Miscellaneous: S. J. Harper, 1929, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: August 8, 1929 Winn Parish Enterprise

The following is part of a series of articles concerning Winn Parish
businesses published
during a "shop at home" campaign in Winn Parish, 1929.

S. J. Harper

S. J. Harper of the S. J. Harper general merchandise store is the oldest
merchant in Winnfield from the point of continuous service and probably age,
he claims.  Mr. harper is 68 years old, and he has been in the same business
here for 28 years.

Back in 1901 when Mr. Harper, William Hart, and J. E. DeLoach opened a store
in a building that was located on Abel Street where Shaw-Carter Company is
now, it was said that this new business made the fourth store of any
importance in the town.  At that time stores were operated by Uncle Morris
Bernstein, Mathis & Seiss, and Jim Wright.  A brick building later replaced
the first building of Harper's store.

Mr. Harper came to Winnfield from Flat Creek, where he had run a store for
about a year. At the end of the first year of business in Winnfield he and Mr.
DeLoach bought out Mr. Hart.  In 1903, Mr. Harper purchased Mr. DeLoach's
interest, and he has been sole owner of the store since that time.  Mr.
Harper's store is now in the Masonic building on Court Street.

This store has increased stock from year to year and enjoyed a gradual growth. 
The buyer may find there everything in the mercantile line, from piece goods
to feeds, and also farm implements.

Mr. Harper does not believe that Winnfield will ever be a large town, but
there is room for great development.  He declares that tax rates must be
lowered if new industries locate here.

"Winnfield should attract the pulp mill industry," Mr. Harper said.  "Our
timber is just about gone, and it won't be many years before the lumber
industry in this country will dwindle down to almost nothing.  We have fields
and fields of stumps that it seems to me could be used by pulp mills.  A large
paper mill has recently bought up land in this parish. But we must lower our
rate of taxation if we induce capital to develop our territory."

Mr. Harper is also a farmer.  He has three farms, two near Winnfield, totaling
75 acres, and one in Franklin Parish near Crowville.