Obits: Monroe NewsStar February 1910 Obits 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: Dec. 1999 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 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 Tuesday, February 1, 1910 Page 5, Column 3 CAPT. CRYER DEAD. Well Known Steamboatman Passed Away Early Today Capt. E. B. Cryer, for many years a familiar figure in this section and one of the best known steamboatmen on the Ouachita river, died at his home in West Monroe last night at 7:30 o'clock. At the time of his death he was 65 years, 9 months and 12 days old. Captain Cryer was a Confederate Veteran, serving throughout the war under General John B. Gordon. After the war, he was a prominent figure in the Reconstruction days and did his full share in restoring the reins of government to the white people. Soon after the war Captain Cryer engaged in steamboating in the Ouachita river trade and in the early '70s was made mate on the steamer St. Mary of which Captain J.W. Carlton was master. Captain Cryer was the owner of several boats at different times that worked the Ouachita and tributary trade. His first boat was the Ora, which was followed by the Acme, Willie, St. Francis Belle and D. Stein. He also owned the wharfboats, Kilgore at Trenton and Memphis at Monroe. His last steamboating was with the Annie Lee in Bayou Mason. Captain Cryer is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Manning McGuire. Capt. Harry Williams is a stepson. The funeral services took place at 4 o'clock this afternoon at the family residence and were conducted by Rev. George D. Booth. Interment took place at the old Hasley cemetery, where the remains were laid to rest with Masonic honors. The Monroe News-Star Thursday, February 3, 1910 Page 2, Column 3 Death of Miss Marguerite Bernhardt. Another sweet spirit has reached its haven of rest. This morning at 7:45 o'clock. Miss Marguerite Bernhardt, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Bernhardt, fell into that gentle sleep that knows no awakening until the dawning of the resurrection morning. Scarcely twenty- one years of age, Miss Bernhardt has been a sufferer from consumption for two years, having contracted the disease while attending school in Washington, D.C., where, until her health failed she was making a splendid student's record at the Holy Cross Seminary. Besides her devoted parents, two sisters, Misses Madeline and Sybil, and two brothers, Diehlman and Phillip, are left to mourn the loss of a devoted sister, whose gentle, yet bright and cheerful disposition, was as a ray of sunshine in the family circle. The funeral will take place tomorrow morning a 9 o'clock from the family residence to the Catholic church, thence to the City Cemetery, where Father Mahe will conduct the last sad rites. 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 In Memory of Capt. E.B. Cryer. "Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams," another brother has gone to sleep. Like the tried soldier that he was-hearing "taps" sounded, with serene consciousness of duty done, he laid him down to rest until the reveille. Like the affectionate husband and father, true comrade and loyal friend that he was his only yearnings and regrets were for those he left behind him to yet bear the brunt of life's hard battles without his support and companionship. It was meet and proper that the Church, the Masonic brotherhood and the United Confederate Veterans should each so honor at his grave, the memory of one whom they-each and all had so much occasion to honor during his long and useful life and who was so devoted to each of them; and that such a very long procession should follow his remains to their last resting place. Looking at his grave where, in the bosom of Mother Earth, is enfolded all that was mortal of this ever-active man, whom so many knew so well, there come to mind and heart the following immortal words of an immortal writer, written for their author, but also fitting to his life and death- "Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let him lie; Gladly did he live and gladly die, And he laid him down with a will. And this be the verse ye grave for me; 'Home is the sailor-home from the sea And the hunter is home from the hill." Captain Elias Birch Cryer was born of English and Scotch ancestry, at Alexandria, Campbell County, Kentucky, April 19, 1844; and died at his home in West Monroe, Louisiana, on January 31, 1910. In his nature, he was a typical Kentuckian; and was, withal, a most loyal son of his long adopted State of Louisiana. His early education was obtained at and around his old home; and he attended a college in Cincinnati, Ohio. Those early schools must have been good ones; for not only was his education well grounded, but throughout his life, he had loved learning and literature and was remarkably well posted and thoroughly abreast of all the world-movements, his interest in which was, in no way, restricted, but was as wide as the race. Even as a school boy, he became interested in steamboating on the Ohio river. Few, if any, river-men have been better known on the great Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and on many of the tributaries of each; but it is along the Ouachita that, for a generation, the name, "Captain Cryer." Has been a household word. When the ominous war clouds broke with special violence over the Border States, during the direful days of '61, he promptly enlisted in "John Morgan's cavalry." To state that he was of the best of "Morgan's men," is but to say that he