Louis Philemon (L.P.) Provost (1838 to 1888)
Once again, my grandfather’s maternal grandfather, Nicholas Provost (1831-1893), experienced a tragedy involving guns. A shooting occurred during an election near the polls in April 1888 in Jeanerette, Louisiana. Nicholas Provost, Jr., probably my grandfather’s uncle,[1] attempted to cane Audibert Demourel when Demourel tried to subdue a disagreement “acting in the capacity of an officer.” Demourel defended himself by taking out his revolver. Nicholas Provost, Sr. stepped in to take away the revolver which went off and stuck Nicholas Sr. in the leg. L.P. (Louis Philemon) Provost, brother of Nicholas Provost, Sr. saw the shooting and “commenced shooting as he came.” Demourel then fatally shot L.P. Provost in defense.[2]
The story was repeated at least ten times in nine different newspapers with different facts. One newspaper described Demourel as L.P.’s nephew and Nicholas Provost, Jr. as “a man of quarrelsome disposition.”[3] Two newspapers reported that Nicholas Provost Sr. died immediately and was to be buried the next day while L.P. Provost “was carried to his home mortally wounded.”[4] Still another reported that the man who had died was A. L. Provost who was running as an independent for the sheriff of Iberia Parish.[5]
Who and what are we to believe? The newspapers of old were no better than the media of today when it comes to stating facts. Louis Philemon Provost died from the gunshot.[6] Nicholas Provost Sr. and Louis Philemon were brothers.[7] Nicholas Sr. did not die until 1893.[8] Nicholas Jr. was the son of Nicholas Provost Sr. and was named Godefroy Nicholas but also used Nicholas as his name (See The Tragedies of the Louisiana Provost Families Chronicled in Newspapers.com between 1854 and 1910 – Part 2). He died in 1898 and more of his story will be told later.
L.P. was the grandson of Nicholas Provost and Marie Jeanne Prevost while his widow Victoria Provost was their great-granddaughter, making them first cousins once removed. (See Figure 1.) They had no children. When L.P. died, Victoria was left with debts to be cleared.[9] At least nineteen people were owed money, and Victoria sold five lots of land to settle the debts.[10]
Figure 1. Selected Descendants of Nicholas Provost (1749-1816) married to Marie Jeanne Prevost (1761-1849) (Items in red highlight the relationships of Victoria Provost Marie Provost and Louis Philemon Provost’s relationship to Nicholas and Marie Jeanne.)
[1] Godefroy Nicholas Provost was the son of Nicholas Provost and Matilda Judice. 1870 U.S. census, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Pattersonville, p. 8 (ink), dwelling 81, family 74, Provost, Nicholas; “St. Martin, Louisiana, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6W2S-JH?view=explore : Apr 5, 2026), image 458 of 616; NARA microfilm M593, Roll 531.
[2] “A Fatal Shooting Affray,” Teche News, 21 April 1888, p.4, col. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/194797769/ : viewed 4 March 2025).
[3] “How Provost Was Killed,” Teche News (St. Martinsville, Louisiana), 28 Apr 1888, p. 4. col. 1-2; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/194797982/?match=1&clipping_id=187404820 : viewed 4 March 2026).
[4] “A Double Tragedy,” The Weekly Times-Picayune (New Orleans), 21 April 1888, p. 3, col. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/333203637/?match=1&clipping_id=187404445 : viewed 4 March 2026). Also, Untitled article, Le Meschacebe (Lucy, Louisiana), 21 April 1888, p.2 col. 4, digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/174364122/?match=1&clipping_id=194901425 : viewed 4 April 2026).
[5] “State News,” The Lake Charles Echo (Lake Charles, Louisiana), 27 Apr 1888, p. 1, col. 5; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/354098565/?match=1&clipping_id=187407954 : viewed 4 April 2026).
[6] Donald J. Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records (1750-1900) CD edition (Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Claitor’s Publishing Division 1975-2019); Prevost, Louis Philemon d. 17 April 1888 at age 50 yrs. of a gunshot (Jeanerette Ch.: v. 1, p. 52).
[7] Donald J. Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records (1750-1900) CD edition (Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Claitor’s Publishing Division 1975-2019); Prevost, Nicolas (Nicolas Philemon & Marie Ameilia Judice) b. 26 July 1831 (AM Ch.: v. 8, #152) and Prevost, Louis Philemond (Philemond & Marie Amelia Judice) b. 18 Feb. 1839 (NI Ch: v.1, p.73).
[8] Widow’s Application for Pension, Marie A. Judice, “Louisiana, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939F-VZSD-2S?view=explore : Apr 5, 2026), image 1479 of 1496; Louisiana State Archives. Image Group Number: 004124331
[9] Donald J. Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records (1750-1900) CD edition (Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Claitor’s Publishing Division 1975-2019). Prevost, Louis Philemond (d. Philemond & Marie Azelia Judice), m. 27 Aug. 1860 Victoria Prevost (Charenton Ch.: v. 1, p. 105). 21st Judicial District Court, Parish of Iberia, State of Louisiana, Book 11 of Probate, folio 174, hard copy images in possession of the author received from Iberia Parish Clerk of Court 25 April 2026. The succession was cited in Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records as PREVOST, Louis Philomond d. 17 April 1888 m. Victoria PREVOST Succ.: 10 May 1888. (NI Ct. Hse: Succ. # 521).
[10] 21st Judicial District Court, Parish of Iberia, State of Louisiana, Book 11 of Probate, folio 174, hard copy images in possession of the author received from Iberia Parish Clerk of Court 25 April 2026. The succession was cited in Hebert, Southwest Louisiana Records as PREVOST, Louis Philomond d. 17 April 1888 m. Victoria PREVOST Succ.: 10 May 1888. (NI Ct. Hse: Succ. # 521).