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Parish History: John Murrell-First Settler, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana

Submitted by: Susan Herring

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"Father Of Claiborne Parish" John Murrell Arrived In August Of 1819

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Published April 29, 1999

If you travel just six miles southwest of Homer on the Dutchtown Road you will find what is left of the old homeplace of John Murrell, Sr., the first permanent white settlers within the present boundaries of Claiborne Parish. A marker erected beside the road on June 15, 1958 reads, "John Murrell's Home, Claiborne Parish Government began here about 1828."

In the summer of 1819, when there were no roads, only trails among a land covered with a dense thicket of brush, briars, and vines, you might wonder why Murrell came to choose this particular spot. According to descendant, Lillian Malone Robinson, Murrell selected the site because it was near a creek that ran over charcoal and so he knew the water was filtered and clean.

It wasn't until around 1824 when fires raged across the dense underbrush and cleaned off the face of the land, leaving an open, beautiful country. Wild game of every kind were plentiful, especially deer and turkey and it wasn't long before North Louisiana became known as "Hunter's Paradise."

Two hundred eighty acres of the old homeplace is presently under a 99-year lease to Williamette Industries, who recently clear cut the property. Thanks to Haynesville resident Doug Marquardt, District Forester for Williamette Industries in Emerson, Arkansas, the site is still in tact and several dead and fallen trees have been removed from the Murrell Cemetery.

Marquardt learned of the site's historical value eight years ago when Boy Scout Jermey Houston Vickers of the Yatasi District chose the cemetery for an Eagle Scout project. Vickers made and hung a sign over the entrance of the cemetery which reads - JOHN MURRELL SENIOR.

In the winter of 1818, Murrell, his wife and six children left Carthage, Tennessee with a few household goods, cooking utensils, a pack horse, two dogs and a rifle and traveled by barge down the Cumberland, Ohio, Mississippi, and Red Rivers, seven years before Louisiana became the eighteenth state to join the Union. Ten families joined the Murrells at Nashville, by the names of Wallace, Clark, Ward, Manning, Dyer, Hutson, Robinson, Duty, Dooly, and Peterson.

Although most of Murrell's neighbors were Indians, a number of pioneers in the surrounding area are known, such as legendary trapper-trader John Honeycutt in Union parish and the Feazels in Downsville area. A widow Long and her son Davis Long settled the Haynesville area in 1818, built a log cabin on the north side of Dixie Bayou, but moved the next year, leaving the area unsettled for years.

Several years earlier, a group of Carolina immigrants settled east of Claiborne parish. James Huey settled south of present Calhoun, while son-in-law Daniel Colvin settled at Colvinsville, which was later renamed Vienna. Other settlers included names such as Sims, Butler, Peters, Rainey, Pipes, Sykes (at Sykes' Ferry), Alden, and a Richard Fields near Old Germantown.

On March 29, 1819, Murrell's seventh child, Isaac, was born and is considered to have been the first white child born in Claiborne Parish.

During the first two years, several families settled in the Flat Lick Community. They were Martin and James Allen, Obadiah Driskill, Abraham Crownover, Jessie Williams, Thomas Gray, Dr. Hugh Walker (a self trained doctor), Adam and Nedham Reynolds, Joseph Edwards or Edmonds, John and James McCarty, William M. Gryder (first blacksmith in area), Daniel Moore, Mr. Holcomb, and Mr. Brazil. J. McCrady or McCarty raised the first significant cotton crop in 1826, about the time the first slaves appeared in the area.

Murrell's two-story house, known as the Flat Lick Plantation, had eighteen rooms with two chimneys made of native stone on each side for fireplaces on both floors. This house would serve as the first church, with Baptist minister James Brinson and Newitt Drew holding monthly services, assisted by Arthur McFarland. It also became the first school when Murrell hired James Ashburner Conley in 1822 to teach for $15 per month. The first road in northwest Louisiana known as the Military Road was built in 1828 and passed directly by the Murrell home.

In 1823, the Murrell home served as the first post office, named "Allen Settlement" in honor of Martin Allen, the first justice of the peace. Murrell served as postmaster. The first store opened in 1822 near the Murrell home, closed a year or so later, then was reopened by Robert Lee Kilgore and James Lee in 1825.

