Obits: The Ouachita Telegraph 1883 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: May 2000 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 Saturday, January 27, 1883 Page 2, Column 1 A special from Shreveport to the Times-Democrat, dated the 19th, informs us of the death of a well-known citizen of this part of the State, Judge R.W. Turner. The dispatch reads as follows: Judge Richard W. Turner, of Bossier parish, a prominent and leading member of the North Louisiana bar and a practitioner of 30 years’ standing, after a brief illness died of pneumonia, at his home in Bellevue, on last Wednesday night, aged 53 years. He commanded the Nineteenth Louisiana Regiment in the confederate service during the war, and distinguished himself for gallantry. During the period of reconstruction he allied himself with the Republican party, but always retained the personal esteem of former friends and associates, who became alienated from him politically. He was elected and served two terms as district judge of the Bossier district, but failed of re-election at the first election under the new Constitution, when he was again a candidate. He was justly regarded as one of the ablest justices and most efficient judges ever on the bench in this part of the State, and was greatly esteemed by the bar of this entire section. He was a native of Georgia and had never been married. His death is universally regretted. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, February 10, 1883 Page 2, Column 3 Judge Robert J. Caldwell The subject of this notice, who has occupied a conspicuous position in North Louisiana during the past thirty years, was born in the Parish of Caldwell in 1831 – and died at Columbia near the place of his birth on the 2nd of February, 1883. Judge Caldwell was admitted to the Bar at Monroe in 1852, and within a few months after his admission became District Attorney from the 12th Judicial District, composed of the Parishes of Ouachita, Union, Jackson and Morehouse. At this time and for many years afterwards he resided at Farmerville. About the year 1860 he removed to Monroe, and at the breaking out of the war enlisted in the Phillips Rifles and served in the field during the existence of that organization. After the war, became Parish Judge of Ouachita, in which capacity he displayed acumen, learning, firmness, and impartiality, at a time when men deserved the greatest credit for the display of the above named qualities. During the past decade, Judge Caldwell has resided and practiced his profession at Columbia, in the parish of his birth. His body was brought to Monroe for interment on the Fred A. Blanks last Friday night, and on Saturday afternoon, was quietly laid to rest in the Monroe Cemetery. Judge Caldwell was a man of undoubted ability. His legal works, which we trust will be hereafter published, will without doubt give him a lasting reputation among the law writers of our State. He was a Free-thinker in law, religion and politics – marked out a course of his own, and was independent in the expression of his opinions. On the announcement of his death to the Court on Saturday morning, 3rd inst., the following proceedings were suggested and approved: WHEREAS, The presiding Judge, the officers and members of the Bar of the Fifth Judicial District Court, have learned with great sorrow and regret of the death of Judge Robert J. Caldwell, of Columbia, Louisiana; and WHEREAS, The deceased had been connected during many years with the Courts of this District and Parish, as practicing attorney, as District Attorney, ad as Parish Judge; and WHEREAS, In each and every relation to the Court and Bar, he has displayed honesty, integrity and marked ability as a jurist; Therefore be it resolved – 1st. That in the death of Judge Robert J. Caldwell, the legal fraternity has lost a member highly distinguished for his genial social qualities, and his eminent legal acquirements. 2d. That as a mark of respect to the deceased, this Court do now adjourn for the day. 3rd. That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the Court, and a copy be furnished by the Clerk to the city papers for publication. THOS. O. BENTON, ROB’T RAY, H.H. RUSSELL, Committee. NOTE: In the next column is an article entitled “Song of the Dying” by Judge Caldwell. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, February 10, 1883 Page 2, Column 4 Mr. Reuben Phillips, an old and highly esteemed citizen of Morehouse parish and one of the largest planters in that parish, died at his residence Thursday, the 1st instant, having reached an age numbered in the sixties. May he rest in peace. