History: Historic Claiborne '69, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by: Claiborne Parish Historical Association File Preparer: Jerry Gallagher Date: Dec. 2000 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Historic Claiborne '69 The Fourth Publication of The Claiborne Parish Historical Association The Claiborne Parish Historical Association Homer, Louisiana 1969 {Also see "Frontispiece" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Claiborne Parish Sketches 1956 Historic Claiborne 1962 Historic Claiborne '65 1965 Historic Claiborne '69 1969 The Haynesville News, printers Haynesville, Louisiana ********** Table of Contents William Charles Cole Claiborne (illus)---------------------------------1 Maps Tell the History of Claiborne as a Parish, maps by Betty Ann Gladney-----------------------------------------5 Revolutionary War (1775-1783) Soldiers Spend Their Last Days in Claiborne, by Margueritte Garland Nation-------------6 Teapot with a History, by Nancy Meadors Hawkins (illus)----------------8 Letters of a North Louisiana Private to his Wife, 1862-1865, edited by John Ardis Cawthon--------------------------------------9 Walton Wilson to Sicily A. Wilson, a Letter, 1863---------------------22 William G. Coleman and the War with Mexico; a Diary (illus)--------------------------------------------------23 From Louisiana to Texas in the Early 1870's, from a Letter, by Lena Langford-----------------------------------------38 The Old Military Road in Old Claiborne Parish, by David Lee Frye------------------------------------------------40 The Claiborne Parish Court House, by Loyd C. Sims, Jr. (illus)--------42 Proud Inheritance, by Jane Tenery (illus)-----------------------------53 Early Arizona, by Vesta Robinson Cook (illus)-------------------------63 Claiborne Through the Heart and Mind of a Child, by Willie Lee Pace Dillon (illus)--------------------------------67 "New" Athens, by Willie Lee Pace Dillon (illus)-----------------------93 Sand Hill School, by Joy New Baker (illus)----------------------------99 The Lady Photographer of Athens, by John Ardis Cawthon (illus)-------102 Small Town Dressmaker, by Willie Lee Pace Dillon (illus)-------------105 Haynesville: Oil Boom and Tornado, by Agnes Caston Ware (illus)------108 History of Haynesville, by Mary Aycock Green (illus)-----------------113 Haynesville, by Juanita Pickens (illus)------------------------------117 A Public School for Homer, by Ladelle Duke---------------------------121 Gee Cemetery, by Marguerite Henry Garrett----------------------------122 Public Utilities in Homer, by Ruth Tait Keener-----------------------125 Excerpts from the Diary of W. F. Bridges, January 1-July 16, 1892-----------------------------------------127 Claiborne and the Baines Family (illus)------------------------------144 William Stevenson, a Pioneer Preacher in Claiborne, (from the book on William Stevenson by Walter N. Vernon)--------------147 The Gladden and Todd Families Serve Their Country, by Anna Gladden Berry (illus)-----------------------------------150 Out of the Past; from a book by that title by Eloise Paxton Hutchison (illus)----------------------------------------155 Hook and Ladder Company, 1871----------------------------------------161 From John Riley Malone's Files (illus)-------------------------------162 More Photographs: An Original Germantown Home-------------------------------------166 The Normal Institute, Haynesville-------------------------------167 A School in Haynesville about 1904------------------------------168 Physical Training for Girls in Earlier Times--------------------168 Wafer Chapel----------------------------------------------------169 The Discovery Well----------------------------------------------170 "To Build More Stately Mansions. . ."---------------------------171 Addendum-------------------------------------------------------------172 ********** PREFACE Historic Claiborne '69 is the fourth publication of our Association. Again we express our thanks to those who have contributed articles and pictures and to those who in other ways have encouraged our Association's efforts in the pres- ervation of the past. Some have called to our attention suitable materials; others have assured us that our earlier publications are well received and are serving their purpose. As proof of the generosity of our contributors there are already in Association files some materials for a fifth publication-items which we could not include in Historic Claiborne '69 since there must be a reasonable limit to the volume's size. Our thanks to these contributors for their understanding. It is hoped that the authors will find acceptable any editing which has been necessitated by one of the several considerations under which the editor must work and the editor appreciates their acceptance of responsibility for accuracy in the materials they submit. Our special thanks to our printer whose patience and tolerance have been considerable. Henry A. Smith, president, Claiborne Parish Historical Association Sue Hefley, editor ********** Page 1 William Charles Cole Claiborne "Claiborne is one of the oldest parishes, having been organized in 1828, and was named for Mr. W. C. C. Claiborne, our first governor." The Haynesville News, April 28, 1938. (Editor's note; The following account, with slight rearrangement of the text, is taken with permission from William C. C. Claiborne, by Elizabeth Kell, a booklet prepared and distributed commemorating the opening of the Governor Claiborne Office, National American Bank of New Orleans, November 30, 1982. Portions taken directly from the booklet have been enclosed in quotation marks. Other portions are to be considered editorial additions.) "Claiborne was born in Sussex County, Virginia, in 1775, of a family which had helped form the new Republic. After brief years at Richmond Academy and William and Mary College, his father sent him out at the age of 15 to make his own way, with only $50 to his name. The young man went to New York City, at that time the nation's capital, where he copied bills and resolutions of Congress and its committees. When the capital moved to Philadelphia, Claiborne went with it, He served as a clerk, closely associated with Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and John Sevier, congressman, Territory of Southern Ohio (Tennessee). He later went to Richmond, where he studied law, then moved to Tennessee. Now the Governor of Tennessee, Sevier first appointed Claiborne justice of the state supreme court, and later, Congressman. Claiborne was only 22 at the time. "It was Claiborne who cast the deciding vote for Jefferson for president and Jefferson, in turn, appointed him Governor of the Territory of Mississippi in 1801. During his tenure in Mississippi Claiborne founded Jefferson College, negotiated Indian treaties, built roads, organized the militia, set up legal codes and incorporated the city of Natchez." Claiborne served as a commissioner to receive Louisiana from France. The transfer took place in the Cabildo, the Place d'Armes in New Orleans on December 20, 1803. On March 26, 1804, Congress established the territory of Orleans and on October 2, 1804 Claiborne was sworn in as territorial governor. The 33d parallel marked the northern boundary of the territory; it now marks the northern boundary of the state of Louisiana. "When Claiborne arrived in New Orleans to take possession of Louisiana, he found a city of 10,000 who, despite Spanish domination since 1764, were almost wholly French in temperament, race, and speech. It included 11 squares of city proper, plantations up and down the river, indigo planting which was gradually giving way to sugar, and a port which was even then a great funnel of commerce for the Mississippi Valley . . . His appointment as territorial governor gave him civil, judicial, and military powers . . . He immediately set to work and established courts, a City Council, a police force and a militia. He formed the parishes (1) and appointed commandants, sheriffs, marshals, and judges for the parishes. He dreamed of a public school in every parish and in 1811 urged that a surplus fund in the Treasury be appropriated for education of the youth of Louisiana. In addition to furthering education, Claiborne saw to the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce, a Marine hospital, a quarantine station, a Board of Health, the disposal of sewage far out in the River, enlargement of Charity Hospital, work for jail prisoners, and mail routes to Natchez. He urged the use of steam for sugar factories after the first steamboat came to New Orleans in 1812 and was one of the early conservationists, advocating preservation of the State's great forests for ship-building. "It is no wonder, then, that the hard-working Claiborne was the people's choice for Governor when, in 1812, the Territory became a State. Although by law Claiborne could not be elected to again succeed himself as Governor, Louisiana was not willing to let him retire from public life and in 1817 elected him U.S. Senator . . But Claiborne did not live to assume his duties as senator. Just two weeks after leaving the Governor's office, he died. The L'AMI DES LOIS reported it as follows: Monday, November 24, 1817-Died last night at half past eight o'clock, the honorable William Charles Cole Claiborne, formerly Governor of this State and when he died, Senator in the Congress of the United States. His funeral will proceed from the Government House this day, at 4 o'clock, P.M. He expired last night at 8:30 following a long and painful malady. He was beloved by all his neighbors and was hospitable until he was obliged to be carried to town by the progress of the malady which took him to the tomb . . . The regrets which his passing occasions are shared by those who were on many occasions his political enemies but who appreciate none the less his probity, his patriotism and his brilliance. "Claiborne was buried in the grounds of Christ Episcopal Church. of which he was a member . . . Later, his body was moved to St. Louis No. I Cemetery, and finally to Metairie Cemetery, where his descendents rest. "While he climbed the heights in his public life, Claiborne's personal life was beset with tragedies. He lost his first two wives and his first child from yellow fever. He himself almost died of the dread disease. . . "Meticulous with public and personal finances, Claiborne found New Orleans far beyond his means with his $400 a month salary as Territorial Governor. . .In 1804 he wrote that 'necessary private expenditures far exceed my salary; am in debt $1,200 with only $150 in the house and not a cent due me from the U.S. . . . and unless my successor should be a man of fortune, I will predict his bankruptcy in about three or four years.' "A letter to his brother, Colonel Ferdinand L. Claiborne, speaker of the House of Representatives, Mississippi Territory, revealed the following personal financial plight: The cotton you sent me sometime since was sold at the highest market price and the net proceeds were 525 dollars and 46 cents. It results that there is still due me on account of the carriage and horses sold you $521.24, and for the payment I must request you to make me a remittance of cotton. I wish this the more, since the carriage ordered for Mrs. Claiborne arrived and costs me $700, of which $300 remains unpaid. I have also to pay $400 for a pair of horses which I have purchased, and really without your assistance I shall feel great difficulty in meeting my engagements. I will sell your cotton for the highest price and will give you credit for what it will bring. My dear Clarice sends her affectionate wishes to yourself and family. May God bless you and yours. "Claiborne had married his third wife, Suzette Bosque, November 8, 1812, following his election as Governor of the new State. Their children were: Charles, who never married, and Sophronia, who married Mandeville de Marigny . . . According to the genealogical records, Sophronia's three children left no heirs. However, Claiborne's son, William, by his second wife, had seven sons and three daughters and it is from his sons that are descended the generations of Claibornes who have played an important role in the social and civic life of New Orleans. Of the three daughters, Marie died as a child and Lucie and Clarisse never married. FOOTNOTES: 1. Editor's note: 'The first act passed at the second session of the first legislature,. approved March 31, 1807, divided the territory into nineteen parishes: Ascension, Assumption, Atakapas, Avoyelles, Baton Rouge, Concordia,Iberville, Lafourche, Interior, Natchitoches, Orleans, Ouachita, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupe, Rapides, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James. St. John the Baptist, and St Landry. . ." The Story of Louisiana by Edwin Adams Davis, Hyer Publishing Co., 1960, Vol 1 {Also see "Page 3-Receipt" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 5 Maps Tell the History of Claiborne as a Parish Maps By Betty Ann Gladney {Also see "Page 5-Map #1" and "Page 6-Map #2" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 6 Revolutionary War (1775-1783) Soldiers Spend Their Last Days in Claiborne Research by Margueritte G. Nation The 1840 United States census of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana gives the names of two South Carolina Revolutionary War veterans who migrated to this parish during the 1820-1830 period. JETHRO BUTLER born 1761 in Bertie Co. N. C., moved to South Carolina at an early age. He was living in Salem District when he enlisted in the army and served as a Private, Spy and Fifer to 1779 with the South Carolina troops under Capts. James McDanile, Daniel Maysick, Cols. Motte Oree, Hunger and Francis Marion. He reinlisted in South Carolina and served to the end of the war being in the battles of Fort Johnson, Fort Moultree, Stoner Ferry, siege of Savannah, Georgia, Monk's Corner and Quinby's Bridge. Later he went with Gen. Howe on an expedition to East Florida, where he was taken prisoner by the British and held three months in a dungeon at St. Augustine, Florida. He was commissioned a Captain of a company of Militia in the Western Regiment Charleston Dist. South Carolina, called the Four Hole Company. At the close of the Revolutionary War the state of South Carolina had no money with which to pay her soldiers, they were given Bounty Lands for their services, Jethro Butler drew 350 acres. After the war Jethro Butler, his wife (name not found) whom he had married in South Carolina and several children joined the great migration west. They went first to the state of Georgia where they remained a few years, then on to Mississippi. Always there was the urge among our pioneers to move further west, so when lands in newly formed Claiborne Parish, Louisiana became available Jethro Butler and his tribe left their homes in Mississippi and settled farms in Sections 22 and 23 Township 20 Range 6 of Claiborne Parish. In 1835 Jethro Butler applied to the United States Government for a Revolutionary War Soldier's pension, which was granted and paid to him at the Louisiana Agency. The Louisiana Pension Agency Book which is in the National Archives Washington D. C., shows that Jethro Butler died April 9, 1841 and his only heirs were: Ramson, Britton, Wm.R., Issac, Samuel and Richmond Butler. Mary, Eliza and Ann Butler who lived in Claiborne, Bienville and Ouachita Parishes, Louisiana. References: Revolutionary War Pension Application records. National Archives, Washington, D. C. 1830-1840 United States Census Records, Claiborne Parish, La Claiborne Parish La. Courthouse records. BENJAMINE GOODSON, Revolutionary War soldier was born 1750 about 30 miles below Compden (Camden?) on Lynches Creek, S. C. He first served in the war as a substitute for Jesse Merun and was captured when Charleston, South Carolina fell to the British. He was placed in prison and when released joined the Army under Gen. Francis Marion (the Swamp Fox) with whom he served to the end of the war. He was engaged in the battle against the Tories on Little Pee Dee river near Smith's Mill, against the British on the Big Santee river in South Carolina and in most all the expeditions and marches made by General Marion from the time he entered the Army until discharged. Soon after the close of the war Benjamine Goodson went to the state of Georgia for a few years, then removed to Franklin Co. Miss. He was married March 21, 1809 to Dorothy ___ (her last name and the location not found). John Ratcliff, James Cain and John Hughes a clergyman, swore to a character reference for Benjamine Goodson a minister when he applied for a soldier's pension in 1831. The pension was granted in the amount of $60.00 per year and paid by the United States agencies at Natchez and Jackson, Mississippi. About 1835 Benjamine Goodson and his family came to Claiborne Parish and entered land in Township 21 Range 6. He died May 26, 1851 being a little over one hundred years old, survived by his wife Dorothy and possibly descendants. In 1854 Dorothy Goodson applied for Bounty Land in Claiborne Parish due her as the widow of a Revolutionary war soldier. Reference: Revolutionary War Pension Application records. National Archives, Washington, D. C. United States Census records Mississippi 1820 United States Census records Claiborne Parish, La, 1840-1850 ********** Page 8 Teapot with a History By Nancy Meadors Hawkins This silver teapot was originally owned by Martha Hanna Norwood White, born April 12, 1829. She was the wife of Daniel White whose brother Clement White was married to Martha Todd, sister of Mary Todd, wife of Abraham Lincoln. On various occasions tea from this pot was served to President Lincoln and his wife. In Irving Stone's biographical novel* about Mary Todd, reference is made to "her sister Martha and husband, also living in Alabama" and again to "her sister Martha, married to Captain White of Alabama with whom Mary Todd Lincoln's mother lived." Martha and Daniel lived in Mabama, then moved to Orlando, Florida where she was widowed. After three successive freezes she lost her orange groves and then moved to Arkansas where she made her home with her niece, Martha Powell Atkins at Parkdale. Subsequently she moved to Claihorne Parish, making her home with her sister Margaret King Norwood Blackman, near Arizona. When Tqar-garet broke up housekeeping, the two went to live with Margaret's daughter, Iola Grigsby Blackman Brown, in Junction City, where Martha is buried. The teapot is now in the possession of Margaret Louise Collman Keel, of El Dorado, Arkansas, who is the great-great niece of its first owner. *Love is Eternal, by Irving Stone. Doubleday 1954 {Also see "Page 9-Teapot" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 9 Letters of A North Louisiana Private to His Wife, 1862-1865 Editor's note. These letters, as edited by John A. Cawthon, appeared in The Mississippi Valley Historical Review, March 1944. The Review is no longer published and the copynght for Review material is held by the organization American Historians which has given permission for reprinting. Dr. Cawthon editor of the letters, first called to our attention their suitability for our publication. Space will not permit the inclusion here of all the letters. The date and place of writing, the recounting of details which show conditions of the time, and the specific mention of Claihorne have determined selection. Also because of space limitations, it has been recessary to omit almost all of Dr. Cawthon's excellent docmentation. Dr. Cawthon says that "Henry T. Morgan, who wrote the letters, lived in Claiborne Parish, near Shongaloo, and the longing for home was always for Claiborne." As an introduction to the letters as they appeared in the Review, Dr. Cawthon comments: "The original series contains twenty-three letters by Private Morgan, 31st Louisiana Infantry, Confederate States Army, and two letters by his wife, Ellen Elliot Morgan, who was at home in charge of a pine woods farm on Indian Creek in the north- western section of hilly Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. The letters are in the possession of Mary Lou Morgan Carraway, Sarepta, Louisiana, daughter of the writer. . .Henry's own unique spelling has been retained. Morgan's reports indicate that the following conditions were prevalent in Confederate camps: (1) private soldiers were homesick and weary of war; (2) men were inclined to be religious; (3) food and clothing were scarce; (4) there was a decline of morale during the last months of the war." THE LETTERS: Monroe, La. Aug 21 1862 My Dear Baptist. . . I take this opportunity in droping you a few lines to let you no that i am not well yet but i hope that when these few lines comes to hand they will find you all well. Tobe still has the fever. He has had a fever 7 or 8 days. He is very sick. I dont no whether he is any better or not. Ellen i will send you 20 dollards by Mr. Marshal and i want you to give it to Pop to take care of it fore you. Dont spend it foolishly fore it is preshes. Wee havnt got a dime yet fore our services. Ellen i was perfectly thunder struck when I heered that you had joined the Baptist and i havent got over it yet. I dont believe that you wood have joined the Baptist if i had been at home, but you must act fore your self in this case. You said that you wished that i was at home to join the church. Have you forgotten that I belong to the Methodis? Or do you call that a church? You have woonded my fealings very much in the way you have acted. Eflen live a christian life and it dont matter so much about the church. I will quit this subject as it dont suit you as you are a Baptist and i am a Methodis. Ellen i had a hard time of it gitting away from the Yankees. I was sick and very weak but i got threw safe. I lost nothing but my big knife and haversack, but i suffered death almost. I was plum exhausted and i havent got over it yet. Several bums flew clost to me and bursted. Ed Sanders and Calven Sanders is i expect taken prisonders. I havent heared from them yet. I dont no that anybody was kild. Wee warent able to fight them. Our men was most all sick but i believe that wee will give them fits yet. I remain yourse untill death. Good by Baptist. Bee a good girl. Live in the faith of Christ and meat me in Heaven. Henry T. Morgan. I want some shirts very bad or i will be without soon. If you have any cloth or can git any make me some and send the first good chance as i dont expect to come home soon. I would like to come home and see my Baptist very bad but i cant come yet. Home sweet home i long to bee there. Have you made any corn any potaties or anything at all to eat? Tell me all about it in the next letter. I want to no how you are gitting along. Good by Ellen and children. Have you got the wheat thrashed? How much did you make? H. T. M. Oct Delhi La Oct 23 1862 My Dear Ellen I have got the gandes.(1) I feel very bad . . . I got your letter that you sent by Capt Baucum this morning and the vest. I wish you had put sleeves to it. Ellen i have lost one of my new shirts. I give it to a negro to wash and he lost it. Tobe got hear yesterday. He had a light chill last night . . Ellen wee have a hard time hear. Beef and bread is our diet. I dont no what i wood give fore a mess of bacon and collards ore something else, i dont care what so it aint beef. . .We have got our muskets and wee have to send our shot guns home. Me and Tobe will send our guns to Wiseville by R. Cump. He Will leave tomorow. Tell Pop to go and git them. I have lost James Matthes gun but i think i will git pay fore it. I dont no when. Ellen tell Mahala that J. W. Sims is well. Dock is well. Watt is well. Will you hug and kiss the sweet babes fore me? I think you will as i cant have that pleasure. I want to see you all very bad and the old mans folks and the neighborhood generally. No more at present . . Good by Ellen and children. H. T. Morgan Trinton La November the 2 1862 My Dear Companion. . . wee have got back to Trinton. Wee got hear on the 20th day of Oct . . I am taken medisen every day. I am gittin tired of taken medisen. I have taken medisen from eight different doctors since i have been sick. Bill is gone to vicksburg. I havent seen him in a long time. He past our camp last Friday night about eleven o'clock. I have been tole he went off sick. I wood like to see him but he is gone maybe never to return but i hope that wee all may return home some day to our wives and children and fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters and be a happy peopel again . . . Our officers is very tite on us. No furlows is granted now. We have got cloath to make our uniforms. I dont no how wee will git it made yet. Some say that there will be details made to carry cloath home to have it made. If that be the case i hope that i will be one of them . . . If you want to come to see me come. You know the road and distance. Bee Good. H. T. M. Miss vicksburg Dee the 3 1862 Dear Ellen. . . i expect wee will stay hear all winter if the yankeys dont whip us out. Wee have had a hard time for the last 2 weeks moveing about the cars running off the tracks. She run off three times with us. It was a serious time. Ed Sanders got his thy broke. I believe nobody else was bad hert. Ellen wee have been 175 miles in Miss and i tell you that i liked to frozed to death . . I saw Brother William yesterday. He is in a hospital hear . . . He is the porest human you ever saw but he says he is gittin better. I give him ten dollars and Tohe give him ten. He has had pneumoney . . . Wee are campt between 2 very high hills. Ellen thare is about 10 thousand soldiers hear. Wee expect a battle hear before long. Wee have a hard time in the ware. I do wish that the ware wood come to a close but the prospect is very gloomy. Ellen i heared from your Pa the other day. He is well. Ellen i got your letters that you sent by Pete and Gladden. (2) I was glad to hear from you all and to see Loo's hand marked off but i wood be a heap gladder to see her. You dont no how bad i want to see you and the children and the folks generally on Indian Creek . . . all the pleasure i have in camps is when i git a letter to read. Tell John and Mary and the old folks to write . . . Direct letters to Vicksburg. Good by H.T.M. Vicksburg Miss Dee 23 1862 My Dear Ellen. . . My health is very good except a bad cold and the ich . . . I have been vaccinated and my arm is very soar and Tobe's too and a heap of others in the same fix. Ellen i dont no a thing to write that is worth a sent. I hear a heap but it is most all storys and i dont wish to tell you a ly. Ellen my over shirt is worth 10 dollars. It is splendid and my blanket keeps me warm of a night. I hate to ware my shirt as Tobe hante gote one. He wants one very bad. I wish you had made him one too. The boys says i have got the best shirt in camps and that makes it splendid. Wimmin is the best things on earth hante they? Yes i say they are the best on earth. Ellen the watter hear is very bad; the beef is pore. Ellen Christmas is all most hear. What will you do that day? I wish i cold go with you and the children anywhere you want to go. Some of the boys is going to have a nog. I think they will pay dear for it. Eggs worth 5 dollars a dozen and whiskey 16 dollars a gelen. I expect they will have a lively time of it. I hope you may enjoy yourself that day and all other days. I will try to do the same but cant enjoy myself hear. Write often. Good by Ellen. H. T. Morgan. Vicksburg Miss Jan the 4 1863 My Dear Ellen. . . I have no good news to write onely wee have had a battel hear and whipt the Yankees. I was not in the battle. I was sick at the time but i went and stayed on the battel field one day and night and we had a time of it. It rained very hard and the hills was very slick and the way wee fell down the hills and rold in the mud and water was not slow. Ellen i cant tell much about the battle as i was not tkere at the time. I think Tobe has wrote and he can tell more about it than i can as he was in the battel . . . The boys fought well. The 31st stood firm like tigers and herows. Ellen wee have got cabbens to stay in . . . I have no idey of home untell the ware closes and i think it will close in the spring. I hope so at least and the peopel hear think so to. My prayer to God is that wee may git home safe to our familys. Do you all pray for us? We pray fore you and you ought to doo the same. I must come to a close. I remain yours truley untill death. May the God of Pease be with you all is my prayer. H. T. Morgan. Ellen good by fore a while. Loo and Coon good by. Good by children. Write soon and often. Vicksburg Miss Feb the 20 1863 Dear Ellen. . . You ought to see me now. I have got to be a man at last. My clothing is all too small. I weigh about 160 pounds . . . You said that John wanted to by a shoat. If it is Brother John that wants a shoat let him have it. I dont no what they are worth. Let him have one anyway. Tobe is well and sassy. I went to see Bill a few days ago and found him sick with pheymony. Ellen i must tell you what wee have to eat: Bread and mush and beef. The beef is too pore to eat. The boys sais that they die faster than the butcher can git them to us. Anuff of this subject . . . war . . . war . . . a dreadful sound. Wee are a-looking for a big batel hear every day. The yankeys bummed Vicksburg yesterday and day before but dident hurt us bad. One man in our regiment got his arm shot of. I expect you heared the cannons. It was wors than a thunder storm. I dont beleive they can take this place. They may shoote it down. We have many thousands of men hear. . .Ellen thare has too gun boats past hear and i heared this morning that wee had taken them. I dont no how true it is. Ellen i believe the war will close some time. If it ever does it is a long road that never turns. I want to see the old Baptist and the children once more. May the God of Pease be with you all is my prayer. H. T. Morgan.1863 Vicksburg Miss March 28 1863 Dear Ellen. . . We are looking fore a big batel every day hear. Ellen i thought a while that the war wood end this spring. But i have give that out It looks like the pease maker is dead and war continued. Lord send us pease is my cry and let us go home and live with our familys. Ellen i hope the ware will end this year. If it dont i think wee will starve out. I cant tell how bad wee fair but bad anuff to eat all the rats wee can git. This looks hard but they eat very well. Man will eat most anything before he Will starve . . . You ought to hear the cannon shots. You wood think the earth had bursted if you could hear them but you need not want to hear them. Ellen wee are going to have hog meat fore dinner today. You ought to see us eat in a few minutes. I am very sorey to hear of the stock dying in Claiborne. Ellen flour is worth one hundred and thirty dollars a barel hear and pork one dollar a pound, lard 2 dollars, eggs 2 dollars a dozen, chickens 2 and 3 dollars, turkeys 5 dollars, butter 2 dollars, corn 2 dollars. Ellen i want to be at home today plowing. It is a beautiful day and the birds sing on the bush so pirty it makes me want to be thare. But the ware is on hand and it holds me fast. I learned that wee have whipt the Yankeys at Port Hudson . . Good by my dear darling. H. T. Morgan. Vicksburg Miss April 4 1863 Dear Ellen. . . You wrote that you heard we had a big fite and that Vicksburg was burnt up. It is not so. I think our generals wood see these hills running down with blood before they will give it up. Ellen you say that i ought to be at home to see you work. I wood like to be thare very well but there is no chance.I am glad you are such a good hand to work. I expect that you will have to do it all when i git home. If i ever git home i will he too lazy to doo anything at all. You said that you had been droping corn. That is all rite. Go it like a white head. Ellen i want you to make all the corn and potatoes you can and slop the pigs. Well, i think wee will ship the yankeys if wee can get plenty to eat. And then we will have a glorius nation. This is all that prompts me to action. I have a litel hope yet. Ellen wee are liveing better than wee have hear to for, tho our fair is bad. I saw Bill and your Pa the other day. They was well. Thare is a heap of sick soldiers but that is all wais the case whare thare is such a large army as thare is here. Thare is thousands and thousands of men hear all the time. Ellen will send you a ring in this letter, one of my own make. It hante a very nice one. You wont have no idy what it is maid of. No more at present, onley i remain yours as ever. Hug the children for me and hug yourself for me. Good by Ellen and babes. H. T. Morgan (P. S. to letter of April 4, 1863) Ellen i have jest eat dinner. Wee had a fine mess of fritters. Now i will finish my letter. Capt. Baucum will start home in the morning. I want you all to write and send letters back by him ... I think will get Bill in our Company before long. He wants to Come very bad and i am going to do my best fore him. Ellen tell Pap and mother that i wood write to them today but it is too coald and Tobe is writing to them and that will doo at the present . . . You all meet and helt prayer fore the soaldiers and fore pease. It is a good thing no dot. You may help end the war by so doing. Ellen i want to come home very bad but i cant come yet.. I hope that the time will soon come when we can all go home and stay thare, the balance of our lives. Home is the best place of all. Ellen write how much meat you have kild. Tell me all the poticlars about your affairs at home. I want you all to write often. Show this to Pap and Mother. No more at present, onely i remain your truley untell death. May the God of Peas be with you all is my prayer and that the war will soon close. Ellen, Loo and Coon. Goodby for the present. H. T. Morgan. (NO HEADING) Ellen you said that you hadent had no wood nore pine this winter and it looked like that nobody cared fore you. This is the misfortune of the Baptist. Whi dont you hyer some body to cut and hall wood? Ellen i want some milk and butter and hog meat mity bad. Wee (manage) by some little tricks hear to eat and it cost very hi. We cant hardly git anything to eat fore love nore money. This is the life of a soldier but i hope wee will have better time after a while. Ellen i want you to have some corn made if you can and potatoes in abundance. Live at home if you can. I no not when i will git home ore whether i will ever ore not. I fear that there is yet a heap of bones to be scattered and blood to be spilt yet. Ellen i must close. Write and i will doo the same. I remain yours as ever, strong Methodis as ever. Kiss the children fore me. Good by Ellen, Loo and Cooney. My hart is with you all. H. T. Morgan Alexandria Jan the 14 1865 Dear Ellen I seat myself to drop you a few to let you no that i am yet a live. I have a cold. I have no news to write of interest. I don't know what punishment is to be put on us yet. We had a bad time of it coming hear and they put us at work the first day and wee leave ben at it every day sense. The officers is very tite on us. Thare was one man shot hear yesterday and too more coart marshalled. Ellen wee git bread and bread ruff at that. Ellen thare is about 19 thousond troops and the worst whipt set i ever saw. The river is very hy but no prospect of a fight yet. Ellen i dont no what to write that will interest you. I want to see you all very bad. Ellen we have prayer meetings every night and that is very interesting to me as i am determined to try to live and dye a Christian. I do earnestly ask your prayers and all other Christians to bare me up. I want you to pray fore me and if i never see you and the children in this world I want to meat you in heaven whare parting will be no more. Ellen to a close i remain yours as ever until death. I want you to write to me as often as you can. J. W. Simms has the chills. Ellen i will write more the next time. I have a bad chance to write tonight. I can see the lines. The health of the boys is tolarabel good hear. Tell the connections all to write to me and i will doo the same. Good by Ellen, Loo. Cooney, and Charley my dear babe. H. T. Morgan. Alexandria Jan. the 24 1865 Dear Ellen This leaves me well and i hope that it will find you all well, Ellen dont no what to write as i cant hear from home. This is the third ore forth letter i have wrote and i havent got no answer yet. Will you let me hear from you soon? I thought that i wood git a letter by Wingfield but i failed. Ellen i have got no news to write onely that wee have hard times hear but no prospect of a fight hear yet. The Armey hear is very much demoralized. I dont believe that the men will fight much hear. Ellen i stood guard last night and i liked to froased and i am very sleepy this morning. Tobe and Bill is abel fore duty. J. W. Simms hase the chills yet. John Camel is very sick and no hope fore him. Ellen i want you to write how much the hogs waid and how you are getting along generally. Ellen i will send you one dozen hair pins in this letter. Thar is strong talk of pease hear with the soaldiers and officers. Ellen the prisoners hear is treated bad, that is brought in by the cavilery. Wee dont no what punishment will be put on us yet. I am anctious to no my doom, good or bad. Ellen wee are drawing pork at the present time but wee have to pay transportation on it ourselves. I am so sleepy and coald that i cant write a sent. So no more at present only i remain your most affectionate husban untill death. May the grace of God be with you all. Goodby to all. Write soon. H. T. Morgan. Ellen i wont send the hair pins this time. I will wait fore a better chance. Alexandria Jan the 31 1865 Dear Ellen I seat myself to inform you that i am well at present and i hope that these few lines will find you all well. Ellen i have no news to write onlv that the regment is in better health than i ever saw it. The boys is in hy spirits. The general talk is that wee will have pease by the first of March. I think it very unsartin myself. I bear talk of an armistice fore sixty days. Ellen i am on extra duty for thirty days and have worked out eleven of them. Wee have had a had spell of weather hear and it is raining today. Ellen i havent got no letter vet. I want to hear from you verry bad. This is the forth letter i have wrote. Ellen if you need aney money let me no and i will send you some the first chance. I have drew 44 dollars. Ellen i will send this by Capt. Baucum if he gits his furlow. He will start tomorrow and i want you to send a letter bv him when he comes back to camp. Goodby. Ellen if the ware dont close thare will be no chance fore me to come home in twelve months and i want you to doo the best you can, and i want you to send me something to eat if you have the chance. We are nearly threw with what we brought from home and then wee will fair badly. I hope the ware will end soon. The boys is praying fore it in camps and all about in the woods and wee see them nelt down all about in the woods praying for pease. Ellen if the Capt. goes home i will send you some hair pins. I cant write you a letter till i hear from you. Doo you write or not i cant hear from you. We have prayer meeting every night in the company. So no more at present onley i remain your husband as ever. Write soon and often. Give me all the news you can. Ellen if we never meat no more on earth let us try to meat in Heaven whare wee will part no more. May the grace of God be with you all is my prayer. Ellen, Loo, Cooney, and Charley, Goodby. H. T. Morgan. Camp near Cotile Byow on the west side of the river, 20 miles above Alexandria Feb 19 1865 Dear Ellen I seat myself this morning to answer your letters that you sent by Mr. Gladney and Alison. I was glad to hear from you. Ellen this leaves me in febal health . . . I hope this may find you all well. Ellen have no news to write and 1 dont feeld like writing. The boys is in hy spirits about pease. Doctor Wise says he is satisfide that wee will have pease in too months. I hope it may be so but i cant believe it. Ellen wee live hard hear. Unceal David Adams keeps our mess in honey. Thare is a heap of wild bees hear. Ellen i hear bad news from Claiborne. I heared it read in a letter that religion is dying in Claiborne Parish. Dont let this be the case with you for if thare ever was a time that peopal needed religion it is now. Ellen wee have prayer meeting in our tent every night. Ellen my extra duty is nearly out. Then i will have more time to write. I was sorry to hear that the cavilary has taken Starling Cook off. Ellen thare was a very interesting debate got up in this company on the 17th of the month. It was on the subject of baptist and clost communion. The scripuers was perused fore proof of the doctrine. The Baptist was as completly wound up as i ever saw in my life. This debate lasted 3 or 4 hours. It wound up by the Baptist saying that wee dident look at the Scripuers right. Ellen dont take no exception to this. Read for yourself. No more at present onely i remain yours as ever. H. T. Morgan. Goodby. Write every chance you have. (P.S. to letter dated February 19, 1865) Ellen i got a mess of butter that was sent to Billar McDonald. Ellen send me something to eat by Capt. Baucum if he will bring it and send a letter too and tell me what land you are going to tend and be saving with your corn. Do the best you can. Bill is now siftering sour meal for diner. The beef is so poar that wee cant eat it all and we dont git meal anuff but after all most of the..officers will say that wee git plenty. Ellen thare was six men shot in Alexandria last Friday. It seams that wee have got too many men. They want to kill some of them off. Ellen wee are campt in a nice dry place and have a good spring. Tobe thinks it hard that nobody wont write to him. Ellen i sent you half paper of pens by Mr. Word. I give 5 dollars for them. Write me what you receive from me. Ellen tell pap i want him to spaid my shoots. Ellen i want to come home very bad but i have no idy that i will come till this ware closes. I want to git among them eggs and butter that you started to send me very bad. I think that i cold eat them all at one mess. This is my notion now. Ellen by corn from Andy Dyke if you can. Ellen i want to no wheather or not you have aney preacher ore paster fore Pilgrim Rest Church (3) this year. Ellen diner is now ready and i must stop. This is Sunday. Wee are dooing nothing today, tho this is not common in camps. David Adams is going to cut a bee tree. Bee good. Goodby Ellen, Loo, and Cooney and Charley. May the grace of God he with you all is my prayer. H. T. Morgan. (P.SS. to a letter dated March 9, 1865) Camp near Cotile Bayough Ellen i dont no what to write that wood interest you. I can onely say that . . . my hope is as strong and as good fore heaven as they was ever. Ellen i earnestly ask your prayer in my behalf and you may rest assured that i wilt not forgit you and the children. This should be a time of prayer. Wee have prayer meetings hear every night at our tent. A litel good news reached my years this moment. We hear that pease is actually made but i dont give it much credit but i pray that it may be so. Wee no that it must come some time. Wee cant tell when. I hope it wont be long. Ellen you talk like coming to see me. If you start you must think of a long journey. I want to see you and the children very had but thare is no hopes of me ever gittin home as long at this Ware lasts. Ellen try to have a good gardin and potatoe patch. Live at home if you can. I must bring these few lines to a close. So no more at present. Onely i remain your trew husband untiell death. Write as often as you can. I was well pleased with your last letter. Do so again if you please. May the God of Pease be with you all is lay prayer. Give my best respects to all of the peopal at home I saw James Mathews day before yesterday and Dr. Wise. They was well. Jim thinks he will git a furlow soon. Goodby Ellen, Lou, Cooney, and Charley. H. T. Morgan. Write Soon. March the 11 1865 Dear Ellen I seat myself this morning to let you no that i am well and i hope this will find you well. Ellen i have no news to write. I got a letter from your Mother a few days ago. They are all well. Ellen i thought that i wood send this by Mr. Strickling but i will send it by Mr. Nations as he will go nearer home. Ellen i was on guard last night and it was cold and i dident sleep much and i feald verry drousey this morning. Ellen you dont no what i would give to be at home today. 0, Shucks, troubel, troubel, troubel, o when will it end? God onely nos when, i dont. Some say that we will have pease soon but i fear it will be a long time a-coming but i hope and pray to God that wee will have a speedy pease and let us all git home once more alive. Ellen diner is most ready and i will tell you some of the varitys wee have . . . bread, bread, and bread alone. This is very good, hante it? Yes, yes. Ellen wee drill twice a day. Company drill in the morning and batalion drill in the evening. Ellen tell me what J. L. I is doing. Tell him and Uncle Will to write to me and tell me all about the Ware and his fine girl and all the rest of his family. Tell Pap and Mother that i wold write to them but you call tell them all that i can write. Red River is very hy and still rising. I dont no what is the reasen the yankeys dont come if they want too. The River is plenty hy fore gun boats to come. I hope they will not come at all. Ellen if reports be trew the other side of the river is about gone up. No more at present onely i remain yours as ever. Goodby Ellen. Dont forget to pray. Live a Christian and let David Wise tend to his own bisness and let mine alone. Write soon and often. H.T. Morgan. April 1 1865 (4) Dear Henry I seat myself this evening to let you know that wee ar well and I hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. Henry i got the letter you sent by Dr. Wise last Saturday knight. I dident git the letter you sent by Mr. (not legible) till after he had gone back. Henry i have nothing to write only wee hear pease talk on every side. I hope and pray to God that it may bee so, Henry. I have no idey of coming down thair now. Henry our corn is as clean as it can be, Henry you (don't) need to think that I dont think of you when i am eating for you are never off my mind. Henry I am glad to send you something to eat when Mr. Mathew goes back if i dont come myself. I dont know whether I will come or not. I will come if i can arrange things right. Henry I wish you was hear to knight. I have a churn of buter milk and a fine chance buter and too hundrad eggs. I git a hundrad a week. I have a bushel of potatoes yet. I intend you shall have some of them. Henry if it had been in my pour you wood have had something to eat long ago. I think of you all day and dream of you at knight. Henry your wheat is find. Your oates is tolerbel. Your hogs has quit covering up regularly. Your Pa spaid your shoats yesterday. Henry i fead the hogs every knight. I went up to Pa's last week. I heared whear Pa was. He is doing fine making a hunadard dolars a month. I will tell you whear he is when i see you. Henry i bout Haley's bee gum and give twenty dolars for it. Henry you ought to see Charley walking. He lockes so sweet a-walking. Henry thar is a heap of sickness here. I will tell you ho is sick: Efey Margaret Burns, old Man Doyel wife and oldist dauter, and most of them has got the tiford fever, and that bad. I sat up at Efey's a-Friday knight. Henry, Haley is coming down hear today to fixe to go see Jim whether anybody else goes or not. Henry i have an idey of having the potatoe patch whear wee had it year bee fore last. Henry, Charley has got the ich and you better no he is a troublessum boy. I cant git sulfer to core him. Henry i wish you was hear today. It is a-Sunday and i am at home by myself. I think it would be a happy day with mee if you was hear. May the God of Pease be with you is my prayer. Right soon and often. No more at present onely i remain your trew and affectionate wife untill death. E. P. Morgan. April 16 1865 Dear Henry I seat myself to let you know that i am not well at this time. I am afraid that i am going to have the fever. I feal so bad i havnt been abel to do much this week. I am abel to be up. Charley fell out doars yesterday and like to kild him. He has bin fretful every sens. Loo and Coon is well. I hope this will find you well. Henry i hante got much to right. I sent a letter by Mr. Cleaverbury. I had too swarms of bees yesterday. Wee got them in the gums and they staid in them about an our and then come out. One swarm went off and i got the others to settle in a oak tree by the well and your Pa cut it down and got them in the gum, but i dont know how long they will stay thair. The gums is mity sory. Nety the read sow and the gincy sow has eight piegs between them. Henry i cant tell which is which for they all suck both sows. Henry the balence of your stock is doing fine. Henry, Bill got home this morning to stay till next saturday. He said he is going to plant some corn next week. Sterling Cook has got a fur. (lough) till the last Company goes across the river. Henry, Cait Baker has got a hefer with her first calf about three weeks old. He says i may have her for a hundard dolars and i have a idey of gitting her, I have money anuff' to git her. Bill says he wood git her if he was mee. Henry Jim Mathes is going to start in the morning. Henry got a mule from Mr. Mack Camel and Mr, Wise said we cod have his wagon and then we didnt have no driver, and i waited till the last to see if your Pa wood doo eney thing and he dident try to doo a thing. If i had a new that he wodent get a driver i wood have got one if i had bin abel to ride. Henry i wish that all of the men that dont try to git you boys eney thing to eat was thair and had to stay thair till the war ended, that dont care nothing for you all nor your familys. Henry have no idey you can git anything to eat without i bring it to you. Henry you dont know how bad it hurts me to think you are thar and cant git anuff to eat when you have got plenty at home. Henry wheat is heading out. Henry you never saw such corn in your life. It has rained so much the corn has turned right yeler. Henry i got the letter you sent by Mr. Sanders today. I was glad to hear that you was enjoying good helth. Henry i got the letter back today that i sent to Cleaver and I wilI send them all together by Mother. Henry i will tell you one thing sartin. I want you to come home without fail. Henry i will bring this to a close fore i have got tothake and, i cant send you nothing to eat. I feald mad anuff about not being abel to send you something to eat thai i could whip every man in the Confederacy. Henry i will sen you 5 twists of tobacco. Goodby dear man. I hope wee meat again soon. E. Morgan Dr. Cawthon's comment: As soon as Henry was released he hurried to Claibirne Parish. leaving his friends and relatives, Tobe, Bill, J. W. Simms. Mat Burns, and others at Alexandria. Upon arriving at Indian Creek, he passed through the woods and reached his own house, where, strangely enough, everything was quiet. Believing that Ellen and the children were at "Pap's and Mother's," he hastened to join them there. After greeting Loo and Cooney, who met him at the gate, he inquired about Ellen. "But dident you know?" the "old folks" questioned. "Dident Mahala Simms tell you? She left hear day bee fore yesterday. She was going to camp to see J. W. and was taking Charley to you." And then he knew. "Was it the fever?" he stammered. "Seven days ago," his Mother said. (5) FOOTNOTES: 1 Jaundice. 