History: History of Sabine Parish Louisiana Source: Biographical & Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, The Southern Publishing Company, 1890, Nashville and Chicago Submitted by: Thelma Shields e-mail: shields@eufaula.lib.ok.us ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** TIPS FOR SEARCHING RECORDS ON THE INTERNET Netscape & Ms Explorer users: If you are searching for a particular surname, locality or date while going through the records in the archives or anywhere....try these few steps: 1. Go to the top of the report you are searching. 2. Click on EDIT at the top of your screen 3. Next click on FIND in the edit menu. 4. When the square pops up, enter what you are looking for in the FIND WHAT ___________blank. 5. Click on DIRECTION __DOWN. 6. And last click on FIND NEXT and continue to click on FIND NEXT until you reach the end of the report. This should highlight the item that you indicated in "find what" every place it appears in the report. You must continue to click on FIND NEXT till you reach the end of the report to see all of the locations of the item indicated. Sabine Parish Chapter VIII Sabine Parish-An Outline of the Statistics of the Parish-Population-Era of Settlement- Incidents of Interest-Early Residents-Slaves Held-Police Jury and Courts of Justice-The Local Bar-Officers, Etc.-Military Organizations-Journalists-Medical and Agricultural Societies-Town of Many and Fort Jesup-Industries and Improvements-Memorials. We hail thee, land, whose beauty won Our fathers in their golden years; A shout for greater days begun A sigh for sleeping pioneers...Anon. Sabine Parish is bounded on the north by the parishes of DeSoto and Natchitoches, on the east by Natchitoches, on the south by Vernon and on the west by the Sabine River. The country is one of rolling oak uplands with a long leaf pine district in the southeastern corner. The total area is 1,008 square miles, of which the central prairie occupies 200; the long leaf pine 150 and the oak uplands 658 square miles. There were 18, 524 acres cultivated in 1879-80, of which 5, 952 acres were under cotton; 7,971 acres under corn; 191 in sweet potatoes and 85 acres in sugar cane. There were 2,313 bales of cotton produced, or .39 bale per acre, of 555 pounds of seed cotton or 185 pounds of cotton lint. In 1889-90 the producing area and the products were nearly doubled. The population in 1890 (state census) in 10,529, comprising 4, 216 white males and 3,983 females, 1,101 colored males and 1,229 females. There are 684 subject to military service. The population in 1880 was 7,344, of which number 5,486 were white and 1,858 colored. In 1870 there were 4,592 white and 1,858 colored, and in 1860, 4,115 white and 1,713 colored. In 1850 there were 3,347 and 1,168 slaves. There are several kinds of land in Sabine, but those in cultivation are what are generally termed uplands. Even the extreme uplands, a light gray sandy soil, produce well, and the hammock and creek bottom lands are very fertile, yielding, with proper cultivation, all that can be gathered. The parish is literally threaded with streams of pure water, some of considerable size and others smaller. The bayous San Patricio and St. Miguel run from the north center of the parish through Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 to the Sabine River. Bayou Cie or Sic is a short stream flowing into St. Miguel. Bayou La Nana runs from ward 4, through ward 3, into the Sabine River, as also does Bayou Toro, Bayou Negreet runs into the Sabine. The White Sulphur Springs, in the northwestern corner of Sabine, one and one half miles from the Sabine River and thirty miles from Mansfield, have been visited by invalids from the earliest times. Two miles east of Many are other medicinal springs, while the sulphur springs near Bayou San Patricio and the tar spring win some favorable notice. The saline springs and salt works in the southwestern townships were developed during the war. A fair lime rock is found in the Fort Jesup neighborhood and is very early days a lime kiln was constructed there. In 1823, when the United States troops cleared the land for the fort, this kiln was discovered, and therein was burned the lime used in building the foundations of the houses. Not far from the salines, iron ore is found, while lignite exists in several localities. Deer are still here and the skilled hunter is generally rewarded for his labor. The bear and panther are visitors, but the catamount is a resident. In January, 1890, Louis Buvens killed a large catamount near Many, and hunting this animal has become a favorite pastime. The rattlesnake and moccasin are the only dangerous reptiles here, but snake bites are seldom heard of. In August, 1890, two children of Mrs. F. William's, residing near Many, were playing with a large rattlesnake. In July, 1888, there was not a mortgage on record in this parish, but during the last few years a few mortgages, given as security for lands are on record. The settlement of this division of the State dates back to the second decade of the eighteenth century, when the great trails from the rapids of Red River and from the post at Natchitoches were opened into Mexico. Nolan's Trace, between Alexandria and San Antonio, parallels the Natchitoches and San Antonio trace, four miles south. The great camp ground