In 1828, law and government was also dispensed from the Murrell home, serving as the courthouse until the Police Jury of newly created Claiborne parish chose Russellville to be the first parish seat.

Several letters written in the 1860's tell of Murrell's youngest son, Isaac, who had a young slave named Edmond Merritt, described as "a faithful one he was". Merritt went with nephews Perry and John to fight in the Civil War.

On the morning of Sept. 17, 1862 one son told Merritt to take John Sr.'s gold watch home, that he would not be back. That night after the Battle of Sharpsburg, Merritt went onto the battlefield, turning over hundreds of dead to see their faces, but could not find them. Later, after returning their belongings and the gold watch, Merritt found John had been killed. Perry and friend, R.A. White, had been wounded.

After the Civil War, John, Jr. gave each of his former slaves forty acres, a cabin, and the right to be buried in the family cemetery. They took the last name of White. One marker reads, "Enoch White was born during the years of slavery. He reached a ripe old age. I hope to meet him some day in the great beyond. by his only daughter Victoria Lewis." Another reads, Allen White, Jr. PVT 1 CL, 329 Labor BN, Jan 26, 1895, Mar 19, 1933. Let not the dead forgotten be, Lest men forget that they must die."

At the entrance to the Murrell Cemetery is a grave marker which reads "Frederick Miller, Born In Germany, 1765 - 1822, grandfather of Emmaline Miller Botzong Langheld and Long John Miller, First white man buried in Claiborne Parish."

Few descendants of Murrell remain in the Homer area, however, Homer resident Ed Seeliger's two granddaughters, Angela Elaine Seeliger Hernandez, born Feb. 3, 1974, and Allison Yvette Seeliger, born July 27, 1977 are direct descendants of William Columbus Murrell, son of John Jr. William Columbus was said to have lost John Sr.'s gold watch on the way to the state fair in 1896.

Murrell was buried at the Murrell Cemetery on his home place, Flat Lick Plantation. He was a talented, enterprising person who became known as the "first man to introduce civilization to northwest Louisiana." and his epitaph reads, "Sacred to the memory of John Murrell, Sr. who died Jan. 25, 1847 age 63 years, 5 days. His creed was Faith, Hope, and Charity." One early settler, possibly John Murrell, Jr. wrote that "...we were all plain people then, with but few wants and much love for our fellow man."

Parish: The History of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana--Part 1

File prepared by: Barbara Smith Cwsmithfam@aol.com

PART 1--Chapters 1-7

The History of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana

by D. W. Harris and B. M. Hulse

W. H. Stansbury & Company

24 Natchez Street

New Orleans, La.

1886

PREFACE

A very few words will suffice to introduce this little book. It was written to keep alive the memories of the Fathers; to present to the youth of our land, of this and future generations, a picture of life as it was in North Louisiana sixty years ago, showing how people in that day made love, celebrated marriage, administered (sic) justice, went to church, etc.; to perpetuate the memory and preserve a record of the heroic deeds and sublime suffering of those who fought under a flag that is forever furled; to give to those who shall come after us, a correct history of the stormy Reconstruction days an ordeal more trying than the war itself and to protect the acts of that exciting period from misrepresentation; to encourage and stimulate to greater exertion those laboring in the cause of education and religion, by reciting the highly gratifying progress of the past; and to correct as far as possible the many false impressions that have been made upon those living in other sections about our State by partial and superficial tourists, and to set our rich and varied resources in their proper light before the world, with the view of turning emigration in the direction of our highly favored, and heretofore misrepresented and inaccessible section.

How well the task has been executed, we leave for others to say. That the work is in some respects incomplete, and contains many errors, we are painfully aware. Some of the muster and death rolls are incomplete, and quite a number of soldiers from Claiborne joined companies in adjoining parishes, whose names we have been unable to procure.

A number of enterprising citizens have aided us in the preparation of the work, in the way of furnishing data; to these we now return our thanks.