was one of the best of soldiers. He did his full duty, faithfully, during the stirring scenes of those stirring times; and though efficient devotion to duty, which was ever his guiding star in war as in peace, he gained the rank of "Captain"-one of the youngest of Captains. He knew personally and well not only Morgan, but "Quantrell" Bill Anderson, and those other famous Border-warriors whose dauntless deeds of prowess and heroism await but the touch of some hand of genius to bode them forth in an American edition of the Scotch border-Ballads-for here, too was clan-warefare, (sic) where brother fought against brother in all the horrors of internecine strife. Captain Cryer was a vivid narrator and no one could tell more interestingly than he of those "old, forgotten, far-off things, and battles long ago," when in the mood to talk of them with his intimates. The civil war ended, Captain Cryer, like the men of his type on either side, accepted the results in good faith, and went back to his peaceful avocation of steamboating-the love for which never left him. This time, he began on the Mississippi out of New Orleans and ran it for several years. On February 18, 1875, at Longview, Ark., he was married to Mrs. Lovinia Meek Williams, widow of Col. Harry Williams who, with Captain Harry M. Williams, her son by her former marriage, and Mrs. Lizzie C. McGuire, wife of Mr. Manning S. McQuire, (sic) the only surviving child of the latter marriage, is left to mourn the loss of as good husband and father as ever lived for Captain Cryer's tastes were eminently domestic, and broad as were his interests and sympathies, they all centered at and in his home; where withal, he was a prince of hospitality, both in manners which were courtly and in feeling that was fine. Of Herculean frame and with a giant's strength, he never, anywhere, used it like a giant. His married life was a poem of devotion and constancy to and from his wife. So great was their devotion that it became the keynote of their characters in the minds of their host of friends who, in their common loss, deeply and truly sympathize with Mrs. McGuire and her family and Captain Williams and his family which two families include eight grand-children, three in the former and five in the latter. But the sympathy of these friends especially goes out to the aged widow full of years and tribulations, whose constant care he was, as she was his constant care, during months and years of his ill-health and hers. It was soon after their marriage that Capt. Cryer came to Ouachita Parish; and during the days of Reconstruction, in many ways more terrible than those of war Captain Cryer did, as he had done in the war, his full duty; and aided, with all his might, in the restoration of government 'of the people, by the people and for the people." When that stressful struggle was ended, as after the previous one, he pursued the even tenor of his way. Most modest of men, unassuming, never self-seeking, but chivalrous to a degree and ever, when occasion arose, in peace or in war illustrating that- "The bravest are the tenderest, The loving are the daring." He owned and ran a long line of steam-boats and wharf-boats from his first steamboat the "Hillard" on the Ohio, to his last, the "Sterling White" on the Ouachita, whose names and associations are a part of the history of navigation on the mighty Mississippi and its tributaries. Ill health curbed his activities in his latter days; and he quit the river some years ago, and now, that he has made his last voyage and sailed, for the "Eternal Harbor," those that knew him best can most truthfully say that where the sacred earth marks his last resting place, covered with loving tributes, in the old "Hasley cemetery" where we mournfully left him to his long sleep, there rest the mortal remains of as kind a heart and busy brain as grave encloses. The loss of his loved ones is also the loss of this community in which he lived so long, his modest and unassuming but strong and inspiring life always vibrating with sympathetic feeling for his fellow men-"Men my brothers, men the workers, ever reaping something new. That which they have done but earnest of the things that they shall do." He will not return to us, we shall not see his kindly face, or receive his genial greeting again. He has left our earthly rivers. Let us hope-as we believe-for him, with the age long heart- cry of the race, that when he set sail on the Sea of Eternity, he found no troubled waters, but- "Such a tide as moving seems asleep. Too full for sound and foam. When that which drew from out the boundless deep. Turned again home. For though from out our bourne of Time and Place, The good may bear him far, He hoped to see his Pilot face to face, When he had crossed the bar. -From a Friend. The Monroe News-Star Monday, February 7, 1910 Page 5, Column 3 DIED FROM WOUND. Sam Blalock Died After Operation at Little Rock. Samuel Blalock, who was shot in the left shoulder early Friday morning by S. J. Byrne, station agent at Riverton, died in Little Rock yesterday following an operation in which his arm and shoulder were removed. It will be remembered that Mr. Blalock was shot just as the northbound passenger train arrived at the Riverton depot, and, from all that can be learned of the affair, without the slightest provocation. He was placed on the train and brought to Monroe, where his wounds were dressed by Division Surgeon Dr. L.G. George, and Local Surgeon Dr. William Schulze. He was then carried to Little Rock, where the operation was