Lafayette (LA) Daily Advertiser, December 29, 1998

Mayeus LaFleur killed just as record released

by Jim Bradshaw

Joe Falcon's recording of Allons à Lafayette was popular enough that allowed him to play music full time. Leo Soileau and Mayeus LaFleur's Hé Mom, was equally popular, partly because it was an old standard that was well-sung by the two men, partly because LaFleur himself was an orphan who had come to Louisiana on the so-called "orphan trains" from the North, and also because LaFleur was killed in a barroom fight just as the record was released.

According to news accounts of the day, he was an innocent bystander in the fatal brawl.

The New Era, published in Eunice reported on Nov. 2, 1928.

Alexon Bellon, reported to have, been the operator of a disrespectable house, in which whiskey was also sold in Basile, and Meus (sic) Lafleur of Mamou, were killed Sunday afternoon in a gun battle by Kussuth Manuel, the shooting occurring at Bellon's place, when Manuel and Beflon quarreled over $10 worth of damage done to Bellon's front porch by Clarence and Orlien Crochet who backed a truck into the Bellon house a short while before the killing.

The two Crochets, from near Elton, it is reported, were hauling rice into Basile, and after having made a load decided to stop at Bellon's place, supposedly for a drink. The house was near the Evangeline highway, and the driver of the truck turned the vehicle around and backed up against the porch, breaking several planks, which infuriated Bellon, who demanded that the young men pay $10 damages.

Not having that much money in their possession, the two men advised Bellon that they were unable to pay his demanded price, to which he replied that the truck would remain on his property until the damage had been paid. Bellon, who was heavily intoxicated, ordered the men to pass underneath his elevated aim, which command they heeded. While carrying out Bellon's order Clarence Crochet, the younger of the two, was struck on the jaw by Bellon. The men left the place and went up into town where they met Manuel, who accompanied them back to Bellon's in an attempt to settle the difference.

After entering the house, Bellon informed Manuel that he was interfering where he ought not to ,and grabbed Manuel by the shirt, shaking him until his teeth chattered, to which Manuel offered no resistance. Manuel, however advised Bellon not to strike him, stating that there would be trouble if he did. Bellon answered by knocking Manuel to the ground. Manuel arose and began to retreat, backing up and keeping his eye on Bellon, who whipped an automatic from his pocket firing at Manuel.

Manuel then returned fire, with a .38 Smith and Wesson, dropping Bellon to the ground. The wounded man scurried for the truck, which had never been moved, to seek shelter, whereupon Manuel jumped on top of the vehicle and continued shooting. Lafleur, witnesses declare, ran to the truck and from the rear of Manuel attempted to gain possession of his gun. Lafleur missed the pistol and his hand fell upon the hip of Manuel, who evidently thinking he was Bellon, fired into Lafleur, the shot taking effect, as it pierced Lafleur's heart, who died instantly.

In the excitement Manuel, it is thought took Lafleur for Bellon thinking that Bellon had freed himself from his crouched position underneath the car, and had attacked him firom the rear. Manuel then jumped from the truck, picked up Bellon's gun, and came to town, surrendering to Cleve Chambers, town marshal, and telling the chief that he had killed Bellon and was going to Ville Platte to surrender to Sheriff Charles Pucheu. He also stopped a traveler on the road, one of his friends, repeating his story and not knowing that he had shot and killed Lafleur.

Out of the six shots taken by Manuel, five hit their targets, four taking effect in Bellon's right side and back, while only one took the life of Lafleur. Bellon's first shot went wild, as the man in his drunken condition, it is believed, could not secure a good aim. Bellon was about 35 years of age, while Lafleur was reported to be 23. Bellon died about an hour after the shooting.

Manuel was tried in 1925 for the killing of John Rougeau, near this city, he having been acquitted, when the jury decided that he killed Rougeau in self-defense.

The same edition of The New Era reported on the sale of Lafleur's record under the headline: Voice of Dead Man Heard by Eunice People.

"The voice of a dead man pierced the gloomy atmosphere of Second street last Saturday morning, when a song recorded by Meus (sic) Lafleur, before his untimely death, thrilled hundreds of those who yet speak and understand the Acadian French," the newspaper reported. "To those who had learned of his alleged murder the song seemed to grasp their very heart strings, and some even wiped away tears which forced their way to the eyes of those sympathetic listeners."