davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION
NEXT WEEK

The parish Sunday School Con-
yention will convene in this city
next Wednesday morning at the
Methodist Church. The convention
will be of two days duration and it
is expected that a large crowd of
interested workers for the Sunday
Schools will participate in the con-
vention.
State Secretary Van Carter will be.
present. as well as several other
prominent Sunday School workers.
All Protestant pastors have been
invited to attend the convention,
while the public in general has also
been asked to take part in Ylle
meetings.
The local members Of the St.
Landry Sunday School Association
have been working diligently for
the past several weeks to make the
convention marked success.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
IN MEMORY OF MRS. MARIA
D'AVY LAVERGNE

Our ranks are broken; the angel
Of Death has come with silent
tread, and reaching out his icy
fingers, clasped the hand of our sis
ter, and led her away to meet her
God.
She died after long illness, at
the family residence, on Thursday
June 10th, 1915, at he age of 81
years, 8 months and 2I days.
She was the wife of Mr.. Michel
Layergne, and the mother of sew
eral children, some of whom are
still living.
Mrs. Lavergne was a member Of
Gordon Chapter e. D. G., No. i4I0;
and it is with sadness that we
chronicle her death. It was not my
privilege to knew Mrs. Lavergne
personally, but I hear only good
words spoken of her on every side.
We, the members Of the Gordon
Chapter, u. d. G., wish to extend the
hand Of sympathy to the bereayed
ones Of our deceased sister. We
beseech them to look beyond the
grave, to our heavenly Father, who
doeth all things WE'LL for those
who love Him. He is the great
Comforter. When we reach the
great beyond we hope to find our
Sister there, rejoicing and singing
praises to the great. God Of Love.
No more good-byes up
there, no more parting no
more sickness, no more death: but
Everlasting Life with our blessed
Savior.
May peace be her portion.
Done by order of Gordon Chapter,
u. D. G., No. 1470.
CARRIE ". YOUNG,
Historian.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
MISS BROWN WEEDS FRANCI0NI

One of the most interesting we'd
dings to take place in this city for
several months was that of Miss
May Brown, eldest daughter of
Chief Brown of the Fire Depart
ment, and J. B. Francioni, formerly
of Labdeyille, but lately of Baton
Rouge, which was performed by
Father John Engberink on Wednes-
day morning at 7:30 O'Clock. The
ceremony was performed at the
Catholic Church before intimate
friends and near relatives, invita-
tions having been sent only to
those close to the Brown and Fran
eioni families.
The bride is one of 0pelousas
fairest daughters, who during her
girlhood days numbered countless
friends here. Miss Brown was
graduated from the st. Landry
High School. The groom is known
to the people of this city, having for
two or three seasons been one Of
the mainstays of the Opelousas
baseball club. He is a graduate Of
Louisiana State University, where
he was recognized as a splendid
fellow and popuar student. He.
is presently in the service Of the
state government, being with the
Louisiana Experiment Station.
Miss Louise Comeau served as
nlaid-of-honor, with S. A. Hasley,
of Baton Rouge, as best man.
After the ceremony the bridal
couple left for the Gulf Coast,
where they vii spend a short
honeymoon. after which they will
go to Baton Rouge, to take up their
permanent residence.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
TWO MISSES TO GRADUATE AT
CONVENT

The annual commencement eXef-
cises of the convent Of the Sisters
Marianifes of the Holy Cross, of this
city, will begin On Monday night
for which night a very interesting
program has been arranged. DIR.
Cure AIT and Falsely Accused
will be presented by the younger
students of the convent. The pu-
pills have been working to present
these two little plays without a
flaw, when the people Of this city
will gather in the convent audi
toriu1n on Monday night to witness
the performances.
On Wednesday night the gradu-
alton exercises will be held. at
which Hon. Edward Z. Loeb and R.
Lee Garland will be the principal
orators. The convent will gradu-
ate two young ladies, Misses Mabel
Hollier and Alma Durand.
The following will be Wednesday
nights program: Duet, Misses NJ.
Mistric and Il. Pickett; Gongratu-
lations, Rev. Father Engberink;
Salutatory, Miss Mabel Hollier, IN.
strumental Solo, Miss Alma Durand
Address Hon. E. Loeb; Vocal Solo,
Miss Lucy Grouehet:; Yaledictory,
Miss Alma Durand; Response Miss
Frances Budd; Address, Hon. [.
Garland; Awarding Of medals and
diplomas by Rev. Fateer Engbeflnk.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
YOUNG CHICKEN THIEF SHOT

