Family Reunions & Birthdays: J. M. Ferguson, 1934, 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 8, 1934 Winn Parish Enterprise J. M. Ferguson Celebrates 86th Birthday November 7 Amuses Family and Friends With Stories of Colfax Riot and Other Bits of History J. M. Ferguson of Atlanta, who celebrated his 86th birthday at his home in Atlanta Wednesday, November 7, 1934, with all his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren present, was the center of his family and friends circle that day as he told "hair-raising" stories of the Colfax Riot and carpetbag days, and related other interesting and valuable "bits" of Winn Parish history from those memorable days. Mr. Ferguson was born in Florida. He came to live in Winn Parish in 1870 and located in the Atlanta Community, at which place he has resided since. He is now the oldest man in Ward Six. He has seen many improvements since he came to live here sixty-four years ago, has lived in "hard times, good times, and panics", the longest hare times being the recent depression. Mr. Ferguson believes that things are now getting better. In speaking of the reconstruction days, Mr. Ferguson told how a few Winn Parish citizens offered to help their neighbors and how the riot occurred in 1873. He was the first man to shoot a gun to notify the white men that the negroes were coming. He told how after the negroes had surrendered and were at the Colfax courthouse, that they shot one of the white men, a Mr. Hadnott, and how afterwards the Hadnotts shot every negro they saw. This is the reason, he said, that there were no negroes at Pollock, La. When the carpetbaggers came, Mr. Ferguson, with Sam and Dan Barr, and J. C. Patten, camped in the woods for six months fearing that if they went to their homes the negroes would notify the carpetbaggers of their whereabouts. (Mr. Ferguson had the pleasure of having as his guest on hie 86th birthday, Mr. Patten, who is also a resident of Atlanta). Mr. Ferguson also related how the West Clan ruled in that section. How they were captured and later some hanged and others shot. He also recalls when mining for silver and gold was carried on at Couchie (Coochie Break)by Colonel Jack of Natchitoches. Mr. Ferguson is affiliated with the Methodist Church of Atlanta. He has served as steward in the church since 1872 and has served as superintendent and teacher in the Sunday School. He has never failed to have family prayer every night at his home. In business Mr. Ferguson was very successful. He engaged in buying land and timber for the large sawmills. He was connected with the Louisiana Sawmill Company at Whitford, La. In 1903 he engaged in the mercantile business and conducted a very profitable establishment for a number of years. At this time he hauled his wares and merchandise from Montgomery. Later the L. R. & N. Railway came through Atlanta, and Mrs. Ferguson sold his business to M. F. Collier. He also engaged in farming and stock-raising, in which he still indulges. Mr. Ferguson was considered a great hunter of bears and deer and a fisherman of note, and he still loves the sport. In 1877, Mr. Ferguson was married to Miss Rebecca Green of near Winnfield. She is now 78 years of age and along with her husband received many gifts from their six living children, twenty grandchildren, three great grandchildren, six sons and daughters-in-law, all of whom were present on this occasion. At noon time three long tables were loaded with food of every kind and forty- nine people enjoyed the repast. They were: Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Ferguson and children, Tritos and Voncile, Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Collier, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Neal, Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Ferguson, Mrs. J. J. Bell, Mrs. John D. Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. Ashton Collier and son, Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Neal, Mr. and Mrs. Buel Ferguson and son Billy Ray, Mr. and Mrs. O. G. Neal and daughter, Dorothy, Orrin Ferguson, Vara Ferguson, Sybil Ferguson, Telan Ferguson, Prentis, Manrie, Velma, Mildred, Mable and Margaret Ferguson, Huey, Clyde, and Alvin Neal, Alton Collier, Mrs. J. C. Patten, Misses Jeanette Irvin, and Evelyn Billings, and Mr. Wallace. Among those calling in the afternoon were Misses Mary Riser and Marcel Irvin, and Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Walker. (I question the 1870 date in this article as the Fergusons were here prior to the War of Northern Aggression and were early settlers of the area that is now Atlanta, La. I believe the Ferguson family will confirm this.)