Deadly berry picking in 1893 Thibodaux

My mother always warned me against picking berries and eating them. Here’s why:

The Weekly Thibodaux Sentinel
June 3, 1893

A very sad and unfortunate affair that brought mourning and sorrow to the family of Orestile Bergeron, assistant manager on Maj. Lagarde’s Leighton plantation, took place last Saturday evening.

His two daughters aged 6 and 10 years ate some berries gathered from the Jamestown weed, by which they were poisoned. Falling sick after dark, both children being subject to spasms, the parents gave the usual remedies, being ignorant of what the children had eaten.

As the afflicted ones grew worse, Dr. Meyer was called early Sunday morning, who by the use of emetics caused one of the children to vomit the poisonous grains, when the real cause of the illness was made known, but too late to be counteracted by human skill. One died at 10 p.m. and the other at 2:30 a.m., on Sunday, Both were buried in St Joseph’s Cemetery on Monday morning.

I found this article on Chronicling America. This is the Library of Congress’ effort to put old newspapers online. The link is http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/. Best of all, there’s a search engine.

The Weekly Thibodaux Sentinel – January 1900

Jan. 6, 1900

There was an old time family reunion at Dr. H. Dansereau’s home for new year’s day. All the children were there, not excepting those who have left the family rooftree. Mr. and Mrs. R. S. McMahon and children were there from New Iberia, Dr. P.J. Dansereau of Labadieville, and Mr. H.C. Dansereau of Tulane Medical School all come to pay their devoir to their parents and to wish them and one and all a happy new year.

—

Edward James Doherty, second son of Mrs. Edward Doherty, of Lafourche Crossing, died last Thursday at his mother’s home. His funeral took place yesterday in the forenoon at St. Joseph’s Catholic church. The deceased was a dutiful son and a good young man whose loss falls heavily on his mother and other relatives. His death was unexpected and proved quite a shock to his many friends here and elsewhere.

Jan. 13, 1900

We regret to have to chronicle that Mrs. Thomas H. Roger, of Home Cottage, has been critically ill during the week. We are glad to be able to add that at the present writing (Friday forenoon) there is a change for the best and it is hoped that she will soon be restored to health.

Mr. Ernest Beauvais, of Schriever, died Thursday night at half past six o’clock after a long illness, aged 64. His funeral, which was largely attended, took place yesterday afternoon at half past three o’clock, St. Joseph’s church. The deceased was a native of this parish, where he passed his early life, and had been the railroad agent at Schriever since several years before the war. He was the oldest employee in the service of the road. He was a man of noble qualities and always bore an unblemished reputation. He was a patriotic citizen, a kind husband and indulgent father, and steadfast in his friendship. A surviving wife, a son and three daughters are left to mourn his loss.

Jan. 20. 1900

Joseph Oshwald, a native of this parish and well known barber of this town, departed this life on Wednesday about noon after a very short illness, having been stricken with paralysis the day before. He was only 32 years old and leaves a widow and some young children to mourn his loss. He was a member of the Y.M.B.A. of Lafourche and the members of this organization in a body attended his funeral which took place Thursday, at St. Joseph’s Church.

Judge John T. Pittman – this well known citizen of the 7th ward died at his home last Thursday of pneumonia. The deceased has been for many years a resident of this parish, having come here as a boy to live with his uncle, the late J.B. Pittman. H grew to man’s estate here and years ago he married Mrs. Ernestine Knobloch, daughter of Mr. E. E. Knobloch, an influental citizen of the 7th ward. His wife and several children survive him. He was at the time of his death, and had been for years, justice of the peace of his ward, an office which he always filled to the satisfaction of his people.

Last Wednesday, Sheriff Beary was called up to Raceland by telephone to come with the hounds to chase a man who had just shot his wife unto death. He first telephoned to some trusty man there to try and effect the arrest, and to communicate with Deputy Sheriff R.A. Frost, who was in the vicinage serving papers, and then started down with his hounds. At some short distance below Lafourche Crossing, he was surprised and delighted to meet Deputy Frost coming up with the accused. Mr. Frost had been informed of the crime, and at once effected an arrest, just as the accused was about to enter the woods a second time. On comparing notes the sheriff and his deputy concluded that the latter already had the accused in custody at the time that the former received the telephone message. In fact the crime was committed at 12 o’clock in the day, Mr. Frost arrested the accused at one o’clock and had him within the four walls of the jail at five o’clock that afternoon. Pretty quick work. The crime was committed on Utopia. The murderer is named Matthew Tapplin and the victim Celestine Braum. The cause of the homicide is jealousy.

Jan. 27, 1900

Mrs. Phoebe Tompkins, an old time resident of this town, died at her residence in New Orleans last Saturday aged 70 years. Her remains were brought over on Sunday’s train and interred from St. John’s Episcopal Church in St. John’s cemetery, in the presence of a large number of friends and acquaintances.

Mrs. Louis Toups, a resident of this town, died last Saturday at the matrimonial domicile, aged 22 years. Her funeral took place Sunday after noon at St. Joseph’s Church. The deceased had not been married long and leaves a fond young husband.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Guillot on Tuesday morning a fine boy. Our congratulations to friend Albert.

Germain Bergeron home

One of my ancestor’s homes now sits not far from where I live in Baton Rouge. It is believed to be one of the oldest surviving Acadian homes in Louisiana. 

Jean Charles Germain Bergeron and his wife, Marie Madeleine Doiron, had 11 children. Their son, Jean Baptiste, is my direct ancestor. This house has a large front room and two small rooms at the back. The ladder leads to a loft.

The home is at the LSU Rural Life Museum – which is a really cool place to visit if you have a free morning or afternoon. Lots of old houses set up to resemble a little town.

A plaque explains the Bergeron house’s history. The house used to sit on the banks of Bayou Lafourche near Labadieville in Assumption Parish.