Obits: The Monroe News-Star 1910 Obits, Morehouse parish excerpts These older obituaries are being typed in by Ms. Lora Peppers at the Ouachita Parish Library. We would like to thank Lora Peppers for sharing her work with the Morehouse Parish Archives Project. Thanks Lora! ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** If your obituary is not found here and you would like a special look up, you may send $5.00 and an self-addressed stamped envelope to: Lora Peppers - Phone (318) 327-1490 Reference Department Fax (318) 327-1373 Ouachita Parish Public Library 1800 Stubbs Ave. Monroe, LA 71201 These newspapers are on microfilm at NLU. The Monroe News-Star Wednesday January 26, 1910 Page 1, Column 6 W.A. SKINNER TOOK OWN LIFE WELL KNOWN MAN SOT HIMSELF THROUGH HEART EARLY TODAY. NO CAUSE IS KNOWN Placed Weapon to Breast and Pulled Trigger, after Calling the Porter and Telling Him What He Was About to Do-Remains Were Sent to Mer Rouge for Interment. W.A. Skinner, bar tender at Bell & Hollingsworth's salon near the Iron Mountain passenger depot shot and instantly killed himself about 6:30 o'clock this morning. Whether the shooting was an accident or was done purposely is questioned by some but from what could be learned it seems to be a plain case of suicide. Mr. Skinner went to the saloon and opened up at the usual hour this morning and no one seemed to notice anything unusual about his manner. He conversed with several railroad men who were at the saloon. About 6:30 o'clock it is said he called to the negro porter and told him he was going to kill himself. The porter told him not to do that and made a move to take the pistol when Mr. Skinner pulled the hammer back and the porter being frightened jumped back. He then placed the pistol to his breast and fired one shot, the bullet passing through his heart and causing instant death. He stood a moment after the shot, staggered and fell dead behind the bar. Coroner Surghnor was immediately notified and was soon on the scene. He empaneled (sic) a jury and heard the testimony of several witnesses after which the jury returned a verdict that Mr. Skinner came to his death at his own hands with suicidal intent. Immediately after the verdict, friends took the remains in charge and had them prepared for shipment to Mer Rouge where his family resides. The Northbound Iron Mountain train was late and the remains left Monroe about 11:30. Mr. Skinner was the father of thirteen children, six of whom survive him besides his wife. Mr. Skinner has resided in Morehouse and Ouachita parishes most of his life and during that time has made many friends. The general comment is "a good man is gone." When a very small boy he took care of a widowed mother and younger brother. Since attaining manhood he has been equally considerate of his family. Why he committed the rash act is a mystery to his friends. His family relations were the most pleasant and there is no known cause why he should have taken his own life. The Monroe News-Star Saturday, January 29, 1910 Page 2, Column 3 Tribute to Dr. Potts. Sixty-six years ago, near Lagrange, Tenn., a child was born. When a mere boy the parents of that boy moved to Morehouse parish, La., and engaged in planting. On the 6th day of March 1862, at the age of 20 years, that young man took the oath to serve three years or to the close of the war, as a soldier in the army of the Confederate States of America. For more than 3 years he followed the flag that was furled in deefat (sic) in the year 1865. During those years, this young man took part in a number of battles. He left Bastrop, La., as private, in the company known as "The Morehouse Stars." Capt. J.H. Stevens commanded it, and later, became Co. F. 12th La. Regiment, army of Tennessee. After the close of the war, that young man studied medicine and commenced to practice medicine in the Parish of Ouachita and continued to practice medicine, until the date of his death last Sunday, Jan. 23d, 1910. That man was Dr. Edgar N. Potts. Dr. Potts was rated as a good physician, and enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him. He was a devout member of the Episcopal church, he was a Mason, in high standing and a member of the Confederate Veterans Camp at Monroe. Last Tuesday he was buried in the cemetery at Bastrop. The services in the Episcopal church were conducted by Rev. H. R. Carson of Monroe and Rev. Sidney Dixon of Bastrop. The Masonic services were read at the grave by Dr. J.F. Watson of Bastrop, and the burial services of the Confederate Veterans, were read by Commander Capt. W.P. Renwick of Monroe. The day was pleasant and there were present at the burial a large number of prominent ladies and gentlemen from Ouachita and Morehouse parishes. Dr. Pott's wife died several years ago. He leaves to mourn his death, four daughters who are all married.