at Fallen Springs, four miles south of Many, is still remembered as the place where many murders and robberies were committed, and today searchers come hither to explore for lost treasures. There is now in possession of Leo Vandegaer, a part of a silver cross, found by W. G. Lewing, four miles southeast of Many in 1888, and a part of a counterfeiter's outfit found near Carter's Ferry some years ago. Where the cross was found ruins of burned buildings are noticeable. On every side souvenirs of Spanish occupation are brought to light, and as years pass by history and fable people the Sabine Country with the extremes of good and bad in the Spanish character. On November 14, 1795, Jacinto Mora was granted 207,360 acres on the east side of the Sabine River, twenty five leagues distant from the village of the Lady of the Pillar, of Nacogdoches, Tex., known as Los Ormegas. In July, 1805, this tract was sold by Mora to Ed Murphy, William Barr, Samuel Davenport and L. Smith, and in December the tract was legally conveyed and the name Santa Maria Adelaida de Ormegas given to it. The Le Nana grant to Ed Murphy (twelve miles square) was made in 1797, and both grants were recognized by the United States in 1847. The neutral strip between Spanish and French America was settled at a very early day. Many stories are related of the inhabitants of this ancient No Man's Land, filling it with desperadoes of all races and later by regulators and moderators. Samuel Davenport, in his evidence before the Land Commission in 1824, stated that the neutral territory comprised all the country east of the Sabine and west of the Calcasieu River, Bayou Kisatchies to the mouth of Bayou Don Manuel, southeast of the latter bayou, Lac Terre Noir and Arroyo Honda and South of the Red River to the northwest line of Louisiana. He was a resident of Nacogdoches, Tex., from 1798 to 1813. Jose M. Mora and Gregoria Mora the tax collector were born there, and John Carter, another witness, resided at Natchitoches. In November, 1824 the Rio Honda claimants presented evidences of settlement. In 1797 a square league was granted to Jose M. Mora, sixteen leagues from Natchitoches, at a place know as The Head of the Name of God. The residents on the Rio Hondo in 1805 were John Yocum, M. Yocum, James Wilson, Philip Winfree and A. Winfree in Township 4, Range 12; James Walker, Nicholas Jacks and Hugh McNeely in Township 5, Range 11; Jacob Leahy, Thomas Arthur, Thomas Gray, C. Anthony and Benjamin Winfree in Township 5, Range 12; Green Cook in Township 5, Range 13,; Edmund Quirk, William Quirk, Thomas Gray and Joseph Montgomery in Township 6, Range 12; Samuel Holmes and Benjamin Morris in Township 6 Range 10; Jose Antonio Manchac , Township 7 Range 12; Jacques Lepine, David Case, and widow La Lena Paded, Township 7 Range 13; Manuel Gonzales, Jean Baptiste Perot, Andrew Bassum, Thomas Wilson, Jose Maria Procella ( heirs of James Denney and Manuel Bustamento), Township 8 Range 10; Louis Latham, F. Gonzales and Hose Reus, Township 8 Range 11; Antonia De la Sarda, Jose Estrader, Peter Patterson, John Cortez, Widow Ganissieu Parrierd, Township 8 Range 12; Robert McDonald, Louis Latham, Henry Quirk, Henry Stoker, Dennis Dios, William O. Davidson, Manuel Cherion, James Kirkham, Hugh McGuffin, and Maria Sanchez, Township 8 Range 10; Michael Early, John Litton and Asa Backum, Township 9 Range 12; Francisco Rosalis, Jose Bascus, Jose Antonia Rodriquez, John Maximillian and the Widow -------Toval, Township 8 Range 12; and Guilliam Bebee, Township 8 Range 13. In 1819-24 the above names proved their claims and after the survey of 1832 located the claims anew. The only relics of the first homes on the Rio Honda were explored four years ago by Surveyor Vandegaer. In 1841 the sales of the Yates and McIntyre lands in Sabine reached importance. Thomas Ford, J. Tynes, Williamson Maines, John Scritchfield, Mary Langford, B Dally, James Lesley, W. H. Edmundson, Hosea Presley, William M. Polk, William and B. K. Ford, Henry Hall, N. H. Bray, Samuel Eldridge, S. S. Eason, W. G. Painter, J. G. Sibley, Elizabeth McDonald, C. Cherrington, Peter Buvens, J. Anderson, John Graham, A. Arthur and D. G. Ethredge were among the first buyers of the lands of those speculators. The number of slaves in Sabine Parish in 1861 was 1,729, valued at $844,450, while the total assessed value of all property was only $1,466,640. On this valuation a Confederate States war tax, amounting to $7,334.49, was collected, Thomas Franklin being supervising assessor. The owners of six or more slaves in that year were named as follows: R. L. Armstrong, 17; S. L. and Allen Arthur, 13; Wade Amderson, 8; T. A. and Mary Armstrong, 14; J.H. O. Antony, 14; John G. and Francis Buvens, 12; A. Barr, 11; M.L. Branch, 50; Theo. G. Boyd(succession), 31; D. A. Blacksher, 11; G. B. Burr, 8; Beck and Harris, 21; M.W. Burr 7; Wallis Cooper, 7; C. Carroll, 10; Nathan and Mary Cook, 21; James Cook, 19; F. M. Carter, 12; Maria Childers, 60; W. W. Chapman, 57; Rebecca Conerly, 14; A.M. Campbell, 23; John Caldwell, 19; John Carroll, 7; Joseph C. Coleman, 9; F. Dutton, 10; E. C. Davidson, 24; J. D. Estes, 15; E. H. Edmerson , 21; Milton Evans, 7; L. P. Ederington, 21; W. C. Faircloth, 17; J. M. Gibbs, 15; Daniel R. Gandy, 17; Lydia Godwin, 23; E. A. Hainsworth, 8; Mrs. Rembotias (succession), 