St Landry County Louisiana Archives News.....Police Jury Session December 25, 1852 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bryant Walker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00024.html#0005835 December 31, 2014, 9:21 am Opelousas Courier, Opelousas, Louisiana December 25, 1852 December 25, 1852 Vol. 1, No. 3, Page 2 January 1, 1853 Vol. 1, No. 4, Page 2 Published on Saturday by Joel H. Sandoz & Andrew Meynier Police Jury Session For The Parish Of St. Landry Deliberations of the Police Jury of the parish of St. Landry Monday, 6th December 1852 This being the day appointed by law for the meeting of the Police Jury of the parish of St. Landry, the members thereof assembled at their usual place of meeting, to wit: John P. Hudson, President 5th ward; Elisha Andrus, 2d ward; Francois C. Devillier, 3rd ward; Onezime A. Boudreau, 4th ward; Joseph E. Andrus, 6th ward; Antoine B. Carte, 7th ward; Joseph Z. Fontenot, 8th ward; James Akenhead, 10th ward; Augustin Guillory, 11th ward; Henry S. Dunbar, 12th ward; Elbert Gantt, 14th ward; Joseph McBride, 15th ward; Charles Teale, 16th ward; Villeneuve Joubert, 17th ward; Simphorien Meche, 19th ward and Walthall Burton, 13th ward, in place of John K. Pickett. Present 16 Harris, Young and Wright, absent 3 ---- 19 The Journal of the last meeting were read and approved. Mr. Akenhead was excused from further attendance at this meeting. On motion of Mr. Gantt, The certificate of election of Mr. Burton, was referred to the committee of elections, who reported, That Walthall Burton had been duly elected as a member of this Jury for the 13th ward, for the unexpired term of J. K. Pickett, resigned. On motion said report was adopted. On Motion of Mr. Gantt, The Jury had a recess, and having reassembled, present as before, and Mr. Harris, absent Mr. Gantt. The following reports were read: Mr. Harris, That the re-covering of the Prison had been let out to Michael Mussand, for $250. Mr. Devillier, Against receiving bridge over Bayou Teche. Bridge over Crevasse, on road near Mde. Michel Mayer, had been finished and accepted, and a warrant to issue to Vallery Mayer and Desire Godet for $200. Mr. Fontenot, Road from Prudhomme's bridge to Bacon's on Bayou Cane, laid out. Mr. Dunbar, Draw bridge over Bayou Crocodile had been let out to and finished by Henry S. Dunbar and Lewis Ganson for $1000. Mr Gantt, Bridges over Waxe and Cow Bayous finished by Bryant Stapleton, bridge over Bayou Teche, let out to and finished by John Ray. Mr. McBride, Bridge on Lower road to Bayou Rouge, finished by N. Nicholson for $500. Mr. Boudreau, Petition to repair Guilbeau's bridge over Bayou Carrion Crow. Petition for an election to take the sense of the voters of the 4th ward, relative to granting or witholding licences, for Grog Shops &c. On motion, Resolved, That the following named persons be and are appointed Overseers of the public roads in this parish, each for the District assigned to him for the year 1853, commencing 1st January 1853. North East Division. --- John S. Edwards, 2d District; Pierre Savant fils, 4th District; William L. Hudspeth, 5th District; Isaac Littell, 6th District; Robert McCrory, 8th District; Lastie Guillory, 9th District; Samuel Derossier, 11th District; Harvey Kimbal, 12th District; Uel Bundick, 13th District; Thomas Morgan, 14th District; Auguste Soileau, 15th District. North Division. --- Jean Bte. Roy, 1st District; Onezime L. Pitre, 2d District; Jean Bte. Lafleur, 3d District; Pierre Vedrine, 4th District; John A. Glaze, 5th District; Ransom P. Ferguson, 7th District; William Tear, 8th District; F. B. Cheney, 10th District; Samuel Wall, 11th District; Francois A. Pitre, 12th District; Julien Jules Jacques Fontenot, 13th District. North West Division. --- Don Louis Sonnier, 1st District; Alfred Reed, 2nd District; Samuel Reed, 3d District; Dorsin Lacaze, 4th District; Pierre Fontenot, 5th District; Eugene Martel, 6th District; Andrew West, 7th District; Olin P. Fontenot, 8th & 9th District; Edouard Vedrine, 10th District; Eli Campbell, 11th & 12th District; Hypolite Fontenot, 13th District; Dalicourt Joubert, 14th District. West Division. --- Ursin Lavergne 1st District; Gustave Fruge, 2d District; Valmont Baudin, 3d District; Jacques Bacon, 4th District; Enoch Hays, 5th District; Felix Andrepont, 6th District; Levi Young, 7th District; Samuel Reed, 8th District. South West Division. --- Don Louis Richard, 1st District; Adolin Richard, 2d District; Alexandre