Emile S. G. Jessen

St. John's Island, Cameron, Louisiana

Lake Charles Daily American-Press, Friday, May 31, 1912, p. 1:

DEATH PROBABLY DUE TO ACCIDENT
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CAPT. EMILE JESSEN MEETS A TRAGIC END.
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FOUND DEAD WITH PISTOL NEAR
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In His Barn Where He Had Been
Watching for Rats That Rav-
aged Poultry Yard.

        The community was shocked this morning upon hearing of the death, by shooting, of Emile Jessen, an old and respected citizen residing near the fair grounds and a member of prominent Lake Charles families.
        Mr. Jessen was discovered this morning lying dead in his barn on his small farm situated at the southwest corner of the fair association grounds, a bullet wound from a 38-caliber revolver through the head, entering from the right temple and extending upward and passing out on the left side above the temple.
        It is believed by those who knew Mr. Jessen well and are acquainted with the circumstances surrounding his death that his untimely demise was the result of an accident occurring while he was sitting on a box just inside the barn where he had presumably to kill rats that for the past several days had ravaged his chicken coops. In what manner the gun was fired is nor will never be known, but it is thought probably it fell upon the box and was thus discharged.
        Mr. Jessen when found lay upon his left side in front of the box. The pistol lay between him and the box. Two shells were in it, one empty and the other charged. The box referred to posed against the barn wall.
        Mr. Jessen was by occupation, during the greater part of his active life, a river man, and captained vessels on the Calcasieu and the gulf. He lived for many years just above Leesburg in Cameron parish, where he had a large orange grove. He removed to Lake Charles about a year ago, and was engaged in truck farming. He was reasonably well-to-do and his domestic life had always been regarded as happy and peaceful, while his business connections were of the best.
        The deceased is survived by several children, his wife and a sister, besides many other relatives. The surviving children are: Capt. George D. Jessen and Miss Rosalie Jessen, of Lake Charles; Christian and Fred Jessen, of Lockport; Mrs. Frank E. Powell, of DeRidder; Walter Jessen, of Galveston, and Dan Jessen, of Port Arthur. The above children are by his first wife; by his second wife the following children survive: Miss Emma, Miss Leafy Jessen, Morris Jessen and an infant, all of Lake Charles. The surviving sister is Mrs. P. Reimers, of Lake Charles.
        Mr. Jessen was born in Germany, but came to the United States at the age of 14, settling first in Lake Charles, later going to Cameron and then returning here. Mr. Jessen's first wife died Sept. 4, 1893. The second marriage was contracted about thirteen years ago.
        The funeral will take place tomorrow morning with burial in Goos' cemetery, where some of the family are interred.