Obits: The Daily Telegraph 1866 Obits, Ouachita Parish La These older obituaries are being typed in by Ms. Lora Peppers at the Ouachita Parish Library. We are once again fortunate to have someone interested in helping us find our ancestors. Thank you Lora! Date: Mar. 2004 Submitted by: Lora Peppers ********************************************** 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 Ouachita Telegraph February 22, 1866 Page 2, Column 4 OBITUARY. DEPARTED THIS LIFE, on Saturday, 17th instant, at 3 o'clock p.m., EMILY ADELINE, consort of Isham R. Nettles, Esq., of this parish; aged 37 years. A good neighbor, a devoted wife and mother and an exemplary Christian has passed to her reward; but the balmy influence of her kind heart and her unassuming piety will long be felt in the community of which she was so bright and useful an ornament. She leaves a disconsolate husband and several children to mourn her death, but, in the depth of their desolation, they are solaced by her parting exhortation to them-"Meet me in Heaven." The Ouachita Telegraph April 12, 1866 Page 2, Column 5 Died, In this town, on the 26th ult., of Pneumonia J.H. COOPER, son of P.A. and J.M. Cooper, aged 18 years and two months. Bienville Messenger, please copy. The Ouachita Telegraph May 24, 1866 Page 2, Column 2 Death of Ex-Gov. Henry Watkins Allen. "How are the mighty fallen!" General Henry W. Allen, the impersonation of chivalry, the friend of Louisiana's poor and a martyr in the cause of Southern nationality, has passed to his final account, far from home and friends, an exile from the land which gave him birth and to which he devoted for many years the energies of his being. The mournful intelligence is thus conveyed to the world in an article from the Vera Cruz La Revista: Mr. H.W. Allen, late Governor of Louisiana under the Confederates, and formerly brigadier general in the armies of the South, has just died in Mexico, after a short and painful illness. Consecrated to the cause of his country, Mr. Allen sacrificed his fortune, which was considerable, and which he lost entirely. He devoted his life to her on the field of battle, and did not leave them until wounds, which never entirely healed, compelled him to return to civil life. His compatriots then elected him Governor of Louisiana. As such, all the products of the country, principally cotton, passed through his hands for exportation, and many others would have been able, in such a position, to speculate and acquire an enormous fortune, and that without falling into any malversation, Mr. Allen left the governorship as poor as he took it. Such admirable disinterestedness, known to everybody, was adorned with a simplicity of manner no less admirable. On the advent of the catastrophe to the South, Mr. Allen came to Mexico. Firm and spirited; without making any parade of it, this man, who had possessed an income of $80,000, sat himself to editing a paper-the Mexican Times-and to live by his labor. He was about to leave for Europe in order to get cured of his wounds, when sickness and death came suddenly to tear him from the affection and esteem with which he inspired all who knew him. We had the honor to count him among our friends, and we have wished to sketch in these lines the honorable and sympathetic being, the loyal heart and the just and sensitive spirit of H.W. Allen; we have sought to pay the last tribute of affectionate respect to the man who was an honor to his country; to the man of whose friendship we were proud, and who carries with him the unanimous regards of all who knew him. Gov. Allen died of typhoid fever. He was born in Prince Edward County, Va.; removed to Mississippi, where he taught for some months; went to Texas and assisted in the struggle for her independence; afterwards practiced law in Mississippi; then removed to this State, settling in the Parish of West Baton Rouge. He was, we believe, twice elected to the Legislature, where we first made his acquaintance in 1857. He was an ardent advocate of seccession, and immediately after the declaration of war proceeded to organize a regiment. It was known subsequently as the 4th Louisiana, and was commanded by him at Shiloh and at Baton Rouge. At the latter place he was severely wounded in both legs. After months of suffering he partially recovered and was promoted to Brigadier General and assigned to the command of a brigade in the Trans-Mississippi Department. But about this time he was elected Governor of Louisiana. In order to hold up to public admiration a worthy example and to incite the youth of our land to deeds of usefulness, we copy the following lengthy extract from the New Orleans Crescent reviewing Gov. Allen's course as Governor: In the discharge of the functions of his office, Governor Allen displayed great administrative capacity, and talents of the highest order. He addressed himself to the work of relieving the general and severe distress suffered by the people of that part of the State within the Confederate army lines. Poverty and suffering were universal. The people