Inquest Record Book #1 March 1877-Dec 1886

Page 103--Inquest was held on 22 Feb 1885 on the body of an unknown white man found drowned in the Mississippi River in front of Lone Star Plantation. The jurors verdict was that the deceased was about 35 years of age and having no identification came to his death by being drowned in the Mississippi River, cause unknown. Jurors were Henry Fry, Jacko,fils, Sam Joseph, Jos,fils, G. Williams and Clement Colly, Coroner.

Page 104--Inquest was held on 25 March 1885 on the body of Marie Lavergne, lying dead at the residence of Mr. Leopold Lavergne. The verdict of the jurors is that she came to her death by committing suicide by hanging herself by the neck with a rope and that guilt attaches to no person. Jurors were J. C. Triche, Abe Strauss, Claiborne Strawily, Ed LeBoeuf, Robert Pierre, and Clement Colly, Coroner.

Page 105--Inquest was held on 31 Mar 1885 on the body of Frank Johnson lying dead between the 30th and 31st mile posts on the Morgan LA and TX RR. The jurors verdict is that he came to his death by accidentally falling from a tree while gathering moss and that no guilt attaches to any person. Jurors were Achille James, John Williams, Adolph Scott, Christophe Weniplay, Jonna Ward, and Clement Colly, Coroner.

Schoolboard Records 4 April 1896

Absent: A. Kinler and A. E. Picard

     Communication from residents of 3/2 regarding the advisability of changing the location of the colored school was read, received, and laid over for further action.
     All bills due and outstanding for building 2 schools in 2/3 and 3/3 are hereby approved and ordered paid, not to exceed $500 each.
     Ninety dollars is appropriated for the purpose of placing lightening rods in all schools owned by the parish.
     Mr. A. Strauss is authorized to paint the school recently erected at Madisonville not to exceed $22.40.

     Teachers appointed:

1st Ward
Trinity White               Miss A. J. Doherty
Freetown Col              Johnson H. Gilmer
Troxler White              Mrs. J. J. Troxler
Hahnville Col               Aaron Brazier

2nd Ward
Fashion White             Miss K. Gilmore
Gassenville White        Miss J.D. Triche
Gassenville Col           G. S. Washington
Madisonville White      Miss M. E Smitts
Madisonville Col         Miss E. Logan

3rd Ward                   
Dolhomer White          Miss M. L. Connely
Prattville Col               Miss V. Pierson

4th Ward
Des Allemands White   Miss E. Porteous
Paradis Col                  Andrew Smith
Boutte White                Miss N. Humphreys

5th Ward
Elkinsville White           Miss K. Gleason
Elkinsville Col               Mrs. D. G. Roussell

     All opened 1st Mon in Feb except colored school at Baumgarden opened following Mon.--teacher changed.

                            to be continued

School Board Records 6 July 1895 and 5 Oct 1895

     6 July 1895--Board voted to repair the school at Hahnville  at a cost not to exceed $200 and authorized a fence to be built around the school at Elkinsville at a cost not to exceed $30.
     The police jury donated $500 to the school board and the school board voted to set this amount aside to be used exclusively in the purpose of building a schoolhouse in Ward 2 or 3 , if the people donate a lot for that purpose. 

     5 Oct 1895--School board members meeting were T. T. Baudouin, Charles Elfer, A. Gassen, A. E. Picard, P. M. Picard, P. M. Kenner, W. L. Youngs, and A. Kinler. J. Triche and Abe Strauss recently appointed members, presented their commissions and were recognized as members of the school board.
     Total receipts of $1413.05 for the quarter, balance is $1111.09. Total repairs at Hahnville were $180 so the board voted to have the building whitewashed.
     Report of Lewis Ory, Sheriff and tax collector that he had received a list of 2429 names of persons owing a poll tax and that he had collected $682 leaving a balance of $1747 which he was unable to collect because  the persons had no property subject to seizure .
     A communication was received from Mr. J. W. Frellsen regarding the school lands and offering to rent same for $100 per year for four years. Read into minutes.
     The board passed a resolution to examine the books of the sheriff and treasurer. Charles Elfer, assessor of the parish has failed to render to the school board a list of persons liable to pay a poll tax by the first Saturday in October as required by law under penalty of removal from office and a fine.  Mr. Elfer requests more time and was granted until Saturday, 12 of October 1895.
     Board authorizes to lease to J. W. Frellsen Sec. 16 in T.13, SR 19E and Sec. 16 in T14, SR 21E for 4 years at $100 year payable at  the beginning of each year.
     Board approves expenses of Superintendent for attending a convention at Opelousas for $24 and the Secretary for $3.70  for postage and stationery. 

School Board Records--April 1896

Mrs. J. Champagne donated a tract of land to the school board to build the school at Madisonville, 2nd Ward. Thomas J. Sellers had the lowest bid to construct the school for $475 and agreed to build a fence around the lot and supply some benches.

Mr. Adam Keller donated a portion of ground on the upper line of his property in the 3rd Ward, which is as near the center of the school population as was possible to come by. The bid of P. J. Laurent of $425 was accepted to build the school, including a fence across the back and on one side where the property was not fenced. Bid of Ozeme Keller for $16.50 to whitewash the building and paint inside except the ceiling was accepted.

Ten desks were purchased from Thomas Kane and Co. of Racine, Wisconsin, at $3.30 each, delivered and a polished oak teachers desk for $12. Ten large blackboards were made for #1.50 each. Two privies cost $4 each and leveling the ground was $2.50.

The school board members for 1896-1900 were A. E. Picard, Joseph Baudouin, W. L. Youngs, L. A. Keller, Antoine Gassen, T. J. Sellers, T. B. Sellers (school superintendent), J. C. Triche, Able Strauss, P. M. Kenner and Charles Elfer.