45S4ss 4
A young negro by the name Of
Babe Johnson, a habitual and mo-
torious chicken thief. almost got his
lamps blown out on last Sunday
night, when he happened to be per-
ambulating around The chicken
house of Mary O'Connor, colored,
on the north of the O'Gee track.
The 0'Gonnor woman
had been missing chickens
each night. SO she decided to be on
the watch out Saturday night. In
the stiffness Of the night, when the
young negro buck thought that he
was probably the only one in 0pe-
.lousas still in the land Of the wide
awake, he stole around the chicken
house and instead of getting his
booty, received a load of shot in his
side. He was brought to Jail, but
taken out a few days ago III order
that his parents could take care ~
him. It was thought that he would
die, but now it appears that he will
live 10 learn Saturday nights fse-
son by heart.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
NATIVE OPELOUSEAN DIES IN
NEW JERSEY

Andre f. HalpIen, a native Of
0pelousas, but for several years
past a prominet importer Of artis-
tic millinery at Atlantic City. II. =,
died in Atlantic City on june the.
10th after an illness Of short dura-
tion. Mr.. Halphen was operated on
twice, the second operation caus-
ing a hen1errhage, which killed him.
The deceased was a son Of Mich
cal Halphen of New Orleans and
Fanelie Lastrapes of this parish; at
the time Of his death he was IL
years, s months and 8 days old.
He is survived by his wife, who
was Miss Mamie Casse, three sons
George B., Marshall, and Andre F.,
Jr., two brothers, Michael, present
commissioner of public works of
this city, and the first mayor OF
the city Of opelousas, and four
years viee-president Of the st.
Landry police jury. Louis, employed
by Dariean 4 Castillo, in this city,
two sister, Mrs. Geo. Van Horn,
Richmond and Mrs. Fernand
HaIDhen m New Orleans.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
URGES CONVENTION
FIX INTEREST RATE
Hon. Dudley Guilbeau Sets Forth
Reason for Financial
Depression
Opelousas, La. June Il. 1915.

ODGjOASoG Lttss GIlC lJ1Cs
To the st. Landry Clarion:
The people of this Parish and of
this State, have an opportunity
seldom ever presented to a people.
A Constitutional Convention is
about to be held, the work of which
shall be non-effeetive unless ap-
proved by the people.
Representation in this Gonyen-
ton is the same as that under which
is composed the Lower House of
our Il gIslature.
Accordingly, this parish is en-
titled to three delegates. am not,
nor shall I become, a candidate as
one of such delegates. Thhere is.
however, a question which. in my
opinion, is of prime Importance, and
upon which we sI1enld have the e1-
preston Of prospective candidates.
It is the question Of Interest
charges. the heaviest burden that
the people, not only Of this parish.
but of the entire State, are made
to bear. I believe that the rate Of
interest should be limited to a Ger
tain per centum per annum. and
that the provision to that effect
should be made binding by a pen
atty for its violation.
The use of money originated
merely as a representative of value
and medium of exchange. Interest
on money originates as a penalty
for the non-payment of an obliga-
ton when due. Primarily there
fore, money was prized as a repre-
sentative of value and medium OF
exchange, but the moment interest
on money begins, it is priced, not
as a medium Of exchange and a
representative of value, but as a
maker of more money"
Under these circumstances, those
who have money, including our
Banking institutions, creatures of
the law, souIIess and heartless,
very naturally hoard money in or
der. by way of Interest charges. to
make more none. We hear a
good deal about .tIse tightness Of
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
JUDGE DUPRE's PLATFORM