lacked all the luxuries, very many of the comforts, and not a few of the necessities of civilized life. Ragged starvation called for food and clothing. The supplies were exhausted for army use within Confederate lines, or were destroyed by floods or by invasions. Conscription had taken away most of the able bodied-men impressment had exhausted provisons, cattle, and work animals. White women were ploughing in cornfields in torn homespun, or driving lame horses with ricketty carts to some distant place in search of a little bacon or meal. The wealthy were reduced to pauperism-the poor to squalid wretchedness. The accumulated sufferings of the uncomplaining heroic people are beyond all description. Gov. Allen devoted himself to the relief of this distress. He had nothing to operate with but a depreciated State currency, whereof forty dollars represented one dollar in coin. But he established a laboratory for the preparations of indigenous medicines. He established a dispensary, from which a million of dollars worth of medicines were distributed in twelve months. He imported and distributed forty or fifty thousand pairs of cotton cards. He appointed agents in many places and gave them many steamboat loads of corn to distribute. He contracted with mill owners and secured their services for the distressed people. He raised, armed, and equipped a fine regiment of cavalry. He built a foundry and had a fine furnace in operation. He printed and distributed five thousand spelling books and as many grammars. He imported and sold at a very moderate price twenty thousand calico dresses, and a quanity of general merchandise almost beyond belief. He made harness, clothing, farming implements. He watched the Confederate officials with a hawk-eyed vigilance and had many hundred cases of oppressive or thoughtless action corrected. He fought for the legal rights of his people and stood between the proprietor and the careless commissary. Yet he gave a powerful helping hand to good men in office, and worked with enthusiasm for the cause he thought just. Never was a man more patient. His office was thronged all day with people who had some aid to ask. He listened to each one, however humble, until his or her story was done, and then in his quick off-hand prompt way gave an order for assistance or relief. If an Arkansas, Missouri or Texas soldier wanted a shirt or a pair of shoes, the order issued. If a poor lady's last mule had been impressed, an aid-de camp was sent instantly to headquarters. If news was wanted of some young private in North Carolina or Virginia, secretaries were ordered to write at once. If the people needed an appeal, the proclamation was written and printed in ten hours. The Governor's office became the great center and focus of excitement. Men and women came from Arkansas and Texas for the aid they could not get at home, and the Missourians claimed Allen as their Governor. Gen. Smith and all his staff loved and trusted him. Every day in the week, including Sundays, and all the year, to the very day of his departure from Shreveport to Mexico, continued this unending labor, and on the very day of the surrender Allen seemed to take as much pleasure in giving a poor woman an order for a bushel of meal as he did in presenting a sword to Gen. Polignac. The amount of relief he gave is beyond estimate-the manner in which it was given is beyond description. This giant's work lasted fifteen months-the last day was the same as the first. "God bless Governor Allen!" said the poor women and the sick soldiers. "God bless Governor Allen," will echo in Louisiana for centuries. The Ouachita Telegraph June 28, 1866 Page 2, Column 5 MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.-Capt. Thos. R. Polk, a worthy scion of the Polk family, of Tennessee, and one among the best citizens of Morehouse parish, was thrown from his horse on the morning of the 25th inst., and died in a few hours from injuries received by the fall. Capt. P. was possessed of rare social qualities and a heart rich in every good and manly attribute. He was universally beloved by his acquaintances, and his untimely death will be lamented by a large and bereaved circle of friends. He leaves an interesting family to mourn over his melancholy fate, and with whom we deeply sympathize in this afflicting dispensation of our Allwise Father. The Ouachita Telegraph August 2, 1866 Page 2, Column 5 Died, In this place, on the evening of the 31st July, very suddenly of congestion of the brain, Mr. Wm. Saulter, a native of England. The Ouachita Telegraph August 9, 1866 Page 2, Column 5 Obituary, Died at the store of Oliver & McGuire in Trenton, on the 6th inst., Capt. D.O.Q. GALE, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri. The deceased had resided in Trenton, with Oliver & McGuire, about one year. He was an exile from family and friends, caused by that devotion to a cause which has separated brother from brother, and father from son. The deceased entered the C.S. Army as a private, and by his gallant courage raised himself to the