Terrebonne County Louisiana Archives News.....Fifty Years Ago No. 30 May 18, 1895
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The Thibodaux Sentinel May 18, 1895

At the municipal election in the town of Thibodaux in April 1845, there were 58 
votes cast, of which Joseph R. Niles received 31 and C.F. Hawley, 27. With Mr. 
Niles as mayor, Messrs. Louis Bush, Elie R. Bourg, James L. Cole, and M. Stanley 
were chosen trustees.

This council elected John C. Ragan, Constable; E.W. Black, Clerk and assessor; 
Jona C. White, Market house keeper, wharfinger, and collector, and J.A. LeBlanc, 
Treasurer.

Mr. Joseph R. Niles was a prominent citizen of Thibodaux; he served as a member 
of the Council in 1839, 1841, 1842, 1843 and 1844. His wife was a sister of the 
late E.W. Blake, whom he left a widow with four children. They have all moved 
away and if living are residents of the State of Texas.

James L. Cole, when he came to the South taught school in the family of Dr. E.E. 
Kittredge, proprietor of the Elm Hall plantation in Assumption. Removing to 
Thiboaux he entered into the practice of law and became an efficient member of 
the bar, and was some years later elected Judge of the District Court for the 
Parishes of Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, and Terrebonne. He finally reached 
a seat on the bench of the Supreme Court of Louisiana and while attending a 
session of that eminent body about 20 or 25 years ago in New Orleans, he died 
suddenly in his chair.

In his early days he gained some reputation as a newspaper writer, was assistant 
editor of a paper in Thibodaux in 1842-43. He also published some serials in the 
Thibodaux Minerva, a paper published in Thibodaux at a later date. Politically 
he was a member of the Whig party.

This council passed an ordinance preventing the shooting of firecrackers.

The little boys can learn from this that their fathers and grandfathers had to 
have their patriotism held in check on holidays the same as the young patriots 
of today. 

The salary of the town constable was fixed at $50.00 per year and fees.

Bridges were built across the canal on Main and Crazy streets.

The corporation, having owned a horse and cart, discovered that it was an 
expensive luxury and sold them.

Owners of lots were required to keep the weeds cut down in front of same and 
riding on banquettes was forbidden.

On the 28th of March a crevasse occurred at the head of Henry Clay street.

The town taxes were 3.33 mills on the dollar, and on lots unimproved 2.5 mills. 
Slaves were taxed at $1.00 each. The license taxation was for merchants $15.00, 
saloons $20.00, apothecaries $25.00, billiard tables $25.00, 4 wheel carriages 
$4.00, 2 wheel carriages $2.00 and boarding houses $10.00. All other taxable 
properties one half of the State tax.

Evariste Maronge was employed as corporation laborer at $400 per year.

The Union Braeen Bank on Jackson street built a banquette in front of its 
property at its own expense.

John C. Beatty, Attorney, was authorized to enter suit against Louis Lamoureux 
and Lange Maggioli to compel them to remove their property between Jackson and 
St. Louis streets farther back from the levee so as to give a practicable street 
along the Bayou.

The canal company was assessed the sum of $229.11 as its portion of the expenses 
incurred by the crevasse at its junction with the Bayou; and Attorney James L. 
Cole was authorized to collect same amicably if possible, otherwise by suit at 
law.

On the 16th day of March 1845 St. John’s Episcopal Church was consecrated. The 
Rev. Mr. Kerr was rector. This church originally cost about $7000.00, but 
additions and improvements had increased that figure to about $15,000.00.

Albert Caillier was keeper of the ferry at the head of Maronge Street for which 
privilege he paid $793.00 per annum. He was also Market Master for which 
privilege he paid $100.00.


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