0pelousas, La, June IA, 1918
To the voters of the parish of ST
I Landry:
am candidate for delegate te
the Constitutional Convention. sub
jeet to the action of the Democratic
party.
# elected, I will oppose any
measure having in view
Any increase in our present rate
Of taxation.
The creation Of any additional
Offices.
Any increase of salary.
will favor any measure abolish
ing any. useless office. or sinecure
Decreasing the number of Dis
triet Judges.
Giving relief to the Supreme
Court. The delayed justice liti-
gants now obtain at the hands of
this tribunal, amounts to a denial
of justice.
| believe that every office-holder
should be sufficiently paid. Some
of our state officials, however, are
overpaid. This is due to the appro-
priations annually provided for IN
aid Of the offices they hold.
Every dollar that the state can
spare, should be spent in educating
its children. The rural schools
should be preferred over colleges
and universities. Both should be
generously provided for.
The Thin line in gray should
be adequately pensioned.
Under no circumstances will
vote to additionally tax our people.
Equalize the assessments If you will,
provided this can be arrived at
without additionally burdening the
farmers Of this state and small tax
payers who have reached the limit
# all property in this state IS
assessed at fifty per cent Of its
actual value, it will yield sufficient
revenue to meet all expenses of the
state economically administered.
The universal depression now
prevailing demands an economical
administration of the peoples
money.
f you are willing to select me
as one Of the three delegates this.
parish is entitled to, { promise to
serve you well and faithfully along
the above lines.
I don't propose to dodge any is
sue. The people have a right to-
know how I stand and how / am.
going to vote upon any question.
affecting their interests.
Il I have omitted TO touch upon.
any point in dispute. do not hesi-
tate to question me.
Yours for q square deal,
GILBERT +. DUpRE.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
HIGH SCHOOL CLOSES
SUCCESSFUL SESSION
Class OF 1915 One of Largest in the
History Of Opelousas
THIRTEEN WILL RECEIVE
DIPLOMAS TUESDAY NIGHT
0peratta Witnessed by Large Crowd
ON Friday Night at High school
Auditorium

The Opelousas High SchooIelesed
a most successful session on FRI
day afternoon when the six hum
dred and fifty pupils of the school,
gIeefully ran home to announce
that summer vacation had at last
arrived.
On Friday night an soperratIa
was given by the members Of the
lower grades, several hundred
friends and patrons of the school
being in attendance for the credit
able performance.
i On next Tuesday night the Of
ffeial closing of the seheoI will TAX
place when the graduation exer-
cises will be held at the high
school auditorium. The class Of
1915 is one of the largest ii the
history Of the school. eight young
ladies and five young men, coInpos
ing tile enrolment Of the class.
The graduating exercises Of the
Opelousas high school are always
looked forward 10 with d great
deal Of interest ny the patrons Of
the school, and incidentally
large crowd is generally oll hand
for the interesting exercises
Prof. Prescott is exceedingly
pleased with the workings Of lke
school during the past nine months
and is living il hopes that some
way will Be devised iii order 10
raise the necessary funds for the
operation Of the local high school
the required length OF time.
The following program will be
rendered on Tuesday night; March,
Miss Breitung; salutatory, Miss
VeIIna Walker; Glass History Mr..
Edward Estnrge Chorus; Glass
Prophet, Mr. Lionel Castillo; Con-
Address to Graduates, Mr. a.
Ives,state High School mspeefe-:
Music, Miss Rreitung; Awarding st
Medals, Mr.. r. +. perranlt, presen
tation Of diplomas, ssupt. G.
Thompson
The graduation class Is composed
bf the following: Misses Elizabeth
Cooke, Noeni Burr. Myrtle Durlo
fVelma Walker, Eta 0bieT Rufh
Thompson. Gorinna TroseIail
Gertrude Sanders; Messrs. Edward
II. Estorge, Preston 4. Wyble. Lio-
mel Castillo, A. Campbell Jones
Howard Voorhies.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
CHICOT NOTES

The crops in this section of the
parish are fine; the first cotton
bloom of the season was brought
in during the week by John Forman
from DR.. r. Lee Hawkins place.
The many friends of the Haas
family in Chicot deeply regret to
learn of the death Of Charlie Haas
Of Bunkie. Words of sympathy
from here have been sent to Col.
Sam Haas, aged father of the de-
ceased and the Haas family.
Fl. L. ErIich went to Alexandria
Wednesday to meet his daughter,
Martha, who was returning from a
visit to her sister, Mrs. E. S. Tat
man at Mansfield.
In the last edition of the Clarion
st. was stated that Col. Sam Haas
visited OpeIousas and returned via
Eunice to witness the ball game
This was an error and should have
read Col. Sam Thomas.
Wanted: Candidates to the con-
stitutinnal convention from Evan
geline. We understand that st.
Landry will have the field covered
with candidates.
Henry Griffith has announced his
candidacy for the police jury from
this ward. Mr.. Griffith is a young
and progressive farmer. We now
have three candidates. Judge Sin
gleton and T. j. Walker, The pres-
ent incumbent, being the other two.
Should favorable weather con-
tinue this section will harvest the
largest corn crop it has made In
several years.
Opelousas has the right material
TO send to the constitutional con-
vention and any of the mentioned
candidates would make splendid
representatives. that is to say the
following whose names have drifted
down in Chicot: Hon. Edward Du-
buisson, Judge E. T. Lewis, Hon.
John Nv. Lewis. Senator Haas,
Judge Gilbert L. Dupre and Hon.
L. Austin Fontenot.
Chicot was exceedingly disap-
pointed in learning that the baseball
club had been disorganized, but we
are glad to learn that the club has
been re-organized with Charlie De-
jean and Austin Perkins at ir
head.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
st. Landry Representative Wants to
Go to Constitutional Convention
DUBuIssON AND LEWIS
PROMINENTLY MENTIONED
ST. Landry Is Entitled to Three
Delegates to the Approaching
Constitutional Conventional