-Mer Rouge Democrat. The Monroe News-Star Wednesday, October 5, 1910 Page 5, Column 4 Death of Captain H.D. Vaughan. The news of the death of Captain H.D. Vaughan of Collinston which occurred yesterday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J.T. Howel, will come as a shock to his many Monroe friends. The funeral took place this morning at 11 o'clock in Bastrop, Messrs. J.S. Handy and T.E. Flournoy, by special request of the deceased going up on the Iron Mountain to act as honorary pall bearers. Captain Vaughan, who is a veteran steamboat captain, is well known up and down the Ouachita and in the Black River district, where for several years he ran the Levere, having the mail contract from Harisonburg to the mouth of the river. Captain Vaughan was one of the oldest and most respected of the citizens of Morehouse and his death will be mourned by a large number of citizens. The Monroe News-Star Monday, October 17. 1910 Page 2, Column 3 Capt. H.D. Vaughan. Capt. H.D. Vaughan was born in Oakland oCunty (sic), Pa., May 18, 1851. When a lad of seven his father and mother moved to Morehouse parish, near Bastrop, most of his early life being spent there and in Bastrop. His ambitions were to be a lawyer but the war came on and broke up his plans. His father taught several years where he did his first school work. He was well read and a deep thinker, well versed in the Bible, his children and grand children often going to him for reference. He was a close observer and was fond of nature, often spending hours watching birds and insects. Although fond of hunting he never took much to sports in small game. He married at twenty-one to Miss Mary Camille Holloway who was his help mate and companion but preceded him to the happy beyond twenty-four years ago. Since that time he has been both mother and father to his children left him. He raised his two younger children in Monroe. Capt. Vaughan was happiest when on the water, having owned several boats in the Ouachita river and tributaries. He had the mail route on Black river four years where he made many friends. His health failed under such strenuous work and he moved with his children to Collinston where he had his plantation. The Klondike too interested him and prolonged his life some years. "Back to Nature" was his motto. His maternal ancestors were long lived, none of them dying under eighty. Recently he lost an uncle living in Michigan in his ninetieth year. His life was cut short by a stroke of nervous prostration some years back. Capt. Vaughan was ex-mayor of Collinston, being the first mayor of the town. He is survived by two brothers, A. Loyd Vaughan of Chicago, and E. E. Vaughan of Clarksdale, Miss., his children, W.H. Vaughan, Mrs. Helen Vaughan Howell, Dr. J. Byron Vaughan and son-in-law J.T. Howell, so like his own son and loving grandchildren. Capt. Vaughan died October 4th at 8:30 o'clock a.m. after a long illness, being tenderly watched and cared for by his children. He was a most patient sufferer and was completely resigned. He requested to act as his honorary pall bearers Capt. J.C. Weaks, J.S. Handy, T.E. Flournoy, Dr. J.H. McCormick, D.G. Trousdale, Judge A.A. Gunby, J.B. Reily and Capt. Davenport. His active pall bearers were Messrs. Frank McCormick, Farmer Patton, R. Freeman, Joe Thompson, W.A. Page. The body accompanied by family and friends, was carried on the train, being met by relatives and friends from Gallion, Mer Rouge, Jones and Bastrop. It was taken in charge by the Masons. Rev. Brisco Carter of Mer Rouge who is pastor of the Methodist church in Collinston, performed the religious ceremonies. The flowers were many and beautiful. The most conspicuous was sent by Mr. A.L. Vaughan from Chicago, being five dozen full blown white roses in immense long cluster. Another box of white carnations came for Monroe. Note: There is a picture of Mr. Vaughan included with his obituary. The Monroe News-Star Saturday, August 20, 1910 Page 5, Column 3 KILLED A VISITOR.Little Mer Rouge Girl "Didn't Know Gun Was Loaded."New Orleans, Aug. 20- A special to the States from Mer Rouge says that John Neely, a well known citizen, was shot and killed by a little daughter ofGeorge Smith. Neely was visiting the Smith home, near Mer Rouge, and the girl began playing with a shotgun, which she did not know was loaded. The weapon was discharged, tearing away one side of Neely's face, killing him instantly. The girl and an elder sister who witnessed the tragedy are prostrated. The Monroe News-Star