Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Biographies.....Dinkgrave, Bernard "Benny" Hempkin September 29, 1844 - August 31, 1876 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Julia Scott julscott@windstream.net August 16, 2009, 1:56 pm Source: Letters, notes, census and archive files Author: Julia A. Scott The Bernard Hempkin Dinkgrave Story Julia A. Scott January 19, 2009 julscott@windstream.net Bernard (Ben or Benny) Hempkin Dinkgrave September 29, 1844 – August 31, 1876 Ben was the son of William and Dorcus Dinkgrave. Old Marriages recorded in conveyance rcords for Ouachita Parish indicate William H. Dinkgrave (Born February 22.1816 – Died December 27, 1862. William married Dorcus Maddox (Born August 13, 1820 – Died February 17, 1894) on February 18, 1839. These records also show that Bernard H. Dinkgrave married Marie Antoinette Waite on June 29, 1871. William, Docus and Ben are buried in St. Matthews Catholic Cemetery along with a son Frederick (Born September 20, 1846 – Died September 30, 1847), Infant Dinkgrave (no dates), and Willie H. (Born May 4, 1854 – Died December 10, 1900). His brother Stephen H. Dinkgrave married Clara T. Bry on September 22, 1861 per Ouachita Parish Marriage Records. Stephen Dinkgrave died October 2, 1874 at the home of his father-in-law Major Bry of yellow fever at the age of 30. He was survived by his wife Clara and one child. The 1850 Census in the Town of Monroe on 1st of November 1850 shows William Henry Dinkgrave age 34 Sheriff and his wife Dorcas 28. Children listed on this census are : Jane Elizabeth 11, Francis Virginia 9, Stephen Harrison 7 and Bernard Hempkin 5. The 1860 census lists the following children for Henry and Dorcas: J. E. (Jane Elizabeth) 20, Francis 18, S. H (Stephen) 17, B. H (Benny) 15, W. H. (William) 5, L. E. (Leontine) 4. This census also list H Hempkin female 25 and V. Ludeling female 49. Land Grant records show that Dorcas Dinkgrave filed for 39.6 acres of land in Ouachita Parish in 1820. In the 1880 Census Dorcas Dinkgrave, a 56 year old widow, was living in the city of Monroe and had her children Jane, William H. and Leontine living with her. Like his father, Benny was a sheriff in Monroe. His nephew John H. Dinkgrave was Deputy United States Marshall in Monroe and with Benny worked to guarantee the rights of the people of the area to vote their choice. Benny and John supported the Republican cause and were both involved in organizing the party in 1867. Benny's activity in support of the Republican party resulted in his murder and almost caused race riots in the Monroe area. The blacks felt the Democrats had Benny murdered to create an atmosphere of intimidation and force them to vote Democrat. Ben served in the Civil War (CSA) and Boothe's Index has the following listings for him: Dinkgrave, Bernard Hempkin Sep 29, 1844 Aug 31, 1876 LA-KK-16 Served in Watkins Battalion, Louisiana Reserve Corps. LA-KK-16 is the cemetery symbol in Ouachita Parish for St. Matthews Cemetery - Washington St. in Monroe, LA Dinkgrove, B. H., Pvt. Conscript _ La. On Rolls of Prisoners of War, Paroled Alexandria, La., June 3rd, 1865. Res. Ouachita Par., La. Also on Rolls of Co. C. Watkins Battn. Reserve Corps, Paroled Monroe, La., June 10th, 1865. Res. Ouachita Par., La. It appears that Ben was parolled in Alexandria on June 3rd, 1865 and returned to Monroe to enlist in Watkins Battn. And again paroled on June 10th, 1865. I have a letter dated April 16, 1865, written to my Great Grandfather James Muse Dabbs from Ben H.Dinkgrave, General Hospital, Outside Alexandria, Louisiana. A translation of this letter will be shown after this biography. There are few references to Ben Dinkgrave that indicate he was a Doctor. The Obituary of Dr. John Calderwood, Sr. in the Louisiana Intelligencer on July 1, 1868, has signatures of local Doctors at the bottom and one of the entries is Dr. B. H. Dinkgrave: Signed T.B. RICHARDSON, M.D. R.C. STROTHER, M.D. J.H. McCORMICK, M.D. E.H. ROANE, M.D. B. H. Dinkgrave, M.D. The homicide of John C. Wimberly as written in The Ouachita Telegraph on Saturday, April 2, 1870 can only be told by including the copy of this newspaper article: “'The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, April 2, 1870 Page 3, Column 1 Homicide of John C. Wimberly. Mrs. Catherine Liles has been very sick for some time, and Dr. John Calderwood, her physician, was requested by her on last Wednesday to write her will. He proceeded at her dictation until he reached the name of Alice Wimberly, Mr. Jno Wimberly's wife and Mrs. Liles sister. Wimberly