Tensas Parish History Submitted to the USGENWEB Archives Project by Edith Ziegler JAN 2001 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Early Newspapers in Tensas NORTH LOUISIANA JOURNAL, JUNE 22, 1872 PARISH DIRECTORY Wade H. Hough Judge 13th District Hiram R. Steele District Attorney Charles C. Cordill Parish Judge Robert Worrell Clerk of Court H. W. Drake Parish Attorney E. L. Whitney Sheriff C. C. Cordill President, Police Jury Thos. W. Castleman Recorder John Smyth Parish Treasurer George W. Whitney Tax Collector SAD OCCURANCE About 11 O'clock on last Tuesday morning, 11th inst, as Mr. James N Harding was at the rear part of the store of Mr. W.T. Morris, apparently engaged in reading a newspaper, the attention of persons in the front of the store was called to him by the report of a pistol. It was observ ed that he was shot in the head, the ball entering about one inch above the right ear. The gun was still in his hand. He never uttered a word after, and expired in about an hour. Mr. Harding's family were all in New Orleans where they now reside. He has connections and a family residence here, and has been a resident of this town for many years, where he has always been known by its citizens as an honorable, high toned and agreeable gentleman. The event causes general and profound regret in this community. His remains were interred in Port Gibson Cemetery at 5 O'clock Wednesday Evening. LOST AND FOUND Estrayed From the undersigned at Villa Clara plantation on the night of the 16th inst, a LIGHT BAY MARE MULE, 4 years old, about 15 hands high, black stripe over the withers and down the back to the tail; a small white spot on the left shoulder and in fine condition. A liberal reward will be paid for her return. Wm Ray STOLEN On the night of 13 June, on Moss Grove plantation, on Newell's Ridge in this parish a LARGE BRIGHT BAY HORSE, about 15 hands high, a white spot in the middle of his forehead, toward his head the mane lies on both sides of the neckline, white collar marks on the left side; one hind foot white; a sink or dip in the left hip; a long sweeping but not thick tail to the left side, halt and fox trot but perfers pacing. I will give $23 reward for the return of the horse and $50 for the horse and the thief and evidence to convict him. Mike Emerson NOTICE Rev. Mr. Bartlett, Presbyterian Minister of Rodney, Miss will preach in the Court House in this place, on Sunday the 39th inst at 11:00 A.M. TAX COLLECTOR'S SALE The State of Louisiana Parish of Tensas Public notice is hereby given that by virtue of the authority vested in me, by law, I have seized and on Saturday the 6th day of July, 1872, will proceed to sell at the Court House door, in the town of St. Joseph, the following described property assessed to S. C. Montgomery to wit: The Walker tract, composed of section twenty five, township 12 range 10 East, bounded on the North by land of T. B. Poindexter, South by lands of Hugh Montgomery, East by lands of Hugh Montgomery and Hunsicker and West by lands of T. B. Poindexter. And that portion of Hard Bargain plantation now owned by S.C. Montgom- ery and containing in all one thousand and seventy five acres, more or less to pay and satisfy the following taxes, penalties and costs due and assessed on the above property to wit: Lat. Imp, State Tax 1868 9.00 Lat. Imp " " 67 21.00 State " 68 26.35 Parish " 70 188.00 Marshall 71 80.00 Penalties & Cost 107.31 State Tax 1871 61.25 Marshall Tax 72 37.60 Mill 72 2.50 Together with all costs of these proceedings. Terms of sale--Cash in U S Currency Signed:G. W. Whitney, Tax Collector ADVERTISING JAS S. MATTHEWS (SUCCESSOR TO J.S. & P. W. MATTHEWS OF St Joseph, La Dealer in DRY GOODS, GROCERIES Hardware & Clothing BOOTS AND SHOES North Louisiana Journal Published at St.Joseph, Louisiana Saturday, July 6, 1872 OF LOCAL INTEREST On last Friday night, 28th inst., about 10 o'clock a splendid meteor made its appearance in the north west and passed over in the northern horozion to the northeast. About five minutes after it disappeared a very loud explosion was heard, which indicated that it was about sixty miles away. SUICIDE On Wednesday