W.E. Dykes - Feed and Seed, Montpelier, St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
File submitted by Mrs. Inez Bridges Tate and prepared by D.N. Pardue
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From publication "Old Montpelier, 1804, New Montpelier, 1904" 
compiled by Inez B. Tate and published by St. Helena Historical
Association, 1993.  Reprinted with permission.

     The longest continously operating business in Montpelier is

that of W.E. Dykes.  He opened his feed and seed business in

August, 1946.  In a business that has seen many open and close

during this time, his has remained constant which attests to his

astute business acumen.  He sells feed for cows and horses as

well as sundry items needed on a farm.  In 1948, he began buying

snap beans, often purchasing two to five thousand hampers daily

or as many as 100,000 hampers in a 5 week season.  He had contracts

with A & P chain stores and shipped as far north as Canada.

     He was the first to begin paying cash for strawberries in

1951 in this area.  Raw crops have fallen away and the dairy busi-

ness came into its own in the late 1950's.  The mode of transport-

ing feed to the dairy farms has changed.  Initially feed was

placed in 100 lb. burlap sacks and hauled in open trucks with a 

tarpaulin in the event of rain.  Today feed is transported in bulk

and blown into the holding area in the barn.  There are fewer

dairies being operated now.

     Dykes' stays busy in early spring and fall, planting rye and

oats.

     A fertilizer plant was opened at the Amite location in 1967

with a contract with Swift.  The plant is located in Montpelier

now.

     A family-oriented business, Mrs. Ivyne Dykes keeps the books

for the enterprises.  Today she is assisted by daughter Billie

Claire Dykes Tycer.  Son Bryan E. Dykes and his wife Gloria op-

erate the fertilizer business.

     Mr. Dykes stated that among the long-time employees are 

Lester Morgan who worked from 1948 to 1989, David Saulsbury and

John Rohner since 1948 and Jake McDaniel from 1947 until his

retirement.

**Interview with W.E. "Bill" Dykes, Sept. 20, 1991
*********