New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1914-11-28
FELIX N. MESTAYER,


imposed upon us to chronicle tt
death of our friend, Frank ,
Mestayer. To-day, We are calle
upon to write the obituary of hi
cousin and intimate; and equal
orr friend. Mr.. Felix y. Mestaye,
SciOns of an old and illustriou
family, both earned the respec
and esteem Of this community
The one, by affibility, courteous
ness and helpfulness: the other
by manliness, candor and BRAY
cry. Each leaving the preciou,
heritage of a well spent life.
To the memory Of Felix, how
ever, we devote this article. Tn,
eldest son of Mr.. and Mrs. Fred
erick Messenger, the decedant was
born in New Iberia in 1855; and
in those troublous times, imbibed
and developed the traits Of char
acter which secured to him the
respect of the entire Parish,
Aligning himself, in his early
youth, with the white supp enc
cist, Felix was ever in the fore
front during the days of recon
struction; and during the riot
eous times of 1884, as Lieutenant
of the New Iberia Guards, his
efforts contributed much towards
the overthrow of negro domin-
ion and the installation Of white
rule for the affairs Of Iberia Par
ish.
When. in 1888, A. G.. Barnard
was elected sheriff, Felix Mes
tayer was made his chief deputy.
and in that capacity, was called
Upon to preserve the peace and
the quiet of a commun-
ity which had long been noted for
it's laWlessness. Resolute and
fearless, he set about this task,
and so well did he acquit him
self. that on the election Of Capt.
Cade, he was continued in Office
thu Oughout the term Of the la
-er. On leaV ing the sheriff's of.
ice, Mr.. Mestayer became Chief
IF Police under the administra-
ion Of the late c. G. Laughlin
md as such inaugurated a crus-
lde against vice and crime which
soon drove both from New Ioella;
md especially was he active sup
PRESSING juvenile gambling and
'owdyism, and many were the
hanks extended him by apprec-
ative parents whose hayward
'oys had been set on the right
'ath by the vigilant officer.
Later, he served as deputy to ,
assessor L. S. Frere, and on the
cath Of the latter, succeeded to /,
he office. In health caused his ,
etirement from public activities ,
ONE years ago; and his time since, S
vas devoted to his family and j
UGH private enterprises as his I
trength would permit. e
In early manhood, Mr.. Mes
aver was married to. Miss Marie t
ouise Delhommer, a happy un. i
N which resulted in a splendid
amily of seven children, each Of i
HON has ever been a joy and v
,mfort to the parents. These t
e, Mrs. E. c. Quirk, of Vile t
latte; Mrs. Sidney Patout, Mrs. a
E. Broussard and Misses AL d
aide, Wilhelmina and Lizima ]
New Iberia and Mr.. Felix Mes \
yer, Jr., a medical student n D
ew Orleans. ?. His funeral last a
'ednesday afternoon, although a
Id during a downpo"r. was one n
the largest ever witnessed IN 81
is City, the scrrowing friends Ii
I'd relatives accompanying the |,
mains in the rain to witness "
e last sad rites over his grave. Il
re pail bearers, selected from 81
e Knights of Columbus, the So h
9te de Renaissance and the e,
nights Of Honor were: Messrs. f.
dney DeBellevue, j. s.. Power,
dney Harry, E. Nf;reaux, st. ii
artin Fridley and Adolph Las re-
re- 81