PROBATE FILE OF I.A. HARGIS, Winn Parish, Louisiana Contributed by Peggy Beaubouef ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** All genealogists hope to find that elusive ancestor who left the perfect will naming his wife, all his children, their spouses, his parents, in-laws, all the slaves, and references to places of prior residence. Unfortunately, few of us ever find such a document or such a thoughtful ancestor! Most died intestate, meaning they left no will. Assuming that no will means nothing of value in your ancestor's probate file may cause you to overlook some wonderful documents and information. The probate file of Mr. Ildephonso Albinos Hargis is an outstanding example of the possibilities in these files. I.A. Hargis died 22 September 1886 in Ward 8 of Winn Parish. His obituary gave the cause of death as "something like a carbuncle which made its appearance on the hip, and gradually extended down the thigh, until a putrid sore covered the whole surface of the inner portion of his thigh, causing the flesh to rot off to the bone." His probate file revealed the final statement from his doctor showing the drugs used in the extended treatment of this ailment and the cost involved. The file also contained a bill from Bernstein's store in Winnfield showing the purchases made the day Mr. Hargis died, outfitting the coffin and Mr. Hargis for burial. (Notation at the top of the bill reads "for Burial Apparrial".) A bill from the local newspaper for printing succession notice gives us a glimpse into the past via the letterhead of the Southern Sentinel. The inventory of his estate tells in great detail exactly what property he owned, both real and personal, thereby giving a further glimpse into his life. The subsequent auction of the estate gives us a wonderful list of Mr. Hargis' neighbors and relatives who purchased his property at that sale. Few wills ever give the variety of information this probate file provided. Some of the documents mentioned are reproduced from the originals and the others are transcribed on the following pages. First is a complete transcription of his obituary printed in the Southern Sentinel 24 Sep 1886 . . . "It is with sorrow that we have to chronicle the death of Mr. I.A. Hargis, of Ward 8, which sad event occurred on Wednesday of this week. Mr. Hargis had been confined to his bed for some time, on account of something like a carbuncle which made its appearance on the hip, and gradually extended down the thigh, until a putrid sore covered the whole surface of the inner portion of his thigh, causing the flesh to rot off to the bone. He had had rheumatism severely, in this hip before the carbuncle appeared. No doubt he suffered a thousand deaths before death finally relieved him. He was one of the best citizens of the parish, a consistent member of the Baptist Church, in which he was a Deacon, was about 32 years of age, born and reared in Winn Parish, La., and leaves a wife and five children, father, mother and many brothers and sisters to mourn his demise. In his death, his family is bereft of a protector, the Church loses a valued member, the country one of her best citizens, and the SENTINEL, one of its best subscribers, and the editor loses a very dear personal friend, with whom he has been associated, more or less since early boyhood. None knew Mr. Hargis, but to love and appreciate him for his many virtues. We sincerely tender our condolence to the bereaved ones, and point them to Him, for consolation, whom the desceased delighted to love and serve." Claims Presented Against Estate 1886I.A. Hargis in acct with Dr. Brian Jan 10/Visit, Medicine & Pres/ $ 7.00 Jan 29/25 C.C. Pills ($.25) & 1 Bot Oil ($.40), Samtonine ($.25) .90 Feb 3/1 oz. aloes ($.25) & 1 Bot Vermifuge ($.25) .50 Feb 7/Med & Pres 2.00 Mar 10/ By Cash -5.00 Apr 7/1 lb Sulphur ($.15) & 1 [lb] Coperas ($.10) .25 Apr 7/Med & Pres 1.00 May 2/1 Pk S.L. Medicine 1.00 July 3/1 Bot Whisky from Henry W. 1.25 July 3/Visit, Med & Pres 7.00 July 7/Medicine & Pres 1.50 July 28/Visit, Med & Pres & 1 Bot C.L. oil 8.00 July 28/Med & Pres 2.50 Aug 6 /6 Bot. --. --. ($.05) & 30 C.C. Pills .35 