Iberia County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Boagni, Bessie Lewis nee Clements - December 2, 1913
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Mary K. Creamer marykcreamer@yahoo.com January 26, 2019, 11:58 pm


source: New Iberia Enterprise and Independent Observer. (New Iberia, La.)
1902-1944, December 06, 1913, Image 1


OPELOUSAS LADY TAKES OWN LIFE.

Opelousas, La., Dec. 2. - Mrs. Paul Boagni, who was Miss Bessie Clements 
before her marriage about three years ago, committed suicide at 5 o'clock 
this afternoon by shooting herself with a revolver just above the heart. 
Death resulted within a few minutes after the shot was fired and before 
medical assistance could be secured.

Mrs. Boagni had been residing at the home of her grandfather, Thomas H. 
Lewis, for some time, and it was there that the tragedy occurred. No one but 
the aged grandmother was in the house at the time.

Mrs. Boagni left no word or letter giving any reason for her action but it 
is supposed to be family trouble. She and her husband had not been on good 
terms for several weeks and her aged father, Mr. J. B. Clements, who is the 
son-in-law of Thomas H. Lewis, :father of the Good Government League of 
Louisiana," begged the girl to come and live with him. He said he would 
support her and her 18-months-old baby girl, provided she would leave her 
husband. But still clinging to the love of her sweetheart of younger days 
she refused to leave her husband.

Popular in Society. - Mrs. Boagni had been married since May, 1911, and she 
was 21 years of age. She was one of the most popular young women in society, 
before her wedding. The husband, not suspecting the action about to be taken 
by his wife, was sleeping in an automobile about half an hour before the 
tragedy. The car belonged to a young man of this city, who had returned a 
day or two ago from his honeymoon trip.

Boagni said to his friend: "Well old boy, I wish you better luck in married 
life than I have been having." He spoke of his baby girl. Nothing could be 
learned of the reason of their dissatisfaction.

It is said after Mrs. Boagni had killed herself and her brother and father 
had been notified of her action, some of Boagni's relatives and friends were 
compelled to bring him to his father's country home, about two miles from 
Opelousas, and lock him in a room, as it was feared that the Clements would 
take revenge on him, since they believe that he is the cause of the suicide.

Sho Seeks Diversion. - Just before the tragedy, Mrs. Boagni came over to the 
city market, where Mr. Boagni has a large meat establishment, to find her 
husband, but he was not there. She looked all over the city, but to no 
avail. The Boagnis also, it is said, looked for him.

The wife went back to the home of her grandfather, Hon. T. H. Lewis, and 
begged her cousin, Miss Josephine Saizan to accompany her to the moving 
picture show. Miss Saizan complained of being tired and excused herself.

Mrs. Boagni sent for her baby girl, whom she had left at the home of Miss 
Saizan, which is across the street from the Lewis' and kissing the little 
infant goodbye, she pointed the pistol in the direction of the heart, which 
had borne so much love for the husband who had no longer any claim on it, 
and in five minutes the soul of Bessie Clements had joined the great 
majority.

Mrsfl Thomas H. Lewis was the first to hear the shot and she tried to bring 
her dying child to life, but the girlwife was too far gone.

Hon. John W. Lewis, uncle of Mrs. Boagni, rushed into the room where the 
tragedy occurred and begged the dying girl to give her reasons for her act. 
In response to his inquiries she gave one big sigh and expired.

Father is Furious. - It is said, when J. B. Clements, father of the dead 
woman, was appraised of the death of his daughter, it took three men to hold 
him back, as he was determined to go to Boagni.

The brother of the girl, Henry Clements, was in a rage, when he arrived here 
last night from Eunice. It is said when he walked into the death room he 
looked at his sister with a deep, heavy stare, gritted is teeth and walked 
out without saying one word.



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