Doucet, 3d District; Crawford Lyons, 4th District; Nicholas Quebedeau, 6th District; Gabriel Harman, 7th District; Joseph Carriere, 8th & 9th District; Joseph Blaize, 10th District. South Division. --- Henry Miller, 1st District; Euchere Lavergne, 2d District; Dorsinot L. Crevisse, 3d District; Dr. Robt. E. Smith, 4th District; Denis Stelly, 5th District; Francois Savoi fils, 6th District; Joseph A. Guidry, 7th District. South East Division. --- Ulger Roy, 1st District; Adolphe Roquette, 2d District; Valmont Stelly, 3d District; Jean Bte. Hebert, 4th District; Joseph Olivier, 5th District. East Division. --- Louis C. Devillier, 1st District; Charles Close, 2d District; Simon Wable, 3d District; P. L. Olivier, 4th District. On motion of Mr. Devillier, The Jury adjourned until to-morrow at 9 o'clock A. M. ----------------------------------------------- Tuesday, 7th December 1852 The Jury met pursuant to adjournment. Present as before and Mr. Harris, Absent Messrs. Young and Akenhead. Was read the report of the Treasurer for the 3d Quarter of the year 1852, ending 30th ultimo, by which it appeared. Balance on hand last Quarter, $ 74.74 Received since, Taxes, of 1851, $1260.82, Licences $327.33, cattle $78.85 1666.80 ------------ $1741.54 Paid during the Quarter, 1677.04 ------------- Balance on hand, $64.48 ------------- The President reported to the Jury, that in conformity to the resolution ordering a vote to be taken for or against a real road tax, he, on the 20th day of October 1852, assisted by Messrs. Marsden Campbell, Jesse Hayes and Achille Dupre, appointed by him for that purpose, had counted the votes given at the different precincts by the land holders, when it appeared that, in favor of levying the tax there were five hundred and forty two votes, say 542. Against levying the tax there were two hundred and forty eight votes, say 248. Making in favor of levying the tax a majority of two hundred and ninety four votes, say 294 majority. Mr. Harris presented the petition of Jean F. Richard, for a change of the road near his house. The President presented the resignation of Wm. D. Collins as a Magistrate 13th ward. Report of the Jury of freeholders of a change of the road near Dejean's. The acceptance by the Board of Directors, of the "New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western Rail Road Company" of the tax stock subscription of the Parish of St. Landry, to the stock of that Company. The election returns of 12th ward for or against granting licences showing for granting 32, against granting 16 making a majority for of 16. Report of the change in Public road at Alphonse Debaillon's. Report of the road, laid not from Prudhomme's bridge to Reed's on Cane. A notice of James McCaulay that he transferred the Judgement by him obtained against the Parish, in the District Court, No. 5805, to James Fitzgerald, being for $120, with 5 per cent interest. Report that the bridge on Teche at Barre's had been finished and received. Petition of H. Rogers, for a renewal of warrant No. 3061, which he has lost. Mr. E. Andrus, moved that Offutt Brothers be allowed interest at 8 per cent, from this date until paid, on their Bill of Timber, motion lost. Messrs. E. Andrus, J. E. Andrus, Gantt, Wright and Meche voted in the affirmative: 5 Ayes. Messrs. Devillier, Carte, Boudreau, Fontenot, Guillory, Dunbar, Burton, McBride, Teale and Joubert, voted in the negative, --- 10 Nays. On motion of Mr. Devillier, Ordered, That a warrant issue for two hundred Dollars to Valery Mayer and Dosire Godat, for building a bridge over the crevasse at Mde. Michel Mayer. Resolved, That commissioners be appointed to examine the Coulee between Gradenigo and Close, and report an estimative plan for a bridge over the same. Messrs. Adolphe Dejean, Cyprien Lalonde and Hypolite Mallet, were appointed. On motion of Mr. J. E. Andrus, That commissioners be appointed to examine into the situation of the widow of Wm. Johns and report under oath. Ben McCleland, Isaac Hays and Colbert Foreman, were appointed. Was read a report from the Parish Attorney, That he brought suit in the District Court against H. Rogers, Sheriff, for the balance due by him for commutation tax, and for forfeiture of his commission, and 20 per cent damages. Mr. Fontenot called up the petition of Joseph Bacon for a toll bridge and a ferry on Bayou Nez Pique: On motion of Mr. Harris, Resolved, That the same be referred to a special committee of three members to examine