2 Editor's note: See The Gladden and Todd Families Serve Their Country. 3 The Baptist church on the highway between Haynesville in Claiborne Psrish and Shongaloo in Webster Parish is now called "The Sexton Memorial church." 4 Only two of Ellen's letters are extant. 5 Mrs. Nancy Emily Beene Hampden Matthews, 76-year old Sarepta resident, who formerly lived in the Indian Creek neighborhood (James Mathes, whom Henry mentioned, was her father-in-law), says that the story of Henry's return seven days after his wife's death was one of the community's best-known legends. She was a small child at the time, but she remembers having heard the story many times. Henry married again, and named his oldest child by his second wife, "Ellen." Mahala and Charley. it might be added, were safe. Mahala and Henry had missed each other en route. ********** Page 22 Walton Wilson to Sicily A. Wilson -a Letter, 1863 Editor's note: This letter is made available for publication by Lorene Dean Owens.) August 10th A.D. 1863 Camp Near Rapadan Station Northern Va Mrs. Sicily A. Wilson Dear wife It is with the greatest pleasure that I seat my self to drop you a few lines to let you no that I am still in the land of the living and injoying good helth for which I am truly thankful to Almighty God. Also to inform you that I received yours of the 2nd of July which I was truly glad to receive And I hope these few lines may reach you and find you all injoying they same blessing Sicily I have been in two fights sense that of Fredericksburg tho I never got hert in neither of them the first was Winchester Va there we lost one man kild and two wonded the captain was one who was wounded badly in the knee and ankle of the left leg so that it had to he taken off above his knee the last account we had of him he was nearly well it was fought on the 13th and 14th of June the next was on the 1st 2nd 3 and 4th of July at Gettysburg Pennsylvania there we lost two men kild and 8 wounded our 1st Lieutenant was shot through the left Lung and other fellow hy the name of Johnson got his wright shot off by a grape shot all of the rest will soon be able for duty Those that was kild was named as follows James A. Stuart Winchester lived near Teryille L. B. Benard and D. L. More I doant no where they lived they was both kild at Gettysburg with Grapeshot they are a Cast Iron bait a bought the size of a hen egg. When we went to leave there we had to do some of the heardest marching ever was nearly we stoped at Hagers town Myreland and offered them a fight a gain and they wouldant attact us it was a draw battle at Gettysburg we marched 2 hundred miles in ten Days we have had some of the hotest wether I nearly ever saw in my life tho it has been raining for some several days and the air has become some Cooler we have been a resting now for some several days in Camps we have to drill twiste a day one hour each time tho that is very light our camp duty at this time in fact it has been ever sense I have been at the Regiment well Sicily you say you want to see me very bad I doant think you can want to see me mutch more than I do you. you also wrote that you had lots of watermelons a coming on and that you would like for me to be there to help you eat them I would like mighta well to be there my self I would like to have some watermelons to eat the- I would like mutch better to whether (?) I could get any watermelons to eat or anything of the sort Tho I doant no whether I ever will be ther are gain for I doant no whether there will ever be peace or not tho I think there is something at work towards peace for they say every one of they leading men in the Confederacy is in Richmond and the Vice President made a speech to the people a few days and told them if we didant go back to the Union that there soon wouldant be Confederacy nor United States he said it would all be long to England and France and I bleave that my self I never heard of so many Soldear a deserting before as it is at this time the North Carolina troops are deserting by the hundred the North Carolina brigade in our division held a convension the other day and to see who was for the Union and who wasant and they all voted for peace let it come as it would that is for the Union if it would bring a bought peace they all voted that ticket but one Regiment and they was for victory or death Sicily I hear a heap of talk of Govner moor a Calling on France for protection tho I doant no whether it is so or not tho they say that it is published in the Richmond papers if he has I think we will get to come hoam this winter I want you to write me whether there any such talk through or not and if so whether the people thinks it is so or not for my part I had ruther go under French Goverment than old Lincon for l had ruther die than to go back in the Union and I think all other true Southerner had so no more at this time but give my best love and respects to all inquireing frends write to me on the reception of this and give me all of the nuse May God blefs you and comfort is my prear I am your most affectionate husband till Death kiss the baby for me and tell hir I said so Walton Wilson to Sicily A. Wilson Hamil and Simmons ar well ********** Page 23 William G. Coleman and the War with Mexico (Editor's note: The diary from which excerpts have been taken for publication here was made available by T. E (Gene) Coleman. He also made available the letter of William G. Coleman to Colonel Coffee, given here, in which reference is made to the diary.) Biographical information about William G. Coleman, from THE HISTORY OF CLAIBORNE PARISH by D. W. Harris and B. M. Hulse, 1886": "But here comes another character before us, with head gray but not bowed, and eye flashing as ever-Capt. W. G. Coleman. Genial in manner, with a good word for all, be was and is yet a son of Carolina. An ardent subscriber to the Calhoun school of politics, in his early manhood he was an outspoken nullifier, and in older years a bold and defiant secessionist. His first taste of war was as a volunteer, under Captain Jarnigham, in the Creek War of 1837. Returning to Carolina he married, and in his native State remained till the death of his wife. The charms of old Carolina now became dimmed to his eyes, and with his four children he emigrated in 1844 to Perry County, Alabama. Here he contracted a second marriage, and this wife, who has borne him eight children, is yet with him. In 1846, when Mexico declared war against the United States, he was one of the first to respond to his country's call, at the head of one hundred gallant men, known as the Perry Rangers. He joined Col. Coffee's regiment of Alabama volunteers, and with that regiment for twelve months, was engaged in all its marches, hardships and battles. And here let us not fail to recall the name of his faithful body servant, Sep. Although in a free country and other servants fleeing to the Mexican lines, Sep stood fast by his master, nursed him in sickness, faithfully administered to his wants when worn down with fatigue and exposure, and not only to him but to others of the company when he possibly could. He had the good will and confidence of all the men, became the custodian of their little treasures and never betrayed a trust. Returning home with his master, he died in his arms, and as his glazing eyes looked up into that kind master's face for the last time, that master's striken heart blessed the faithful Afric son. In 1850, Capt. Coleman moved to Claiborne Parish, and being fond of the chase greatly enjoyed the rare sports of the day. In 1854, he with Col. J. W. McDonald, in a hotly contested campaign, as the Democratic candidates, gained a signal victory over the then rampant Know Nothing party. He has refused all political preferment since. When the war of secession was about to commence he, being too old to serve, drilled several volunteer companies previous to their march to the front. Capt. Coleman joined the Missionary Baptist Church at Lisbon in 1854, and was elected clerk of the church. For twenty-three years he has as promptly taken his seat at the desk as he did at the head of his company when the long roll called it to arms on the arid plains of Mexico. Always fond of company, always a good neighbor, his friends are many. Having ever been temperate in his habits, he now, although in his 80th year, writes a clear and even hand, and can yet bring down his bird on the wing as often as the best shots among our young men. Without enemies, with hosts of friends, he now serene and happy, awaits the bidding of the Master, summoning him to the great church above." A letter from W. G. Coleman to Col. John R. Coffee: Aycock, P. 0. Claiborne Parish, La June 1884 Col. Jno. R. Coffee, Fackler, Ala. Dr. Friend and Comrade I received your very welcome message of June 2, and I assure you it was as astonishing as it was agreeably surprising. for I had "long since mourned your death" and proud indeed was I to learn of your prolonged existence, and I am sure of your valuable usefulness to your country and friends--in this scroll I can only express my feelngs towards you as one holding a long lost friend and a page will have to suffice for the sudden emotion--and as our shadows lengthen we can write often and be closer together by frequent communication. I will give you some of my experiences since the Mexican war. I returned to my farm in 1847 and remained in Alabama until 1850, when I purchased land and moved to to this Parish North La. where I have resided since. This country was comparatively new when I moved here, land was good and productive, plenty of game and inviting, and until the War we were doing well, successfully planting with a good society built up in 1856 and 1857. I was elected to the legislature with large majority, served that term out, have filled all the positions I would accept until I got too old-and feeble--since I had the mumps in Mexico T have been afflicted with Hydrocile, and as I get older locomotion is more difficult and riding painful. I have raised 11 grown children seven living-all married but one son, all possessed of good sense and energy to make a living above want. My boys entered the army early (except my eldest who was clerk of the court and exempted) passed through the terrible strugggle and God spared them all to get home alive and honorable. The wreck swept all the property we possessed except our homes which we went to work with willing hands to make our living-with all our negro property suddenly freed-in their brazen effrontery and stupidity backed up by U. S. muskets and carpet baggers over us far a long time, I actually got to hating the Government for which we had borne the Stars and Stripes on the arid plains of Mexico-and to tell the truth I have but little respect for it as administered since the war. There is five of my old Company live near me moved to this country with me- and four more of our old regiment living near by. They seem to venerate our old Campaign and the lengthening of our shadows brings us into closer order. I trust Col. Coffee I have made peace with a merciful God whose a you have so kindly invited me to. I joined the Baptist Church in ________ and have been constantly striving to be ready for inspection, at Resurrection. I hope we will pass muster on that Great day. You speak of being fearful of worrying me by the length of your letter far from that. I could have read a book through written by you-now as we have the road blazed out lets keep up the communication. I frequently refer to my old Diary that I kept every day during the 12 months. I know you would love to read it. You speak of what we injoined on each other at Veny, Ariz. I remember it well. I will never forget either those days that we were making history and fame for an ungrateful country that leaves us poor old veterans without a mere stipendiary to supply the ordinary demands of life. Now I am done-no.1-and ask you to answer immediately-and then we can go into a communication of detail. I have the good luck and honor of having the company of my careful good wife down the declivity of life who with the balance of mv fomily and old soldiers join me in love abundant to you and your family. God bless you W. G. Coleman Excerpts from the diary (There are daily entries in the original. but space forhids including the diary in its entirety--Spelling and punctuation have heen left as found in the copy made available) Dairy for the Year 1846 Commencing on the 11th June left Perryville at 3 oclock P.M. with the Perry Company Independent Rangers under my command. Was escorted into Selma by Rangers, was furnished a supper by the inhabitants of Selma JUNE l2th --Took passage on the Steamboat Bradstreet for Mobile 18th-In camps Company received $36.42 in full payment for 12 months clothing. 24th-In camps. nothing doing but office seeking, measles in camps, very hot. 25th-In camps, settle rank of Captains and their positions in line. got letter from wife. 26th-In camps. election ordered for field officers to command the 1st Regiment Ala. volunteers. 27th-In camps, election came off, the following gentlemen were elected, John R. Coffey Col. commandant of 1st Regiment Volunteers Ala.. 28th-Sunday in camps, received orders to take up the line of march to the Rio Grande. 29th-The Regiment took transports on the steam vessels Fashion & Telegraph for the seat of war. We had a magnificent set off from the wharfs at Mobile. JULY 2d-On sea nearly all hands sick, sea quite rough. 4th-Saturday landed on the Island Santiago near the mouth of the Rio Grande pitched tents on a disagreeable sand bank. 8th-In camps, very dry and always windy on this island, the sun quite hot, went over to Point Isabel, wrote two letters, one to Father and Mother in South Carolina the other to my Dear Jane and Father and Mother in Ala. 17th-In camps, still dry. Water about to fail entirely. Bailey quite sick. Today we had on the Island a good rain. JULY 19th-Sunday In camps, cloudy and windy, no news from the War, nor none from home and a long time to be deprived of so good a pleasure, the rain descended in such torrents as to completely inundate our whole camp from three to ten inches deep, a bad time for poor soldiers. Several fellows very sick. 20th-Still raining, and the whole Island on which we are incamped is covered in water. This evening our Regiment left for the mouth of the Rio Grande. Sick. 2lth In camps at the mouth Rio Grande, quite sick, several cases measles in our camp many sick with diarrhea 25th-Left the mouth Rio Grands on an old steam boat (Troy) lay out about 2 miles from where we started. 26th-Sunday on our way up the River Rio Grande arrived at our new camp opposite Burrita felt better than I have for the last 10 days. 31st-In camps, doing but little, very warm where we are now stationed. Aug. 3d-In camps. Cloudy and pleasant. had an election for 3d Lt. John B. Fuller was chosen. 4th In camps, rainy, bad sleeping on the ground. where the water is running under a blanket, the only bedding a sodier has. 5th-In camps, rec'd orders to leave for Carmargo, warm weather. some fever in camps, rainy. 11th-In camps, felt very much like resigning my captaincy in consequence of dear manifest ill feeling entertained by some of the company for me, not well. helped to inspect the muskets, cartridge boxes, scabbards, knapsacks, canteens and haversacks. Condemned all in the Regiment except muskets. 2 months since I left home. Resolved never more to take the name of God in vain. 12th In camps at nothing, and nothing to do, but to eat pickle pork and old hard crackers. 15th-In camps, nothing doing, weather cooler, more like fall much sickness in camps. the men have to wade waist deep to get to the river for all the water that is used for cooking and drinking it will certainly make all hands sick. Went on a visit to Matamoras spent the time more pleasantly than I expected to do. Staid at the American hotel kept by an old South Carolinian, Mrs. Winfield clean and warm. Went to theatre and circus. 16th In the town of Matamoras spent my time in looking about amongst the Mexicans, they have no plank floors, scarcely no chairs, no beds and no tables. When the women sit down to work they set flat on the ground. 20th-In camps, preparing to move on to the seat of war, Camargo, clear and warm, the health of the Regiment is not very good, my health fine. 25th-In camps, doing nothing, there has been 53 men discharged, and 27 died up to this date, hot indeed. Left Camp Ala. for Camargo on the Steamer Troy. 29th-Still on board the Troy saw . . . little farm houses last evening within 400 yds, fifty four children, the country here is very rich, but desirable only for cultivation, no resident situations, hot day again, rain every day for several past, this day passed by Renoso a handsome little town on the west side of the Rio Grande, above I saw the first table lands, it would have been quite a treat if I had been well enough to have enjoyed it, but I was not. At 8 o'clock P.M. stuck fast on a sand bar, said to have been done purposely by the pilot. 30th-The Virginian tried to pull the Troy out of the mud, but failed to do so. To our great surprise the Troy got off the sand bar at half past 5 o'clock. 31st Still on the old Troy going on to the seat of war. From the mouth Rio Grande to Matamoroas by land 30 miles by water 100 from thence to Reneso by land . . . by water 170 miles to old Renoso by land 42 miles by water 25 from old Renoso to Camargo by land 40 miles by water 55 (or 35) the greater part of the latter . . . poor and marshy. I saw in passing up the river wild vines, water melons, pumpikins, goards and many other domestic vegetables, such as pamer christals, sun flowers, etc. SEPT. 1st-Arrived at Camargo at 1 o'clock P.M. found the place to be rather a disagreeable one. Our mess all split in two, no disadvantage to me-the town of Camargo is a bad looking place, the location is good enough, the high water washed down all the houses of any importance which ruined the appearance of the place. 3rd-In camps at Carmago, Mexico, dry and hot, turned over some surplus guns, knapsacks, cartridge boxes scabbards, etc, quite sick at night, the troops leaving for Monterey. 9th-In camps, cleaning up a parade ground, wrote home, clear and very hot. Unwell myself also several of the company. The encampment alarmed by no fighting. My whole company detailed on detached service to guard the Majr. General Patterson 10th-In camps, moving and fixing up for a fight, clear and a little cooler. 11th-In camps everything in commotion about moving, and fighting Mexicans, this day three months ago we all left our sweet homes and families to take upon ourselves the most miserable and unpleasant life that white men ever lived. Clear, hot and dry. exchanged off cartridge boxes, bayonet scabbards and belts, some appearance of rain. but none of fighting to my view, very sick at night. 22nd-(A margin note: Battle commenced at Monterey on 21st and ended on the 24th) Expecting to hear from Monterey constantly, no news officially from Monterey, rainy. the boys all getting in better health. 23rd-In camps doing nothing but drilling a little foggy, very warm Indeed. All the sick seem to be improving a little. news came into town stating that Canales was killing all sick on the road from here to Monterey. and that he has under his command 500 men. 26th In camps I am still sitting as a member of the Court Martial, just through exam1ning witnesses in the 1st case that Capt McMahan of the Geo. troops for drunkeness and assault on Col. Baker of the Illinois Troops. My friend Jas. F. Bailey became hurt with me for that which I did not intend to be understand as he construed it. I am sorry but cannot satisgy him. Some of the field officers became quite enraged with me but I stuck close to my point and was sustained by my Col. 27th-Sunday, clear and warm. done nothing still anxiousiy waiting to hear something from Genl. Taylor, the news came in that Genl. Taylor has taken Monterey and lost 500 men and that there was an Armistice signed by Taylor and Ampudia for eight weeks, bad arrangement I fear. It is said that Ampudia was allowed to leave town with the honour of War and with colors flying. 29th-In camps drilling and preparing to meet the Mexicans between Monterey and Saltillo. OCT. 2nd-In camps; adjourned the Court Martial sine die. Sick with jaundice. Dispatch from Genl. Taylor stating that Santana was fortifying at Saltillo with 20,000 fresh troops. 5th-Cot. Coffee expressed so much friendship for me and in such a manner that I could scarcely keep from shedding a tear of joy. OCT. 7th-In camps preparing to go to Monterey. Genl. Patterson complimented our Reg. as highly as language could do it. He said our improvement was super human, it was magical and surpass'd anything of his knowledge. 8th-In camps preparing to march to Monterey. W.M. Ford returned Ala. by him I got direct information from my Dear Wife who sent me many things which she thought I needed and among all the rest some buiscut. God bless her. 9th In camps, preparing to march to Monterey. Got information from Genl. Pillow that the Mexican Government had refused disdainfully to treat with our Government on our present difficulties with the Nation. Col. Coffey sick. 11th-In camps, this day four months we left Perryville in high and low spirits. R.T. Girce came into our camps from Monterey he states that the contest between Taylor and Ampulia was severe that Taylors loss of killed and wounded must have been some seven or eight hundred, and the Mexicans much greater. he was in the engagement, he had with him a Mexican sword, a gun and a lance. 22nd In camps, doing but little except quarreling among ourselves, Alas, we have come to a low ebb for their is but little good order Is regards punctuality. 23rd-In camps, drilling four times per day. preparing to meet Old Santa Anna in Dec. 24th-Two companies of our Reg't rec'd orders to march to Monterey. Heard from my Dear Wife and Son, learned that Benjamin had joined the Church in Alabama. 25th-Sunday, sick bad head ache, two companies started to Monterey, and then ordered back and some of Kentuckians sent off instead of Alabaman's. Some of the officers held a meeting to remonstrate against the way the reg't had been treated. NOV. 2d In camps. very busy making our Muster Rolls for the purpose of payment. Commenced firing at targets. 12th-In camps doing but little. Clear. dry, and hot. D.N Sent to the guard by Lt, Col. Carl, better known in camps by the name of Canallies. the noted Mexican robber. l6th-In camps. drilling and preparing to go on to the seat of War. Orders came in to our camps from the Genl. in command for the Rolls of each company to he called everv two hours, health improving in my Company, bad behavior in part of our Regiment this evening, disrespect shown to our Brig. Genl. 17th-In camps Genl. Pillow addressed our Regiment in quite a respectful manner- on the treatment he received from it yesterday 21st-In camps, sick with cold and sun pain in my eyes Oh'. God how I have suffered. this forenoon I eat one of the biscuit my dear Wife sent me which was baked in Ala two months and a day. News reached our camp officially that Tampico had been taken possession of by our Navy 23rd-In camps at night 9 o'clock I received orders to embark on the steamboat Col Cross bound for the mouth of the Rio Grande which was to leave by sunrise on the following morning, we immediately went to work and set up all night preparing to meet the order punctually. 28th-Still on board the Col. Cross arrived at the mouth of the river of all confusion that I have ever witnessed in my life was in taking off our equipage and placing it upon another boat. 29th-Sunday on our way from the mouth of the Rio Grande landed at Brazos Santiago at 10 o'clock A.M, then again confusion took place. Oh! My God how gladly I would be if I could go on home from here in a right and proper manner DEC. 2d-Got over from the Point, preparing to leave for Tempico, drew stationary for 3 months beginning on the December 1846 to Feby 28th 1847 4th-On Brasos orders reached us to remain here until further orders, sorrowful indeed 7th-In camps, on Brasos Island, doing nothing but lying in the sand, up to our flees. Mr. Snead took leave of us all for Ala. OH! how glad I would be if I was going myself in a right manner. 11th-Still on Brasos preparing to go to Tampico. Steamship Sea wrecked and entirely lost. 12th-Got on board the Steamship Virginia for Tampico. The sickest set of men I ever saw in my life. W. Liles went to Point Isabel, sick. 17th-On board the Virginia at day light in sight of land, arrive at Tampico at 4 o'clock P.M. Found it to be a beautiful town handsomely laid off and a great deal of neatness displayed in the arrangement of this place. the citizens look more like civilized because there are many foreigners located here in business who has I learn much influence on the natives. All hands so soon as they left the Gulf got well of their Sea Sickness. 18th-Lying a little below town cleaning up guns and preparing; to fight for this is a place that all hands received us with cordiality. they are expecting an attack from a part of Old Santa Troops constantly. 23rd-In camps doing nothing but fortifying the town of Tempico 25th-Christmas Day Clear and very warm all hands idle or free today except the guard. 27th-In camps at Fort Atlamira doing nothing. weather having very much the appearance of summer. Strange for an Alahamin to see at Christmas green corn, snap beans, green tomatoes, and all kinds or vegetables. Have the jaw ache. very bad abcess forming on my jaw----had my jaw lanced at 12 P.M. JAN. 2nd 1847-In camps went hunting with a Creole from New Orleans, he has been here six years at Tampico. I killed a wolf. Had measure taken to make white linen round coat. 4th-In camps I have either the mumps or the glands enlarged which gives me much pain. Bot fine French gun, paid for it $55. 9th-In camps preparing to march from Tampico on some unknown expedition, pressing horses, mules and jacks into the service of the U.S. Richard Heard went to hospital. 11th-Marched 10 miles from town and was ordered back to Tampico. I with the mumps 19th-In camps preparing to leave Tampico taking Muster Rolls. Sick myself with chills a very cold day, what is called here a Norther. 21st-The Company was paid off today for the first time since entering the service. 23th-Still sick and very bad, at night Bledsoe and Vance both got shot by being out at an improper time at night by their own sentinel, truly sorry I am to learn the fact. 25th-Still sick and confined to my pallet. My friend J.F. Bailey drew for me my pay up to the 31st Dec. 1846, amount $611.85 deduct from that one months pay which I drew from Majr. Burns $521.35 this drawn from Majr. Bennett. Goal. Patterson, Geal. Twiggs and Genl. Quitman all arrived here with their commands of about 4000 men. FEB. 7th-Still improving in health, feel able now for duty. Saw the flashing of powder along the coast south of us. Supposed to be the fighting of some shipwrecked soldiers from Louisiana and the Mexicans. FEB. 12th Doing nothing but waiting for Genl. Scott to say what we shall do. 25th-In camps quite busy making preparations for to embark for Vera Crus. Drew pay for the month of February $87.50 26th-In camps, bot for my Dear Wife a Chinese Shawl* (fine) gave thirty five dollars for it 27th-Bot some little shoes for Willie and Buddy and a bridle for Ben gave for them $13.25 MARCH 6th Embarked on board of Steamship New Orleans for Vera Cruz. Steamer very crowded 900 men on board. 9th-All hands went ashore and a more magnificent sight I never saw in my life, 11,500 troops were landed on the beach about 6 miles below Vera Cruz in surf boats prepared for that purpose. 10th-Then line of march was taken up. General Worth (?) with his division took his position on the right under a severe fire from the Castle San Juan do Ullen (?) and three other points in town, next Genl. Patterson's division commenced taking position under a heavy and constant fire of cannon, some shirmish fighting. Met with several of my old friends and acquaintances from E.D.S.C, 11th-Second day of the siege. Three Americans killed and 10 wounded. 15th-Sixth day of the siege. I with my company on Pickett guard. Genl. Quitman came to inform me of the battle fought between Genl. Santa Anna and Taylor and the victory of the latter. Mexican forces not less than 20,000 of which 4000 was left dead, and wounded, on the field of battle. American forces 5009 of which 709 was killed, and wounded, all Volunteers except three companies. Our Col. manifested signs of fear, I think. Cold and rainy. 17th-Eighth day of the seige. Troops in fine spirits generally. A salute was fired from the Navy in honor of the Victory achieved by Genl. Taylor over Santa Anna. Took up a man bearing dispatches from Genl. Moralles to the Governor of Vera Cruz regarding men and provisions to he forced across our line into his assistance. 19th-Tenth day of the siege. One man's suspenders shot off of him 2lth-Twelfth day of the siege. Not much sickness among the troops except those who seem disposed to keep themselves out of the dangers of battle. 23rd-Fourteenth day of the siege, our cannon attack is something like ornamental colours added to a perfect figure or picture which cant be bettered by the operation, Al I conclude of no avail Our Navy driven by the enemy from the Castle. ward, marched about one mile and encamped for the night with Arms in hand expecting an attack from Santa Anna, in the rear with 5.000 (?) troops. Genl. Scott was advised of this move by a prisoner taken much damage said to have been done town by our guns. Mexican guns all silenced. 26th-Seventeenth day of the siege. Capitulation proposed by the Mexicans. Firing ceased on both sides. 27th-Eighteenth day of the seige, Commissioners appointed by both parties to negotiate a peace, or rather a surrender of Vera Cruz which was agreed to on both sides. Terms are unconditional surrender of both Town and Castle, to lay down all public property, and leave on a paroll of honor. 29th-Received orders to march on tomorrow to Alverado a dis-tance of about fifty miles from Vera Cruz S.East. The American Flags was raised on the great Castle San Juan Do UIIoa (?) at 2 o'clock, and on the forts and walls of the City Vera Cruz. The soldiers much wrathy in consequence of not having had the privilege granted to them of visiting the town. 31st-Took up the line of march at 8 o'clock A.M. crossed the river following the beach and hard marching indeed. much fatigue and feet blistered at night. Encamped in a beautiful grove of Pallmetto. Saw the greatest curiosity and beauty imaginable a banyan tree. APRIL lst-Took the line of march at 8 o'clock A.M. Georgia Regiment leading by the left flank in formation came to us that Alvarado had surrendered, traveled hard, men much fatigued and feet blistered. 2nd-Marched into the town, Alvarado at 4 o'dock P.M. Found no Mexicans in the place, a very pretty little town, the population of the place is said to be about 2500 inhabitants, so soon as we arrived I was with my company detailed for Police up all night, I was sick of fatigue and sore feet; extremely hot. 3rd-In town all day busy keeping order and then did not do it, visited the church the best and finest building that I have seen in Mexico, received orders to take up the line of march back to Vera Cruz tomorrow, extremely hot, sand flies, mosquitoes and gnats in abundance. 6th-Took up the line of march at 7 o'clock. Arrived in town at 12 o'clock, orders issued for the Army to march in a few days to Jalapa. 7th In camps near Vera Cruz, very hot indeed, made a visit to the Castle San Wan and indeed it is a strong place surely, one hundred and thirty guns and five large mortars mounted and two hondrred more which was not mounted. The Castle I cannot begin to describe, it was commenced in 1602. 8th-In camps near Vera Cruz. l1th-Sunday in camps, tours more pleasant than common, visited the Cathedral, it is a fine church truly, and had seven different characters to worship by these people Mexicans. 12th In camps, drew 33 haversacks and 26 canteens under orders to take up the line of march towards the Cityof Mexico. Got letter from Joseph Heard. 15th-In camps doing nothing, hot, had coat tail cut off, expecting constantly when we will take up the line of march to reinforce the Army now at the National Bridge. l8th-Took up the line of march at 9 o'clock A.M. Marched over some heavy sand, saw some fine old built Spanish bridges, march in much confusion, Encamped after a few fires frcm the enemy at a fine running stream of water about 15 miles from Vera Cruz. 19th-Report reached us that the army was routed by our troops, our loss considerable. Saw Santa Anna's favorite residence, it is a fine looking establishment, Elected one 4th Sgt. and one corp 2nd 2Oth-Took up the line of march at sunrise. Marched 18 miles cross several of the best stone bridges I ever saw, encamued at at the National bridge on the Qntijua River, a strong place, both by nature and by art, Genl. Quitman reported to me the result of the battle fought between Santa Ann and Genl. Scott on the 16th Inst. Our loss 200. Mexican less 2000 killed 4000 prisoners 10,000 stand of small arms, and 23 guns, several officers prisoners of which Lavaga and Herrera (?) were two. Saw them on their way to the states as prisoners of war. 22nd-Took up the line of march at 1 o'clock, passed the battle ground and stronger position for defense certainly cannot be Mexico there I saw more dead men, horses, mules, and wounded men than I have ever before seen, it a picturesque and magnificent scenery I never have seen, a fine paved road and plenty of water, our army took a great number of guns, small arms, waggons, mules and ammunition. Battle ground Sierra Gorda. Saw Genl. Shields he is very low having been shot through with a grape shot, the mountain pass where the battle was fought is at the head of a deep ravine which runs southeast and is not more than fifty yards wide. Encamped on a little mountain stream of pure cool free stone water, have crossed thirteen stone bridges, have marched in sight of a mountain peak (the Orizaba) on our left from Vera Cruz. It had a fine appearance. 23rd-Arrived at Jalapa at 10 o'clock A.M. it is a splendid looking town, closely built in the edge of the mountains, it contains a dense population of fashionable people of the Castilian stock, encamped two miles north of town on a small stream near a cotton factory, built in good style. 27th-In camps doing nothing but eating poor beef and cold water dow cake made of flour, both without salt. MAY 2nd-In camps preparing to take up the line of march, still further into the interior. Got shoes for self and J.P.B. some captured Mexican clothing sent into camps to be divided among the soldiers. 5th In camps waiting for the return train from Vera Cruz to escort it back to Vera Cruz where we will take transportation to the City of New Orleans and U.S.A. to be discharged from the service of the U.S. Received orders to march to Vera Cruz to start on the morning of 7th inst. Friday morning. 7th-Took up the line of march for Vera Cruz, Georgia leading. I very sick all day, was conveyed on a spring waggon encamped at Los Reo only 9 miles from Jalapa. 11th-Arrived at Vera Cruz at 8 o'clock and encamped at Twiggs old camp ground. Volunteers embarking for New York. 12th-Embarked on board the transport steamer Fashion with Genl. Patterson bound for New Orleans. Left my company at Vera Cruz, quite to my reluctance, quite unwell. 13th-On board the Fashion, quite pleasant, still sick, arrived at Tampico at 3 o'clock P.M. making the run in 24 hours. 14th-On board the Fashion, very sick all day, gave Capt. P.S. Brook Santa Anna's Cock gaffs for T. G. Bascom (?) Dr. Davis gave me medicine. 17th-Still on board the Fashion, arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi at 10 o'clock A.M. and well pleased I was to see land belonging to my own Government past a small town name unknown near the mouth. Getting much better, begin to feel well to what I have felt, I hope soon to meet my Dear Wife, children, Parents, relatives and friends after pasing the mouth of the river 35 miles I reached a beautiful construction, Fort, called Fort Jackson standing on both sides of the river, well built. At sun set was 40 miles below New Orleans, saw no more of the country. Some fine sugar plantations below New Orleans, arrived at the great city N.O. at 1 o'clock A.M. on the morning of the 18th. 18th-Found myself in the magnificent Hotel St. Charles, took breakfast, paid my bill and left the St, Charles and sought out a private boarding house, found a good house and that is well kept by Mrs. Luck, bot me a coat and pants put on some clean clothes after taking a bath. 19th-In New Orleans, awaiting the arrival of my company. Bot some beautiful things for my Dear Wife, Dress, bonnet and shoes, hose, handkerchief and gloves for $37.00 Bot Will a pr. of boots, and half hose, sent Tommy and Frank a whip each. Sick. 20th-In New Orleans, making out Discharge Muster Rolls, to have my company discharged as soon as it arrive here. Visited the N.O. grave yard, it covers about 11 acres of land, it is a splendid fitted up place, finest kind of family vaults, handsomely decorated with wreaths and flowers of every description. Sick. 21st-In New Orleans, making discharge rolls completed them 4 in number. Got letter from my Dear Wife written on the 15th inst. Oh!. my Dear God, how bad I feel that I can't go directly to her. 22nd-In New Orleans still waiting the arrival of my company, went up stairs on the St. Charles spire to take a view of the city went up 220 steps 8 inches each step, New Orleans is a fine large and handsome city. Clear and hot, sick. 23rd-in New Orleans anxiously waiting the arrival of my company went to market, early saw a great variety of everything to eat, visited in the afternoon a little village place Carolton where I saw the finest garden that I have ever before seen, a curiosity in a water fountain which kept up all the time a brass ball. Col. Coffee Lt. Col. Earl arrived in N. Orleans. Had chill. 26th-In New Orleans. My Company arrived in New Orleans some of the men, and my friends quite sick. 27th-In New Orleans, very sick, my Company was mustered out of the service of the United States, and paid off. Clear and warm, had a bad spell of cramps pleurisy or something else that I thought would almost kill me suffered much, taken again at night 10 o'clock bad all night. 28th-In New Orleans, very sick all day. Left New Orleans at five o'clock on board the packet Mobile for Mobile. James F. Bailey, John G. Heard, and myself. 29th-Arrived at Mobile at one o'clock P.M. met with my old friend R.G. Cook, left Mobile on the steamboat Amasanth at 7 o'clock bound for Selma. 3lst-Still on board the Amasanth beating along against the current of the Ala. river very slowly, and quite sick. JUNE 1st-Arrived at Selma at ½ past one o'clock A.M. There to my great joy met with many of my friends, which was a meeting long to be remembered by me with feelings of the greatest satisfaction. Got my horse and set out on my way homeward, after having traveled some 12 miles I met through the goodness of God my Dear Wife and children how to contain myself the ballance of the day I knew not, Oh, what a day for me, arrived at home at 9 o'clock A.M. and found things in a much better condition than I expected to have done. Capt. James B. Harrison sent a team to carry my things home which was quite a favour to me, lest my writing and many little valuable things to me. The End *Editor's Note: This shawl is owned by a member of the family. {Also see "Page 24-Mexican War" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 38 From Louisiana to Texas in the Early 1870's By Lena Langford (Editor's note: This is from a letter written by the author in 1928 and given to Addle Whitby Olney who gives permission for its inclusion here. Mrs. Olney is the great-granddaughter of the John Richard Whitby mentioned in the letter. She adds that Lena Langford is the daughter of William Hemphill Langford, born Nov. 13, 1947 in Macon Georgia, died Feb, 23. 1894, buried in Ranger. Texas. and Martha Ann Whitby., born Oct. 23. 1853 in Homer., and died May 8, 1937. also buried in Ranger. Lena Langford died June 10, 1969 in Amarillo, Texas.) John Richard Whitby had three or four brothers and two sisters, Susan and Nancy (I think). He was raised by an uncle near Memphis, Tenn., as their parents died when he was small. He became a cabinet maker, went to Homer, Louisiana where he met and married Harriet Newel Moody, Jan. 1, 1852. One pine chest owned by his son J. Mr. Whitby, is his only work in the family. This was made soon after he was married. They moved from Homer to Atlanta, Ark., awhile before the Civil War. He went to war early, was captured at ______2nd battle in Tenn., taken to Springfield, Ill. where be died of pmeumonia,Mar. to, 1862. The prisoners were taken by boat to Springfield and not allowed any fire on the way. Many of them had frozen fingers and toes. (1) He made a picket fence for a garden soon after he was married and as he had no nails he bored holes with a gimlet and drove in pegs made of chinquapin instead of nails. He helped to build the first house in Homer. It was his ambition to educate his children but after his death his wife who was never strong was overtaxed trying to furnish the barest nocessities for her children of whom the 2 youngest died young. Soon after the close of the Civil War Harriet Newel (Moody) Whitby moved near Minden, La. near hor step-father, Solomon . . . lived there a year or two, then moved to Homer. There about two years then to Ark. on Cornie about 20 miles from Homer, lived there about a year where her daughter Martha Ann married William Hemphill Langford who had moved there from Macon, Ga. This was Sept. 1870. They moved that winter to Summerfield, La. where they lived one year, then in company with Henry Langford and wife Florence and her sisters Rosie and India and brother Gill, they moved to Sabine Co, Texas. Thirteen days on the way, bad roads, much rain, sleet, etc,, caused a hard trip in wagons. William Langford and wife and Harriet N. Whitby and son S. W. in one wagon with a pair of small mules pulling it. Going from Ringo (sic) toward Grantico (sic) one day they got only six miles, camped in open country on Red River. Clear when they camped. Bought two chickens, grandma-Mrs, Whitby-cleaned them for breakfast. Rained and froze during the nite. Grandma and India cooked breakfast next A.M. under an umbrella to keep camp fire from being rained out. That day six miles again, crossed Red River a mile or two below Grantico as crossing there was washed too bad to cross, had a hard time getting up the bank where they did cross as it was so steep, doubled teams, etc. The women walked to some bales of cotton for protection from the wind. There they saw grass burs for the first time, went out a few miles where they camped in woods where trees were breaking from ice. Uncle Henry lived in Ark. By letter they agreed to meet in Minden, La. Uncle Henry went through Minden and camped in the edge. William and family passed him not knowing they were there so traveled nearly a day trying to catch him then J. W. rode back to find him. My mother, Mrs, Martha Ann, walked quite a lot and bad put on new wool stockings-hand knitted, of course-to start with. They scratched her so she told them the first camp she must have cotton ones it the wagons had to be unloaded. She never wore wool ones any more. I have seen my grandmother pick cotton, then pick out seeds by hand, card and spin it into yarn, then knit stockings of it. . . They camped in the piney woods one nite in La. and raked big piles of pine needles for beds. Said they were fine with a bed (quilt?) put on them. They were so heavily loaded they hired part of the load hauled from Grantico on to Milam, Texas where they rented land on the Davis plantation. They made one crop I think there and I was born there Jan.22, 1872... FOOTNOTES: 1. Later John Richard Whitby wrote: "The Yankee boys do try to be good to us but they just don't have the provisions to work with." A.W. Olney ********** Page 40 The Old Military Road in Old Claiborne Parish By David Lee Fry (Editor's note: This paper was prepared by the author when he was studying under Morgan Peoples at Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, It is printed here with the permission of the author and the instructor. In 1827 and 1828, the United States Army constructed a road through the wilderness to connect Fort Jessup on the lower Red River near Natchitoches with Fort Towson on the upper Red River in Oklahoma. This Military Road was used to carry supplies from Fort Jessup to Fort Towson. Natchitoches was the head of navigation on the Red River at that time and goods had to be carried overland from there to Fort Towson. This was the first road to be cut through what is now Claiborne Parish. The road ran by the home of John Murrell, who was the first settler in what is now Claiborne Parish. Early settlers recalled that soldiers and recruits passing to and from Fort Towson stole every thing of small value that they could lay their hands on such as bells,whetstones, chickens, geese, and even a pet deer from John Murrell's yard. Old Claiborne Parish was created in 1828 out of Northern Natchitoches Parish and was bounded by Ouachita Parish on the east, by the Red River on the west, by the Arkansas Territory on the north, and on the south by a line dividing townships 13 and 14 crossing the old Military Road at what was then Boggy Branch and touching the Red River at or near East Point. (1) Between 1830 and 1838 another road was built branching off the Military Road at Dixie Bayou in Northern Claiborne Parish and ran southwest through what became Blackburn, Germantown, and on to reach Dorcheat Bayou at Overton, which was near what is Minden today. In 1846, a small settlement sprung up near Dixie Bayou at the junction of the Military Road and the road leading to Overton. In 1848, a young Georgian named James C. Taylor settled there, opened a store and dug a public water well. The community then came to be known as Taylor's Store. The name of the town was later changed to Haynesville. This town or "Old Haynesville" was about one mile south of the present town of Haynesville which was created about 1898 when the railroad came through. The Military Road formed the north-south main street of "Old Haynesville". (2) There are few signs of "Old Haynesville" left today consisting of the cemetery, the private Taylor cemetery, two houses, and a small stream which was once Dixie Bayou- The deep roadcuts of the Old Military Road and the Overton Road are still visible in the undergrowth nearby. (3) The Hammack House, a hewn log structure, stood for more than a century and was exactly on the state line between Louisiana and Arkansas in both Claiborne Parish and Columbia County. The house was built on the Military Road between Haynesville, Louisiana, and Magnolia, Arkansas. The house was built between 1838 and 1840 by William Hammack. Hammack owned land on both sides of the state line and so decided to build his house exactly on the state line. The family said "We eat in Louisiana and sleep in Arkansas." This could be said because the house was separated by a hall with the kitchen in Louisiana and the bed rooms in Arkansas. The house was surrounded by a beautiful tree-studded park with half in Louisiana and half in Arkansas. Hammack was a successful trader of livestock and often bragged of his abilities as a "boss trader." The marriage of his daughter, Catherine, to William Joel Rushton in 1855 was talked about for a generation afterward. Hammack planned the wedding which lasted for three days with 300 guests, festivities, barbecued beef, mutton, venison. wild turkey, and other refreshments. This was one of the largest weddings ever held in the locality. In 1861, Hammaek sold his house and property, gave part of the money to his three daughters.. joined the Union Army and was never heard from again. In 1863, Rev. Samuel Beckett, a Methodist Minister, was deeded the house from J. M. Holland, who who had acquired it from Hammack in 1861. For many years young couples from Louisiana would come to the house to be married in the Arkansas side of the house by Rev. Beckett because at that time, Arkansas did not require a marriage license for a couple to be wed, Rev. Beckett's descendants occupied the house until 1950 when it was torn down. (4) Little or no sign remains of the house today but the cut of the Old Military Road can still be seen. Other sites which were on or near the Old Military Road and were visited in the search for material to use in this paper were the old town of Langston which no longer exists and Holly Springs Baptist Church which is nearly a century old. The deep cut of the Old Military Road is visible in nearly all of these spots even though it is not in use anymore and has usually grown up so thick that one has to be right on it before realizing that it is even there. (5) The Old Military Road has played its part in North Louisiana history and especially Claiborne Parish history and has now settled to rest in the seclusion of the North Louisiana piney woods. FOOTNOTES: 1 D. W. Harris and B.M. Hulse, Ths History of Claiborne Parish Louisiana, New Oreans, 1886, p.55. 