The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1920-11-06
Q BIT VA RY
PAULIN FONTENoT

Paulln F0nten0t died Thursday, Oct.
2S, 1920, at his home in south Welsh,
having attained the ripe age of IS
years, months, and days. Funeral
services were held at the Catholic
church Saturday morning at $3.50 a.
m, large concourse Of relatives and
friends following the remains of the
community's oldest resident citizen to
their last resting place, which is in
the family burying ground near the
home where more than half his life
was spent. Although he had been ill
for some time the end came to him
most peacefully From slumber he pass
ed into the great beyond during Thurs
day night.
Mr.. Fontenot was born in st Landry
parish June %, 1912. His father was
one of the extensive slave owners in
the period before the Cival War. He
was educated in both French and En-.
glish by private teachers.
The deceased came to Welsh, 40
Years ago At that time he had but one
Ineighbor, the late Henry Welsh, after
whom this town is named. That was
long before the advent of the railroad
and the only means of communication
was the Old Spanish Trail which was
virtually COW path between the Mer-
mentau and the Calcasieu rivers, oveJ
which the mail was carried period
cally.
Some years later Mr.. Fontenot es
tablished the first school in the little
old building which now fronts his late
residence. The first teacher was Miss
Meny Row of Lake Arthur.
Mr.. Fontenot was married 81 years
ago to Miss Phelomen Pousson, who
survives him. To their union eleven
children were born, three of those
were called to rest during infancy.
The seven boys and one girl living are,
| j. B. Fontenot, P. F. Fontenot, H. A.
Fontenot, Isaac Fontenot, present
sheriff of Jefferson Davis parish, Mrs.
tGermain "a. O.. } FOntenot, Avion Fon.
tenot, Mark Fontenot and Arduce Fon
tenot. They are all residents of this
vicinity. He had q grandchildren and
q great grandchildren, all of whom
were at the funeral except Miss Agnes
Fontenot, daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs
A. 0. Fontenot, who was in Colorado
Springs at the time and arrived toe
| late to attend.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fontenot celebrated
their fiftieth wedding anniversary
seven years ago, this event being we'll
remembered by all of the friends and
relatives, far and near, who attended
the notable event. A reflection of the
lives of these old people who were
pioneers in the settlement of this his,
toric Southwest Louisiana means the
unfolding of pages of tribulation, OF
priyation, adventure, etc, all mellow.
ed by romance and chivalry out OF
which they GENE beaming in the au.
Etumn of life which though simple
was fulfilled to the last detail.
Throughout the middle of his life
Mr., Fontenot took an active part in
the business, social and political af.
fairs of the community. AS justice OF
peace and police juror he served his
ward in the old parish of Calcasieu
flor many years, but during the past
several years he had ceased to take an
active part in politics, though always
manifesting deep interest.
Among those from out of town who
attended the funeral were Alton Fon
Itenot of Lake Arthur, Mr.. and Mrs
Houssiere and daughter, Mr.. and Mrs
Ed. Conner, Mr.. and Mrs, Martin An
drus, of Jennings and many others.