and report. Messrs. Guillory, J. E. Andrus and Carte, were appointed. On motion of Mr. Fontenot, Resolved, That the report of the Jury of freeholders, tracing and laying out a Public road from Prudhomme's bridge on Mallet to Jq. Bacon's ferry on Cane, and allowing to J. Harris for survey &c., thirty two dollars and twelve cents, be and the same is adopted and declared to be a public road. Resolved, That the pauper, the widow Hay, be reinstated on the list for the sum allowed last year, to commence from March last. Resolved, two thirds of the members elect consenting thereto, That the elections in the 8th ward, heretofore held at Etienne Lejeune's shall hereafter be held at the residence of Ulysse Gaberel. On motion of Mr. Guillory, Resolved, That the sum of seventy five dollars be appropriated to rebuilt the bridge at Tisseneau's point, and Augustin Guillory, Philippe Stag and Edmund Johnson, be commissioners to carry the same into effect. Resolved, That warrants issue in such sums as may be required to Dunbar and Ganson, for one thousand dollars in full for building a draw bridge over Bayou Crocodille at Mountville. On motion of Mr. Dunbar, Resolved, That Jesse Andrus be a commissioner of elections at Mountville, in the 12th ward, in place of Jn. S. Edwards. On motion of Mr. Carte, The Jury had a recess and having reassembled. Mr. Guillory from the special committee on the petition of J. Bacon reported that the committee had examined the rates of Toll in low water and of ferriage in high water, and had lowered said rates and recommend that they be adopted and the prayer of the petitioner be granted. On motion, Resolved that said report be adopted. Mr. Dunbar from from the finance committee, Reported "An approximate statement of the financial condition of the Parish of St. Landry: Balance of warrants due 4th Sept. 1852 $3877.98 Warrants issued since, 2815.52 -------------- Total, $6693.50 Deduct warrants paid during 3d Quarter, 1480.41 -------------- Amount of warrants unpaid, $5213.09 Amount due by Villeneuve Joubert on tax roll of 1851, $5022.31 Amount due by H. Rogers, Rogers, on commutation tax, 1393.50 $6415.81 -------------- -------------- Also the "account of Villeneuve Joubert, Collector of the parish of St. Landry, Dr. Amount of taxes of 1851, $8535.41 Less, Collectors commission, 853.54 -------------- $7681.87 Cr. Amount paid by collector, $709.56 Amount received by Treasurer, for collector, 1950 $2659.56 ------------- ------------- Balance due on tax 1851 $5022.31 -------------- On motion, Messrs. Dunbar, Burton and Wright, were appointed a committee to report an estimate of the expenses of 1852. Mr. Dunbar moved that the timber plank &c., of the old bridge over Bayou Crocodille at Mountville, be appropriated, to the use of 12th ward. Mr. Harris moves that part of the timber and plank shall be appropriated to build bridges over Bayous Webster and Cooper, motion lost. Harris, J. E. Andrus, Dunbar, Burton, Gantt, McBride, Joubert and Wright, ---- 8 Ayes. E. Andrus, Devillier, Boudreau, Carte, Fontenot, Guillory, Teale, Meche and the President, --- 9 Nays. Mr. Guillory moved that commissioners be appointed to sell the timber, which motion was carried and J. D. Hudspeth, Joel Calliham and John Webb were appointed. On motion of Mr. Dunbar, Resolved, That commissioners be appointed to examine and report an estimative plan for a bridge over Cooper's Bayou. Messrs. Augustin Guillory, Amos Webb and Peter Collins, were appointed. Mr. Dunbar moves that commissioners be appointed to examine and report an estimative plan for a bridge over Belaire's gully. Mr. Harris moves that the Coulee between Gradenigo and Close be also examined, and all the other Coulees in the parish, which motion was lost, and the motion of Mr. Dunbar, having been adopted, Messrs. John S. Edwards, Peter Collins and William Hudspeth, were appointed commissioners. On motion of Mr. Burton, Resolved, That an election be held in the 13th ward for a Justice of the Peace in place of Wm. D. Collins, resigned and for a Constable in place of John Davis, who has failed to qualify. Messrs. Dunbar and Wright obtained leave of absence for the evening. On motion of Mr. Harris, Resolved, That the previous requisites required in Article 2 of the road law, be dispensed with and that the part of the public road in the 1st ward district, South West division, be so changed as to pass on the East side of the dwelling house of Jean F. Richard, as he has petitioned