We return special thanks to Capt. J. H. Walker, Prof. H. C. Brownfield, J. E. Hulse, Esq., and Mr. B. R. Coleman, for valuable assistance in compiling the work.

B. M. H.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER

THE art of navigation nearly to the close of the fifteenth century was confined to the inland seas and the coasts of the European or Eastern world. The compass not then being known, the seaman, in his voyages, was guided on his course by capes, headlands, the sun and stars; consequently, his voyages were of no great extent. Tradition had filled the wider seas with dangers and monsters dire; storms guarded all unknown regions and forbade all venture into the unknown. An obscuration by clouds of the sun and stars filled the seaman's soul with a sense of dread for fear he might lose his course and miss the port he sought. Furthermore, there was a danger line in the wide western sea and in the equatorial regions that he dared not approach. The decending (sic) waters of the one would surely prevent his return home the heat of the other would dissolve his ship.

But towards the close of the fifteenth century, new though vague ideas as to the shape of the surrounding seas began to be entertained; the geographer and the philosopher assumed to teach that the earth, instead of being a flat or vast plain, was round; they denied that the sea extended to an immeasurable distance in all directions from and around the earth and flowed over at some unknown limit and was wasted in the void below; or that the equatorial sea was a hot, seething cauldron in which life was impossible. Men now began to reason, that should this earth of ours be round or globular, the sea must reach from shore to shore of its different coasts. Should this be true, at once was dissolved the many doubts, and the absurd theories that then perplexed the geographer as well as the philosopher. In a great measure it would make plain many facts belonging to sea and land that appeared inscrutable: such as the flow of rivers, the rising and falling of the tides and the dip of the horizon.

Columbus had believed for years that the earth was round or globular, and that the waters of the ocean extended from the eastern shore of Europe to the western shore of India. If so, guided by that wonderful instrument, the compass which had then come into use he could sail across any sea to any land which it reached. Abjuring all traditional dangers he resolved to prove that nature's works were consistent, and an aimless creation impossible. His eagerness to prove his faith by his works became more fully aroused just at this time by the wonderful stories brought from the far east by the Venician traveler, Marco Polo. These convinced him that the earth was round, and that by sailing to the west he could reach India then the land of wonders and fabulous wealth, by a much shorter and safer route than by the long and dangerous overland route Marco Polo had traveled. He determined to prove the correctness of his theory.

With this theory well defined in his own mind, and with maps and charts in hand, he went forth in search of help, being poor, to enable him to undertake his great venture. Patiently, for years, he explained his theory of the conformation of the earth and urged the feasibility of the enterprise all in vain. The ignorance of that period, as it was in ours when Morse begged a pittance to prove his telegraphic theory, closed the ears of bankers and thrones to his appeals. Genoa, his native state, Portugal and other powers rejected him as the wildest of adventurers.

"What," exclaimed the learned schools and the great statesmen, "the earth round and like a globe swinging in space! and people on the other side with their feet towards ours! Impossible absurd; they would fall from the earth into the void below; the ocean would be emptied of its waters; the rivers would run dry, and the earth become a desert. More, should the earth be globular and a ship sail down to the other side, it could never return, for a ship cannot sail up hill."

As a last chance, Columbus approached the throne of Castile, or Spain. The King and Queen became interested in his theory, listened to his explanations until such rich visions of empire and wealth and the extension of the Holy Church arose in their minds, that they determined to equip a fleet and send him forth on his great venture.

In due time a fleet of three small vessels, so small that few at this day would venture on a hundred miles from shore, were made ready. With much difficulty a crew was enlisted, and in August, 1492, Columbus sailed from the port of Palos on that voyage which has built up and revolutionized governments, religion, philosophy and knowledge. Touching at the Azore Islands, said to have been discovered by, a ship driven by adverse winds out of her course, he thence turned the prows of his little fleet directly west into the wide waters of the deep and unknown Atlantic. After sailing many days to the west, without any sign of land appearing, the fears and superstitions of his crew began to make them uneasy. They murmured, and then demanded that the ships should be turned towards home. But Columbus, selfpossessed, by pursuasions (sic) and promises influenced his men to trust him and go yet further into the unknown sea. At last signs appeared which nerved the hearts of his trembling crew birds began to fly over and around the ships, driftwood was seen in the water, then a green bush floated by. These signs of land not far off were too plain to be unheeded; sail was shortened, and while moving slowly forward a close watch, by eager eyes, was kept for land. About midnight a light was seen moving as if carried by a person walking. Immediately the ships were stopped in their forward movement for fear of going ashore and all waited impatiently and wonderingly the marvelous revelation the morning was to bring forth. And when that memorable morning of October the 12th, 1492 came, a new world in all its pristine beauty lay before Columbus and his anxious crew. The fact that the earth was as a globe, that the waters of the sea reached from shore to shore was proved, and Columbus had triumphed.

