St Landry County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Perrault, Judge William Charles February 10, 1910
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St. Landry Clarion (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, February 12, 1910, Image 1

JUDGE PERRAULT DIES IN NEW ORLEANS

Judge of This District Expires After Lingering Illness

TO BE BURIED HERE TODAY

His Death Does Away With Judge Pre Tem O'Niell, and There Will Be No Grand 
Jury Monday

Judge William Charles Perrault passed away yesterday at 4:30 o'clock, after 
an illness extending over a period of thirteen months. He died in New 
Orleans, where he has been intermittently for treatment. his family was with 
him at the time of his death, having been summoned there a few days previous 
to his demise.

Although nominated in September, 1908, at a Democratic primary, and elected 
at the regular election held in November, Judge Perrault had never sat one 
day on the bench. He was stricken soon after his election, and has never 
recovered sufficiently to assume the duties of his office. He has been 
constantly under the care of local medical talent and New Orleans 
specialists. Notwithstanding that his friends and the medical profession 
recognized his serious condition, he himself had ever maintained a hopeful, 
even confident, spirit, and only a few weeks ago he officially notified the 
Supreme Court that he was ready to assume the bench, and asked that the 
order of the high tribunal appointing Judge O'Niell as Judge pro tem be 
vacated and that he (Judge Perrault) be permitted to sit.

Judge Perrault was twice elected Judge of this District. In 1892, when 
Acadia was a part of the district, he was elected by a handsome majority. 
Again in 1908 he was nominated by the Democratic party and elected at the 
general election.

Judge Perrault was no ordinary man. With native ability, he had added a 
store of knowledge which made him forceful in debate and in law. He was 
absolutely a self-made man. At an early stage of life he was left by the 
death of his father to the support of mother and sisters. He sold vegetables 
on the streets of Opelousas. He shined shoes. He did everything to earn a 
living for him and his. He would attend school whenever he had a chance, and 
study at home at nights. Always of cheerful disposition, he was a ray of 
sunshine wherever he went. His companions in youth barefooted urchins like 
himself, delighted in "Charley's" pranks. In manhood years, Judge Perrault 
could gather a crowd around him at any time to hear his anecdotes and 
sallies of wit. He was a man of the people.

A heart full of human kindness he was a Good Samaratan in every respect, 
What was his would be transferred to a friend in need for the asking. There 
was no rancor in his heart. He was always willing to forgive a wrong done 
him. "That's all right, old fellow; I knew you would regret it some day," he 
would say to the man who realized he had done him a wrong, and approached 
him for reconcialation.

As a husband and father, he was the paragon of perfection. He lived with an 
eye to the comfort, and happiness of his wife and children. He was a "home 
man" in every sense of the word. And they loved him - devotedly. It was a 
happy family, this family ruthlessly parted by the hand of death, at a time 
when the sun seemed to smile so brightly; at a time when two sons were just 
budding out into vigorous and promising manhood and an honored career and 
the other was looking forward in the same direction; when one daughter had 
just left her school books and looked to papa with grateful eyes, and the 
baby was just about to also join the family circle equipped in every sense 
to take her place among the sisterhood of beautiful, cultured girlhood.

As a jurist Judge Perrault held rank with the most eminent in this section. 
He has a record for non-reversals by the Supreme Court that is marvelously 
clean.

The death of Judge Perrault creates a choatic condition in this parish. 
According to the interpretation of the lawyers here, there will be no court 
for the next four months. The law is that there must be an election within 
sixty days. The elected Judge can not qualify sooner than thirty days. He 
has to appoint a Jury Commission, who has to qualify, and draw a new Grand 
Jury. This will take at least four months. In the meantime there will be no 
court. The death of the Judge vacates the order of the Supreme Court 
appointing a Judge pro tem.

There are three candidates mentioned for the vacancy - Judge E. T. Lewis, B. 
Henry Pavy and Peyton R. Sandoz.

The remains will be buried here this evening, after the arrival of the 12:50 
Frisco train. Interment will take place in the Catholic cemetery, after the 
funeral rites will have been solemnized in the Catholic church.

Judge Perrault was 51 years of age.

Additional Comments:
NOTE: Judge William Charles Perrault is buried in section 16 of the Saint 
Landry Catholic Church cemetery located in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, 
Louisiana.

www.findagrave.com memorial # 132256802

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