Historic Places: Winn Parish Courthouse, 1950, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: November 3, 1950 Winnfield News-American 90 Year Old Court House Trees Cut Down Two Historic Landmarks Dead & Gone Two historic Winn Parish landmarks are dead and gone. This week City Electric and Water Department personnel, assisted by negro laborers, cut down two gigantic old oak trees on the southwest corner of the court house square. The two trees, which mysteriously withered and died in recent months, were condemned and cut down because they were judged as hazards to motorists parking in that area. Several dead limbs already had fallen from the trees and there was some danger that a damaged car or an injured pedestrian could lead to a lawsuit. So, alert city officials decided they should come down, and the Electric and Water Department was asked to do the job. Although that department is not in the habit of trimming or cutting trees, officials agreed to do it as a civic service to the public, as the court house grounds are public property. Thus the task was completed Wednesday after nearly two days of tedious work. Trees 90 Years Old The two trees are believed to be about 90 years of age. They were probably just very little sprouts when Winn Parish and the entire nation were involved in a great Civil War. P. K. Abel, well known 83 year old Winn Parish native, remembers that they were just little saplings when he was a six year old lad. At that time, he recalls, he and his sister had an old tin-type picture made on the court square. That was back in 1873. The court house at that time was a two story frame building that was later destroyed by fire. Mr. Abel also recalls that much of the city business district was once shaded by dozens of beautiful trees that were cut down to make room for paved streets and business firms. The two trees felled this week were left standing many years ago when the area was cleared to make room for the first court house building at the present site. The present brick structure was erected in 1921. Speaking of court houses, Mr. Abel remembers that court was first held in Winnfield in a building then located across the street from the present site of the L & A depot. (Note: Many sources in the past have stated that the original Winnfield courthouse was a log building which was situated west of the current court square, and was moved to a site across from where the old L. & A. Depot stood on South Jones Street. It is possible that this story "meant" to say just that. Mr. Robert C. Jones, long time Winn Clerk of Court lived in this old log home after it was moved from about where the old A & P building stands today across Main Street from the Bank of Winnfield and across Jones Street from the current court house.) He also brought to our attention a statement made in writing by Dr. Milton A. Dunn, who practiced medicine in Montgomery and Colfax about 1895. His statement was: "First court held in Winn Parish on San Antone Trace, Allbright's Prairie, in John Watson's grocery-saloon. Dare you to prove otherwise." Why Did Trees Die? Some Winn folks were wondering this week what caused the two trees to die. There was no certain answer to that question, but it is believed lack of sufficient moisture was the principal cause. The trees were located on sloping ground between the paved street and the sidewalk. Rainwater falling on the area quickly flows off into the adjacent gutter, and very little moisture soaks in. One unconfirmed rumor is that the trees were killed by an underground formation of gas. Anyway, the trees are dead and two historic Winn Parish landmarks are gone. City Electric and Water Department personnel who assisted with the tree- felling job were L. E. Donohoe, J. D. Jones, Robert Cherry, Oscar Lovell, and several colored assistants.