Webster Parish History, Webster Par., Louisiana
Source:  Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890
Submitted by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez
Date: Apr. 2000

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Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives
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Chapter XIII.
WEBSTER PARISH-TOPOGRAPHY AND STATISTICS-TIMBER AND GEOLOGY-EARLY SETTLERS AND LAND 
BUYERS-COURTS AND POLITICS-THE POLICE JURY-TAXATION AND FINANCES-THE BAR-ELECTION RETRUNS-
JOURNALISM, EDUCATION AND MEDICINE-MILITARY RECORD-MINDEN CITY-BUSINESS-IMPORTANT 
PROCEEDINGS-SOCIETIES, ETC.-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY AFFAIRS.

The public mind is educated quickly by events-slowly by arguments.-New York World. Webster Parish is marked by the 
bottom lands of Bayou Dorcheat and by Bayou Bodcau.  Between the bayous a level tract extends from Lake Bisteneau
into Arkansas.  The total area, as given in the United States statistics of 1880, is 612 square miles.  This is divided into
430 square miles of oak

uplands, and 137 of Bayou Dorcheat alluvium, and 45 square miles of Bayou Bodcau alluvium.  
In1880 there were 42,402 acres in cultivation, of which 16,401 were under cotton, 14,824 corn, 385 sweet potatoes and 
20 sugar cane.  There were 6,255 bales of cotton produced, or .38 bale per acre; 543 pounds of seed-cotton, or 181 pounds
of cotton lint.  The true area, as recorded in 1888, is 504 square miles.

Parish statistics are very deficient, and the following from the records are only given to show the general situation in 1890: 
Acres cultivated, 53,270; acres uncultivated (taxes), 240,900; acres in cotton, 19,420; bales, 15,010; acres in corn, 17,000; 
bushels, 160,000 (reported).  No record is kept, and the negroes never know anything about what the acreage or crop is, 
which makes the figures unreliable.  The average production of cotton is .80 of a bale per acre, or 320 pounds of lint; 
and this is reliable.The assessed value of real property is $370,682; personal, $773,952; the State and parish tax is 
131/2 mills, and city tax is 3 mills; total, 161/2 mills.

The population in 1880 was 10,005, of which 4,323 were white and 5,682 colored.  In 1890 the number of inhabitants is 12,551, 
of whom 1,200 are subject to military duty.  Of this total there are 6,351 males and 6,200 females, or a total of 12,551, of whom
only 48 are foreign born.  There are 2,469 voters, and 4,451 children between six and eighteen years of age.  The population 
of Minden is 1,320.

The timber resources are valuable, it being estimated by a former parish surveyor, who is well acquainted with it, at not less 
than 60 square miles of pine, 1,920,000,000 feet; 60 square miles of gum, 2,304,000,000 feet, and not less than 2,000,000,000
of hardwood, including cypress, oak, birch, etc.The Bayou Dorcheat, which passes through the parish from north to south, a 
distance of over thirty miles, and makes its way into Red River through Lake Bisteneau and Loggy Bayou, is navigable for six 
months in the year for a good class of Red River boats to a point opposite to and within two and a half miles of Minden, the parish 
site, giving boating facilities equal with Shreveport on time and freight rates.  The construction of the Minden Tap Railroad closes 
off river trade as effectually as low water. 

Land has no fixed price; from $1 to $10 per acre are about the ruling price. In August, 1885, Prof. Johnson, a Government geologist;
E. R. Boyle, of the Democrat-Tribune, and Prof. Enderle, of the Times-Democrat; explored the Red Hills, seventeen miles north of
Minden, and

reported the existence of good iron ore over an area of ten square miles.

The post-offices are Buckhorn, Cotton Valley, Dorcheat, Doyline, Dubberly, Lanesville, Minden (C.H.), Pleasanton, Sarepta, 
Shongaloo, Sikes Ferry and Timothea.  Shongaloo, where a Masonic lodge was carried on from 1860 to 1886, is one of the 
old settlements. 

Isaac Alden is said to have been the first English-speaking settler of Webster.  He came in 1811 and located eight miles east 
of Minden, thus escaping the call issued by Jackson at New Orleans.  He died after the war of 1861-65.  A half-breed Richard
Fields, settled near Germantown, twelve miles away, at the same time, and they were the only human occupants of the wilderness 
up to April, 1818, when the Murrells, Wards, Mournens, Duties and Doolies arrived.  They made a temporary settlement, but were 
driven to higher land, and in August of that year we find John Murrell, his wife, six children, a pack-horse, two dogs and a rifle 
introducing the civilization of the times east of Minden, beyond the present parish line.  

During the winter of 1818-19 a settlement was made at Small Creek or Flat Lick by the Allens.  Dan Moore, William Gryder,
Newt. Drew, and perhaps two others located there.  In 1827 a post-office was established there, under the title Allen's Settlement
Post-office, with John Murrell master.  This position he held until his death in January, 1847.  Isaac Alden was justice of the peace 
for the territory north of Campti to Arkansas and from Ouachita River to Texas.  In the fall of 1818 John Murrell buried one of his
boys near his home, while in 1822 one Fred Villire, Sr., was buried at the old Murrell plantation.  Isaac Murrell was the first white 
child born north of Campti, the date being March 20, 1819.  James A. Conley taught the first school.  Hopkins' store, managed by
Fashier, was soon after established, but in 1823 Fashier disappeared with Hopkin's money.  

The Baptists erected the first church-house at Flat Lick, but the houses of the settlers named as well as of the Nelsons near Athens, 
and Franks in Brushy Valley, were previously used for religious purposes. In 1826 the first regular cotton crop was raised by J. 
McCrady at Flat Lick.  His store was there, and his gin-house and press were constructed that year.  Russell Jones, Sr., built the
second and John Murrell the third gin-house.

In 1839 William Dyer was sheriff; Rush Reynolds, deputy; Peets, parish judge, and Copes, clerk at Overton.  Messrs. Lawson, 
Evans, Alcott, Scott, Drew, Vaughan, were lawyers; Sanders P. Day, Hotelkeeper; Morrow, Berry & Co., Abner Drake, Drury
Murrell, John Chaffe, Thompson & Morrow, Y. P & J. R. Reynolds, general merchants; Messrs. Pennall, Quarles and McFarland,
physicians; Capt. Hiram Wilson ran a steamboat on Lake Bisteneau, and Stephen D. Pitts was a cotton broker, while five miles 
from Minded were Davis Long's sulphur springs.

Old Mrs. Smith, a widow, was the first person buried in the Minden Cemetery.  It appears she was first interred near Murrell's
tan-yard, but on the suggestion of Veeder the body was transferred to the present grounds. William Wilson, who died August 27, 
1886, was said to be the oldest resident of the parish at that time, being ninety-four years old.  He was a soldier of the War of 1812.
Jesse Sikes, who settled on Sikes Ferry in 1816, is still living in the house which he build in 1820. John Murrell, who came about 
1816, is living on the old Military Road.  When the Texas colony of Indiana passed here, in 1834, they stayed at Murrell's on 
November 4, 1834, and this pioneer measured the corn.

The first slaves were brought into the district about 1826, and within the succeeding thirty-four years increased beyond the
thousand mark.  The fortunes of war reduced the nominal slave to a reality in slavery, and to day thousands of acres of the 
old plantation are lying out under rankweeds or young forests, making the Caucasian poor, indeed, compared with the past, 
and the freedman poorer still in the uncertainty of his new position.D. Harper, H. L. Martin, J. M. Paxton, James Crow, Jacob 
Lewis, the Leonards, Newitt Drew, were

large slave owners in Webster.  The greater number of the Caucasians owned from
two to nine slaves, but the large owners were few in this part of old Claiborne.

Lee Ham, a celestial, was the first of his race to settle at Minden.  He came in the fall of 1888, and at once established a little 
store and restaurant in a house opposite the old Reynolds Hotel, leased from T. R. Gerin.  John Chuney came later, others 
followed, and then came in the inevitable laundryman, John Lee.  The almond-eyed citizens are aristocrats in their own way.

The first purchasers of United States lands in Township 17 north, Range 8 west, were Thomas Gray on Section 6, and William 
Stiles on Section 10, in 1838; Samuel Laird on Section 3, William A. Jones on Section 9 and 15, in 1839.  In Township 17, Range
9, large parcels were purchased in 1836; Nancy and Mary Saps purchased on Section 20, in 1837; James Walsh and Richard H. 
Thompson on Section 21, in 1836; Dawson and Dorsey on Section 30, the same year; Samuel Clark on Section 31. In 1843 the 
first lands in Township 17, Range 10 were sold to Martin Wood on Section 3, to J. J. and Joseph D. Byran on Section 6, William 
E. Kellogg on Section 19, Isaac Alden on Section 24, Owen H. Magee and John Gregg on Section 30; in 1844-34 Stephen
Applewhite, Martin Martin, Micah Miller, C. A. Kellogg, and W. B. Young were buyers. 

In Township 18, Range 8, buyers came in between 1850 and 1860, but in 1840 John Pressnall owned 38 acres on Section 7, 
Jephtha Pallen 80

acres on Section 18. Between 1850 and 1860 the great body of the land was taken up.  In 1837-39 some
entries were made in Township 18, Range 9, Newitt Drew on Section 5 (Overton), Joshua Jones on Section 2, David C. Pratt on 
Section 5, George R. Reemet on Section 10, Thaddeus W. and Robert Byas on Section 11.  Between 1840 and 1860 almost the 
total area passed to private owners.  John M. Crawford and John C. Cole, who purchased in Township 18, Range 10 in 1840, were
preceded as land buyers by Robert and John L. Hodges and Simeon Thompson.  Township 19, Range 8 was first entered in August, 
1837, by William and Catherine Lee.  

In 1838-39 John and Hiram Given, John Miller, Peter G. Olliver and Ben Rowles purchased here.The first entries in Township 19, 
Range 9 were made July 12, 1833, Friend McMahon, Jr., on Section 28; July 30, 1833, by Newitt Drew on Section 32; Thomas 
Young on Section 32; same date; July 28,1833, By Richard Nickerson on Section 24, and on July 30, 1833, by Abel Crownover 
on Section 5, and by Russell Jones, Jr., on Section 18 in 1836; Robert Cannon purchased also in 1836; Quinton Dines on Section 
21, in 1837; James Hiler, Jacob Peacow, Nancy and Caroline Deck, in 1837; John T. Morrow, Richmond Randle, Wimfry B. Scott, 
H. McFarland, William Shepherd, James Berry (Section 13), Charles Ritchey, James Mason, Elkin Juggle Jones, Reuben Drake, 
Mary Deck, John

M. Fallon, Dillinghast Vaughan, Henry Springer, William H. Drake, William Hoddy, Hiram Wilson, Josiah 
Wilson, Thomas Young, Lewis Million, Jene Million, William S. Pennall, Charles Y. Long and Phillip Alden, in 1839.  William Berry 
purchased on Section 33, in November, 1834.

