scale over l45
pounds, and that if Ryan will agree to go
him twenty-round race at or under the
welter-weight limit he can be accom-
modated.
They all say that l cannot fight under
l5O pounds" said Green, "but / will fool
the wiseacres when any of the welters
will agree to lneet me at weight. | am
not middle weight yet, but guess after
l am little older must tackle some OF
the light middle-weights, and perhaps
may beat some of them too, who knows?"
It was stated yesterday that the Cali
fornia Athletic Club had signed kid"
Lsvigne to fight McKeever at CATCH
weights some time in the latter part OF
June.
1t will be remembered that McKeever
had the best of the kid" in an engage
ment they had in Philadelphia some
time ago. and now the kid" is desirous
OF return match. He will find hard
nut to crack when he meets McKeever,
unless he alters his idea of fighting at
catchweights. In first-class condition La
vigne will fight at 138 pounds, but in this
glorious climate pugilists run up in
weight, and doubtless "the Kid will scale
lao, which will be about five pounds less
than his opponent will scale. Mckeever
will develop during his sojourn on this
coast. Consequently there is no telling
what weight he may fight at when he en-
ters the ring next.
There is very little said of the Olympic
fights. O,Donnell is training hard for his
contest with Greggains, but judging from
the records of the fighters there should be
only one man in the game, and his name
is 'Steve." O'Donnell is O more polished
fighter than Greggeins and having more
science, height, weight end experience it
is hard to imagine where Gregga!ns will
get off, unless ii is on the small side of The
purse. His only hope OF success is in
punching-that is if he can-:he heart
out of O Donnell before Steve gets move
on. History says that when O'Don nell
is scoring a lead he makes short work of
his opponent, but he cannot relish an up
hill game.
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-29
NEW AMATEUR
ASSOCIATION
An Important Body Organ
lied in the Athletic
Field.
No Professional Contests to Be
Allowed in Such
Clubs.
San Francisco, Oakland, Fresno and
Los Angeles Start the Ball OF
Reform Rolling.

Fifteen gentlemen representing amateur
athletic interests of this State met last
night in executive session in the directors
room of the Olympic Club.
The principal point of discussion was as
to the relative standing of clubs devoted
to general athletics and those devoted to
some special branch OF the same.
The meeting was a unit in the senti-
ment that clubs which are devoted to spe-
cial athletics, such as boxing clubs, row.
ing clubs, bicycle clubs, etc.. should not
have the same representation In the new
association as clubs, associations unlversi-
ties, etc.. devoted to general athletics. 1t
was agreed that it would be better for the
special clubs to form an association of
their own.
The object of the proposed orgarizar rion
is ultimately to relieve amateur athletics
from the evil influences of professional
sport.
Said Chairman w. P. Lawlor: 1--WE are
to have legitimate amateur athletics on
the Pacific Coast, which cannot be found
anywhere else in the United States, and
We will insist that no amateur athletic
club shall have any professional contests"
AT last nights meeting of the Olympics
OF San Francisco, the Acmes of Oakland
and the Fresno Athletic Cub were repre-
sented by delegates. Secretary ]. P.
Cooke reported that Los Angeles had sent
communication approving of the object
OF the meeting and promising co-opera-
ton.
R. M. Welsh and A. T. Swain of the
California Cycle Association were present
and expressed their intention, since they
have retired from the l.. A. W., to affiliate
with the elements represented at the meet
ing.
AS result of the discussion the follow
ing resolutions were unanimously
adopted:
RESOLVED, That 1t be the sense of his meeting
that new amateur athletic association, TO
be hereafter named, be formed, which pro-
over ali Pacific Coast States and shall be COM
posed of legitimate amateur athle tic associa-
lions or clubs organized for the purpose of ad-
vancing general and not special athletics
Resolced, That it is the nse of this meeting
that committee OF three be appoin ted to
teur athletic clubs or assocat tions in the vari-
GUS Pacific States other than those which have
expressed the intention both formally and in
formally of joining in this movement, and
requesting them 10 send delegates either in
person or by proxy to attend the first Meeting
of that associa ton, to be held at the rooms OF
the Olympic Club on Wednesday evening"
June %.
]. ]. Allen of the Acme Athletic Club,
G. E. Wenzel of the Fresno Athleiic Club
and Howard P. Taylor Jr., of the Olympic
Club were appointed the committee pro-
vided for in the foregoing resolutions.
Each of those gentlemen is to appoint an
alternate.
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-29

in size and anglers will note when they
put up their rods after the days enjoy
ment that the trout will run about half
pound each in weight.
Is is said that the large fishes, which
were SO plentiful last year, fell victims to
the attacks OF coons. cats and cranes last
winter wnen they left the deep water for
the spawning beds in the small streams
that act as feeders to the lake.
The former keeper of the lake, Mr.. Kerr,
who made study of the fishes and their
habits, invariably kept a sharp lookout
for the breeders during the winter season.
and when they became landlocked In
some of the small pools of the streams he
netted them out and returned them to
deep water, thus saving great numbers OF
large trout
Doubtless Mr.. Richardson, the present
keeper of the lake, who is most obliging
TO visitors. will look out for the fishes
next winter.
The Wilson spoon is, as formerly, most
killing lure. but anglers who prefer uslng G
the fly will find that good results Will ac-
crue from trolling cast slowly along the
west shores of the lake. Three small flies
of midget size are best, and from an ex-
perience two anglers had last Sunday the
fly fancied most was close imitation o.
mosquito-dark brown body, gray hackle
and slate-color wing. size 10.
Good reports have been received from
Boulder Greek and some OF its tributaries.
Messrs. Cooper and Walker had good sue
cess last Sunday. The streams with
easy reach of Ukiah and Cloverdale are
now in excellent order for f1y-tishing, and
several city anglers who tished IN the VI
cinity of Ukiah during the past week re-
turned with well-filed baskets.
1t is said that the Fish Com mis- sion 9 RS
are taking thousands of bass fry fr ON the
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-29

