The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-10-06
MEMORIAL TRIBUTE
BY BAR ASSOCIATION
TO JUDGE ETLETTE
TESTIMONIAL TO HIS HIGH
STANDING AS A MAN AND A
MEMBER OF THE BAR

service OF this kind at the opening OF
each fall session for all members of
the bar who have passed away since
the preceding session.
The Bar Association of Louisiana
presented the following memorial:
In the City Of opelousas on Novem-
Der 7th, 1919, there passed away from
the stage OF human activity one of
the most prominent figures in the leg
al, political and social affairs of
Southwestern Louisiana, one who
through now silent in death, still exer-
cises a potent and elevating influence
in the community where he was best
known, and university honored and
esteemed, Judge Edmond D. Estilet-
te.
In the death Of this distinguished
citizen, our beloved state has sus-
tanned the loss of one Of her most
gifted and patriotic sons, the bar of
Louisiana, one of its brightest minds
and the parish Of St Landry one Of
( the ablest Of the many historic char
acters she has furnished whenever
the occasion demanded.
i Born at Lake Arthur in the parish
of Calcasieu, on December 18th, 1888,
of parents possessed of modest means
and at a time when the opportunities
for higher education were almost be-
yond the reach of all save those who
were worldly blessed, the life struggle
of the subject of this brief sketch,
stands forth as shining example of
what may be accomplished, when de-
termination of character and devo-
ton to duty, walk hand in hand. the
helpmate of each other.
Early in life this young scion Of
honest and chivalrous creole parent
age, determined to bridge the gulf
that separated him, by accident Of
birth, from the great world Of action
beyond.
/ with a desire to become a factor
in the intellectual industrial and so
cial development Of his native state
and more particularly the section Of
his birth, he determined to leave no
stone unturned to fit himself for that
herculean task Those only who are
familiar with the early history of
Southwestern Louisiana, that vast
empire, with its unpeopled, though
fertile, prairies, viii appreciate the
strength of the mind which determin-
ed to break the barries ahead. With
no means at his commend, no influ-
4 ence at his call, to open wide the
gate that lead to success but with
undaunted viii; young Mr. Estillette
continued the unequal struggle, until
finally he won the good viii of his
Godfather, William Wikoff. wealthy
planter, who generously furthered his
laudable ambition
With this assistance he entered st.
Charles College then and now well
known educational institution, which
numbers among its alumni some of
the most gifted men of Louisiana.
From St Charles College young Es-
tilette entered Yale College, whence
he graduated in 1857.
With a finished education, acquir-
ed under stress Of adyersity and dur
ing trying periods Of privation, Mr..
Estilette returned to his native state
to render her such assistance as he
could during the then turbulent Pc
riod just preceding the Civil War.
With all resource exhausted, but
with determination to fit himself for
the legal profession. he undertook to
teach in a small rural school, by day
whilst perusing the study Of law by
, night and was finally admitted to prac-
tice in 1850
At once, by reason of his great
erudition and well trained analytical
mind, he forged to the front and
soon was recognized as one of the
abIest members of the bar of South
western Louisiana, which at that time
numbered amongst its members some
, of the profoundest legal thinkers OF
the day.
This position be maintained not
, withstanding a serious infirEity in
his hearing which developed whilst
yet he was in the fullness OF his ply
b sical and mental powers, finally nee
' essitating his retirement from prac
! tfce. though he was still strong and
vigorous.
Ever eager for political preferment
t Judge Estilette always manifested q
; lively interest in matters political and
E MS voice was never silent when ht
$ deemed it his duty to act.
e As a public speaker he had no su
a perior and few equals in the state
The power Of his logic, expressed N
d scholarly language, with no bitter
e ness or acrimony, always won for min
a the admiration of hearers and :arriet
a conviction as to the Righteousness o
0 the cause he represented.
AS District Judge Of the Judieia