The CHEVIS BOYS and the MURDER at COULEE CROCHE! Using Newspapers and Genealogy to Investigate a Family Story

PART THREE: TRUTHS

The newspapers in St. Landry Parish were tasked with reporting the facts concerning the death of Dr. Duchesne T. Courtney, allegedly perpetrated by brothers William and Jean Baptiste Chevis, sons of a well-known free man in town and my great-great-great uncles. Did the reported facts represent the truth of the matter? Only God knows the truth.  Our truths are relative to our contexts and personal experiences, and that fact is what we see playing itself out in the newspapers.  Still, what can we glean about the truths of the main characters in this story?  

Duchesne T. Courtney

Duchesne T. Courtney was alive once.  In fact, he was born on September 20, 1868.¹  His father, Frederick Courtney, was born in Virginia, but he migrated to Louisiana and married Mary Josephine Whittington in 1849.  Duchesne had at least eight siblings, including one who may have been the child of his father’s first wife.²  He and his minor siblings were orphaned in 1877 when their parents died within a month of each other; the oldest siblings divided taking responsibility for caring for the younger ones.  For example, in 1880, Duchesne was living with his oldest brother, Franklin W., and his family in Lafayette.³  Franklin had graduated from Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in 1876, and Duchesne aspired to follow in his footsteps.⁴  Having pursued some course of study, Duchesne may have begun putting some of his knowledge to use, for he was accused of illegally assuming the duties of a doctor. He was charged in February 1894 for practicing medicine and surgery without a diploma.  Three months later, he waived arraignment, pleaded not guilty, and asked for a trial by jury.  The case must have been resolved in Duchesne’s favor, as he was practicing legitimately in St. Landry Parish as a physician. Later that year, he was referred to as “Dr. D.T. Courtney” when he visited the town of Carencro, Louisiana, and, in 1895, was considered a “highly respected citizen of Coulee Croche”.⁵   He likely did not have a permanent residence of his own, but he was boarding with Baptiste Cheaux during the fall of 1895.  On the night of September 19, 1895, Duchesne was chatting with Cheaux and their friends and neighbors, Adelma Guidry, Alexandre Guilbeau, until he heard a commotion that seemed to be coming from the property of John “Gam” Chevis, a hostler that he had employed to care for his horse while at Cheaux’s home.  Young Dr. Courtney wondered what was the matter.⁶

Adelma Guidry

Adelma Guidry lived with his wife Amelia and their children, in the same vicinity as Cheaux. He was actually about twelve to fifteen years older than Duchesne, as was Cheaux; perhaps they were associates of Duchesne’s brother Franklin.⁷  Whatever the case may have been, Adelma and the others were relaxing in Cheaux’s gallery, when suddenly they heard a crescendo of voices, really a cacophony of shrill shouts and baritone cursing.  It was coming from the Chevis family’s cabin.  He knew John Chevis, and he knew his children.  There was quite a ruckus going on there, but he had heard it all before.  He was used to black folks’ “whiskey brawls” and drunken carousing.  The difference this time was that he and his friends didn’t want to hear it, and the noise was blanketing the air with angry and violent  tones.  When Cheaux, Duchesne, and Alexandre decided to investigate, Adelma agreed to remain with the ladies to soothe their fears and to keep them safe in case any foolishness should arise.  He knew that his friends were capable of putting those rowdy Chevis boys back in line.⁸   

Baptiste Cheaux

Baptiste Cheaux had known John Chevis for a long time now.  He had met him not too long after he had had emigrated from France to the United States around 1872.  He was only 19 years old when he arrived, but he was independent and adventurous, so why not try a whole new world?⁹  Baptiste married Azelima Grandberry in 1880, but she died in 1882, perhaps yielding her spirit during or as a result of the birth of their only child, Marie.¹⁰  He lived close enough to Gam to hear the commotion that he and his family were raising.  He didn’t like them interrupting his enjoyment, and he was a little worried that whatever problems were arising would end up at his doorstep.  The women’s shrieks particularly bothered him, so he followed Guilbeau and his young friend and house guest, Duchesne, to see what was happening.  Guidry stayed behind with Baptiste’s widow mother-in-law, Julie Prevost Grandberry, and his 13 year-old daughter.¹¹ They would be okay.  