The first entries in Township 19, Range 10, were made by Reuben Drake and John Bauskett on Section 1, John W. Hughes on 
Section 3, Nathan Pickett and William Ferriday on Section 7, James Surget on Section 9, Solomon High and Emilius P. Bry on 
Section 15, Robert Davis on Section 17,James M. and Micajah Pickett on Section 20, Andrew Lawson and Peter G. Thompson
on Section 26, Algernon S. Robertson on Section 29, Harrison Presnall, Duncan McDougall and John Stamps on Section 36, in 
1836. Township 20, Range 8 west, was first entered on Section 22 under the act of June 19, 1834, by Peter Grounds in 1838; Adam
and Jacob Miller, Micah and James W. Miller and Benjamin Nugent also

entered lands in 1838; Tandy and John Pate, in 1839.  
From 1851 to 1858 a large number of buyers is recorded.

Township 20 Range 9, was first entered in 1840 by Amoldus Venderhorst Montgomery, on Section 25; Joseph D. Long, Section 31,
and Joel Waters, Section 1.  In 1843 William A. Drake, Section 8; in 1844, Stephen Butler, Section 8, and Simeon Williamson, 
Section 32. Township 20, Range 10, was entered by William Crowley and Mary Brown in 1837, on Section 32; Stephen C. O'Neal, 
in 1839, on Section 28; William Crowley, Section 31, while Township 21, Range 9, shows: Stephen Butler on Section 1, in 1840; 
James Shaw, in 1843; James McCarty, in 1844 on Section 2; Martin Wood, in 1843, and Micah and William Martin in 1840, on 
Section 24; Zene Grounds and Willis Doles in 1844 on Section 26; Joel W. Murrell in 1843 on Section 30; Josiah Butler purchased
on Section 35 in 1844.

Township 21, Range 10, was first entered in 1839, but Thomas A. Glass and Winna Eliza Vest were the only owners until 1850, 
when the immigrants began to pour in.  In 1851 John Chaffe entered a large area here, and in 1859 Alfred Goodwill purchased 
several tracts. Township 21, Range 11, was brought up in 1858, 1859 and 1860 in large tracts like Township 22, Range 9 west,
which passed into private ownership from the United States during the same years. Township 22, Range 10, was first entered in 
1848 by William S. Denman. In 1849 a large  area was selected by the State of Alabama under act of July 4, 1836, but the greater
area was sold from 1852 to the beginning of the war.

Township 22, Range 11, was taken up in 1858-59, with the exception of the small tracts entered by Samuel Davis on Section 14 in 
1852 and by John W. Strange in 1854 on Section 13.  Township 23, Range 9, was entered in 1859-60, and Township 23, Range 10,
in 1859-61, with the exception of part of Section 36 pre-empted in 1854 by Francis Lyman. 

 In each of the townships given in this paragraph the State located lands under several acts of Congress.  In 1853 Andrew J. McDonald 
located lands

on Section 27, Township 23, Range 11, and some years later the Gambles, Cassons, Daniels, Coyles, Carruths,
Reeves, Johns, Livermans, John and Charles Chaffe, Leriza Taylor, Henry J. Taylor, J. H. Murrell and others entered tracts in this 
township.  In 1839 Jackson Hash and Timothy Hash entered a one-half section on Section 36.  A cotton field, the property of Capt. 
Goodwill, two miles west of Minden, near Phillip Thorp's house, marks the site of Overton.

The act establishing Webster Parish was approved February 27, 1871.  The boundaries extended from Bayou Bodcau, on the 
Arkansas line, south along the eastern bank of that bayou to lone between Townships 20 and 21, thence east on that line to
intersection of line between Ranges 10 and 11; thence south on that range to lone between Township 16 and 17; thence east 
across Lake Bisteneau, on the same line to line between Ranges 8 and 9; thence north three miles; thence east to Black Lake,
northerly along western bank of lake to the confluence of the prongs of Black Lake; thence north and up main prong or Crow's 
Creek to line between Township 19 and 20; thence west to halfway point on line between 7 and 8 and the line between Ranges 8 
and 9; thence north three miles; west to line between Ranges 8 and 9, north on range line to Arkansas line, and thence to the point 
of beginning. The parish was divided into six wards. 

This territory, as in evidenced by the boundaries, was detached from the parishes of Bossier, Claiborne and Bienville.In 1837 a 
division of Claiborne Parish was suggested, but the idea met with such opposition that the dividers gave their attention to obtaining
the seat of justice, Newitt Drew favoring Overton, and C. H. Veeder, Minden.  Newett Drew succeeded, but in 1840 Veeder influenced 
the Legislature to appoint locating commissioners who would favor Minden.  The commissioners were so slow in their action that
their terms expired and influences favorable to Overton triumphed, so that the court-house was erected there and Minden had to 
remain an ordinary town, and the whole parish a part of Claiborne, Bossier and Bienville until 1871, when the act of February 27 
fixed the original boundaries.

In 1871 the first police jury was organized in the old town hall, subsequently burned.  D. B. Doyle and Dr. G. J. Wise were members
of the jury, and John G. Warren, clerk,  The records of this period disappeared with the early reconstructionists, and so no memory 
at Minden is able to give the names of the precise actors in jury affairs.  The first record of the police jury, in possession of J. J. Carter,
clerk, is dated January 12, 1874.  Simeon Gray, of Ward 5, was then presiding with Alfred McCarthy, representing Ward No. 1, Alford
Gibson (colored) No. 2, Joseph P. Jackson (colored) No. 3, and Willis Ford (colored) No. 4.  T. M. Turner was clerk, and Dr. Harper, 
treasurer.  On the date given $312.50 were allowed to eleven poor persons in the parish, while a large sum was appropriated to pay 
sheriffs' and attorneys' fees in criminal cases for advertising in the Minden Democrat in 1872, for election commissioners in 1872.  

On January 14 the court-house building committee, S. B. Miller, Isaac Murrell (the first male child born in Webster), John C. Loy, 
S. W. Culpepper, and W. A. Drake,

reported their settlement with T. B. Neal, the contractor.  The jury granted $2,000 to him, 
and held $400 until some parts of the contract would be fulfilled.  The report of Collector Gruber for 1873 was presented, showing 
$20,084.04 accounted for, of which $15,106.88 were collected.  In 1874 the parish printing was done by the Herald-J. B. Walthall. 
In November, 1874, J. M. Lewis was elected to McCarty's place on the jury.  January 18, 1875, the newly elected jurors were installed:
Christopher Chaffe, president, William Sandlin, J. J. Wise, William L. Coyle and O. L. Noles.  William Mansfield was chosen clerk, 
vice Turner, resigned.  This jury estimated the expenditures for the year at $12,000, and a tax levy of 28 mills was ordered.  The jurors
fixed their own pay at $4 per day and 5 cents per

mile traveling expenses.  In May, 1875, Dr. B. T. Mosely was chosen parish physician and W.

Mansfield was re-elected clerk.  In September Dr. Harper was appointed physician.  In January, 1876,

the estimate for the year was reported at $13,625.



The tax levy was 27 mills for 1876, 21/2 school, 121/2 ordinary, 6 road and bridge and 6 court-house. 

L. Q. C. Puckett was tax-collector in 1875, and C. C. Chaffe, treasurer.  Toward the close of 1876

M. J. Moss was acting clerk, but in April, 1877, S. F. Goode was appointed by the new jury.  J. J.

Carter was chosen president; Irvin Talton, N. J. Sandlin, W. L. Coyle and James Reagan being the

other new members.  T. M. Turner was treasurer, and W. D. McDonald, collector.  In November,

1878, Thomas W. Randle, of Ward 4, signs the record as president.  J. F. Taylor represented Ward

2, and John Slack of Ward 1, with Sandlin and Talton, formed the board.  S. F. Goode was re-elected

clerk; T. M. Turner, treasurer; M. C. Mosely, attorney, and Dr. Harper, physician, for 1879.  

The parish printing contract was sold to George W. Tompkins.  In April, 1880, J. J. Carter was elected president, John Slack, N. J.
Sandlin, J. L. Taylor and W. F. Lewis being members.  W. H. Schneider, of the Democrat, was elected public printer, the election 
being necessary, owing to the bid of the Tribune being similar in term to that of the Democrat.  In July the clerk and treasurer were 
authorized to purchase a safe.  In February, 1881, the report of the liquor election in Ward 5 was made.  This shows 86 votes for 
sale and 30 against.  In May, 1881, Jackson Sikes took the place of Juror Slack; Sheriff Reagan was tax-collector.  In June, 1882,
Dr. G. J. Wise appears as juror.  At this time the proposition to build a branch railroad south from Minden to Vicksburg, Shreveport 
& Pacific Railroad line was considered in its relation to the parish.  Walton Ford, of the Tribune, was appointed printer.  J.S. Cheshire
was physician, and T. M. Turner, treasurer. 

In 1884 N. J. Sandlin, of Ward3, was president; G. J. Wise, W. L. Coyle, H. A. Barnes and M. N. Walker represented the other
wards.  The liquor election in Ward 3, as reported in September, shows 105 against and 91 for the sale of liquors.  In October there\
were 9 votes for and 84 against the sale of liquor in Ward 2, and 110 for and 134 against in Ward 4.  In 1885 the same jurors managed
the parish affairs.  J. D. McIntyre was treasurer.  In December of this year the jurors relinquished the right of the parish to cross the
railroad at the Douberly side track.  The same jurors were present in July, 1886. T. M. Turner was chosen temporary clerk; J. J. 
Carter was appointed clerk in December following, vice Goode.  The claims against the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific Railroad,
which were presented on its completion in September, 1884, were considered by the jury in April, 1887.  At this time the railroad
company, through General Attorney Stubb, agreed to an assessment of $3,500 per mile and $1 per acre on improved lands subject
to the understanding that the taxes demanded for 1885 and 1886 would not bear penalties.  This agreement was accepted to continue
in force until 1894.  The act amending the act of 1882 for the protection of deer was passed in 1887.  In July, 1888, Dr. Wise, Isaiah 
Ratcliff, James M. Miller, C. B. Herflin and J. E. Hodges formed the new jury, with J. M. Miller, president, and J. J. Carter, clerk.  The 
estimates for the year were placed at $10,900. 

