The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-02-03

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Col. 4. D. Vega! lead
ing merchant of Don 8e, and
one Of the communit!s se promi-
nent and popular citizens was found
dead in bed at his home in Mississippi
street shortly after o'clock Friday
morning Circumstances indicated
that he had passed away several hours
earlier, death having come 10 him
quietly and painlessly while he lay
asleep. Col Vega had been under the
treatment of physician for the past
two weeks, having been attacked by
| heart disease, but was not confined to
bed, and the announcement OF his sud-
Eden demise proved distinct shock to
his wide circle of friends. He made
n mention of feeling unwell when re-
thing Thursday night. Friday morn
ing when his devoted wife went to his
bedside to awaken him, he failed to
respond to her summons, Whereupon
she called to her son, 3. J. Vega, who
found that Col. Vegas eyes were
closed in the last sleep.
Deceased had attained the age OF
70 years and 7 months. He was a
veteran of the Confederacy, having
enlisted as private III 1854, when a
mere boy, in Barnes battery OF
Semms' Artillery, Army of the Trans
Mississippi Department. He was pa
rolled and discharged at Alexandria,
La, in June of 1865. Returning to
Donaldsonville, he secured employ
ment as clerk in local dry goods
store, and subsequently assumed a
similar position in the store then con-
Quoted by the late Henry Loeb, at TIL,
corner of Railroad avenue and Mis-
sissippi street. Later he became
partner in the business, and upon the
death of Mr.. Loeb from yellow fever
in 1878, Col. Vega acquired sole
possession of the establishment,
which he conducted very successfully
for many years thereafter. Some
years ago he erected the handsome
Vega Building at the head of Rail
road avenue, one Of the largest and
most modern store buildings in this
section IN the state, a herein he con-
tinued tWconduct a y ~ goods store
until few years ago, when he retired
from business.
He served with conspicuous zeal
and efficiency as president of the par
ish school board for several terms,
and it was during his administration
that the old Ascension Academy was
built. the institution being in its days
one of the largest and most preten-
tious school buildings in rural Louisi-
ana Although Col. Vega always
manifested an active interest in pub
lie affairs and was at all times ready
to do his share toward upbuilding the
community and promoting the gen
eral veal, he did not seek or desire
political office, preferring to serve his
people, as he had done his country, as
a soldier in the ranks. He took a
prominent part in the activities of
various Confederate organizations,
and held the honorary position of
aide-de-camp with the rank of major
on the stats of Generals Behan, Shat
fer, Booth and Tichenor, commanding
the Louisiana division Of the U. c. V.
He was proud of the title "Colonei, "
and loved to recount his varied ex-
perience as a soldier of the south. In
the local political riot Of 1871 he was
one of the first to respond to the call
for volunteers to suppress the uprls-
ing and displayed notable gallantry
and courage in the troublous period
that ensued.
From the days Of his early man
hood, when he enlisted under the ban
ner Of the southland, Col. Vega mani
tested full recognition Of the re-
sponsibilities devolving upon him in
civil domestic and public life. As
soldier, he was brave, loyal and faith
full; as a citizen, upright, progressive,
and true to those things which make
for the common welfare; as friend.
steadfast, unselfish, sincere; and TO
those nearest and dearest to him, de-
voted, considerable, and always kind.
His remains were consigned 10 their
last resting place in the Catholic
cemetery at 10 o'clock this forenoon,
after impressive services at Assem-
sion church, Rev. c. NJ. Chambon Off
ciating. The funeral was attended
by very large gathering of relatives
and friends, including a delegation
of members of Major Victor Maurin
Camp No. 38, U, c. v, who acted as
a guard of honor. Both the size and
character of the cortege, as well as
the many beautiful floral offerings,
testified to the esteem in which the
gntleman was held in this
community and the profound meas
ure Of grief occasiored by the demise.
Col. Vega was twice married, his
first wife, Miss Armide Dugas, having
passed away many years ago. Of this
union seXsn children 5hTviVe, namely:
A. D. va Jr., Or. aey Vega, At
torney WJ. Vega, aid Mrs. E. C.
Hanson, of Donaldsonvilie: Edward
J. Vega, of Dallas, Texas, and Mrs.
W illiam Dean and Miss Ai;ne Vega, of
dams, Minnesota. Col Vegas sec
ond wife was formerly Miss Eliza
Wives, Of Assumption parish. She
survives him, together with the fol-
lowing children: DR.. Jafrey Vega,
Of Dayton, Ohio; Mrs. A. L. Landry,
Of Opelousas, and Clafiin Vega, IF
New York city.
To those who are left to bear the
poignant grief Of separation from
husband the Chief Joins