command of a company. He was universally esteemed for his urbanity and kindness, and for his generous social qualities. Although away from home he leaves many to mourn his untimely death. As your bier passes on, my friend, I will cast one flower upon it as an offering to those noble qualities which you possessed. B. St. Louis papers please copy. The Ouachita Telegraph August 16, 1866 Page 2, Column 1 An old negro died of cholera, it is said, on a plantation below town last week. Out of this the very startling rumor has been manufactured that there is cholera in Monroe. Note: The cholera victim is identified as a resident of "Mrs. Bry's place" in the August 30, 1866, edition of the Ouachita Telegraph, Page 2, Column 3. The Ouachita Telegraph August 23, 1866 Page 2, Column 3 JACKSON PARISH ITEMS - Mr. Jesse M. Embry, a worthy citizen of Jackson parish, was killed in an affray with his freedmen on the 11th inst. The supposed murderer has escaped; was last seen at Forksville by a gentleman who says the negro boasted he had killed Mr. Embry. Strange that the gentleman did not have the villain at once arrested! The Ouachita Telegraph August 23, 1866 Page 2, Column 3 We have to notice this week the death of Mr. Michael Fahy, a member of the responsible firm of E.S. Austin & Co. The deceased had resided in this community for the last sixteen years, and by his untiring attention to business had established for his firm a reliability and success seldom attained in this section. He was uniformly charitable and kind to the unfortunate, and assisted all who were in real need who applied to him for relief. He was a public-spirited citizen, and in his untimely death this community has lost a valuable member. His place cannot easily be supplied. Note: The September 6, 1866 edition of the Ouachita Telegraph has a memorial to "The memory of Michael Fahy", by the Young Catholics' Friends Society on page 2, column 5. The Ouachita Telegraph October 11, 1866 Page 2, Column 1 We were much pained to learn of the death of the Hon. Samuel Placide De Labarre. He leaves many friends to mourn the loss of a GOOD man. He died at New Orleans, his native city, Thursday night, October 4th, at 12 o'clock, aged 42 years. PEACE TO HIS ASHES! The Ouachita Telegraph October 18, 1866 Page 2, Column 1 Col. W.H. Sparks, for many years a resident of Monroe, and well known throughout this state, died in Baton Rouge on the 12th ult., aged 67 years. NOTE: On page 2, Column 1 of the November 15th, 1866 edition of the Ouachita Telegraph, there is the following article: Col. W.H. Sparks is not dead. At any rate he has himself made such a statement to the editor of the Crescent. The Ouachita Telegraph October 18, 1866 Page 2, Column 4 Obituary. DEPARTED THIS LIFE, October 12th, 1866, at the residence of his father, THEODORE KELLER; born March 28, 1853. The subject of this notice was a sprightly promising boy, who was greatly endeared to his bereaved parents. They will find consolation in the fact that God in his own good time divides the good and ill and changes present woe into future joy. The Ouachita Telegraph October 18, 1866 Page 2, Column 4 DIED-In Caldwell Parish, at the residence of his father, J.J. Meredith, on the night of the 3rd inst., after a most painful and protracted illness, Colonel THOMPSON McBRIDE MEREDITH, in the 97 year of his age. The disease of which deceased perished, was billious remittent fever, of the most malignant type ever witnessed in this climate, and although his agony the greater part of the time was intense, he bore it with manly fortitude and Christian resignation. Col. Meredith was born and raised in this Parish, and it may be said, with truth, that no shadow of stain ever sullied his name. A young man, whose qualities of head and heart are rarely equaled, perhaps never surpassed, it is but fitting eulogy to say he was, indeed, "one of Nature's noblemen." None among his wide circle of acquaintances and friends knew him but to respect and admire his noble nature, and in paying this last tribute of respect to our departed friend, we can freely say that no one had warmer or more devoted friends. At the outbreak of the late war he entered as a private the first volunteer company raised in the Parish, and though a mere stripling at the time, his manly deportment, distinguished gallantry and high-toned honor soon won for him the unbounded confidence and respect of his company, and he rapidly rose from the ranks to the chief in command of that gallant little band, the Caldwell Guards. As Captain of the Guards (a post he held to the close of the war), he was respected and loved by every man in the company. Ever careful for the safety and comfort of the men under his command, self-sacrificing for their interest and benefit- stern and unswerving in his discipline, yet courteous and kind to the meanest soldier- cool and self-possessed amid the fiercest storm of battle-brave to a fault, and generous as brave, had the war continued, his rapid promotion to a distinguished position would have been a certainty. In private