Hon. Gilbert L. Dupre, who has
been ably representing ST. Landry
in the Lower House of the General
Assembly Of Louisiana for the past
two years, has the distinetinction
of being the first to announce his
candidacy for delegate to the con-
stitutional convention which will
convene in New Orleans on Septenl-
Der 10Th.
Judge Dupre, while he opposed
the bill, is very anxious to go to
the convention, in the event that
the people Of Louisiana approve the
measure, in order to fight against
increased taxation and several 9TH
er measures of great concern to
the people of this state, III general
and st. Landry in particular.
Hon. Edward B. Dubuisson and
Hon. John W. Lewis, who were op-
posing candidates for the same hon.
or two years ago, have been prom
inently mentioned as candidates
and it is expected that they will
announce their candidates. within
the next few days.
A cry has been heard throughout
the parish in disapproyal Of a con-
test and many Of the most inau-
entail politicians and citizens Of
st. Landry have been arguing
against this particular contest.
Judge Dupre's able and forceful
announcement will be found in an
other column of this paper. The
voting public would do well to read
this communication as the able st.
Landry representative sets forth in
very clear language what he will
endeavor to accomplish in the
event that the people Of St. Lam
dry should send him as one of their
delegates to the constitutional con-
vention which will convene in New
Orleans during the month of Sep
tember.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
ANDREPONT CANDIDATE For
LEGISLATURE

Edgar Andrepont. for several
years a merchant Of Prairie Ronde,
has unoffieially announced his can
didacy for the Lower House Of the
General Assembly Of Louisiana.
Mr.. Andrepont is we'll known
throughout the parish and his
friends feel confident that he will
make a splendid race. Thus far
only one has officially announced
for the legislature from this parish,
that being Hon. j. NJ. Sanders. Judge
Dupre and Austin Fontenot are ex-
.peeted TO maketl1e race also.
st. Landry Is entitled to three
representatives ii the Lower
House.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
BIENVENUE-T
ENGAGEMENT

The engagement of Miss Pattie
Thompson to Mr.. George Bienvenue,
the wedding to take place on June
seth, was announced recently.
Miss Thompson is the charming
young daughter Of Mrs. Charlie
Thompson. while the groom-to-be
is the well known assistant cashier
OF the Union Bank & Trust Co, Of
this city.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
IN MEMORUIM

Death. the girn, reaper who
spares none. has entered our midst,
and cat down IN The Hover Of his
youth. Albert Lee Maginnis. son Of
Mrs. Ethel Maginnis and grand son
Of Mrs. Ernest Mckinney Of this
city
The whole community is IN sor-
row at the suden death of this noble
boy. At school ON Thursday morn
ing.-out with his playlnates the
same afternoon and at half past
ten that night, his pure spirit had
passed to the great beyond spite
Of all that loving harts could dol
Truly the ways Of Providence are
vision
It seems strange that this boy
whose life was an Inspiration and
whose uplifting influence was
shown in a marked degree upon
those boys who were daily asso-
eiated with him, should be taken
away, leaving despair and anguish
in those loving hearts that cherish
ed him so fondIy. But Death loves
q shining mark.
Where'r he sees a smile too bright,
Or heart too pure for taint and
vice,
He bears it to that world of light,
70 dwell in Paradise.
Albert, or "Abadie9 as his friends
affeetionately called him, was one
of the nobIest and brightest boys
in our school and community. As
a child he entered the St. Landry
High School, and, day by day, the
expanding of his young life was a
Joy to those who knew and loved
him. Intelligent beyond his tender
years always taking highest rank
in his sclass- always exempt from
all exarninations-honest, upright.
courteous. but modest and lovable
with it al, no wonder he was the
favorite of all.
The love and esteem in which he
was held was evidenced at his fu-
neral, which took place from the
residence of his uncle, Hon. Henry
Lastrapes, Jr.. by the profusion Of
heantifuI flowers brought by low.
ing hands.
His school-mates and his Sunday
School mates attended in a body
the boy-scouts who acted as pail
bearers and the entire community
followed him to the Episcopal
Church and from there to the
Protestant Cemetery, where after
the solemn burial service he was
laid to rest.
God help the stricken young
mother and sorrowing friends in
this their hour Of anguish. May
The Divine Healer comfort them
with the knowledge that, tho he Is
no longer Win us ID the D0uy, hs
will live IN our hearts until we meet
in that world beyond the grave.
There is no death! An angel form
Walks Ger the earth with silent
tread;
He bears our best loved things
away,
And then we call them dead
He leaves our hearts all desolate,
He pIucks our fairest, sweetest
flowers.
Transplanted into bliss they now
Adorn immortal bowers.
And ever near Us, though unseen,
The dear immortal spirits tread:
For all the boundIess universe
rs life-there are no dead.
A FRIEND.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
INFANT DIES