 In December the question of providing a fire-proof record vault was considered favorably, and a contract was made with the Diebold 
Company through Agent Garrettson in February, 1889, for $4,250.  In May this improvement was completed and accepted by the jurors
The liquor election, as reported November 29, 1889, shows 124 votes against and 23 for the sale of liquor in Ward 1 (Shangaloo), and 5
against and 36 for in Ward 1, Sikes' Shop.

The first district court of Webster Par., Louisiana Eighteenth District, was held November 6, 1871, Judge L.B. Watkins presiding. 
The grand jurors were: J. M. Lewis, Perry Jordan, O. M. Butler, Alex Mashaw, P. P. Bates, W. B. Powell, E. W. Hodges, W. A. 
Armour, Jim Robertson, W. L. Murrell, A. G. Morgan, G. B. Denman, H. A. Perrott, Henry Jackson and James H. Smith.  Dr. A. G.
Harper was clerk and G.W. Warren, sheriff.  In 1872 R. B. Taylor was deputy clerk.  In January, 1873, Richard W. Turner qualified 
as judge; a year later the grand jury reported favorably on the new court-house building.  

In October, 1875, John McKinney and Marshall Henderson were indicted for the murder of Mercer.  On the 15th, McKinney was found
guilty of manslaughter and Henderson guilty of murder.  In October, 1877, S. B. Miller, A. J. Colbert, J. M. Doyle and Calvin Wells\
were appointed jury commissioners.  Grant Gamble was indicted for killing deer in 1878, and Anderson Ames for the murder of Clem.
Franks in April, 1879, and found guilty.  The petition of G. W. Warren, contesting the election of William D. McDonald as clerk of the 
district clerk, was presented.  Gentry was declared elected clerk some time later, and resigned the office of jury commissioner, leaving
William Reagan to be appointed thereto. 

In 1879 the number of the district was changed from the eighteenth to the second, and R. C. Drew elected judge; J. A. W. Lowery, 
district attorney; J. W. Reagan, sheriff; and W. D. McDonald, clerk, qualified.  In April, 1880, an indictment was returned against a 
woman "for receiving seed cotton in the night," an innocent affair in itself, but made a crime after the war, owing to the wholesale 
stealing of seed cotton carried on.  Up to and including this term indictments "for carrying concealed weapons" and "failure to work
the roads" were common, showing that in the parish, at least, a disposition to carry out the laws was manifest.  In April, 1880, the 
death of the late sheriff, W. N. Collins, was officially noticed, the members of the bar signing the resolutions, being A. B. George, 
J. D. Watkins, C. E. McDonald, W. G. McDonald, J. R. Taylor and T. M. Fort, with District Attorney M. C. Mosely, parish attorney; 
S. D. Spain, district clerk; William Life, coroner; and George McWeaver, recorder. 

In November, 1881, indictments for manslaughter were returned against J. W. Walker and Webb Gamble; for murder against Malinda
Campbell and Williams Lemons.  Gamble was acquitted, also Malinda Campbell.  In November, 1884, John Figgins and E. M. 
Hawkins, et al., were charged with murder.  Hawkins was acquitted.  In April, 1885, James F. Martin was indicted for murder, also
Ed McDonald.  In this last case a nolle proseque was at once entered.  In November, 1885, Henry Jackson was charged with murder.
James F. Martin was acquitted.  November 23 Jackson was found guilty of the murder of R. A. Brittain and sentenced to death.  In 
November, 1886, Hannah Robertson was arraigned on the charge of murder, but the jury failing to agree, a new trial was entered, but 
the charge was dropped.  The death of Col. T. M. Fort was appropriately noticed in a series of resolutions drafted by J. F. Taylor, J. E. 
Reynolds and J. T. Watkins.  A true bill was returned in April, 1888,  against Noel Jackson for murder.  In November, 1888, Judge 
J. T. Boone opened court.  In December Jackson was found guilty, while Williams Lemons, formerly mentioned, was acquitted in
February, 1889.  March 6, 1889, resolutions on the death of James F. Taylor were presented by D. W. Stewart and adopted.  In 
February, 1890, Ed Oliver was indicted for the murder of Ed Jones.

The pioneer lawyers were E. Olcott, Tillinghast Vaughan, D. L. Evans, G. W. Peets and Andrew Lawson.  The present roll of attorneys
contains the names of J. A. W. Lowry, R. C. Drew, C. E McDonald (now a preacher), D. W. Stewart, J. D. Watkins (retired), J. T. 
Watkins, L. K. Watkins, J. E. Reynolds, R. P. Webb, John Young and J. A Murff.  The names of J. A Rich and J. A. Snider appear
on an older register.

The parish court was organized  April, 4, 1871, with S. G. McKennie, parish judge.  In November, 1872, R. B. Taylor was elected, 
and on February 24, 1873, opened the parish court.  He was succeeded by W. L. Franks, February 23, 1875, and he, in turn, by 
R. C. Drew, in February, 1877, who served until the office was abolished, under the constitution of 1879.

Criminal offenses were numerous and serious in this parish, particularly during the reconstruction days.  At Overton there were four 
negroes hanged, in 1836 or 1837, for the murder of their master, McIntyre.  Jacob Busch (white), who cut off a man's head at Mount 
Lebanon, was also hanged.  Col. Berry and others pursued this desperado into Arkansas, and captured him in Busch's brother-in-law's
house.  Rev. W. B. Scott, a Methodist, attended him.  The murder of Simon Doyle was perpetrated July 21, 1881, at Harrison's store, 
in the northern part of the parish.  On July 21, 1885, Cicero Green and John Figures were killed within the jail at Minden.  The latter 
murdered Bunk Coyle, and was awaiting trial, while the former was a shrewd desperado who played peek-a-boo with the law for
some years.

The Minden mail stage was robbed July 27, 1882, near Clark's Bayou.  In August the fragments of the letters were found by a negro,
and given to Ed McDade, the postmaster at Fillmore. In 1876 there were 896 votes cast for Nicholls (D.), and 858 for Packard (R.), 
candidates for governor.  In 1879 Wiltz (D.) received 588 and Beattie (R.) 574.  In 1884 McEnery (D.) received 588 and Stevenson 
(R.) 840, while in 1888 Nicholls (D.) was credited with 1,506, and Warmoth (R.) with 325.  The registered voters in April, 1888, 
numbered 2,463, of whom 1,146 were Caucasians.  There were 50 whites and 1,249 Africans who could not write their names.
In 1871 Frederick Heath was elected representative.  He was succeeded by Clarence Pratt, who subsequently fought a duel with
Robert Lewis, two miles south of Minden, and was wounded.  In 1874 W. W. Carlos was chosen and re-elected in 1876.  In 1878
J. J. Carter was elected and W. H. Scanland chosen senator.  In December, 1879, Irvin Talton was chosen representative, and 
Judge Watkins and John Vance, senators.  G. L. P. Wren was elected in 1884 and re-elected in 1888, when Col. Vance (now 
assistant attorney-general) and John L. Phipps were chosen senators.

In 1871 E. H. Gruber was appointed assessor and collector, followed by L. Q. C. Puckett; William McDonnell was appointed 
collector about 1876, and Sanders Richardson, assessor.  He served until 1879, when Col. Berry was appointed assessor, the 
sheriff being collector.  J. W. Reagan being the first sheriff under of constitution of 1879.  D. W. Pratt succeeded him in 1888.
Webster gave 954 votes to Greeley and 624 to Grant for President; 987 to McDonald and 611 to Blackburn for senator; 978 to 
Shultz and 619 to Heath for representative; 1,000 to Watkins and 601 to Turner for district judge in the celebrated contest known 
as the Grant-Greeley campaign.  In 1876 W. W. Carlos was chosen representative; S. D. Spann, clerk, and George A. Palmer, 
recorder.  In November, 1878, Webster recorded the following votes: State senator, W. H. Scanland (D.) 1,128;

representative, 
J. J. Carter 618, G. W. Warren 503; parish judge, R. C. Drew 718, W. L. Franks 342; sheriff, W. N. Collins (D.) 767, T. F. Green
355; coroner, William Life; police jury, T. W. Randle, president, Irwin Talton, N. J. Sandlin, James S. Taylor and John Slack; 
treasurer, T. M. Turner; clerk, F. S. Goode, and physician, A. G. Harper.  

The elections of December, 1879, resulted as follows: Senator, Watkins 595, Vance 542; Webb (G. B.) 683, Tilley (G. B.) 716; 
constitution, for 1,063

contra 135; debt ordinance for 1,097, contra 109; district judge, Drew 539, Turner 732; district

attorney,
Lowry 577, Fuller 672; representative, Talton (G. B.) 680, Wise (D.) 536; district clerk, McDonald 644, Warren 635; sheriff, Spann 
484, Reagan 774; coroner; Harper 569, Cheshire 710. In 1888 Vance Phipps received 1,566 votes for senator; Wren 1,135; Franks,
222, and Hicks, 424 for representative; J. T. Boone, 1,558 for district judge; Lowry 1,575 for district attorney; D. W.Pratt, 1,144 and 
G. M. Talton, 681 for sheriff; J. H. Tillman, 1,206 and G. W. Warren, 613 for district clerk.

The Minden Ins was the name of a newspaper published at Minden in 1848.  This was undoubtedly the first journal issued within
the area now embraced in Webster Par., Louisiana but who the publisher was no one can remember, nor would the Ins be mentioned
had it not been referred to in one of the old records of Bienville Parish. The Minden Herald was edited by W. Jasper Blackburn* and
issued early in the fifties, continuing until January, 1855.

* During the war W. J. Blackburn was arrested for printing Confederate money for Lambright & Co. He was tried at Shreveport, when
eleven were for the death and one against.  Mr. ____, a Jew, was Confederate district judge, and remembering that Blackburn called
him a circumcised Jew, was determined to hang him, but through the mediation of friends he was pardoned.

The Minden Gazette was established in January, 1855, as successor of the Herald, by N. C. Blackburn.  The office was in a two-story
brick building where is now the Eagle Eye. 

