Our Neighbors in St. John in 1860, continued by J. W. Dorr

     There are a large number of fine estates in St. John---as the "Belle Point" place of A . Deslonde, "Mount Airy", owned by Joseph Lebourgeois, "Esperance" place, by Dr. Loughborough, and others not inferior, if not dignified with names. Among the heavy planters of the parish are the following, and most of them are heavy; Thomas May, Jr., Octave Hymel, Francis Webber & Co., V. B. Marmillion, L. Becknel, Col. Whitehead, Dr. A. G. Wiendahle, A. LaBranche, A. Deslonde, Samuel Hollingsworth & Co., J. Picou & Co., L. Montegut, Louque Delhommer, Similien LaBranche, E. Daunnois, F. Vicknair & Bros., E. B. Marmillion, David Adams, Dr. Loughborough, Welham & Godberry, Joseph Lebourgeois and M. Perilloux. The planters, constituting the staple population of the parish, are, almost to a man, of the old Creole gentleman type---hospitable, chivalrous and high-spirited. The Anglo-Americans are few.

St. Charles Parish--1860--by J. W. Dorr, continued

     The Parish officers of St. Charles are--Samuel McCutcheon, President of the Police Jury, whose post-office is at McCutcheon's Landing; and Messrs. Noel St. Martin, Sheriff; C. St. Martin, Clerk District Court; and  also Parish Treasurer; and Emile Tastet, Recorder, all whose post-office address is St. Charles Court House. Among the "solid men" of the parish, are the following, some of whom are very "solid" in the matters of money, lands and negroes: Messrs. George Wailes, Sosthene Deneufbourg, Webb and Broaddus, Francis Webb, W. B. Whitehead, Charles Davenport, Chauvin, Levois & Co., Francis Bougere, Troxler Brothers, George E. Payne, Richard Taylor, Louis Ranson, A. Lanfear, Meyronne Brothers, Gautier & Ory, P. Sauve, Ezra Davis, Nosin Zeringue, Montegut & Lagrove, P. A. Rost, George Pincard, E. F. Labranche & Co., J. W. & S. McCutcheon, Pierre Soniat, Octave LaBranche, Lestang Sarpy, A. Duplantier, George R. Price and Henry Frellson. There are quite a number of rich widows in the parish, I am told, so rich that they deserve to be ranked among the "solid men", but I will not give their names, lest they and the other good people of the parish should be afflicted with an invasion of fortune-hunting bachelors.
     The planters are complaining very much of the backwardness of the rattoon cane in coming up, and the scattering and imperfect manner in which it does come. The plant cane, however, is very promising, and the general prospect of the crop, at this early date, is accounted good. Corn is looking very finely.
     The levee all along, so far, is in splendid condition. The fracture made by the Labranche crevasse is most thoroughly healed, and like the whole of the levee from the city up to this point, will defy all that any flood can do against it.

School Records, April 1887

The teachers named at this meeting were Miss Zulema Bourgeois, Miss M. C. Manny, Miss P.A. Clanton, Miss Georgia Phillips, Mrs. L.A. P. Evans, Mrs. Dora G. Russell, Miss E.C. Aitkins, Mrs. Louis N. Philipsin, Miss Loranza White, Miss Flenna G. Chisten, Miss M. Lawton, Mr. Elmon Haydel, and Miss M. A. Thoroughgood.

School News for 1886 from School Board Minutes

       In January 1886 the board received a report that 606 children had been enrolled in 1885; there were 135 white children and 471 black children. The board agreed to open 11 schools in February for a term of six months. There were five schools for white children and six for black children. The teachers were to be paid not more than $40 a month.
      A petition signed by A. Guilaume, C.A. Bourgeois, M.L. Cox and Coy Clinton from the Baumgarten school area was presented. They said the school was in dilapidated condition and they asked the board to allow them to use the building for a Sunday school and private school at the end of the public school term in return for making all repairs needed.
      The teachers for 1886 were named at the April board meeting. They were Miss Zulema Bourgeois, Mrs. K.M. Haggerty, Miss P.A. Clanton, Miss Georgia Phillips, Mrs. M.C. Aitkens, Mrs. L.A. Evans, Miss Louiza White, Miss M.A. Thoroughgood and Mrs. M. Lawton.
      Schools mentioned at this meeting were on Longue's Plantation and on Mrs. Lawton's Property.  Visiting trustees were appointed for each ward. They were Ward 1, Joseph Stein and Charles A. Bourgeois; Ward 2, Arthur Robbins and Charles Gassen; Ward 3, P.M. Kenner and Schiller Marstires; Ward 4, R.E. Coche and William Taylor; Ward 5, James Williams and Harrison Roe.

St. Charles Parish Courthouse Inquest Records Book #1---continued

Page 21.   Inquest was held on 17 Jun 1878 on the body of John Skiner, found in the rear of the B. Dargenar Plantation. The verdict was that he came to his death by accidently cutting down a tree upon himself. Jurors were L. Aclama Katen, Francois Jupitor,Jr, Paul Belle, Samuel Whitehead, Honore Bourgois and coroner Clement Colly.

Page 22.  Inquest was held on 19 Aug 1878 on the body of an unknown white man. The verdict was that he came to his death by yellow fever and not otherwise, no other person is responsible for his death. Jurors were F. Murray, Marshall Benoit, Jerry Thorton, Joseph Smith, Coy Clinton and coroner Clement Colly.

Page 23.  Inquest was held on 7 Sep 1878 on the body of an unknown white man lying dead on the Morgan Louisiana and Texas Railroad. The verdict was that he came to his death by some unknown illness and not otherwise. He appears to be about 30 years of age and having no identification. No person is responsible for his death. Jurors were Steward Johnson, Christ Kimskey, Moses Moore, John Snaurden, Franklin Thomas and coroner Clement Colly.

Page 24.  Inquest was held on 14 Sep 1878 upon the body of Charles Baptiste lying dead. The verdict was that he came to his death by two wounds inflicted in the left side with a sharp instrument in the hands of one Valcour St. Martin, one above the left nipple and one below. Doctor's certificate annexed. Jurors were Prudent DeBoutte, ? Garten, Chas J. Garllard, John Fox, Joseph Alexandre and coroner Clement Colly.

Page 25.  Inquest was held on 15 Sep 1878 on the body of Valcour St. Martin lying dead. The verdict was that he came to his death by wounds inflicted by deadly weapons, namely guns, knives, pistols and clubs in the hands of unknown parties on the 14 Sep 1878. Jurors were Prudent DeBoutte, Chas J Garllard, Joseph Alexandre, John Fox, ? Garten, and coroner Clement Colly.  note--This was considered a lynching witch will be covered in a future post.