36; Allen Holland, 23; Matthew Jones, 12; D.O. Hay, 7; John Kennedy, 6; Isaac Kirk, 6; S. G. Lucius, 7; Blueford Lewing, 11; Joseph Lynch, 6; John Maximillan, Sr., 6; Louis May, 14; Joseph F. Montgomery, 25; P.P. Massey, 8; Mark McAlpin, 8; John McGee, 14; A. S. Neal, 16; Voluntine Nash, 10; C. E. Nelson, 7; R. Oliphant, 6; Care Paler, 7; Mary Province, 9; M. L. Price, 8; Ann E. Pullan, 28; John Presley, 24; Mary Quirk, 17; F. Rollins, 6; Isaac Rains, 14; Solomon Rouston, 6; John R. Smart, 30; V.P. Smart, 10; Mrs. Susan B. Smart, 7; John P. Sibley, 17; D. W. Self, 6; R. B. Stille & Coo., 10; Joseph D. Stille, 24; John H. Stephens, 8; T. B. Stephens, 6; M. K. Speight, 20; Stephen Smith, 6; Nancy Stoker, 26; William Stoker, 6; W. W. Sibley (administrator), 19; R. L. F. Sibley, 10; Mrs. Mattie Smith, 8; John H. Thompson, 28; M. B. Thompson, 16; C.B. Thompson, 6; John Thompson, 12; B. R. Truley, 19; Jesse Wright, 33; E. A. Winfree, 8; Nancy Williams, 6; H. L. Williams, 14; L. G. Walters, 8; Madison West, 21; James A. Woods, 14; and C. P. Waldrop, Sr. 19. In 1864 another assessment was made, by the Confederate officials, when W. W. Chapman was found to possess sixty nine slaves, valued at $32,200. Aaron S. Neal had twenty one slaves taxed, while the greater number of owners named above held their slaves and paid the war tax as levied that year. Sabine Parish was established March 27, 1843, when Gov. Mouton signed the act defining its boundaries and providing for its government. The first record of the police jury is dated June 19, 1843, when the minutes of an adjourned meeting are recorded. T. Arthur, B. P. Biles, W. Estes, J. Lebo, R. B. Stille, J. R. Smart and A. Lavell were present as jurors; John Baldwin, treasurer, and S. S. Eason , secretary; John Lebo presided. A road from Hugo Wallaces' house to the parish site was authorized. On June 20 a resolution postponing the sale of town lots at the original seat of justice was carried --- the cause being the dissatisfaction expressed at the location. The question of location was then taken up, and the Legislature petitioned to pass an act empowering the people to select a seat of justice in July 1844. The Herald and the Reporter of Natchitoches were selected as advertising mediums. E. F. Presley was appointed assessor, John Q McDonald, constable and in September the following named administrators of public schools were appointed: Thomas Ford, D. R. Gandy, N. J. Alford, Hosea Presley and Voluntine Nash. In May, 1844, J. A. McLanahan replaced Arthur as juror; Hosea Presley was elected treasurer, Nathaniel Fashier, constable and George W. Thompson, surveyor. The line between Sabine and Rapides was ordered to be surveyed. In July, 1844, the jury considered that the electors had approved the original location of the seat of justice and named Many in honor of Col. Many, the commanding at Fort Jesup. In November John Ayres, B. P. Biles, A. Brown and James Kinner, qualified as jurors with the latter president; the deed to the parish site was approved and a building committee appointed. In 1845 R. K. McDonald, M. Fulerod, J. B. Elam. T. G. S. Godwin and A. H. Redding qualified as jurors; A. Brown was president. In 1846 J. B. Elam was president; in 1848; Joseph McNeely; in 1849; Daniel Richey,; in 1851 H. S. White; in 1852, Matthew Jones; succeeded by Moses K. Speight; E. F. Presley, secretary. In July 1859, the new jail was received from the contractor, Marion F. Carter, and the balance of $1,500 ($465) was ordered to be paid to him. In June, 1860, J. A. Weeks, H. W. Scoggins, J. J. Horton and E.M. Cassel, qualified as jurors. In March, 1861,the question of disbursing the share of the $30,000 appropriated by the State toward the relief of the sufferers from floods and droughts was considered, and President Speight was authorized to draw upon the State treasurer for $1,500. On May 6 the police jury held the next meeting, but beyond the provision made for the distribution of corn, from depots at Cobble Landing and Grand Ecore, little else was done. In June the election of Allan Holland, G.G. Garner,and Silas Roberts is recorded. M.K. Speight was chosen president and A. R. Mitchell clerk. The office of examiner of teachers for public schools was abolished, but restored next day, and A. R. Mitchell chosen examiner. E. D. Davidson was re-elected treasurer, and in August W. H. Boyd was chosen to represent Ward 10. On August 13, 1861, steps to raise moneys for military purposes , and for the equipment of volunteers, were taker, and $1,250 appreciated to the Sabine Volunteer Company. Of this, $250 was appropriated for Capt. J. T. Jordan's company, then being organized. Acknowledgments were tendered Gov. Moore for his kindness in assuming for Sabine Parish the cost of uniforms and equipment, for the Sabine Rifles, and to N. H. Bray for equipping the Sabine Rebels. Twelve hundred dollars was appropriated to Capt. Smart's company in October 1861. At this time $500 was granted to Capt. McAuretor's company, then at the front. In January 1862, the employment of a drillmaster was authorized. In April 1862 , the sum of $7,500, in parish warrants, was authorized. This was to be issued in scrip of $1, $2.50, $5, $10, $20, and $25. A further grant of $7 per month to the wives and mothers of soldiers was made, while to each child of men in