The Minden Monitor was established before the war, it is said, by one Cregg.  In June, 1859 this was the official journal of the city
and it continued publication until May, 1860, when N. J. Sandlin purchased the office. The Minden Advertiser was founded in May, 
1860, by N. J. Sandlin on the ruin of the Monitor.  On his leaving for the seat of war in 1861 the office was closed.

The Public Sentiment was established in July, 1866, by Walter Scott and Clarence Pratt, the duelist, who died in Texas.  This paper
continued publication for only a short time.

The Minden Democrat was established in August, 1868, by A. G. Tompkins & Bro., with H. A. Drew and A. B. George, editor.  In 
January, 1879, W. H. Schneider became proprietor. The Democrat and Tribune were consolidated April 16, 1887, and the title
Democrat-Tribune adopted.

The North Louisiana Index ceased publication at Minden in 1873.  The press on which it was printed was made at Chris. Chaffe's 
foundry, was removed to Bellevue in 1873, but carried back to Claiborne in 1878 by Dr. Walthall.  The New Herald was also issued
here for a short time during reconstruction days.

The Webster Tribune of Minden was established November 6, 1878, by J. M Scanland.  In February, 1880, S. M. McCranie and
C. E. McDonald became owners.  Later that year S. M. McCranie was sole owner.  In October, 1881, Walton Fort purchased the
office and T. M. Fort was appointed editor.  In 1888 E. L. Berry was publisher and W. Stewart, editor of the Tribune. 

Cox's Educational Monthly was established in 1888 by A. L. Cox. The Eagle-Eye is the successor of the Democrat-Tribune.  On 
July 10, 1889, G. L. Wren purchased the office from Moses Fort, But, Mr. Berry's lease not expiring until January 1, 1890, he was 
de facto partner in the office up to that time, when Mr. Wren assumed sole control.

The names of the registered physicians of the parish, with location, name of institution, granting diploma, are given as follows:  Dr. 
Wills, Dr. Pennell, Dr. Williams and Dr. Daniel McFarland were the first physicians.  Albert G. Harper, Minden, New Orleans Scholl 
of Medicine, 1869; Daniel McFarland, Minden, Cincinnati Medical College, 1836; Thomas J. Vance, Minden, Jefferson Medical College,
Philadelphia, 1858; James E. Baine, Bushwood, New Orleans School of Medicine, 1869; William D. Harper, Homer, Tulane University
of Louisiana, 1885; John S. Cheshire, Minden, New Orleans School of Medicine, 1856; Samuel M. Grigsby, Doyline, Medical College
of Alabama, 1887; James D. Middlebrooks, Cotton Valley, Atlanta Medical College, 1882; Charner A. Scaip, Sarepta, Louisville
Medical College, 1889; Charles R. Reynolds, Dorcheat, Memphis Hospital Medical College, 1889; Dr. T. S. Parham of Cotton Valley
The physicians who registered in 1881-81, by virtue of over five years' practice, are William C. White, Robert Williams and George 
D. Stoien, all

of Minden.

The enrollment of white pupils for Webster for 1877 was 127; for 1878, 1,070; for 1879 652; for

1881, 847; for 1882, 1,104; for 
1883, 986; for 1884, 688; for 1885, 728; for 1886, 837; and for 1887,

902.  The number of colored pupils enrolled in the years given
is as follows: 236, 727, 538, 553, 249, 318, 328, 326, 396 and 555.  Within the last three years a marked increase in colored pupils
is noticeable.  The editor of the Eagle Eye, referring to the condition of the schools in August, 1890, says: "The superintendent has
visited all the different public schools in the parish, and qualifies his experience and observation with total dissatisfaction.  He declares
that there are too many schools for the number of children attending.  In many places school-houses are situated too close together,
there being instances cited where three school-houses were within a five-mile scope, whereas one in the center of the community 
would be sufficient.  Another objection the superintendent raises in the paltry salary paid to competent teachers." 

E. Etter went out with Company G, but ultimately entered the Virginian Army. The Minden Blues organized in April, 1861, with John 
L. Lewis, captain; B. F. Simms, T. B. Tompkies, and W. Blackwell, lieutenants; J. H. Webb (captain for a short time), B. F. Simms, 
T. H. Moreland (died in 1889), and G. W. Doffin, sergeants; James Phillips, M. F. Montgomery, J. P. McKee and J. H. Curry,
corporals.  The full force was ninety ;men.  On June 8, the command left for New Orleans, and on July 7, left for Manassas with 
Beauregard's army as Company G, of the Eighth Louisiana Infantry. In April, 1862, the command re-enlisted and elected B. F. Simms,
captain (died in August, 1862), S. Y. Webb, J. J. Sandlin, and G. L. P. Wren, lieutenants.  At once entering on that campaign which
drove Banks across the Potomac, Company G served under Taylor and was present when the fiery Meagher dashed against the 
heights of Fredericksburg.  

The Minden Blues served their cause well until April 9, 1865, when the surrender of the Confederate Army released them form service
The record of casualties shows the following killed in battle: B. Bell, William Burnham, C. Burnett, John Bailey, Ed Bailey, James 
Collins, George Collins, Miles Cue, William Crichton, Kit Kimball, Jesse Morris, W. McNeally, Marshal Montgomery, Russell 
Montgomery, John Monzingo, James McKee, John Rawles, Ferd. Simmons, Lowry Simmons, Oscar Simmons, James Segar, 
Robert Scott, J. S. Williams, Charles Williams and I. C. Walker. 

 The troops who died from wounds were Joseph Loftin, Perry Murrell, John Murrell and Lafayette Thompson.  The men who died 
during the war were Capt. Simms, Thomas Berry, George Crichton, John Geren, George Kimball, Simeon Murrell, Gillam Morrow, 
Abe McKemie, Henry Monzingo, John Pinkard (prison Elmira, N. Y.), Ed Pratt and William Rawles.  The men who escaped with 
wounds were Miles Beach, Dal Beck, Joseph Collins, W. O. Garrison, Stephen Kemp, Thomas King, C. B. Pratt, R. Rogriguez, 
N. J. Sandlin, R. A. Smith, G. L. P. Wren and G. W. Walker.  Private troops discharged: A. Alumnus, J. Boykin, E. L. Burson, Ed
Montgomery, William Martin, Pat Malone, James Mauds, James Nolan, Gus Nunn, M. O'Neal, N. Barksdale, G. Boon, Col. Butler, 
B. Bailey, Marion Canfield, M. S. Cox, W. A. Crawford, John Crichton, G. Doffin, T. Dawson, J. Fincher, J. Godley, Rus Gentry, W. S.
Genan, Josh Grounds, John Grounds, D. Hadley, J. Hutchins, E. J. Hamleton, G. Howell, J. Kingery, R. Long, J. Lancaster, John 
Leary, W. S. Lewis, P. Lewis, A. L. Lewis, Janson Morris, T. Moreland, Pat Murphy, J. Mason, T. Morrow, W. Morrow, William 
Morrow, J. McIntire, B. McFarland, Henry McCoy, ___O'Neal, G. G. Pinkard, James Phillips, Frank Rawles, Al Simmons, Moses, 
Ed and Solomon Strickland, Samuel Shaw, and brother, Walter Scott, Thomas Tooly, Ephriam and Judge Thomas, R. West, M. 
Walker, N. H. Walker and L. B. Watkins.  Only seventeen of fall enrolled returned to the parish.

" The Claiborne Grays," Nineteenth Louisiana Infantry, Company D, was formed in October, 1861, at Minden and Athens, the former
town giving fifty men and the latter thirty men.  On October 10, the command left en route for Camp Moore, and there, before muster
in, was joined by thirty men. The fortunes of the Nineteenth were shared in by Company D, until May 4, 1865, when the Federal,
Canby, forced a surrender.  The soldiers of Company D, who died on the field of battle are named as follows: Sergt. D. H. Britt, J. M.
Geren, J. A. Harris, Green Hall, D. M. Lightsy, I. L. McIntyre, A. C. Morris, William Pool, Robert Scott, A. K. Wilson and G. F. Wise. 
P. L. Minchew was killed by a citizen of Jackson, Miss.  The men who died of wounds received in battle or from other causes, during 
service, were W. D. Allums, Samuel Beaston, D. J. Cannon (suttler of Nineteenth),  C. B. Carr, W. T. Colbert, T. J. Hall, E. W. Hans, 
L. Kemp, W. B. Lewis, F. J. McIntyre, Micah Miller, C. Shoemet (suicide by drowning), Maj. W. B. Scott, A. L. Wilson and W. B. 
White.  Many of the above named died at Tupelo, Miss., in 1862.  The men who survived the war were J. H. Bonard, D. B. Breazeale, 
Frank Bridges, A. H. Blackwell, Sergt. T. M. Berry, Second-Lieut. John Brown, D. B. Cargill, Sergt. O. B. Childress, J. H. Childress, 
Robert Cooper (did not serve owing to old age), W. H. Collins, W. S. And W. P. Culbertson, J. M. Dance, J. C. Davis, Jacob Gall, 
J. P. and T. R. Givin, G. N. Giddens, Dr. or Dock Goodson, James Goodson, W. D. And David Green, E. W. Hardy, W. H. Hargrove, 
J. W. and R. C. Harris, H. W. Howard, W. B. Hussy, T. J. Williams, F. S. Jones, B. F. Johnson, John Langford, J. M. Lewis, Charles 
Murphy, W. F. McClelland, A. D. Mason, W. G. Mosely, S. S. McDaniel, H. McFarland, Capt. Maurice Miller, William, W. D. And
T. M. Newsome, Capt. Samuel Newman, Sergt. Samuel Rochester, Musician G. Rhymes, D. M Sanders, James Seehon, I. C .
Stanley (was not mustered in), John Sullivan, J. J. Sprawls, Second-Lieut. Walter Scott, Second Sergt. John Shuttleworth, J. L. 
Tedder, Second Junior Lieut. J. A. Walker, B. H.

Wren, A. D. Wren, D. C. Wilson, T. J. Winfrey, H. L. Woodard and T. S. Young; 
two soldiers, Louis Groll and Peter Wernett were missing in action.