life he was social, kind and genial, yet modest and unassuming as a child. A few days since, the stately form of this noble young man was towering among us in all the pride of manhood's early prime, and from his physical and mental organization he promised as fair for a long and useful life as any one now in the full vigor of health and youth. To-day, alas! He is cold and silent under the sod. The ruthless jaws of the grave have closed over all that was mortal of our noble young friend, and though we cannot restrain the bitter tears of sadness and sorrow at his untimely end, we are cheered by the fact that he died in the full assurance of a blessed immortality beyond the tomb. Shortly after the surrender, the militia of the Parish was organized, and the subject of our obituary was unanimously chosen Colonel. A few days before his last illness commenced, he was commissioned by the Governor of the State, at the solicitation of many of the most prominent citizens of the Parish, and a long list of petitioners, as Sheriff of the Parish and was legally qualified to discharge the duties of that office while suffering from the disease which terminated his life. His early and untimely death was rendered doubly painful by the fact that he was betrothed to a young and beautiful lady, whose intellectual excellence, kindness of heart and loveliness of person promised to make his home one of analloyed happiness. She remained near the couch of the sufferer, and aided the family in rendering every kind service which true womanly affection could suggest, for many days and nights before the scene of suffering was closed by death, and then she mingled tears of agony with those of the noble and pious young sister of the deceased, who had constantly hovered around his couch like a ministering angel through all the long and dreary days and nights of anxiety and suffering, watching with eager and sleepless vigilance every opportunity to render those little offices of kindness which only such women know how to render to the sick and dying. But in spite of all this- in spite of the best directed efforts of his physicians and the earnest prayers of pious friends, he is gone. His mortal remains are in the cold and sombre embrace of the tomb, but his noble spirit, we humbly hope and believe, is at rest in the bosom of God who gave it. Then let us while we mingle obtrusive tears of grief with those of his bereaved family, bow down in humble submission to the irrevocable fiat of the All-Wise, and remember that we too, like our departed friend, must pass the ordeal of death, and while we mourn his untimely end, let us strive to emulate his noble virtues, and let the daily invocation arise from our hearts to God, that we tho, may die the death of the righteous and that our last end may be like his. W. The Ouachita Telegraph October 25, 1866 Page 1, Column 6 Emile P. Bry, Esq., died very suddenly and unattended in New Orleans last week. The following letter in French was found lying on the mantle-place in his room, addressed to Coroner Delery; NEW ORLEANS, Oct. , 1866, Sir and Friend - During my voyage from Ouachita by land, I have contracted a malignant fever, which, in spite of all the remedies I have taken, will , I fear, terminate fatally. If I should happen to die, I beg of you to give me a decent burial. Send your account to H.M. Bry, my brother, who resides at Monroe, Ouachita, La., He will pay you punctually. Yours truly, EMILE P. BRY. The Coroner's Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the statement contained in this note. Deceased was a brother of our esteemed friend, Judge H.M. Bry, of this place. The Ouachita Telegraph November 8, 1866 Page 2, Column 1 Israel Gibbons, for a long time connected with the New Orleans press, and a major in the Confederate army, died in New Orleans on the 1st inst. The Ouachita Telegraph November 8, 1866 Page 2, Column 2 The news reaches us of the sudden death in Vernon on the 1st inst., of D. Rankin Thompson, Esq., a prominent citizen and well-known lawyer of Jacks on Parish. A native of Mississippi and a graduate of Centenary Colege, Mr. Thompson went to Vernon in the year 1850 and by studious application and sober habits, having previously been admitted to the bar, soon acquired, in connection with the Hon. B. L. Defrese, a very lucrative practice. He was once elected to the Legislature; held for many years the commission of colonel of militia of his parish, and up to the outbreak of the war was the Ajax Achilles of the Democracy of Jackson. Since then Col. Thompson's health has been on the rapid decline, so that he took no part in the war, and since its close but little in the active concerns of life. Colonel Thompson married Miss M. E. Defreese, the daughter of his partner, who with two children survives the loss of her husband. We knew the deceased well: among the recollections of our boyhood are his quiet, unobtrusive manner, habits of close application and exemplary Christian bearing. Few young men had better prospects and few appeared to deserve prosperity