The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1915-05-29
MAYOR FONTELIEU\l

Mayor Alpine Fontelieu died on last
Saturday evening at $40 o'clock.
While those who served at bis bed
side saw no symptoms at any time
calculated to stimulate hopeful
frame of mind for bis recovery, at the
same time none seemed quite prepar-
ed to anticipate the end when IL came,
He dropped off into inconsistencies,
as though falling asleep, much like o
tired child, to awake in eternity.
Notwithstanding the hour, the news
soon spread to all parts of the city.
The next day. Sunday, at the APP
pointed hour ofthe funeral, $50 P. NJ,
there was great outpouring of the
people to pay the last tribute of re.
spect to the memory of the city's
Mayor. Teche Tribe No. 1l8. /. O. X.
NJ. and Cypress Camp No. "a, Wood
men Of the World took charge of the
conduct of the obsequies, both at the
residence and at the grave.
Mr.. Alpine Fontelieu was native of
this town. He was born on July LIST,
1863, and practically spent his entire
life making his home here. He was u
brother of the late Theodore Fontelieu,
who was for many years the judge of
the District Court. When quite n
young man he entered the field of
politics in the interest Of his brother
and became jealous and indefati-
gable worker in the interest of those
whose cause he espOused In 1884,
when the fortunes Of political cam
paigns went against his brother, he
turned his energies to the race track,
-. h al nd n
upon his Judgment and knowledge OF
the merits of individual horses. He
became book-maker and as such he
made and lost fortunes. The tickle.
ness of Fortune seemed to distress
him but little, but the excitement aud
strenuous life of the book maker
threatened to overthrow his nervous
equilibrium and prompted his physi-
clan to place the ban upon his calling.
He retired from the track in the full
light of the smiles of his goddess and
returned to this city to rehabilitate
his home.
Being of nervous temperament IL
seemed impossible for him to remain
long out of the channel of public
thought and activities. He again
turned to the field of politics and was
ever quite ready to back his views
with liberal dollars. In 1918 he en-
tered the field as candidate for
Mayor Of this city, and it became his
lot to be the first Commission Gov
eminent Mayor and to be elected BY
the first use of the system of Prefer
entia, voting. AS Mayor he was an
energetic worker for all enterprises
promising for the good Of the commu.
nifty. be took a leading part in To-
eating the National Experimental
Farm in this parish and worked zeal
ously for the Teche Grand Lake
canal, till he found that State legisla-
ton would first be necessary.
As Mayor and preparing bis way fof
Y broader field of operations, he indi.
Gated his intentions to become San.
didate for the Office Of Sheriff of this
parish at the coming State election
His health, however. gave away In
the early months ct this year with 9
severe attack Of la grippe, from the
effects of which he never rallied. He
was taken to Kerbyville, Tex, In the
hope that the climate there would
prove beneficial to him; but in the
course Of few weeks he was brought
back to his home here.
Mr.. Fontelieu is survived by his
widow. Mrs. Florence Ledger Fonte
lieu, and by his sister, Mrs. A. Berge
RE.