Columbus, believing he was on the western coast of India, named the inhabitants Indians hence the name of the original people of the American continent. In a subsequent voyage, he sailed for miles along the shore of the main land south of the Carribean (sic) sea, and yet died not knowing he had discovered a new world.

This discovery of Columbus aroused a wild spirit of adventure among all the maritime people of Europe, and adventure after adventure was sent out to the new world, mainly in quest of gold and glory. Many sought, in the interest of commerce, a shorter route to India by way of the northern sea, but this vast continent, its extent then unknown, lay directly in the way. In search of this route, Cartier, a French navigator, in 1535, entered the Gulf of St. Lawrence and ascended the river of that name to an Indian village where now stands the town of Montreal.

In 1605 De Monts founded the town of Port Royal in Nova Scotia which claims to be the first European settlement in America. Champlain in 1608, established a trading post on the St. Lawrence river, which post in the course of years has become the historic city of Quebec. Sixty years after the establishment of this post, during which time the French had secured strong position on the St. Lawrence, Father Marquette, a Catholic priest and missionary learned from the Indians of a great river further west, by them designated The Father of Waters, because of its immense volume, and resolved to see it. In the light canoe or boat used by the Indians, he made his way down the Illinois River to the Mississippi, which he entered, in 1674 and continued down it as far as the mouth of the Arkansas. Returning to Quebec, he told of this immense river; and in 1683 La Salle and others, about twenty in number, made their way to it, descending it to the Gulf of Mexico and in honor of Louis the XIV, then King of France, La Salle named the country through which the Mississippi flowed, Louisiana. Deeply impressed with the future possibilities of this great waterway and the adjacent country through which it carried him, he returned to Canada and immediately sailed for France. Convincing the King of the magnificence of such an acquisition to his domain, by order of the King a fleet was fitted out and La Salle; with a number of emigrants, set sail for the mouth of the Mississippi to establish a colony in Louisiana. But not having correctly ascertained the bearing of the outlet of the river, he failed to find it and landed at some point west on the coast of Texas. His brother soon departed with the fleet to France, leaving La Salle and the colonists ashore in the new world. Discontent arising among the colonists, La Salle in search of succor, started by land to Canada, but was assassinated by his followers, who disappeared in the wilds of Texas, and the colonists who remained at the place of landing were shortly afterwards made prisoners by a squad of Spanish soldiers from Mexico. This terminated for a number of years, all efforts of the French to colonize Louisiana.

The year 1698 is memorable in the history of Louisiana, for early in that year the brothers, Bienville and Iberville, entered the Gulf of Mexico with men and arms in search of the Mississippi, duly empowered by the King of France to take lawful possession thereof. Anchoring near Dauphine Island, they erected a small fort on Biloxi Bay, and for the first time, after so many years of delay and disappointment, the flag of France floated out in the breeze of the Mississippi valley, proclaiming to the world that France claimed legal ownership of the same. Early next year Bienville sailed up the river and established a garrison where now stands Fort St. Phillip, since so famous in the history of this country. Possession thus being secured, in 1712 the first civil government in all this wide expanse of unexplored country was authoritatively proclaimed.

