1898 Farmer's Meeting on the Growing of Wheat in the Spearsville region, Union Parish Louisiana Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by T. D. Hudson, 11/2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= ================================================================================= 1898 Farmer's Meeting on the Growing of Wheat in the Spearsville region Farmerville "Gazette", issue dated Wednesday, 15 June 1898, page 3, column 2 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= HISTORICAL NOTE: The above meeting on the growing of wheat was a response to the severe drought that had plagued much of north Louisiana during the period 1895 – 1897. Complete crop failures in 1895 and 1896 led to a dire situation, with people literally starving to death across north Louisiana. Outside organizations sent corn and wheat up the Ouachita River towards Union Parish for the hungry, but the low water due to the drought prevented the steamboats from reaching Union Parish, and this caused problems getting the food to those in need. The drought and starvation caused quite a stir across Louisiana and the South. As the rains returned in early 1898, politicians pushed farmers in Union and other parishes to become more self-sufficient by growing wheat to store in case of future droughts. The article below describes the meeting on the growing of wheat in the Spearsville region. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Farmer's Meeting. -------- Spearsville, La., June 11. In accordance with a previous announcement, a number of the citizens of ward seven met in the town of Spearsville to consider the question of raising wheat in this section. B. F. Post was chosen chairman and W. S. Spears, secretary. The chairman, after briefly stating the object of the meeting, called upon the older citizens present to give their experience in wheat rarising. The following gentlemen responded: S. W. Taylor of Cherry Ridge, J. O. Buckley, H. H. Rockett, A. J. and S. R. Templeton, J. M. Murphy and E. A. Buckley, Sr., of Spearsville. In the course of thei remarks, they stated that they had grown wheat successfully in this parish in the past, and urged the farmers to plant enough wheat to supply their families with flour. After the discussion, the chairman called for the names of those present who wanted to plant wheat this season. The following agreed to plant the amounts set opposite their names, to-wit: W. P. Seal, 5 bu. H. H. Rockett, 2 bu. S. R. Templeton, 3 bu. H. W. Brazzeal, 10 bu. J. M. Murphy, 5 bu. W. M. Dixon, 3 bu Lee Goyne, 1 bu. Geo. L. Taylor, 2 bu. A. J. Templeton, 2 bu B. F. Post, 5 bu. E. W. Brazzeal, 3 bu. E. A. Buckley, Sr., 6 bu. Dr. J. B. Spears, 5 bu. Dave Thornton, 2 bu Reuben Ford, 2 bu J. H. Charters, 2 bu Joe Lowe, 1 bu. W. G. Brown, 1 bu John Barron, 4 bu. Richard Ross, 2 bu. John S. Farrar, 5 bu. Carter Clark, 2 bu. W. L. Rockett, 1 bu. Bradley Thornton, 1 bu. J. H. Rhodes, 3 bu. W. C. Jinks, 1 bu. After the above names were enrolled, S. W. Taylor contratulated the assemply upon the effort they were making to sustain their families; and in a few remarks he reviewed the former efforts from 1842 to the present, showing clearly that there never had been a time (a few years excepted) when the farmer of Union parish tried earnestly to raise the necessary commodities for his family that he did not succeed. The chairman was authorized to receive and enter the names of all who wanted seed wheat to plant, between now and date of ordering, not later than August 20, 1898. Every man is cordially invited to send in his name with the quantity of seed wheat wanted. THE GAZETTE and The Herald are requested to publish these proceedings. The meting adjourned subject to the call of the chairman. B. F. POST, Chairman. W. S. SPEARS, Sec'y. ###############################################################################