2 Margueritte Garland Nation. "Old Haynesville Town." Historic Claiborne 1962, Claiborne Parish Historical Association - 1962), p. 62-69. 3 Visit made by author of this paper to site. 4 Margueritte Garland Nation. ''The State Line House and the Marrying Parson." Historic Claiborne, 1965 Claiborne Parish Historical Association, 1965, p. 54-95 5 Visit made by author of this paper to site. BIBLIOGRAPHY Harris, D. W. and Hulse, B. M., The History of Claiborne Parish Louisiana. New Orleans: W. B. Stanshury and Co., 1886. Nation, Margueritte Garland, "Old Haynesville Town," Historic Claiborne 1962 Homer, Louisiana: Claiborne Parish Historical Association, 1962. Nation, Margueritte Garland, "The State Line House and the Marrying Parson,' Historic Claiborne, 1965. Homer, Louisiana: Claiborne Parish Historical Association. 1965. ********** Page 42 The Claiborne Parish Court House By Lloyd C. Sims, Jr. Editor's note: This paper was prepared when the author was a student at Louisiana Polytechnic Institute under Morgan Peoples. Appreciation is here by expressed to the author and to Mr. Peoples for making it available for publication. "The Board then proceeded to take up the subject of building a new Court House, the present one having been previously condemned by the public." (1) From this Police Jury meeting on Monday, October 4, 1858 plans were made which ultimately led to the construction of the present facility known as the Claiborne Parish Court House. Little did this body assembled realize the contribution they were making to the parish for generations to come. Creation of Claiborne Parish The Parish of Natchitoches was one of the original seventeen govrnmental subdivisions established by Act No. 1 of the Louisiana General Assembly for the year 1807. It comprised substantially all of Northwest Louisiana. In 1828 the parish of Claiborne was created out of what was then Natchitoches Parish. (2) The parish boundaries were set as follows: "That all that portion of territory beginning on the East bank of the Red River about 50 miles Northwest of the town of Natchitoches, at the Northern boundary of Township 12, thence East to the dividing line between Ranges 3 and 4 West, thence along said line which shall form the Western boundary of the parish of Ouachita, North to the Arkansas territory, thence West to the main branch of the Red River, and descending the same to beginning, is erected into a new parish to be called the parish of Claiborne." (3) Early Government The parish named in honor of William Charles Cole Claiborne, the first governor of the State of Louisiana, administered its first parochial government from the home of John Murrell, one of the early settlers. Murrell's house was constructed the same year that the parish was created, and it stood on the old military road which passed through Claiborne Parish. (4) Russellville, located about a mile north of the present village of Athens, became the second seat of justice as the arrangement at Murrell's home was only temporary. A rude court house and ruder jail were erected, and in the old jail several of the white and black desperadoes of the period were confined. In 1836 the parish seat was moved to Overton, and Russeliville soon after fell into decay. Overton was the setllement for a port or landing on Bayou Dorcheat near the present city of Minden. (5) When the first three seats of government were established, Claiborne Parish then included all of the present parishes of Bienville, Bossier, and Webster, and sections of Jackson, Lincoln, and Red River Parishes. The year 1843 brought the creation of Bossier Parish from Claiborne Parish, and following similarly in 1845, the Parish of Jackson was carved out of Claiborne. (6) Owing to unhealthy location and the general desire for change, Overton was deserted in 1846, and Old Athens selected as the official center of the parish. Reducing the size of Claiborne considerably was the formation of the parish of Bienville in 1848. A fire probably of incendiary origin consumed the public building and records at Old Athens during the night of November 6, 1849. This suspicion becomes more meaningful when one learns that on September 1, 1849, just two months and five days before the fire, the parish of Claiborne had obtained a patent from the United States covering 120 acres of land on which was subsequently located the county seat and town of Homer. (7) The same year the seat of justice was established at Homer. A very primitive board building was at once erected, and there, in September, of that year, Judge Roland Jones opened court, with Allen Harris, sheriff, and W. C. Copes, clerk. During the winter of 1849-50 a substantial brick building was erected for public purposes, and there-in, in the fall of 1850, the same judge, sheriff, and clerk opened court. Therefore, the oldest record of the police jury is dated November 12, 1849, since the records of the previous twenty-one years had been destroyed with the court house at Old Athens during the fire on November 6, 1849. (8) Soon afterward, the parish seat was moved to its present location of Homer approximately ten miles northward from the fire-consumed structure at Old Athens. The Town of Homer was incorporated in the year 1850. Messrs. Cotter and Kiligore, contractors, commenced the construction of a new court house. In January, 1855, a committee was appointed to receive the court house from the contractors. Authorization of the final payment took place on June 5, 1855. (9) About the year 1857, this court house which had been built at so much cost, for a new country, began to show signs of decay. Huge cracks opened in the walls, giving sure indication of an impending disaster. The police jury saw the danger, and the people being able and willing, the building was taken down, and with its remains were built a strong fire-proof office. (10) The committee appointed on January 5, 1858, to employ someone to repair the building had reported that the court house could not be adequately repaired and had, therefore, been condemned in the ordinance of October 4, 1858. This same ordinance also authorized the letting of bids for a new court house, and it is particularly interesting because the detailed specifications it contained were not in the least bit followed in the erection. Specifications far the Court House Some of the specifications were brought out in the records of this October 4, 1858, meeting. Act. No. 1 stated, "A wood Court-House, framed, forty-two feet wide by fifty-two feet long; ten feet for gallery and stairway added on the North end, making the entire building sixty-two feet; the foundation to be that of the old Court-House, and the first floor to be about as high as the present window sills; the court room to be on the first floor, which room is to be sixteen feet between floor and ceiling and circled inside with draped ceiling; the second story to be divided into four rooms, with two passages ten feet wide, running east and west and north and south, and eleven feet between floors; the front to he finished with four columns and stairway complete; the roof hipped and covered with heart-pine shingles." (11) Two additional buildings were mentioned in later specificatiohs as one was to house the book recorder's office and the other was to be a brick Clerk's office. Both were to be fireproof so the parish records could be saved in ease of another fire. (12) A committee composed of D. Neely, the president, Isaac Murrell,J. R. Ramsey, and J. M. Prestidge, all members of the police jury, was appointed to contract and let out the building of the Court House and two fireproof offices, and to superintend the building of the same. This was Act No.6 of the following day, October 5, 1858 B. D. Harrison attested with his signature as clerk of court. (13) W. C. Crutcher, a local contractor, was employed for the purpose of building these facilities. However, politics entered into the picture then as it does today because, in the year 1860, a new police jury was installed, and the original building committee was succeeded by a new committee composed of J. G. Warren, the president, Seaborn Gray, N. W. Peters, and W. L. Oaks, all members of the police jury J. R. Ramsey, one of the members of the original committee to build a new court house, was now clerk, and he attested to this Act. No. 10 of the police jury session on June 4, 1860. (14) On July 20,1861, a report was rendered by the building committee which stated that the keys to the building had been accepted and the contractor relieved of any further responsibility. The police jury session of September 3rd. of that year made a detailed settlement with W. C.Crutcher, the contractor. This settlement showed that the original contract price of the court house was $11,445.00, but that changes and alterations in the original plans had raised the final cost to the sum of $12,304.30. A few of the changes which caused the cost to be somewhat higher included, "Four extra columns, hauling dirt and cleaning of yard, two door shutters, graining and painting same, hinges and butts for same, hanging window blinds, three seats in court room. and the interest on the first as well as the second draft to date." Recorded also in the same police jury meeting was that the account and accompanying account was to be received and approved and published with the proceedings of this meeting. (15) During the conclusion of this meeting, Act. No. 12 of the session was passed. It stated, "The President was authorized to advertise and let out at the lowest bidder the enclosing of the Court House with a fence like the original one, and all the railing and steps fit for use in the old fence to be used in the new one." (16) Since the court house has been in continuous service with verv few major repairs except during the first few months of 1964, it has served its parish well in excess of 106 years. This may well be considered one of the best investments in the history of the parish. The Actual Building Descriptions of the court house vary according to the way one views the building. Local public minded leaders remind one that the center of Homer is dominated by the beautiful court house, seat of Claiborne Parish government since 1860, and one of the oldest public buildings in continuous use in the State. To these interested citizens this antebellum edifice is a classic example of Greek revival architecture and is a symbol of the town and parish. (17) Parish officials proclaim the present substantial and classic building is one of the most impressive antebellum public buildings in the entire state, A square brick edifice, two stories high with a wide surrounding colonade supported by twenty massive columns, was considered, at the time it was built, the finest structure in all North Louisiana. (18) The first project of the Claiborne Parish Historical Association was to place a state historic marker on the court house ground. This marker, erected by the Department of Commerce and Industry in 1957, presents another description: CLAIBORNE PARISH COURT HOUSE Built in 1860, this antebellum building was the point of departure for Confederate Troops during the War Between the States. It is one of the finest examples of Southern expression of Greek Architectural style. Historians have revealed the fact that the court house did not always appear originally the way opinion has had it. The fact was that the court house was of red brick with white columns and green blinds at the windows on the lower floor. The windows were larger than those now in the building, and the panes of glass were smaller. The original windows were replaced by the smaller ones with four large panes. Cut-outs in the original window frames show where the blinds were hung. (20) No matter how one describes this structure, it is a classic example of Greek revival architecture, and this remains the dominant factor in the characteristics of the court house today. More especially it is one of the finest remaining evidences of the Southern expression of this architectural movement. (21) The lines of the building and floor plans originally designed are remarkably simple and utilitarian. The lower floor, was originally divided into four corner rooms by crossing hallways running north and south and east and west. Arranging the building in this manner with the substantial overhang of the roof made for maximum coolness which was particularly needed during the summer months which are often long, hot, and dry. Recent years have brought about the sealing of the east-west hallway preceeding the 1964 renovation which closed up the north-south hallway. Accordingly, this has detracted from the original beauty and symmetry of the building, but modernization efforts to make the building still useful and more comfortable have to be considered in order to keep the governmental offices at this location. The district court had use of the second floor exclusively, which contained a large courtroom covering approximately three forths of the entire floor space. An office for the district judge, a hallway, and a jury room spanned the portion of this floor facing northward. One gained entrance to the upper floor by the use of stairways on the north and south sides. (22) Surmounted by an old belfry which was used in former times to signal the meetings of court and other activities of community importance, the design was completed. Fearing that decay of the timbers which supported it would cause the bell to fall through to the floor beneath, it was removed many years ago, ending an era of calling the inhabitants of the surrounding countryside. A memory in the minds of older citizens is the only trace this worthy custom has left. (23) The base appears to be a perfect square, but in actuality it is a rectangle. North and south measures 63 feet in comparison to 53 feet east and west. Twenty massive columns support the roof overhang of approximately 12½ feet in each direction. The spacing of these columns is slightly closer together on the north and south sides than on the east and west sides thus creating the illusion of a square. Columns and walls of the structure were constructed of bricks manufactured in kilns located nearby. The timbers, as legend has it, are said to have been hewn from trees felled in Middlefork Bottom, some eight or nine miles north of Homer.(24) In the beginning the court house lawn included forty feet more in all directions than it does now. With the growth of the city, the widening of the main streets for easier traffic circulation and better parking spaces have reduced the size of the lawn tremendously. Mak-ing the appearance of the court house "square,' more complete are the old picturesque oak trees surrounding it and enhancing its beauty. Renovation also has altered these trees to some extent, but the faithful gray squirrels which make these trees their home continue to exist as the progeny of three pairs of these animals, whose ancestors' were presented by the Parish of Caddo to Claiborne Parish. (25) The 1964 Renovation The Claiborne Parish Police Jury after much deliberation and consideration decided in the year 1963 for a total renovation of the court house. On June 5th. of that year, a Uniform Contract for Architectural and Engineering Service was provided upon the request of the Police Jury by Scott Yeager and Associates, 201 Lee Street, Alexandria, Louisiana. Titled, "RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS, CLAIBORNE PARISH COURTHOUSE, HOMER, LOUISIANA," the estimated construction cost was $106,607.88, which included the 10% to be paid to the architect engineer. Bids were taken after this date by the Police jury. In the first round the bids were all too high, but a second round produced one which was accepted. Frank C. Barron, General Contractor. P 0. Box 189, Farmerville, Louisiana, was the winning bidder. On January 15, 1964, a contract was drawn up tifled, "SPECIFICATIONS FOR ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO CLAIBORNE PARISH COURT HOUSE, HOMER, LOUISIANA." The contract called for completion of the work within 180 consecutive days with a $25.00 a day penalty for delayed work. Signing the contract with Frank C Barron was Efliot O'Rear, president of the Police Jury, and represent of that body. Total cost read $118,219.00 Approved May 14, 1964, was Change Order Number One (No. 1) which included: No. 1 2" Empty Conduit for Sheriff's Office $ 88.00 No. 2 Toilet Rooms on Lower Level outside. 2,800.00 No. 3 Second floor Aprilair Humidifier 195.00 No 4 Benches for Second floor Courtroom 1.858.93 ________ $4,941.93 This change added to the contract price of $118,249.00, increased the renovation and repair cost to the total of $123.162.93. over ten times the cost of building the original structure. During the summer months of 1964, as the completition of tht court house took place, the various offices housed in the present structure moved back to their remodeled homes. On september 9, 1964. the Police Jury record reads, "Upon motion, duly seconded and seconded, the Police Jury accepted the renovation of the Claiborne Parish Court House as substantially complete and authorized its presidend Mr. Elliot O'Rear, to sign the acceptance. In general, the style of the court house was preserved as well as could be expected for the building to remain adequate far the main governmental offices of the parish. Southern expression of the Greek revival architectural movement can still he captured with a glance at the renovated court house. Renovations and Repairs The lower floor which had originally consisted of four corner rooms and later changed with the closing of the east and west hallway, again was revised with the north and south hallway closed by double doors at each end. The west side of this floor was made into the offices of the parish sheriff. One large room for general office duties such as the paying of taxes and selling hunting licenses was created. In the center of these offices is the radio room which houses equipment for communications. A small interrogation room is connected by a hallway to the sheriff's private office in back. Opposite this hallway are the offices of the registrar of voters and the tax assessor. Facilities for maintainence of the building are in the dividing room on this east side. The upper floor still contains the district court and its large courtroom which has been cut down somewhat by making an entrance room into it from the south side. This allows for the court proceedings to continue and not be constantly interrupted by those entering from the outside stairways on the south while court is in session. The benches now have replaced the old theater-type seats and this makes for a more pleasing appearance. Although definitely making for a more attractive courtroom, the former seating capacity was greater than it is now. Everything is of a new and modern nature including red carpeting and white louvered shutters in the windows which particularly enhance the benches with their dark wood. This elegance has been carried out to such an extent that one would hardly realize that the outer shell of the original building has stood the test of time. The northern one-fourth of this floor still provides office space for the district judge, a small library, and a hallway leading into a room where awaiting prisoners are held. Stairs on both north and south ends have always been steep, narrow, and wooden steps, and one felt after climbing them, almost straight up. These have been replaced by wider steps with a landing about half way for a "rest period" if one requires it to finish the task remaining. From the numerous changes that have taken place, it is easy to see that the entire body of the old court house was destroyed, and only the shell of the original building left standing, Cleaning down to the original bricks and plaster took place not only on the walls of the building but also on the columns. As for the roof, the first beams were checked and replaced only if there was an unrepairable damage. Otherwise smaller repairs were made, and a new roof was added. Full window-length black shutters were placed on the outside windows of both floors which completes the graceful picture. The lawn surrounding the court house has also been improved to make for a more imposing scene. The oak trees have been trimmed of their overhanging branches, but the squirrels have reappeared to their former homes after an exodus in early 1964. The air conditioning unit on the north side of the square was enclosed in a brick wall of white so as not to detract any more than necessary. A water sprinkling system in the yard itself helps the custodian to keep green grass without natural rain. New and wider sidewalks with proper drainage lead out from all directions to keep traffic from moving on the grass, and a wide sidewalk enveloping the entire outer lawn prevents parking motorists from stepping on the grass as they place their money in the new parking meters. Four large spotlights on the sides make the scene at night quite impressive. Viewing the court house from the south or east, one still notes the statue to the Confederate soldiers from the parish, while the historical marker attracts interest to the north or west side. The look has been changed quite drastically in comparison with the originally designed structure, but the sentimentality will always remain. Truly a historic landmark in Louisiana, the court house will continue to bring curious and interested visitors to inspect the past, living today. If history will have it as such, this court house must long be preserved not only for its entrinsic beauty, but also for the cherished tradition which future generations surely will enjoy as past ones have, and the present one does. FOOTNOTES: 1. Claiborne Parish Police Jury Record Bock No. 1, p. 108. 2. Act. No. 42 of the Louisiana General Assembly, 1828. 3. Ibid. 4. The Southern Publishing Company Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, p. 382. 5. Ibid., p. 383. 6. Ibid., p. 384. 7. J. Fair Hardin, Northwestern Louisiana, a History of the Water Shed of the Red River 1714 to 1937, p. 96. 8. The Southern Publishing Company. bc. cit. 9. Ibid., p. 385. 10. D. W. Harris and B. M. Hulse, The History of Claiborne Parish, p. 42. 11. Claihorne Parish Police Jury Record Book No, 1, p. 108. 12. Ibid., p. 109. 13. Ibid., p. 110. 14. Ibid., p. 131. 15, Ibid., p. 149. 16. Ibid., p. 150. 17. Homer Chamber of Commerce. "Presenting Facts oi Homer, Louisiana." p. 1. 18. Claiborne Par Planning Board, Claiborne Par Resources and Facilities, p 8. 19. The North La Historical Association, "Newsletter, November, 1964." p. 2. 20. Claiborne Parish Historical Association. Historic Claiborne. p. 108. 21. Claiborne Parish Historical Association. Claiborne Parish Sketches, p. 14. 22. Ibid. 23. Ibid., p. 15 24. Ibid. 25. Ibid. BIBLIOGRAPHY Barber, Howard I. Personal Interview, Homer, Louisiana. February 6, 1968. Claiborne Parish Historical Association. Claiborne Parish Sketches, Homer, Louisiana, 1956. ___________________________ Historic Claiborne, Homer, Louisiana, 1962. Claiborne Parish Planning Board. Claiborne Parish Resources and Facilities, April 1, 1948. Claiborne Parish Police Jury Record Book No 1, Homer, Louisiana, 1858. Hardin, S. Fair. Northwestern Louisiana, a Histiory of the Water Shed of the Red River 1714 to 1937, The Historical Record Association. Shreveport, 1939. Harris, D. W. and Hulse, B. M. The History of Claiborne Perish, Press of W. B. Stanshury & Co., New Orleans, 1886. Homer Chamber of Commerce, "Presenting Fact.' of Homer, Louisiana." 1968. The Northwest Louisiana Historical Association, "Newsletter, November, 1964," Volume 5, Number 1. The Southern Publishing Company. Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, Nashville. 1890. {Also see "Page 43-Courthouse" and "Page 46-Clerk of Court" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 53 Proud Inheritance By Jane Tenery Editor's note: This article first appeared in the North Louisiana Historical Association's NEWSLETTER, vol. 8 no. 4, Midsummer Bonus Issue, 1968. It is reprinted here with the permission of the author and of the NEWSLETTER. In the spring of 1818 John Murrell, his wife Margaret, and their six children left Tennessee with a hundred dollars in cash and a few household goods, moving west in search of a new home. They settled on land later organized as Claiborne Parish in 1828. John Murrell was the first white man to settle permanently in this area of Louisiana. Their first stop was at Long Prairie in Arkansas Territory. On a trip into Louisiana a short time later to buy cattle, John Murrell met the Isaac Aldens, a pioneer couple, who urged Murrell to bring his family and settle in an empty cabin near them. Upon returning to his camp on the Red River with his newly acquired stock, Murrell found his family sick with fever. He decided to move to a healthier climate as soon as the children were able to travel, The deserted cabin on the Natchitoches trail, suggested by the Aldens, proved to be the place in which he finally made his home in 1819. The original homeplace of the Murrells was a 320 acre tract of land. It remains intact today, passed down to the fourth and fifth generations. There were three John Murrells in the family. The pioneer settler, John Murrell Senior had six children. One was John Junior, who was six years old when his father brought him to Louisiana. John Junior had five children, including John III, and William Columbus. William Columbus had four daughters. Two of his children, Mrs. Bessie Gray and Mrs. Albert Allen, live today in Homer, Louisiana. It is from their letters, newspaper clippings, and personal memories that the following is written. John Murrell's home was the center of all early activity in northwest Louisiana. The first church, a Baptist denomination was organized there by James Brison from Ouachita Parish in 1822. (1) He was assisted by Arthur McFarland. Thereafter monthly services were conducted. The first election held in the area was also conducted there, and the first court session in the Claiborne area was held in the Murrell Housu in 1828. (2) The first post office was placed here, and John was appointed the first postmaster by Postmaster General John McLean in 1827. (3) This famous old house was constructed hand-hewn logs, dove-tailed to fit (and so) free from nails that would later rust in the humid climate. It was never painted throughout its long and fruitful existence. Legends have grown up about it through the years. Many of them pertain to the activity of Confederate soldiers who hid from Union patrols during the Civil War. The basement concealed many of the Johnny Rebs, cared for and hidden by the master and mistress of the Murrell house. Slowly, through the years after the War Between the States, the new generation of Murrells left the homestead to establish homes of their own and eventually the house was abandoned. It was occupied from time to time by Negro tenants who usually removed as soon as they could find new quarters because they could not stand living "where them soldier 'hants' keep marching through." (4) Today the cellar is all that remains of the old Murrell homeplace. Mrs. Bessie Murrell Gray and Mrs. Maude Murrell Allen, the daughters of William Columbus Murrell, rcmember the house as it was when they were children, for it was a second home to them then. Mrs. Allen describes the house: "It was a two-story structure with eighteen rooms. They were rather small. On each side of the house were chimneys for the fireplaces on both floors. The chimneys were native stone; some of the rocks are now in the fireplace at the Homer American Legion Hut. Long porches reached all the way across the front, upstairs and down." (5) The year 1896 was an election year at the National level. Like most North Louisianians, the Murrells took their politics seriously, but an event occurred which to them overshadowed the screaming of politicians declaring the United States must stop the flow of gold from the country. (6) That was the year William Columbus lost the solid gold watch which had belonged to his brothers. He always wore the watch with its heavy gold chain across the front of his vest from one pocket to the other. Always, that is, until this day in 1896 when he decided to take the girls to the fair. The train ran from Homer to Gibsiand, and then to Shreveport. Somewhere out of Gibsiand he discovered that a pick-pocket had stolen his watch. The thief probably never knew the great loss his nimble fingers caused the family to suffer, The story of that gold watch began during the War Between the States. Ed Merritt, a young colored slave, was sent to war with John III and Perry, sons of John Murrell Junior, to look after them. Early in September, 1862, all three of them were in Maryland when the battle of Sharpsburg, known in the North as Antietam, began on the 16th and lasted through the l7th. (7) On the morning of the 17th, when the brothers were preparing to leave camp to move to Sharpsburg, one of them (in later years Ed could not remember which one) gave the slave the watch and told him, "Take this home to Papa; I feel we will not be back." That night, after the battle, Ed went onto the field and turned over hundreds of dead in order to see their faces, but he was not able to find his young masters. He then trudged slowly homeward, taking the better part of a year to arrive there. (8) A letter from R. A. Smith, a cousin who went to war with John and Perry, tells in very vivid language the story of what happened after they left Ed that morning: "Little John Murrell, Perry's brother was killed at Sharpsburg, Pa. (Md?) Sept. 7, 1862 (He is mistaken about the date.) Perry was wounded in the face having one eye blinded in the same battle. Ed could not find either of them....gathered up our things and come (sic) home. So we three were at home in the Spring of 1863 . . .(9) The last we beard of Perry was when he crossed the stone fence about Cemetery Ridge (Gettysburg, July 3, 1863) in charge of Picket's Bregade . . . After the war, cousin John Murrell took Ed Merritt and they went North to every cemetery and every hospital they could find, but they never got any trace of either of the boys, Perry or John Murrell." (10) The New Orleans CRESCENT, on July 20, 1866, printed a list of the Louisiana dead at the Batfle of Sharpsburg. The artile was a request for families to go for bodies of their sons so the land could be cultivated. "The owners Of the land cannot be prevented from plowing over them. This they have done, and committed outrages of which I dare not write. In the fall, all of the bodies will be removed from the battlefield, and buried in a general cemetery, After they have been removed, it will be impossible to identify the bodies, so all who wish their dead must take them at once." (11) Perry Murrell, as well as his brother John, was listed as one of those whose graves were located. How happy it must have made John Junior to think that he had at least an opportunity to bury his boys. What disappointment he must have suffered shortly, when he received a reply to his letter, from a Mr. Aaron Good, in September, 1866. Mr. Good explained that he had given the list of the wounded as well as the dead to a Mary McKenzie of Charleston, South Carolina. She had erred in having both lists published as dead. He did not know the whereabouts of Perry's body. In closing, Mr. Good wrote, "I think it almost impossible to buy a piece of ground where they are hurried (sic) as it belongs to minor Heirs (sic)." (12) Education was important to all the Murrells. In 1822. John hired the first school teacher. James Ashburner, at a salary of fifteen dollars a month, to teach in his home in Claiborne Parish. (13) John Murrell was determined to provide ample schooling for his children, an opportunity not enjoyed by his wife Margaret. When she signed the first deed on record in the parish it was necessary for her to sign with an "X". But the tradition which her husband began was to be followed faithfully. When John Junior fell out with the Baptist Church and joined the Christian Church, he sent his son William Columbus to a school in Arkansas operated by the Disciples of Christ. William Columbus was so named by his father, "In order to give him a good name, in case he never makes one for himself." William's wife, Eliza Bridgeman, also had the very best education available. She and her brother first went to the Arizona Seminary, a fine school in Claiborne Parish, to the famous Louisiana educator, James W. Nicholson. After the Homer Masonic Female Institute was founded, she was able to return there, where she had another well-known educator T S. Sligh as a professor. Self-reliance and independence of action characterized Bessie Murrell even as a child. Those were the days when to educate children properly, parents had to board them out in a town with a school. Usually, they could go home for the week-end, and usually they kept a horse in town to ride home, or a servant would bring the buggy for them. Although the parish public school system developed during the 1890's, it was still necessary for the young Murrell girls to live in town during the week. Bess smiled rather ruefully while recalling some of their experiences. "We usually had to board at a different home every year because I was such a terror," she said. Summer never meant an end to school. Not all of the families in the community could afferd the expense or necessary loss of labor to send their children to town. Therefore, they made up a collection to hire a teacher for two months during the summer. Barefooted, and wearing loose, light cotton dresses, running and chasing one another to wherever school was being held, the Murrell sisters continued their education. At times it was across Cyprus Creek, at other times it was in the Curry Community. At Curry's, later changed to Bethlehem Church, Bessie remembers one teacher especially well: "Miss Willie Camp, from Old Haynesville, used to take us outside to a branch under the hill for our geography lessons. There we made peninsulas, islands, and the shape of the continents of the earth. Those lessons have stayed with me to this day." (15) In 1896 Louisiana's Governor was Murphy J. Foster, the only man except for its present Governor John MeKeithen to serve two successive terms of office. In New Orleans the Choctaw Club or "Old Regulars" was formed to control politics under the leadership of Martin Behrman. In Winn Parish the Populist Party began as a reform movement with a "radical" platform which included woman's suffrage, an income tax, and an eight-hour day. The Populists joined with the Democrats to nominate William Jennings Bryan as their candidate for the presidency. Free and unlimited coinage of silver was one of the main planks in the Democratic platform. In Homer, J. W. Smith began publication of THE CLIPPER. As editor and publisher in his first issue of the newspaper he deplored the steady decline of silver since the Civil War, and he took a strong stand for William Jennings Bryan, as opposed to Marcus Hanna, "the William McKinley organ grinder", who with the "Palmer monkey" was grinding out salmon-colored songs. (17) To add to the economic worries of the citizens of Homer, Louisiana, two large banks in New Orleans failed when their officers embezzled funds. Extreme drought and antipathy toward government aid intensified the election issues. Miss Grace McFarland, a former Homerite and great granddaughter of Arthur McFarland, was asked if she recalled the drought of 1896 and she replied: "Recall it, I guess I do! But it was more like '95 and '96. The people in the state of Iowa, I think it was, sent us a train car load of corn. Major Beardsly had built a railroad from up in Arkansas to Natchitoches-I remember that too. Brother was thirteen or fourteen and he would take buttermilk down and sell it to the men working on the railroad. About the I stood and watched Major Beardsly take out eighteen barrels of it to pay for the shipping costs on his line. We'd always been used to white corn and this was yellow-how we hated it-but we ate that yellow meal. Of course we've found out since it is better for us. I guess that what we hated most of all was not being able to do for ourselves. Southern people have always been stuck up and proud." (18) Reports of attempts to control the elections were widely circulated. The CLIPPER continued to contain tirades against the opposition: "If McKinleyism predominates in this campaign, it is folly for the people to expect to get relief even through the ballot box. There is no mistaking the fact that the people have the greatest leader known in the whole history (Bryan) or that is likely ever to be known, and if with him we fail to win we had better lay our voting armor down." (19) Advocates for the free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 decided to promote a parade to higlight the campaign in Homer. Sixteen young ladies were diosen to wear white dresses, to represent the silver, but no one was willing for a parade to be tainted with the "Capitalist McKinley Crowd" by wearing a gold dress. With emotions at such a high pitch, it is easy to understand why a refined young lady would hestitate to represent the gold. But if there was to be a parade, someone had to do it. A courageous and high- spirited young lady of twelve, Bessie Murrell, agreed. The dress she wore was not really gold; it was of yeflow material and made on the style of a mother hubbard, very similar to some of the dresses worn by young girls today. (20) Before moving into town in 1909, the family of William Columbus Murrell attended church at Coal Springs. It was a Baptist Church named for a spring which gushed from a bed of coal in the hil upon which it stood, After services, while their elders visited in the church yard, the children would amuse themselves by climbing the hill and pulling out layers of the coal to throw at one another. Among Bessie's family papers is an incomplete history of the church, written by an Aunt Mollie Ford. The following are only a few of her many lively reminiscences: "Among the fast growing pines of the forest in a partially obscured portion of Claiborne Parish there stands a lonely deserted baptist meeting house. This house was built in 1874, now (1914) 38 years ago. The church was organized in 1862 and was first called Bethel. . .In 1865 the name was changed to Coal Springs; because there was thought to be a vein of coal in the nearby hills from which runs the little spring branch that filled the pool that was used for baptizing. "There were about 190 baptisms on record and 75 exclusions. There were many restorations, but it was so often the same person in and out-in and out that we couldn't tell gain or loss. "The last sermon that was preached in the old house was on the last day of the meeting of the last month of the year 1876. J. W. Melton preached (from the) text: "The harvest is passed, summer is ended and I am not saved." Then the heavy snow crushed the old building to the ground 2 weeks later. "Once during a regular church conference, the subject of paying the pastor was being discussed. One brother said that six bits a day is what he bad to pay a hired hand to work and that he thought six bits a day would do for the preacher." (21) The yellowed, tattered pages are numbered and end abruptly at page ten. On a cold but sunny afternoon in December, Bessie took her neighbor to see the old Murrell graveyard, the first in the parish. It is about six miles west of Homer on the Germantown Road. In 1958. the Homer Chapter of the Claiborne Parish Historical Association placed a mrker by the side of this road. To the left of the marker is a road which leads to the cemetery. Enclosed by a fence of barbed wire, loose and in some places broken, are the graves of the Murrells who first made this land their home, John Senior and his wife Margaret. The graves are mounded to a height of about four feet and covered with native rock. Two large stones originally at the front have fallen and are partly buried in the earth. Three tablets of marble still remain as reminders that other Murrells lie there; one is black and broken but still readable. "Sacred to the memory of John Murrell Sr. Who died Jan. 25th, 1847. Age 63 year's and 5 days. His creed was, Faith, Hope and Charity." The graves of the Murrells are surrounded by those of Negroes's, some of whom were slaves and some of whom have died in recent years. Many of these have white-washed concrete or marble tombstones that stand out in stark relief compared to the bleakness of their surroundings within the cemetery. Bessie explained the Negro graves in the Murrell burial ground in these words: "When the War ended, Grandfather (John, Junior) gave each of his former slaves forty acres and a cabin. Most of I them took the name ''White'' and they have prosspered." John Junior also gave his former slaves and their descendants the right to he buried in the family plot. Scattered bunches of artificial flowers and bits of glass, an old lamp base and a broken pitcher were the only signs of care. The weeds were high and dry; the thin wire and the road were al1 that was holding back the forest growth. As shadows from the tall cedars began to creep over the graves of John and Margaret, Bessie paused to look at them once more, Beggar lice and sand thistles clung to her bright red coat. She was heedless of them in her despair over the condition of the graves. "Gone and forgotten," she remarked. The past and the present merged as the shadows they cast lengthened into one. The words of the preacher seemed to hang in the air: "That which hath been is now; and that which is to be bath already been." FOOTNOTES: 1. D. W. Harris and B. M. Hulse, The History of Claiborne Parish, La, p. 52 2. Ibid.. p. 56. 3. The Claiborne Par Historical Association, Historic Claiborne, '65, p.31. 4. Personal Interview, Mrs. Albert Allen, Homer, La, December 27, 1967. 5. Personal Interview, Mrs. Bessie Murrell Gray, December 27, 1967. 6. Porter and Johnson, National Party Platforms, p. 103. 7. Frances W. Palfrey, The Antietam and Fredericksburg, p 50. 8. Personal Interview, Mrs. Bessie Murrell Gray, January 2. 1968. 9 Undoubtedly he means that the slave Ed, Perry, and he were home in the spring. 10. R. A Smith to Mrs. J. D. Harper March 13. 1922, The Claiborne Parish Historical Association, Historic Claiborne '65, p. 83. 11 The New Orleans Daily Crescent, July 20, 1866. 12. Aaron Good, to John Murrell. September 5,1866 in possession of Mrs. Bessie Murrell Gray. Homer. Louisiana. 13 James A. Cawthorn, Ghost Towns of Old Claiborne. pg, 394. 15. Personal Interview. Mrs. Bessie Russell Gray, December 27, 1967 17. Homer, (La,) The Clipper, September 9, 1896, p. 2. 18. Personal Interview, Miss Grace McFarland, Gladewater, Texas. Dec 30. 1967. 19. Homer, (La.), The Clipper, October 7, 1896, p. 2. 20. Personal Interview, Mrs. Bessie Murrell Gray, Homer, La., Dec 10, 1967. 21. Mollie Ford, History of Coal Springs Baptist Church, unpublished manuscript in Bessie Gray's papers, BIBLIOGRAPHY Books Buchanan. Scott, ed. The Portable Plato. New York: The Viking Press, 1948 Cawthon, James Artia. Ghost Towns of Old Claiborne. Reprinted from Journal or Louisiana History, the Louisiana Historical Society XXIX, Number 4, nd]:. MeGinty, Garnie William. A History of Louisiana, New York: Exposition Press, 1951. Palfrey. Francis Winthrop. The Antietam and Fredericksburg. New York: The Blue and Gray Press, 1882 Porter. Kirk H. and Johnson, Donald Bruce. National Party Platforms: 1840-1960. 2nd. ed. Urbana. Illinois: The University of Illinois Press, 1961 Newspapers The Clipper. (Homer, La.) 1896 New Orleans Crescent, July 20. 