Aug 6/ 1 Lb. Chloral Hydrate ($1.50) Carbolic acid($1.50) 3.00 Aug 7 /Med & Pres 2.00 Sept 1 / Medicine & Pres 2.50 Balance Due $35.75 April 3 1 # Coperas ($.10) .10 April 7 1 oz assafoetida ($.11) & 12 oz. Rhei ($.25) .35 July 10 1/2 Pk. S.L. medicine .50 Aug 14 3 Bot Carbolic acid 1.05 Sept 1 1 Bar Carbolic soap .20 $37.95 Reinstatement of File Mrs. L.A. Hargis petitioned the court on 17 Dec 1886 to reinstate her probate case and file. Space does not permit a complete transcription of this particular document, but the necessity of it was explained as follows: "That on the night of November 23rd 1886 the Courthouse of the Parish was destroyed by fire involving a total loss of all the Records connected with said Succession." A Copy of Items of Inventory Made in the Succession of I.A. Hargis, deceased 1 Homestead Lands and Improvements appraised at 500.00 Half interest in crop of Cotton grown by B.C. Russell, estimated 15.00 Half interest in crop of Cotton grown by J.C. Carpenter, estimated 30.00 Half interest in crop of Cotton grown by J.S. Rudd, estimated 30.00 Individual cotton crop, estimated 45.00 All of the above crops are in the field, not housed. 200 Bushels corn, more or less 100.00 500 Lbs. Fodder, more or less 2.50 300 Lbs. Oats, more or less 1.50 1 Lot Iron unworked 3.00 1 Grindstone .50 1 Crowbar .25 1 Pull chain 1.00 150 Lbs Pork, more or less 6.00 60 Bushels cottonseed, more or less 6.00 1 Pair Scales 3.00 1 Scythe & Cradle 1.50 1 Dark bay mule "Mike" 60.00 1 Bay mare "Old Kit" 20.00 1 Sorrel mare "Nell" 45.00 1 Mule colt 10.00 1 Jack 10.00 13 Head cattle 65.00 2 Three year Beeves 14.00 40 Head hogs 50.00 11 Head sheep 8.25 Barnyard Fowls 5.00 3 Broken wagons & irons 5.00 1 Broken hack 5.00 1 Broken set Blacksmith ($5.00) & Carpenter's Tools ($1.00) 6.00 1 Lot Farming Tools & Gear 1.50 1 Patent Right to sale of Combination Plow 10.00 3 Bedsteads (old) 5.00 1 Feather Bed 6.00 1 Lot bed clothing 2.50 1 Bureau 1.00 1 Kitchen Stove & material 1.50 1 Lot Table Furniture 1.00 2 Tables 3.00 1 Chest 1.50 Continued . . . . Rights and Credits Bal J.H. & W.A. Carpenter note of $6.50 appd at $ .50 .50 $ .50 A/C on Joe Carpenter appraised at .40 $ .40 " " Alex Carpenter appraised at .35 $ .25 " " Henry Horn appraised at .25 $ .20 " " Dan Campbell appraised at .20 $ 1.00 " " S.G. Milam appraised at 1.00 $ .96 " " Bill Jones appraised at .96 $ .56 " " Mrs. Griffin appraised at .50 $ .40 " " John Megison appraised at .40 $17.96 " " B.C. Russell appraised at 17.96 $75.48 " " J.C. Carpenter appraised at 40.00 $84.62 " " Jack Vines appraised at 50.00 $33.28 " " Enoch Vines appraised at 33.28 $11.05 " " J.S. Rudd appraised at 11.05 $43.49 " " Jack Robinson appraised at 40.00 $1278.35 Sale of Estate The State of Louisiana 4th Jud. Dist. Court Parish of Winn In Probate In the matter of the Succession of I.A. Hargis Decd. Be it known that I, W.J. Sowers, Sheriff of the Parish of Winn said State in accordance with, under and by virtue of the authority conferred upon me by a "Commission to Sell" emanating from and out of the Hon. 4th Judicial District Court sitting and acting in same as a Court of Probates aforesaid bearing date of December 21st A.D. 1886 and to me directed (which said commission is hereto attached for greater accuracy of description) the same authorizing empowering and requiring me as Sheriff aforesaid to advertize and sell after legal delays all of the property of any nature whatever belonging to the Estate and Succession of I.A. Hargis Deceased. I did proceed in obedience thereto and in conformity therewith to duly advertise the said property for sale in the following manner viz by Public Notice published in the Southern Sentinel a Newspaper published in the Parish aforesaid and Official Journal of said Parish for a period of more than thirty days fixing the time for said Sale on the 27th day of January A.D. 1887 a copy of which advertisement is also attached hereto for accuracy of description, And on the day appointed towit January 27th A.D. 1887, at the time appointed the hour of 10 A M said day, and at the place appointed towit the last residence of I.A. Hargis Decd. eight