It was very dry that season, hotter than previous seasons, and the crackle of the leaves loudly alerted the friends to the approaching pair of dark figures.  Recognizing the figures as Gam and one of his sons – perhaps Felix or Aristide – Duchesne and Alexandre strode past them.  As Gam ushered his furious and contentious son away from the yard, Baptiste stopped him mid-step to offer his assistance in calming him down.  Gam told him that they were trying to settle a family dispute and that everything would work out fine.  Baptiste didn’t hear the voices anymore, so he figured that his friends had helped settle things down.  Satisfied with Gam’s reassurances and mollified by his own senses, Baptiste decided to check on his family and finish his chat with Guidry.  But, as the minutes passed, he became curious about why it was taking Duchesne and Alexandre so long to return.  

Cheaux headed back to Gam’s place and, when he arrived, he was horrified at what he saw.  Gam was aghast, hovering over Duchesne, who was sprawled motionless across a patch of dirt now soaked with the blood from his crushed skull, the only moisture it would receive for quite a while.  Alexandre was lying prostrate, too, but he stirred slightly, his lips trembling as they worked hard to prepare the sounds that ached to come out.  Most of the Chevis family was there, and Baptiste quickly summoned the younger boys to help him get the injured men back to his house.  He left Jean Baptiste clutching his mother, who was wailing, huddled over a mute and stunned William, their 18 year-old son.  The girls were comforting their whimpering siblings.  They all were waiting with dread…they knew that they couldn’t escape the trouble lurking around the corner.¹²

Alexandre Guilbeau

There were a number of Alexandre Guilbeau’s in St. Landry and Lafayette Parishes, but the most likely man was the one who was close to Dr. Courtney’s age and who was living near Baptiste Cheaux with his wife Clotilde and their children around the time of the incident.¹³ Alexandre saw most of what happened as they came upon the chaotic scene at the Chevis’ property.  As they had approached the home, the fussing and arguing had grown louder, and he watched Duchesne grab a piece of the broken wood dangling from a nearby fence, presumably in case he needed to defend himself or someone else who needed his help.  Duchesne arrived at the yard first, demanding to know the meaning of all the noise.  The Chevis sons who had been arguing listened intently, showing no signs of indignation or ill will.  However, no sooner than Duchesne had turned away to light his cigarette, three of the Chevis boys appeared, and one of them struck Duchesne on the head with a “rough, knotty club”.  After Duchesne fell to the ground, Jean Baptiste Chevis struck him, and Alexandre knew he had to act quickly to neutralize what he sensed was an imminent threat to his own life.  He grabbed the board that Duchesne had dropped and whacked Jean Baptiste with it.  Alexandre watched him stumble when, suddenly, a warm explosion slammed across his back, and he collapsed on top of Duchesne and rolled onto the dust and rocks.  As he lost consciousness, he heard a frantic voice warn, “Do not give them any more; they are all right.”  By the time he awoke and could think clearly, Deputy Sheriff Gay of the village of Washington was there.  He had arrested those wretched villains, and Constable James Darby took them to Opelousas.  It was beginning to be over.¹³

There are still more perspectives to explore, namely those of Leontine and her sons, the accused murderers, Jean Baptiste and William Chevis. So check out their story in next week’s post!

Read about how to use newspapers in your genealogy research here, and scroll to the bottom of the page to leave a comment or subscribe to be notified when new posts are made.