The Minden Rangers (cavalry) completed organization in March, 1862, and early in April reported for service at Corinth, Miss., with 
F. D. Wimberly, captain; W. C. Patillo, lieutenant; A. G. Harper, second lieutenant, and Joseph Hamilton, third lieutenant.  J. Y. 
Webbs, the first sergeant, was promoted captain on the reorganization of the company; J. J. Carter, third lieutenant; J. H. Simmons,
orderly, and L. B. Watkins, first lieutenant.  The roster contains the following names: P. P Bates, John and S. W. Bennett, Jeff 
Blackman, Dr. Brantly, D. C. And J. M. Canfield, M. Cahill, S. W. Culpepper, William Crocker, John Clinton, James and Stephen 
arby, W. A. Davis, T. Duford, John Dunn, William Eastland, R. G. Evans, E. H. Fay, B. F., J. D. And William Fuller, T. J. Geren, 
J. G. Grounds, T. J. Crossway, Sim Gray, John H. Garrett, Thomas Garion, S. Gallagher, Al and William Jones, J. M Kiler, John 
Lackey, J. L. Lasseur, Jules Lancaster, James Leary and J. C. Loy.  Nathan M. Martin, Second-lieut. Alex. Martin, William Mayberry,
A. McClendon, J. McArthur, J. G. McKemie, J.J. McKee, Nacy Meeks, A. C. Metchew, G. W. Giles, S. A. Louis, J. J. Abram, White
and Thomas Monzingo, Peter and P. Y. Marrow, Daniel Mullins, N. Murphy, Thomas and B. Nelson, A. W. Newsome, T. B. Noel, 
Avery and A. Nolan, A. B. Oliver, M. Pierce, Louis Peters Thomas and Robert Randle, Isaiah and Richard Ratcliff, Dr. And J. H. 
Simmons, William and Milton Smith, Thos. Stanley, J. J. Stewart, J. D. H., D. M. and N. B. Taylor, R. E. Thompson, H. H. Ward, 
Lieut. L. B. Watkins, Irby White, J. C. Wimberly and Cicero Wafer. 

 In 1865 Col. Foley of Illinois, commanded the colored troops in Webster, and had the camp near J. W. Berry's house, where he 
ordered 100 log houses erected.  On the evacuation of this post Col. Berry had the houses burned, except one, in which a widow 
had taken up her quarters.  Foley's office was in W. A. Drake's dwelling, where the Drake store now stands.  On one occasion D. 
W. Canfield was brought up as witness against an colored soldier, and in his evidence used the term nigger.  Col. Foley interrupted 
him, saying, "Mr. Canfield, be careful after this to say soldier."  Custom set this caution at naught, and he used the ostracized term 
again, but, seeing his error at once, looked at Foley and said, "Beg your pardon, Colonel."

In the pages of the general history reference in made to the pioneers of this city.  In 1822 the gunsmith, Deck, settled near by, and 
shortly after Adam L. Stewart settled here, but the town site formed, practically, part and parcel of wilderness up to 1837, when 
Charles H. Veeder, a native of Schenectady, N. Y., born there October 1, 1796, and a soldier of 1812, established his store here 
and determined to make the place the center of trade and justice for Claiborne.  In 1838 his influence won from the State an 
appropriation to be used in erecting a building at Minden for academical purposes, and subsequently aided the preachers in 
organizing the Minden Academy.  His efforts to rob the malarial town of Overton of the parish seat were unsuccessful, and, like 
the ordinary pioneer of Western New York, he looked toward the horizon and wished to settle there.  He did not carry out this wish 
immediately, preferring to see more of the Central and Southern States.  He moved to California in 1849, and after a residence of
twenty-six years there died in 1875.  Augustus D. Jones, of Farmerville, La., writing April 3, 1879, on the founder of Minden, says 
that on July 4, 1870, he red the declaration at Bakersville, Cal., as he did fifty years before for his fellow soldiers of the Revolution.  
In 1838 J. W. Berry, whose title of colonel dates back to 1855, revived the mercantile interest here.  Wilson & Wells, W. A. Drake,
Sr., Myers Fisher, John Chaffe, Foster Robinson, Berry & Thompson, Harvey Drake, William Oliver, J. H. & D. Murrell, were also 
early merchants.

Early in 1837 C. H. Veeder proposed to Reuben Drake a method of settling the differences which then existed between them in the 
matter of title to lands.  Both were the principal proprietors.  The proposition made was this: "That for 120 acres of the 320 you have 
attempted to locate I will give you either 120 other acres near to Minden, I taking my choice, or for the 120 acres I will pay you 
back the money you have already advanced, and I will wait for your answer until Monday next." Veeder gave as his reason for this
proposition his desire to escape trouble which might interfere with the welfare of Minden, where already he had induced Wilson and 
Wells to place $2,000 worth of goods in one building, and where he had erected two buildings at a cost of $600, each of the three
buildings being on one of the eighty acre tracts which Drake had receipts for.  The pre-emptors of the same tracts also had some 
title to them, and herein consisted the trouble.  Those pre-emptors, on proving their claims, would undoubtedly cause the Drake 
entries to be canceled and leave a shadow on the title.  June 16, 1837, the troubles were settled.  Veeder transferred the west half 
of the southeast quarter of Section 22, Township 19, Range 9 west, or 79.94 acres to Reuben Drake in exchange for the west half 
of the northwest quarter of Section 27, Township 19, Range 9, both half

quarters bordering on Minden.  Drake was to have 
surveyed the land fronting on the parallelogram beginning at Wilson & Co.'s town lot, on which their store stood, to Veeder, Cortis
& Co.'s plantation.  Veeder was to have the first choice, and each was to take alternate lots.  A relinquishment to title for the 
parallelogram was also provided for, as well as donations for school and church purposes.  It appears that Veeder had advanced 
$200 cash, and $300 notes to the pre-emptors.  Col. Frazer, Thomas Gibbs, Dr. J. Gibbs and Reuben Drake were the original 
proprietors.  Drury Murrell took Col. Frazer's place and W. A. Drake purchased Reuben Drake's interest, while the Murrell and
Gibbs estates have passed into other hands.

The incorporation of Minden took place in 1854 and on May 8 of that year the aldermen met to organize.  J. W. Berry, C. H. Ardis 
and William Hardy were present and the latter was chosen clerk. C. H. Ardis presided as the mayor elect.  Henry Carleton refused 
to qualify.  Louis Million, Wiley Clayton and R. A. Green were appointed to hold a special election for mayor.  W. T. Hardee was
elected and he with John Chaffe, J. D. Watkins and the aldermen named were present on May 22, "at early candlelighting" within 
the office of Greene & Harris.  J. W. Berry, J. D. Watkins and C. H.Ardis were appointed a committee on laws, and Chaffe and Hardy
on survey of Minden city limits. 

A new deed from Col. J. L. Lewis and wife, granting the cemetery to the town, was demanded and nine ordinances adopted.  
In June Louis Million was elected constable.  On this date a wise motion prevailed; this was an order to the clerk to keep a file 
of the Minden Herald.  In July John Chaffe was appointed treasurer.  G. L. Trott took J. W. Berry's place as alderman.  A patrol
force was appointed with George W. Cheatham, captain, Henry Carleton, W. W. Barrington, John Little and W. H. Carperton, 
members.  

The loan of the seminary bell was obtained and permission given any or everyone to ring it in case of fire.  In October, 
1854, A. Landsberg asked to be relieved to his liquor tax; Williamson Jones was allowed $31.62 for surveying the town limits and 
S. W. Davis $2.50 for hanging the bell.  Mayor Hardee resigned in November, and Henry Carleton was elected.  In January,
1855, the terminus of Dale's Lane was reported as the site for the town prison and at the same time the prison was reported ready 
for the "inspection and reception of the aldermen."  In May W. Jasper Blackburn was chosen mayor, Drury Murrell, Morris Langhorn, 
William Shields, W. H. Caperton and A. B. George, aldermen, and the last named was appointed secretary.

In June the old limits of the town of Warsaw were embraced in Minden, under the act of March 9, 1855; in July John T. Griffin was
elected marshal; six patrol companies were organized, and the following captains appointed:  W. H. Caperton, Isaac Murrell, Henry
Carleton, Dave W. Canfield, John H. Rich and William Oliver.  In December the question of license or no license was decided in
the affirmative, and a license tax of $150 was authorized in April, 1856.  In May, 1856, A. B. George was chosen mayor, with John
Chaffe, J. M. Morrow, Dan McFarland, James D. Harper and C. H.Ardis, aldermen; John Chaffe was secretary.  

In November, 1856, a term of excitement caused the appointment of seven patrol companies, the captains being M. O. Cheatham, 
Willis Gilcoat, David W. Canfield, David Hardy, John T. Griffin, George W. Simms and Wade Barrington.  In May, 1857, F. D. 
Wimberly took McFarland's place, this being the only change in the board of aldermen.  The new member was chosen secretary,
and Ardis, treasurer.  G. W. Simms was elected marshal; Col. John L. Lewis presented the claims of the Vicksburg, Shreveport 
& Texas Railroad Company for

depot grounds opposite Minden; Drury Murrell's tan-yard (just west of Dr. Morgan's house), at
Minden, was declared a nuisance, and he was ordered to remove it within thirty days.  

In November, 1857, there were "fourteen ladders and thirty buckets" ordered to be purchased for the Hook and Ladder Company. 
In December other supplies were authorized, and the following named nominated as captains of patrol companies: John Chaffe,
Dr. John McKemmey, M. Montgomery, Dr. D. McFarland, John C. Loy, W. Shuttleworth, John F. Quinn, J. R. Greggs, Dr. W. 
Rossman, John Lancaster, Dr. J. H. Murrell, B. T. Griffin, Oscar Sherwin, W. C. Maples, A. Landsberg, D. W. Canfield, A. J. 
Reynolds, A. Goodwill, Ed Etter, Jack Hodges, P.P. Bates, Taylor Jones, W. B. Scott, William Life, J. W. Lancaster, P. Bonner, 
Ed E. Pratt, C. A. Lucas, T. Moreland, James Yost, Dr. Fleming, M. Genner, Jesse Waggoner, Ben Neill, J. W. McDonald, 
R. A. Lancaster, William Hardy, Chris Chaffe, W. A .Smith, W. C. Rockwell, Robert Pennall, Dr. J. W. Quarles, A. Spencer, W. A.
Drake, J. B. Hamilton, M. B. Sherwin, Henry St. John, Albert Peabody, H. Hursey, N. J. Sandlin, F. Robinson, Marion Canfield, 
Stephen Life, and all of the persons hitherto named in this record of the council.

