Memories of Early Downsville Settler S. P. Lewis, Union Parish Louisiana Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by T. D. Hudson, 12/2004 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= Farmerville "Gazette" issue of 31 January 1912, page 1 ================================================================================== RECOLLECTIONS OF ONE OF uNION'S PIONEERS. Downsville, La. Jan. 4, 1912 Dear Editor Gazette: On Jan. 4, 1858, just fifty four years ago, my father and family moved to Downsville, there being eight of us at that time. Of that number only four are now living; three sisters and myself. I was then in my eighth year, entering school March the first. Our teachers were Prof. Huett and Miss Flora Buckhanan. The school was taught in the Baptist Church, an old log house out near where the cemetery now is. The seats we used were of hewn logs, with holes bored and pegs driven in for legs. Our writing desk was of the same material, being broader and fastened up against the wall. Some of the books used were: Blue Back Speller, Spelling and Definer, McGuffey's Reader, Davies ARithmetic, and Smith's Grammar. The merchants then engaged in business in our little village were: Philoman Whilhite, Rich Williams, Dr. Larche, Henry King, D. L. Hicks and David Calk. Many changes have taken place since that time. Of the number of people living within five miles of this place at that time only four remain, viz: W. B. Ethridge and wife Mis Melissa Harper and myself. Some of the citizens then were: Rev. John L. Mays, Rev. D. L. Hicks, Rev. C. H. Raley, Malcolm McFarland, William McNorton, Williany [sic ?] Mattox, Matthew Kelley, Thomas Green, and many others, all of whom have crossed the chilly waters of death to await the resurrection morn. In 1861 the call for volunteers was made to enlist in the war between the "Blue and the Grey." Quite a number of the young men of this community who were just entering into manhood together with many of the men who had families and who had chosen different avocations in life, left home, friends, fathers, mothers, and all in the care of an Alwise God to answer the Bugle call. During the four years of that war many of our brave men fell on the battle field in honor to their country. Almost daily news reached the homes that a father, brother, husband, son or brother, was wounded or had died; While this was heart- rending to the loved ones at home, they had to take courage and strength to undergo many privations, and use the greatest economy to sustain life. They had to make their own shoes, weave their cloths, save wheat for flour, and many other things which to day would seem strange. In 1865 when the news heralded abroad of the surrender, there were shouts of joy from home to home. Over many of the homes the shadow of gloom hung, while in others there was happiness because the loved ones there had escaped death and had returned. Those who were spared came back to find ruin and desolation, and they had to begin all over again. During those four years the boys and girls at home had little or no school advantages, such as our boys and girls of today enjoy. It was mostly different. But after the cruel war was over things took a different turn. At this time the system of farming was changed. The people begin to work free negroes on halves, raising almost altogether cotton, buying mules, bacon and corn, mostly on a credit. Then came the plague of the caterpillar which left the country almost bankrupt. It was finally eradicated by the use of economical science. The marketing the cotton was then very expensive. The people hauled their cotton to Monroe and other towns all the way from 20 to 65 miles. Until 1884 the traveling from Monroe to Shreveport was by what we called stage route. A stage or coach drawn by from two to four horses, and carrying from four to eight passengers. This was a long and tedious journey. After the V.S. and P. Railroad came through, times began to grow better. Cotton was raised in abundance. Other Railroad came through the Northern and Southern parishes of the state. Good and permanent schools were established over the different parishes turning out qualified and efficient teachers. The best educators advised together and planed the present system of district schools. A long season of prosperity was then enjoyed until the bool [sic] weevil appeared. This in a measure has checked the progress of the country, but th epeople have learned to economize, and have changed again the system of farming until we hope to regain prosperity once more. Now a word to the young as well as to the old; we should be thankful every day that we live in such a progressive age. All the many inventions which great facilitate labor, the improved methods of farming, and of education. A land of freedom, a land of Bibles, where we can worship God as we please under our own vine and fig tree singing; My country, 'tis of Thee Sweet land of Liberty; Of thee I sing; Land where my father died: Land of the Pilgrims' pride From every mountain side Let freedom ring." God speed the time, when our government is purged from all corruption, and the very best Christian men stand at the head of affairs: crying out "Principle! Principle," until the great ship on the Ocean of Time is safely landed. S. P. Lewis ###########################################################