The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-07-17

have arranged to have their wires
on the grounds for accommodation
of the people. They have reduced
their rates to ten cents per message
to all parts of the world.
A. o. BUDRo.
James u. Lewis Morally Wounds
Himself With Fatal Intent.
Special to The Times Democrat.
OPELoUsAs, July 13.-One of the
saddest fatalities that has ever
taken place in Opelousas occurred
this evening at o'clock, when
James J. Lewis, promising young
man just in the bloom of life, shot
himself with 41-calibre Colts re-
volver, the bullet taking effect half
an inch above the heart. The ply
sicians agreed in the opinion that
he could not possibly survive.
Young Lewis is the son Of
Thomas H. Lewis, Esq, one of the
leading members of the bar here,
and NEPHEW of ex-Judge Z. T.
Lewis, now assessor, and a family
prominent throughout the State.
He stood high In this community,
being young man of sterling in
tegrity and irreproachable charac-
ter, and possessing an amiable,
kind and loving disposition.
He has been a notary public for
several years and worked in his
brothers law Office.
A few months ago he formed a
co-Partnership in the insurance
business with H. E. Ratcliff, under
the firm name of Lewis & Ratcliff
The new firm apparently fourished
until recently. He established a
branch Office at Lafayette and him
self took charge of it. He would
visit OPelousas every week, and,
as customary, came here Sunday,
returning Monday.
He seemed as j0vial as ever and
his host of friends did not for once
imagine that self-destruction was
then in his mind. This evenings he
came upon the 4:19 train and i'm
mediately proceeded to the resi-
dence of his father. Without
speaking to anybody, he entered his
room and drawing his pistol DELHI
erately aimed it at his heart and
fired.
The shot attracted the neighbors
and his family, and when the room
was entered he was found lying on
the floor with his life-blood gushing
| out of his breast. The news was
dispatched throughout the town and
soon surging mass of people were
assembled at the house, in the yard
clans at once pronounced the
wound mortal.
No cause can be assigned for the
k~
brood over trouble, however trivial
it might be, and the natural con-
clusion is that in a fit of despon-
dency, brought about by some
reversal, he concluded to end his
life. He is perfectly conscious at
this writing, and admits that he in
tended self-destruction. He was
member of the parish Democratic
executive committee and secretary
of that body.
The people of Lafayette were
shocked to read the foregoing
special in Wednesdays Times
Democrat.
Although the wound was pro-
nounced mortal by the attending
physicians, we are glad to say that
his condition has been improving
gradually and his friends have
hopes of his recovery. James
Lewis came to Lafayette about two
months ago and opened an in
surance agency. He is genial,
afable and generous young man,
and he soon won the esteem of the
people of this town. Possessing a
bright intellect and many admira-
bic qualities, he soon became a
general favorite in all circles. AL
though resident of this place only
a short time, he is one of our
most popular boys, and his at
tempted suicide was sad news to