fo and that the following named freeholders, to wit: Jean F. Richard, Lile Chachere, John P. Hudson, Veillant Chachere, Wm. H. Parrott, Uchere Lavergne and Sydoine Lavergne, be and are appointed a Jury to trace and lay out said change, and report as the law directs. Resolved, That commissioners be appointed to examine the site on Little Bayou Teche, on the road from Opelousas to Port Barre, and make a plan and estimate for a bridge over the same and report at next meeting. Messrs. Coulon C. Devillier, Benedict Ney and Michel Bordelon were appointed. On motion of Mr. Gantt, The Jury adjourned until to-morrow at 10 o'clock A. M. JOHN P. HUDSON, President Guy H Bell, Clerk ----------------------------------------------- Wednesday, 8th December 1852 The Jury met, present as before. Mr. Dunbar from the committee, on estimate for the tax of 1852 reported the following, Resolved, by the Police Jury of the Parish of St. Landry, That at the meeting to be held in January 1853, the amount of the Taxes to be assessed on the Parish, for the service of the present year 1852 shall be fixed and determined on the following is an estimate of the expenditures that are required for ordinary parish purposes. Salaries, $1,000 Pay of Police Jurors, 1,000 Fees before Magistrate's in criminal cases, 1,500 Maintainance of criminals in prison, 500 Expenses for holding elections, 400 Support of Indigini persons, 1100 Printing, 600 Collection of Taxes, 800 Roads and small bridges, 200 Expenses of the Courts, 50 Contingent expenses, 550 ------------ Extra Proportional Existing debts, $2000 $8,900 Grand and Petit Jurors, 1500 Construction of Public works, 3500 $7000 ---------- ------------ In all fifteen thousand dollars $15,000 On motion said report was adopted and ordered to be published. On motion of Mr. McBride, Resolved, That a warrant for five hundred and fifty two dollars issue to N. Nicholson for building a Bridge, on lower road to Bayou Rouge. Resolved, That commissioners be appointed to examine and return an estimative plan for a Bridge over Barker's Bayou. Eul Bundick, Jas. C. Swords and Archibald Gordey, were appointed. On motion of Mr. Teale, Resolved that Eli Guillory be and is appointed Director of unbranded animals in the 16th ward and that Joseph Tate fils be and is appointed Captain of Patrol in the 16th ward. Mr. Teale moved that the Jury do now proceed to appoint inspectors of cattle. The motion was lost. On motion of Mr. Joubert, Resolved, That Durel Dupre be and is appointed Captain of Patrol in the 17th ward. And Michel L. Deville, Captain of Patrol in the 9th ward. Mr. Wright reported that Jacques Estelly a pauper was dead. On motion of Mr. Meche, Resolved, That Olivier Guidry be and is appointed Captain of Patrol in the 19th District vice. The President submitted a letter from H. Rogers, Sheriff, relative to the commutation tax. Stating, That he is ready and willing (as he always had been) to settle the full and entire amount of Taxes due the Parish, with the understanding, that he receives credit for the amount claimed in his "deduction list" and the amount due me for commissions refering. Mr. Dunbar moved a committee of three persons be appointed, with full powers to settle with H. Rogers for the commutation Tax. Mr. Harris moved that the same be laid on the table. Mr. Dunbar withdrew his motion. On motion of Mr. Harris, Resolved, That on the 27th, That a Poll shall be opened in the 4th ward to ascertain by a vote if Licences for drinking houses and shops shall be granted or witheld by the Police Jury, in the said ward. On motion of Mr. Harris, The Jury had a recess. And having reassembled, Mr. Gantt from the committee on claims made the following report that the committee had carefully examined all the claims on file and approved the following, and recommended that they be paid. B. A. Martel, fees as Magistrate, $15.00 Jno. F. Shaw do 6.00 Ulysse Gaberel, do 15.00 Andrew Carron, gees as constable 17.40 John F. Shaw, pay as witness 3.70 Placide S. Fontenot do 1.70 Thos. S. Hardy do 5.80 Joseph Young do 1.70 Thos. H. McGee do 1.70 Lize Aubespin, keeping insane boy, 15.00 Joseph Jobin, Iron for Prisoners 20.45 George Gorman, window Glass for Jail 2.00 Valsin Ducharme, Pipes for Prison, 12.00 ------------- $117.45 ------------- E. Ogden, repairs Black lake bridge, $ 20.00 Johathan Harris, survey of road, 32.12 Theodore Chachere blankets for a Pauper 3.50 Jo. Z. Fontenot, placing mile posts, 24.40 Portalis Castille, commissioner, 