more. He died at about the age of 40 years. The Ouachita Telegraph November 15, 1866 Page 2, Column 1 Judge Dougherty, an old citizen and for many years a practicing lawyer of Carroll parish, also at one time during the war Representative from that parish, died in Floyd recently. The Ouachita Telegraph November 15, 1866 Page 2, Column 1 We sympathize with our friend, Wesley Guthrie, Sheriff of Union parish, in the loss of the wife so lately taken to his bosom, and of whom it is said: "Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates." Alas! For the world there are not more wives whose works praise them in the gates! Fine bonnets, showy dresses and exquisite airs are common enough, but where are the works to which Solomon refers? The Ouachita Telegraph November 22, 1866 Page 3, Column 1 Died, At his residence, in Morehouse parish, November 6, 1866, John Sholars, aged 59 years 6 months and 14 days. Mr. Sholars was born in Jasper county, Georgia, one of a large family of brothers and sisters, all of whom have been conspicuous as good citizens or exemplary members of society. He was noted for his quiet, unobtrusive manners, close attention to home affairs and studious abstinence from all intermeddling with the business of his fellows. He lived to rear to usefulness and upright deportment a number of sons and daughters who may now find a worthy example and strong incentive to merit in the life and last end of their deceased parent. Mr. Sholars had for many years been a lowly follower of the Lamb, under the guidance and ordinations of the Baptist Church. His was no half-way devotion to the cause of Christ, but was a continuous, ardent effort to merit the approbation, "Well done good and faithful servant." He sleeps death's last sleep; but the virtuous example left behind, the memory of his Christian bearing and of his last peaceful farewell to earthly scenes will long survive with his numerous friends. G.W.M. The Ouachita Telegraph November 22, 1866 Page 4, Column 2 In Memoriam. To the memory of little Robert Mitchell, and respectfully dedicated to his bereaved parents. Death! What sad associations cluster around that word! How it comes as an unwelcome messenger to the heart! It over hovers near to darken every smile of sunshine with a cloud, and change every ringing laugh of joy into a wall of woe. Who does not know its fearful import? From the cradle to the grave it rings in our ears, awakening a thousand tender chords to melancholy notes. Again has the destroyer laid his icy hand upon our comfort and joy, and taken our sweet little Robert from our midst- the death of whom has caused many hearts to bleed. But he was a gem too good, too rare, To sparkle long upon the earth, Where sinful mortals are, Loved friends! Beautiful is the last sleep of thy darling boy! He fell into the embrace of death as tranquilly as snow-flakes fall to the earth, and mercy laid its soft hand upon his eyes and closed them until the resurrection morn. Shall we endorse David's lament and say, "I am distressed for thee;" shall we exclaim, Great God, was it in wrath thou calledst our boy so early above! Nay, let us rather say, Each care, each ill of mortal birth, Is sent in pitying love To lift the lingering heart from earth, And speed its flight above. And every pang that wrings the breast, And every joy that dies, Tells us to seek a purer rest, And trust to holier ties. Loved ones! Let not your hearts rebel- 91Tis the hand of God - He gave, has taken, And will restore. Another tie binds You to heaven 97 another harp is attuned To sound the notes of redeeming love Through the realms of bliss. Cease, then, thy tears - thy grief be stayed; This hope thy god has given - Mercy Has safely placed, 91mid the riches Of the skies, the unstained spirit of thy child. God help thee, dearest friends, and Sustain thee, in thine hours of sadness, When weeping o'er thine early dead. God help thee; meekly thy will to His Resign, and say - Our child no longer Ours but Thine. God help thee to feel Again you'll meet him. When thy earthly strifes are o'er, Clasp him in thy fond embrace To part no more. Farewell our darling one, Thy breath has ceased - thy soul has gone To brighter scenes on high; This world, with sorrow o'ercast - This life, with all its snares, is passed.- Thy home's in bliss beyond the sky. X The Ouachita Telegraph December , 1866 Page 2, Column 5 Died, At Waverley Plantation, in the Parish of Caldwell, on the 6th ult., of paralysis, in the 70thyear of her age, Mrs. FRANCES HASSON, mother of Dr. J.T. Simmons, of this town. For more than forty years, she had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her life had been consecrated to its interests, deeming no sacrifice too great for its advancement and prosperity. Her sufferings were long and protracted, but she bore her afflictions with patience and resignation. Her Christian spirit in life more than supplied the absence of a dying testimony of her acceptance with the Lord. And thus she passed away from the sorrows of earth to the joys of Heaven. R.S.T. # # #