St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1906-12-15

last, at II O'Clock sharp, to receiv
sentence.
] They were those convicted at th
three weeks term of court whic
came to an end last Saturday, an
the array of unfortunates attested i
mute language to the vigor of tn
officers and jurors at this term. L
fact, the officers, from Judge Levi
down to Court Deputy Swords, al,
agreed that the gentlemen composing
the three weeks jury came nearer
the standard Of jurors just and true
than it has been the fortune of The
Court to have for many years.
The unusual preponderence of con.
victed offenders for the crime of rape
and attempt to rape, and forgery
was the subject of much discussion
among the court officials, and it is
hoped by them that the accuracy and
promptness with which these crimi-
mails met punishment will nip that
tendency in its first bloom.
- f.
Another feature remarked was that
the array of prisoners was composed
mostly Of young negroes between the
ages of eighteen and 30-all hurley
framed, healthy bucks. Indeed, as
they filed out of the court house by
twos the thought naturally pressed it.
self that here might be an opportun-
ity to replenish the ranks Of the
lately discharged TWenty-ffth United
States Infantry when the walled
gate opened unto them.
Those sentenced Monday were:
Aide Rachal was the first white
man to face His Honor for sentence.
He is white man, about twenty years
of age, and plead guilty to horse
stealing. Z. Austin Fontenot, ESQ.,,
for him, and plead for lem
iency, claiming that the young man
was Weak-minded and scarcely res
ponsible for his action. Mr.. Fontenot
told the Judge that Aide was the son
Of Nom Rachal, who was killed by
Lejeune few years ago, and that he
was the only support Of his sisters.
Rachal said that he did not remember
the horse; that he was drunk
got drunk in Eunice and when in
hat condition he 9 supposed he
night have taken the horse, as
charged. His Honor then informed
he prisoner that under the law he
,ould not fix his sentence at less than
me year in the State penitentiary,
which he did.
Spencer Elsey in giving his reasons
o the court for hooking some cotton
rom Mr.. Isaac Goetz in Garland and
elling it in Washington probably got
mother negro in trouble. He de-
Jared that negro by the name Of |
louis Burrell had advised him to steal
he cotton-in fact he and Burrell
lad formed an equal partnership for
he occasion. His Honor asked him
{ he had told the officers about Bur
ell, and Elsey replied that he had
ot Dey jest axed me bout myself,
nd | tole 'em | Wus guilty nebber
ed nutnin bout Burrell.' Five years
a the penitentiary.
Joe Pitre, the white man who finn
amed farmer Bertrand out of eighty
ollars, a few weeks ago, by repre-
enting himself as cotton buyer,
nd inducing Mr.. LaYergne to allow
i'm (Pitre) to cash his Oavergne's)
heck for him, with which he skipped
nd was captured at Nez Pique by
)ficers Williams and Horn, was saved
rom term in the penitentiary by
IF. Diomel Durio. Mr.. Durio was
he interpreter, and His Honor asked
he question; "Pitre, what do you
refer, to work term on the works
ere at home, or go to the
enitentiary at Baton Rouge IT
as correctly Interpreted BY Mr..
'urio, and to the surprise Of every
ody the answer came quick as d fash
hat he preferred to be sentenced to