performed. Mr. Blalock's remains arrived here this morning on the early southbound train and were immediately transferred to his home. The funeral took place at 3 o'clock this afternoon and was in charge of the Masons, of which order he was in good standing. Interment was in the city cemetery. Local employes (sic) of the Iron Mountain, from the highest officials down, speak in no unmistakable terms concerning the shooting, which they regard as a premeditated murder. A brother of S.J. Byrne, the agent, was also present with a Winchester rifle and it is said prevented any interference while Byrne shot down the unarmed and unwarned roadmaster. He is confined in the Caldwell jail with the agent who did the shooting. It is said that several other employes (sic) of the Iron Mountain have at different times been threatened with death by the agent because of disagreements. Byrne is married and has a baby about three weeks old. It is reported that a fund is being raised by local employes (sic) of the Iron Mountain to vigorously prosecute the case, which will be heard as soon as court meets at Columbia. The Monroe News-Star Tuesday, February 8, 1910 Page 2, Column 3 and Thursday, February 1, 1910 Page 2, Column 4 In Memory of Margarite Bernhardt. Margarite was indeed a pearl. A highly accomplished girl yet modest and gentle in all her ways. A loving daughter, an affectionate sister, a true friend and quiet Christian. The reaper Death cut down the lovely young creature just as she was stepping across the threshold of young womanhood. Full of hope, looking out upon a life that had been mapped out for her by doting parents who spared neither money or pains to fit her for usefulness and pleasure. God's ways are not our ways. He in His wisdom saw fit to claim her as his own. Why then should we sigh to give her up when we feel she is released from all pain and every ill of life. Safely housed in the mansion of light, her sweet spirit is a beacon light shining up above calling you up higher. Prepare to follow her and weep no more, "I have stood in you chamber But one was not there, Hushed is the lute string, And vacant the chair, Lips of love's melody, Whose are yet borne, Never to smile again, Never to mourn." C.A.M. The Monroe News-Star Friday, February 11, 1910 Page 8, Column 2 The funeral of W.J. Russell, the section foreman on the Little Rock and Monroe railroad, who died yesterday morning, took place from Peter's undertaking parlors this morning and was in charge of Stonewall Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Interment was in the city cemetery. The Monroe News-Star Saturday, February 12, 1910 Page 2, Column 3 Death of Mr. Wm. Jackson. The following clipping from the Shreveport Times will be of interest to the many friends of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jackson, who resided in Monroe for a number of years. The young ladies of the household then, but now married, Misses Pert and Nell Jackson, being most prominent among the social set of the town. Mr. Jackson also leaves two other daughters, Misses Natalie and Dimple, and a young son, Julian. News reached the city yesterday of the death in Guatemala City, Guatemala, of William Jackson, a former railroad conductor of this city. Mrs. Jackson, his widow, who resides in the Colonial Apartments, received the letter yesterday from an official of a railroad construction company for whom her husband worked. The letter briefly stated that Mr. Jackson died in a hospital on January 21, and has been buried now about two weeks. Death was due to natural causes, it is said. The official stated that they experienced difficulty in locating his relatives. Additional information would be furnished, if desired. Deceased was formerly employed by the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad Company. He was well known in this section and is survived by his wife, four daughters and a son. The Monroe News-Star Tuesday, February 15, 1910 Page 5, Column 2 NEGRO WOMAN MEETS DEATH MARY FLETCHER SHOT YESTERDAY BY JONAS WRIGHT Three Wounds in Body Prove Fatal in Short While-Telephoned Officers of Crime. Mary Fletcher, colored, was shot and killed late yesterday at delta and Calypso streets by her paramour, Jonas Wright, a one legged negro. The woman was shot three time (sic) in the body after which she ran out of the house and into a neighbor's where she died in a few minutes. Wright is also said to have fired a shot at the woman's eighteen year old son who escaped uninjured. After the shooting Wright walked down the street, pistol in hand, until he came to Mr. Connaughton's residence where he asked that some one notify the sheriff. Before this was done, however, Officers Tatum and Hendricks appeared and the negro surrendered to them. The killing, it is said, was the result of a quarrel between the man and woman. It is alleged that he went to her house last Saturday while drunk and tried to kill her. Coroner Surghnor empaneled a jury and after hearing the testimony obtainable returned a verdict in accordance with the facts. Wright lost his leg less than a year ago while working as a brakeman for the Iron Mountain road. He was sent to the St. Louis hospital following the accident and after his recovery the railroad company gave him several hundred dollars in settlement of his claim. Since obtaining the money Wright is said to have been reckless. Wright has been shot several times, according to a story told the News-Star this morning, and several years ago engaged in a pistol duel with a police officer in Alexandria. The Monroe News-Star Tuesday, February 15, 1910 Page 5, Column 4 REV. JOHN GRAY DEAD. Rector of Christ Church, Alexandria, Passed Away Sunday Alexandria, La., Feb. 14.