1866 Oriqinal Manuscripts Letter. Aaron Good to John Murrell, Sharpsburg. Md. Sept. 5th, 1866 in possesion or Mrs. Beasie Murrell Gray. Homer, Louisiana. Unpublished records or coal Springs Baptist Church by Mollie Ford Personal Interviews Personal iniersiew, Mrs. Albert Allen, Homer, Louisiana Personal Interview, Mrs. Bessie Gray, Homer, Louisiana Personal interview, Miss Grace McFarland, Gladewater, Texas {Also see "Page 55-John Murrell, Sr.," "Page 57-Murrell Markers," and "Page 61- Murrell House Marker" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 63 Early Arizona by Vesta Robinson Cook (Editors note: This is a portion of a paper read October 16, 1966 by the author on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Methodist Church in Arizona. Joshua Willis, ahout whom the author writes, donated the land for the church. The author is a direct descendent of Joshua Willis,) It is of Joshua and Barbara Willis and of principal events occuring in their long and useful lives that we wish to speak today. Joshua Willis was born in Culpepper County, Virginia, on March 29, 1796. He saw service in the War of 1812, volunteering in Virginia in 1814 at the age of 18. He was discharged in 1815. Little is known of his life during the next few years except that he kept store for an older brother, Robert or Benjamin, in Louisa County. It was while working there that he met and married Barbara Winston. They were married April 24,1817. Three children were born to Joshua and Barbara in Virginia: Mary, Barbara (Patsy Ann) and John. Later they moved to Georgia and seven other children were born. I will mention the names of the ten, since almost everyone here is a descendent of one of the ten. Mary Johnson, married Eli Harris Barbara Garnett "Patsy Ann" married James Madison Thomason John Winston, married Cecily Ann Nicholson Annie Thornton "Nannie", married William C. Moreland Thomas Norseworthy, married Nancy Davis James Overton "Gee" Americanus "Babe" married Martha Ann MeRee Sarah Alexander "Sallie", married John Edward Birch Lenora Marie "Dink", married Matt Malone Joshua, Jr., died in 1852- My immediate family is descended from Barbara, born in Virginia. Joshua Willis is my great-great-grandfather. Joshua and Barbara were of the Church of England or the Episcopal Church in Virginia. There was no church of this faith in Georgia where they lived, so they united with the Methodist. They took their religion seriously. Joshua conducted prayer meeting and often took the minister's place. Joshua and Barbara came to Louisiana in 1848, and upon reaching Claiborne Parish, bought several hundred acres of land six or seven miles east of Homer and built their home, "Forest Grove." Soon there was a Post Office, a schoolhouse and other public buildings. A cemetery was set aside on the land be had purchased and one of the first to be buried in it was Joshua Willis, Jr., in 1852. Forest Grove later merged with another village and became known as Arizona where a new school, a church, and later the Cotton Factory were built on land donated by Joshua Willis, who built a new home in Arizona. Before the Civil War the Arizona neighborhood was one of the wealthiest and most important in Claiborne Parish. It was a community of farmers who owned and worked slaves, and because of the cheap labor, accumulated wealth. It was a typical southern community of that day where ease and luxury abounded and things went well for the master and his family. Children were sent to the best colleges and universities where they received classical education. Then came a period in which the system of slavery was questioned, condemned, and finally decided against through an armed conflict. After the conflict there was a period of Reconstruction and adjustment to new conditions. The South was greatly in need of many things cotton goods being one so with cotton in abundance a cotton factory naturally suggested itself. It also promised a livelihood for members of the community. A group of well-to-do farmers organized and put up $200,000.00. Others worked on the building and hauled brick with which to construct the three-story building. Machinery was purchased in Chicago and men were brought from England to teach the people to operate the machines. But lack of adequate transportation defeated the effort to make the factory a success. The finished product must be hauled to Dorcheat Bayou to be shipped north or to the Ouachita River to be shipped to England. The factory could not compete with others that had more immediate access to essential transportation. The owners were forced to discontinue operations and the plant was later sold to John Scaife for $5,000.00. The land on which the factory stood was sold to Dr. J. C. Calhoun. It was later resold, but one acre was reserved and on this acre the factory chimney still stands. It was necessary for the members of the Arizona community in provide an education for their children which would he less expensive than sending them away to college or university. The people therefore, organized a school unit, erected a school building, and employed the best teacher that could be had. The school began under the leadership of Professor J, W. Nicholson. While Professor Nicholson was teaching at this school he wrote the Nicholson Arithmetic and Algebra. My dad, H. A. Robinson, Jr., was one of the fortunate students who studied under him. The Arizona community has been responsible for furnishing many outstanding educators and leaders throughout the state. Among those receiving a portion of their education at this old Arizona school were Judge J. C. Palmer. Judge W. C. Barnette, Professor Tom H. Harris, State Superintendent of Education. Rev, Hyder B Thomason. There were many others. These men were all classmates of my father and often returned in their retirement years to visit our home, reminiscing by gone days, and walking down to D'Arbonne Creek to see the "old swimming hole". {Also see "Page 64-Joshua Willis" and "Page 66-Cotton Factory" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 67 Claiborne through the Heart and Mind of a Child Willie Lee Pace Dillon Excerpts from the memoirs of Willie Lee Pace Dillon who was born Jan. 31, 1885, the fourth of twelve children of William Henry and Rebecca Frances Pace, in their home not far from the Homer-Arcadia road. She lives now in Athens and all of her life has been spent in this environment. These memoirs were written in 1956. Papa and Mama married October 2, 1877. He was nearly 21 years of age and Mama was nearly 15. They first lived in a log house on the Homer-Arcadia road two and three-fourths miles southeast of Athens. But they soon moved to Arcadia where he and his brother, Jeff Pace, ran a blacksmith shop. Horace was born there. My parents moved back to the log house and bought a farm from a Mr. Crayton. Annie was born here May 21, 1881. One day when Papa was clearing new ground and splitting rails his axe missed, cutting through his shoe and almost severing a big toe. Only a small portion of skin held it on. He walked nearly a mile home where he applied chimney soot to stop the bleeding and hound it up with clean old strips of cloth, He left it thus for two weeks or more. When the bandages were removed his toe had grown back. Papa and Mama attended church services at Tulip, a Methodist Church about three miles northeast of his home. He had a one-horse wagon and carried anyone who lived along the way that wished to go. Mama's people were Presbyterian and worshipped at Salem near Athens. Rev. George Clampitt was pastor at the time of my parents' wedding and he performed the ceremony. In 1884 Papa bought his first sawmill from a Mr. Aubrey. He built a large house about 200 yards north of the log house and nearer the Homer-Arcadia road. Here I was horn on January 31, 1885, the fourth child ... I remember going to Grandma's several times. For 7 years before her death she was ill with rheumatism and had to be lifted onto a chair and back to bed. I can remember the two long sticks that two persons had to use in lifting her, slipping them underneath a cushion. I remember a storm that occurred in the spring of 1887, when large virgin pine trees two and three feet in diameter blew down criss- cross near our home. Mama had gone in a one-horse buggy to meet with a few other ladies to be instructed in dressmaking by a lady demonstrating a new chart. This chart consisted of the basic patterns of a basque front and back and sleeves. The basque, tight fitting at the waist-line and pointed in front and back, was the popular style of that period, In the chart, made of rather heavy slick cardboard, were perforations to indicate darts and seams. Mama's always hung behind the door. After the storm was over Mama had to lead the horse home, leaving the buggy until later, as so many trees had blown down across the road, Annie and a neighbor girl had gone to school and were the only ones to arrive before the storm hit. A large tree fell alongside the school house. This was about one and one-half miles from home. The teacher, Miss Stella Walker, and a number of the school children were caught in a wooden section, but none was injured. I remember climbing over the fallen trees near our home, I was so small, and they seemed huge. Large clay-imbedded roots of these fallen trees are yet mute evidence of that storm. Our parents must have had great confidence in all of us children, for we were given quite heavy responsibilities. We strived hard not to disappoint them. When Horace was eleven years old Papa left him one day with instructions to run the sawmill carriage. This is the large machinery that runs hack and forth, with log thereon, alongside the large circular saw that cuts the desired widths and thicknesses of lumber. The carriage and saw have individual controls, handled by one man. Others handle the cut lumber and haul it to the drying kilns before planing a few weeks later. A Negro usually fired the boiler at Papa's mill, but as soon as Dallas was old enough this job was often given to him. We spent the Christmas of 1884 in the first new home Papa built. This was after he bought a sawmill and before we moved to Athens in early 1890. Rubie was born August 23, 1888, also at this first new house on the farm. She was the baby when Papa bought a drug store in Athens in partnership with Uncle Jeff Pace. New Athens was just beginning to develop due to a new railroad passing through from Homer to Gibsland, ten miles north and ten miles south connecting with the V.S. and P. which ran east and west. The post office, courthouse, churches and stores were two and one-half miles west of the railroad and this settlement became known as Old Athens, the highest point of elevation in the state of Louisiana. Little by little most of the business places and residents moved to New Athens. Papa also decided to move from the farm to town. In 1889 he built another new home-a six-room square top house. The dining room and kitchen were set off about ten feet from the main part of the house, as was the custom of older houses. Two long board walks joined these to the living quarters. Mr. Tom Baker who did general merchandising in Old Athens moved his store to the new town near the railroad. He rented our new house for one year while he built himself a large two-story house with an upper and lower portico, then the best house in town. Papa built a rough lumber, box house, now known as the Howard Bailey house, for us to live in while Mr. Baker built his own. It was at this house, at the Christmas of 1890, that Santa Claus brought me the only bought doll I ever had. It had china head, arms and legs and was about seven inches tall. Its body was cloth stuffed with saw-dust. The knees were tacked together to prevent the legs from dangling together and breaking. I was very proud of this doll and never greatly desired another. Sometime during the year 1889 a photographer, Mr. Davis, came to Athens and put up a small tent near the railroad. Mama sent Dallas and me all primped and primed to have our pictures made. Dallas was wearing a white ruffled blouse and a striped black velvet skirt such as little boys then wore until they reached the age of four. I wore a print linsey dress and my hair was shingled more like a boy's haircut. Mama also had pictures made. She was wearing a velvet basque buttoned down the front, with mandarin collar that lapped and was pinned with a large round pin, cameo type, encircled with gold. This was a gift from Papa on his return from a trip to New Orleans. Her soft brown hair was shingled and parted on the right side. A rather wealthy man, Mr. Cliff Frazier, who lived near our farm, died and most of his household goods were sold. Papa bought several items. One was their parlor wall-to-wall carpet which was pretty badly worn about the fireplace and in the doorway, but it was laid in our "front room". Papa also bought a lounge that had a high back and could be opened to make a full-sized bed. There was also a bed, and a center table with oil burning lamp, glass chimney, and the latching family album on it. This was filled with all our photographs, including relatives and friends. As stock laws were not known in this section in 1890, all cattle and hogs roamed over the woods freely. Very few farms had pastures, but all fields, yards, and gardens were fenced in. Split pine rails were used for field fencing, split palings for gardens, and sawed pine pickets 1" square were used for better yards. A cheaper kind was made by nailing 6" planks horizontally to posts. Mama loved flowers, so a picket fence enclosed her yard. We had a method for closing the gate automatically. A post was set in the ground about five feet away from the gate at one side with a trace chain fastened to it and to the gate. A heavy weight strung onto the chain would pull the gate shut whenever it was opened. Palings on the garden fence were high enough to prevent chickens from flying over and field fences were built zigzag about five feet high to keep all animals out. Mama had roses, cape jasmine, sweet shrub, petunias, zinnias, and hollyhocks. About this time, 1891, a few families agreed on building a Methodist Church. We had been uniting with the Salem Presbyterian congregation in Sunday school and church services at the present location of Salem cemetery. Land had been donated by a Mr. Kilgore for a church, cemetery and school where I first went to school. Since Papa had a sawmill, he furnished lumber at a nominal cost, gave some lumber and also the land for this new church. The church was dedicated in 1893 and was named Foster's Chapel for our first pastor, the Reverend John F. Foster, Mama's eighth child, Louie Foster, was born on December 4, 1892. He was named for this first pastor. This church was later sold and remodeled into a home. It was demolished in 1952 and the lumber was used to build a house in Homer. It was said that most of the lumber in it was in a good state of preservation. It came from virgin timber and was cut when only the heart of trees was used. Square iron nails were used for building then. Only a few years later round wire nails became popular, so it is only in very old houses that square nails can be found today. The twelve charter members of Foster's Chapel were: J. T. Baker, Mrs. Victoria J. Baker, Miss Jennie Watson, W. H. Pace, Mrs. Rebecca F. Pace, S. E. Stone, J. H. WaIlhall, W. R. Bridges, Mrs. W. H. Bridges, Miss L. Nora Bridges, Miss Eufrazier Bridges, and Miss Izora B. Bridges. This roll of the church organized on November 22, 1891, represented only six families with 25 children, four of which were included in the charter membership. Mr. Baker and Papa took yearly turns as superintendent of the Sunday School. By the time these two families assembled there was a fair attendance. Revivals were usually held in the summer when crops were laid by and there was plenty of hot weather. During a revival in 1898 I joined the church while Rev. J. H. Brown was pastor. Mama did not often attend Sunday School, but did attend the once-a-month services at Foster's Chapel. I remember once when I was the one to stay home with the baby and the next smallest child while she went to church. I was then eight years of age. She was wearing a rather long black skirt and a white blouse of that period's fashion. Over her shoulders she wore a lovely black cape like garment with front and back fitted panels extending to the shoulders and below the waistline, heavily embroidered with jet beads and with a heavy mesh section over the arms. A jet spangled fringe encircled the whole cape edge. Many incidents of these early remembrances prove my early appreciation of lovely clothes and dress materials. The first wedding at Foster's Chapel was Miss Lula McFarland and Mr. Eugene Walker, a member at Old Athens. At the time of this wedding I was about ten years old and it was my first to witness. My two older sisters, Annie and Jessie, married also in this church-Annie Jewel Pace and Jerry E. Volentine on January 7, 1903 and Jessie Pace and Eustis E. Smith on December 30, 1903.1 was Annie's attendant, and the groom's best man was Floyd Dillon, whom I later married on December 8, 1904. By 1900 the members of Foster's Chapel had begun to realize the need of a larger and more modern church, including Sunday School rooms. They longed for the nice triangular plot near town where two main streets came together just at the town site. By 1910 it was purchased and the new church was built. There were some folks who were concerned about adequate hitching posts, as those who lived farther than walking distance came horseback, in wagons and buggies. Cars were in their infancy. I had only seen one at a distance in Shreveport the Christmas of 1903 when Dallas, Perry Dillon and I went to visit Uncle Jeff Pace and his family. I was told that this car belonged to a local physician, Dr. Clint Willis, Sr. By the time we needed more parking space, cars had become more plentiful and practical and hitching posts were "out" for good. It was in the year 1892 that I began to notice that each year was numbered. This was when I was seven. Aunt Mellie Pace, widow of Papa's M.D. brother Jimmie, lived with her five children at Mt. Lebanon about 12 miles south of Athens. Papa, Mama and I went in a wagon one day to deliver a barrel of flour and numerous other items from Papa's general merchandise store, that she desired. We left the store at about 3 PM and after passing through Gibsland we arrived at Mt. Lebanon a while after nightfall. As we started for home the next morning we were able to see the old town of Mt. Lebanon. My attention was drawn to the old Baptist College grounds. Papa pointed with his driving whip stock, leaving an indelible picture of the college on my young mind. It was a huge two-story wooden building with many windows. Mt. Lebanon was founded long before the Vicksburg- Shreveport and Pacific railroad was built, which by-passed it by two miles. The V.S. and P. did the same thing to Mt. Lebanon that the L & NW (Louisiana and Northwest) did to old Athens. The college was rebuilt after it was destroyed by fire in its early history, and in 1903 it merged with Keatchie College to become Louisiana Baptist College at Pineville. The buildings were razed and the lumber used for other purposes. My mental picture of the college did not include the bell tower, but later photographs show it. The bell itself has played an important role in Baptist education. It was ruined when fire destroyed the college, but the salvaged metal was recast in 1887 in Ohio, and it is claimed to produce the exact pitch of tone as the first bell. It remained at Mt. Lebanon almost forgotten until the old college was razed. About 1930 it was removed to Dodd College in Shreveport. TN 1943 this college came into the possession of Centenary College, a Methodist college nearby, through the generosity of the late W. A. Haynes, a Shreveport oil man, and was used as a Veterans Administration center. There was little use for the bell there, so a few friends of Mt. Lebanon College requested that they be allowed to reclaim it and install it in the projected memorial tower of Louisiana College at Pineville. Permission was granted. It took four men no less than eight hours to lower the 1,000-pound bell from its tower Annie, the eldest daughter, began helping Mama with the family sewing when she was about 12 years old. I remember Mama going to Papa's store and bringing home a number of pieces of calico, at 10c a yard, each a different pattern and color. There were also several spools of thread and rice buttons. Rice buttons were a sort of milk glass and about the size of present-day shirt buttons. They were sewed on a long royal blue card with at least six dozen buttons to a card, costing TOe a card. These buttons could easily be broken in the family wash, as we were then using a "battling block and stick" to remove excess dirt before boiling the clothes in a large outdoor three-legged black wash pot with fire underneath. The "battling block" was a large sawed tree block standing upright near the tubs. Well-soaped wet garments were placed on it one at a time and "battled" with a paddle-like stock, forcing out the dirt and spattering the "battler" with dirty water. Usually I was the "battler" while my two sisters tended the tub and pot. I also tended the pot fire, The clothes were boiled in the pot and required frequent punching down with a stick. Then they were lifted into a tub full of clean water and rinsed through two other large wooden tubs of water before hanging them on the wire line and back-yard fences. We used our first rub-board in the early 1890's. Usually Mama kept two garden plots-one planted early and another later for year-round vegetables. Turnips, cabbage, collard and tomato seed were planted and then later transplanted. Lettuce, squash, butterbeans, snap beans, English peas, peppers and onions were the main vegetables, and there was a bunch of "catnip" for the babies' tea, Sage for seasoning sausage grew in the corner of the garden. The sage leaves were picked while green and dried before storing for use at "hog killing time." The boys usually plowed the garden, but the younger children kept weeds and grass out of the rows. In 1891, started to school at the little one-room school near Salem Church where Mr. Davies was the teacher for all ages. We drank water from the spring nearby that originated in a deep ravine. All the pupils used the "blue-back" Speller, starting with the ABC's and simple two-letter words and continuing to hard words like com-press-i-bil-i-ty. When I was eight I learned to milk well and was permitted to go to the cowpen alone to milk the one cow that we had then. Usually we kept two cows and Mama and Jessie did the milking. I was the helper and "roper." The calves were allowed to suckle first to cause a quick milk "come down" and then were pulled away and tied to the fence. The milkers usually held the bucket with the left bend and milked with the right hand, reserving one teat for the calf's portion. Cows were unimproved in those days and gave less than one gallon of milk daily. Papa began to Lear about jersey cows that gave more and richer milk by using better feed than just raw cotton seed, Also he read about dipping vats to rid cattle of ticks. All of this finally reached our section and it was a great improvement over poor cattle, poor pastures, if any, and poor feed. Dipping was a real boon to the cattle industry and doom to the ticks. Papa did most of the hair-cutting in our family. After I was ten years old my hair was not cut any more until 1924 when ladies were wearing a "Gracie Moore" bob. My hair grew long to my waistline and I took much pride in combing, brushing, and plaiting it in one long braid. Sometimes I would make two braids to hang down my back until I considered myself grown at 18. Then I began to make a loose coil on top of my head. In the 1909's girls wore the much talked-of "pompadour" in front with a round roll called a "rat" worn underneath the hair. Dallas and I drove the cows to pasture and back in the afternoon. The pasture was several yards from the cowpen and extended on back to a quarter mile or more. Ticks were plentiful and attached themselves to the cows, mainly between their hind legs and on the back of the udder. We would use our driving stick to punch off one at a time. Cows liked this and would stand still as long as we would scratch them. A seed tick is quite small when first it is brushed from the bushes onto a cow, but it sucks the blood from the cow as soon as it is securely attached and will soon swell to the size of the end of one's little finger. Imagine a hundred or two ticks on one cow! Now and then they would cause tick fever and many cows died before the use of the dipping vats. We left the calves in the cowpen during the day, but turned them outside at night. They would not go very far from their mothers and grazed nearby. We churned at our house each day; thus we had plenty of butter for hot biscuits and buttermilk for cooking biscuits and egg bread. We enjoyed hot egg bread crumbled into a glass of sweet milk for supper. We were never very choosey about our food but ate almost anything placed before us and thrived on it. Mama had a side-saddle, as many other women of the 1880's had when they rode horseback. It was unheard of for ladies to ride astride a horse. Rather they had this special leather saddle with only one stirrup on the left side and two differently shaped horns on the front one over which to hook the right knee and the other to hang a hand satchel onto. This left one hand free and the other guided the horse by holding the reins of the bridle. A lady usually wore a long riding skirt over her good skirt for protection from soiling and removed it upon arriving at her destination. To hold the saddle securely on the horse a girth attached to the saddle was drawn tightly around the horse's middle and fastened on the opposite side. The saddle seat was usually covered with built in gaily colored wool carpeting. A child could ride behind and hold onto the front rider by encircling her waist with its arms. If a boy, he was allowed to ride astride, but a girl astride-no. Almost all old homes had a horse block for easier mounting. It was constructed by placing two or three large sawed blocks of graduated lengths upend in step-like fashion. By leading the saddled horse alongside the tallest block one could walk up and hop onto the saddle. Usually the horse block was set out in front of the residence. Because Papa's several interests- the store, farm, sawmill. cotton gin, and grist mill-were widely separated, he often just closed the store and attended to business here and there. We kept one key to the store at home and needed supplies would be gotten by us children. Sugar, flour, vinegar, crackers and apples were shipped by freight to retail stores in large wooden barrels. The only kind of cheese was hoop cheese, fifty pounds, aged in round wooden boxes. Ice was shipped to Athens from Homer ten miles away in gunny sacks packed with saw-dust and shavings from sawmills to prevent too rapid melting. When a snow fell it made the whole world look clean, new and enchanting. Almost all of us children were housed in for a few days. The older ones had shoes to wear, but some of the smaller ones went "barefooted" all winter as well as in summer. These shut-in days must have been very trying on Mama, but I have no recollection of anything but "bliss". More often than not our snows were less than 12 inches deep in this part of North Louisiana. Usually they were only three or four inches and lasted no longer than two or three days. I recall a few deep snows with such cold temperature that they lasted for three weeks. This could become very tiresome. Outdoor stock had to be fed and sheltered, outdoor laundry had to be done, and stove wood would run low and become a problem. I could not fail to mention our experience with cockle burrs that grew on the weeds of varying heights according to the fertility of the soil. These little green burrs less than an inch long were no trouble until they ripened in the fall of the year and turned brown. Then the little spurs Could cling to anything that brushed against the bushes, for this was nature's way of scattering the many small seed inside each burr. They were pesky about getting in the long hairs at the end of the cows' tails, horses' manes, wooly sheep's backs, and in our clothing. One day Dallas, Rubie, and I were playing in the plot of ground next to the house where Irish potatoes had been harvested and then it was left uncultivated. This made an ideal place for cockle burrs to grow. We had played there before, but now the burrs were ripe and they clung to our clothes before we realized it. It tickled us, so we decided to see how many we could force to stick to us. We deliberately rubbed against the burrs until our clothes were stiff and heavy with them. It was quite a lark, we thought. I suspect Mama just burned the whole pile of clothes for the burrs were too difficult to pick out. There was a small home-made table in the corner of Mama's room near Papa's fireside chair that held an oil lamp, Papa's Bible, Bible dictionary, Webster's Dictionary, and a large doctor book. The latter had most of the diseases and ailments of the 1880's through the 1890's listed with prescribed treatments. When one of us became ill Papa found a suitable treatment to follow. Tidy housekeepers of the 1890's and early 1900's kept their front and back yards clean by using dog-wood brush brooms every week. This was a regular Saturday chore, making ready for Sunday, a day of rest. Not a sprig of grass or weeds was allowed inside the yard fences. Shrubs such as roses, cape jasmine, lavender, sweet shrub, and any number of other kinds, were available from different friends or neighbors. No one had all kinds of shrubs, but all the housewives were willing to share what they did have. Usually the shrubs were set here and there over the front yard, and must be swept around. Yard brooms were usually made with dogwood limbs with the leaves stripped off and several tied together with strings from our left-over dress scraps. The close fibered dogwood was not too plentiful in our section, but, being tough, a broom would last several weeks. A tree was rarely cut down as only the limbs were needed, but someone would climb the tree and chop off the needed limbs with an axe. On one occasion I was making one of those periodical visits from two to four weeks-with Uncle Tillman and Aunt Lela Howard when one Sunday they decided to spend the day with one of her brothers, Felix Pate, and his family. They lived about three and a half miles away, so we went in their wagon with two horses hitched to it. On returning home that afternoon we had gone but a short distance when the horses became frightened and "ran away," striking a tree. They became unhitched, and the wagon overturned, throwing all three of us onto the ground. The most frightened horse ran on home. We were three miles from home and the day was far spent, but there was no way of getting home but to walk and lead the other horse. That was a long walk for anyone. I was only about five years old. It was dark when we reached home. There stood the frightened horse at the horse lot gate. Uncle Tillman went back the next day, uprighted the wagon, mended the harness and brought the wagon back home. Now and then relatives or neighbors spent all day Sunday with each other. There was always a good mid-day dinner prepared by the hostess with the visiting lady's help. As they busied around in the kitchen they enjoyed chatting about the various subjects which only women understand. The men also had a chance to air their views concerning elections, crops, and news in general. It was truly a day of rest and relaxation: Another experience I recall that Dallas and I had was toasting small crayfish tails. fly wading in shallow water we caught several crayfish with our hands. They were just like shrimp, only smaller, having two large forelegs with pincers on each. When they were disturbed they would shoot backwards swiftly - hence the expression "crawfish" when a person withdraws from an agreement. We knew that their long tails were good to eat, so we promptly shelled off the covering and stuck the white fish-like meat on a sharp stick. As boys nearly always carried a few matches in their pockets, it was no trouble to build a fire quickly and roast the crawfish tails. No shrimp cocktail ever tasted better! A long new one-room school house was built nearer town in 1892 on the ground of the present school building. School hours were from 8 AM to 4 PM. Mr. C. C. Kennedy was the principal and taught the older pupils, while an assistant taught the younger ones. Miss Minnie Walker and Miss Vanessa Walker, cousins, were two of the first assistants. Later Miss Minnie Ward from Homer was a beloved teacher for young children. Sometimes we had a two-months public school in the summertime. Gnats would swarm everywhere, buzzing around our ears and settling near the eyes. Sore eyes and leg sores that lasted till frost were common ailments. Also itch and head lice could be caught from school associations. Some of us usually attended school sessions, though we went rarely all in at the same time. There was never a complaint about the food in our school lunches. From 7 o'clock breakfast to noon was a long time to wait to eat, and much energy was consumed walking to school and playing at recess. So anything tasted good to us. My best liked subjects were reading (from MeGuffey's Reader) spelling, and geography. Often on Fridays we had cross spellings with every-one taking part. The leaders would choose sides and the teacher alternated giving out words first to one side, then the other. When all on one side had missed or "spelled down". the remaining ones on the other side won the match. Before the organization of Fosters Chapel, while we were still attending Salem Presbyterian Church, I remember our using hymn books that had a thick cardboard back and were only 3½ by 5½ inches in size. They did not have the music written-only the number, title, and words of the verses. Some of the song leaders may have had books with notes, but it was still the custom for the pastor to quote two lines at a time, and the congregation would sing them. Of course, he had to "hist" the tune too, and it would often be pitched too high or too low. When I was about six years old I remember going with Papa and Mama and Mr. Tom Baker to Tulip Methodist Church one day during a revival. We went in a two- horse wagon with Papa driving. Mama sat beside him on a spring seat, while Mr. Baker and I sat in straight chairs just behind them. I dearly remember the beautiful hanging oil lamps in the church with lovely crystal prisms all around the four small coaloil lamps in each section. There is a large cemetery near the Tulip Church where most of the citizens of the surrounding territory lie in their silent tombs with their names, dates of births and deaths inscribed on marble monuments. Tulip community is situated about four miles northeast of New Athens. Its residents included fairly well-to- do families such as Marsalis, White, Coleman, Knox, Watson and Averett. At different times Professors Nelson, Leslie, and Walker taught at the school there. Some of the pastors for Tulip Methodist Church were: T. J. Upton, J. L. P. Sheppard, R. T. Parish, J. L. Wright, F. B. Galloway, Robert Parvin, and J. F. Foster. This church was built about 1860 at a time when men and boys sat on one side of the church and the women and girls on the opposite side. It had two double front doors and an aisle down each side, with the built-up divisions from the floor to the height of the pew backs in the middle section to separate the men from the women. Like most churches of that period it had two "Amen" corners- three long pews on each side near and facing the pulpit. These were reserved for grandparents, mothers with small children on one side and fathers who took care of small sons on the other. People always came to spend several hours at church, and mothers brought a quilt to lay small sleeping children on the floor. Sermons were one and a half hours long; in addition to the singing and prayers. This church stands today (1956) in fairly good condition. No one seems to know what became of the lovely hanging lamps that were eventually replaced by electricity. No services except funerals have been held there for a long time. A very large cemetery is still kept up. Since each farmer raised most of his needs there were few trips to town. Some men went weekly; others only once a month. Most ladies went to town only twice a year-in the spring and fall. They often bought whole bolts of calico and made all the little girls dresses from the same piece. The more financially able bought silks, velvets and lovely hats. The Tulip school was situated on a knoll near the church. It was a two-story structure with a Masonic Lodge on the second floor. A good spring of ever- flowing water was nearby. Here fellow Masons washed their little white aprons. Another wonderful spring of water was on the farm home site where Aunt Lela and Uncle Tillman Howard lived. It bubbles out of clean white sand and is just as plentiful today as it was when I was a child, more than seventy years ago. The family wash was done here. They also carried some of this clear, coal, soft water home for use there. Papa had his sawmill near this spring and piped it hydraulically to use at the mill. One exceedingly cold winter the mill was closed down for a few weeks. The water kept running from the pipe and freezing at 4 degrees until an icicle seven feet long and a foot through was formed. There is a "dripping" spring less than a mile away in another direction where water is constantly dripping from shale rock and gray clay from what is apparently a perfect perpendicular height of about six feet. The water a]almost covers a surface five feet in width. Most families bad a spare room which some called the parlor, but we called ours "the front room." This room was kept quite orderly with the doors and windows closed except when afternoon visitors called or when we had overnight guests. The room had a bed, sofa, and table with an oil lamp and the family album, a few chairs, ruffled curtains and wall-to-wall carpet. This carpet was taken outdoors once a year and given a good dusting by spreading it right side down on a raised scaffolding. When we flailed it with a broom the dust would fall from the pile of the carpet unto the ground, leaving it bright as new. Housewives observed spring and fall house-cleaning. The spring cleaning was usually after all the pollen had fallen and in the fall it was to clear the house of summer dust. Chattie Lane (Chat) was born May 6, 1895, the third child to be born in the "square top" house in Athens. She was Mama's ninth child and was named for Miss Chattie Vaughn whose home was in Homer but who lived in the Baker home in Athens and taught their children music. She was the sister of Rev. R. W. Vaughn, Superintendent of the Methodist Orphanage in Ruston for many years, Miss Chattie was a kind and lovely lady. Micagah Pace and his wife Eliza Ann McKibbens lived at Cedartown, Georgia, when the Civil War broke out. They had five sons,: James F., William Henry (my father), Jefferson Davis, Buddie and Bennie. Papa's father was a blacksmith by trade, so during the time he served in the war he kept the horses in his company well shod. As the army moved from place to place he finally found himself in central Louisiana. His wife and sons followed and settled near Natchitoches. In some way she let him know her location. Flies, mosquitoes, and typhoid fever were prevalent as there were marshlands all about. My grandfather so greatly desired to visit his family that one night his commanding officer, unbeknown to the other soldiers, allowed him a six-hour leave, warning him not to let anyone see him en route home and back. It required two hours by foot to reach home, two hours to visit, and two hours to return to camp. After visiting a few minutes, he requested that his wife bring Buddie from his bed so he could see him. She had to tell him that Buddie had died only a short time ago from fever. Then he asked to see Bennie, the next younger. He too had died, this was the last time his family saw my grandfather. He supposedly was killed shortly afterwards in the service of the Confederacy and was buried near Natchitoches. The hardships of this brave family were typical of the sufferings during the Civil War. Grandmother Pace took her three remaining sons and returned to her native home in Georgia. There the boys found small work. When my father was about 14 years old my Grandmother returned to Louisiana and settled near what is now New Athens. They lived in the log house where my parents first lived after they were married in 1876. One of the sons, Jimmy went away to study medicine and settled at Old Athens on his return, papa and his younger brother Jeff cleared new land and farmed near the log house. Jeff did not like farming and he shortly left home. Grandma washed and prepared his little bundle of clothes, including Papa's extra pair of pants, and gave him her blessing. He went to Tulip and hired out for day labor. A few years later he married and lived nearby. I remember when Papa bought a corn sheller. Heretofore corn had to be shelled by hand rubbing two ears together. This was hard on the hands and a slow process. But with this new device which was a box-like contraption on four legs we could help the boys shell corn. After the ears were shucked they were placed one at a time in a receptacle where cogs caught the ear when the large hand wheel was turned. The shelled kernels fell into a peck measure beneath while the empty cobs passed out in another direction. The cobs were then burned in the fireplace. Sometimes corn and other farm products had to be taken for debts. No corn meal was sold at the stores until the late 1880's. By owning a grist mill either meal or unground corn could be taken for toll. Every Saturday afternoon folks from the surounding area brought their corn to the mill to be ground for next week's bread. We always had plenty from the toll to eat, to feed chickens and to sprinkle on cotton seed for cowfeed. Cotton seed were almost worthless then, and farmers often left them at the gin for anyone who would to haul away. Wagon- loads were dumped in piles in the fields. But by the late 1880's it was discovered that the oil in the seed which they thought worthless was a valuable by-product. Special machinery was made to press the oil out of the cotton seed to use it for cooking purposes where lard was formerly used. Cotton seed meal and hulls were sacked separately and sold for better cowfeed. Some meal was used as fertilizer. Before the discovery of the value in cotton seed oil, a 500-pound bale of cotton was worth about $20.00 with $2.50 as the cost of ginning. Thereafter prices rose. Coffee was bought in the green bean stage and parched in the cookstove oven, filling the whole house-yea, the whole neighborhood -with its aroma. Then a little at a time, as it was needed, was ground in the coffee mill that hung on the kitchen wall. Only Mama drank coffee at our house, but when company came for dinner, especially the preacher,coffee was served in large cups. Mama bought a mustache cup to use on occasion. Papa was Justice of the Peace, and I had heard him talk about whipping an offender of the law. This was a common practice then. Cities had jails, but as yet Athens had no calaboose in which to confine a prisoner. Roadwork was not yet required and offenders had no cash to pay fines, so lashes were meted out with a four-plait leather coach whip. Lashes were given according to the seriousness of the crime. Forty lashes was considered quite bad. We moved back to the farm in early 1896. I was an adolescent and things about me were taking on a new importance. Family ties were more real. Many evenings were spent with the family sitting around the open fireplace after supper with the daily chores all done, the mules fed, cows milked, eggs gathered, firewood on the shelf, supper dishes washed. Papa would be home from the store reading the twice-a-week newspaper. Or this would be the time he mended and half-soled our shoes with the help of the shoe last which could be found in nearly every home. Mama would be counting the knitting stitches or rocking and nursing the baby. One by one the younger children were led away to bed each by one of the older children. Only the eldest children remained for family prayer and scripture reading. When a cow became ill she was invariably treated for "hollow horn" by boring small holes on the underside of each horn. The horns of our cows then were about 12 inches long. By the late l890's, jersey cows were becoming better known, and their horns were only 6 to 8 inches long. But by then de-horning with special clippers used on yearlings was customary. It was much later when they began to touch the horn buds of young calves with acid. Bonnie Bell (Dot) was the only child born at the new farm house. She was a crying baby. None of the remedies seemed to help--catnip tea, Mama's breast, or the wet nurse (a colored woman with a baby the same age as Dot). But some months later she began to be a good baby. If I am not mistaken, asafoetida tea was also given to Dot. It was an old woman's remedy-not a doctor's prescription-a foul- smelling lump made into a liquid that was bought at drug stores. The most common doctor's prescriptions were calomel or quinine. Grove's Chill Tonic was one of the first patent medicines I remember seeing advertised. It had a happy child's likeness on the bottle which claimed "I like Grove's Chill Tonic" even though it was bitter quinine in a thick sugar mixture. A few families in the surrounding community near our farm home, having several children each, built a small log school house which was about one and a half miles east of us. Some of the family names were: Bickham, Baker, Craighead, Pace, Wood, Chandler, Kelly. Kilpatrick, Pate. Miss Susie Baker was one of the teachers. There were schools at both Salem and Tulip about three miles away in different directions, but this was too far for small children to walk. Some of the parents decided that the little school house should be used every Sunday for Bible study and this was done. The school house was built of split logs notched near the ends to be fitted over each half log at the corners, leaving cracks between the logs. The smoother side of t{O split logs we- on the inside, and all rounded sides on the outside. Sometimes leg houses had wet clay chinked in the cracks to keep out cold air, but these were left open for light as school sessions were usually held in the warm months. There was a large stick and dirt chimney. Wet clay was mixed by hand with grass and formed into long roUs called "cats" which were placed between and over the sticks in the whole wooden chimney frame. The' seats were also made of split logs with two legs at each end made by boring auger holes in which to insert the round legs. A door was at one side of the one large room. This was known as "Smut Bye" school. Horace was not old enough to attend day school here, but he did go to Sunday School with Papa. A friend of Papa's needed some lumber, so he inquired if Papa would be interested in exchanging some for a flock of geese. It was agreed upon. and so geese were added to the farm. Our geese were picked were picked every six weeks except during cold weather or when they were setting. On the afternoon before the day set for picking all the geese were rounded up and penned for the night. We would start the job early the next morning. One grown person could manage alone to pick a goose. but it was a difficult operation. A goose was turned on us back across the hip with its head tucked under the left arm and pressed tightly to one's ribs and the feet held firmly with the left hand. One would begin picking near the neck, catching only a few feathers with the right hand picking quickly and placing each few plucked feathers into a loosely covered barrel or basket. If a picker was not large enough to hold a goose alone while picking it, two smaller children were required to help. The plucked feathers were left to dry out thoroughly. Then new pillows or a new feather bed mattress was made. If moths were kept out these feathers were long lasting and easily fluffed up each day. I have some pillows made from the very feathers we picked when I was only