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Footnotes

1. “The Murder by Negroes: Dr. D.T. Courtney the Victim of a Conspiracy,” The Times-Democrat (New Orleans, Louisiana), 21 September 1895; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com); citing original, p. 12 , col. 5.
2. “Louisiana Parish Marriages, 1837-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJH-YBXN : 18 February 2021), Frederic Courtney and Josephine Whittington, 22 May 1849; citing St. Landry, Louisiana, United States, various parish courthouses, Louisiana. Also, 1870 U.S. Census, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Police Jury Ward 4, p. 194A, family 46, Fred Courtney household; digital image, “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/30866351:7163); citing NARA microfilm publication M593_530. Also, “Louisiana Parish Marriages, 1837-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJH-BMZR : 18 February 2021), Frederick Courtney and Mary Ann W Keller, 02 Nov 1844; citing St. Landry, Louisiana, United States, various parish courthouses, Louisiana.
3. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32939310/frederick-courtney : accessed 15 September 2023), memorial ID 32939310 for F. Courtney (1815–16 Sep 1877), maintained by Kathy S. Savoie, contributor ID 47333179; citing Ferguson Cemetery, Bayou Chicot, Evangeline Parish, LA, USA.   Also, Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32939268/mary-josephine-courtney : accessed 15 September 2023), memorial ID 32939268 for Mary J. [Courtney] Wife of F. Courtney (10 Aug 1834–18 Oct 1877), maintained by Kathy S. Savoie, contributor ID 47333179; citing Ferguson Cemetery, Bayou Chicot, Evangeline Parish, LA, USA.  Also, 1880 U.S. Census, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Police Jury Ward 3, enumeration district 23, p. 464C, family 497, Frank Courtney household; digital image, “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/8943438:6742); citing NARA microfilm publication T9, record group 29, roll 455. 
4. “Directory of Deceased American Physicians, 1804-1929”, digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/28445:7833 : accessed 15 September 2023), entry for Franklin W. Courtney, citing “AMA Deceased Physician Masterfile Database”, Journal of American Medical Association, 47:1396.
5. “District Court,” The St. Landry Clarion (Opelousas, Louisiana), 17 Feb 1894; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com); citing original, p. 2 , col. 3. Also, “District Court,” The St. Landry Clarion (Opelousas, Louisiana), 12 May 1894; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com); citing original, p. 4 , col. 3. Also, “Carencro News,” The Lafayette Gazette, 04 Aug 1894; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com); citing original, p. 3 , col. 4. Also, “To Hang: The Chevis Brothers Will Expiate Their Crime on November 6,” The St. Landry Clarion (Opelousas, Louisiana), 24 Oct 1896; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com); citing original, p. 3 , col. 3.
6. “The Murder of Dr. D.T. Courtney by Negroes,” St. Landry Clarion (Opelousas, Louisiana), 28 September 1895; digital image, Newspapers.com(https://www.newspapers.com/image/63759640/); citing original, p. 3, cols. 2-3. 
7. 1880 U.S. Census, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Police Jury Ward 2, enumeration district 2, p. 193C, family2, Frank Courtney household; digital image, “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/9757487:6742); citing NARA microfilm publication T9, record group 29, roll 469.  Also, 1900 U.S. Census, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Police Jury Ward 3, enumeration district 55, p. 4, family 69, Adelma Guidry [mis-transcribed Adelma Guidry]; digital image, “United States Census, 1900,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/6030441:7602); citing NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 581.
8. “The Murder of Dr. D.T. Courtney by Negroes,” St. Landry Clarion (Opelousas, Louisiana), 28 September 1895; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/63759640/); citing original, p. 3, cols. 2-3. 
9. 1900 U.S. Census, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Police Jury Ward 2, enumeration district 54, p. 2, family 31, Baptiste Cheaux household; digital image, “United States Census, 1900,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/6027930:7602); citing NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 581. Also,  1880 U.S. Census, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Police Jury Ward 2, enumeration district 2, p. 184A, family 8, Baptiste Cheoux [mis-transcribed Baptiste Chevas]; digital image, “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/40262184:674); citing NARA microfilm publication T9, record group 29, roll 469.
10. “Louisiana Parish Marriages, 1837-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJH-B2Z3 : 18 February 2021), Baptiste Cheoux and Zulma Grandberry, 19 Aug 1880; citing St. Landry, Louisiana, United States, various parish courthouses, Louisiana. Also, “United States Deaths and Burials, 1867-1961”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HFBV-SZN2 : 28 January 2020), Azullma Grandberry Cheaux, 1882.
11. “Louisiana Marriages, 1816-1906”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HSTZ-HHPZ : 14 January 2020), Baptiste Cheoux, 1880.
12. “Weather Bulletin,” St. Landry Clarion (Opelousas, Louisiana), 21 September 1895; digital image, Newspapers.com (newspapers.com); citing original, p. 3, col. 2.  Also, “The Murder of Dr. D.T. Courtney by Negroes,” St. Landry Clarion (Opelousas, Louisiana), 28 September 1895; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/63759640/); citing original, p. 3, cols. 2-3.
13. 1900 U.S. Census, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Police Jury Ward 2, enumeration district 54, p. 8, family 116, Alexander Guilbeau household; digital image, “United States Census, 1900,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/6027930:7602); citing NARA microfilm publication T623, roll 581.
14. “The Murder of Dr. D.T. Courtney by Negroes,” St. Landry Clarion (Opelousas, Louisiana), 28 September 1895; digital image, Newspapers.com(https://www.newspapers.com/image/63759640/); citing original, p. 3, cols. 2-3. Also, “The Murder by Negroes: Dr. D.T. Courtney the Victim of a Conspiracy,” The Times-Democrat (New Orleans, Louisiana), 21 September 1895; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com); citing original, p. 12 , col. 5.