New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-01-12

Almost daily we here of some
favored son of New iberia winning
distinction in the service of tn.
: Government. 1t will be remem.
bered some months since, Mr.. Jack
DeValcourt. son of Mrs. John
T. DeValcourt volunteered his
services and enlisted as a private
in the regular army. This young
:, gentleman rapidly won his way to
a Corporalship, and showed such
marked ability as a soldier that
he was selected with a few othel =
from his regiment and sent to the
Army Training School in Georgia
to be promoted to higher office.
E, Another 1berian that is rapidly
climbing the ladder in military
efficiency is Mr.. Robert Landry.
Mr.. Landry was one of the first
to enter the officers training camp
at Fort Root and came ont with d
second Workmanship with other
Iberia boys. Last week he was
promoted to a first lieutenancy.
There is no doubt he will soon
show such aptitude for his work
that he will be handed a commits
sion as a Captain, at least this is
the hopes and anticipations of his
numerous friends here.
On Yesterday morning at six
thirty, one Of the Ford trucks
owned by the Renoudet & Diet
lien firm was destroyed by
fire. 1t seems the negro chauffeur
struck a match within a few feet
Of the machine, igniting some gas
oilne and before he could subdue
the flames the car was almost
totally destroyed. An alarm was
sent in and much excitement way
created in the neighborhood
where the fire occurred.
This week witnessed the clos
ing out Of the large dry goods
emporium Of the King Brothers
business that was established here
by Messrs. Leopold and Lazard
King in the Duperier block some
thirty years ago. A few years
after these enterprising gentlemen
launched into commercial activi-
ties here Mr.. Ferd King ALSO be-
came a member Of the firm and
they built up one Of the largest
trades of any establishment IN
Southwest Louisiana. and some
ten years later erected large
brick structure, at the corner Of
Main and Bridge Streets where
they conducted a retail business
until this week when they closed
out to retire from business pur-
suits. This establishment was a
pride to New Iberia for the rea-
son that they brought trade here
from distances Of fifty and seven
ty-five miles owing to the varied
stock which they carried in their
clothing department, and many Of
our citizens regret to see them
disengage themselves from active
business pursuits. This firm was
one of the most successful in the
Parish. and had not Mr.. Leopold
Kings health became impaired
and Mr.. Lizards time being tax
en MP with his varied other inter-
ests throughout the Parish, the
proprietors would never have en-
tertained an idea Of retiring. 1t
is hoped their building will soon
be leased to some wide-awake firm
as there is ample room here for an
Of that nature.
The Louisiana Annual Con-
ference of the Fifieth Session of
the Methodist Episcopal church
(colored) will take place in this
City beginning January 23d and
lasting until the 2StR. The meet
ING will be held at St. James
Episcopal church with
Bishop w. P. Thirkield presiding,
assisted by Revs. John Turner,
Superintendent of the Lake ,
Tharles District and Rev. Charles
:. Landry of New iberia.