thirteen or fourteen years of age. When a farmer needed more land to cultivate he usually had wooded sections that had never been cleared. A plot that promised fertile soil was chosen and by hard labor and sweat of the brow he would start clearing it. Usually several months were required. Some days a neighbor helped and the larger trees were felled by the two, using a cross-cut saw. The brush and small trees were piled in heaps here and there over the plot and left until early spring to dry well enough to burn. On the burning-off day several hands were required for each heap had to be re-heaped as it burned. This newly cleared plot called the "new ground" was pretty rugged to cultivate with so many stumps, roots and trees to plow arsund. But it produced a good crop with less cultivation because of its fresh fertility. Corn was usually planted on new ground. Most farmers had what was called "log rolling day" when all the men came to work and a few invited women to help prepare the noon meal. A lot of food was required but this was only once a year and was happily anticipated since this was the biggest get together of the year. On the day set all the men came armed with adzes, cross-cut saws, and logging poles--adzes to cut away any remaining limbs on fallen trees; saws to cut fallen trees into short pieces so that four men could slip logging poles underneath each end. Two men to each pole would lift and carry the log to a selected spot usually where one large tree had fallen. They would make great piles of logs to burn that day. The large quantity of food prepared for that day inspired the saying "enough food for a log rolling." New land was usually cleared in the summer after crops were "laid by" while they were waiting for fall harvesting. In the great heaps of brush piled over the new ground birds roosted for safety and protection against the cold. After supper on long winter nights we liked to go "bird thrashing." All of the children old enough for night walking would arm ourselves with good flailing brushes and a few would carry long pine torches. A vigorous shake would be given a brush heap, awakening and flushing the birds roosting therein. They would fly out wildly while we stood ready with our flailing brushes. A lot of thrashing about went on for a few minutes and some birds were killed. These birds were not carried home, It was customary to kill enough for each child to have one bird. We would build a fire, and each person would pick and dress his own bird, washing it in a nearby stream of water. Then we would place it on a long sharpened stick and hold it over the fire to cook. The bird was not always thoroughly done, but a good time was had by all, even if the toasted birds were quite well smoked by the blaze. We liked fishing in McCleish creek one half mile north of our farm home. There were "red horse" and catfish to be caught in March. Later we caught perch and jackfish. Each fisherman would seek a deep murky hole of water, preferably near a tree where the roots extended into the water or a fallen log caught drift such as dry limbs and leaves. A place where the water was foamy on top was another chosen spot. After a time with no catch, one was just about ready to go home hot and sweaty, gnats buzzing in your eyes and ears, when a sudden bobbing of the cork would encourage the fisherman for another hour. Our school days were probably our best. The lunch that we carried usually consisted of biscuit, boiled egg, fried half-moon apple pies, fried biscuit puffs, and a small bottle of syrup or jelly. Often school lasted for only two months, but we began having nine month sessions in 1898 or 1899. Parents had to buy all the needed books, pencils, and slates. When Rev. J. S. Howard, a retired Presbyterian minister and professor, came with his wife to serve as principal and assistant, they encouraged using paper tablets instead of slates. At first our parents thought this was a waste and expense. After all, a slate could be used over and over by wetting it (usually with a bit of spittle) and rubbing out with a dry cloth such as the girls kept for this purpose, or with the back of the fist, as the boys did. Both the pencils (also made of slate) and the slates were easily broken. Little by little, slates became fewer and fewer until paper took their place. Little sanitation was known in the 1890's. A few people began to brush their teeth then. Many women and girls dipped snuff with a twig chewed at one end, and men and boys chewed tobacco or smoked a pipe. Papa and Mama used neither. Somehow we learned to make a "dew glass" by digging a small hole in the ground and placing several colors of flowers on the bottom. We would cover it with a piece of window pane, sprinkle sand on top and let it stay overnight. The warm earth would cause dew to form underneath the glass and magnify the colors when we brushed the sand aside. What a pleasant surprise it was! We would recover it and admire it for several days. Papa owned a gin in connection with his sawmill; a grist mill for grinding corn to make meal; a planing mill for dressing dried rough lumber. Later he added a shingle mill that cut a board quickly, 5" by 14", ½" thick at one end and tapering to 1/8" thick. These were cut from specially sawed blocks and were used to cover better homes. This was an innovation over former coverings which were pine tree blocks split by hand with an axe and wooden maul. These blocks were 6" by 22". Sometimes Dallas and I stacked shingles in a special receptacle that held 100. We laid all the thick ends at outside ends of the box, lapping the thin ends at the center. Stacking shingles was pleasant and easy employment for children our ages. There was a family of Swiss descent living near our farm consisting of mother and father, two daughters and several sons. Two of the boys were extraordinary yodelers. We were so accustomed to hearing their fine yodeling that maybe it was not fully appreciated but taken for granted as though everybody had the same privilege. Most families used gourd dippers in the kitchen and some used them at the back porch water shelf, although we had a tin dipper there We liked the long handled gourds for our kitchen. Gourd seed were usually planted by the garden fence so that the vine could grow onto the palings and cause the little gourds to hang downward as they grew, thus making them more uniform and with straighter handles. After frost the choice ones were selected, scraped well, emptied of seed, and boiled in the wash pot to remove all stains and bitterness. Usually several were made at one time, for some cracked and were useless. Before my time large round gourds were used for storing flour, lard, sugar, and meal, as well as dried fruits and peas. We had a few bee hives to furnish honey for our own use. Whenever they became too crowded after a new colony hatched the bees would "Swarm" or settle in a large mass on a nearby tree limb. If no one hived them, they would fly away and find a large hollow green pine tree where a small hole allowed entrance to build a wax comb filled with honey. It was quite a delight to find a "bee tree" and cut it down for the honey it contained. When a sweet gum tree was deadened by chopping a circle around it with an axe sap would soon begin to run from it down the trunk. Within a year's time this sap would harden enough to pick for chewing. We had to be sure it had properly hardened or it would stick to our teeth causing an unpleasant condition and bad flavor to our food until it wore off in a few days. We mixed this sweet gum with stretch berry pulp--a small black berry that grew on vines along streams. The inside white covering over the two small seed would make our gum just as good as present-day bubble gum. Farm workers wore 'brogan" shoes and carried a gallon baked clay jug of drinking water to the fields far from home. At morning and noon a short rope was knotted through the jug handle and hung on the harness hames for the plow animal to carry while the worker rode astride. The water kept cool in the thick jug. A cork or corn cob stopper was used. Flies were everywhere in the summertime and no one knew what to do about them. Windows were raised high and doors opened wide to have the benefit of any breeze. Only palmetto hand fans were used. About 1899 sticky sheets of paper called "Tangle Foot" were being used to catch houseflies. These sticky sheets were spread about the house, and many flies were caught. But more and more hatched and followed their noses towards where food was found. Papa made a large fan-like contraption and nailed it to the ceiling over the dining table. Someone had to operate an attached lever and fan away the flies while the rest enjoyed the noon meal. In early 1900 the idea of screening doors and windows solved the fly problem in homes. Papa's brother Jeff Pace was the first person to screen his house in Shreveport. Our first window screens were adjustable and fit any width window, resting on top of the screen, and could be removed easily. Papa built his last home in Athens from virgin timber cut from the neighboring B. C. Frazier place and sawed at his own mill. Syrup-making time came in the fall of the year. There was very little suitable land on our place for growing sugar cane, which requires fertile lowland soil with lots of moisture. But Papa did raise sorghum cane. This is similar to sugar cane but grows on poorer soil. He had his own cane mill for making syrup. He ground and cooked his own sorghum. A few friends from the surrounding territory hauled their sugar cane to Papa's mill, giving one gallon out of each five gallons of syrup as toll. This usually supplied our family with its lighter color and more mild and pleasing flavor, sugar cane syrup was delicious to eat with hot biscuits and butter. Sorghum is palatable to those who do not mind its darker color and twangy flavor. Anyone could feed the cane mill which consisted of two large rollers turning toward each other and catching several stalks of cane as fast as two persons could feed them. These rollers pressed the stalks flat, and the juice ran out into a barrel set at one side, while the flat pulp dropped out at the opposite side. Sometimes Dallas and I fed the mill while an older person pulled the pulp away from the mill. This is not easily disposed of, because it will not rot easily. The large cooking vat-sometimes called the pan-is made of retinned metal and has several parallel cross sections, each with a small opening where juice runs through at various stages of the cooking process. It runs out at the far end at just the right consistency for finished syrup. The vat is set on top of a furnace built usually out of native stone and mortar, leaving one end open through which to push long sticks of firewood. A smoke stack is at the opposite end. Roads in the 1880's were winding, one-way narrow lanes made by the early settlers who lived here and there. Once or twice each year a road-working day was set, and every man on a given section of land was notified to meet at a certain place. All brought implements suitable for road-working, such as spades, hoes, and axes. Everyone traveled by foot, horse-hack, buggy or wagon. Very few had a carriage. There was little passing, so it was news when anyone came along. Whenever folks met it was generally understood that each gave half of the road. Now and then travelers passed along going quite a distance and becoming thirsty they would stop and ask for a drink of water. This was a customary courtesy for anyone to respond to such a simple and essential need. We took great pride in keeping our cedar water bucket well scrubbed and the brass hoops brightly shined, Up to the 1900's almost everyone saved his own garden and field seed from the previous year. The best plants were selected and marked so they would be left alone to maturity for the seeds to ripen. These were carefully shelled and tied up in small cloth bags. Mama maintained quite a large vegetable garden. The plowing was done by the men folks, but it was our responsibility to plant the seed, re-set plants, and keep the rows free of grass and weeds by hoeing. Irish and sweet potatoes were grown outside the garden, as were watermelons and cantaloupes. Pumpkins and kershaws were planted among the field corn. Herbs were set in the garden corner near the gate--sage, thyme, horse radish, garlic. and catnip. In the middle of the garden, from the gate to the outdoor privy on the back side, Mama made a walk with all kinds of flowers on each side. We all enjoyed this and all visitors were shown this lovely walk to admire and were given a few blossoms or seed. Summertime was canning time. We canned peaches, dewberries. blackberries, and huckleberries in glass jars. Preserves were made from pears, figs, peaches, and some watermelon rinds. We also pickled peaches, pears, and cucumbers. Apples were dried by peeling and slicing by hand, then placing on long wide boards on top of barrels set inside the garden for drying. This required several days of hot sunshine. They were covered at night so that dew would not darken them or bugs damage. They were tied up in large cloth bags and kept for winter use. Stored cotton seed are rather warm, so we tucked our glass jars of preserved fruits underneath the seed to prevent freezing during extreme winter weather. Wild muscadines ripened in July, growing on large vines that climbed high trees or along fences and low saplings near streams of water. They are purple when ripe and grow singly over the vine instead of in clusters like grapes. We used muscadines only for eating. Jelly could be made from them, but it was usually very dark in color and had a nippy flavor. Scuppernong vines, which produced a greenish-brown fruit similar to grapes, were set out near homes usually in the backyard and trained to grow on an arbor- like scaffold for shade and easy picking. These were milder and more pleasingly- flavored than wild muscadines. Lye soap was usually made in the winter and late spring when good oak or hickory wood ashes from the fireplace were plentiful, as well as surplus hog greases and bones. An ash hopper was constructed by placing split boards on a plank fence two feet from the ground, slanting downward and resting on a brace, then setting a bottomless barrel onto the boards. This was filled with ashes and clear water was poured into a basin-like hole at the top in the ashes. The water passed through the ashes, separating the invisible lye which would drain into a vessel at the bottom of the hopper. Usually I was the one assigned the duty of pouring on the water and emptying the dripped lye into the large pot for making the soap. By mixing and heating the lye and greases a cheap, good laundry soap would be made. The soap was dipped from the pot while it was hot and poured into a non leaking barrel to be used as needed after it cooled. As soon as soap-making was finished it was time to make a washpot batch of hominy. Using about one gallon of dry shelled corn, we would pour in the last drippings of lye water and boil slowly for about three hours. Then the corn was rinsed well, put back in the pot, covered with clear water and boiled again until the grains were fluffy and tender. This made a delicious addition to the meal when seasoned with salt and bacon gravy. Sauerkraut was made when the cabbages were well headed by cutting them into small pieces and pouring by buckets-full into a barrel and adding a cup of salt each time. It was packed thoroughly with a large pestle or maul and weighed down with rocks on top of small boards with a cover over the barrel. Kraut was a welcome change of greens in the winter. Surplus salt could easily be soaked out or removed by changing the boiling water a few times in meal preparation. It was hard to bake more potatoes than were needed for dinner for our large family. Sometimes late in the afternoon a few were roasted beneath the ashes in the fireplace. These had a flavor different from those baked in the oven. We knew they were well done when the skins would burst open. Eggs could also he roasted beneath the ashes. They nearly always popped out of the ashes. How good those tasted sitting around the fireplace hearth. We also had a potato baker resembling a large skillet except it had a fitted lid and three 4 inch legs so that a fire could be made on top and underneath. Usually red hot coals were piled on top where a rim held them in place. Originally they were used in colonial kitchens where all the cooking was done on large fireplaces and wide hearths. We had neither; therefore it was not too practical, but potatoes baked in it were delicious. Corn cobs mode good smokeless fuel for heat and were often used for cooking other foods in the potato baker, such as pound cakes egg bread, biscuits, and lightbread. The utensils that came with new stoves included two one-gallon pots, two skillets, two flat bakers, one tea kettle,all of cast iron; a five-gallon tinned wash boiler, two pie pans, and two tin lids for the pots. As soon as crops were gathered in the fall there was a great deal of moving about, especially among share-croppers who drifted here and there among farm owner. Like "the rolling stone that gathers no moss," these folks were always poor. There were those who worked toward a goal of buying a farm of their own, and usually this caused them to move. There were also those moving from rural areas to town or from town back to the farm. Moving any place was quite a deal! All household goods, chickens, cows or what-have-you had to he moved, and the wife must be able to furnish three meals a day regardless of the distance and turmoil. To anyone watching movers go by, with wagons loaded high, it was almost comparable to a show especially to children. There would be chair legs sticking out on the sides, odd pieces of furniture here and there, with mattresses on top, tubs fastened on the side. A chicken coop with the flock of chickens was tied securely to the back end, a cow or two with perhaps a calf following behind, someone walking behind these to prevent their straying, and usually a cur dog in close contact with the whole procession. In 1898 Papa bought Horace a new 12-guage shotgun. This was a great innovation over the old muzzle-loader that had to be loaded by pouring gunpowder and shot down the barrel with wads of paper in-between and on top. This was jammed tightly with a gun stick, and a firing cap was inserted near the trigger. This new gun used all brass shells that could be refilled over and over with a cap placed at one end. It was about the same as reloading the old gun barrel, but the great advantage of the new one was that one could reload as many shells as he thought would be needed on an afternoon hunt and carry along in a gun sack over his shoulder: whereas, the old gun had to be reloaded on the spot as soon as it was empty. The oxen that Papa used at the sawmill were interesting animals. A pair usually worked together, and a strong shaped yoke was placed on top of their necks with an inserted wooden bow extending around each neck and pressing against the front of their shoulders-the seat of their pulling power. They were slow motion, but fairly strong animals. Corn was their favorite food although grass or hay supplied roughage, Papa used them chiefly for hauling logs from the woods to the sawmill, A large two-wheel cart was used for this, fastening on log at a time with a large double hook around it and dragging the other end on the ground. The driver could easily walk beside them, as they walk so slowly. Once in a long time an ox would die and was replaced at a nominal cost. Sometimes their horns were boiled, scraped and polished to make a hunting or dinner horn. With the old muzzle-loading gun, hunters had to carry their gunpowder and shot along with them for reloading. They generally used cow horns prepared like the dinner horns except the large end was closed with a fitted wooden piece nailed inside, and the powder or shot was poured out from the small end where a cork stopper was used. Reverend McClamrock and Will Barksdale demonstrated the first phonograph or talking machine in Athens in 1897. We lived on the farm nearly three miles away and went by wagon to listen over this wonderful machine. One at a time listened by placing a tube in each ear and paying a small fee for the entertainment. Every farmer in the l890's raised his own meat and lard by keeping enough hogs to supply his family's needs. There are few meats as appetizing as hickory smoked country ham and sausage. In the early fall the hogs that were to be killed that winter were placed in a small, strong pen to fatten by giving them all the corn they could eat, as well as any other scraps and "slop" from the kitchen. By the time of the first cold spell one hog was killed to furnish a boiled ham for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. With the neighbors who didn't kill we shared some sausage, spare ribs, backbone, souse meat or chitterlings. The shoulders and middlings were salted down, but used up by Christmas, for the other hogs were rapidly fattening for the big kill in January or February when the weather was very cold. This cold was necessary to chill the fresh killed meat thoroughly for safe keeping. A 400 pound hog would produce two 18 or 20- pound hams which were quite thick and it was a serious matter to find these spoiled from improper curing. The men did all the killing and dressing, cutting up and spreading the pieces inside the smoke house to chill overnight before it was salted down in large wooden boxes for at least six weeks. Then all the hams, shoulders and middlings were washed to remove the surplus salt before they were hung high in the smoke house to dry out over a hickory or oak wood fire burning slowly to produce more smoke and give the meat that delicious smoked flavor. We girls took charge of all trimmings of meat and parts of the middlings to grind into sausage. We also rendered the lard by cooking the fat in the washpot outdoors. After just the right cooking period the browned cracklings which floated on top of the clear lard were lifted out, and the hot lard was strained into large tin cans. The finished product, when it cooled overnight, was a hard white shortening. When all the sausage were stuffed we hung them also in the smoke house. I was usually assigned the job of keeping a good smoke underneath. If the wood burned too fast making a blaze, I would pile dirt on to make smoke. Papa had induced several farmers to enter into truck farming. This necessitated early plantings to get better prices, so hot-beds were built to grow early plants for resetting in the fields after the danger of cold and frost was past. A tunnel was dug and the plant bed was made over it with a plank frame built around higher on the north side than on the south side. It was covered with a cloth to keep the cold out and the heat inside. A wood fire was kept burning day and night in the tunnel underneath. The smoke escaped through a stack at the opposite end from the fire. A lot of water was required for moisture in the plant bed. All of Papa's plants froze during the severe cold of 1898 (12 degrees and nine inches of snow) except those where the hot-bed cover was pressed onto them by the weight of the snow like a veritable blanket. More seed for cabbage and tomatoes were planted in the hot-bed, and English peas were planted directly in the fields. A fair crop was made. We children worked hard, helping with the resetting and gathering. The plans were to ship all the fresh vegetables to St. Louis. This was before refrigerator cars, and it would have been bad enough if they could have shipped on a direct route, but several changes had to be made before the produce reached its destination. When the first car-load was opened every pea was covered with a fuzzy mold, making them unfit for table use. Freight had to he paid and other losses were involved. This was the end of trucking for us. There were no home refrigerators either, so a lot of vegetables were to waste in the fields. On occasion Papa would extract aching molars with his self-made "pullekins." They were very much like modern wire pliers, made of iron and fashioned in his own blacksmith shop. No pain-killer what-ever was used on the grateful person. Tichenor's antiseptic was freely used in the cavity to counteract bleeding and infection. When Horace was nearing young manhood (21 was considered grown up) Papa bought for him his first full suitcoat, vest, one pair of pants, a new hat, a cravat, and a white pleated bosom shirt with studs down the front and separate collar and cuffs starched very stiff. Of course, there was the long one-piece knit underwear too with long sleeves and legs. The socks were pulled up over these long legs and high-top lace shoes were worn. The collars and cuffs soiled more readily than the shirt and therefore had to be laundered more often. Later celluloid ones were on the market which could be brushed clean with a damp cloth easily. Then came suits with two pairs of pants and striped or figured shirts with attached collar and cuffs. Papa had a blacksmith shop near the mill to do any necessary repair work on wagons and for shoeing the mules. The mules and horses' feet became sore and tender if they were not kept well shod. New shoes had to be attached with special horse shoe nails every six or eight weeks. Papa made most of the needed shoes from iron in his shop. A large furnace with a coal-burning fire and a large bellows overhead were used to heat the metal red hot for hammering into any desired shape. Often the metal had to be reheated several times and hammered again and again. The bellows had a long handle for blowing air onto the fire to produce a quick heat. When the metal was red hot it was put onto the anvil with large tongs for holding it securely and turning it as the hammering went on. This made red hot sparks fly in all directions. When the metal was hammered into the desired shape it was dipped quickly into a tub of cold water to temper it for a harder consistency. Anyone could operate the bellows, and I especially liked to pull the long handle. Sometimes the metal rim on a wagon wheel ran off and had to he put back on immediately to prevent destruction of the whole wheel. Being too large to put onto the furnace, the rim was put on the ground outside and a fire was built all around it. It would shrink when it was replaced on the wheel and water poured thereon. Plow stocks and plow points were also mended or sharpened at the black- smith shop as well as other metal instruments. Cotton had to carded by hand to remove all the hard lumps and trash. The carding implements were two 6" x 12" wood pieces with handles and covered with tiny upright wires, slightly bent at the top By pulling in opposite directions the cotton was carded. Then by pulling back and forth with the handles on the same side a light roll would be formed. These rolls were all placed in a pile until a desired number was made. Then by taking one at a time we placed them on one end of the spindle point of the spinning wheel, turned the large wheel and twisted the small roll of cotton into a long thread. Another roll was added just before the preceding one was twisted tip entirely, and a special spool was attached to the wheel for winding the thread on as it was twisted to the proper size. This was later unwound and made into a large ball of thread ready for knitting socks and stockings all creamy and white. Our spun thread was not very smooth but somewhat bumpy like threads in tweedy material. We could have become more perfect had it been necessary, but by then cotton mills produced better thread in abundance. William Henry Pace (1856-1933) married Rebecca Frances Pate (1863-1904) Horace Payton Pace (1878- ) m Mary Walthall Annie Jewel Pace (1881-1965) m Jerry Volentine Jessie Pace (1883- ) m. Eustis Smith Willie Lee Pace (1885- ) m. Floyd Rice Dillon Dallas Head Pace (1886-1957) m Etta Hightower Rubie Pace (1888- ) m. Perry Wideman Dillon McCaga Lamar Pace (1890-1958) m Myrtle New Louie Foster Pace (1892- ) m Nona Levins Chattie Lane Pace (1895- ) m. Robert Clark Bonnie Belle (Dot) Pace (1898- ) m Robert Lee Goodson Dimple Pace (1901- ) m. Gordon Jennings Gaye Rebecca Pace (1903- ) m. Waldo Bruce Huggins {Also see "Page 68-Will Pace Home" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 93 "New" Athens by Willie Lee Pace Dillon The townspeople in 1890 were mostly long-time residents of Old Athens, two and one-half miles west of New Athens. Prior to 1890 Old Athens was a thriving town and had been the seat of justice for the parish since 1846 when it was moved from Overton, later called Minden Lower Landing, on Bayou Dorcheat. Russellville, one mile north of the New Athens town site had been the seat of justice prior to Overton, from 1836. Main Street, now running east and west through New Athens, was a well-established road in 1885. There were dense woods on both sides of the road. There was tall virgin pine, oak, hickory, and sweet-gum and sassafras. The Louisiana and Northwest Railroad was built from Gibsland to Athens--a distance of 10 miles-in 1887 and was extended to Homer another 10 miles in 1888. At Gibsland connection was made with the Vicksburg, Shreveport, and Pacific Railroad, running east and west. Only a few families were living in the area now called New Athens, but in the surrounding territory were many farming folk who had migrated from Georgia and Alabama in the period from 1850 to 1861. Some family names of early residents in New Athens and within a six-mile radius were Jim and Tom Aubrey, Tom Baker. Bill Beauchamp, Will and Jeff Pace (and later Jim Pace, M. D.) Will and Jeff Hill, Jess Ford, Billie Barnes, Brownfield, John Carr, Green Walker Berry, Andrew Pate, Sr., Mosley, Dance, Volentine, Bailey, Atkins. Mullenix, Cobb, Bridges, McCleish, DeLoach, McFarland, and the Rev erend Stone, a retired Methodist minister who kept the Post Office and whose son later practiced medicine in the Athens area. As some moved away or died, new family names appeared. Some were Whittington, Culpepper, Luke New, Johnson, Cravens, Howard. Ward, Weston, Moody, Sims, Greer, Mosley, Morris, Youngblood, Mabrey, Abney, John Dillon, Willett, DeLoney, Pittman. More and more land was cleared of virgin growth and homes were built as the town population increased. The accompanying scene of Main Street New Athens, looking east from the Railroad track crossing was made one Saturday afternoon in early summer 1900 when the countrymen from the surrounding area came to town to purchase the next weeks supplies. Some came just to relax or to get the latest news and to watch the train go by. When the train whistled and the bell started ringing to clear the track at the street crossing before stopping at the Depot many rushed onto the platform, getting a closer look at this new steam-operated monster and hearing the conductor say "Athens!" A few passengers would get off or on. Then "All aboard!" was shouted and the train would proceed on its north- south daily schedule. Freight trains made a bigger show but passengers produced more interest. They were alive! Country folk came by mule-drawn wagon, buggy, horse-back, or walking. Some came after a hard working week, staying all day, now and then being invited to dinner by a store-keeper who closed his doors at noon for an hour. The store owners provided "hitching racks" or posts in front of the larger stores for hitching the steeds. If trees were nearby some were hitched there for shade. Where horses pawed the tree roots from impatience or from thirst, some trees died. Town officials finally dug two water wells in mid-street to accommodate man and beast. The top of one well is visible in the accompanying picture. Soon the once "New" Athens became "Athens" and the original "Athens" became "Old" Athens. Numerous homes were built by Johnson Lumber Company for employees and their families. Some of these homes still stand. One is the former home of Johnson and his family. The only Johnson daughter married Harvey Couch who then (1900) passed through Athens twice daily as he worked on the L and NW as baggage master. Later he became a philanthropist and a well known national figure. The Couch home was at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and they had a fine family of boys and one daughter. In 1900 a Tennesseean, Sid Crump, married the eldest daughter of Millard W. Atkins who was well known in state and parish affairs. Crump published the ATHENIAN NEWS for a few years before moving to Shreveport. Once in a long while a circus came to town, traveling from town to town by the open road-Haag's Mighty Show and Clyde Beatty's. Young and old came to witness the big l p.m. parade, made up of caged animals, clowns, elephants and Shetland ponies, with the steam pipes or reeds on the wonderful music-making Calliope loudly playing. Many attended the 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows. There were clowns and trapeze artists "flying through the air, with the greatest of ease." In 1897 Reverend MeClamrock, a local ministerial student, presented a benefit performance one night in a store, using an early gramophone with hearing tubes for individual listening. Charges were 5c for a few minutes. One group came from three miles away, riding in a wagon, and felt it was well worth the effort. One of the oldest homes in Athens was built in 1886 for Mrs. Cordelia Atkins Barnes with money inherited from her father, Bleuf Atkins, who died in 1884. The land upon which it stood was on the north edge of Athens Main Street, up a hill overlooking Athens proper, extending westward a half-mile and northward about one mile, probably 40 acres in all. The "Billy" Barnes lived there until 1898, selling to Bob Cooper, who in turn sold to Mr. Mabrey of Haynesville, who sold to J. R. Dillon in 1901. Dillon went into general merchandising with H. D. Martin, who had married one of Green Walker's daughters. The Dillon and Martin partnership was dissolved in 1905 upon Dillon's death. The family continued to live at the "Barnes" house until 1925 when it was sold to J. E. Volentine. The house burned down in 1926. The Volentines built a modern home on the same site. In 1905 the first Masonic frame building was under construction, when a near cyclonic wind blew the nearly completed framing down. A two-story brick Masonic building was built later, the corner-stone being laid in 1927. Ed Watson built a large home on 3rd south which burned in 1950. Another fine home was built on the east side by Dr. C. C. Craighead and was sold to R. W. Baker in 1906. Yet it stands and is owned by Sim's heirs. The Fletcher Marsalis home is a well preserved two-story house owned by Mr. and Mrs. Aub Atkins, living there some 25 years. Dr. C. A. Bailey moved his office to town from near his east-side residence in 1895, using log rollers and mule-power. The new location was about a half- mile from the old. The new location was later the site of the Gaddis Speer Barber Shop. A black-smith shop was first owned and operated by Lum Mosley, 1885-1890. It was sold to Ed Bridges, a former resident of Old Athens. Anvil "clinkings" were heard there, and horses were shod and wagons mended. The shop was directly across from the Dr. Bailey Drug Store. Clyde Simon's service station now occupies the same location. After Tom Baker moved his general store to Athens from Old Athens, be needed a house for his family, so he rented Will Pace's new home which had been built for his own family. Baker built a large two-story house with upper and lower porticos, and Pace, owning a saw-mill, quickly built another house for his family. It is now known as the Iva Lee Bailey home". Tom Mullenix was the efficient carpenter of that period. The larger home rented by Baker originally was square roofed over four large rooms, with dining-room and kitchen off-set, and walk-ways-an old custom. This house was built in 1889 and is yet standing. Ed Bridges, blacksmith, bought a few acres some 100 yards west of the depot in 1896, near the Woodmen of the World building, which was quite near a rather difficult and upsetting stream. During the rainy season it occasionally over- flowed and caused much trouble. Because all hillsides two miles upstream drained into this stream, with a few hours of heavy rain the swollen stream could wash away fences, chicken coops and sometimes small bridges. There would be a mighty roaring of water, subsiding in a few hours. Finally a concave concrete bridge with culverts beneath solved the problem for 25 years after which broken and clogged culverts gave way. A larger and heavier bridge replaced the old in 1960. At one time a car and a driver and at another a horse and rider were swept below the old bridge. The church nearest to Athens, other than that at Tulip, was Salem Presbyterian-North, built in 1858. In 1891 with only 12 families banded together, a Methodist church was built. A Baptist church was built in 1903 and was located near town. Only one old building yet remains at Old Athens; more than 100 years it has served the Baptists of that section. Two cemeteries are near. Parents of the area became more and more concerned about educating their children. First there was a one-room school on the same plot as Salem Church and Cemetery, near Russelville, and donated by Judge R. L. Kilgore. In 1891, a larger two-room school was built on a new site and centrally located, where the present modern plant now stands. The early school-terms were of short duration, two or three months, and tuition was paid for each child. Rural Free Delivery mail service was started in 1905. Originally there were two routes but with better roads and automobiles, they were consolidated into one route. Some older citizens remember a severe drouth of 1896, from April to December, that caused a great loss, especially to farmers. That year cotton was almost a total failure. On an average year cotton stalks on ordinary land measure about four feet tall and across and well filled with bolls of white fleece, but that year stalks only 6 or 8 inches tall produced only one or two bolls. Folks learned by experience that other crops as well as cotton could be advantageous for cash and home use. Corn and oats for feed and winter gazing, peas, sweet and Irish potatoes and home gardens supplied the family. Dried fruits and "Mason" jar canning were essential. Sorgum and sugar cane syrup served as sweets. It took some time for farmers to rely on crops other than cotton. Wagons loaded with 700 to 800 pounds of seed cotton continually passed along roads leading to town where two gins operated. The finished bale of about 400 pounds was sold and rolled onto a special platform for shipping. Cotton was 6c a pound in 1912 and 6000 bales were processed by one gin. Corn was 25c a bushel. At first all stock ran at large; later each farmer enclosed cattle-proof pastures for year-round grazing on bermuda. Milk cows of better breeding were now being used. Whereas in earlier years each family kept one to three cows to give sufficient milk, later they learned that one well-fed Jersey or Holstein was more economical. Cow-pens and barn lots bred many flies which migrated into homes by the millions~ Window and door screens were unknown before the 1890's. In 1898 a corporate group of townsmen agreed to invest in a "canning factory" including box-making machinery for canned tomato shipping. This project failed after three years-probably due to inefficient handling and unskilled labor. Will Pace owned several plots of town land and built a two and a half story hotel with 15 rooms to accommodate traveling salesmen. It was leased to Mr. and Mrs. Alec Caldwell who charged 25c for a meal and 25c for an overnight room. This project proved well worth the investment. Law and order must be observed and Athens at first administered the customary whiplashing to offenders-one to forty lashes according to the seriousness of the crime. Two offenders were hanged in Athens, one for burning down a home and one for molesting a man's wife. Later a "calaboose", 8'x8', was built. The worst offenders were taken to the jail in Homer, the parish seat. Later offenders were sentenced to cut weeds on streets, clear ditches, or perform any necessary town service as payment for the fine. Little was known about directed or supervised recreation before 1900, but there was a base-ball field in the 1890's on second street East, where the Baptist Church and the Volentine, Neel, and Duke homes now stand. Early doctors of New Athens were Jim Pace, Culpepper, C. A. Bailey, Jim Simpson, C. C. Craighead, and Wilson. Doctors visited in homes, but this, too, changed. Now in 1968 most fields are fenced since cattle raising is the main "crop" for this area, and Athens continues to progress, but probably no such crowd as that shown in the accompanying picture could be "mustered" today. {Also see "Page 94-Athens Main Street" and "Page 96-Rufus Sims Home" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 99 Sand Hill School By Jay New Baker We who enjoy all the conveniences of our modern schools cannot imagine or truly appreciate the struggles that have made possible our present educational system. Sand Hill School was the first scbool I was told about and since both my father (Alfred Barto New) and my mother (Allie Dillon) attended Sand Hill it became very special to me. It was located in ward 5 of Claiborne Parish, 3 miles north of Old Athens and east of the present highway between what are known as the Billy Capps and Johnny Baker places. No landmarks remain, gravel having been dug obliterating all traces of the site where once Sand Hill stood. Oft times I visited in the bome of my Aunt (Dora New Capps) whose residence was only a few yards from the school site. To get her daughter Vera and me from underfoot we were allowed to play in the now abandoned school house. Sometimes we carried our lunch and went to the nearby spring for water and we were thrilled to feel so grown up and important. Years passed. George Capps tore down the badly deteriorated building using the material salvaged to erect a barn. After I married Erby Baker we lived only a short distance from the old school site and I frequently visited it. The memory of it was so realistic I wasn't satisfied to have Sand Hill School pass into oblivion. I began digging into the past. Luckily I found a souvenir and picture of Sand Hill among my mother's school day treasures. From a few remaining pupils of the school-Henry New of Harris, Mrs. Ninie Willett of Athens, Mrs. Jessie Myers, Minden, and my mother, Mrs Allie New, Athens - I gathered information which I pieced together jigsaw fashion. In the year 1888 my grandparents Eli Crawford New and Sarah Angeline Huckaby moved to Claiborne Parish from Lookout Mountain, DeKalb County, Alabama, enrolling their children Alfred Barto, Ninie, and Henry Crawford at Sand Hill School. The building was of a large rectangular shape, having one side door and one door in the end of the structure. The side door was used exclusively by the girls when the need arose to be excused; nature provided the only place of recluse. Two desks reaching across the room were 6 feet wide with partition dividing each; girls sat on one side of the desk, boys on the other. Seats were bare planks 20 feet long with no backs except two near the wall occupied by the grown boys. A heater in each end of the building provided warmth. The boys gathered lighterknots from the surrounding wooded area to keep the fires burning. A nearby Spring-more often than not inhabited by crawfish, frogs, and an occasional turtle or snake-furnished the school water supply. The older boys fetched the water from the spring in buckets; a dipper (tin or gourd) from which everyone drank was standard equipment. Teachers remembered were Miss Fannie Beauchamp who taught several sessions, Miss Azalee Dance who opened school each morning with prayer, Miss Sudie Boyd who taught one day, Mr. Barksdale and Miss Julia Webb. The souvenir of the school which I have mentioned was given by Miss Julia Webb to Allie Dillon, a member of Miss Julia's class in 1898. Parents hired the teachers to tutor their children. Many parents had little or no formal education themselves. Pupils walked to school; some had to trudge many miles. Lunches were carried in slit baskets-group lunches where several members of the same family attended school. Nails driven into the wall were used to hold the baskets. Pupils were instructed to use the same nail for their lunch baskets every day. Each pupil was required to buy slate, pencil and his own books (The "Blue Back Speller" was one.) Each sat in the same place every day and all were in the same class for teaching. Henry New, now residing in the Harris community tells of some of his experiences as a beginner. "Miss Fannie" gave the class an assignment and since he could neither read nor write and didn't know his ABC's he wasn't allowed to carry his book home. He was a bit perplexed about the whole matter; nevertheless, he continued going to school. For punishment, the teacher set aside a corner of the room known as "the penitentiary" for those who became unruly. On one occasion Miller New was sent to "the penitentiary". Some time elapsed and Miller wanting attention asked Miss Fannie what A-Y-T-C-H spelled. She answered, the letter H. Uncle Henry states that this was the first thing he learned at school. On another occasion when he was asked to tell what the letter "J" looked like, Earie Gandy replied "Two bluejays tied together." At Sand Hill Friday was "cross spelling" time. Two students-my uncle remembers Jessie Baker and Ninnie New were often the two-"Chose sides." After an equal number of students had been chosen the "sides" would line up against opposite walls. The teacher then gave out words to be spelled. When a pupil missed a word the one on the opposite side was given a chance to spell it. A pupil misspelling a word had to sit down. The procedure was followed until one student remained standing. I'm told that Jessie Baker usually was the best speller. After a while a school more centrally located was needed so Rocky Ridge School was built. Information available at the School Board Office indicates that Rocky Ridge was built in 1898 and about that time Sand Hill was consolidated with it. Sand Hill had been built many years prior. The average number of pupils attending at the time of consolidation was about 32. The school was in session three or four months in each year. If patrons wanted a longer session, each paid 5.00 on the teacher's salary. John Charping built Rocky Ridge School. Billy Ward and John Dillon gave the land on which it was built. The expense of building was borne by citizens who gave 10.00 or the equivalent in helping with construction. Rocky Ridge was consolidated with the Athens school in 1920. {Also see "Page 100-Sand Hill School" and "Page 102-Rocky Ridge School" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 102 The Lady Photographer of Athens By John Ardis Cawthon Shortly after the death of Daguerre in 1851, his daguerreotypes had found their way into the frontier regions of North Louisiana. (1) Mathew Brady further perfected the process of photography during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods, (2) and by the turn of the century numerous photographers had set up studios in practically all American cities. It remained, however, for a "lady photographer," Miss Lela Rogers, of Athens, Louisiana, to become the best known picture-taker in North Louisiana. Her major activities centered around her home at Athens, but according to her brother, Mr. Wirt Rogers, "We drove our buggy all over North Louisiana." (3) Accompanying Mr. Rogers, then a lad of about 12 or 14 years, were his sisters, Miss Lela, the photographer, and Mrs. Wilite Rogers Brice. At times they would be gone from Athens one or two weeks. Mr. Rogers recalled: We'd drive up to a house and mention pictures. They'd get real interested and would all line up to have their pictures made, either individual, group, or cabinet. Groups sold for $6.00 for ½ dozen. After the family had had their pictures taken, they'd call in the field hand- Negroes-and they'd line up for their pictures, too. We'd get the camera out, tack up the background, put up the tripod and screw in the camera. People having their pictures taken would stand real still in front of the background. Mr. Rogers remembered that his sister had one "enlarged" camera and one "penny" camera which took 1" x 1½" pictures in a row which had to be cut apart. The Rogers family knew the Dances-Gibb, Warren, Bob, Gus, and George and the Volentines who were kinfolks. "Quite a connection of them," said Mr. Rogers. They took pictures of Buckners beyond Old Athens and of Greens at Antioch. Miss Lela Rogers was nearly 80 when she died. She left a trunk full of pictures which her family burned. They have one picture of Miss Lela and two pictures which they cannot identify. On the back of one is written, "Josephine, age 7 mos., is 10 mos. now." Among the pictures in the album which belonged to Annis Kilgore Dance are numerous pictures of the Dance family which, according to Mrs. Maggie Dance Cawthon, were made by "Miss Lela." At the age of 90, Mrs. Cawthon reported, "Miss Lela was not a mere photographer; she was an artist. I should know because, you know, I studied art at the academy in Athens. She made my picture, back in the 1890's-the one with the flowers in my hair. She made Papa's picture. She made pictures of three generations of our family. Why, you should remember her;" she said, "she made your picture-the one in the beautiful dress that I made for you especially to have your baby picture made in." (4) There was elegance in the chairs and backdrops which Miss Rogers used. She provided a proper setting for old people, for young ladies and their beaux, for babies, for family groups. Miss Lela Rogers deserved the title of "The Lady Photographer of Athens" at the turn of the century. FOOTNOTES: 1 In the possession of the author are two daguerreotypes of his grandmother, Ella Caroline Kolb Cawthon, which were made at Ringgold during the early 1850's. Reproduced in The Inevitable Guest (Naylor Company. 