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, February 24, 1883 Page 3, Column 1 Col. Richardson’s friends will sympathize with him in the loss of his little daughter, Mary, who died of pneumonia on Tuesday. A touching tribute was paid her memory by the little girls of Grace Church Sabbath school who attended her funeral in a body. NOTE: There is a tribute of respect from Mary Richardson’s Sunday School classmates in the March 3, 1883 edition, Page 3, Column 3. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, March 3, 1883 Page 2, Column 4 Sunday morning, at 9:30 o’clock, Mrs. Saluda C. Chapman, of this city died, at the residence of her son, J.G. Chapman, Esq., corner of Thirteenth and Edmond streets. Mrs. Chapman was born in Clinton, Louisiana, December 26, 1826, and was the widow of W.W. Chapman, who did December 24, 1868, at Monroe, Louisiana. She had been a resident of this city for the past twelve years, was universally loved and respected. She; a consistent member of the Francis st., Methodist church, and had been a devoted Christian for 30 years. She leaves 6 children, three of whom, Rev. M.B. Chapman, Mr. J.G. Chapman and Winans, a younger brother, reside in this city. We copy the above from the St. Joseph (Mo.) Herald of the 20th ultimo. Mrs. Chapman was well known in this city where she had lived, admired and beloved, and where her husband, no less esteemed, died as stated by the Herald. Both are remembered with affection and love by all who knew them – Mr. Chapman for his uprightness and strict, integrity, Mrs. Chapman for her many social graces and great kindness of heart. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, March 3, 1883 Page 2, Column 4 We learn that Mr. Eph. Fowler, of Richland, died suddenly at his residence n that parish Sunday last. He had left Monroe but that morning, apparently in his usual health, which, however, had been precarious for some years, entailing a neat amount of suffering. Mr. Fowler was, some years ago, a citizen of this town and parish. He was a man of great energy and thorough in all he did. He was probably 60 years of age. Peace to his ashes. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, March 3, 1883 Page 3, Column 1 Miss Mary McCue, who had been until recently a member of Mr. J.B. Garretson’s household, died a few days ago at Remington Park, Fla., a victim of consumption, from which disease she had been suffering the past two years. Mrs. G., in a note notifying us of the sad event, pays Miss McCue’s memory a feeling tribute, the result of eight years’ intimate association with her whose death we announce. Miss McCue was a native of New Jersey, and died at the early age of 21 years. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, March 10, 1883 Page 3, Column 2 Lloyd Walter Surghnor. The death of L.W. Surghnor, on Monday, though not unexpected, was an event sincerely deplored by our entire community. “Poor Surgh” with his intimates, “Ain’t you sorry for Mr. Surghnor?” with the little people were the frequent vocal offerings of kind hearts to the dead man’s worth and memory. LLOYD WALTER SURGHNOR was born at Leesburg, Va., September 12, 1833. Here he spent his youth, leaving there at early manhood for Washington City where he found lucrative employment in one of the principal dry goods establishments on Pennsylvania avenue. Glowing accounts from Texas induced him to quit Washington and seek fortune in that State, where he was living at the beginning of the late war. He entered the army from Texas, and was with Walker’s division in nearly all of its long weary marches and engagements in the Trans-Mississippi department. At the close of the war, our deceased friend came to Monroe with his family, where he has been successively engaged in keeping hotel, merchandising or in the discharge of fiduciary trusts in which capacity he possessed the unlimited confidence of all who knew him. He held the office of City Weigher, a municipal office, but one of great responsibility and cares, at the time of his death, having, only a few days before, resigned the more responsible office of Treasurer for the Parish, that his accounts might be settled before that final settlement which he realized was surely, surely approaching and not far away. Our dead friend, left the army, never strong, physically broken up, and few who then saw him dreamed he would have survived a twelve months; but a new lease was secured and new hopes and brighter prospects added eighteen years more of life. At length, some few months ago, the Destroyer approached, taking his victim literally by the throat. The attack was manfully resisted by the assailed and the best medical skill, but only to prolong the struggle and to result in the mournful dirge and a low narrow bed down under the violets and green