The infant child of Mr.. and Mrs.
Ulysse Pitre Of this city died Mon
day morning, after a long illness, at
the age of months. Little Uval
had been IN bad health Tor soI1s
time, but the news Of his death was
q great shock to the many friends
OF The family. Internent took place
at the Catholic Church on Tuesday
morning
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19
RAYMOND MCBRIDE,
CLINTON MORNHINVEG,
LEO Z. LAFLEIJR,
TOM FTnNBERG,
Committee.

Hon. W. ]. sandoz returned On
Thursday from Biloxi, Mss
where he spent several days with
his family Oh the Gulf Coast. Mrs.
sandoz and two children. Lawrence
and Miss HiIda, will remain on the
Coast during the ssrnrnerJ wnfh
Mr.. sandoz will % back and forth
from 0peoasas To Biloxi.
St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1915-06-19

the money market, the scarcity
of money. The trouble is, not,
that there is not plenty Of money
in this section and in this State.
but, that it is Of benefit to those
who control the money to make it
& tight and scarce. The tighter
the market and the searcer
money appears to be, the greater
the rate Of interest the people III
general must pay.
Our State is rich. beyond the.
dreams Of avariee. in natural, but
undeveloped resources; and this
Immediate section is equal in that
respect to any other portion.
There is money too, in this State,
and in this parish. but it finds a
bigger and quicker return in div
iden1s on Bank stock, than in
draining lands and building fac
tories. All the money in this State
might as we'll be at the bottom OF
the Gulf Of Mexico, as to be in the
Banks. If It cannot be had at a
reasonable rate of interest to de-
velop the country. Let me give
you "a concrete example. A few
years ago, there were three Banks,
and some four or five individuals
lending money on a large scale, and
no factory other thaaa the sugar
factory and cotton seed oil mill, III
this City-a community with
population, at that time, Of a lit
tie less than Five thousand people.
There were Banks in every other
town and village in the parish.
Eumee had two, Washington tive,
Sunset one. Port Barre one. Mel
vile one and Arnaudville one. Yet,
two other banks were organized, III
the face of this condition. The
sum of one hundred and fifty thou.
sand dollars was subscribed and
paid in as capital stock Of these
two new Banking Institutions. The
sugar Factory went to the wall for
the lack of a few hundred dollars.
Did anyone find rates Of interest
lowered after these two Banks be-
gan business? Did the organization
OF these two institutions add any
thing to the general wealth and
welfare Of this community What
would have been the result if the
money forming this bank stock had
been put into, say, the sugar fac
tory and three or four other IN.
dlstrial plants
Sc long as interest charges are
not reasonably regulated, just so
long will money be unavailable for
the development Of agricultural and
industrial enterprises.
I would therefore propose that
there be written, under the head
ing OF General Provisions III the
new Constitution, an article to this
effect: Article The conyen-
tional rate Of interest is hereby
limited to five per eentum per an
mum. Any violation Of this proyis-
ion, directly or indirectly, shall
work a forfeiture Of the principal
obligation, either as a defense to a
suit thereon, or at the suit Of the
borrower, or any other person
having knowledge Of the violation.
/ am not attacking any person or
set Of persons or Banking instifu-
tions. 7 am inveighing against a
prevailing system which believe
TO be at the bottom of much Of the
distress and suffering in evidence
among the people. [ would there
fore ask for space in your column
to the end that the question sub
mitted may be discussed both by
the people and by such as desire
to become delegates to the Gonsti-
tutionaI Convention.
Yours truly,
TATyT1T EsV r I1TTJT pETk TT