morning of this week it being reported to the coroner that the body of a dead person was seen hanging to a tree, back of the levee, near the steamboat landing. That official repaired thither with an inquest in tow, and ascertained the following particulars, adduced by the testimony of Harrison Turner. "I knew the deceased; his name is Welch; he has been in my employ- ment. About one month ago Mr. Welch came to my shop and asked for work. He said "I am at present from Natchez;" I gave him work. He has been in my employment the past two weeks-up to Monday morning last; he left my shop Monday morning about 3 o'clock; after breakfast I went out to hunt for him and found him back of Overton's, near the river bank sitting on a log. I asked him what he was doing there; he replied "I am going crazy. I tried to kill myself but I could not die." I told him to come up and get some breakfast; he said "no". I told him to come up and wash and try and do something; he said "no, I won't come now as I have acted so but I'll come up at night." I then left him. I then waited until half an hour of sundown and then as he had not come, I went down and searched the bank from Overton's to the steamboat land- ing, inquiring of everyone I saw, but found no trace of him. I have not seen him since Monday, until this morning, when I saw him hung to the tree, dead. Deceased was working for me by the piece. He made one pair of boots and a few pair of shoes, but was in debt to me; we settled every week. Deceased had told me he was over 80 years of age. STATEMENT OF JOHN GREEN On the 3rd of July, 1872, about 11 o'clock A.M., I started from the St. Joseph steamboat landing to go to Duck Pond plantation; when I got across the small levee, near the landing about thirty yards from the levee, my horse took fright at something, and on looking about I discovered a man, the deceased, before me hanging to a tree. I went up near the tree and saw the man was dead. I then went to the landing and informed Mr. Snodgrass. I have seen the man before at Mr. Turner's shoe shop, in St. Joseph; saw him late Saturday there, do not know his name. NORTH LOUISIANA JOURNAL Published at St. Joseph, Louisiana Saturday, July 13, 1872 The Hollywood Track The largest assembly ever seen on this lake or perhaps in this parish, met at this point on Saturday last to witness the second meeting of the Hollywood Jockey Club, which was originally started by a few gentlemen in the parish, simply for a trial of speed between saddle horses. But so much interest was displayed here last Saturday that they determined to go into a pernament orginaziation and in future offer inducements for competition from all quarters, and prepare as soon as practical for a round track. A meeting was called and officers elected as follows:John R Bowie, President; C.J. Allen, Secty.; the Hon.S.M. Routh, Dr. D.M. Newell and Maj. John Gordon were appointed judges for the day. The track at present, is laid off in quarters, is well graded and fine order. The following is a summary of Saturday's races. The first race in order was a quarter mile dash: N. H. Montgomery's bay mare 2 J. Douglas, sorrel mare 1 Second race quarter dash Gordon's Bay colt 2 Dunbar's sorrell gelding 1 Third race quarter dash Dunbar's sorrell horse 1 Bevin's gray horse 2 Fourth race, mile dash. $50 entrance Allen's horse, Sleepy Mack 2 Hunt's, Frank Dennison 1 Castleman's, Black Hawk, refusing to start Fifth race, Half mile dash Allen's horse, Sleepy Mack 4 Fenwick's Bay Stallion 3 Watson's Bay Stallion 2 Walton's Gray Mare 1 Sixth race, Mile dash. $100 side Allen's, Sleepy Mack 2 Hunt's, Frank Dennison 1 Sleepy Mack flew the track, Frank Dennison was an easy winner. Great interest was displayed, and much money changed hands amid the most intense excitment. Next meeting on Saturday the 20th day of July, when Frank Dennison will run against Sleepy Mack for $500 a side. Other matches may be made on the ground or at anytime previous by depositing the stakes agreed upon by the contesting parties in the hands of President of Hollywood store, as the track is free and open to all, no purse except those made up by contecting parties.