The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1921-01-05
DESPONDENT, BANK
CASHIER AT EUNICE
TAKES OWN LIFE
J. Leer LaCombe, Prominent
Business Man, Commits
Suicide Tuesday
PERSONAL ACCOUNTS
ARE IN GOOD SHAPE
Failure to Realize on Loans
Made by the Bank Nay
Caused His Act

]. Leer Lacombe, cashier OF the
American Ban kand Trust company OF
Eunice, committed suicide Tuesday
by shooting himself through the head
with a revolver. The act was commit
ted at an early hour Tuesday morning
but he did not die unti $3.50 pm. OF
financial condition of the bank is sup
the same day. Dependency over the
posed to have urged him to commit
the deed of self destruction. His per
sonaI accounts with the bank are said
to be in first-cIass condition.
Mr.. LaCombe was native Of Wash
ington and a member of prominent
family. He moved to Eunice many
years ago and Immediately took a
leading part = ~ business affairs Of
that town. When the First National
bank was organized he became the
cashier. A yea or so rago the bank
was reorganized, the national charter
dropped and the institution became the
American Bank and Trust company,
operating under a state charter. LOeat-
ed in a prosperous agricultural section,
the main money crop of which was
rice. the bank naturally, in due course
Of business, loaned considerable mon
ey to rice planters of that territory. A
year ago rice was worth fabulous
sum and the lending of sums Of money
to farmers, based on rice values, SEEM
ed perfectly legitimate. However, the
slump in rice values followed and the
/ 1920 crop-the largest in the states
history not be marketed at any
price. What was wealth year ago
became drug on the market, and
farmers owing the bank sums OF mon
ey we're unable to settle their indebted
ness to the institution. Hence, the
bank was placed in critical financial
condition and its permanent closing
threatened, unless someone came to its
relief
j That is about the substance OF the
banks affairs Jas reporter could find
out. It is understood, however, that
arrangements had been made where
by the bank could be tided over the
present difficulty and placed in posi-
tion to continue in business, with its
resources unimpaired. 1t is stated by
Eunice people that everything was in
{ readiness for the bank to open for bus
, iness Tuesday morning when the sud
, den suicide Of Mr. LaCombe caused
the officers to close temporarily until
the funeral was held. The bank closed
Qast Friday at noon, declaring the af
ternoon half holiday. Saturday
New Years. was legal holiday, also
Sunday This gave the officers and
directors Of the bank time in which tc
arrange the banks affairs for o re
: sumption of business.
MrLaCombe, who was almost az vel
known in Opelousas as In Eunice, was
considered one of the finest men ii
= this section Of the country. He wal
+ universally popular with all classes
S and his act Of self destruction Is deeu
I ly deplored. No blame Is attached d
S him for the banks condition, and hi
5 suicide is regretted by all his friend
8 and associates, here, in Washingto
Fand in Eunice. He had a magneti
]: disposition and made and held friends
! He had aided many unfortunate pet
e pie and 1t was his proud boast that e
IS cry man he had loaned money to Ia
le come forward promptly and settle
d the loan-he had never been fooled /
any borrower who took advantage
ID his good nature and his readiness
st extend the helping hand to those
e. need. Mr.. LaCombe was about 3s yea
or of age, member OF the Masonic q
he der, the Knights OF Pythias and Il
lg Woodmen 70 the World The funer
IN arrangements had not been announcl
ed this Tuesday evening.
I