In February, 1858, W. A. Drake donated to the city the Male Seminary property; trees were ordered planted on the parallelogram. 
In May, 1858, C. H. Ardis succeeded J. M. Morrow as treasurer; R. A. Lancaster qualified as mayor with J. M. Morrow, J. D. Harper,
Isaac Murrell, F. D. Wimberly and Walter Rossman, aldermen.  In June, 1859, Messrs. Lancaster, Morrow, Harper, A. B. George, 
W. C. Maples and A. Goodwill, qualified as mayor and aldermen.  The latter acted as clerk.  A. B. George was elected attorney 
and A. Goodwill clerk.  The Minden Monitor was then the official journal.  From December 26, 1859 to December, 1860, the 
aldermen seem to have attended to city affairs regardless of the political troubles of the period; trees were planted, the cemetery 
improved, the police service improved.  L. B. Watkins was clerk, but A. Goodwill made the record.  

In March, 1860, Lancaster was mayor, with C. H. Ardis, F. D. Wimberly, J. Y. Webb, L. B. Watkins and A. Goodwill, aldermen: 
and under the auspices of this council the ladies of the town gave a concert, the proceeds of which were to be devoted to further 
cemetery improvements.  In August, 1860, a committee of vigilance and police was appointed, J. Chaffe, J. G. Lewis, T. W. Randle, 
D. B. Hamilton, J. Geren, J. C. Loye and A. Goodwill being members, and in November the office of captain-general of patrol was 
created; under this order A. Goodwill was chosen.  On April 25, 1861, the sum of $250 was appropriated to purchase ammunition 
for the protection of the town.  The new board comprised Mayor Lancaster, Aldermen J. H. Murrell, J. D. Watkins, T. W. Randle, 
C. H. Ardis and J. C. Loy, the two last named being appointed treasurer and clerk, respectively.  A committee was appointed to 
inquire of Mr. Chaffe whether he invested $150, appropriated by the board, in powder, shot and lead; and captains of patrols were 
appointed.  Later the question of loaning money to the Claiborne Grays was settled by giving $300 on a note signed by J. W. 
McDonald and E. T. Jones.  Sam Newman resigned the office of marshal. 

In October, 1862, Mayor Lewis with Messrs.Marrow, Randle and George transacted business; J. H. Murrell being secretary until 
March 5, 1863. From March, 1863, to July 14, 1865, there are no records.  On the latter date Mayor Lancaster with J. C. Loye, 
T. W. Randle, J. G. Lewis, W. C. Patello and A. B. George qualified.  F. Robinson was appointed treasurer, vice D. Murrell.  
In September the mayor was authorized to exchange $45 Confederate money for new issue of State money.  In October, 1865, 
T. W. Randle signs the records as mayor, and A. B. George as secretary, but in May they are re-elected as mayor and alderman, 
with Messrs. George McFarland, Webb and Reynolds, aldermen, and James B. Dugger, marshal. 

In August S.D. Gustinie is a member of the board, and holds office in 1867.  In January, 1868, Alderman J. Y Webb, Dr. McFarland,
A. J. Reynolds and A. B. George were present.  A notice of resignation of Mayor J. Walter Scott and Alderman F. D. Wimberly 
appears at this time. In July, 1868, R. A. Lancaster is mayor, followed on June 1, 1869, by Thomas W. Randle.  At this time the 
pioneer clerk, William Hardy, holds the position which he filled so well in 1854.  S. B. Miller, Chris. Chaffe, A. J. Reynolds and 
A. G. Tompkins, with the mayor and clerk, were all appointed by Warmoth, then governor.  In September this board purchased 
a house and lot from Charles Chaffe, for $750, and Reynolds and Randle were appointed a committee to superintend the building 
of a jail on such lot.  K. C. Patton was captain of police at this time.  In August, 1870, S. G. McKemie was mayor, with G. W. 
Warren, William Hardy, S. B. Miller, C. Chaffe and W. D. Shea, aldermen.  J. G. Warren was mayor in 1871, and Dr. Harper a 
member of council, vice Warren.  On Warren's resignation, as mayor in May, 1872, John Miller was appointed;  Chris. Chaffe, 
Dr. Harper, S. B. Miller, George Bowles and William Hardy, being aldermen.  

In July the council was asked to donate the town hall to the parish, but the request was peremptorily declined.  On October 7 a 
second resolution offered this town hall to the parish, the consideration being that one room in the court-house to be built thereon 
be reserved for the city. The last resolution failed to be ratified by the voters on October 14, 1872, it receiving only forty-seven, while 
opposed by 106 votes.  John L. Hart, an appointee of Gov. Warmoth, was then mayor with the aldermen who served in 1872.  In 
January, 1873, $500 reward was offered for the arrest and conviction on incendiaries connected with the fire of December 30, 1872.  

In March a case of small pox was reported, and measures taken to guard against the spread of the disease.  A board of health was 
established in April with Messrs. Hart, S. B. Miller and Dr. Harper, members.  The new council comprised S. F. Goode, mayor; 
Dr. McFarland and T. M. Turner, new members, with Messrs. Harper, Miller and Bowes, of the old council; T. M. Turner was chosen
clerk, vice William Hardy, who was appointed treasurer.  On September 10 the ordinance to quarantine the town was adopted, and 
continued in force until October 1.  In 1874 Ely Bobo took T. M. Turner's place as alderman; Isaac Sylvester was appointed marshal; 
William Hardy, reappointed treasurer; S. B. Miller, chosen secretary, and T. K. Font, mayor; J. J. Carter, T. R. Geren, P. W. Paul, 
S. W. Culpepper and William Life, aldermen; William Hardy, treasurer, and P. Claffey, marshal.  On the organization of the new
council T. R. Geren was elected clerk.  In June, 1876, C. S. Smith qualified as mayor, and J. P.Scriber, as marshal, otherwise the 
officials were unchanged, and remained unchanged until June, 1877, when T. T. Wooten, T. M. Turner and Frank Sherman replaced \
Culpepper, Life and Carter. 

The council elected in 1878 was presided over by P. W. Paul, as mayor; the aldermen being Ben Wade, William Life, T. R. Geren, 
William Manly and W. A. Crawford.  Marshal Scriber and Treasurer Hardy were re-elected. In May, 1879, the governor issued 
commissions to P. W. Paul, mayor, T. R .Geren, W. Life, W. J. Reams, vice Manly, W. A. Crawford, and T. B. Neal, vice Wade, 
aldermen; J. W. Wooley, marshal, and J. Y. Webb, treasurer.  

The Minden elections of May, 1880, resulted in the choice of P. W. Paul, mayor; John W. Wooley, marshal; W. Life, W. A. 
Crawford, T. R. Geren, T. B. Neal and W. J. Reams, aldermen, and J. Y. Webb, treasurer.  The same officials were re-elected in 
1881, 1882 and 1883.  In May, 1883, the question of a 5-mill tax, to be levied annually for ten years, to aid in building the Minden 
Railroad and Compress Company's road from Minden to Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific, near J. G. Lane's house, was submitted.  
A vote was taken June 16, 1883, and resulted in a majority for the special tax.  C. S. Smith was mayor at this time, vice Mayor Paul, 
resigned.  

In January, 1884, the small-pox scare reminded the council of duties almost forgotten, and measures were taken to battle with the
threatened epidemic.  In May, 1884, William A. Crawford was elected mayor, defeating C. S. Smith by a vote to 159 to 87.  John 
W. Wooley, marshal; T. Crichton, S. B. Miller, H. A. Barnes, W. J. Reams and George Bowes, aldermen; J. Y. Webb, treasurer, 
and W. J. Reams, secretary.  Minden elected in May, 1885, W. A. Crawford, mayor; W. J. Reams, H. A. Barnes, S. B. Miller, 
George Bowes (colored) and T. R. Geren, aldermen; E. L. Berry, marshal, and J. Y. Webb, treasurer.  In May, 1886, W. A. 
Crawford was re-elected mayor; F. H. Drake, J. T. Mims. N. I. Barnes (acting mayor), R. L. Shepard (colored) and T. R. Geren, 
aldermen; G. E. Bailey, marshal; J. Y. Webb, treasurer, and T. R. Geren, clerk.  In 1887 E. H. Canfield was mayor; Messrs.
Barnes, Mims, Geren, W. J. Reams and Frank Humphries, aldermen; T. R. Geren, clerk, and J. O. Monzingo, marshal.

In 1888 A. G. Chaffe was chosen mayor to succeed E. H. Canfield;  W. J. Reams, F. J. Moess, F. H.Drake, J. Y. Webb, Jr., and 
T. R. Geren were elected alderman, and A. S. Harrell, marshal.  In May, 1889, T. Crichton and J. M. Miller, with Reams, Moess 
and Geren formed the council, Mayor Chaffe still presiding , and G. W. Adams, marshal.  In February, 1890, with J. J. Holmes, mayor;
J. M. Miller, Walton Fort, George Life, T. Crichton and T. R. Geren, aldermen, and the latter, clerk.  At this meeting the committee 
appointed in April, 1890, reported, stating that the oldest map of the town was compared with the official map, and that a street, 
now obstructed by M. S. MacKenzie's cotton yard, is found marked under the name of Green Street.  Acting on this report an 
ordinance providing for the reopening of Green Street was adopted.  This ordinance led to the law proceeding now pending between 
M. S. MacKenzie and the city-Watkins and Watkins representing the corporation, and A. J. Murff, the complainant.  The demand 
for opening has only been made recently, and the right to vacate is denied by the owner of the property.

The postmasters at Minden since 1837 were Myers Fisher, a son-in-law of Veeder; J. W. Berry was appointed in 1839; Baker, 1842.  
Prior to the Mexican War, W. A. Drake, 1846, was master, with Harvey Drake, deputy; followed by E. Etter, 1847; Mrs. Yost later, 
Mrs. Etter, 1853; Trott, before the war; R. E. Lancaster, 1859; Dr. J. D. Harper, John T. Tompkins, J. C. Wilkins and Dr. Harper. 
John T. Tompkins was in office in 1869, when J. C. T. Chaffe came, then J. C. Wilkins was master, J. C. T. Chaffe was appointed 
in 1877, and has since been commissioned, and is not the incumbent under commission issued by the Hayes administration.