came forward and directed that his wife should not be one of the heirs. Dr. Calderwood told Mr. W. that if he wrote at all it must be as Mrs. Liles dictated. Dr. C. left the table, Mrs. Liles having consented at the request of Mrs. Alice Wimberly to leave her name out, Dr. C. resumed the will. Mr. W. then directed that the reasons he would dictate why his wife's name was left out and should be written in it. Dr. C. informed him again that he would not write any thing but what Mrs. L. dictated. Mr. W. threatened that if it was not done he would tear it up, &c. Dr. C. rose declaring, he would not do any thing more with it — walked out in the yard. He heard some voices behind him and returned towards the house. Dr. Dinkgrave and Mr. Wimberly were 15 or 20 feet from the gallery. Wimberly made some charges which Dr. D. denied — Mr. W. repeated several times "you, did sir." "You did sir," — the denial being persisted in, Mr. W. said you are a d--d liar — dealing Dr. D. a heavy blow over the left eye with a pistol or a brass nuckle. Dr. D. fired two shots. Mr. W. supported by Dr. C. and Mr. Hill, walked to the steps. He lived about an hour. Dr. D. surrendered himself the next day — gave bond on the sum of $3000 to appear to day for a preliminary examination.” This and many articles appear on the Lagenweb site wholly due to the effort of Laura Peppers of the Ouachita Parish Library – Genealogy Section. Many thanks to you Laura for giving us access to these pieces of history. The death of Benny Dinkgrave achieved National attention and the following is a portion of Electorial Count of 1877 by United States Electorial Commission, United States Congress. During the months of July and August the evidence shows that the white people of Ouachita Parish were organized into clubs, mounted clubs, and they did better than the instructions of the chairman of the democratic central committee. They not only mounted the clubs, but they armed them. The republican party was also or ganized into clubs, not mounted and not armed, such political clubs as are organized all over the country. So in that way during the mouth of August the organization of both parties was completed. On the 30th of August an event took place in that parish which gave a moral coloring to the election in that parish. On the 30th of August Bernard H. Dinkgrave, a white man, a cultivated man, a native Louisianian, a man against whose character no one has breathed a word except that the chairman of the democratic committee for Ouachita parish said that he was a violent partisan Bernard H. Dinkgrave was shot down, about four o clock in the afternoon, going from his office in Monroe to his house just outside of the town. It is said that that was not done for political effect. It has been suggested that the death grew out of a difficulty he had in 1870 with a man by the name of Wibble, or it grew out of an arrest that he made two years before when he was sheriff of Ouachita Parish of a man by file name of Allen. Upon that single point a great deal of evidence was taken. I must content myself with saying that, weighing the evidence as carefully as I could, I have no more doubt that Bernard H. Dinkgrave was killed for political effect than I have that he was killed at all. But no matter whether he was killed for political effect or not, it had a political effect. The people of Ouachita Parish, the colored people at all events, believed that he was killed for political effect. Republican effort was paralyzed at once. Another republican meeting was not held in the parish until some time in October, and after troops had been stationed at Monroe ; and no meeting I think was held by the republican party anywhere the troops of the United States were not near the place of meeting. I ought to have preceded this allusion to the death of Dinkgrave by giving an idea of the state of the canvass on the 19th of August. I read from the Vienna Sentinel a letter directed to that newspaper by the editor, written from Monroe, of this parish of Ouachita : Politics in Ouachita are gaining more attention than at any previous election since 1860. In fact, every man, woman, and child seems to have his or her whole soul in the contest. This is encouraging, and a good sign of state of hope in tho democratic mind is that there are, or rather were, numerous candidates for parish offices. I say were, because they are now reduced to one candidate for each of Bee, tho democrats having hold their parish mominating convention on Saturday last. If the democrats are hopeful in this parish, they have good