Tuesday, February 1, 1910 Page 2, Column 2 Death of Miss Emma Bouchelle. It is with extreme sadness that we chronicle the death of Miss Emma Bouchelle at the sanitarium in Columbia, Mo., on the 27th inst. Miss Bouchelle has visited Monroe on several occasions and by her sweet and loveable disposition had made many friends who will grieve at the announcement of her death. Particularly sad was Miss Bouchelle's death, coming, as it did, in the midst of life and happiness, without almost a moment's warning, she was snatched from the arms of loved ones to meet an accidental, but horrible death-the story of gasoline and a match. Miss Bouchelle had just finished cleaning a pair of gloves, washing them on her hands in a bowl of gasoline, the servant standing near holding the bowl, when her brother entered and lighting a match, inadvertantly (sic) threw it down, when to his horror, the servant dropped the vessel holding the gasoline and in the fright of doing so threw it all over Miss Bouchelle and in an instant she was enveloped in flames beyond the control of her brother or the servant. Miss Bouchelle was taken immediately to the sanitarium and everything in the power of physician or science done to save her, but after lingering a few days, on the 27th, the pain of suffering was relieved by a merciful God. Miss Bouchelle was the daughter of Mr. Julian Bouchelle who is prominently connected in Ouachita and Morehouse parish and who in his young manhood was a resident of Morehouse and still holds large farming interest. Mr. Bouchelle has many friends who grieve with him in his great sorrow and their hearts go out to him, an idolizing father, bereft of an only daughter, who has gone to join the mother beyond, while to him is left the stricken brother as a solace and comfort. The Monroe News-Star Friday, February 4, 1910 Page 2, Column 3 At Rest. The funeral of Miss Marguerite Bernhardt, which took place this morning at 9:30 from the residence of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Bernhardt, was largely attended by sympathizing friends, who brought many beautiful floral offerings as a last tribute to the young life so early taken. >From the residence, the funeral procession proceeded to the church, where the services were conducted by Father Mahe, and thence to the City Cemetery, where the last sad rites were held. The pall bearers were Messrs. Trouard Breard, Marselle Renaud, E. Rivoire, E. Moore, E. Powers, A. O'Kelly. Among out of town relatives to attend the funeral were Mrs. Rolleigh of Bastrop, grandmother of Miss Bernhardt, Mr. L. Rolleigh, Mr. and Mrs. Don McCranie of Bastrop; Mrs. Percy McCranie of Opelousas. The Monroe News-Star Friday, February 4, 1910 Page 2, Column 3 At Rest. The funeral of Miss Marguerite Bernhardt, which took place this morning at 9:30 from the residence of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Bernhardt, was largely attended by sympathizing friends, who brought many beautiful floral offerings as a last tribute to the young life so early taken. >From the residence, the funeral procession proceeded to the church, where the services were conducted by Father Mahe, and thence to the City Cemetery, where the last sad rites were held. The pall bearers were Messrs. Trouard Breard, Marselle Renaud, E. Rivoire, E. Moore, E. Powers, A. O'Kelly. Among out of town relatives to attend the funeral were Mrs. Rolleigh of Bastrop, grandmother of Miss Bernhardt, Mr. L. Rolleigh, Mr. and Mrs. Don McCranie of Bastrop; Mrs. Percy McCranie of Opelousas. The Monroe News-Star Monday, April 25, 1910 Page 2, Column 3 Death of Mr. Joe Ward. Saturday morning at the Sanitarium, Mr. Joe Ward of Wardville died of typhoid fever, having been a patient since Monday last. Mr. Ward was a planter on Bartholomew and was prominently connected in Morehouse parish, his father being the late R.H. Ward, and was a brother of Mrs. E. N. Granberry of Logtown, and related to Mr. R.A. Moore of Monroe. Mr. Ward leaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss, Mrs. Ward being now critically ill at the sanitarium with the same disease. Mr. Ward's remains, accompanied by relatives, were carried yesterday morning via Collinston, to Bastrop for interment. The Monroe News-Star Saturday, December 31, 1910 Page 2, Column 4 The many Monroe friends of Mrs. George W. Naff of Bastrop, will regret to learn of her death on yesterday, after an illness covering several months, during which time she visited Rochester, Minnesota, and remained for several weeks under treatment. Mr. Naff is the clerk of the court of Morehouse parish, and has a host of friends (sic) who sympathize with him in his great bereavement.