Parish History Submitted to the USGENWEB Archives Project by Fran Faitt MAY 2002 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Extracted From The Tensas Gazette-St. Joseph, La., 140th year - 17th issue, Page 1, dated Wednesday, April 28, 1993 150th Anniversary Edition, Tensas Parish Celebrates Sesquicentennial May 1, 1993 The following text reprinted from the Tensas Gazette, 1943 (Some passages illegible) TENSAS PARISH CENTENNIAL GIVEN GALA OBSERVANCE! Town Crowded With Visitors, Many Not Here in Years-Friends Greet Friends with Warm Hand Clasps The Natchez Democrat of April 7 gave the following splendid account of the Centennial anniversary observed at St. Joseph on Tuesday, April 6. Entire History of the Parish reviewed, Basket Picnic and Ball in the Evening Completed Program. Hundreds of residents of Tensas Parish and friends from nearby parishes in Louisiana and counties of Mississippi crowded into St. Joseph, La., yesterday to join in the historical program marking the observance of the Centennial of Tensas Parish. Men and women from all walks of life paused in their daily pursuits to honor the cutting out of that portion of Concordia Parish, one hundred years ago, to form Tensas Parish. The streets of the town were gaily bedecked in flags and bunting as was the court house square where the ceremonies were opened at three o'clock in the afternoon. While the entire atmosphere was ___ of gaity it was simple keeping in step with the gravity of the times when Tensas Parish has scores of her sons with the armed forces in the present great conflict. During the afternoon historians and story tellers thrilled the large attendance as they recited the bright and dark chapters in the history of the parish which was named from the Tensas Indians, who were an off shoot of the Indian Choctaw nation. An afternoon of speaking followed by a basket picnic on the court house grounds and a gala ball during the late evening formed the program marking the centennial. The official program started with a band concert by the Tensas High School Band, followed with invocation by the Rev. C. M. Hughes, Methodist Clergyman. Thomas M. Wade, Jr., St. Joseph attorney, chair- man of the ceremonies. Jeff B. Snyder, 84, and who has been district attorney of this district for 39 years, spoke on "Old Times in Tensas." Robert Lee Tullis, dean emeritus of Louisiana State University law school, a native of Tensas, had as his subject "Return of the Native." Edward Alexander Parsons, of New Orleans, president of the Louisi- ana Historical Society, spoke on "The Parish (Tensas) in Louisiana History." Judge Harris Dickson, historian and writer of Vicksburg, with his subject, ...gave a series of facetious stories Sheriff Elliot D. Coleman of Tensas told of the long battle this fertile parish has waged with the Mississippi river. His subject was: High Lights of High Waters." W. E. Hall, 92 year old native of Tensas parish, who now lives in Temple, Texas, was on the program. Mr. Hall was accompanied here by his son, Charlton Hall, who made a short talk. The 56 voiced Southern University choir was warmly applauded for its rendition of Negro spirituals and other numbers. The Rev. John J. Conlon, S. J. of St. Joseph, La., gave the benediction. An old-time Tensas string band gave a concert after the basket picnic, and the Louisiana Polytechnic Institute Orchestra supplied music for the ball. D. B. Coor, parish clerk of court, and vice-chairman of the centennial program committee, pointed out some of the historical documents that were first recorded. The first criminal action was recorded about a year after the parish saw it's birth. One slave killed another slave. One's name was Joe; the other Mose. Joe first assaulted Mose with a dangerous weapon, whereupon Mose beat off the attack and killed Joe. Mose was indicted for murder, but the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The text of the verdict follows: "We, the jury, find the prisoner not guilty of murder as charged, but for the offence committed, we in our discretion, award a punishment of thirty-nine lashes on his bare back, and to wear an iron ring on his neck of five pounds weight for the space of 12 months." The written verdict was signed by six citizens of the parish, Fred G. Smith, James Miller, L. B. Morris, Scott Watson, O. P. Watson and K. A. Buell. District Attorney Snyder, whose home is in Tallulah, traced the history of his native Parish from 150 years ago. First settlers, he explained, were squatters and wood choppers. Wood yards along the Mississippi river supplied steamboats with fuel. Then, said Mr. Snyder, there were no levees, no bridges, ferries nor roads, but the "richest soil in the world, more fertile than the Valley of the Nile. It was a hunter's paradise. Continuing Mr. Snyder, who is a most interesting speaker, told of how while the first Tensas Parish was a wilderness, the first pioneers found that it had the richest of soil "more fertile than the Valley of the Nile." Mr. Snyder traced the history of the parish through the trying and dark days of the Civil War when Tensas contributed the Tensas Cavalry, Tensas Rifles, Watson's Battery. He later traced the horrible and dark days of the Reconstruction but pointed out that through all these trials the parish and it's pioneer citizenship came through with flying colors. Hon. Harris Dickson of Vicksburg, Miss., well known historian and author, amused the large crowd with facetious story after another. He was the featured story teller of the afternoon. Hon. Elliot D. Coleman, sheriff of Tensas Parish, who down through the years has directed the great fights to hold the mighty Mississippi River within it's levees during the terrible high waters, made most interesting talk. Sheriff Coleman told of some of the harrowing experiences during the times when the Mississippi tore through the levees to inundate the rich country over the parish and adjoining parishes. Sheriff Coleman spoke from personal experiences, which made his remarks all the more