grass. And much of manliness, and honesty and bigness of heart went out of the poor, emaciated, long-suffering body that lies there this bright early Spring morning. Farewell, “puir body,” may you rest ever more in peace and sunshine, rewards meet for a life devoted to the happiness and good of others. In 1857, Mr. Surghnor was married to Miss Mattie F. Joiner, a highly accomplished young lady, her father then living in Texas, but subsequently removing to this city where he died, his widow, Mrs. Joiner, still surviving, a highly esteemed resident of this city. The wife and four children – a young man and three sisters – are left to watch in vain for the coming home of the thoughtful husband and kind, indulgent father. The funeral obsequies of Mr. Surghnor were unusually impressive. All the business houses of the city were closed as a token of respect for his memory, solemn religious services were had at the Methodist Church under the ministration of the Rev. Mr. White in presence of as many mourners as the building could seat, among them the ministers of all the Protestant churches, and the remains were interred with Masonic and Pythian honors, aided by the Fire department, of all of which organizations the deceased was a worthy, beloved member. NOTE: There is a resolution of Respect for Mr. Surghnor from the Castle Hall, Stonewall Lodge Knights of Pythias in the March 24, 1883 issue, Page 3, Column 3. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, March 5, 1883 Page 2, Column 4 Armand Gourville Breard. A little paragraph in last week’s paper has prepared the reader for the announcement, which we are called upon to make, of the death of the esteemed citizen whose name heads this notice. At 10 o’clock, Tuesday morning, while the tolling bell was solemnly knelling the death of another, the soul of A.G. Breard, buoyed by the hope of a peaceful Hereafter and by the assurances of his Reverend Confessor, passed from earth into Eternity. Death found him a willing subject, -- a good old age attained and life’s battles successfully fought and terminated. Mr. Breard was born in this parish, November 29, 1811, at the place where D.A. Breard, Jr., now lives, then owned by Alexander Breard, father of the deceased. Alexander Breard, the father, was a native of France, and an officer of the French navy, in which service he was engaged with the French fleet in our Revolutionary struggle until the capture of his vessel by the British in Cuban waters. At the age of 29, the intervening years having been passed in the peaceful life of a planter’s son in a pioneer country, as all this valley then was, Mr. A.G. Breard married Miss C.A. McDonald. Only 15 years of married life were to be the duration of this auspicious union. Mrs. Breard died in 1855(?), leaving the husband to wait and follow on, with three little sons, now grown and prosperous young men, as keepsakes for the bereaved husband and mementoes of her spotless life. As life began, so it continued to its close with our departed friend – limited to the responsibilities and cares of the household, where no second helpmate ever entered, and to the exacting duties of a busy planter’s life. Neither public positions nor prominence among his fellows had charms for him, but he sought rather the quiet nooks and less frequented walks of life, and thus passed on to the end of life’s journey little known far from his birth-place, as others of his youthful companions have lived and died in these latter days of change and progress, but esteemed and respected by all who knew him well. The funeral was solemnized by Mass at St. Matthew’s church and the pronouncing of an eloquent discourse at the conclusion by Re. Father Enaut who administered the sacrament and the rite of extreme unction to the deceased just prior to his death. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, March 17, 1883 Page 2, Column 2 Ambrose Lecompte, one of the oldest citizens of Natchitoches parish, died a few days ago. Commenting on his death, the Shreveport Times Says: Mr. Lecompte before the war had quite a penchant for fine horses, and more from taste than profit, bred and ran race horses. Like the late Col. Jeff Wells, he ran his horses for the purses, but seldom, if ever, bet on them. The cold Lecompte, owned by Wells, and who ran the famous race over the Metarie course against Lexington, was named in compliment to the gentleman turfman. Although Mr. Lecompte lost largely by the war, he was fortunately out of debt and retained a competency. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, April 7, 1883 Page 3, Column 3 DIED, At the residence of her daughter, Mrs. G.P. Johnson, near Lakeport, Ark., on the morning of the 28th ult., MRS. JUDGE PARSONS. The remains of Mrs. Parsons arrived in this city on the steamer St. John, accompanied by her eldest son, who is on his way to their home in Bastrop. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, April 21, 1883 Page 3, Column 3 Death of Judge W.W. Farmer. [Monroe Bulletin.] Judge William Wood Farmer died at his residence in Monroe, at 3 o’clock a.m., Saturday, the 14th of April. Life’s fitful fever, is over at the early age of 43 years and 15 days. Judge Farmer was the only son of ex-Gov. Farmer, and was born in Union parish on the 29th of March, 1840. He graduated at Centenary College in 1858 with first honors. He read law with Morrison & Purvis and was licensed by the Law College of New Orleans in 1861. The war found him an ardent sympathizer with the South, and he joined Dreux’s battalion and served the first term of his enlistment as a private. In 1862 he was chosen captain of a company that became a part of Morrison’s regiment. He was engaged in all the battles preceding the investment of Vicksburg and was among the prisoners of that memorable surrender. He formed a law partnership with Col. C.H. Morrison in 1865 and continued it with great success until Morrison died and his health failed in 1875. He was a member of the lower House of the State Legislature in 1880 and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He was chosen by that assembly Judge of the Second Circuit and resigned. In 1881 he gave up the judgeship and resumed the practice of the law. NOTE: There is a tribute of Respect from the Monroe bar in the same column. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, May 18, 1883 Page 3, Column 1 Mr. S.C. Herring, a native of Michigan, but for some seven years a resident of this city, died Sunday of disease of the liver, at Hot springs, whither he had gone to benefit his failing health. He left some $2,000 in money for his uncle in Michigan, to whom, it is said, he had, at various times, made remittances, accumulated in his business as a dealer in groceries and proprietor of a saloon. He was buried at Hot Springs. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, June 9, 1883 Page 2, Column 2 We regret to announce that Mr. and Mrs. Fred Endom had the misfortune to loose their youngest son, Bennie, aged two years and one month, who died Thursday evening at half past 6 o’clock. We extend our sympathies to the bereaved family. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, June 16, 1883 Page 2, Column 2 The Rev. John Phillson, who was for some time the rector of Grace Episcopal Church in this city, and who was subsequently called to the rectorship of St. George’s Church New Orleans, died in the latter city last week. He made many friends during his brief stay among us, who will shed their silent tears for him who is gone. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, June 16, 1883 Page 2, Column 2 Hon. Henry J. Hyams, the veteran editor of the West Baton Rouge Sugar Planter, died at his home at Port Allen last Sunday, aged 55 years. His remains were interred at Baton Rouge. The Ouachita Telegraph Saturday, September 15, 1883 Page 2, Column 3 Our citizens generally will be pained to hear of the sudden death of George C. McEnery, the infant son of Governor S.D. McEnery, which sad event occurred last evening at 9:30 o’clock. It was but eight weeks ago that the Capitolian-Advocate had taken pleasure in announcing the birth of the sweet babe, who had formed a bond of attachment between our respected Governor and the city of Baton Rouge. That this bond which we had hoped would have proven one of lasting joy, should so soon have become one of poignant sorrow to the distinguished father and mother, will certainly cause our good people to associate themselves with the grief felt by the parents at the untimely loss of their dear little angel, whose spirit has sought those realms above, where the sorrows of the earth are unknown, and where peace and unalloyed bliss are the everlasting boons vouch safed the blessed elect to the heavenly spheres, where the Savior of mankind awaits them. For he hath said: “Suffer little children to come unto me.” To the stricken parents the Capitolian-Advocate extends its earnest sympathy. – Capitolian Advocate. But a few short weeks ago the glad tidings that “Unto them a child was born” gladdened the hearts of the relatives and friends of the stricken parents in this city and parish, and now comes this sad announcement that will carry sorrow to the hearts of them all. How little consolation mere words convey to those weighed down under such a sorrow! It is vain and we cannot attempt it. But they know that a true feeling of sympathy is not wanting in the hearts of any of us. # # #