The fire of December 30, 1872, resulted in the destruction of the business center from the site of the present Goodwill Store, south 
to the Drake Store, namely Hart's two-story building, formerly Wimberly's store; William Oliver's store; F. Robinson's store, where 
is now Capt. Webb's store; S. B. Miller's grocery, where is now the office of the Eagle Eye and Miller's jewelry store; Barry & 
Warren's general store, where Leary & Crichton's store now is; William Holmes' and Culpepper's house, where the Jones' saloon 
now is, while the grocery store which occupied the site of the present Hill store was blown up to save the Drake building.
A year prior to this the brick store of Chaffe Shea & Loye, which stood on the site of the present S. J. Webb store, was burned,
but the walls were left standing.  The restored walls form the present building.  Gall, the Dutchman was burned out, as it was in his 
building the fire originated.  Lansburg's saloon was destroyed and some smaller houses.  

On another occasion Gall's store and the old Town Hall were burned. The explosion of powder took place in the house occupied by
Dr. Morgan at present.  It was then the property of John Chaffe, and to destroy this building a negro slave named Armstead, cook
for the Chaffe household, stole a keg of powder from the warehouse, and placing it in the parlor (under John Chaffe's bed-room, with 
an ax on top of the keg), he made a powder fuse and set it ton fire.  In a very little while there was a loud report, and the ax went 
through the ceiling and the roof; but left the proposed victim untouched.  Owing to the windows giving way, the force of the explosion 
was lost on the house, and comparatively little damage done to property or injury to life.  A meeting of citizens was called immediately,
who examined the building, and arrested about 100 slaves.  After a day or two Armstead acknowledged the crime, stating that he was 
urged to this measure by Chaffe's statement that "a nigger's life was no more to him than a chicken's life."  Armstead was then 
regularly arrested  and tried before two justices of the peace and a jury.  He was found guilty, taken north of the present court-house, 
about three-quarters of a mile and hanged by the sheriff.  This tree was cut down by S. F. Goode, when he took up his residence.  
Some years before this, in 1838, Sam, a slave of James E. Williams, was hanged on the same tree for assaulting a white lady.

The midnight fire of January 18-19, 1884, at Murrell's Point, two and one-half miles from Minden, destroyed 1,145 bales of cotton
 belonging to Loye, Chaffe and Co., J. Y. Webb & Son, P. Doyle, Leary & Crichton, M. S. MacKenzie, Goodwill, T. B. Neil and 
resident planters. The fire of December 22, 1888, originated in the Chaffe livery stable, and resulted in the destruction of all 
improvements on his grounds, including a new residence.  The Taylor Hotel and the dwellings of J. J. and H. M. Carter, J. H. 
Tillman and Mrs. Brown were saved through the exertions of the people. 

Crawford's Hall, 100 x 30 feet, two stories, was completed in 1878. The Goodwill building, covering 18,999 square feet, was 
opened in September, 1889.  At the time, this was stated to be the largest mercantile building in the State. Minden Lodge No. 
51, A. F. & A. M., was constituted in 1845 with W. S. Pennall, W. M.; R. L. Horn, S. W.; Philo Alden, J. W.; S. P. Day, 
Sec.; R. J. B. Lowry, Treas.; R. E. Bates, S. D.; J. H. Brown J. D.; S. S. Allen, tyler; John L. Hodges, Perry Wimberly, James 
Ford, J. Hayden, James E. Williams and Robert Hodges being members.  A charter was issued April 19, 1845, and under it the
same officers were elected.  Of all named, James Ford alone lives, residing west of Dorcheat, being the senior citizen in 
settlement and age of Ward 3.  In September, 1845, the name of J. W. Berry as temporary senior warden, and in 1846 as 
temporary worshipful master.  In point of membership he comes next to James Ford.  Perry Wimberly, who lived ten miles 
south, was the first violent death, being killed by his son.  
\
In December, 1847, Robert Hodges of Bossier Point, was chosen master. In September, 1848, the deaths of Titus Kellogg at 
Sharon Church and T. Sutton are noticed.  W. S. Pennall, who killed himself, was buried May 13, 1849.  J. W. Berry was 
master in 1850, and John Little is named as pastmaster and as worshipful master in 1851.  Charles Chaffe was master in 
1852; A. E. Clemmons, 1853; S. L. Slack, 1854.  John Little was killed in Sherwin's steam saw-mill in February, 1854, 
where is now the foundry.  Dr. H. McFarland was master in 1855; M. Langhorn,1856; William Lee, 1857 (at this time 
Bates or Gilcoate filled the tyler's office, which was held by S. S. Allen for twelve years); J. W. Berry was master in 
1860 with S. S. Allen, tyler.  Harley Ratcliff served as temporary master in the absence of Col. Berry.  

During the War Gen. Polinack's division camped east of Warsaw, and the regimental lodge met in the Minden lodge-room.  
Under the present room, three men were tried for desertion, convicted and shot.  They are buried on the Reagan plantation.  
Their captain was shot at Camden, Ark.  In 1866 Coodwill, Paxton and Burnett signed resolutions on the death of R. R. Robey.  
John L. Hodges' death is also noticed.  Col. Berry served as master until January 1, 1869, when W. E. Paxton was elected;
but Col. Berry was re-elected in 1870, and served until December, 1872, when T. M. Fort was elected.  J. J. Carter in 1874-75;
P. H. L. Hargrove in 1876; James F. Taylor, 1877; Thomas O. Benton, 1878-80; T. R. Geren, 1881-81; J. J. Carter, 1883-84; 
 R. Geren, 1885-90, who presided over the lodge in August, 1890.  J. W. Berry has served as secretary since January 1, 1873,
except for one year, when Parson McGee kept the records.  The membership in fifty.  The lodge building was erected in 1847, 
from plans by Thomas I. Wierman.

Minden Chapter, R. A. M. No. 17, dates it new charter to March 7, 1887.  It was first chartered February 16, 1853, but worked 
U. D. For at least a year prior to issue of the old charter.  The first record book on the chapter was destroyed in the fire which 
burned the Berry store in 1871 or 1872. The oldest record now existing dates back to 1869, and from it the following items of 
history are taken:  In 1869-72 D. B. Doyle was H. P.; Dr. Whitfield's death was noticed in 1872; D. B. Hamilton was H. P. in 
1874; D. B. Doyle, in 1875; S. W. Culpepper, 1876; J. J. Carter, 1877; D. B. Hamilton, 1879; J. C. T. Chaffe, 1880; J. F. Taylor, 
1882; D. B. Hamilton was elected in 1884, and the record for December, 1885, points out the election of J. C. T. Chaffe, H. P., 
and J. W. Berry Sec.  Owing to the decrease in membership the chapter is now sleeping.The old Off Fellow lodge has long since 
ceased to exist.  One of the old members, Moess, is still a resident of this town.

Webster Lodge No. 4, K. of P., Minden, was instituted in March, 1879, with the following named officers in lodge rank: D. B. 
Hamilton,*  T. O. Benton, J. C. T. Chaffe, P. H. L. Hargrove, J. M. McBride, J. C. Loye, W. D. English, J. W. Wortz, J.
Bayondoffer and F. J. Moses.  The other charter members were H. Peiser, J. C. Wilkins, W. D. McDonald,* A. Fischer, 
* W. A. Crawford, A. Zodiag, George Doyle,* Abe Levy, H. Loop and E. Sugden.  The names marked * are deceased, while 
those marked with  have been enrolled as past chancellors.  Among the members who filled this position are T. G. Geren,
J. J. Carter, T. B. Neil, J. D. McIntyre, W. A. Sugg, S. J. Harrell, W. J. Reams and J. F. Hill.  Messrs. McBride, Geren, Sugden,
McIntyre, Wilkins and Sugg have served as K. of R. & S., J. C. Wilkins holding that office for the past seven years.  There are 
now (August, 1890), twenty-five members with hall in Neal's brick building. Endowment Rank, Section 321, has lost four members 
since organization, viz.: M. C. Smith, S. S. Doyle, J. T. Tompkins and W. N. Collins.

In 1838 an appropriation of $1,500 was granted by the State, on representation of Charles H. Veeder and others, to erect a 
building for educational purposes.  The house was completed, named Minden Academy, and Rev. R. T. Boggs placed in charge.  
The affair was primitive even fifty-two years ago, but the State appropriation gave to it a nominal importance.  Henry M. Spofford
succeeded as teacher of the male and female pupils, followed successively by Messrs. Burke, a layman, and the preachers
William Brooks and W. H. Scales.  In 1850 the mixed character, as well as the name changed, and the Minden Female Seminary 
was brought into existence.  A house was erected for the uses of a boy's school, W. A. Drake, Sr., subscribing $1,500 toward 
its construction.  In July, 1852, W. A. Drake, D. Murrell, J. Gibbs and T. Gibbs donated eighty and two-thirds acres to the Male 
Academy.  The old school was reopened under its new name in September, 1850, by John Garvin, J. D. Watkins having charge 
of the Minden Male Academy with A. B. George assistant teacher.  

In 1853 the title, Minden Female College, was adopted and S. L. Slack elected president of the trustees as well as principal.  
During his administration new buildings were erected.  In 1856 J. F. Ford was chosen president and served until the beginning 
of 1862.  The boarding-hall and concert-hall were built during his term.  Rev. Dr. Bright served from 1862 to 1871, when Rev.
T. B. Russell was appointed principal.  On his resignation, in 1872, Miss Mildred Boyle was appointed to that position.  In 1876
Thomas O. Benten was placed in charge as president, serving until February, 1879, when George D. Alexander was appointed 
to serve until 1886.  Mayor A. L. Cox was elected president by the trustees, and served until 1888, when Prof. P. B. H. Shearer, 
who presides at present with Prof. Garrison, S. D. Spann, Mrs. DuBose, Miss Weisler, Mrs. Shearer and Mrs. Wren forming
the faculty.  The average attendance in 1890 is stated to be about 100.In 1886 T. M. Fort was succeeded as secretary by T. R. 
Geren.  Dr. Hamilton, the president of the board was succeeded by J. J. Carter.  According to the present record book Dr. 
Hamilton served from 1876 to June, 1885, when he moved to Shreveport.