-The Rev. Dr. John Gray, rector of Christ Episcopal church, died here at 5 o'clock Sunday afternoon after an illness of only a few days duration. He was 59 years of age and a native of Bristol, R.I. He has been an Episcopalian minister for a quarter of a century, a greater portion of his time being spent in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Cal. He has been in the South for the past eight years and has been rector of Christ Church, this city, for three and a half years, having come here from Hammond La. Bishop Davis Sessums arrived here Sunday and was with Dr. Gray when the end came. The bishop held special prayers for him at Christ Church at 11 a.m., and just as he was concluding a messenger arrived and announced that Dr. Gray was rapidly sinking, whereupon te Bishop hurried to his bedside and administered holy communion. The Bishop left for New Orleans tonight and will return here and officiate at the funeral Wednesday. Dr. Gray was popular with all classes and his death will be universally deplored by every one, irrespective of creed. The foundation for a rectory to be occupied by himself and wife had just been laid. Besides his wife, Dr. Gray is survived by two daughters-Mrs. O.C. Clark, of this parish, and Mrs. J. Lewis Browne, of Atlanta, Ga.-and one sister, Mrs. Rebecca Potter, of Bristol, R.I The Monroe News-Star Wednesday, February 16, 1910 Page 4, Column 3 MRS. NINA GODDARD DEAD. Her Father Established First Sunday School at Fort Smith Holdenville, Okla., Feb. 15.-The death occurred here of Mrs. Nina Goddard, who was born in 1833 on a steamboat at Philadelphia, Pa. Her father, Rev. James Smedley, had been sent by the Missionary Baptist Board of Philadelphia to work among the Indians, and in such a capacity he established the first Sunday school at Fort Smith, Ark. Mrs. Goddard is survived by her husband, C.E. Goddard, who, at one time while conducting services in an outlaw community sat in the pulpit with a loaded rifle while his companion preached. The Monroe News-Star Monday, February 28, 1910 Page 2, Column 2 Death of Miss Mary Steere The news of the death of Miss Mary Steere of Shreveport, Saturday was received yesterday as a shock to many of her Monroe friends, being remembered as the guest only a short while ago of Mrs. Gordon Michie. Miss Steere was the daughter of Mr. F.C. Steere postmaster of Shreveport, and was visiting friends in Arcadia when the summons came, after a brief illness, dating from Monday last. The Monroe News-Star Monday, February 28, 1910 Page 5, Column 2 Death of Mrs. G.B. Wise. Arcadia, La., Feb. 27.-Mrs. Susie E. Wise, wife of Hon. G.B. Wise, manager and president of the Wakeman, Booth Hardware Company, died at the family residence in Arcadia this evening at 5:45 o'clock, after a lingering illness of five months. Mrs. Wise was first attacked with typhoid fever and after having recovered almost from the effect of the fever several complications set in rendering her a helpless invalid until death almost mercifully, as it seems relieved her of her suffering. The Monroe News-Star Monday, February 28, 1910 Page 8, Column 3 EDWARD BRES DEAD. Former Resident of Ouachita Dies in New Orleans Edward Bres, a prominent merchant, died last night from an acute attack of la grippe. He was a native of Ouachita parish and was 57 years old and was a son of J.B. Bres and Elizabeth Adams. He was educated in the public schools of this city. He began his commercial career with the old firm of Vose Bros., which later became Trepagnier and Bres. At the time of his death he conducted a merchandise, brockerage (sic) and commission business. He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Alice L. Benedict, and three children, Mrs. Harold A. Moise, Mrs. Charles McLellan and Edward Wimans Bres, also by three brothers, Joseph, William and Alfred C. Bres, and three sisters, Mrs. W.B. Gregory and Catherine and Moise Bres. He was a member of Eureka Lodge Knights of Honor, and formerly a member of the Board of Trade. The funeral will take place this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock from the residence 2104 Berlin sreet. Interment will be in Greenwood cemetery.-Picayune. The Monroe News-Star Monday, February 28, 1910 Page 8, Column 3 Mrs. Nancy Alexander Dead The Camden (Ark.) Beacon has th following concerning the death of Mrs. Nancy A. Alexander, mother of Messrs. L.P. and S.C. Alexander, of this city, who have just returned from Camden: Mrs. Nancy O. Alexander, formerly a resident of Camden but for the past several years living with her sons in Monroe, La., died while on a visit to her daughter, Miss Myrtle Brummett at Waldo, after a short illness, Thursday morning. The remains were brought to Camden Friday morning and laid to rest in the old cemetery. Dr.R.F. Tredway of the Baptist Congregation conducted the obsequies. Mrs. Alexander was 80 years old. She was born in Jasper, Tennessee in 1830, but with her parents came to Arkansas when quite young. She was the widow of the late Judge J.G. Alexander, for many years one of Camden's leading citizens. This splendid "old lady" is survived by three sons and a daughter, all of whom were present at the funeral. They are, Conductor W.W. Alexander, of Pine Bluff, L.P. and Sam C. , of Monroe, La., and Mrs. Frank S. Brummett, of Waldo. The Beacon joins the many friends of the deceased in extending sympathy to the bereaved family.