service a grant of $2 per month was given. J. A. Weeks succeeded Mitchell, as clerk at this time. Messrs. Weeks, Sam Webb, Garner, Munson, Scoggins, Gibbs, F. M. Chambliss, Holland and Speight were members of the jury. In June 1862, the estimate for the current year was placed at $6,940. Isaac Wright and Roberts were elected jurors in August. The warrants for $1,025 issued to Capt. Isaac Wright's, Sabine Independents in April 1861, were canceled in June; a further issue of $10,000 in scrip was authorized in October, and the estimate of expenses for 1863 placed at $13,940. Bounties amounting to $2,486 and Volunteers' Family Relief, to $3,311 were ordered to be paid. A statement was requested from Capt. D. W. Self,relating to the disbursement of the funds set apart for equipping his company; another issue of $10,000 in scrip was authorized and a small payment is recorded to S. L. Holland, captain of the Sabine Guards, and in June 1863, warrants for $7,210 were issued to the ten members of the police jury for the use of families of volunteers. There is no record of transactions in 1864. On August 13, 1865, M. K. Speight of Ward 2, was continued as president, N. H. Bray, represented Ward 1; A. R. Mitchell, No. 3; L. Barbee, No. 4; W. Ferguson, No. 5; Benjamin Boyd, No.6; H. S. Kennedy, No. 7; H. W. Scoggins, No. 8; A. C. Leach, No.9; and Samuel Webb, No. 10. J. F. Smith was chosen clerk, E. C. Davidson, re-elected treasurer, and M. K. Speight, Jr., collector. This election was set aside and Davidson resigned, and N. H. Bray chosen treasurer. In June 1866, John Parrott represented Ward 3; F. L. F. Sibley, No.4; Jacob Tyler, No. 6; and William Vines, No. 10. W. W. McNeely was chosen clerk. In October, H. W. Scoggins was re-elected from Ward 8 and W. A. Montgomery was collector and sheriff. The jury of 1868 comprised Messrs. Speight, Bray, Kennedy and Tyler, with the newly elected members, Harmon Carter, Edmund Duggan, William Junk, John Jacobs, W. A. Youngblood and John Tynes; E. C. Davidson was chosen parish attorney. In June 1869, M. P. Hawkins qualified as juror from the fourth and John Franklin from the first ward. On June 7, 1869, the treasurer ceased to be custodian of the school fund, from which the sum of $309 was due him. This balance he requested the jury to insure payment of. In October 1869, the names of A. R. Addison and C. P. Darnell appear as jurors. An item of $37 for advertising in the Red Rover Mews. and $15 for rent to the trustees of the Methodist Church appear at this time. In January, 1870, Jeff. J. Salter was appointed collector; in June, Alfred Lout and Thomas Wiley were new members of the jury and two State cadets and two medical students were selected by the jury to attend the respective colleges. The State appointed police jury qualified October 2, 1871. John Caldwell was chosen president, with M. O. Hawkins, Alfred Litton, Thomas A. Armstrong and D. W. Self, members; W. W. McNeeley was elected clerk;. James F. Smith treasurer, and E. F. Presley, attorney. At this time the Methodist Church house was rented for court-house purposes at the rate of $65 per year, and W. W. McNeely was granted a small sum as rent for his office up to that date. In July 1872, the question of settlement with the new parish of Vernon was discussed. R. W. Sibley was chosen parish physician, J. B. Vandegaer, parish treasurer, and in October, F. A. Fuller, surveyor. J. F. Garner was assessor, at this time and R. F. Walters, sheriff, succeeded by Alfred Lont. In December 1872, Edmond Duggan was president with John Carrol (died in 1873), J. H. Tynes, Alf. Litton (resigned in 1873) and James M. Gibbs, Sr., members; R. W. Sibley was chosen clerk. In July 1873, J. H. Caldwell was appointed treasurer. The question of building a court house was definitely settled in October, when a one per cent sales tax on the assessment of 1872 was authorized for building purposes. R. B. Stille, W. H. Aldredge, John Davis, A. Hogue and A. Harris were appointed a building committee. An item of $112 for advertising in Red River News appears on the records of this period. In July 1874, R. G. Brown qualified, vice Carroll, but the the appointee vice Litton did not present himself. On January 4, 1875, M.K. Speight, Sr., Edmond Duggan, R. G. Brown, H.H. Cullen, and S. T. Sibley formed the board. Speight was elected president; F. A. Forbis was elected treasurer (to fill vacancy); James F. Garner was assessor and collector. In January 1876, Edmond Duggan was elected president and the estimate of parish taxes placed at $4,240. A tax levy of 14 1/2 mills was made, but this was increased to 29 mills immediately after, the latter 14 1/2 mill levy being submitted to a vote. In October 1876, the trustees of the Baptist Church were granted $25 as rent for their house during the year 1875f. In January 1877, R. M. Armstrong was president; Wade Anderson, D. W. Carroll, G. W. Addison and J. M. Gibbs, Sr., were jurors. One June 4, the ultimatum of the board of school directors, asking that a tax for common school purposes not exceeding 2 mills, be levied. E. F. Presley, then secretary of the school board, drafted this requisition. F. D. Self, then State tax collector, was enjoined from collecting until a satisfactory bond would be entered into. On June 7, 1877, E. F. Presley was elected treasurer, and in