3.00 Hypolite Savoy do 3.00 Louis Marks do 3.00 F. C.Devillier, do 6.00 Augustin Guillory do 5.00 H. S. Dunbar, do 2.40 ---------------- $102.42 Making in all two hundred and nineteen dollars and eighty seven cents. Mr. Gantt further reported that the following claims be laid over for further information of Harrison Rogers, on of $67.20, and one of $33.50, of E. H. Martin, on for $88.30, and one for $30, of R. Richard, one for $29.00, and one for $33.95, and rejected the claim of E. H. Martin for $20, of 1848, for defending suit of John Sepp vs. the Parish. The committee recommend that the persons who brought in the returns of Elections be paid two dollars for the day they attended the Polls and 10 cents per mile for every mile necessarily traveled in going to and returning from the place of voting and this in full compensation for their services. On motion the said report was adopted, and ordered that warrants issue to the persons whose claims are allowed. On motion of Mr. Gantt, Resolved that the account on file for thetrial of the slave of Addison and the Estate of Ls. Chachere, be referred to a committee of three members to examine and report if the Parish is bound to pay the same. Messrs. Harris, Gantt & Hudson were appointed. Resolved that warrants issue for principal, interest and costs in the suit in the District Court No 5805, of James McCaulay vs. the Parish, said warrants to be paid out of any money in the Treasury. Resolved, That the persons bound to work on the public roads and residing on the plantation of Theodore H. Scribner do work on the public road from Bayou Boeuf to Bayou Waxe. Resolved, That a warrant issue to Bryant Stapleton for $400 for building bridges over Waxe and Cow Bayou. Mr. Gantt moved the adoption of the report of the majority of the commissioners on the bridge over the Teche at Barre's landing. motion lost. Messrs. Boudreau, Dunbar, Gantt, McBride, Teale, Joubert, Wright and Meche, 8 Ayes. Messrs. Harris, Devillier, Fontenot, Guillory, Burton, J. E. Andrus, Carte and the President, 8 Nayes. On motion of Mr. Devillier, Resolved, That three commissioners be appointed to examine the said bridge and report if it is built in conformity to the plan and contract. Messrs. Simon Marks, Warren Meginly and Dr. Chandet, were appointed. Mr. Burton moves that the vote on accepting the report of the Majority of the commissioners of said bridge be reconsidered, the motion prevailed. Messrs. E. Andrus, Boudreau, Jo. E. Andrus, Fontenot, Dunbar, Burton, Gantt, McBride, Joubert and Wright, 10 Ayes. Messrs. Harris, Devillier, Carte, Guillory and Teale, 5 Nays, so the motion prevailed. On motion of Mr. Gantt, Resolved, That the report of the majority of the commissioners on bridge over Bayou Teche at Barre's landing, be accepted and that a warrant issue to John Roy, for $539, for building said bridge. Ayes, E. Andrus, Boudreau, Dunbar, Gantt, McBride, Teale, Joubert, Wright and Meche, 9. Nayes, Harris, Devillier, J. E. Andrus, Carte, Fontenot, Guillory and Burton, 7. On motion of Mr. Dunbar, Resolved, by the Police Jury of the Parish of St. Landry, That a fine of twenty five dollars per head shall be imposed upon each and every person who shall knowingly take or drive any Horse, Mare, gelding, Mule or Cow creature from those section of country known as Bayou Boeuf, Bayou Petite Prairie or Atchafalaya, and that the said informer shall receive the one half of the said fine and the balance to accrue to the benefit of the Parish. On motion of Mr. Harris, Resolved, That the report of the change in the road at F. Dejean's, and the report of the change of the road at A. Debaillon's be and are adopted, and they are declared to be public roads. Resolved, That Juan Jose Gomez, known as John Montgomery be placed on the list of pauper from the 1st September last for the sum of fifty dollars, payable to G. H. Bell. On motion of Mr. Guillory, Resolved, That Eliza Moreau an indigent Orphan be allowed only the sum of five dollars. The motion of Mr. Dunbar to allow $50 was lost. On motion of Mr. Harris, The Jury adjourned to the first Monday in January 1853. JOHN P. HUDSON, President. Guy H. Bell, Clerk. Additional Comments: Note: The Police Jury meetings stretched over several days and were reported in two editions of the "Opelousas Courier". File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/stlandry/newspapers/policeju455gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/ File size: 23.2 Kb