St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1916-07-22

who was telephoned few minutes after
the terrible tragedy. So many men We're
willing to go into the woods, at the risk
of their lives to avenge the death of Sher-
iff Swords, that it was impossible for the
local gunsmiths to furnish enough ammu-
nition for the crowd. A carload of rifles,
guns and pistols, together with the neces-
sary bullets, were hurried from Washing
ton to the scene of the killing. Blood
hounds were wired for, two coming from
Krotz Springs and two from New Iberia.
Then the well organized posse, under
the leadership of DR.. R. NJ. Littell, Plais
Horn and r. Lee Garland, started out in
earnest after the slayer of Sheriff
Swords.
Two Of the hounds struck the trail, near
the little cabin, in which Carriere slept
Sunday night, and followed it for two and
half miles, but upon reaching public
road the dogs went to fault and never
were able to again take up the trail. It
is presumed that at that point Carriere
took horse and went further into the
woods.
Sheriffs from several parishes of South
west Louisiana are still endeavoring to To-
cate Carriere and it is the anxious antici-
patton. of all that within the next few
days the fugitive will be caught. 1t is a
practical certainty that Carriere will
never see Opelousas, as the chances are
that if he is caught alive, he will either
be lynched or hurried away to a distant
parish. Should he offer resistance, as is
expected it is feared that he will weed
down several more men, as Carriere is
reputed to be very good shot.
Sheriff Swords was one of the best
known politicians of Louisiana; when a
young man and resident of Pointe Cous
pee he became prominent in politics
claiming to be the one to place TIE name
Of Sheriff Bucker, who dominated the
politics of Pointe Coupee for some thirty
odd years, in nomination, during conven-
ton days. During the anti-lottery fight
he fought vigorously against system of
gambling which was a menace to this
state and enthusiastically espoused the
cause of Murphy J. Foster, who was
elected governor on the anti-1ottery plat
form. For his services he was rewarded
with the appointed of assessor and ex-
officio registrar of voters. During his
term Of office the regulators were trying
to prevent the negroes from voting and
Swords assisted materially in securing the
desired effect by vehemently refusing at
all times to register the black race.
Mr.. Swords was elected sheriff in the
fall Of 1899, defeating Ozeme Fontenot
after having emerged at the head of a
ticket of several candidates, among
whom were " H. Sibille, DR.. q. T. Young,
L. A. Guidry and others. In 1904 Swords
was reelected, defeating two candidates,
Sidney Hebrard and DIR. r. NJ Littell, by
a decisive majority; in 1908 he was op-
posed by DR.. Martin, Glide Devilliers and
A. w. Dejean, he again led the ticket, be-
ing only a few hundred votes shy of a
majority. A compromise between the
sheriff and his nearest opponent, A. w.
Dejean, was effected, thereby eliminat-
ing the necessity of second primary.
In 1912 Swords was opposed by Charles
Thibodeaux and had arrayed against
him the strongest opposition Of his ca
reer. but he emerged victorious by the
small majority Of go votes. In 1916 he
was opposed by Assessor D. M. Fontenot,
one of the strongest politicians of Creole
descent" but he once more was victorious,
being elected by 90 votes.
The body of the dead sheriff was
brought to Opelousas early Monday
morning and was placed in the home OF
the dead man. There thousands of per-
sons viewed the old sheriff.
Funeral ceremonies were conducted by
Rev. j. B. Brock at the home of. Sheriff
Swords. Mr.. Brock delivered a very
pretty and touehy eulogy on the deceased
and choir, composed. of local ladies,
rendered some beautiful hymns.
Mr.. Brooks eulogy is SO realistic that
we herewith reproduce it for the benefit
Of those who did not hear him:
Fellow-C Citizens of ST. Landry: This is
indeed a sad occasion that brings us to-
gether to-day. As we gather around our
dead friend to pay him a last tribute of
respect and bid him an affectionate fare
well we do so with broken hearts. This
sad scene is indeed a reminder that in
the midst Of life we are in death. The
two great realities of experience are life
and death. Life is series of events,
death is one event Life is a line; death
is point. Death is not the mere absence
of life; it is the cessation of life. 1t is not
simply not to have but to lose what we