1965) is an excellent group picture of Dr. A. J. Kolb and his family, also made in Ringgold in 1920. 2. Horan, James D., Mathew Brady, Historian with a Camera. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1955. 3. Interview between Mrs. Jane Tenery and Mr, Clifford Rogers, son of Mr. Wirt Rogers, Homer, Louisiana, February 24, 1968, and reported in a letter to John A. Cawthon. 4 Interview with Mrs. Maggie Dance Cawthon, age 90, February, 1968, The author of this sketch could hardly be expected to recall Miss Rogers, however, as the picture was made in 1907 when he was less than a year old. {Also see "Page 104-Lady Photographer" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 105 Small Town Dressmaker By Willie Lee Pace Dillon There have been many days, yea years, since I have experienced a many carefree leisurely days as in this July of 1966. There have been 48 years of dressmaking and thousands of frocks made for the elite lady who desired special custom-made clothes, and expert alterations on ready-mades for some fastidious customers. In 1918 sidewalks led to my house in Athens, but by 1930 automobiles were being freely used by women and on week days rarely could I look out my front window without seeing a car being driven up. Many times I would hear the dull thump of a car door closing and soon a lady was knocking on my door, holding a box or a store-wrapped bundle containing one, two, three, or maybe six pieces of material for dresses, a suit, or a coat, to be fashioned to her own taste with help from me and my favorite Vogue Pattern Book. Some, especially college students, planned for a whole season at one time. A few customers have come to me for as long as 20 or 30 years and after marriage have started bringing their own little girls. The materials which gave me the greatest delight were nylon net, laces, tulle, silks, and sheer woolens. I made one banquet gown in 1955, using 20 yards of pink nylon net, 72 inches wide (equal to 40 yards of 36 inch material.) At the skirt's edge 20 yards of headed ruffled net were used, ruffle stitched upon ruffle-edge to the waistline. Hoops were worn beneath two net drop skirts and one of taffeta. Very full skirts were worn in the 1950's. Most formals were floor length. Skirts of street dresses were pleated or gathered, full and wide. My most outstanding job was a wedding gown for a local girl in 1957. It consisted of 6 yards of organza at 3.00 per yard, 11 yards or 40 inch chantilly lace at 8.00 per yard, and the two nylon net drop-skirts and one taffeta-each 7 to 10 yards at the hem. Hoops were worn underneath. I copied a 250.00 dress, using my own basic patterns; I was always able to devise and cut any needed patterns. I also fashioned the bride's pearl bead-studded head piece and waist length veil, as well as costumes for several of the bridesmaids. Ladies from Homer, 10 miles away, hearing about my nominal charges and proficiency brought their bundles of material. Usually I could finish a garment in one day. As prices on all commodities rose I began to regard my Services as being more deserving, so I gradually raised my charges. I never ate much "idle bread." As many as 8 or 10 pieces of material were often left on my shelves over the week-end. On one occasion there were 39 pieces., but I cleared my shelves in three weeks and was ready to accommodate others who came in the meantime. I saved time when possible for instance, I used pins instead of basting. I felt that a telephone would hinder rather than help and I did not have one installed until the late l940's. Those were strenuous but happy days. I could not afford a maid and had only two young sons to help with household chores which including milking two cows and looking after them in general, but by determination and because I was willing and had good health, I never gave in to difficulties which included our house burning down one morning in February, 1922. All household goods and the dress materials on hand were saved. Athens had no water system, but the time of day was in our favor and we had the help of townfolk, especially members of the senior class in our school. In June of 1947, my daughter was a bride. Her gown was of white satin, with a slim skirt and a short train, The bodice had a chantilly lace yoke in floral pattern outlined with seed pearls, applied by hand. The sleeves were long and pointed over the hand. In one day, and by 8 P.M. I finished the whole gown. The word NO was not in my vocabulary. I accepted all comers, any type of material, and any kind of sewing - drapes, slip covers, furs to be remodeled- among others. I have preserved many of the clothes that I made for myself or my daughter, along with near 100 of our hats-some bought, some made or remodeled by me; a few have been donated. I have a small museum in my home and it includes among many other items more than 59 handbags for ladies, acquired between 1920 and 1065. I began to "sew for pay" early in 1918, but this did not begin my years of sewing. When I was 18 in February, 1904, our mother died, leaving the nine youngest Pace children at home. I was the oldest so the responsibility of the home was mine. It wasn't easy to stitch up jeans, pants, and coats and gingham shirts for the three small boys and dresses for myself and the five little girls, but I managed. In December, 1904 I married so then I had another family- my husband's -for whom I could help with sewing, and later I had my own family. 1 have really known 62 years of dressmaking, from 1904 to 1966. As near as I can estimate, I have made 12,000 dresses for pay. On many days I have cut and finished one or more per day. Charges in 1918 were 1.00, gradually increasing to 6.00 or 10.00. Only one-a wedding gown was 25.00 plus 5.00 for a pearl-studded headpiece. These have been glorious years in spite of one case of typhoid fever, one case of polio, and three deaths in the family. {Also see "Page 106-Dressmaker" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 108 Haynesville: Oil Boom and Tornado By Agnes Caston Ware "Giddap, you __ _____ mules. Heyohi! Gadap." These were the first words I remember hearing spoken as we were moving to Haynesville, and they were yelled by a woman standing in hip boots, almost covered by mud. She was popping a long, black snake whip over the heads of eight huge, equally muddy mules, straining at a wagon loaded with oil field equipment. Like so many boys reared on a farm my dad, Van Caston, had been lured from the back-breaking labor of farm work for practically no pay to working for wages drilling oil wells around Coushatta in 1915, where he worked until going overseas during World War I. When the war was over he went back into oil field work moving from Harmon to Haynesville, which was still booming after the first well was brought in during 1921. The first night in Haynesville was spent in a rooming house, upstairs, close to where the present Hotel stands. Mom said the stairs were on the outside, and as screens were practically non-existent in those days she and Dad sat up all night burning rags to keep mosquitoes off us kids. That day Dad rented a small, three-room, shot-gun, furnished house, quite near the Taylor No. 1. the first well brought in. After a few days Granpa Caston arrived bringing our furniture in a wagon, so Dad bought an ell-shaped, three-room house, about a quarter of a mile closer to town, for $75.00. Although these were typical oil field houses my Mother cried for weeks, as we had lived in a really nice company house in Harmon. But Mom became adjusted, for the roads were so muddy that people mostly associated with their neighbors, all in similar circumstances-young, making good money, and enjoying spending it. Because Dad was a real fiddler, playing the guitar, mandolin, bass violin,and almost any other kind of stringed instrument, there were always get-togethers at our house, some playing music, some playing cards, and nearly always some one dancing, as well. Because these oil field "shacks" were built of shingle walls and floors on land leased by the oil companies the land was rent free. Oil field work was a transient thing so walls were not papered and there was little painting done inside or outside the house, since the owner felt he might be transferred at any time. However, most of the oil field workers had gardens, cows, chickens and even pigs. It was in the days before wage and hour laws so the men worked long, hard hours-up to twelve a day seven days a week-for about $3.00 a day. The women did most of their housework, hiring colored women to wash and iron, usually at their homes where a fire was built around the big iron wash pot early in the morning and the white clothes boiled, "battened" down with a long paddle. As this was before any kind of washing powder either yellow Oxydol or P and G soap was used. Some still made their own soap. A long bench held four No. 3 galvanized wash tubs, which held about twenty- five gallons of water each. In the first tub the clothes were scrubbed on a washboard until clean, after being dipped out of the boiling water with the wooden paddle. They were then rinsed twice in cold water and then through the last tub, to which bluing had been added from a stick of blue. Then they were hung on the line with wooden pins. Since people washed clothes only once a week it took from daylight till right about noon. By the time one hung the last overalls out the hands were skinned from using strong soap in hot water,the abrasion of rubbing on a metal wash-board, not to mention the coarseness of some of the fabric itself. In the hot summer it didn't take long for the clothes to dry. Then they had to be taken down, folded and put away. Starch was made in a big dish-pan of dry starch made by Argo. Some of the older women could make it out of flour, but the younger ones felt lucky to make it without lumps with a bought product. The clothes to he starched (and this was most of the wearing apparel of the whole family, since it was believed that clothing didn't wilt as quickly when starched and that heavily starched material repelled dirt more readily) were wrung out of the starch. Some people also added bluing to a separate pan of starch for the white clothing, especially men's dress shirts. Since Monday was wash day, most of the ironing was done on Tuesday. Again a fire was built around the place that the wash pot was put the day before and two smoothing irons, ironically called "Sad" irons set on their heels facing the fire, Since the handle was iron it was necessary to use a thick rag to get it out of the fire and use it. The clothes were sprinkled and wrapped in something heavy to he taken out one at a time for ironing. The ironing board was literally a board slung between two cane-bottom chairs and padded with used sheets or old quilts or blankets. Some people used old waxed paper to smooth the iron on between strokes, some had paraffin, and others broke off a sprig of green cedar to smooth the iron and impart a pleasant smell to the clothing. The women of the "Oil Patch" had their day made when the dishes were washed after the noon meal. Since the men worked on shifts one could nearly always find another family to go fishing, play cards, play music or just visit. Within calling distance of our house were over thirty children, so we could play football, baseball, house, or any of the games children played then such as "Annie Over," "Hide and seek," "In and Out the Window" "Run Sheep, Run." and "Statue's" The older children took care or the smaller ones. We went to school in town by bus then called a "school truck" but our lives were centered in our own communities. Nearby grocery stores run by Sam Litton and Robert Ragland, contained most of the necessities's and the roads were so bad one went to town only in case of real need. As children we knew little about the traditional boom-town rough stuff. Our parents kept us near home under a watchful eye, and about the only recollection I have of anything unusual is of the pile of flavoring bottles behind the neighborhood grocery store, the contents of which the men apparently drank for the alcohol therein. Another thing I remember about those days is that one often found money, even bills, along the roads. These were exciting days. Rigs were wooden structures, apt to catch on fire and burn with a strange beauty, flames licking up to a hundred and twenty feet in the air, for there were no fire hydrants in the oil fields and by the time a fire truck from town arrived it was usually too late. I remember, also, seeing an oil tank blazing with thousands of gallons of stored oil, while weary fire- fighters tried to keep it from spreading to other tanks on the "tank farm," located at that time on the Magnolia Road, now Highway 79, about where Santiam Plywood Factory is now. Once we went to the scene of an accident, where the gang (four men) had been pulling tubing from the ground and the motor, running full speed, had suddenly locked, so that the huge fly-wheels burst into great projectiles flying over the men's beads to be driven deep into the ground or through the monstrous floor boards and 16 inch square sills into the dirt several feet under the derrick. A Mr. Bob Fitzgerald was killed when a large fragment flew into him, breaking his back. His brother-in-law, H. F. Kellum, now runs a drug store in Haynesville. There were so many accidents that the oil companies in those days sponsored first aid crews who went about the country staging contests and teaching safety measures. My Dad belonged to such a crew and this training often came in handy since it was not easy to get a doctor in an emergency. On Thanksgiving Eve, 1926, Mother was already in bed and Dad was working evening tower." We children had put the card table in line with all the straight chairs, covered them with newspapers and crawled through the "tunnel." When the wind began to blow I called Mom to bring the flashlight, and then I dragged the baby's highchair from room to room to turn off the gas-lights. (Oh, those mantels that broke each time we slammed a door!) I also turned off the gas heaters. Thus we were all huddled together somewhere around the "tunnel" in the living room, with Mom trying to put her arms around all five of us at the same time, when the storm struck. Sounding like a disintegrating freight train descending upon us, a cyclone hit the house, picked it up, and set it back down, minus the roof. Almost by the time it settled, Daddy came running up. Standing near a tank about a quarter of a mile away he had watched the cyclone hit our house. Simultaneously, neighbors began to arrive, those whose houses had not been hit coming to see about those who had had damage. I remember Mom kept telling us not to shine the flashlight on her, for she was still in her flannel nightgown. As soon as they got us bedded down, the men wanted to know if we minded staying alone, for they wanted to see if there was anything they could do in other areas where the damage was severe. Some of them went to Roxana Camp, where most of the houses were destroyed and later we saw giant steel derricks twisted and crumpled as if they were tissue paper. Even now one can see pieces of tin up in trees where this cyclone hit. Years later, when I had been married to E. Jack Ware for some time I thought to ask Daddy where he did go that night, for I always remembered that he had gone to the Ware's Chapel community and would rarely talk about the terrible things he had seen. Imagine our surprise to learn that he went to the very house where my husband was reared, that of Mr. Charlie Smith. From THE HAYNESVILLE NEWS December 2, 1926: Storm's toll is 7 dead and 12 seriously injured. Thirteen homes are swept away. Property damage is near a million dollars. The cyclone struck at a point north of Baucum's Spur, continued in a northeasterly direction. Those killed were Doy Crump, 22 years of age; (1) Mr. and Mrs. Dalton Smith, ages 23 and 21; Curtis and David Eugene Smith; (2) Mrs. Frances Jenkins, all of the Ware's Chapel community; and D. L. Flora, of Roxana Camp. Mrs. D. W. Stewart, her sister-in-law, Miss Mabel Stewart, and daughter Ouida were injured and hospitalized. There was a great deal of damage at Roxana Camp. (3) Mrs. Fannie Festervan's home completely swept away. No one at home. (4) Several oil derricks destroyed at Baucum Spur. Jessie Smith home and Charlie Smith homes demolished. (5) This issue of THE HAYNESVILLE NEWS contained pictures of Roxana Camp, the Jessie Smith home site, and a derrick. It gave lists of names of those who contributed to a fund which quickly reached $6,000. Homer sent large contributions to this fund. The December 9, 1926 issue of the NEWS contained more pictures of the cyclone's damage and information concerning it. One of the pictures was of a freight car, overturned at Baucum Spur, containing 80,000 pounds of gas engines. FOOTNOTES: 1. A brother of the author's husband's step-mother, Mrs. Emma Crump ware 2. Sons of the late Mr. Jessie Smith and Mrs. Angie Smith, now a resident of Heritage Manor, Haynesville 3. Where employees of Roxana Oil Co., lived, on the Springhill Road 4. Mrs. Festervan has told the author that they had gone to a movie - her husband and all of the children. A searcher in the debris which had once been their home came upon a doll which bad been a Christmas gift to one of the girls. When the doll was disturbed in the search, it cried "Mama" and the searcher hurriedly left the vicinity. 5. Dalton Smith had a new car which was the only thing unblemished. it was picked up. carried about sixty feet and deposited among some trees. "Uncle Charlie" Smith was blown against a tree and his wife, "Aunt Dutch" (Mittie Ware) blown into the top of a huge pecan tree where she hung for several hours before being rescued "Uncle Charlie" died some three years later at the height of another storm and "Aunt Dutch" died many years later. {Also see "Page 110-Oil Boom" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 113 History of Haynesville By Mary Aycock Green Editors note: This is a portion of a paper prepared by the author as a student of Dr. R. 0. Trout, Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, 1964) "Historical records reveal the earliest settler in the Haynesville community to be a Widow Long who established a residence in l818, hut she moved very shortly to Arkansas. (1) It was some twenty-five or thirty years later that there was a tidal wave of immigration into this area. In 1844, J. C. Wasson and L. S. Fuller came, Hiram Brown came in 1845. Miles Buford and Samuel Boyd settled in 1846. "Haynesville, in the early days of the settlement of northern Louisiana was known as "Taylor Store." The founding of the "Taylor Store" community, later to become Haynesville, was largely through the efforts of J. C. Taylor and his brother, Henry Taylor. The Taylor brothers came to northern Louisiana around the year 1849. They brought with them from South Carolina several hundred slaves. With such a supply of farm hands they were able to undertake farming tin a large scale. They purchased several hundred acres of land from the government at a price of $.75 per acre and began clearing this land for cultivation. The Taylor farm, and even more important, the general store established by the Taylors gradually became the center of a small community of farmers. J. C. Taylor was apparently a frugal and hardworking man who was quick to see opportunities to broaden his business interests. He purchased more land, built a cotton gin, and established a blacksmith shop. This nucleus of business establishments became the center of the "Taylor Store Community" which in 1898 was a village of around 250 people. The village covered an area of approximately one square mile, The government of the village consisted of a constable and a justice of the peace who held court occasionally. This very loose government structure was all that was needed for the relatively few families residing there. (2) The Old Town (Taylor's Store Community) had several other businesses. One was a drug store owned by Sam Kirkpatrick and Dr, Wroton. A jewelry shop was operated by a Mr. Wood. Mr. Ray made coffins. Captain Maddox, John Brooks and Lindsey Mosely owned general stores. The community grew steadily. In 1898 it was a thriving village with some 250 people, covering mile square, and serving families within a ten mile radius. This community was eventually named Haynesville for a Captain Haynes who lived there temporarily. The traveling ministers visited Haynesville as they did the rest of the parish in those days. Some of the early ministers in Haynesville were Tom Brasher, Rufus Neal, Hollis, Idson, and M. C. Parker. Old Town was never incorporated. In 1849 Haynesville had its first post office. The mail was brought from Homer and placed in a showcase of Brown Brothers' store. Haynesville's first newspaper was a political paper, the Greenback Dollar. John Warren and J.M. Hendry were the editors. It was printed until 1889 when J. M. Hendry took over editorship of the Haynesville Star. Phillip Gibson headed a Normal Institute for teacher training in Haynesville from 1887 to 1893. "Great was the excitement in 1898 when the news spread that a rail road would be built connecting this community with the town of Homer, fourteen miles south, and that a site had been selected for a new town, two miles north of Old Town. In order to establish the town at this point, the citizens bought 300 acres of land and gave it to Major Beardsley, the owner of the railroad. Two hundred acres were bought from C. A. Bridgeman at $6.25 per acre: and forty acres from G. B. Sherman at S7.50 per acre: and sixty acres from Jos.W. Camp at $10.00 per acre. Mr. Beardsley had the tract surveyed and blocked selling the lots to get money to finish his railroad." (3) "Within a few years Old Town ceased to exist and new businesses were brought in as well as old businesses relocated, Jo Greer and George Sherman built the first store in August, 1898. The first depot was a box car which was used for three or more years. T.W .(Tom)Camp was the new town's first barber. Shortly afterwards John Sale begun to burn brick kilns; W . A. Waters and Hugh Miller built the first brick stores; T. U. Norton, Tom Sale and S. B. Baucom followed with brick establishments. When Haynesville was incorporated around 1899 frame buildings were outlawed. In 1904 John Henry was elected the new towns first mayor and S. E. Rankin was made its first marshall. (4) Jos. W. Camp built the first dwelling in 1898 and 1899. Judge Rankin installed the first telephone. L. C. Bolin was the first to install electric lights and running water in his home. The first person to own a car was Dr. Crate Kennedy. The land around Haynesville was suitable for growing all sorts of fruits vegetables, and farm products. The general occupation was farming and the chief crop was cotton. The first cotton gin was hand-fed. It took all day to gin 4 hales of cotton. Located several yards from the gin-house was the press. The compress was operated by mule-power. The mules were hitched to a lever and they pulled the lever around and around until the bales were of a proper measure. "A Resident, Jos. W. Camp, who came from Georgia in 1855, entered a section of land and built his home . . . In 1877 Mr. Camp realized the need of a community school. So he built a one-room log school house near where the Ray Greenwell residence now is located. He also built a one-room house with a shed- room for the home of the first teacher". (5) Almost overnight, early in 1921, Haynesville was turned into a boom town. The Community grew from a mere 1,000 inhabitants to a busy oil center of 10,000 people or more. There was no census taken, but some estimate the population ran as high as 20,000, although this would seem rather high. Tents, shacks, and lean-tos were thrown up to provide lodging and food for both workers and oil speculators. Liquid gold rushed forth on March 30, 1921, bringing in untold wealth which was followed by a building boom for new residences and business establishments, churches and school buildings. This increased wealth was reflected in the construction of a new Presbyterian Church in 1921; one year later the Methodist Episcopal Church was built. The financial condition of the town also improved. A municipal sewerage system was installed, and a law passed making it compulsory that all take advantage of these modern facilities. "The condition of the roads and streets during the oil boom is vividly recalled by those who lived through the boom. A mule drowning in mud and slush on Main Street was a topic for conversation for many days during this time. The same is true for the youngster, a very enterprising young business man who took advantage of the situation, placed "2x12's" on blocks across the street and charged five cents to walk across. Rural mail carriers resorted to horseback to get the mail to its proper destination." (6) In 1922, the wooden school building was destroyed by fire. Work was started immediately on a new brick building which was completed in 1924. Electric power lines were installed throughout the town, streets were paved, and gas lines were laid. It seemed that oil had become a godfather to Haynesville and that all who wished to work could reap the benefits. The oil boom did not last, and by the spring of 1925 oil field activity settled down into regular routine operations. The oil land had been put under lease and temporary oil workers began to leave the area. The permanent citizens resumed their normal life and activity. Fortunately, many modern and permanent improvements to the town had been made. FOOTNOTES: 1 Claiborne Parish Historical Association, Homer, Louisiana, "Historic Claiborne", 1962, p 24 2. Haynesville, Louisiana, Population and Economy, ( Don S. Martin and Associates, Inc., 1960) p.4 3. Mrs. Ruth Tait Keener, personal interview 4. Claiborne Parish Historical Association, Homer, La. "Historic Claiborne" 1962, p. 25 5. Mrs. Ruth Tait Keener 6. Claiborne Parish Historical Association, Homer, La., "Historic Claiborne." 1962, p. 25. {Also see "Page 115-Haynesville School" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 117 Haynesville by Juanita Pickens (Editor's note: This paper was prepared by the author while a student at Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, 1967, under the direction of Morgan Peoples. The paper is based largely upon material which has previously appeared in publications of the Association, but since these earlier books are very nearly out of print, we feel that publication here of this paper is appropriate.) Early settlement Old Haynesville, a thriving town from 1843-1898, was located in northwest Claiborne Parish, twelve miles north of Homer. To the south of the town flowed the well-watered Dixie Bayou, used by the farmers and cattlemen to water their stock At one time an industrious farmer tried raising rice on the low banks which overflowed. Evidently, the venture was unsuccessful because the experiment was not continued. The only historical records available today reveal the earliest settler was a Widow Long and her son Davis Long who built a cabin on the north side of Dixie Bayou in 1818. They were not pleased so they moved to Arkansas a short time later. (1) The pioneers came slowly at first. Samuel Russell stated that there were only eighteen families in this part of the parish when he came in 1822. By 1898 the community had grown to a village of some 250 people, covering one mile square, and serving many families within a ten mile radius. (2) During this era there were no roads in Claiborne Parish. The families who moved into this section traveled the two hunter or Indian trails. One of these led from Mt. Prairie, Arkansas to Natchitoches, and the other from Long Prairie, Arkansas to "Washita", now Monroe in Ouachita Parish. (3) In 1874 the United States Government, under the administration of President U. S. Grant, built a military plank road to transport supplies to the troops at Camp Salubrity at Grand Ecore. It entered Louisiana at what is known as the State Line just north of Haynesville and went to Overton on Dorcheat Bayou, south of Minden. (4) This apparently was the first road cut through the wilderness and fed to the early settlement of this area. It was over these routes that the prospectors came, stopped, and decided to stay. Many established themselves at a location suitable to their needs and liking before applying for a land entry from the government. The earliest land entries in this area appear to have been in 1848. But the land hungry Georgians and Alabamians did not find this land until 1850. It was then the land rush began. Most of the purchases of lands were made during the ten year period of 1850-1860. Much of the land was also given to veterans of the Mexican War. (5) A young man from Georgia, J. C. Taylor, arrived in 1848 and bought 160 acres of land at 75 cents an acre from the government. He established a small country store, dug a public well, and the community became known as Taylor's Store. He expanded his business enterprises and later donated land for the first Methodist Church, cemetery, and school house built in Haynesville in 1860. Tradition has it that Haynesville was named for Captain Samuel Haynes, a Georgian who brought his family to this location before the Road was opened for entry. He remained in the community only long enough to find a suitable place to open a farm. After eight months be settled at what is now Shongaloo, where his descendents are still located today. (6) As the settlement grew, the number of farms increased. The farmers grew most of their foods, meat, vegetables, fruits, syrup and corn from which they made bread. Cattle and cotton were the money crops. The cattle had to be driven, and cotton hauled to markets in Monroe and Shreveport. It took two weeks to make a trip to Shreveport with wagon loads of cotton. Many farmers traveled in caravans for protection and camped out at night. They purchased at the markets the items they could not produce themselves, including coffee, sugar, flour. tea, and materials to he made into clothing. (7) The pioneer business included a drug business, a jewelry shop, two dry goods stores, a carpenter, a coffin maker. Living in the community were a doctor, a teacher, a Methodist minister. and a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. Haynesville's first post office dates back to 1849. when the mail was brought from Homer by horseback and placed in a showcase of Brown Brother's Store. It was located in J. C. Taylors's store for a while. and for the next forty-six years, it was "kept" in almost every business house in town. There was no bank in the town; the people purchased postal notes, money orders, pr used the bank in Homer for their savings. (8) Journalism was introduced to the community in 1879 with a newspaper called The Greenback Dollar. The first publication was printed first in Minden and then in Shreveport. It contained mainly political articles and advocated "Everlasting Destruction to Bonds and the Payment Thereof in "Legal Tender Greenbacks". (9) It also contained advertisements for the drygoods stores and for runaway slaves and notices such as the following about Haynesville's Academy: "HAYNESVILLE ACADEMY First session of scholastic year (1879) Commenced February 11th J. C Byrd, Principal Primary, Tuition per month $2 Collegiate, Tuition per month $3 Board, Washing, Fuel, and Lights $10 per month" (10) Religious history Saddle bag preachers and bus arbor services held important places in the religious life of the early pioneers of Haynesville. These ministers traveled the country on horseback, preaching, with sacks thrown across the saddle holding the Bible in one and their clothes in the other. In 1850 the Methodists of the community decided to build a church on land donated to them by J. C. Taylor. A log church was built on the present site of the Old Town Cemetery and used until it was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt by one of the citizens and an old colored man, Uncle Gus Gilmore. They used the same sills and sleepers that were used in the first building. There was a divider of columns and a rail through the center of the church. The women sat on the right and the men sat on the left side; couples never sat together. There was no heat in this building until the organist nearly froze one Thanksgiving service and started a collection to buy a stove. The building was used until the congregation moved into the new town. It was then used as a chapel until it was torn down in 1932, at which time the sills and sleepers were sold to the Negro Methodist Episcopal Church in New Haynesville for $100. (11) The Friendship Baptist Church was located about a mile east of town. The people built a nice church and started a cemetery. A rocky spring flowed into a framed pool nearby and was used as the baptistry in the early days. (12) The first person buried in the "Old Town Cemetery" was a showman from the Fanpaws Wagon Show and Circus which made the regular stops in Old Haynesville in the 1800's. He was killed in a fight with a fellow worker. Neither his name nor the date of his death has been preserved, it is believed to have happened before 1867. probably the oldest marker in the cemetery is for the second person there, a young child of the Methodist minister serving the church from 1867 to 1870. (13) New Haynesville In 1898 the blast of the train whistle marked the beginning of a new era for Haynesville when it was discovered that the railroad would be built from Homer to McNeil, Arkansas with plans to by-pass the town, a new location was purchased two miles north of "Old Town". The promoter of the railroad plotted a map of the town and named the streets with such early family names as Dawson, Gantt, Greer, Taylor, and Bailey. The old town took on the appearance of a ghost town. The business houses, the school, and many homes were torn down and rebuilt at the new location. Only the post office was left, and every afternoon the citizens of New Haynesville closed their stores and rode back to the Old Town to get their mail. Gradually the land marks of the "Old Town" have disappeared. The place is now marked only by a few homes, Cemetery, and a small stream that was once Dixie Bayou. (14) In the early part of 1921. the town was discovered to he sitting on a sea of oil, and oil has been the main item in the economy ever since. (15) Practically overnight, Haynesville mushroomed from a peaceful little town of 1,000 inhabitants to an oil boom town. Tents, shacks, and lean-tos were thrown up to provide lodging and food for both workers and oil speculators. The "liquid gold" began a building boom for new residences and business establishments, churches and school buildings. The condition of the roads and streets during the oil boom is vividly recalled by those who lived in this period. A mule drowning in mud and slush on Main Street was a topic for conversation for many days during this time. The streets became a sea of mud during damp weather from overuse, The "State Line House" One of the interesting stories of the period and the area was the story of the State Line House. The house stood for more than a century and had a unique feature. It was built on the State Line; one-half of it was in Louisiana and the other half in Arkansas. It was built north of Haynesville between 1838 and 1840, by William Hammack, a farmer and horse trader. The logs were cut from the surrounding forest, hewn together to fit perfectly, and fastened with wooden pegs; wooden hinges were used throughout the house. At this time Arkansas did not require a marriage license to get married. Louisiana couples would make the trip to the State Line House to get married by a Reverend Samuel Beckett in the Arkansas room of the house. Rev. Beckett became known then as the "marrying parson." He died in 1890 at the State Line House and was buried in Old Town Cemetery. (16) FOOTNOTES: 1 Marguerite Garland Nation, "Old Haynesville Town," Historic Claiborne (Homer, LA:Claiborne Parish Historical Association, 1962, p. 62. Hereinafter cited at Nation, Historic Claiborne. 2 Joyce B Dobbins Haynesville," Historic Claiborne (Homer, La,: Claiborne Parish Historical Association, 1962), p. 24. Hereinafter cited as Dobbins, Historic Claiborne, 3 Nation, Historic Claiborne, p. 62 4. "The Military Road " Historic Claiborne '65 (Homer, La.: Claiborne Parish Historical Association, 1965), p. 49 5. Historic Claiborne, p.63. 6. Ibid. 7. Personal Interview, Thomas S. Sale, Oct. 17, 1967 8. Dobbins, Historic Claiborne, p.24. 9. The Greenback Dollar, No.1 March. 1879. 10. Ibid. 11. Nation, Historic Claiborne, p. 63. 12. Ibid. p. 66 13. Ibid. p. 67. 14. Dobbins, Historic Claiborne, p' 25. 15. "Boom and Legend in Haynesville." Louisiana Municipal Review, XXIX December, 1964), p. 21. 16. "State Line House,"Historic Claiborne '65 (Homer, La.: Claiborne Parish Historical Association, 1965), p. 56. {Also see "Page 119-Tent Show" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 121 A Public School for Homer By Ladelle Duke In September nineteen hundred and one the old school bell, which can now be seen in the Ford Museum, rang for the public school system. Heretofore there had been private schools in Homer. It was at this time that the graded schools and Homer Public High School were organized, A number of public minded people with children to educate were influential in the public school system, A school board consisting of five interested members was selected. C. 0. Ferguson was named president, and M. 0.Kinabrew secretary- treasurer, The other members were F. H. McClendon, Geo. G. Nelson, and B. W. Fortson. They made a good selection when George W. Reid of Winona Illinois was elected principal. He came as the first principal, with John H. Davidson, a well known Claiborne Parish educator, as assistant principal. These were the two High School teachers, Besides other members of the faculty, Miss Pearl Sherwood, later Mrs. Adolphus MeCranie, was elected piano teacher. She had just graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and was excellent in piano and voice. The roll was called by numbers. To participate in Friday afternoon programs, the even numbers were Palladians, and the odd numbers Avonians. Every one had to take part on some program. Always in demand on public programs as well as school programs was the Homeric Quartette, consisting of Mr. Reid, Darden Ford, Henry Walker and Theodore Wilder. Since new subjects were added to the curriculum, the first three classes were mixed as to grade, some making up subjects which they had not had. The first class to graduate was in 1902 with only two members, Maggie Gladney (Mrs. 0. 0. Jennings) and Leslie Kimbell. The class of 1903 had four members, Della MeClendon (Mrs. John Gill Wafer), Darden Ford, Edgar Gill, and Henry Walker. The class of 1904 graduated with six members, Bennie Kerlin (Mrs. S. J. Bragdon), Jemmie Nelson (Mrs. James F. Gladney), Hattie Bryan (Mrs. Bunch), Ladelle Duke, James F. Gladney, and Chappell Menefee. Since the old college building was not centrally located for the graduating exercises, they were held in the old Kinnebrew Opera House. ********** Page 122 Gee Cemetery By Marguerite Henry Garrett Nestled among the red clay hills of southeastern Claiborne Parish between Bayou D'Arbonne and Sugar Creek is a small cemetery. For many years it was part of a pasture. Cows grazed between the marble slabs and frisky cats scampered and dodged about in the crepe myrtle trees planted there for decorative purposes. Time took its toll of the monuments; although some remain standing, many have been broken and all have become almost impossible to decipher. The cemetery dates back to the early 19th century and was named for a family long since passed from the scene of action here or on any other portion of our earthly sphere. The name Gee applied to the cemetery, the creek running near the cemetery, and the great plantation where both creek and cemetery are located. The history of the family would be wonderful material for a great novelist because it could make GONE WITH THE WIND a close parallel in both action and scenery. In order to appreciate more fully the cemetery, which records very briefly a part of Americana in our midst, let us look into the history of some of the families interred therein. Sack Pennington Gee, his wife, Mary Ann Brock Gee, their children, John, Jones, and Mary Ann, along with a brother of Sack P. Gee, Dr. Lucus Gee, came to Claiborne Parish, Louisiana from Livingston, Mississippi, in 1836. This is a little strange when one knows the circumstances because the Gee family sold an estate in Mississippi worth more than $31,000 and left a thriving community in which they enjoyed a place of high esteem and honor. Why then did they migrate to this wilderness in Aycock community and start over again when they were so well established? There has been much speculation on that point, but the most repeated conjecture is that the Sack Gee family was looking for safety. A haven from harassment, so to speak. Mr. Gee, along with a committee of responsible Mississippi citizens and planters had been instrumental in bringing to justice John Murrell* a notorious outlaw. The Murrell gang operated up and down the Natchez Trace throughout the south, robbing, stealing, killing, and looting. A diabolical plot had been uncovered in which there was planned an insurrection of slaves against their masters similar to the one in the West Indies. This was stopped. It was said that one member of the gang traced Mr. Gee down in Claiborne Parish and would have killed him had it not been for the intervention of a Gee slave. At any rate, the Gees built a beautiful antebellum home on a gently rising knoll just a short distance from the existing cemetery. With the aid of eighty- five slaves, they carved out a vast plantation in the north Louisiana wilderness. Some idea of its extent can be gained from an inventory given at Mr. Gee's death. The acreage had been built up from the 400 acre tract originally bought from Major James Dyer to include 2480 acres valued at $122,800. In addition to the house and land, there was a gin stand, a smoke house containing some 6000 pounds of bacon and 400 pounds of flour; sheep, cattle, oxen, horses, mules, five spinning wheels, and a band loom. The Gees rode to the community church in a magnificent carriage with shiny brass decorations. Mr. Gee wore a gold watch and chain valued at $150, and this was the mark of a country squire and gentleman of that day. The Gee parlor was a thing of beauty. It contained a giant secretary, a pianoforte, and silver candlesticks. Mrs. Gee had great chests of fine china, silver, and linens. These were brought into use during the parties which were given and which were said to have lasted a month. The band was brought up from New Orleans by boat and met at Trenton by a Gee rig. Many house guests were put up for the duration of the party. Such well-known people as Major McEnery and Dr. Bartholomew Egan were said to have been visitors at the Gee place on more than one occasion. Mr. Gee, being a man of refinement, education, and culture, naturally got a position of leadership in the newly formed parish and state. He was elected representative of Claiborne Parish in the year 1839. The Gee family did not live happily in spite of their wealth and social position. In 1838 it became necessary to select a spot for a cemetery on the plantation because of the death of the oldest Gee son and heir, John L. Gee. This must have been a terrible blow to the family who had only been in their new home for two years and John was a promising young man of seventeen at the time. Two years later they placed their only remaining son, Jones L. beside his brother, leaving the daughter, Mary Ann, as the last surviving child. In 1850 Dr. Lucus Gee, brother of Sack P. Gree, was buried in the newly built cemetery. His tomb is engraved with a Masonic emblem. Sack was the next member of the family to succumb to the grim reaper. His headstone reads June 7, 1863. Shortly after her father's death and during the War Between the States, Mary Ann Gee married F. A. Hilley, a resident of Claiborne Parish. She lived about a year after her marriage and she, too, found her final rest in the Gee cemetery. Mrs. Gee survived the Civil War and Reconstruction but after the Emancipation Proclamation she was much poorer than before. The estate, at her death in 1873, was worth only $6,625 and contained only 1,520 acres of land. Mrs. Gee's death closed the history of the Gee family. In about thirty-seven short years from the time of their arrival in our community, all traces of a notable family were gone-except for the house and cemetery. As there were no direct Gee descendants the Supreme Court of Louisiana put two nieces and a nephew of Mary Ann Brook Gee in possession of the estate. Though they accepted the money and land readily enough, they did not place a tomb at their benefactor's grave and one is left to imagine where she lies at her husband's right. A few miles to the southeast of the Gee place were two neighboring families. One was John Burnham and his wife Elizabeth Jackson Burnham. The other was Henry Stanhope Henry and his wife Lovy Burnham Henry. They are the author's paternal great grandparents and great-great grandparents, respectively. John was born on September 6, 1780, just four years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. He began his life's struggle with the struggling new nation. His wife, Elizabeth Jackson, was born September 13, 1787 while the Second Constitutional Convention was in progress. Both were born several years before Washington took oath as the first president of the United States. Their final resting place is also Gee Cemetery at the foot of the graves of the Gee family. Since the Burnhams married in Tennessee and Sack Pennington Gee was a native of Tennessee, one wonders if he and the Burnhams were friends there and if he followed them to Claiborne Parish. John Burnham does not have a monument but Elizabeth Jackson Burnham does have one which can be read only with the greatest difficulty. According to the old family story John Burnham's family of thirteen gathered at the cemetery to put the slab on the grave. One son had done the work and the others were to pay him. During a family argument, which no one now knows anything about, the son who was responsible for the slab is reported to have said, "I made the slab and it belongs to me. As yet, I have no hearthstone for my new home I am building. Since we can't agree about this, I'll just use Papa's tombstone for a hearthstone." He did. We do not have a death date of Grandfather Buraham and so we do not know if he survived Grandmother Elizabeth or was put in the Gee cemetery prior to her death. On Elizabeth Burnham's tomb is engraved "Member of the Methodist Church for Forty years." Research reveals that Methodism came to Louisiana with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and Elizabeth united with the new movement in 1812, the year Louisiana entered state-hood. Her husband, John, helped organize several of the first Methodist churches in this area. The Claiborne Parish Historical Association was instrumental in having a marker placed at the Gee Cemetery and having it fenced around. *Editor's Note: Not to be confused with John Murrell, honorable Claiborne pioneer. ********** Page 125 Public Utilities in Homer By Ruth Tait Keener ELECTRICITY: On May 25, 1906, Ed Sawyers purchased from J. T. DeLoach, General Manager of Homer Lumber Manufacturing Co., (1) a tract of land on which he built a plant and lines for dispensing electricity to individual subscribers of this service. Otts Ford, formerly of Homer, now living in Tyler, Texas, assisted Sawyers with construction of the lines. All residents became consumers after the Town passed an Ordinance requiring it. On November 17, 1911, Sawyers conveyed to the Town of Homer, for the sum of $5700.00, his Dynamo, Excitor, Switchboard, and the Connections thereto, Engines, Belting, Poles, Pole Lines, Wire and all Transformers in the Town of Homer. (2) WATER: Following a siege of typhoid fever, citizens voted a 40-year bond issue in 1910 to cover cost of installing a water system. (3) The "instant water" gushed forth in 1911, first from a faucet on the back porch of the Joe Allen residence at 807 South Main Street, when his son, the late S. Y. Allen, filled car radiators at his gasoline service station (the first in Homer). (4) Soon there was the luxury of running water throughout the town, in bathtubs, kitchen sinks, and for whatever other purpose it might be needed. GAS: Citizens began paying a tax in 1922 for the installation of gas, which became available in April, 1923. (5) TELEPHONES: Alexander Graham Bell placed his newly-invented telephone on public exhibition for the first time at Philadelphia on June 25, 1876. Approximately six years later, this service was used in Homer, when Dr. Gladney erected a telephone from his office to his dwelling house. (6) Following is a history of other telephone service and its progress. (7) On November 20,1899, city authorities granted to the Cumberland Telephone Company the right to construct, maintain and operate a telephone exchange in the City of Homer. On October 1, 1900, a standard magneto exchange (hand crank) was constructed with 29 stations working. In 1926 the Cumberland Company merged with Southern Bell and the Cumberland name was no longer used. On December 17, 1949, Homer was converted to dial operation with 1500 stations in operation. Direct Distance Dialing was added on September 19, 1965. July 1, 1968, the company's name was changed from Southern Bell to South Central Bell Telephone Company. In 1900 there were 29 telephones used, In 1969 there are 2921. FOOTNOTES: 1. Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court's office, Conveyance Book "W", p 368. 2. Ibid, Conveyance Book "Y", page 384. 3. Dave Waithall. former Superintendent of water works. 4, Statement of the late J. Y. Allen. 5. Harry Reno, Office Mgr. for Arkansas-Louisiana Gas Co., Homer, La. 6. July 5, 1882 issue of "The Claiborne Guardian". "Dr. Gladney" probably was Dr. Joseph Frank Gladney, who died in 1883. An inventory of Joseph Frank Gladney's property, dated 1883 and on file in the office of the Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court includes the entry "Telephone wire and parlour lamp, 15.00" 7 South Central Bell Telephone Company, Homer, La. ********** Page 127 Excerpts from the Diary of W. F. Bridges January 1 - July 16, 1892 (Editor"s note: The diary was meticulously kept, day by day. For each day the time of rising was noted-usually around 8 o'clock but on some days as early as 4:30-and for each day the time of going to bed-usually around 9 o'clock. For each day weather and wind conditions were noted. Only excerpts from the diary can be given here. The diary is valuable for its faithful reflection of the daily life in Homer and nearby communities in 1892 and for the frequent mention of friends and acquaintances of the author, usually fully identified by given name initia1s. In general capitalization and spelling have not been changed. In some instances punctuation has been supplied when it is helpful to meaning.The entry for January 1 is given in full to show the pattern of entry.) JAN. 1-Friday. Arose at six o'clock. Morning somewhat cloudy. wind blowing very brisk from SouthWest. Rained quite hard between midnight and daylight. Mrs. Griffin of Ruston Louisiana staid at our house last night. Della and the children went with her to W. P. Otts this morning. Old Man Wash Kidd and myself set out some Cape Jessamins this morning. Wind changed to the west in the evening but continued to blow quite brisk. Faired off in the evening and by eight o'clock the wind had quit blowing but still quite cold. Went to bed quarter of nine o'clock. W. F. Bridges JAN. 2-Mary Lou Griffin spent the night with us last night. Della rec'd a letter from B. A. Bridges to day. Auctioning off the T. J. Longino Goods to day. Mayor held court this morning and had the Jews up before him fine five dollars and costs. Auction failed quick. Went to a chitterling supper at the Mr. F.C. Greenwood's which was highly appreciated. JAN. 3-Sunday. Mrs. George Shaw who lives about four miles west of Homer died this morning. Took a walk down on the Rail Road this evening. Pulled a few tooth brushes for Miss Della. JAN. 4-Tom Wharton reed his velocipede this morning which is a nice present from Thomas Wharton the Drummer. Mrs. Blonde Scaife took dinner with us today. Issued a warrant for_______ for stealing__________'s mule. Town council will meet tonight. JAN. 5-Mr. Larkin Lay was in the office to day and chess was played extensively. Mrs. Alice Griffin and Mary Lou went home this evening. JAN. 6-Went to market this morning. I treated myself to a nice pair of pants this morning paid 2.00 for them, Made Miss Della a present of a nice dress today. Maj. Beardsley was in the office to day he and myself had a nice game of chess quit three and three games each. W.J. Mercer left this morning for the city of New Orleans, JAN. 7-Miss Della Rec'd two letters from the Boss Man to day. S.J Maffet and myself worked for J.H. Kirkpatrick the Sheriff to day on Tax Book. Miss Anna Lou Bridgeman, little daughter of Mr. Charlie Bridgeman, spent the night with Katie Drew last night. JAN. 8-Maj. Beardsley and Judge Young was in the office this evening playing chess. Maffet and myself worked for Kirkpatrick again to day. P.S. This being the 8th of Jan, a legal holiday in this State. JAN. 9-W.B. Weathersly house was closed up this evening. Maj. Beardsley and Judge Young was in the office this evening playing chess. Went to the Masonic Lodge after supper. JAN. 10 Sunday. commenced sleeting and raining about half past seven o'clock P.M. JAN. 11-Everything covered with ice. Maj Beardsley and C.F. Bowen played chess in the office to day. W. G. Barnes of Athens was in the office to day. No official business in the J.P.'s office. W.G. Barnes went home with me for supper and spent the night with me. JAN. 12-Everything covered with Hominy snow. About one o'clock it was near two inches deep. W.G. Barnes left on the morning train for Athens. The Boys of the town are having a lively time Snow Balling each other to day. Continued to sleet all day and was very cold. Nothing doing in the J.P.'s office. JAN. 13-Ground covered about two inches in sleet or Hominy Snow. Maj Beardsley and C.F. Bowen had a game of chess in the office to day. W.J. Mercer returned from the city of New Orleans last night. J.H. Kirkpatrick's name appeared in the morning paper as a candidate for re-election to the Office of Sheriff of Claiborne Parish. Success to you, Mr. Kirk. JAN. 14-Mr. Ed Caldwell and Addie P. Bridges came over to our house last night and sit till bed time. Emmie Bell Bridges staid with Katie Drew last night. J.H. Kirkpatrick left on the train this morning to attend the trial of ___________- ______-___ at Ruston, La. as a witness in said case. Mr. Isaiah Phipps, Father of Honl. John R. Phipps died yesterday morning. The Snow did not melt but very little to day. JAN. 15-Ground still covered with Snow. J.H. Kirkpatrick came back from Ruston last night. Judge Young and myself had a game of chess in the office this Evening. Snow melted but very little to day. JAN. 16-Snow still on the ground. The Boss Man returned from New Orleans on the ten O'Clock Train. Judge Young and myself had another game of chess to day. JAN. 17-Sunday. Snow still on the ground. Katie Drew spent last night with Addie and Emmie Bridges. JAN. 18-Rain melted the Snow some. Maj Beardsley and Judge Young was in the office today playing chess. JAN. 19-Snowed again last night. Town very dull. There is in Opera Troup in town. Played last night at the Kinebrew Opera house. JAN. 20-Snow still on the ground. Burk, Della, Katie Drew and Tom Wharton went to the Opera last night; played East Lind. Burk left this morning on the Train for Ruston, La. Maj Beardsley was in the office to day. Miss Della visited Mrs. Doctor Bush's this evening. Snow melted some to day. My friend O.P. Bailey's name appeared in the morning Guardian announcing himself as a candidate for the office of Constable for Ward Seven. Success to you my tried friend. J. H. M. Taylor's and W.C. Barnett's name appeared also as a candidate for the Office of Sheriff for Claiborne Parish. Whorah-for Whorah JAN. 21-Snow still on the ground. Katie Drew went to the Opera last night. Mrs. Bridgeman came over and spent the Evening with Della, Judge John A.Richardson left on the Train this Evening for Texas. Judge Young and Mercer played chess in the office this evening. Susie Bridges came over this Evening to see Miss Della. No official business in the J.P.'s Office for some time. JAN. 22-Called Court at ten o'clock. Tried case-J.H. Taylor vs La. North and West Railroad Company. Judgement for Plff. Snow still on the ground The Troup is still in town. JAN. 23-Miss Della recd a postal from Mrs. Poole to day. The Bonner goods was sold this Evening. The Collier goods did not sell-that is only a part of them. My friend Martin Nolle informed me that he fell in the DArbone to day in about 15 feet water, but Martin held on to his gun all the same. Katie Drew and Tom Wharton went to the Matinee this Evening. Judge Young and C. F. Bowen had a game of chess in the Office this Evening. Miss Emma Tooke came over this evening to see Miss Della. Bossman came in on the Train to night. JAN. 24-The Bossman left on the four oclock train for Minden, La. Snow nearly all melted. JAN. 25-Mr. J.H. Kirkpatrick left this morning for Ward Six. R.J. Bridges, W.G. Barnes, M.W. Atkins, and J.P. Hill of Athens was in Town to day. My friend T. F. Hodge left on the morning Train for New Orleans. J.H.M. Taylor and Mr, George Fuller had a set game of checkers in the office to day. Snow nearly all melted. JAN. 26-Mr. J. G. Baker of Athens and Mr, Frank Hardaway of Haynesville was in the office this morning. Went to the Methodist Church between three and four o'clock PM to the marriage of Miss Ida, daughter of my friend W. C. Boring. Groom and bride left on the Train this evening for Bastrop, La. Burk returned from Minden on the nine o'clock PM train. JAN. 27-The Boss man spent the day in Town. Miss May Featherston came over and spent the Evening with Katie Drew. Mrs. Dalton came over and spent the evening with Miss Della. JAN. 28-Boss man left this morning on land trip of ten or twelve days. J.H.M. Taylor are having another set game of checkers this Evening. My friend Judge John A. Richardson came in from Texas to day. Little Charlie Johnson eat dinner at our house to day. W.L. Oaks was in the office to day. I bought myself a pair of shoes to day from Traylor and Harris, paid 2.50 for them. Some snow still on the ground. JAN. 29-Mr. Larkin Lay was in the office to day. Mr. A.H. Wilbourn and wife of old Athens was in town to day. Miss Della went to spend the Evening at Mrs. Frank Henry's. Mrs. Onie Bryant ... Miss Freeman left for her home in Texas this Evening. Mr. Nolin's wife died this Evening. Hon. J.R. Phipps and myself went down to New Athens this Evening Returned on the Train at night. JAN. 30-There was a good many people in Town to day especially Darkies Mrs. Blondell Scaife came up to see Miss Della a little while this Evening. J.T. Bridges called in after dinner. I had my hair cut this Evening. JAN. 3l-Miss Della, Katie Drew, Tom Wharton and myself had a special invitation to a turkey dinner at J.F. Bridges to day and of course we all went and when dinner was announced we found a twenty pound gobbler nicely cooked which was highly appreciated. Many thanks Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Bridges hoping we may soon have another invitation of the same kind. FEB. 1-Monday Police Jury meets to day in my office. Miss Della went over to see Mrs. Heath this Evening. The Collier's goods sold this evening. Dr. T.N. Nix bought them, will open up in the Gladney Brick Louse on North East corner of the Square. B.W. Bridges went to Summerfield yesterday morning. FEB. 2-Police Jury in session to day. O.P. Bailey const. came after me last night about twelve o'clock. I came up to the office and issued a warrant for the arrest of ______________ for shooting with intent to murder____________, Mr. Bailey and Kirkpatrick went after ________ and brought him in and put him in Jail. R.J. Bridges of Athens went home with me and spent the night. FEB. 3 Police Jury in session to day. J.T. Baker of New Athens was in Town to day. Miss Della went shopping this Evening and bought Tom Wharton two suits. I made myself a present of a nice pair of pants. This evening Mrs. Bush was at our house, Miss Della went to see Mrs. Bonner this evening. FEB. 4 Police Jury in session to day. Candidates are getting quite numerous in Town and Country too. The Collier goods are selling like hot cakes. Mrs. Blondell Scaife and Mrs. Bugg Hodge came over this evening to see Miss Della. FEB. 5-Pollce Jury in Session again to day. Mrs. W.P. Otts and Mrs Averitt took dinner with us to day. Police Jury adjourned this Evening until Monday next Feb. 8th 1892. Town Council met this Evening. W. T. Barnes of Athens was in the office this evening. FEB. 6-Miss May Featherston spent last night with Katie Drew. My friend Dayton W. Harris left on the train this morning as a representative from Homer Lodge no. 152. . . to represent said Lodge in the Grand Lodge which meets next Monday Feb. 8th 1892. J.W. Whittington of Athens was in my office today. FEB. 8-Miss Della rec'd a bundle of Dress goods this morning. Mineola Bridges spent the night with Katie Drew. Police Jury in session to day. The W.D. Bonner goods are being moved down to Athens by W. H. Pace My friend O.P. Bailey leased the Poor Farm from the Police Jury to day. Mr. T.O. Hester of Summerfield was in the office to day. Miss Della called on Mrs. M.D. Allen this evening. FEB. 9-Police Jury in session again to day. Emmie Bell Bridges spent last night with Katie Drew. Police Jury got through with their session this evening and left for home. FEB. 10-My friend Bailey and myself had a nice lunch in the office this evening. FEB. 11-I learn that Hon. J. H. Hay of Summerfield died very suddenly yesterday. Will be buried at Antioch Church this Evening. Prof, Dayton W. Harris returned from the City of New Orleans to day. There is a couple of Dagos in Town to day with a monkey. FEB. 12-Mayor held court this morning case-Corporation vs Calvin Allen. About five o'clock in the Evening my friend Dick Collier myself and his little Boy Eldred went down to DArbone and set out thirty three hooks but did not catch a fish before we left for Town. FEB. 13-Collier, myself, and Eldred went to see about our hooks and by the way we found six nice catfish on them. Let's go again friend Dick. W.J. Mercer left this morning for the city of New Orleans. J.C. Fulbright took dinner at our house to day. Burk and myself went to the Masonic Lodge after supper. FEB. 14-The Boss left on the Train this Evening for Minden, La. C.F. Bowen and myself took a tramp out to Canie Creek on the Rail Road this Evening of course we got some Tooth Brushes. FEB. 15-Miss Della recd her dress from Louisville Ky yesterday. You bet it is nice and pretty. M.J.E Smith and Mr. Russ Gentry had a spat this evening. Russ Gentry was hurt pretty bad. FEB. 16-Ben Briggman is plowing up the Garden to day. J.T. Bridges and myself had a nice lunch in the office today. Mrs. Doctor Bush called on Miss Della this morning. About two o'clock PM I was called on to marry a couple of darkies David Bell and Mary Washington from Dykesville La. I wrote John H. Carr of Athens La a note this Evening, FEB. 17-Mr. Kirkpatrick is having the court house yard cleaned off. Mr. old friend Jonathan Ferguson died this Evening half past two o'clock. He was in his ninetieth year. Will be buried tomorrow Evening at three o'clock Masonically. FEB. 18-When I came up to town l found a man in waiting for me to marry him, proceeded to the Residence of H.C. Walker where I found the would be Bride in waiting. The ceremony was soon performed which made them man and wife. Masonic Lodge was called together at ten oclock AM for the purpose of fixing up for the Procession. Lodge was called together half past one, marched from the Lodge to Mr. Drew Ferguson's Residence, thence to the Grave Yard where the Grave Services was performed myself presiding. Marched back to the Lodge and closed the same. FEB. 19-The Bossman came in on the Train last night. There was some kind of Lecture at the courthouse last night. Appelett Court convened here to day. Judge George and Moncure came in on the Train. Judge Young and C.F. Bowen had a set game of chess this evening. FEB. 2O-Went down to Athens on the Train this morning. Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Bridges and the three younger children left on the Train this morning on a visit for the old State of Georgia. I took dinner to day at John II. Carr's and supper with W. C. Mosley. Went aboard the Train for Homer-arrived at Homer at nine oclock FEB. 21-Sunday. Recd a letter from Richard Lambert, Grand Secty to day. C.F. Bowen had a game of chess to day. Mrs. George L. Heath came over a while last night after supper. When I came in from Athens last night Miss Della was packing her truck preparatory for getting off to New Orleans Monday morning. FEB. 22-The Bossman, Miss Della and Tom Wharton left on the Train this morning for New Orleans, Katie left for Ruston La and Adoline the cook leaves this evening to visit her children near Lisbon leaving the old man William to be chief cook and dish washer. This being a legal Holiday Dist. Court will not commence until tomorrow. W.J. Mercer came in to day from New Orleans. Dick Collier and myself went to DArbone this Evening and set out some hooks. T.M. Brooks Esqr from Old Athens was in town to day. FEB. 23-Dick Collier and myself went this morning to look after our hooks and we found three little Bitsy cats, had 36 hooks out. Brooks Esqr is in town today. Dist. Court did not begin to day owing to the Judge being sick. R.J. Bridges Esqr came into Town about twelve oclock to day. Mrs. Frank Gill and family left Homer this morning for Magnolia Ark which place they will make their home for a while. John B. Tucker and J.R. Ramsey invited me to partake of their fish supper which was all O.K. Many thanks my friends. FEB. 24 R.J. Bridges went out to the Poor Farm last night and spent the night with my staunch friend O.P. Bailey, const. of Ward Seven. District Court convened this morning. H.S. Taylor was appointed foreman of the Grand Jury. They occupy my office, There was not much business done in Court to day. The Judge was suffering intensely with Erosipalas. I was quite sick this evening. FEB. 25-I feel a little better this morning. Mr. Wallace Mercer came down and spent the night with me. Many thanks Mr. Wallace. Come again. Dist. Court in session today. The Judge is some better. There was a marriage taken place in the clerks office to day. Mr. Harry Esqr officiating, Parties Mr. Woolly and Miss Bates. FEB. 26-Took breakfast with Addie and Emmie this morning. Dist. Court in session to day. I had old man Wash Kidd to plant some more seeds in the Garden. Yesterday had Ben to plow the corn patch also. Court progressing quite slow. Candidates thick in Town. FEB. 27-Dist. Court in session to day progressing very slow. Grand Jury adjourned at twelve oclock to meet again Monday morning. Larkin Lay and Judge Young had a game of chess in the office this Evening. I took Breakfast with B.W. and the Girls this morning and dinner with Tucker at the Grocery. FEB. 28-Sunday Left Town about eight oclock for the Antioch Church to attend Masonic Funeral over the remains of Brother J.H. Hay. There was several of the Brothers went from Town-large congregation out-got back to Town about three oclock PM. Wrote a letter last night to Moss Burk Miss Della and Master Tom Wharton. FEB. 29-Took breakfast at the Restaurant this morning. MARCH 1-Dist. Court in session to day _________ and ________on trial for the Gordon killing. Jury returned a verdict of not guilty. There was public speaking in town to day from some of the big guns. Grand Jury still in session. Received a letter from B.A. Bridges stating that they would start home Thursday the 3d. Assisted Tucker some to day in the Saloon. Maj. Beardsley and myself had a game of chess this Evening. Took supper at the Restaurant. MARCH 2-Dist. Court in session to day progressing very slow Assisted Tucker in the Saloon to day. Planted the corn patch this Evening. Took supper at the McAuliff's Restaurant to night. MARCH 3-Dist. Court in Session to day tried ________for shooting with intent to kill ___________. Jury returned a verdict of Guilty, grand Jury still in session. Assisted Tucker some to day in the Saloon. Aunt Adoline came home this Evening. MARCH 4-Katie Drew came in on the Train to day from Ruston La. Dist. Court still in session so is the Grand Jury. Town Council met this Evening, T.W. Brooks Esqr of Old Athens was in Town to day. There was what is called an Apron party at Proff. J.G. Nelson's last night. MARCH 5-Moss Burk Miss Della and Tom Wharton came in on the Train this morning from New Orleans. Dist. Court in Session to day. Tried some cases to day that was appealed from the J.P. in this Ward. Grand Jury finished up their work to day and was discharged. They found thirty seven true bills. MARCH 6-Went to my friend Walter Ward's to a turkey dinner to day. Tom Harris the Marshall and R.L. Richardson Corporation Clerk was there also. Came back to the office and Mercer and myself had a game of chess. MARCH 7-Mr Tom Bailey Brother to Const. O.P. Bailey was in the office this morning. Dist. Court adjourned this evening. Sentenced____________ to six months in the penitentiary and ________ eight months. MARCH 8-Mrs. Averitt and Miss Kate Shered spent the night at our house last night. Doctor Day was in the office this Evening. MARCH 9-I learn this morning that some one shot at Robin Franks last night but don't know whether he was hurt or not. Chancy Johnson and Mineola Bridges took dinner at our house today. MARCH 1O-B.A. Bridges came in last night on the train left this morning for Arizona. The Foster men fired several big guns last night and Foster and several other speakers are expected here today. There is quite a crowd in town to hear them. Speaking commenced at 12 o'clock in the Kinebrew Opera Hall. Large attendance. Maj. Beardsley and Judge John Young had a game of chess in the office this Evening. MARCH 11-Sheriff Kirkpatrick left this morning Baton Rouge with two prisoners. MARCH 12-Helped Tucker some to day in the saloon. Maj Beardsley and Judge John Young had an extensive game of chess in the office to day. C.F. Bowen and myself finished our series of games of chess to day of 21 sep (?) games resulted in C.F. Bowen being victorious of four games, he getting 21 and myself 17 games. J.P. Orea's property was sold this Evening by the Sheriff.Visited the Lodge after supper. MARCH 13-I had the colic and could not go to dinner. MARCH 14-At eight oclock the polls was open for an election for the amendment or against the Charter of the Town of Homer. Polls was kept open until four oclock PM when the votes that was east was counted which was one Hundred and Fifty five. One Hundred and Thirty-four voting for the amendment and twenty one against it. Election passed off very quietly, Maj Beardsley and C.F. Bowen had a set game of chess in the Sheriff's office. Miss Della sent my dinner to the office to day I being one of the Cons. could not leave had a nice dinner. MARCH 15-C.F. Bowen and Mercer are having a set game of chess in the office this Evening. MARCH 16-Maj. Beardsley, Mercer, Bowen, and Young had a game of chess in the office. Late in the Evening it commenced to sleet. Issued a Warrant this Evening for________ alias_______and __________ for the crime of Kidd Napping. MARCH 17-The ground is covered with snow this morning some two inches deep. MARCH 18-Thadius Williams came in last night says he left the Boss Man at ElDorado Ark where he intended to take the RailRoad around by Shreveport. Doctor A.R. Bush informed me that his wife had a fine daughter up at Gorden where she has been for several days. Wood is in great demand in town. Snow melting quite fast this Evening but plenty still on the Ground. MARCH 19-Hard freeze last night. The Boss Man came in last night also J.T.(?) George and the children came in from a trip to Georgia where they have been gone about a month. I left on the train this morning for Athens to visit the Masonic Lodge. Reed a free pass over the Road this morning from Maj. Beardsley. Many thanks Maj. MARCH 2O-Went over to J.T. B. this morning after Breakfast to hear the Georgia news. Mr. E.R. White's and Mr. L.H. Featherston's daughters came over this Evening to see Katie Drew. MARCH 2l-Katie Drew started to school this morning. Maj Beardsley and C.F.Bowen had a game of chess in the office this Evening. B.A. and Tom Wharton went snipe hunting after dinner. J.H. Bridgeman and S.J Kinebrew had a little spat of a fight this Evening in front of H.P. Ragland's stable. B.A. and Tom Wharton had very poor luck killing snipe. MARCH 22-This being the day for the Primary Election between McHenry and Foster the polls were opened at seven oclock AM. Considerable crowd in town to day. J.C. Fulbright, J.T. Bridges and myself had a nice game of pool this Evening at J. T.'s Saloon. MARCH 23-Election passed off very quiet yesterday. Considerable excitement to day in regard to the election about ten oclock the com. commenced to come in from the different Precincts. All came in but Ward Nine. Foster has a little over one thousand majority in the Parish. It is thought by a good many that MeHenry will carry the State by five or six thousand. MARCH 24-No news from the election up to half past ten o'clock, J.B. Holstead Esqr of Ruston La. is in Town today. He is a candidate for Dist. Atty. MARCH 25-J.B. Holstead spent the night with us last night. No definite news from the election yet. MARCH 26-Katie Drew went to a party last night at Mr. B.F. Allen's. There is an election in Town to day for electing delegates to the Senatorial convention which meets at Minden next Tuesday. Election closed at four oclock PM and the count stood Phipps 292 McFarland 62. MARCH 27-No news from the election in regard to the Governorship-both sides claim the nomination. MARCH 28-Delegates from the different Wards began coming in about ten oclock AM and about twelve the meeting was called to order in Court house and when the vote from the Wards was counted J.W. McFarland was declared the nominee for Senator from this Parish vote standing 22 to 28. Boss Man left after for Summerfield La. Had a pleasant game of Billiards with J.T. Bridges at his Saloon this Evening myself coming out Champion in the game. Came up to Town after Supper for some Medicine for Miss Della. MARCH 29-No news from the election as yet. Judge T. Bridges sold half interest in his saloon this evening tu Willie Knox. The Sheriff and Deputy both absent I am attending to the Sheriff's office. MARCH 30-News came in that the Convention at Minden La. nominated Mr. Wren of Webster Parish and Doctor Stroud of Bossier Parish for the office of Senators from this Dist. J.T. Bridges informed me that Mr. Knox flucard in the trade in regard to the saloon. MARCH 31-No news from the Foster and McHenry Election. APRIL 1-The Masonic aprons that Walter Ward ordered came in to day and was very nice. Town Council met this Evening. APRIL 2-B. A. Bridges visited the K.P. Lodge last night. The Radical candidate for Governor is in Town to day and several other speakers and Oh my what a crowd of Negroes to hear them APRIL 5-Police Jury in session to day reported this morning that the committee declared Foster to be the Nominee for Governor. APRIL 6-Mrs. Constantine left this Evening for her old home at Mansfield La, and I understand that the Hotel Claiborne will be run by W.M. Otts and Lady where all traveling men will be well cared for. The time is getting short and work immense for the candidates. Mr. R.T. McClendon the Parish Treasurer was in my office this Evening. APRIL 7-I learn that the McHenry men will not abide the decision of the Committee. APRIL 8 There is a Farmers Alliance Dinner and big speaking at the Gus White School House to day. O.P. Bailey informs me that there was plenty of dinner on the Ground. Speaking by Rev. J.A. Parker of Homer La and a Mr. Clark from Texas. APRIL 9-The young Girls and Boys had a party at our house last night. Went up to the Masonic Lodge after Supper. Just after Breakfast the Boss Man was taken very sudden with pains in hip and Bowells. Some better at Dinner. APRIL 10-Phillipp McLeoud (?) was put in the lock up yesterday Evening for two hours for contempt of Court. APRIL 11-J.H. U(?) Taylor a candidate for Sheriff came down this Evening and is no longer a candidate, he says he came down in the Interest of no one. APRIL 12-Drummer Mumford was in my office this Evening. Burk was quite sick again last night APRIL 14-Called Court at ten oclock in case John Elvin vs La North and West Rail Road Co. Judgement in favor of Plif. APRIL 15-This is a legal Holiday it being Good Friday. The Foster faction are to have speaking today and the Town is full of People to hear them. Candidates are quite busy time is short and work immense. Mr. Larkin Lay was in the office to day Played chess with Mercer APRIL 16-Learned that ________ ________ was killed this morning about three ociock by ________ Both of Gordon La. I learn that it is a case of self defence. J.M. Brown the Depty Sheriff brought into town this Evening did not learn the verdict of the Coroner's Jury. APRIL 17-One more day before the election. Some candidates will be left. APRIL 18-Had a spell of the whorahs this Evening Had to have the Doctor but it was not so severe as they usually are. A dose of Morphine and a little Chloroform eased all pain. P.S. Planted the corn patch to day. APRIL 19-This is Election day and the town is full of people. Polls was opened at six oclock AM when the vote commenced to being handed in to the commissioners. I am feeling very bad today. Burk, Della, Tom Wharton, Katie Drew, and Adoline went out to a slough on Beaver near the Joe Tuggle place to see if they could catch a few minnows. Old Man Wash Kidd is planting in the Garden to day such as Beans Okra Tomatoes Cucumber Squash. Burk Della Adoline and the children came in about five oclock from the fishing ground and report fine luck. Caught plenty for Dinner and brought a nice chanco Round (?) for supper which was very nice. Election passed off very quiet 720 votes polled. APRIL 20-The result of the Election was as follows, State ticket Foster 2040, McHenry 393, Lenard 690, Parish Ticket Barksdale 1644, Graham 880, MeClendon 633, Everett 1952(?), Holstead 1104, Harris 1761, Price 1179, Nelson 1399, Copeland~ 1386, Ferguson 2262, Copeland 949, Kirkpatrick 1914, Barnett 1318, Scaife 1562, Bush 1040, Waters 307, Homer Box for Ward Officers W.F. Bridges 592, Hester 214, Beard 115, Bailey 578, Brown 370, Kimbell ________ Minefee ________ APRIL 21-Maj. Beardsley was in the office to day he and myself had a game of chess and I got beaten quite badly. APRIL 22-J.T. and B. W. went fishing this morning back of Mrs. Hamilton's plantation. Report very fine luck. Judge Barks dale came up to hold a preliminary trial in the ________ ________ case but waived investigation and asked for Bond. Bond placed at three Thousand Dollars which was very readily made and ________ was released from custody. The boys have started marble playing on the north side of the Square. APRIL 23-J.H. Kirkpatrick left this morning to summon same witnesses in the _____________________ case. Very few people in town today especially it being Saturday. The Free Beer went like hot cakes. There was a game of Dollar Pitching on the north side of the Square today. The darkies went to the (Cross?) Roads to day for some Dynamite for the purpose of trying to raise the little Negro that was drowned in DArbone last Monday Evening. APRIL 24-The body of the little Negro that was drowned last Monday was found this morning some distance below where it fell in. They did not have to use the Dynamite. APRIL 25-Myself and J.E. Moore Esqr. had a game of chess this Evening. Town quite dull. Marble playing and Dollar pitching continued on the north side of the Square. APRIL 26-I learned this morning that Mr.A.B. Boykin's son was accidently killed yesterday. Dollar pitching and marble playing was carried on pretty extensively to day. APRIL 27-Pitching Dollars, Horse Shoes, and playing marbles are carried on pretty extensively. APRIL 28-There was several of the boys left on the train this morning for the Keener Creek to try their luck seining. APRIL 29-The fishermen had fine luck seining yesterday. Pitching and marble playing are kept up. B.A. Bridges came in this Evening from a ten or twelve days trip through the country. MAY 1-One of Mr. Nelson's little boys eat dinner at our house to day. MAY 2-This being the day for the Municipal Election the polls were opened at eight oclock when the voters of the Town commenced to band in their ballots which continued until four oclock in the Evening when the Polls was closed and ballots counted of which there was two hundred and fifteen cast and the count resulted as follows for Mayor Hulse 218, Otts 95, for Selectmen J.E. Moore 212 C.O. Ferguson 214, V.P. White 210, Walter Ward 214, George Gill 212, for Marshal and collector Tom Harris 211. Election passed off very quietly. W.W. Otts furnished the commissioners (to wit) W.F. Bridges, J.T. Otts, and B.W. Collier a very nice dinner. Many thanks Mr. Otts. MAY 3 I learned yesterday Evening that young _____ killed a Negro in Summerfield Sunday Evening. I learned that the Negro was advancing on the young man's father with a deadly weapon (to wit) a knife. MAY 4 Old Man Wash Kidd chopped around the corn to day. MAY 5-Mr. Averitt and Kate Sherard staid at our house last night. There were several went from town this morning lo try their luck with the finny tribe, R.M. Collier and J.A. Richardson and family, J.F. Otts and family, Mrs. C.O. Ferguson went to the McKenzie Bridge on DArbone. Several parties went different directions. MAY 6 Honl. Dayton W. Harris left yesterday, Evening for Baton Rouge expects to lay over in Shreveport one day. Called Court ten oclock in case J.B. Morgan vs J.C Willis(?) MAY 7-Went to town last night after supper. The Town Counsel met for the purpose of swearing in the newly elected officers and transacting all other Business. After the officers being sworn in they proceeded to elect a Treasurer-in which case I myself was reelected, then they reelected R.L.(?) Richardson clerk. There was an ice cream festival at the Court house last night. W.J. Mercer and his boys went out on the Will Murrell Creek to day fishing and hunting. Sent me a nice squirrel. Many thanks W.J. and boys. MAY 8 Took a bath and came up to Town and wrote a letter to Miss Mary Lillie Strickland of Concord, Ga. The Train leaves mornings at 6:15 instead of 7:45. MAY 9-Town very dull to day. Some are getting too lazy to play anything. MAY 10-issued affidavit and Warrant this morning for ______ for the crime of assault and Battery upon________________ MAY 11-Tom Beene reports that fish has been biting very well at Dorcheat Bayou. Quite high. MAY 12-J.T. and B.M. went fishing to day had very good luck, Had considerable chess playing in the office to day. Judge Young, J.E. Moore Esqr. and myself. Ben plowed the corn to day also Garden. MAY 13-Judge Young, J.E. Moore, Mercer and myself played chess today in the office. Old man Morgan Hall near Dykesville died last night and Doctor Alford of Summerfield died also last night. MAY 14-I went to market this morning. After breakfast B M Burk, Miss Della, Tom Wharton and Adoline left for Beaver Creek to try their luck fishing also R.W. Collier and his little boy went. In the Evening there was a party that had a very large elephant on exhibition on the Square. The Deputy GrandMaster of the Grand Lodge of F. and W.M. (?) was in Town to day. His name is Packwood. I went up to the Lodge after supper but was not able to help work. Brother Packwood took the East and did the work. MAY l5-I had quite a bad spell of cramp in my bowells this morning-had to take chloroform to get easy. Walter Ward left this morning to attend the Grand Communication of the K of P. at Alexandria La. MAY 16-Fishing is the general sport these times. Issued a War-rant against _______ for assault and Battery upon ___________ at Mound Dilliard Church some 3 miles southwest of Homer. MAY 17-Dr. E.H. Payne and his Father A.H. Payne are in Town to day from Old Athens La. M.W. Atkins from near New Athens is also in town. MAY 18-Chess playing and checker playing runs pretty regular in the office, MAY 19-Rendered my decision in the Morgan and Willis & Co. case yesterday. Billie Griffin and Henry Johnson eat dinner at our house to day. Town very dull indeed.Getting almost too lazy to fish hunt play marbles pitch dollars or horseshoes, I dont see what they will do through the summer. MAY 20-Issued a Warrant yesterday for the arrest of ______ for the crime of Assault and Battery upon _____ MAY 21-Took the train in the Evening and went down to Gibbs. Took supper at Mrs. A.J. Henderson's. Took the train for Homer. MAY 22-Taken with a very severe pain in my right lung about half past eleven oclock AM Suffered until late in the Evening. MAY 23-The Mayor held court yesterday in my office fined ________ ________ and ______ $5.00 and cost each or five days work on street. MAY 25-Went to Market. B.A. Bridges and Tom Wharton are going out on Beaver Creek to day with several of the Town Boys on a seining frolic. T.S. Hodge made me a very nice present to day of a Diamond Edge Pocket Knife. Many thanks Tommy MAY 26 Tom Harris is putting the streets in nice order. J.T. Bridges gave me a nice letter yesterday that my little Grand Daughter Etta Bell Fulbright wrote to me and sent it last Saturday by her Papa. It is so nice Miss Etta. The fishermen that went on the creek near W. C. Murrells seining report fine luck. MAY 27-My friend R.W. Collier and Burk went to try their luck with the finny tribe to day on a creek near Mr. Ike Moreland's. The School Board is in Session to day and the Town is full of Teachers. I had my hair cut this morning and had a little shaving done on the side of my face. The first time a razor has been on my face in 16 years. MAY 28-School Board in Session to day. J.H. Kirkpatrick Sheriff left on the Train this morning for the asylum with Mrs. ______ ________-. MAY 29 The Mayor held court in my office this morning had three on trial for disorderly conduct-fined all three five Dollars apiece and costs. Dayton W. Harris came up from Baton Rouge yesterday will go back this Evening. I learn that they had a very severe storm down at Athens last night. J.E. Moore Esqr and myself had a game of chess in the office this Evening. MAY 30 The Mayor held court again this morning. Had ______ up for disorderly conduct-fined him five Dollars and costs. MAY 31-The Mayor had ________ ____ before him this morning as a vagrant. Sentence was that ___ have thirty minutes to leave the Town. R.M. Collier, E.A. Kel1y and B.A. Bridges are fixing to get off to Dorcheat in the morning. J.J. Taylor of Haynesville La was in town to day. JUNE 2 J.T. Baker of Athens was in Town to day. He informed me that Messrs DeLoach's house was broken into last night by some Burgler also their safe with was robbed of about thirty Dollars. JUNE 3--R.W. Collier, Tom Hodge, and B.A. Bridges are going out to the Will Murrell creek seining to day. JUNE 4-Town still dull, especially for Saturday, chess and checkers playing was carried on extensively this Evening in the office. We get very little Mail these times on account of high water. JUNE 6-George L. Heath's little boy Eddie happened to the misfortune of breaking his thigh this evening by falling out of an apple tree. JUNE 7-R.W. Collier, B.A. Bridges and their little boys went to DArbone this evening fishing. Judge Young, Mercer, J.E. Moore Esqr and myself had considerable chess play in the office this evening. Jonnie Meadors is now Dept. Clerk. JUNE 8-Ola Seals, Adoline's son brought me some fish this morning. Many thanks Ola. JUNE 9-The Old Lady Kerr died last night at W.J. Mercer's, and was buried this Evening. JUNE 10-The party that went seining on the Keener Creek yesterday came in on the Train last night just before Eleven oclock and reported that they caught fish in abundance-Jack, Pearch, and cat and crawfish by the Bushel. JUNE 11-Received a note from R.J. Bridges informing me that he was worse and ask me to send him a Beladona Porous Plaster and also stated that Melton Brown died on last Wednesday June 8th 1892. I am very feeble to day myself. Issued two warrants to day one for________ for the murder of ____ and one for__________ for shooting his son _____ with intent to kill and murder him. JUNE 12-Visited the Masonic Lodge last night but was not able to help do any thing. JUNE l3-B.A. Bridges left this morning on a land trip with his Jeans Samples. My friend John Meadors presented me with some very nice peaches this morning. The School Commissioners met in my office this Evening. JUNE 14-There was quite a crowd left on Train No.2 this morning for the Picnic Grounds at the Caldwell crossing on the La N and W Rail Road. Mrs. A.T. Brantley died late this Evening. The crowd returned from the Picnic about Sun down. JUNE 15-P.C. Wideman of Arcadia was in Town this Evening. My friend Drew Ferguson went hunting to day the first time in a long time. Mr. Drew reports that J.E. Moore Esqr went with him and that they had pretty good luck. JUNE 16-J.T. Bridges had one of his spells this morning. J.T. Baker of Athens was in Town to day. J.H. Kirkpatrick Sheriff and 0.P. Bailey Const. left about one oclock for Magnolia Ark after one________________ charged with the murder of JUNE 17-The young people had a Promonade Party at Nelson's school house last night. _______ was released Jail to day under a one hundred and twenty five dollars bond. JUNE 18-I took the train for Athens La went up to J.H. Carr's and he and myself went to the Creek to see if we could catch some Jack fish but we made nearly a failure. Caught one little Cat fish and two Jack. Took dinner with Carr, went to the Lodge, went back to Carr's and took supper. Took the Train for Homer arrived in Homer a little after ten oclock. JUNE l9-Kirkpatrick and Bailey did not get the Negro that they went to Magnolia after. The man that was to bring him to Magnolia let him get away. I learned that the Negro pretended to want to go in the clauset and while in there he made his escape by jumping out at the window while the train was in full speed and before the train could be stopped the Negro made good his escape. JUNE 20-There was quite a crowd left this morning for Dorcheat (viz) R.W. Collier, B.W. Fortson, E.R. White, A.E. Wilder, T.C. Harris, Joe Palmer, Walter Ward, J.T. Otts and F. ? Allen is to leave this Evening. Taking along with them Simon Ferguson as cook and he is hard to beat as a cook. Joe Palmer did not leave until Evening. A. McCranie went with Joe. P.S. Mr. Ogilvie was along with the above crowd. JUNE 21-.H. Kirkpatrick has had quite an improvement added to his office which looks all right. JUNE 22-B.A. Bridges came in this Evening from a ten days trip through the country trying to sell Jeans. Reports rather poor success. JUNE 23-W.G. (?) Barnes of New Athens was in the office to day. JUNE 24-Emmie Bell Bridges was sick with some kind of a spell last night. Joe Palmer and A. McCranie came in last night from Dorcheat. Reported they had plenty of fish to catch but had to fish pretty close to get them. JUNE 25 The La N and W RailRoad train did not get in yesterday nor last night on account of a wash out in R.P. Webb's Plantation JUNE 26-I took in the Evening for Athens went from there to Brother Reuben's staid all night with him. Found him not much better. JUNE 27--Left Brother Reuben's and came down to Depot took the train for Homer arriving in Homer half past eight oclock AM. JUNE 28-A. H. Wilbourn and wife of Old Athens was in town to day JUNE 29-Judge Young and myself had a game of chess this Evening. JUNE 30-Issued a Warrant this Evening for the arrest of ________ ______ for the crime of obtaining money and goods under false pretences. JULY 1-Called court at ten oclock AM in case State vs ______ ________ Called Court again at three oclock in case State vs ________ Town Counsel met this Evening. JULY 2-Capt Washburn was in my office beating Mercer and I Very badly playing chess. Mr. P.A. Aubrey died this morning about half past eight oclock AM. issued a warrant and some papers in civil suit this Evening. JULY 3-The Masonic Lodge was called together for the purpose of holding a procession over P.A. Aubrey. Br. G.N. Clampit preached his funeral at the Presbyterian Church. Went from thence to grave yard and had services by the Masons myself presiding. When we got through there marched back to Lodge. Brother John R. Dillon and M.W. Atkins was at our house to day for dinner. JULY 4-Today being a legal holiday my friend P.C. Greenwood and myself met at the Depot and boarded the train for Athens. We made our way to the creek to try our luck catching some Jack fish. Had very good luck up to nine oclock when it commenced to rain which ruined our fishing but we had pulled out nineteen Jack before the rain but we sure got wet from head to foot. We then made our way to J.H. Carr's who was with us when we dressed the fish in apple pie order. Then Mrs. Carr and Miss Minnie prepared them for the table and when dinner was announced we spread ourselves around the table which was loaded with a vegetable dinner besides the nice dish of Jack fish. JULY 5-I learn that there was a Negro boy seventeen or eighteen years old by the name of Ware drowned in Beardsley's fish pond near Kinibrew's yesterday, JULY 6-Miss Della went and sat up at Doctor Bush's last night the Dr.'s sick babe. Police Jury in session to day. Mrs. Poole was at our house this Evening. She came from Ala. where she has been visiting. JULY 7-Police Jury still in session. Mr. Drew Ferguson issued marriage licence to N.W. Peters and Mrs. Jane Liveritt to get married. Mr. Peters is 80 years old Mrs. Leveritt 60 years old. JULY 8-I learned this morning that some one killed Mrs. Nalle's Dad Bissen. Police Jury in session to day. The Police Jury got through with their business by noon to day. All left for home this Evening. Tom Harris returned this Evening from