October, attorney and on July 2 the parish was redistricted into eight wards, under authority of the act of April 10, 1887. This act of July 2 did not come into force immediately , for, up to January 1, 1879, the same jurors managed parish affairs. On January 6, W. W., Arthur, Ward 1, president; T. J. Stringer, Ward 2; D.W. Carroll, Ward 3; W H. Farmer, and H. H. Callens, Ward 7; C. B. Darnell, Ward 5; and W. L. Shull, Ward 8, formed the post reconstruction jury. R. W. Sibley, clerk, and E. F. Presley, treasurer, were continued in office. In August 1879, the court house building project was revived and an ordinance for a 3 mill tax for three years adopted. This ordinance was sustained on December 2 of that year, and plans for a building were received. W. W. McNeely was appointed treasurer, and P.P. Bridges was elected juror, vice H. H. Callens, deceased. The new member was chosen president. At this time the old mercantile building known as Baldwin's Store was occupied by the county officers, the rent being $5 per month. In January 1880, the proposition of Editor Presley, of the Southron, to do the public printing at a discount of fifty per cent on the legal rate of advertising, was met by the radical one of J. H. Caldwell & Co., of the Sabine Index, to do the same work gratis and pay the parish 30 cents for the privilege. The jurors agreed to accept the wild proposition of the Index people. In May 1880, W. W. Arthur was chosen president and J. H. Mitchell, clerk (succeeded in January 1881, by R. W. Sibley). On May 5, 1880, J. T. Lunt entered into a contract to erect the court house for $2,500, and had it completed the following year. The old jail and lot were sold to A. H. Hogue in August for $112.50. In August 1881, W. T. Alford represented Ward 3, vice D. W. Carroll. In January 1882, A. W. Estes was appointed clerk, vice Sibley (resigned); specifications for a jail building were adopted, and on March 7, the contract was sold to J. T. Lunt for $1,600. In August 1882, H. S. Kennedy represented Ward 7. In June 1883, J. M. Stoddard qualified as juror from Ward 7, and he with Messrs. Arthur, Stringer, Alford, Vandegaer, Darnell and Farmer of the first six wards, and W. L. Shull of Ward 8, formed the board. The new member was chosen president in January 1884, succeeded in June by R. A. Forbis of Ward 4, who with T. J. Stringer, Ward 2, W. T. Alford, Ward 3; J. W. Conerly, Ward 1; JHenry Ferguson Ward 5; William Aten,Ward 8; H. H. Cassel, Ward 6; and John Graham, Ward 7, formed the board at this time. In June 1884, A. W. Estes was elected treasurer, vice W. W. McNeely, who filled that position since 1879. The prohibition ordinance was recorded in January 1885; in April the name of W. M. Webb as juror, and the death of H. Ferguson are recorded. In April 1886, W. T. Alford was elected president, vice Forbis, resigned. Alford was succeeded in January 1888, by Jehu Graham; but in June of that year the newly elected jury organized, with R. A. Forbis, president; A. W. Estes, clerk and treasurer, and the following named members, H. S. Elzey, T. J. Stringer, H. M. Gandy, W. M. Webb, H. H. Cassel, J. M. Fuller and William Tyler. At this term a tax of 7 mills for parish, and 2 mills for school purposes was authorized. The levy for 1890 is 6 mills for state and 6 mills for parish purposes. The first record of the district court is dated December 25, 1843. George R. King, of the Fifth District presided; Samuel S. Eason was clerk; Silas Shelburn, Sheriff; A. W. Rogers, deputy sheriff; William Stoker, coroner; E. F. Presley, assessor, and John Baldwin, treasurer. Robert B. Stille, H. Presley, John S. Wells, R. K. McDonald, Joseph McNeely, A. Bradley, Patrick Rogers, and Joseph White were justices of the peace. The first grand jury comprised Henry Hall, Robert Brown, Nicholas Jacks, Thomas Ford, Daniel McNeely, John Martin, Redmond Carter, Daniel R. Gandy, Hosea Presley, Cornelius Dallashide, Robert B. Stille, William Langton, Lesley Barbee, George W. Edwards and Solomon Royston. Seventeen civil cases were continued to the 26th, when a few were disposed of. On December 27, ten indictments were returned, three for larceny, six for assault and battery, and one for selling liquor to a slave. On December 28, Francisco Negrovemis, a native of Catalonia, Spain, renounced allegiance to that country's monarch, and Nathan H. Bray gave notice of his intention to treat the ruler of Great Britain and Ireland in the same manner. In May 1844, James Campbell of the Tenth District opened court. Daniel R. Gandy was sheriff, and Elias F. Presley, deputy sheriff. At this time the prisoners had to be taken hither from Natchitoches for trial as Sabine had no jail. In December 1845, C. Chaplin qualified as district attorney, to succeed W. L. Tuomey. James Taylor presented the commission of Gov. Johnson, In November 1846, as judge of the Sixteenth District and in May 1847, Judge E. R. Ollcutt, of the Seventeenth District presided, vice Judge Taylor of this district. In August 1850, Charles A.Bullard of the Sixteenth District was present. He presided here until September 1853, when Chichest Chaplin took his place with William T. Hamilton, district attorney. In November 1854, Judge Land, of the Eighteenth District interchanged with the district judge, and appointed A. R. Mitchell, district attorney. S. H. Waples