cause to be so. While they present an unbroken front and an admirable organization, the radicals are wavering, disheartened, and scared. There a few bold, empty-headed orators among the latter who either have not sense enough to appreciate the situation or are willing to draw us on to any extremes in order that their elevation may be secured. It is human nature to admire boldness, but when boldness is united to rascality it is Louisiana s nature to deal summarily with it. These inflammatory spouters, demagogues in the truest sense of the word, are using their best effort a to instill bad principles into the minds of tho colored people, and seem to be anxious to precipitate a violent conflict between the two races. Nothing could be further removed from the wishes of the whites of this community ; but if anything of the kind should come about, there is a stern resolve that tho foolish cats-paw, the negro, shall not bo the only sufferer. The, promoters of these murderous principles are well known aud well watched, and the halter for their necks is already greased. That was written on the 8th of August, and it appeared in the Sentinel on the 19th. It appeared in Monroe on the 21st. A witness swore that up to this time only three republicans had taken part in the canvass in that parish. One was this Bernard H. Dinkgrave; one was his nephew, John H. Dinkgrave ; one was George B. Hamilton, a colored man and sheriff of the parish. On the 30th of August following this publication in this newspaper, Dinkgrave, one of the three, was assassinated; Hamilton fled to New Orleans; and no further attempts were made to organize or to rally the republican party in that parish until in October . . . . . . . . John H. Dinkgrave, Benny's nephew mentioned in the article above, died in 1887 The following are obituaries for both John and his wife Rosa (again a special Thank You to Lora Peppers of the Ouachita Parish Library Genealogy Department for making these obituaries available to us). The 1880 Ouachita Parish Monroe Census shows John H. Dinkgraven (in error) born 1853 27 years old lawyer by profession and his wife Rosa J. with two children Ethel A. and Theodore J. Evidently a third child was born after 1880 since the obituary for John indicates he leaves three children who reside with their aunt. John H. Dinkgrave, Deputy United States Marshall, in The Ouachita Telegraph Article of November 3, 1867, was criticized by Captain Clayton Hall US 16th Infantry located in Monroe for not responding to the shooting and murder of two black men outside the city. After the murder of his Uncle Benny Dinkgrave for his support of the black community and the Republican party it is not surprising that John, who had a wife and three children, chose not to respond. None of the Doctors of the area responded when called for medical aid. The environment in this town at that time was volatile and based on recent deaths responding could have cost them their lives. The Monroe Bulletin Wednesday, July 27, 1887 Page 3, Column 1 John H. Dinkgrave a native of Monroe, died suddenly Sunday evening in Topeka, Kansas. He took an active part as a Republican in several memorable Louisiana campaigns and was widely known throughout the Ouachita country. Mr. Dinkgrave leaves three children, who reside in this city with his sister Mrs. Jennie White. The Monroe Bulletin Wednesday, December 5, 1883 Page 3, Column 2 Mrs. Rosa Floyd Dinkgrave, wife of John H. Dinkgrave, died yesterday evening of pneumonia. She was a young and estimable lady and her death will be regretted by all who knew her. Mrs. Dinkgrave leaves three children, the youngest only a few weeks old. Accounts in books at the Ouachita Parish Library – Genealogical Department tell of the killing of Benny Dinkgrave, Sheriff and Doctor. A tall, dark stranger came to Monroe and asked around town about Dinkgrave. When no one would tell him anything, he lay in wait for Benny. Coming home Benny saw the stranger on his horse at the end of Louisville Street at the Ouachita River bank. He circled around the city and with a friend came upon the stranger who was on foot and waiting for him. The assassin told Benny's friend to step aside as he had no quarrel with him. When he moved aside the stranger opened fire on Benny killing first his horse and then him. The stranger then got on his horse and left town never to be apprehended and punished for his crime. When you pass that corner of Louisville and Riverside where Ben Dinkgrave was killed, wonder if, at the time, Benny knew who the killer was or why the killer came after him. 