miles west from the Town of Winnfield said Parish in the presences of a large number of residents of said Parish including the two witnesses signing hereto I did proceed to make the said Sale in the following manner. I first read in an audible tone of voice the said attached commission, then read the said attached Advertisement and then said the property aforesaid item by item reading from Memorandium of Inventory the description and appraisement of each as follows: One tract or parcel of [land] lying in said Parish the S 1/2 of NE 1/4 and NE 1/4 of NW 1/4, SE 1/4 of NW 1/4 and (E 1/2 of SE 1/4) Sec 25 and NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec 36 all in Township 12 N, of Range 4 West containing Two hundred and Eighty acres more or less (the same being sold by legal divisions) and property crying same Sylvester G. Milam being the last and highest bidder It was adjudicated unto him at the price and sum of Five hundred and five dollars. $505.00 Amt brot forward . . . . $505.00 1 Scythe and cradle to J.M. Anderson for 1.65 1 Mule (Mike) Mrs. L.A. Hargis 81.00 1 Old Mare (Kit) A.L. Martin 25.00 1 Mare (Nell) S.G. Milam 100.00 1 Mule Colt A.W. Radescich 24.00 1 Jackass Dr. J.F. Kelly 50.00 13 Head Cattle Mrs. L.A. Hargis 65.00 2 Beef hides T.G. Milam 3.00 Barnyard Fowls Mrs. L.A. Hargis 7.50 11 Head Sheep R.L. Tannehill 11.25 1 Wagon J.G. Williams 8.50 1 Wagon Damaged & Dr. F.N. Brian 4.50 1 Wagon Broken T.G. Milam 6.00 1 Hack Mrs. L.A. Hargis 13.00 1 Set Blacksmith tools T.G. Milam 12.25 1 Lot Farming tools Mrs. L.A. Hargis 3.00 1 Lot Carpenter's tools Mrs. L.A. Hargis 1.00 3 Bedsteads " 6.00 1 Featherbed " 6.00 1 Lot Bed clothing " 2.50 1 Stove & fixtures " 1.50 1 Lot Table Fixtures " 1.00 2 Tables " 2.00 1 Chest " 1.00 1 Man's Saddle H.S. Varnell 4.50 1 Rifle Gun J.D. Rudd 4.00 2 Sets Dogirons Mrs. L.A. Hargis 1.50 2 Trunks " 1.00 1 Lot Wool " 1.50 1 Sewing Machine " 10.00 1 Lot Harrow teeth R.L. Tannehill 2.60 1 Lot New Plows W.S. Cockerham 2.60 1 Wash Pot Mrs. L.A. Hargis 1.00 1 Watch " .50 1 Lot Books " 2.00 1 Lot Chairs " 1.50 1 Clock " 2.00 1 Bal on note on J.H.& W.A. Carpenter to W.S. Cockerham 1.50 1 A/C Dan Campbell to Dan Campbell .20 1 A/C S.G. Milam S.G. Milam 1.00 1 1/5 Interest in Range bull Dan Campbell .50 ?6 1/3 Bales Cotton in which is included the total cotton belonging to the Succn. of Rents and individual crop and ?--? for ginning @ 7 3/8, 2916 lbs to S.M. Brian 215.00 200 Bu Corn more or less @ 60 c per bu to Mrs. L.A. Hargis 49.80 300 Lbs Oats more or less @ 50 c per C to Dr. F.N. Brian 2.96 1 Grindstone W.M. Milam .60 1 Lot New Iron Dr. F.N. Brian 2.00 1 Crowbar & Pull Chain Dr. F.N. Brian 2.00 150 Lbs Pork Mrs. L.A. Hargis 6.00 1 Lot Cotton seed @ 13 per bu. to R.L. Tannehill 12.09 1 Pr Cotton Scales J.D. Rudd 2.00 1 A/C Jack Vines Jack Vines 50.00 I also offered at same time the items named below at their appraised value and long cried them and receiving no bid for the amount of the appraisement I at once reoffered them for two thirds of their appraised value and sold as follows: 40 Head of hogs more or less to Dr. Q.A. Hargis 33.33 1 A/C vs J.C. Carpenter S.M. Brian 26.66 1 A/C vs Jno. M. Megison Mrs. L.A. Hargis .35 1 A/C vs Enoch Vines Enoch Vines 24.00 1 A/C vs Jack Robinson S.M. Brian 26.66 1 Right to Sale of Patent Plow Mrs. L.A. Hargis 6.66 Total Sale of Personal Property $934.06 Total Sale of Real Estate brot forward 505.00 Total Receipts for all Property $1439.06 And I said Sheriff finding no other property Inventoried as the property of said Succession and finding no other property belonging to same not Inventoried I closed said above named and described sale and make this my Process Verbal thereof on this 28th Day of January A.D. 1887, in the presence of subscribing witnesses, Attest, T.G. Milam W.J. Sowers, F.N. Brian Sheriff Sheriff's comn. on Sale $35.97 Source: Probate File # 322, Clerk of Court Office, Winn Parish Courthouse, Winnfield, LA. (Reprinted from Vol. 1, No. 1, April, 1997 Legacies & Legends of Winn Parish, quarterly publication of the Winn Genealogical & Historical Association. Submitted by Peggy Chandler Beaubouef.