was admitted to practice law here in April 1856, and some years later E. F. Presley began practice. From November 1861 to April 1863, there was no attempt made to hold court. Judge Chaplin presided. He was again present in November 1864. In April 1866, Judge William B. Lewis, of the Ninth District, opened court and continued to preside here until 1869, when Judge John Osburn was commissioned judge of the Ninth District and presided until November 1873. For the two succeeding years there is no record of court, nor was there a regular term of court held. In November 1875, Judge Chaplin was present and transacted the business of the court here until July 5, 1877, when David Pierson, of the Seventeenth District appointed John Davis, R. A. Forbis, William M. Antony and Daniel W. Carroll jury commissioners, and ordered the sheriff to call a special jury for the term of September. W. P. Hall was district attorney. The district is now known as the Eleventh; Judge Pierson still presiding with D. C. Scarborough district attorney. The docket has always been very light on the criminal side. On May 10, 1878, Porter Brown was hanged here for aiding Ben Goodloe to murder Dr. H. W. Evans. Joseph Elijah Brown was hanged April 12 1889, for a more serious crime. Other criminals have been summarily punished by the people and not a few have been sent to prison under life sentences. The old bar comprised W. L. Tuomey, Joseph B. Elam, Chichester Chaplin, Chester Chaplin,Jr., W. T. Hamilton, S. H. Waples, E. C. Davison, A. R. Mitchell (now residing in Vernon Parish), J. F. Smith (died in 1890), E. F. Presley, (now residing at Many), R. A. Hunter, (now of Alexandria), George Head, T. C. Armstrong, (now of Sodus), W. D. Carter, (now of Sherman, Tex.), Amos L. Ponder (came in 1886) and W. G. McDonald (who settled in Many in 1890). The journal of the parish court dates back to July 3, 1843, when William R.D. Speight, parish judge presided. On July 7 the suit of G. Landrum vs. J. E. Roca was presented and C. A. Bullard was appointed curator ad hoc to represent the absent defendant. S. S. Eason was the clerk. In March 1846, the district judge acted as judge in probate affairs. In July 1849, E. F. Presley signs as clerk, and R. A. Gay as recorder. Some time after the abolition of the first parish court, G. Landrum, above named, killed Judge Speight opposite the hotel. In October 1868, M. D. Edmondson opened the parish court with W. W. McNeely clerk. In March 1871, W. W. McNeely presided as judge and held this office until February 1877, when J. C. Armstrong qualified. He was judge up to 1880, when the office was abolished under the new constitution. The principal officers of the parish since 1843 are named as follows: District clerks...S. S. Eason, 1843; Hosea Presley, 1846; E. F. Presley, 1846; Eli Self, 1852; J. A. Weeks, 1855,; J. C. Sibley, 1858 ; J. D. Stille, 1861; W. W. McNeely, 1865; R. W. Sibley, 1873; W. W. McNeely, 1884; W. E. McNeely, 1890. Sheriff"s---Silas Shelburn, 1843; D. R. Gandy, 1844; K.J. McLemore, 1850; R. A. Sibley, 1851; Alex Barr, 1860; Alfred Lout, 1873; Bailey Lout, 1883; Frank D. Self,----; D. W. Self,--------; J. E. Conerly, 1888. Treasurers---Hosea Presley, 1843; John Baldwin,--------; R. F. Sibley, 1853; W. D. Stephens, 1850; E. C. Davidson, 1856; N. H. Bray,--------; James F. Smith, 1871; J. B. Vandegaer, 1872; J. H. Caldwell, 1873; W. W. McNeely, 1879; John Vandegaer, -----; A. W. Estes, 1884; R. A. Forbis, 1875; E. F. Presley, 1877. Assessors---E. F. Presley, 1843; Charles Elam, -----; K. J. McLemore,----; G. E. Ward, 1850; L. B. Gray, 1850; D. W. Self, 1860; J. H. Caldwell, 1877; W. W. McNeely, 1880; Leo Vandegaer,-----; J. A. Tramel,------. Representatives. B. Stille, C. Chaplin, J. H. Stephens, E. C. Davidson, John R. Smart, -------- Hicks, E. F. Presley(1862-1864), R. B. Stille, J. F. Smith, R. M. Armstrong and D. W. Self. In January 1861, E. D. Davidson signed the ordinance of secession as delegate from this parish. Surveyors---- G. W. Thompson, (1843), Peter Munson, John J. Biles, Carroll mIller and Daniel Vandegaer. Recorders--- R. A. Gay, 1845; John Baldwin, 1851; John Davis, 1866; John B. Vandegaer, 1872-1877; A. W. Estes, 1877, followed in 1880 by R. W. Sibley, who as district clerk became ex-officio recorder under the constitution of 1879. Corners--- H. P. Welsh, 1846; N. H. Bray,1851; V. A. Montgomery, 1852; and Dr. J. C. Armstrong, who has held the office for may years. The soldiers who went from the present parish of Sabine to participate in the Mexican War were: John L. Lockwood, W. B. Dupree, John Jones, James Craig, Hugh Dowden, L.C. T. Sanders, James Sanders, W. H. Hollaway, Jordan Munson and W. S. Summers. Of the number the two last named are dead. Capt. McArthur's company was the first company raised in Sabine Parish for the Civil War. This was followed by Capt. J. T. Jordan's company (North Louisiana Cadets), Capt. N. H. Bray's company, Capt. Smart's company, Capt. Isaac Wright's Sabine Independents, a militia company, Capt. D. W. Self's volunteers and Capt. S. L. Holland's Sabine Guards. All the men of Sabine capable of military duty were in the field. In 1865-66 Capt. Carey was commandant at Many. He was comparatively mild in this treatment of the whites, and few , if any, complaints of his administration are made. The early