The Donaldsonville chief., 1914-08-22
A Good Citizen Gone.

IL
zens of this community, a gentleman
noted for his gallantry and good
works. James J. Fortier is no more.
After an illness Of several weeks.
| the recurrent attack Of a malady
which carried him so near to the
| shadow of the valley OF death some
months ago, he passed away at his
home in Chetimaches street at l0:0o
O'Clock last Sunday forenoon, aged
fifty-four years, nine months ana
eight days. Throughout the entire
period of his prostration he received
the ministrations of the most skilled
physicians and was tenderly nursed
by kindly and loving hands, but to
no avail, as the insidious disease
had taken too firm a hold upon him
and gradually sapped his life away,
resisting all efforts to stay its raw
ages. The end came to him peaceful
ly and painlessly, with members of
MIS- family and intimate friends
grouped about his bedside to bid his
fluttering spirit FAREWELL fitting
close to life of honorable achieve
ment and faithful observance of the
most exalted precepts of humanity
Mr.. Fortier was born in the suburb
of Donaldsonyille known as Faubourg
la Pipe, and resided in this commu-
nifty all his life. For more than thir-
ty-five years he had been employed
as head bookkeeper and confldentlal
clerk in the office Of Messrs. b.
Lemann & Bro, and during all this
time the relations existing between
him and his employers were of the
most pleasant and friendly character.
When he was taken i'll the individual
members of the Lemann firm showed
him the utmost consideration, and
every resource at their command
was employed in an effort to pro-
long his life and effect cure of the
malady from which he suffered.
Their exertions in his behalf were
untiring and unsparing, and testified
to the high degree of esteem In
which they held him and the sim
cerity of their appreciation of his
long term of services in their en-
ploy.
For many years Mr.. Fortier repre-
sented his ward in the common coun-
Gil of Donaldsonville, in which capac-
ity his good judgment and sound ad-
vice carried much weight and earned
for him the respect and confidence
of his colleagues and fellow-citizens.
He had served as secretary treasurer
of the Donaldsonville Ice Company
since the organization OF that cor
poration, was a member of the board
of trustees of Ascension Council No.
irhf nf Tnl
the position of treasurer of Ascen-
sion Tent No. 3S, Knights of the
Maccabees of the World, until the
abolition Of that office.
Deceased was a man who COM
manded the esteem and respect of
everybody, by reason of his probity,
high sense of honor and courteous
treatment of his felloWmen. To an
attractive personality with which na-
ture had endowed him, an excellent
education and extensive reading each
added part in enriching mind
naturally keen and intellectual, so
that few men were more accomplish
ed conyersationalists Or more cheer
eful and genial companions. AS cit
izen he was dutiful; as friend he
was loyal, and as a husband and
father he excelled in his devotion to
his home and loved ones. In the
death of James FOrtier Donaldson
vile has lost one of its most useful
citizens, man whose memory may
well be enshrined in the hearts of
his host of friends who knew him
and appreciated his worth. To his
family he leaves the glorious heri-
tage of a good name, an honest and
upright life-far more precious than
riches of gold or silver, more endur
ing than monuments Of marble Or
tablets of bronze.
His remains were tenderly laid to
rest in the Catholic cemetery Monday
forenoon, after solemn requiem
high mass at Ascension Church.
Rev. Benedict Stetter conducted the
impressive services, assisted by
Novitiate Joseph Boudreaux, and the
number Of those who laid aside their
personal and business cares and came
to pay the last sad tribute Of respect
to their deceased friend bore the
strongest possible testimony to his
wide popularity and his worth as a
citizen. Fragrant flowers covered his
casket, and many a tear glistened
upon these mute but beautiful tokens
of love and sympathy as the portal of
the tomb closed upon his eternal
sleeping place.
Mr.. Fortier is survived by his de-
voted wife, whose loving care and
self-sacrificing devotion to him
throughout their married life and
during the period of his last illness
was most touching example of con-
jugal affection. So unceasing were
her attentions that she finally broke
down under the strain and was COM
PEELED to take to bed herself, but
even then her constant thought was
of her stricken mate and she pleaded
with those about her to be allowed
to return to his bedside-a minister
ing angel to the very last Two
sons, DR.. James P. Fortier, of Thibo-
daux, and Leon FOrtier, of Shreve-
port, and young daughter, Jeanne,
are also left to mourn the loss of
this good man, with two brothers,
Edgar Fortier, of Donaldsonville, and
Felix Fortier, of Faubourg la Pipe.
Much has been taken from the
heart-broken wife, the distressed
children, brothers, and large circle of
relatives and friends; but much is
left. The Christians undying hope
and fadeless memories are still
theirs. The battle of life over, the
trials and tribulations of mortality
behind him, he has gone to his last
reward, kindly, courteous, honor