interesting. CENTENNIAL VISITORS TO ST. JOSEPH The following old Tensasites, now living elsewhere, came "home" on April 6, to attend the Centennial Anniversary: Mrs. Mary Lewis Snodgrass, Thos. H. Snodgrass, J. Weatherly Chamberlain, Shreveport; E. S. Newton, Chattanooga, Tenn; Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Jesse Guice, Adams county, Miss; Dean and Mrs. R. L. Tullis, Baton Rouge; E. H. Parsons, New Orleans; W. E. Hall and son, Charlton Hall, of Temple, Tex; Mrs. Alice Bondurant Conner, Mrs. Annie Clinton Crothers, Baton Rouge; Mrs. Mary Ferriday Gordon, Port Gibson, never a resident but in days past frequent visitor; Mrs. Oscar Levy, New Orleans; Mrs. Elaine Levy Herold, Shreveport; Judge Harris Dickson, Vicksburg; L. B. Trenchard, New Orleans; Hon. Jeff B. Snyder, Tallulah; Judge Frank Voelker, Lake Providence; Mr. And Mrs. J. L. Montgomery and son and daughter, of Marianna, Ark.; Jas. W. Whitaker of Greenville, Miss; Jos. R. Whitaker, wife and baby, of Little Rock, Ark.; Jas. S. Johnston, Jr., wife, baby, of Jackson; Mrs. Macmurdo, and many other old Tensasites whose names we were unable to secure. Some visitors from Natchez and Vicksburg were also present, including Mr. Lawrence Warner, prominent banker of Vicksburg, and his son, Glover Warner, owner of the popular men's clothing store, Warner & Searles. Both of these gentlemen were familiar figures in our parish in days gone by, and yet have many friends here. Happy Messages from Old-Timers The following communications, expressing good wishes from former Tensas residents, on the momentous occasion, have been received by the Gazette: Allen Douglass The Tensas Gazette, St. Joseph, Louisiana Gentlemen: It certainly made me feel very happy and honored to be invited to attend the Centennial anniversary celebration of Tensas Parish. It was wonderful of you to remember me. Hoping you every success, Yours, very truly, Allen Douglas Members of New Orleans Cotton Exchange 54 years. From Mrs. Cammie Henry Melrose, Louisiana March 30, 1943 Dear Mr. Scott, Congratulations and good wishes. So glad you remembered me in the Centennial anniversary. I am right with you all! Please send two copies of your special celebration - and keep going. Sincerely, Mrs. C. G. Henry Melrose P. O., Louisiana Mrs. Katherine Lynch Rhodes Bastrop, Louisiana, April 1 Mr. J. P. Scott, Editor Tensas Gazette, St. Joseph, Louisiana. Dear Mr. Scott: Because of gas rationing, it is with genuine regret we must forego the joy of being present for the Centennial Anniversary of our beloved Tensas. Will you please enter my subscription to The Gazette, beginning with the very first issue carrying articles relative to the history of the parish. Please also send two sets of all issues in which appear historical data relative to Tensas parish. These are for my sisters, Mrs. C. L. Clark and Mrs. J. I. (illegible). With kindest personal regards, I am, Sincerely, (Mrs.) Katherine L. Rhodes Wire From Pete and Cecile Moore Texarkana, Ark., April 6 J. P. Scott - Tensas Gazette St. Joseph, Louisiana Convey our regrets unable to join old Tensas friends to-day. Pete and Cecile Moore From Mrs. Josephine Muir Farrar Memphis, Tenn., April 6, 1943 Dear Mr. Scott: Even though I can't be with the people of Tensas today to join them in celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of Tensas Parish, my thoughts are with you. Josephine and Duncan join me in thanking the people of Tensas for their kind (print faded and illegible) with them. We shall always remember the good old days spent in Tensas and (print faded and illegible)it as home. (Two short paragraphs follow - print faded and illegible) Josephine M. Farrar FORMER TENSAS CITIZEN PRAISES CENTENNIAL In speaking to a group of Tallulah friends of the Tensas Centennial Celebration, in St. Joseph, April 6, which she attended, Mrs. Mae Mitchell, former resident of Waterproof, but living in Tallulah, La. Now, said it was one of the most memorable events of her life. She said, "To have witnessed the hearty hand-clasps and the re-uniting of so many old citi- zens who returned for this occasion and to hear the splendid talks by distinguished native sons of Tensas was one of the greatest privileges one could have. "The Return of the Native" by Dean R. I. Tullis of L. S. U., "Events prior to and during the Civil War" by Mr. W. E. Hall of Temple Texas. ...witty stories by Mr. Harris Dickson of Vicks- burg; "The Parish of La. History by Mr. E. W. Parsons, president of Louisiana Historical Society, were talks brimming with enter- tainment, education, interest and sentiment. So real were the events and memories in Mr. Elliot Coleman's review of "High-lights of High Water" one almost felt they were being rescued from tree tops, awaiting a rescue party, but enough spice and humor were mixed with Mr. Coleman's statement of facts to make the possibility of not being rescued almost pleasant. Our own Judge Snyder, who had the honor of being elected Master of Ceremonies for this event, brought outbursts laughter with one of the merry recollections of the distant past that he inter- mingled with his very interesting review of the Parish's historical events. "Though now pleasantly located amidst the lovely people of Tallulah," concluded Mrs. Mitchell, "it was grand being a Tensas-ite for another glorious day." -- WB -- Regrets From Nelle R. Hopper 30th WAAC Post Headquarters Company Fort Sam Houston, Texas April 7, 1943 Mr. Joshiah P. Scott, Editor Tensas Gazette, St. Joseph, Louisiana. Dear Mr. Scott, I regret very much that I was unable to accept you kind invitation to attend the Centennial anniversary Celebration of Tensas Parish on Tuesday, April 6, 1943, but as you know, I am in the Women's Army auxiliary Corps and was unable to leave my Post. My thoughts were with you for I know I missed a grand time, and thanks for remembering me. Sincerely, Nelle R. Hopper Auxiliary, WAAC -- WS -- Mrs. Harold Green and baby of Detroit, are visiting her mother, Mrs. Parkman. BUY BONDS AND STAMPS!