anti secessionists, such as E. F. Presley and the Stilles, won for the secession neighbors a measure of security, which would otherwise have been absent. The Sabine Southron was issued May 2, 1878, by W. P. Hutchison. His salutatory pointed out his true Democratic principles. On September 7, 1878, E. F. Presley and Henry Potts issued their salutatory as editors and proprietors, but from 1879 to September 4, 1890, Mr. Presley was owner and editor. On the date mentioned he sold the office to his sons, E. F. Presley, Jr., and H. M. Presley. The Sabine Index was established in 1879 by Levi Stewart, J. H. Caldwell, John Blake and others. They were all contributors and opponents of the Southron. This opposition was carried to the extremes referred to in the page devoted to the transactions of the police jury, but like all extremists they exhausted themselves in little over a year. In September 1890, the establishment of an anti lottery journal was seriously entertained. The white pupils enrolled in Sabine in 1878 numbered 870; in 1879, 897; in 1883, 542; in 1884, 820; in 1885, 2,196; in 1886, 1993; and in 1887, 2,313. The colored enumeration for the same years is shown as follows: 150, 184, 315, 160, 333, 604, and 345. In the report made by Supt. Amos L. Ponder (January 1890), the parish is credited with 3,330 school children, Ward 4, containing 772 to the total number. In 1850 William D. Stephens was superintendent of free schools, and in 1851 E. A. Campbell held this position. The physicians of the parish since 1840 are named as follows: Henry McCullen ( the first physician at Many), James C. Armstrong, Dr. Goodloe (who resided on the west side of the Sabine), Dr. West (died in Texas), Dr. Carter (died in 1869), Dr. March (died in 1878), Dr. Nelson, Dr. Coleman, Dr. Thigpin, Dr. Elliot Smith, and during the war, Dr. Word, Dr. Collins (killed at Robeline in 1888), Dr. Addison, Dr. Mills, Dr. Smart, George Dallas Armstrong, John Rolly Franklin, Thomas Alexander Armstrong, Samuel Houston Cade, Thomas Welsh Abington (1861), Rezin Lawrence Armstrong, Jr., James Everett Mumford, Joseph Walker Speight, J. M. Middleton, John Nash, Thomas Tramell, F. W. E. Truly, W. R. Curtiss, N. C. Stone, L. W. Watkins, Joseph Edward Wall, John Foster, Joseph David Heard, John James Hatcher, Armistead Greenwood Dunn, Reddich Walter Sibley, Wiley Strickland Leggett. The Farmers' Co-operative Association, of the Farmers' Union organizations, know as Central, Spring Ridge, Union, Wallace, San Patricio, Bayou Scie, Sardis, Oak Grove, Progress, Magnolia, Red Land, Buffalo, Rocky Springs, Red Bayou, Holly Springs and Emmanuel, organized November 22, 1888, with the object of establishing a place of business or supply store at Pleasant Hill. The Sabine Farmer's Supply Company wa incorporated November 19, 1888, at Fort Jesup, with F. A. Forbis, John McIlvain, Van Peters, P. E. Peters, T. J. Smith, J. R. Franklin, George T. Daily, and W. R. Alford, directors. The Farmers' Commercial Co-operative Association was chartered March 11, 1889, with the following named directors: John S. Carroll (president)), F. J. Davis (secretary), A. C. Lamberth (treasurer), W. S. Brown, J. M. Seever, J. W. Gandy, D. P. Gandy, G.W.. Miller, and J. H. Parrott. The capital stock was placed at $15,000, and the place of business in Ward 3. The store was located at Robeline. The lumber manufacturing industries are few and insignificant compared with the great field and advantages which the parish offers. The saw mills are Leach's, on Mill Creek; Nash's mill and James Leach's mill, in Ward 1; Peter's in Ward 4; C.B. Darnell's, in Ward 5; Robert's in Ward 3; Palmer's, in Ward 2; Pugh and Son's, in Ward 6; Taylor & Galloway's, in Ward t; Shuel's, in Ward 8. The settlement of the town of Many and Fort Jesup dates back to the thirties. It was a wilderness when Fort Jesup was an important military post, and was unknown when the Spaniards settled westward on the Sabine and eastward on Bayou Adayes. Twenty years after Fort Jesup was established politics suggested the establishment of Sabine, DeSoto and Bossier, and brought a new town into existence in each of the three divisions. Many was one of those creations, and to it was given the name of a popular officer at old Fort Jesup. On May 17, 1843, W. R. D. Speight, I.W.. Eason, G. W. Thompson and S. S. Eason donated to the parish of Sabine forty acres adjoining the line of Peter Buvens lands, beginning at the forks of the road east of Hosea Presley's house and along the Speight road. The plat, as surveyed December 21, 1844, by George W. Thompson, show the public square and eight streets. The first commissioners of the town were John Baldwin, Alex Biles, M. Fulcroud, Henry Earls and John Waterhouse. On December 31, 1844, they sold Lots 1 and 2 in Block 7, to Robert Parrott and William Edmundson for $39.50. Lots were also sold to J. B. Stoddard, P. H. Dillion, William Taylor, S. S. Eason, John Baldwin, and later to L. Levinson, L.M.. Rogers, B. K. Ford, C. Chaplin, T. McCarthy, H.McCallen, H. Hall, T. George, S. J. McCurdy, Tabitha Baldridge, J. B. Elam, G. E. Ward and B. Carpenter. In 1840 Baldwin, Stille and Ward, commissioners of Many, deeded to John Caldwell, John D. Tucker and Robert A. Gay for use of the Masonic society, known as Hamill Lodge, and to Abram Roberts, William