one round, Mick Dooley in three rounds.
and fought four-round draw with Peter
Maher. Slavin pays no attention to the
fights he has had in the East. as he had
not trained for any of them. If he whips
Butler he will be ready to meet Jeffries or
any heavy weight bar none.
According to Buffers record the colored
pugilist must be a heavy punchef. The
men who went down before him are !:
Henry Baker q. c. Smith the Thunder
bolt") f. Craig. Joe Goddard, Ed Binney,
Jim Daily. Professor Banks, George Read
ing, George Williams and other lesser
lights.
If Butler wins he will send on a chal-
lenge to fight Armstrong, who is
"Parson" Davies protege.
The preliminaries to Monday evening s
entertainment should furnish good sport.
Sammie Maxwell of Scotland will meet
Frank Rafael in ten-round bout and Ike
Rubenstein of Sacramento will meet for
the second time To-l Cooney of Boston.
AS there is "bad" blood existing between
the two last-named fighters a hurricane
battle may be looked for.
Who will now fight George Green is
a question that many people ask. but an
swers are scarce.
Tommy Ryan is the only m an who is a
tit candidate for the job. but Ryan cannot
do battle under $50 ponds and fight
strong, consequently there is little hope
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-29
THE GUN.
Teams That Will Shoot In the
Tournament on Sunday and
Monday,

Tournament on Sunday and
Monday.
Quite mum Der of sportsmen from the
rural districts are now in this City waiting
for the opening day of the much talked
mate Target Association, which will COM
mence on Sunday and will end on Mon.
day.
The smashing of clays will occur at Ala
media Junction, and the first squad will be
called at 8 A. M. sharp. American Associa-
tion rules will govern the shooting in all
particulars not otherwise provided for.
All complaints or protests must be prom pt-
ly made to the chairman of the tourna-
ment committee, who will have an Office
on the grounds. Contestants will not be
allowed 10 use either ten-gauge gems or
BLACK powder.
The annual dinner of the association
will be omitted this year, and, instead,
members will be rendered a recep option,
iinks and entertainment by the Olympic
Gun Club on the evening of Monday, the
3lsi inst.
The following are the teams which have
already entered for the races, and as the
crack shooters of the City and State will
compete it is safe to say that great scores
will be made:
lack, Van Valkenburg, Ralphs. Laighton,
Mason.
San Joaquin Valley Gun Club-Mcyeaph
Downing, Rice, Hinckle, Woods and Judy"
Stockton Athletic Association Gun Club
Haas. Winders. Nicol, McCay. F. Merrill and
G. Merrill.
Antioch Gun Club-Ross, Durham, W. Rem.
free Sr., DR.. George, James Taylor and Jose ph
Taylor.
Garden City Cyclers Gun Club-Dr. Barker.
Anderson, Holmes, r. Coykendall, F. Coyken.
dali and one yet to be named.
Lincoln Gun CIub-Karney, Bruins, Pete Nc
Rea, Eugene Forster, Daniels and Robertson
Olympic Gun Club-O. Feudner, Nauman,
Haight. Webb, w. Golcher and F. Feudner
Reliance Gun Club-"Trombone.' Cadman,
McCutchan, Sands, Olson and Norton.
Empire Gun Club will select from Allison.
Ecker, Haliowell, Mendenhall, Andrus King,
Judd and Hauxhurst
The present holders Of the association
medals and trophies are: Individual
championship diamond medal, G. ]. Haas
of Stockton; Golcher trophy, T. B. Nor
ton t Of this City; .he Allen trophy. DR.. w.
R. H. Mccoy of Stockton; Overland
Monthly team trophy, Olympic Gun Club;
association championship team trophy.
Los Angeles Gun Club.
The San Francisco call., 1897-05-29
THE PUGILISTS.
Slavin and Butler Are In Great
Condition for Monday Nights
RattIa

Battle.
The only really good and interesting
fight that the sporting fraternity may ex-
pect to witness until the National Club
gives its next entertainment will take
place on Monday evening, under the aus
pices of the California Athletic Club, at
Woodward's Pavilion.
Frank P. Slavin, the great heavy
weight and Joe Butler, the colored pugi-
list Of Philadelphia, will have a decidedly
warm passage at arms. Slavin is un-
doubtedly one OF the gamest fighters tn at
ever stepped between the ropes Of ring,
and as this Will be the first time he has
actually trained for battle since his de-
feat by Peter Jackson in England, his
many admirers expect to see him make
short work of Butler. But the coIored
fellow must not be underrated. He is
said to be as quick as flash and hits like
a kicking mule.
Butler has whipped some good men in
the East. and he says, and very conf
IDENTIFY. too, that he Will have Slavin's 3
scalp dangling from his belt before the
end OF the sixth round.
There is one thing certain, and it is that
the hight will be a scorcher from 90 tn
finish. TIE pugilists are heavy punchers
and knockdowns Will doubtless be many
during the time of battle. This will be
Slavn's first appearance in San Fran
cisco, and as he will enter the ring in
splendid fettle for sharp and Furnishing
night. the patrons of the game can count
upon seeing great battle.
Savln has long string of victories 10
his credit. He defeated Billy Farnum,
who was the only pugilist that ever low
cred the colors of Peter Jackson. He also
whipped Joe Goddard, tine Barrier cham
pion," in one round; Joe McAuIiffe in
two rounds, Jake Kiirain in one round
Jim Hall in seven rounds, Frank Craig in