Early History of Robeline, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana Submitted by: Gaytha Carver Thompson Source: Bigraphical and Historical Memoirs, Northwest Louisiana, 1890 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ROBELINE Robeline, named after one of the early settlers, is a modern railroad town. As related in the history of this parish and Sabine, settlements were made close by as early as 1694-1711. Joseph Clark, an hospital steward at Fort Jesup, resigned and selected lands northeast and southwest of the present Robeline depot on which to build a log house. He settled at Fort Jesup about 1823, and married a woman at that post. James H. Gallion bought land southwest of the railroad except thirty acres above the present depot, which was entered by Judge Chaplin in 1881 or 1882. The Chaplin family may be said to originate at Fort Jesup, and when Mrs. Clarke died, Judge Chaplin became heir to the property. Clark's log house tavern stood where A. Dover resides, and J. H. Gallion's log dwelling where W. M. Cook's dwelling is, and his log store house where L. Daniel's store is located. James E. Keegan settled three miles west in 1853, W. A. Ponder five miles west in 1853, J. H. cox close by, preceded them. Rauscheck, a Russian, who was discharged at Fort Jesup, located three miles southwest, and Philip Wagley resided on the site of the city, near Lake Clark. Stokers and other pioneer families of Sabine located along the old Mexian trail, but comparatively little progress was made until the railroad was built. In 1881 the New Orleans & Pacific Railroad survey was made and the road built. May 1, that year, Robeline was surveyed for C. Chaplin, and additions made by N. Stamper, but not until September were town lots staked. James E. Keegan moved his large home from the plantation into the new town; K. B. Wilson opened a saloon opposite James McCook's store of later days; N. A. Stamper's store room was built in August, 1881; Hughes & Carter's grocery was opened soon after, and they were followed by Hopkins & Barber, and John Decker. C. J. Smith opened the second salon; William Edwards the first livery; M. Brown the third hotel, and Mrs. Howe the fourth;' James McCook;'s dry goods store was established later, and Walter D. Hopkins opened the railroad office; but in December, 1881, he vacated the office, leaving $1,500 to be accounted for. The years 1882 brought several new traders hither. The Gays opened a general store, A. E. Cassady a drug store, Nash & Sons, L. Daniel and the Lees general stores, and B. D. Loper a saloon. In 1883 general stores were opened by F. J. Cook & Co., M. C. Fisher, W. W. Page and Mrs. E. C. Lovett, a livery stable by T. E. Dodd and a grocery by Martin Brown. The older traders made many improvements. Hill & Calwell's cotton market store, John Blake's large store, Cox & Thomas' and the Lindsey store were all brought into existence. In 1884 Stamper's's steam mill and gin was constructed and Hogue entered the firm of Gay Brother. During this year the business center began to change from the Boulevard to Texas Street. In 1883 the academy was erected and school opened in March, by R. W. Freeman, but prior to this one F. Truly taught school in the new town. The old public school building erected in 1888 is now used for the purposes of public and private academy. It is proposed to erect a new house on a lot offered by F. C. Blacksher. In September, 1890, J. E. Keegan, M. G. Buvens and F. C. Gay were appointed a committee to secure teachers, and F. C. Blacksher, L. B. Gay and W. W. Page to secure pupils for the new school: W. C. Cox presided with J. E. Buvens secretary. The officers oft eh board are J. B. McCook, president; M.F. Buvens, secretary and W. W. Page, treasurer. September 1, Prof. J. Fuller Hailey was engaged to teach.