D. Stephens, Robert D. Wright, William Maines and Henry McCallen, trustees of the Methodist Church South society Lots 19 and 20, in Block 7. The consideration was $20, and they erected a two story building, the lower floor to be used for religious, and the upper for Masonic purposes. In October 1852, D. R. Gandy donated to Antony McGee, Noah Martin and other trustees of the Baptist Church eight lots in Block 11. The first house built on the site of Many was the log house of John Baldwin, located where J. D. Still's residence now stands. Additions were made to this house from time to time by R. B. and William Stille, who purchased the lot and house from Baldwin, and resided there up to 1879, when J. D. Stille purchased it. The old buildings (log and frame) were torn down in the fall of 1890, to give place to the present house. This building was the hotel in Baldwin's time, and was used as such up to its removal. The first store building, erected by John Baldwin, is still standing fronting the public square, and used as a cotton house by J. D. Stille. The second log house was constructed by Dr. McCallen. It was his drug store and office and also Stille's general store, although the whole concern was only 1,728 cubical feet over a clay floor. The first postmaster was John Baldwin, followed by R. H. Stoddard. Henry McCallen came next. Later William B. Stille was appointed and held the office until 1870, when Robert B. Stille was appointed. The latter died while a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1879, and John B. Vandegaer, the present master, was commissioned. In May 1878, B. W. Small was mayor, and John Blake, clerk of the town of Many. J. B. Vandegaer, A. H. Hogue, R. B. Stille, and J. D. Smith were councilmen. In 1880 J. B. Vandegaer was chosen mayor, and served until the council ceased to meet. Under the charter he is still mayor. J. D. Stille and Daniel Vandegaer were also members. Many Lodge No. 97 was a prosperous lodge from 1850 to 1872, when the charter was surrendered. Kisatchie Lodge, at Mount Carmel, in 1859 continued in existence. Little Flock Lodge at Wineburg, in 1867, surrendered charter in 1878. The Church of San Miguel, at Adayes, within a mile of Robeline was presided over in 1715 by Father Joseph Margil. The Church of Las Cabezas, on Bayou Scie (Vallecillo), is another old church, about equi-distant from Many as that at Robeline. Then followed another church on Bayou Scie, called Nuestra Senora de la Guadelupe (the log buildings were standing 1880), and in 1880 the Church of Nuestra Senora del Sagrado Corazon was erected by Father Aubree. The Church of St. John at Many was erected by him in 1870, at a cost of about $2,000, on lands (14 acres) donated by W. H. Jack, of Natchitoches, F. Giauque, of Cincinnati, and Daniel Vandegaer. Among the members of the church at Many, in 1870, were the families of John Davis, John Buvens, Francis Buvens, John B. Vandegaer, and Daniel Vandegaer, and to those families the building of the neat house of worship must be credited. The present congregation numbers about 250. The school (denominational) was established in September 1887, with Miss Emma Curry, teacher. This lady presided here until 1889, when Miss Aimee Hertzog, the present teacher came. The enrollment shows forty pupils. Fort Jesup was established as a frontier post in 1823. The adjutant's office was erected on the divide between the Red and Sabine Rivers, near the Natchitoches and San Antonio road, and here many of the officers, who is later years took part in the Mexican and Civil Wars, held command. Old Rough and Ready, Jefferson Davis, James Shields, Capt. May (the wild rider), Col. Many, Capt. Bragg, Gen. Grant and the gallant Phil Sheridan, were here, either as commandants or visitors. Shawnee Town and other trading villages were established outside the military reservation, along the Mexican trace, all making a settlement which became notorious from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Terrible tragedies were enacted in this vicinity in early years, and a thousand stories connect it with the romantic period in history. Sabine Lodge No. 75 (Masonic) was chartered March 4, 1850. In 1874 the life members were J. C. Armstrong and Leslie Barbee, past masters, and J. H. Martin. The members were T. A. Armstrong, W. Y. Bainhill, J. H. Bozeman, T. Beck, S. D. Crump, S. M. Crump, J. Clark, A. E. Cassidy, C. B. Fleming, M. P. Hawkins, A. Harris, W.M.. Lynch, J. T. Lynch, J.J.. Mimms, J. F. March, R. F. Royston, J. R. Rogers, W. Stoker, H. P. Welch, J. W. Walker and J. W. Winn. The large Masonic Hall was erected in 1877-78. Fort Jesup Masonic Institute was chartered May 5, 1887, by Lodge 75. On the sport where the college stands, Gen. Taylor had his quarters, and the water well, excavated by his orders, is today the supply well of the college. The directors of the institute in April 1890, were: J. F. Smith, president; J. M. Franklin, vice president; L. Barbee, treasurer; T. J. Smith, W. D. Broughton, and J. F. Vidler. T. R. Hardin was then president of the college. Sodus is a modern railroad town in the northeast corner of the parish. Here are the Gooch, Davis, and Farmers' Co-operative Company's stores, and Dardy's hotel. Several substantial dwelling houses have been erected and the town gives every evidence of progress.