The first record of the Minden Methodist Circuit dates back to February 9, 1856, when the first quarterly meeting was held at 
Pleasant Grove Church.  Joel Sanders was P. E.; R. R. R. Alexander, P. C.; David Lawrence, L. E.; Oats Caraway, L. D.; 
and William Hardy, C. L. and R. S. Jacob Miller was appointed circuit steward.  In 1857 A E. Goodwyn; R. Randle was P. E. 
The classes comprised Minden, Cross Roads, Bossier Point, Flat Lick and Oak Grove, and the annual income was $1,325. 
In 1860 New Hope Church, Kinnon's Chapel and Mount Zion classes (four miles northeast) are mentioned.  Rev. S. S. Scott 
was preacher.  There was a class at Hickory Grove in 1865.  John A. Miller was P. E. In 1866, and T. B. White preacher in 
1867.  The income of the circuit was $1,763.  Samuel Armstrong was elder in 1868, and S. S. Scott supernumerary (now of 
Texas Conference). In 1869 T. J. Upton was pastor, Pine Grove being then in the circuit.  N. A. Cravens preached herein 
1870, and S. S. Scott was P. E. in 1871, followed by N. M. Skipworth, P. E., and W. P. Kimball, preacher.  In 1873 H. O. 
White preached here, and Mr. Scott was P. E.  J. A. Miller was preacher in 1874, followed by M. C. Manley, the blind 
preacher, in 1875.  At this time mention of the class at Curry's School-house is made, and also of a class at Oak Ridge. 
In 1877 James E. Bradley was preacher, and later J. H. Stone was P. E.  In 1878 Millwood Class is named. Prior to this 
time G. L.

P. Wren generally served as secretary of the conference.  In 1881 J. A. Parker was P. E., and John 
A. Miller, preacher; A. A. Cornett, P. E., and J. M Brown, P. C., were here in 1882.  J. A. Parker was preacher in 1883-84.  
In 1885 John T. Sawyer was P. E., and J. J. Billingsley, P. C., succeeded in 1887 by Robert Randle, P. E., and Christian 
Keener, P.C.  In December, 1885, William Hardy signed the records as recording steward for the last time.  In September, 
1886, William A. Sugg signs as R. C. and in December, 1886, Walton Fort, the present R. C., signed for the first time.  
In 1888 H. O. White became pastor, followed by Rev. J. W. Medlock.  The new classes are known as Brushwood, Evergreen 
and Lane's Chapel (Sibley).  The total income in about $1,200.  The church-house was erected in 1844, on lots donated by 
W. A. Drake.

The Baptist society was organized on December 29, 1844, by Revs. W. J. Larkin, presiding, and L. L. Washburn, clerk;  
Elizabeth B. Sligh (now of Athens), Phoebe Brisel (died at Minden), William Drew (died before the war), and Thomas Lovel 
(died before the war) being the constituent members.  The pastors of this church, in the order of service are named as follows:  
G. W. Baines, 1845, (J. T. Morrow, clerk); James Buys, October, 1849; A. E. Clemmons, September, 1850; H. Lee, October,
1854; J. C. Foster, January, 1857; J. B. Hartwell, September, 1857; N. P. Moore, June, 1858; W. C.Crain, September, 1860; 
W. Bayliss, December, 1862; W. E. Paxton, February, 1866; H. Z. Ardis, January, 1873; E. Kirtley, January, 1874; W. H.
McGee, February, 1877; W. C. Frily, March, 1885; T. B. Harrell, November, 1883; and G. M Harrell, December 27, 1885.  
Mercer Canfield was clerk in 1847 (killed at Mansfield), succeeded by D. W. Canfield in 1849; A. B. George was clerk in
January, 1853; John Geren, clerk, September, 1853; E. S. Virnal, March, 1854; C. H. Ardis, August, 1855.  Clerk John 
Geren died in 1863.  John D. McIntyre was clerk in 1872; James F. Taylor, clerk, January, 1875; S. W. Tullos, 1878; 
W. P. Leary, November, 1883.

A colored minister of the gospel, of Rehobeth Church, Mount Lebanon, preached at Minden in 1849. In Mr. Harrell's charge 
are the churches at Coushatta and Bellevue, as well as at Minden.  The membership at Minden is stated to be 113, at 
Coushatta, 35, and at Bellevue, 20.  There is a small society at Houghton, of which Mr. Hinson has charge.  At Minden 
is a colored Baptist Church, and around the parish seat are many colored societies of this faith.  Among the old members 
now living are Mrs. Drury Murrell and E. W. Canfield, who are still residents.  The building now used as a house of worship 
was erected about 1846-47, but has often been subjected to repairs.  The lumber was obtained from the Canfield mill, 
one and one-half miles east.  The building committee comprised James Canfield, James Boyes, J. H. Cunningham, John 
Geren and J. T. Morrow.  The older organizations at Overton, Providence, Mount Lebanon, Athens and other places are 
referred to in the history of Claiborne and Bienville Parishes.  On Flat Lake, Township 20, Range 8, a little Baptist Church 
building was erected prior to 1844, the Grounds and other residing in the neighborhood. 

A Cumberland Presbyterian congregation was gathered at Minden in 1849 by Mr. G. N. Clampitt, who addressed them on 
the special advantages of that denomination.  In 1852 the Givens family settled on the edge of the present parish, all members 
of this church.  In 1852 a society was organized at Shongaloo by Mr. Clampit, and in 1855 W. B. Scott, a Methodist preacher 
of Minden, joined the Presbyterians.  H. B. McMahon also aided in spreading the gospel around old Russellville, and in
1858 organized a society there known as Salem Church, and also one at Minden, which was lost during the war.  In October, 
1870, the Salem Society was revived, together with other churches, so that by 1877, of the sixteen societies belonging to the 
Louisiana Presbytery, eight were in Webster and Claiborne.  In 1878 F. E. Leach was appointed preacher, with headquarters 
at Haynesville, while in 1880 G. R.  Stewart took up his residence at Salem.  During the war H. B. McMahon, John Nevens 
(a refugee from Missouri, in charge of State papers), and R. M. Searcy were active workers in this section, while preceding
 the war the names of W. Forhenberry and W. Harton appear in connection with evangelistic work.

Presbyterianism was introduced at Overton in 1838 by A. R. Banks, a preacher from Arkansas, who addressed a small 
congregation in the court-house.  In 1839 he and John Boggs preached at Minden, and by means of conversation won a few 
adherents.  Mr. Boggs made a stay of twenty months here, teaching school and preaching.  Not until 1854, however, was 
there an organization here, for on February 12 of that year John E. Davidson was installed pastor by Revs. J. F. Ford and 
S. P. Heline. The first pastor lived near Athens, Claiborne Parish, that year.  From 1856 to 1864 Rev. J. F. Ford was preacher 
here, having presided over the seminary from 1856 to 1962.  Dr. Bright succeeded him, and he was followed by Rev. J. T. 
Davidson, of Homer, who supplied the pulpit occasionally up to his death in 1881, in fact he was connected with all the 
Presbyterian Churches in the old Claiborne District from his coming in 1852 to the time of his death.  Evangelists' McInnes 
in 1876, and Dr. Bright in 1877, did some effective work.  In 1883 Dr. McNeal Turner came to supply the churches. The 
church-house at Minden was completed and dedicated in 1889, by Rev. Mr. Van Lear, the contract being made in April, 
1888, between W. H. Adams, builder, and Rev. J. T. Sails, who filled the pulpit, W. D. English and F. H. Drake, the committee. 
The total cost was $2,500, all of which was subscriber prior to April, 1888.  The only male members in 1890 are Harvey 
Drake, F. H. Drake and W. D. English.  The total membership is ten.  The lot was donated by Harvey Drake, some years
ago, in accordance with the wishes of W. A. Drake, although not a member.

In Early years a few Catholic families settled in the parish, and from 1857 to 1867 were visited by missionary priests 
from Shreveport.  In 1867 a small chapel was erected just north of the Baptist Church, and here the services of the
church are held once a month, by one of the priests of Shreveport.  In 1879 Father Gentille held the services of the 
church at Minden.  On July 23 of this year the spirited letter of P. W. Paul in re this church, appeared in the Tribune.

The English Protestant Episcopal Society existed without organization as far back as 1853, when Capt. Goodwill, the 
Chaffes and other settlers of English nativity were visited by ministers of their faith.  In 1870 the church-house just
east of the court-house was erected.  Regular services were held for some time, but in later years the visits of 
ordained ministers are made at long intervals.

There are three colored church buildings with large congregations-one Baptist and two Methodist. The colored 
Gentiles hold revival services often, and by this means win great numbers to their several beliefs.  What religion 
has accomplished for those African men and women is a subject on which their own philosophers hold varied 
views.

n 1884 a Young Men's Christian Association was organized here.  In 1885 the members elected Samuel G. Webb, 
president; Walton Fort, secretary, and George S. Carroll, treasurer, shortly after the organization fell, and has not been 
revived.

Minden has a good trade, shipping 10,000 bales of cotton, principally to Shreveport, though much goes direct to New 
Orleans.  It is only two and one-half miles from Bayou Dorcheat, which is navigable for light craft, though not used 
since the Minden Tap has connected it with the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific, five miles away. The Minden Tap 
road was completed October 27, 1885.  Except $8,000 borrowed in New Orleans, the people of Minden subscribed 
the whole sum.  The Official Railway List gives the gauge as 481/2,

mileage 5; locomotives 1, and passenger cars 
1.  The Vicksburg Shreveport & Pacific freight cars are used.  The office of superintendent was abolished in April, 
1888.  This was first held by Cecil Fleming, and subsequently by M. N. Coe.  The president chosen in 1886 was 
Alfred Goodwill.  The present officers are Thomas Crichton, president; F. H. Drake, vice-president; J. J. Holmes, 
secretary; W. P. Leary, treasurer, and R. T. Boyle, agent and auditor.  The Tap Railroad is remarkably will
managed.

The great Cotton Compress comes next in importance as an industry.  No sooner was it complete than the old town, 
which lagged for a time, resumed her wonted activity.  On August 15, 1890, the Crow Brothers sent in the first bale 
of cotton to Minden.  It weighed 440 pounds, and was purchased by McKenzie at 13 1/2 cents per pound.  He 
purchased the first bale twelve times in the last fourteen years.  On August 13, 1888, Capt. Webb purchased 
the first bale from Nat Turner, at 11 cents per pound.

The blacksmith ship established by Chris Chaffe in 1850 is still in existence, the livery stable was started soon after, 
then the foundry and machine ship, and next the harness, carriage and repair shops. This pioneer mechanic is still 
a resident of the town.  A printing press was turned out of this foundry before or during the war.  The city is not without
its inventors, A. S. Harrell's cotton chopper, and the Webb Compress are evidences of progress 
in invention.