his hunt on Bodkau and re-ported but three deer killed by the crowd. JULY 9-Mr, Dawson of Lisbon was in the office this Evening. The fishermen came in to day from Dorcheat Moton Ferry report fish enough to eat but none to spare. Went to the Masonic Lodge after supper. JULY 11-Maj. Beardsley was in the office to day had a game of chess. JULY 12-My friend Dick Collier has been having Some chills. There was several loads of watermellons came in town to day. JULY 13-Mrs. Poole and Mrs. Averett staid at our house last night. B.A. Bridges and Col T.W. Poole came in on the Train this morning from New Orleans. JULY l4-Burk is working up the town to day trying to sell some day goods and notions. Town very dull today except watermellons they sell. JULY 15-T.E. Bailey and W.C, Mosley of Athens was in town today, Judge Young and Mercer are playing chess in the office at this time. JULY l6-Saturday Aros quarter to five oclock Morning nearly fair and quite warm wind coming from the North East. There was a good many people in Town to day. Married a couple this Evening in my office John Drew and Caroline Wafer. B.W returned from Dorcheat this Evening report fishing not so good, rained a small shower just before night. Went to bed half past nine oclock. W.F. Bridges (Editor's note: This final entry in the diary is given in full) ********** Page 144 Claiborne and the Baines Family (Editor's note: John Riley Malone suggested the sources for this material and secured the photographs which accompany the article. We quote from a letter dated May 16, 1968 to him from Juanita D, Roberts, personal secretary to President Johnson: '....... I am pleased to send you photographs of the President's grandparents and great-grandparents for use in the book being written on the early history of Claiborne Parish.") The Reverend George W. Baines, Sr., (born near Raleigh, North Carolina, 1809; died in Belton, Texas, 1882) was an early Baptist in Louisiana. He was the great-grandfather of Lyndon Baines Johnson, President of the United States and spent a portion of his life in what are now Bienville and Webster Parishes but what was then Claiborne Parish. A Family Album (McGraw Rill, 1965) by Rebekah Baines Johnson, mother of the President, gives essential facts. George Washington Baines, Sr., was the son of a Baptist preacher, the Reverend Thomas Baines, who was himself the son of the Reverend George Bains (sic) who came from Scotland. In 1817 the Baines family moved to Georgia and shortly afterward to Alabama. At the age of 23 George Washington Baines was converted and was baptized. In 1834 he was licensed to preach. In 1837 he moved to Arkansas where he spent Seven years, organizing churches and baptizing converts. Here he married Melissa Ann Butler; ten children were born to them. In 1844 he left Arkansas and settled at Mt. Lebanon, Louisiana where he remained for six years. He preached there and also at Minden and Saline. He served the parish of Bienville as Superintendent of Schools for a while. In 1850 lie moved with his family to Texas where he continued to be influential in the Baptist Church. In 1861 he accepted the presidency of Baylor University at Independence from which he resigned after two years because of ill health. In 1866 he gave up his churches and then settled in Bell County where he died. Joseph Wilson Baines, third son of George Washington Baines, Sr., was born at Mt. Lebanon in 1846. In 1869 he married Ruth Ament Huffman, He died at Fredericksburg. Texas, 1906. His daughter Rebekah Baines, mother of the President, was born in 1881 and married Sam Ealy Johnson in 1907. Their son, Lyndon Baines Johnson was born in 1908 on the Sam Johnson farm on the Pedernales River near Stonewall, Texas. A History of the Baptists of Louisiana by W. E. Paxton gives additional information about the Reverend George Washington Baines. "He was one-time moderator of the Red River Association (Baptist) composed of Claiborne, Union, Bienville and Jackson Parishes and a portion of what is now Lincoln Parish. He was present at the organization of the Baptist State Convention at Mt. Lebanon in December 1848. He was elected president of the Louisiana Convention in 1849. His name is among the teachers at Mt. Lebanon College. He was the first pastor of the First Baptist Church in Minden." In The Shreveport Times for May 5, 1968, Virginia Robichaux writes: "It was in December, 1848, that the Louisiana Baptist Convention was organized in the little church (Mt. Lebanon) by its third pastor, the Reverend George W. Baines, whose great-grandson, Lyndon Baines Johnson, would in the next century become President of the United States, says the framed, handwritten church history lining a wall of the 132 year old church which has occupied its present building since 1857: 'Rev. Bains, pastor from 1841-1851, was active in all good works. Thro (sic) his influence and that of his brother-in-law, the Rev, James F. Paxton, and the Rev. John A. Burnette, the following Baptist churches were organized: Minden, Sparta, Saline, Vernon, Arcadia, Homer and Mt Zion. . ." {Also see "Page 145-Baines Family" and "Page 146-Baines Family #2" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 147 William Stevenson, a Pioneer Preacher in Claiborne Editor's note: From William Stevenson, Riding Preacher by Walter N. Vernon (Southern Methodist University Press, c1964) chapter 7, "Spreading Methodism in Louisiana," the following material, with the exception of the opening paragraph, has been selected as of particular pertinence to the history of Claiborne Parish The publishers' generous permission to select for printing in this form is gratefully acknowledged, It is interesting to note that in his preface the author thanks J. J. "Jack" Smith, Clerk of Court in Claiborne Parish, for the help which he gave in the research upon which the book is based.) William Stevenson, born in South Carolina in 1768, lived for a time successively in Tennessee, Kentucky, again in Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas, and finally in Louisiana in what was Claiborne Parish from 1826 until his death in 1857. He was one of the pioneer preachers in each of these areas with the exception of Kentucky, and was, "without reasonable doubt the first Protestant preacher of any denomination to preach on Texas and Oklahoma soil." The Stevensons may have been influenced in moving to Louisiana by the Dyers, Sallie (Sarah) had married Joel (or John) who died about 1830-31. James Dyer, likely the brother of Joel, came originally from Missouri and was in Hempstead County Serving as magistrate in 1821 and 1823, James fought with Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. About 1822 James Dyer, afterwards known as Major Dyer, moved to the eastern side of Claiborne Parish and settled on an eighty-acre tract patented in 1827, the earliest known date for a Claiborne Parish patent; it bears the signature of John Quincy Adams. Today this land is known as the old Gee place. It was at Dyer's suggestion that Claiborne Parish was created. He later married one of Stevenson's daughters, for at the time of Stevenson's death Major Dyer was referred to as his son-in-law. Court records of 1851 refer to the daughter as "Polly Stevenson, deceased, the late wife of James Dyer." Stevenson and those who moved along with him settled in what is now the eastern part of Claiborne Parish. From here he carried on a widespread ministry in northern Louisiana. There were a few Methodists in the area as early as 1819. Thomas Gray settled about that time near John Murrell. (Murrell, following Clayborn Wright's example, had put his family on a keelboat three miles from Carthage, Tennessee, on the Cumberland River and had gone down it to the Mississippi and then up the Red River to Long Prairie, Arkansas. From there he moved down near Minden, and became one of the earliest settlers there.) The first Methodist preaching in Louisiana was probably by Lorenzo Dow, in 1804-5, and the first circuits were Opelousas and Washita Washita Circuit, named for the Ouachita River, was centered in what is now Monroe. The Rev. John a. Jones, first historian of the Missis-sippi Conference, was pastor of the Washita Circuit when the Steven-sons moved to Claiborne Parish and came to know William Stevenson well. The Reverend John G. Jones says that he, along with Dr. Alexan- der Talley, the two Orr brothers from Arkansas, and presumably Wil-liam Stevenson, held the first camp meeting in this area. Local his-tories indicate that it was held near Isaac Miller's cabin. "It was the most primitive camp meeting we ever attended," wrote Jones. "The tent, pulpit, and seats were of the cheapest structures. Our provisicns consisted mainly of bread made of unripe corn, fresh pork, immature sweet potatoes, with coffee for preachers and old folks.' In later years Stevenson was "generally regarded as the father of Methodism in this parish (Claiborne) - - . He was a man of great pun-ty of character, of more than ordinary ability for that day, and a very popular preacher." He spent most of his time in the first year in moving and getting his family settled, and he was also listed as supernumerary. At the end of a year he reported one hundred white and three Negro members on his new circuit. Natehitoehes was in the territory of the Mississippi Conference, so he was transferred to it ifl the fall of 1826 and reappointed to the same charge. The next year he was named presiding elder of the Louisiana District of the Mississip-pi Conference. He was given the same appointment in the fall of 1828. 1829, and 1830, and in 1831 was listed as presiding elder of a new district, Monroe, which was made up of some of his former circuits in the Louisiana District. In 1832 he was appointed as supply at Claiborne. In 1838-39 he served as pastor, this time at Caddo Parish. In the fall of 1828, at the end of his first year on the district, there were 729 white members and 323 Negroes, a total of 1,052. Three years later, with the newly organized Monroe District, there were 1,469 members. During these years Stevenson was also responsible for helping to increase the number of preachers in his section. His own son, James Porter Stevenson, after attending Augusta College in Kentucky, joined the Mississippi Conference in November 1831, and was appointed as an assistant on Little River Circuit in the Monroe District of which his father was presiding elder. Stevenson's daughter, Jane Ann, married John Billbo who joined the conference and was appointed to Claiborne Circuit in 1829 under William Stevenson. Henry Stephenson, who had preached under Stevenson in Arkansas, moved with him to Louisiana and joined the Mississippi Conference. In addition, Stevenson likely influenced two younger relatives to become Methodist ministers, Robert Young Montgomery, Jr., and Joseph Milus Stevenson, who was the grandfather of former governor Coke Stevenson of Texas. The years in Louisiana were hard ones financially even when he was presiding elder. In 1830 he wrote: I am now getting old and have yet a considerable heavy family and follow riding and preaching and have never yet rec'd anything like full Quarterage and many years not more than $50." Superannuate support was as limited as preachers' salaries: in 1848 the Louisiana Conference (to which Stevenson's membership was transferred when it was organized in 1846 paid him $8.30 for the year's pension. His precarious health condition continued after his retirement, although he lived until 1857. We have only sketchy information regarding his activities during these years of retirement. But we do know, for example, that a Methodist meeting house was built about 1845 near Major Dyer's house, six miles east of Homer; very likely Stevenson had a hand in the project. Evidently all or most of the living Stevenson children moved to Claiborne Parish with their parents. Betsey, who had first married John Johnson, and later John Fowler, died in 1835 in Claiborne Parish. As we have noted, Jane Ann married the Rev. John Billbo. Sally first married John or Joel Dyer and later James Honeycutt. By 1832 only the two younger boys, David Young, twenty-two, and Henry Walker, seventeen, were still living at home, David married Sarah Burns (the daughter of a Methodist Protestant preacher) and on March 1, 1857 just four days before the father's death. Henry Walker married Elmer Jones Hoghland in 1839. Stevenson's first wife, Jane, died on August 18, 1846 and eventually he was remarried, to Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Jones Hoghland, the mother of his daughter-in- law, Henry Walker's wife. Death came on March 5, 1857, at Major Dyer's home in his eighty-ninth year. The place where Stevenson was buried has not been positively identified, but careful investigation has narrowed the most likely locations to two. Church records stated that he died at the home of his son-in-law, Major James Dyer. Major Dyer, then a rather prosperous planter, had a large country home, the location of which has been established by Mrs. John C. Allen of Dallas, a great- great-granddaughter of Stevenson. It was on a farm about six miles east of Homer. In the fall of 1964 Mrs. Allen learned from Mrs. Annie Mae Tooke Hamphill, who now lives on part of the Dyer farm, across the road from the old Dyer house, that there were at one time eight or ten graves in a private burying ground near the old house. No markers were left, and signs of the graves are becoming faint. It may well have been here that Stevenson was buried. The other likely place is the cemetery of Forrest Grove Methodist Church, which was built about 1845 near Dyer's home. The church building was later moved, but the old cemetery remains at the original location. This was the most prominent Methodist church in Claiborne Parish, and the Dyers and Stevensons probably had a big hand in its founding. Thus it would have been logical for the venerable preacher to have been buried there. Editor's note: We are indebted to Phyllis Frye for calling to our attention the suitability of this material for our publication. ********** Page 150 The Gladden and Todd Families Serve Their Country By Anna Gladden Berry The Gladden and Todd pioneer families of Claiborne Parish were united through the marriage of Emma McNeil Todd and Francis Isaiah Gladden. Emma McNeil Todd was the daughter of Dr. John Williams Todd and Anna Maria Harper. During the Civil War, Dr. Todd served the Confederacy with the rank of Captain in the Cavalry. His eldest daughter, Emma, although a very small child, remembered traveling at night with her mother and a faithful old slave, "Uncle Nove", to meet her father who was to he at a certain location on a given date. At the end of the war, Captain Todd divided what he had left with his slaves who remained faithful. The old carriage driver was given his fine saddle horse, Captain Todd remarking that he, Captain Todd was more able to walk than "Uncle Nove". After the war Dr. Todd moved to Flat Lick, then to Homer. He built the two story home that is now the J. L. Moss home. At this time the house faced the Lisbon road, and the acreage from there to the house was the front lawn. Later the present Pine Street was cut through the property and building sites were sold. Dr. Todd lived here with the family until his death. At this time he was Tax Assessor for Claiborne Parish. He died at a Masonic meeting being held in the Court House. He now lies buried, beside his wife, in the Old Homer Cemetery. Francis Isaiah Gladden was the son of Daniel Webster Gladden and Anna Elizabeth McMeekin. They originally came from Fairfield County, South Carolina, and came first to Arizona in Claiborne Parish, then to Homer. Their home is now the Pat Johnson place. It originally comprised what is now Edgewood Drive, Beverly Drive and the City Park and acreage on either side of the old Haynesville road. Daniel Webster Gladden served the Confederacy as a Captain in the Civil War. His brother, Addley Hogan Gladden, also from Fairfield County, South Carolina, served as Captain in the Mexican War and as Brigadier General in the Confederacy. He was severely wounded in the Battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. His left arm had to be amputated and he died several days later, either April 12 or 14, at the Headquarters of General Beauregard, near Corinth, Mississippi. He is buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile, Alabama. Daniel Webster Gladden and his wife, Anna Elizabeth McMeekin lie buried in the Old Homer Cemetery. Following the family tradition, Captain Daniel Webster Gladden's son, grandson and great grandsons saw service in World War I and World War II and Captain John Williams Todd's grandson and great grandsons all served in World War II. The great grandson of both Captain John W. Todd and Captain Daniel W. Gladden, Ensign Franklin Pierce Berry, III, of the Navy Air Corps, gave his life in the service of his country. He was a Navy Aviator instructor in dive-bombing and gunnery in World War II. He was awarded posthumously the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He, too, with his maternal grand parents and his great grand parents lies buried in the Old Homer Cemetery. (Editor's note: Wills often reflect the times. This is true of "The Last Will and Testament of Samuel B. Harper" and excerpts of it are given here. It has been made available by Anna Gladden Berry.) Last Will and Testament of Samuel B. Harper (Samuel B. Harper was the father of Anna Maria Harper, wife of Dr. John W. Todd) In the name of God. Amen. I Samuel B. Harper, a citizen of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, being weak in body and feeling I must soon die, but having at this time a sound mind and disposing memory, and being anxious to dispose of all of my estate both real and personal to my wife and children according to my own wishes and judgement, do make this my last will and testament hereby fully revoking and annulling all previous wills or parts of wills or codicils made or signed by me. First, I do hereby authorize my son James D. Harper to sell the plantation and settlement of land I lately occupied in the County of Columbia in the State of Arkansas, being near sixteen hundred acres of land, and after paying over to my Executors one thousand dollars to be applied in the payment for the plantation bought of Charles Phillips on Flat Lick in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, the balance to be equally divided between my said son James D. and my daughters Sarah E., Mary K. and Ann M. Harper. The portion going to each of my said daughters to be subject to the same restrictions at the property herein given them. I further give and bequeath unto my son James D. Harper my slaves Peter, Amy and her children Cornelius, Davy, Jenny Lind, Johana and Pollard, also a negro boy Austin. I give and bequeath unto my son Albert G. Harper my slaves Tom, Tuff, Caroline, Burton, Charles, Arrena, Fed and Booker and their increase and also all my right title claim and interest in and to a certain tract of land purchased by me from Daniel E. Jones, situated in Columbia County, Arkansas, of which my said son Albert G. now has possession and also my gold watch. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah E. Harper, my slaves York, Betsy, Lucy, Paralee, Horace, Susan and her children Robert and Florance May, and also Marshall and Tom Davis and Cato, said slaves and their increase are not to be subject or liable to the debts, contracts or any incumbrance to be contracted or suffered by any husband she may marry and in ease my daughter Sarah should die, leaving no issue living at her death, then said slaves with their increase to be equally divided between all her brothers and sisters or their decendants. I also give my daughter Sarah the Piano-forte now on hand and a saddle horse to be worth one hundred dollars which my Executors will purchase for her whenever she may desire after my death. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary K. Harper my slaves, Ransom, Emeline, Lilla, Weldon, Edmond, Rachel and Middleton, said slaves and their increase and not to be subject or liable to the debts contracts or any incumbrance to he contracted or suffered by any husband she may marry, and in case my daughter Mary K. should die leaving no issue living at the time then said slaves with their increase to be equally divided between her brothers and sisters or their descendents. I also give my daughter Mary K. one saddle horse to be worth one hundred dollars which my Executors will purchase for her whenever she may desire after my death. I also give my said daughter Mary K. the sum of three hundred dollars to be used by my Executors in the purchase of a Pianoforte whenever she may desire them to do so. I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann M. Harper my slaves Humphrey, Lucinda, Eliza and her child Cealey, Octavia, Agnes, Anderson, Frank, and George. Said slaves and their increase are not to be subject or liable to the debts, contracts or any incumbrance to be contracted or suffered by any husband she may marry, and in case my daughter Ann M. should die leaving no issue living at the time, then said slaves with their increase to be equally divided between her brothers and sisters or their descendants. I also give my daughter Ann M. a saddle horse worth one hundred dollars to be purchased by my Executors when she may desire it and I also give her three hundred dollars to be used by my Executors in the purchase of a Pianoforte for her whenever she may request them to do so. I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel B. Harper my slaves, Patsey, Jim, Warren, Jacob. Wesley, Isabella, John and Chancy. If my said son Samuel should die during the life time of his mother, the slaves and their increase herein bequeathed to him, shall go to and be controlled by his mother for her benefit during her life. I do hereby appoint my son Albert G. Harper to manage and control the property given my son Samuel for him, and to prevent the same being used or disposed of by my son Samuel until Albert shall be satisfied of his capacity to manage and take care of his property even after he may become of the age of twenty one and at the death of my son Samuel he having no child living at the time, his property and its increase shall be divided between his brothers and sisters or their descendants. I give and bequeath unto my son William D. Harper my slaves, Darcus, Polly, Diana, Ellen, Jack, Richard, Joe, Daniel and Harriet and in ease he should die before he attains the age of twenty one, then I give said slaves to his mother Ann S. Harper, to hold during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided between his brothers and sisters or their descendants. I also give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Ann S. Harper, my slaves, Dick, Dave, Henry. Billy, Ephraim, Judge, Sileman, Vinson, Dinah, Hannah, Rhoda, Sally. Kate, Catharine, Charlotte, Sarah, Nancy, Old Nancy, Grace, Old Anaca, Old Edmond, Anaca (child of Nancy) Hannah (child of Sally) Jesse (child of Chancy) and Rosellee (child of Belsey.) Said slaves I give to my beloved wife during her life and at her death I wish them equally divided among my children if living or among the descendants of those dead share and share alike. I also give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Ann S., Harper, during her life the plantation and settlement of land (except what I this day deed to my son Albert G. Harper) purchased from Charles Phillips on Flat Lick, in the Parish of Claiborne and State of Louisiana, about eleven miles from the town of Minden, at her death the said land and plantation to be property of my sons Samuel B. Harper and William I). Harper and should they die without issue living, then said land to be equally divided among my children or their descendants. T wish any other lands belonging to me not herein described to be sold either at public or private sale at the discretion of my Executors and titles made to the same without the expense or trouble of an order of court. In witness whereof I do hereby put my hand and declare this my last will and Testrtient this .....day of November 1853. {Also see "Page 153-Addley Hogan Gladden" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 155 Out of the Past (Editor's note) Excerpts of interest to our area are quoted by permission from OUT OF THE PAST. A TALE OF TWO MODERN CITIES-LITTLE ROCK-SHREVEPORT by Eloise Paxton Hutchison, C. 1943, Shreveport. Permission has been given by the author's son, William Paxton Hutchison. The author states that her purpose in writing was to preserve for her children the history of the family. The Paxton name has great significance for the Baptists of North Louisiana. Early Family History. I will begin with our famfly history as far back as your great-grandparents on each side, starting with the Paxton side. Your great- grandmother Paxton was Lucy Edwards (whose mother was a Searcy and her father Captain John Edwards who fought in the Indian Wars with Daniel Boone) was born in 1802, just before the Louisiana Purchase. She married David Coulter Paxton of Rockbridge County, Virginia, near Natural Bridge. They moved to Kentucky and lived in an old stone house near Frankfort. In a few years they moved to Arkansas where they spent the winter with his Uncle Joseph B. Paxton before building their own home in Little Rock on the bank of the Arkansas River. Having been given a land grant in Hempstead County for services in the war of 1812, your great-grandfather moved thither, built a home, lived the remainder of his life and is buried there, The Great Raft. This Uncle Dr. Paxton was a physician with a wide practice extending over central and south Arkansas and north Louisiana, a highly educated man and a good geologist. Some five years after this time, about 1828, navigation on Red River was closed on account of the "Great Raft", a collection of debris which gradually blocked the river from Alexandria to over forty miles above Shreveport. As the chief mode of transportation was by boat, one can readily see that commerce was greatly hampered. In this extremity the help of this Dr. Joseph E. Paxton was solicited in studying the problem and suggesting ways of overcoming this difficulty. The result, after careful investigation and surveying, was a letter from Dr. Paxton in 1828 presented to Congress by Hen. A. H. Sevier, laying the whole situation out plainly and convincingly, requesting appropriation by Congress to have the obstruction removed. The request was granted and an appropriation of $30000 was made for this purpose. In 1835 Captain Shreve began his work of removing this first raft. This document by our great uncle was a masterpiece in its line. and is on file in the Congressional Records. His part in this is never mentioned in the different stories of Captain Shreve and his activities in connection with the removal of this raft. I think even at this belated period he should be given just acknowledgement for his part in this important piece of engineering, I asked my sister, Mrs. D. C. Scarborough, Sr., of Natchitoches, why we had never known any cousins from his line, and she said he was a bachelor and had no family. Sister Lucy says father remembered him well and she has heard him tell of Uncle Joseph being quite an athlete and how he would run races with the Indians. I quote from this letter of Dr. Paxton to Congressman Sevier. "Opening the raft would prevent an immense destruction of United States property. It must not be forgotten that the raft is not standing still, but is gradually progressing upwards like a destroying angel. spreading desolation over a most lovely country, partially surveyed, purchased up and settled, at the appalling rate of near one hundred thousand dollars in each ten years, These are not chimeras but truths that can be substantiated, Most of the inhabitants in this devoted section are known to you and from you, as their representative, they are expecting relief. I am acquainted with them all. Some of them are my intimate friends. They have ventured their all in this once delightful country without being aware of the catastrophe that awaited them very lately their true situation presented itself, but every season now adds proof of the insensible but irresistible and gradual approach of their fate. They are gazing in torpid despair on the ruin that awaits them and which they can neither resist nor escape . . . the inhabitants are waiting the decision of Congress on this subject before they purchase lands, and, if disappointed, will move on with reluctance to the Spanish provinces where thousands of their neighbors have gone already. Thus this desirable country with all its natural advantages and improvements is again about to become a wilderness. More Family History. My grandfather Paxton's first home was built on the Arkansas River where there was a small river town, Little Rock, with very few white inhabitants. There my father, William Edwards Paxton, was born June 24, 1825.. Grandmother always claimed that, to the best of her knowledge, he was the first white child born in Little Rock. To this humble home came occasional visitors, especially friendly Indians who would try to jump from the front door to the large fire place, lest they should "track up" the beautiful red home-made carpet. Probably the most distinguished visitor they entertained was Sam Houston, a cousin of my grandfather David Coulter Paxton, whose father's sister, Elizabeth Paxton, was Sam Houston's mother. In THE RAVEN, the life of Houston, the author, Marquis James, speaks of the night Sam Houston spent in Little Rock when he mysteriously left his office as Governor of Tennessee, his wife and all that was near and dear to him, to seek a new home among the Indians of whom he had become very fond in earlier years. It was in grandmother's humble home he spent that night, sitting up late talking with the family but making no mention of the sorrow that was breaking his heart, no explanation of the step he was taking, little dreaming the part that move was to play in the making of history, even to the founding of a young republic out of which was to come our great Lone Star State. . . William Edwards Paxton. My father, William Edwards Paxton, at an early age developed a fondness for books, having access to his father's small but well selected library . . . The following is a quotation from the "Introduction" to father's HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS OF LOUISIANA by his good friend, Dr. Frank Courtney. "In 1842 the family moved back to Kentucky where he entered the private school of S. J. Mahoney, an educated Irishman, under whom he read at the age of seventeen in fifteen months the Latin Reader, six books of Caesar, the Bucolics and six books of Virgil's Aeneid, Sallust's Conspiracy of Cataline and the Jugurthan War. In Greek he read the Greek Reader and the Gospel of John besides reviewing Algebra and Geometry, In September 1843 he entered the Freshman class of Georgetown College, Kentucky, and in '47 graduated with the highest honors of his class." After finishing college he began reading law and was shortly admitted to the bar. In '53 he moved to Bienville Parish, Louisiana, intending to enter the practice of his chosen profession. As Louisiana law is different from that in all other states he had to begin his study almost anew. While doing so he took charge of the Preparatory Department of Mt. Lebanon University. This school developed into Mt. Lebanon College and was finally transferred to Pineville and is now our Louisiana Baptist College . After this second preparation, father entered the Law office of Hon W. B. Egan who many years later was Judge of the Supreme Court of Louisiana. They continued a happy partnership and successful practice until the beginning of the civil war . . . Judge Paxton, as he was then known, raised and was Captain of the first company in Bienville Parish. He fought at the Battle of Shiloh. He had joined the Baptist Church while at Georgetown College and had been baptized by the president, Dr. Howard Malcomb. Through the years of his law practice and during the war he had become more and more impressed with the fact that it was his duty to enter the ministry. In '64 he was licensed to preach by the Sparta Baptist Church and in '65 was ordained by the Minden Church and called to its pastorate... Sister* tells of two letters she had prized but in her sixty years of married life they have disappeared. There was once a belief that Jefferson Davis had escaped from prison in his wife's clothes. Always of an investigative nature, sister wrote Mrs. Davis asking the truth of the matter. The answer denied it. The other letter pertained to Harriett Beecher Stowe. It has been generally believed she visited in the South thereby obtaining the background for UNCLE TOM'S CABIN. Sister wrote her to straighten out this uncertainty in her own mind and received a reply saying she had not. One may take these two statements for what they are worth, but one thing I know, sister received these answers to her letters... Moving from Minden where father had been pastor for five years, in 1872 he took charge of the Shreveport University, a Baptist school for boys. It soon grew to about 109 boarding students from over the state. During 1873 was the dreadful yellow fever epidemic which took the lives of hundreds and hundreds of Shreveport people. I've heard my mother tell how he went day and night, ministering to the sick and dying, not fleeing the city as many ministers did . . . In a short while he did contract the disease, but mother nursed him back to health . . . His life was spared but the school had temporarily disbanded and although he held on for several years it never regained its former standing. Editor's note: In 1877 the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee; in 1878 to Warren, Arkansas; in 1883 to Fort Smith. Arkansas where the author's father died June 9 of that year. The author's mother moved with her three daughters to Keatchie College, where she was employed; in 1885 she was employed as a teacher at Mt. Lebanon College, taking her daughters with her to live there) Life at Mt. Lebanon. It was during the spring (of '86) the dear old college building burned. That night stands out vividly in my memory. While peacefully sleeping in the girls' dormitory, we were awakened by the cries of "Fire! Fire!" Girls soon appeared in sorts of kimonos, bath robes, and old fashioned wrappers and our sad bunch stood and wept while we watched the school burn to ashes. The boys bravely helped in removing all things possible but nothing could save the building. There was no doubt about its having been incendiarism as empty coal oil cans and other tell-tale signs were found but no solution was ever discovered, The only thing to do was to move over to the Baptist Church where they finished out the spring term. (Excerpts from the diary of William Edwards Paxton) January 1, 1870 . . . At the close of the year 1869 I determined to devote myself more to ministerial duties. It is true I had preached about twice a week on average at Minden and in the country but I have been wholly unable to do pastoral visiting. Rather than lose my services the church and congregation at Minden have subscribed two hundred dollars for half my time. Gilgal Church has also called me and will probably raise two hundred dollars more. Saturday, November 2, 1872 . . . Went to the meeting of the church. The resolutions which I had submitted two weeks ago came up for action. Brother Plemmons the pastor, opposed them, declaring that he did not regard Shreveport as missionary ground . . . Very few were present and the church refused to recommend the establishment of a mission Sunday School in connection with preaching at a point two miles distant from the first Church. I daresay such a thing is unprecedented in the history of a city church but such petty jealousy will recoil upon his own head. Saturday, September 6, 1873 . . Four deaths from yellow fever today. Read Biblical Antiquities. Sunday, September 7,1873 . . . Nine interred today, most of them yellow fever. Wednesday, September 10, 1873 . . Fourteen burials from yellow fever today. Thursday, September 11, 1873. . . Eighteen burials from yellow fever today. The paper says the epidemic is fearfully on the increase. Saturday, September 13, 1873. . . The change in weather unfavorable to those with the fever. Twenty-six burials and 500 cases reported. Wednesday, September 17, 1873. Went to cemetery to ascertain the number of burials today. Observed a coffin left by the hearse near a grave that was being dug. It was attended by two women whom I suspected to be women of the town. I inquired of the assistant sexton who informed me that the party was an attache of the circus lately broken up here. I ascertained that he had been staying with one of the women and had devoted himself to the care of the sick until he himself was sick. He was in her bed and she tenderly nursed him until his death, then procured a metallic case and was superintending his burial. I approached her and talked with her. She told me the young man was a good young man, not religiously but in a worldly sense. I asked her if she had any religious service. She answered no that she could not procure the service of any minister. I told her I was a minister. She then asked me if 1 would offer prayer at the grave. I did so and she seemed greatly affected during the prayer. She is a very intelligent young woman and I could but feel surprise that so much of good should be associated with her profession. Burials today were 19. Father Pierre, Catholic priest, buried in church, making 20. August 1882... Met on the street Rev. ___________ a Methodist preacher, who is passing through, He appears to have fared sumptuously on spring chicken as he has developed goodly degree of corpulency, I was not impressed that his brain equaled his paunch. August 1882 . . . Brother ... preached a plain, sound discourse, very deficient in arrangement and grammar. Sunday, Oct. 3, 1882. . . Spent most of the day making out my report as missionary pastor of the American Home Missions Society. *Mrs. D. C. Scarborough, Sr., of Natchitoches {Also see "Page 158-Mt. Lebanon University" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 161 Hook and Ladder Company, 1871 A true record, April 11,1871 J. R. Ramsey, Recorder Act of incorporation State of Louisiana, parish of Homer Hook and Ladder Company Claiborne Before me John R. Ramsey recorder and ex officio Notary Public in and for the parish and state aforesaid and duly commissioned and sworn according to law came and appeared the several persons whose names are hereto subscribed who declared that by virtue of the act of the Legislature of the state of Louisiana approved the 14th of March 1855 entitled an act for the organization of Corporations for Literary, Scientific, Religious, Charitable and other purposes they have this day and do by these presents forever and organize themselves into a body composed under the name and state of the Homer Hook and Ladder Company whose domicil state be in the town of Homer, La. Act 1. This corporation shall he composed of a captain, one lieutenant and a guard and such other officers as the Corporation may prescribe and shall consent of the present members and such others as may hereafter become such by signing this act or in any other manner prescribed by the body. Act 2. All the duties of the officers of the Corporation shall be prescribed and defined by the Constitution or by law to he passed by the Corporation at said meeting thereof after the signing of this. Act 3. The object of the Corporation is to afford mutual Protection to the property of the town of Homer and to acquire and to hold such personal and other property as may be necessary for the complete organization of the Corporation. Act 4. The Corporation shall have the right of serving and being served in any court competent and the captain shall be the person upon whom the service shall be and shall prosecute and defend suits in his official capacity in which the Corporation may be entitled. Act 5. At the first signed meeting of the Corporation after their organization by the signing of this act it shall proceed by ballot or otherwise as may be determined to the election of all the offices signed under this act and the officers thus elected shall act and enter upon the duties of said offices and law until their successive successors are duly qualified and their term of office shall continue for twelve months from this date or vacancies in any offices may be filled at mailing collect for that purpose by a majority vote of all members present. This done and signed in my office in the town of Homer on the 11th day of April 1871. Attest: Signed: H. C. Larance A. C. Weil C. C. Flurry William P. Otts D. B. Hayes T. Hamilton W. L. Price A. H. Gill J. R. Ramsey, Recorder A. W. Barrow Henry Harrison and Ex-Officio of Public. W. W. Otts G. C. Gibson J. Ruffner R. W. Price J. T. Otts M. R. Bryan J. K. Millican Walter Ward B. F. Callahan W. A. Allen S. B. Blackburn O. W. Meadows John C. Clark Pat Burke T. Harris S. H. Broadnax B. Rohebact John T. Maxey J. S. Buchanan W. D. Harrison Pat Smith Hugh Ferguson James H. Young Eugene Talbot Peter Denedy Fully Blackburn Thomas Elia A true record Apr. 11, 1871 J. R. Ramsey, State of Louisiana parish of Claiborne ********** Page 162 From John Riley Malone's Files (Editor's note: John Riley Malone, Homer, has accumulated genealogical data of interest to many families in Claiborne. He has given permission for the inclusion here of some excerpts from his materials,) A quote from History of the Baptists of Louisiana, by William Edward Paxton: "In 1820 James Brinson, an ordained minister from Tennessee, settled not far from the present town of Vienna at a place called Upper Pine Hills which was then in Natchitoches Parish later Claiborne Parish, and now in Lincoln Parish. In the same company came his son-in-law, Arthur McFarland, who afterwards became a preacher, Christopher Koonce, James Whitson, and his brother-in-law A. F. Nelson and their wives. Most of these were Baptists, and in 1821 constituted the Pine Hills Church which joined the Louisiana Association in 1822. James Brinson and John Dapson extended their labors westward into the northern part of what was then Natchitoches Parish. Near the present town of Minden they found a few Baptists among whom were John Murrell and Hewitt Drew, the father of Governor Drew of Arkansas and of Judge H. Drew and Harrison A. Drew. Here they gathered a small church in 1823 called Black Lake from a bayou of that name near which it was located. Black Bayou heads near where the John Murrell home was built about seven miles west of Homer and it flows into what is now Black Lake near Campi." Dr. Sidney Seth Tatum was born about 1812, probably in Sparta, Handcock County, Georgia. His parents had moved from North Carolina to Georgia. He was the first medical doctor of Lisbon. He was also the first post-master of that community. This is confirmed by the National Records Service, Washington, D. C. Dr. Tatum was married in 1850 at Lisbon to Margaret Amanda Sherard born 1830 in Anderson District, South Carolina. This marriage was performed by the Reverend James Thomas Wafer who himself had married Elizabeth Menefee and who organized the first Methodist Church in Lisbon in his home. Dr. Tatum's marriage was the first performed in this church. Dr. Tatum helped promote the Rocky Springs Baptist Church of Lisbon. Tom Harris' father, Austin Harris, was the first preacher of this church. Austin Harris' wife was a Miss Milner and they were related to the Sherard family. Dr. Tatum was instrumental in arranging for the purchase from the Federal Land Office of 3,000 acres of land in the Lisbon area for the Killgore family. Margaret Amanda Sherard Tatum lived at Sugar Creek with her parents before she was married. In 1868 her brother bought the property where the Gladney (Dr. James F. Gladney, Sr.,) home now stands and had the old Sugar Creek Sherard home moved there. Each board was numbered when the house was torn down and then put back together by the numbers. Some of these can still be seen on boards in the attic. Later the house was sold to Dr. James F. Gladney, Sr. The Tatum plantation near Lisbon is still owned by descendents of Dr. Seth Tatum. Francis Asbury Hilly married Mary Ann Gee, daughter of Sack Pennington and Mary Ann (Brock) Gee. Gee was born in 1796 and became a teacher which profession he followed for several years in Tennessee and Mississippi. In 1820 he was married to Mary Ann Brock, daughter of a Mississippi planter, at Port Gibson. He became a planter himself and was very successful. Gee, Virgil Stewart, and Elder W. H. Bayless were leaders in breaking the John Murrell gang of outlaws which terrorized parts of Mississippi along the Natchez Trace. Murrell (who is not to be confused with John Murrell, Claiborne Parish pioneer) and most of his gang were captured and were given life terms or were executed but some escaped capture and were out to get revenge. Gee evidently was fearful that he might be murdered and he sold his property in 1835, moving to Louisiana and settling in Claiborne Parish. John Puryear was born in 1786 in Mecklenburg Co., Virginia, and died in 1836 in Athens, Georgia. He married Lucy Smith, 1790-1856. Their daughter Mary Pope Puryear (1812-1883) married Samuel R. Anderson (1809-1880) Methodist "class- leader" and "licensed exhorter." They were parents of Lucy Ann Anderson (1832-1874) who married her cousin William Pope. In the 1860 U. S. Census William and Lucy Ann (Anderson) Pope are listed as living in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. The Puryears, Andersons, Popes, and Smiths are in the lineage of several Claiborne families, among them the Malone family. The first judge of the new parish (the original Claiborne) was Ephriam Knowles Wilson of Monroe. The first sheriff was Issac-McMahan. Tillinghast Vaughn and Allen Horns patented from the U. S. government the section of land where the town of Homer now is. In 1823 the first mail route in Northwest Louisiana was established from Natchitoches to Washington (Arkansas). {Also see "Page 164-Anderson & Killgore" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 166 More Photographs {Also see "Page 166-Germantown House," "Page 167-The Normal Institute," "Page 168-Haynesville School #2," "Page 169-Wafer Chapel," "Page 170-Discovery Well," and "Page 171-Homer Male College" in the corresponding photo album, "Historic Claiborne '69," located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.} ********** Page 172 Addendum HISTORIC CLAIBORNE, 1962, page 5, "Antioch", by Pearl Fortson Smith J. J. Smith, Homer, writes: "The first line of paragraph four state 'My grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Fortson . . .' This name should be James Thomas Fortson not Thomas Jefferson Fortson. The same paragraph further recites '. . the old Fortson borne, long since burned.' This home did not burn but was dismantled during the early 1950's. The home of the author's father, W. R. Fortson, near the old James Thomas Fortson home had long since burned." HISTORIC CLAIBORNE '65, 1965, page 35, "Tulip Methodist Church' by Willie Lee Pace Dillon Elinor M. Seward, Vernal, Utah, writes: "I, Elinor McCalman Seward, daughter of Mittie White McCalman, would like to bring to your attention two errors concerning the White family mentioned in the editor's note. First, Mittie White McCalman's mother was Mrs. William N. White, nee Laura H. Wilson, and not Mrs. Lige White as stated. Second: Mrs. Laura Watson White was born July 6, 1855, thus the date of 1848 is incorrect. The following is a statement I heard my grandmother, Mrs. Laura Watson White, make several times. She said she helped cook for the builders of the Tulip Church which included her father W. A. Watson, when she was thirteen years old. I cannot find anything that will substantiate this date but from what she said the date would more likely be 1868 instead of 1848. The Tulip Church existed before building of the present structure. As the above is only hearsay my main concern is correcting the lineage as someone may use incorrect information in geneology work." ********** # # #