1)Letter from Ben H. Dinkgrave to Muse Dabbs written April 16, 1865, from General Hospital near Alexandria, La. Friend Dabbs, Your favor of the 14th just came to hand this morning while I was taking a snooze and was handed to me by one of the Hospital rats after I awoke. I was at first puzeled to know where it came from it having no post mark but I soon was enlightened by opening it and found it from my friend Dabbs. I was not long in learning its contents and in remembrance of the days of yore I immediately got up and took a drink of good old rum which I had hid away for special purposes and drank to the health of you and your intended. I had hoped to see you here when I arrived having heard that a portion of your Regiment was on Post Duty at Alexandria. I would like very much for you to be near here. I think we could have some fun together with the women of the city of Pineville as you say they are of Easy Virtue most of them. Such things your humble serv't enjoys above all others. I am still having quite an easy time but sometimes feel a little lonely and wish for some of my old friends to be near to converse on the topics of home and bygone days. You may think me homesick but such is not the case. I am as happy as a King could possibly be under the conflicting circumstances and how _______ know what leaving the fun beauties of the Ouachita behind.. By the By Dabbs I saw your intended a few days before leaving Monroe and must say it was altogether accidental on my part but I had intended going to see her before leaving. I am very much obliged to you for your kind consideration and making me not only a guest at your wedding but the idea of being groomsman for my friends is really a pleasure I had not anticipated and of course I get the first kiss you know. You speak threateningly old fellow because I told you I had pressed her hand in friendship. I was fully aware of your claims but you had better be a good boy and not even drink or I will inform on you. You speak of having a gay time on your trip at Shreveport drinking whiskey. I also had quite a splendid time a portion of the trip I made. After passing the mouth of the Red River we met up with steamer Gene Hodges had music and whiskey to drink and I don't think there was a sober man on board of our little ship Judge Fletcher that night. If there was I did not see him. Perhaps you think that I was not a fit judge the time. Myself I don't know whether I was or not for I had partook often and largely and went to bed at 3 o'clock that morning very sleepy indeed. I have had plenty to drink since I have been here.Egg Nogs every day. Plenty of everything except that important article and I will leave it to your sagacity to guess what that is So it ticked Bob to learn that you were going to be married. Maybe he don't believe it. Its getting late and I must soon go to my grub so I must close. Hoping to hear from you soon. I Remain Truly yr friend Ben H. Dinkgrave P. S. Remember me to his honor R. J. Nelson. Note: Sagacity gave some trouble so had to look it up. Sagacity - The quality of being discerning, sound in judgment, and farsighted; wisdom. Ben Dinkgrave was a friend of Great Grandfather Dabbs and evidently the Dabbs and Dinkgrave families lived near each other in Monroe. The Family kept this letter for 144 years and it now safely stores at the Ouachita Parish Library in Monroe, La. When Muse Dabb's sister Mary Elizabeth married Joseph E. Behen in January of 1876, William H. Dinkgrave, Jr. was a witness at their wedding. An incident involving a dispute between Dr. C. H. Dabbs and the Catholic Priest Father O'Dougherty resulted from O'Dougherty “saving a young lady” staying in the house of Dr. Dabbs from evil. The girl involved was a Dinkgrave. Her first name was never mentioned. However, Benny had two older sisters – Jane Elizabeth and Francis Virginia. Dr. Christopher Hunt Dabbs was the father of Benny's friend James Muse Dabbs. This incident occurred sometime in the year 1853 when Jane Elizabeth would have been 14 and Francis Virginia 12. Ben Dinkgrave lived a short 32 years but in those years he was Dorcas Dinkgrave's son, a soldier in the cause of the Confederate States of America, a treasured friend of James Muse Dabbs, a Doctor, a Sheriff, a husband to Marie Antoinette Waite, possibly a father, and a martyr to the Republican political cause. He was murdered on Louisiville Avenue in Monroe at the Ouachita River Bridge by an assassin who was never identified or punished. May God Rest Ben Dinkgrave's soul. 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