The officer commissioned to administer this civil government after several years of perplexity and failure resigned his commission and the civil authority was turned over to Bienville. With that energy and judgment which characterized the man, he pushed further up the river, and in 1718 erected a fort and laid out the city of New Orleans. Forty-five years thereafter, the inhabitants of Louisiana having heroically endured many perils and privations, battling with the natives, disease and famine, the French government, exhausted by her long wars and missrule, and deriving no income from this far western colony; ceded New Orleans and all the territory west of the Mississippi River to Spain. A Spanish emigration followed the cession, but it failed to bring peace and prosperity to the colony, or revenue to the Spanish Coffers. The French and Spaniards could not assimilate. Spain, in a short while, found the territory of Louisiana so costly a burthen that, in 1781, she gladly receded it to France. But France was now in the clutches of Napoleon I, and delirious with revolution, was contending in battle with all the powers of Europe. The movement of her armies required money, and in 1803 she sold Louisiana to the United States for the sum of $15,000,000. Slowly moves the march of empire. From the year 1535, when Cartier entered the St. Lawrence River, to the cession of Louisiana to the United States, 1803 elapsed a period of 268 years, filled with wildest romance, adventure and heroic endurance.

CHAPTER II

LOUISIANA AS A TERRITORY

FIRST TERRITORIAL GOVERNOR-

ADMITTED INTO THE

UNION AS A STATE

The United States having assumed possession of this lately purchased territory. Congress, in 1804, in order to insure the people a stable government and as soon as possible reconcile the different races to the new order of affairs divided the country into two divisions; designating the southern division as the Territory of Orleans and the northern and western as the District of Orleans. Mr Jefferson, then President of the United States and during whose administration and by whose advice the purchase was made, appointed W. C. C. Claiborne, Governor of the Territory of Orleans-which position he held until 1812, administering the government so firmly and wisely that, in a great measure, the conflicting interests and prejudices of the several nationalities became reconciled and quieted.

The result of this wise administration of public affairs by Gov. Claiborne was to so rapidly induce emigration to the territory that in 1812 admission into the union was claimed, and in that year, by formal act of Congress, the territory of Orleans was admitted as the State of Louisiana, and W. C. C. Claiborne was duly elected her first governor.

It soon became apparent that the welfare of the people at the distant post of Natchitoches, on Red River, and of the scattering settlements that were gradually forming further up the river and in the adjoining country, required attention; consequently, the territorial legislature, by act in 1804, incorporated the Parish of Natchitoches( embracing all that part of north Louisiana west of the parish of Ouachita to the Sabine river, then the dividing line between the United States and Mexico.

North Louisiana at this time was covered with a dense mass of brushwood and interlacing vines the home of the wolf, the bear, and the panther. Numbers of horses and cattle, the progenitors of which had wandered from the inhabited sections of the territory to this wilderness, ran free and wild. Several tribes of Indians were living here and there, now and then visited by tradesmen in search of peltry, and the country by hunters in search of game. The few earlier settlers that ventured into these wild regions had to fairly hew their way, for only a few devious trails and paths were to be found. Roads, there were none, save the read that connected Monroe and Natchitoches. Subsequently the United States having established a garrison several hundred miles above, on Red River, at Fort Towson, opened what was known as the Military Road, connecting this post with Natchitoches and Alexandria, for the purpose of transporting supplies to that faroff post. The settlements in those early days being so wide apart, and hunting and traffic with the Indians being the chief occupations, direct roads were impossible. But gradually, settlement followed settlement, clearings increased, and from these clearings and the camps of the hunters, fires broke out sweeping over all the land, killing the tangled undergrowth or brushwood, even destroying the foliage of lofty trees.

In the following years fires again raged, consuming all the dead and fallen rubbish that then encumbered the ground. Being thus relieved of its heavy undergrowth or brushwood, in its place forest grass and switchcane sprang up, and in one season a mantle of green covered the nakedness of the earth. Then all north Louisiana appeared as an immense park, diversified with vast openings and vistas most enchanting. Game of every kind, peculiar to this region, increased rapidly, particularly the deer and the turkey. The buffalo came up from the wide prairies of the Attakapas, and in a few years North Louisiana became known as the Hunters' Paradise. The surveyor's chain was stretched across the land, and both surveyor and hunter carried back to the older settlements, and to the States east of the Mississippi River, such glowing descriptions of the beauty of the country, the fertility of its soil, its health, its abundance of game, the streams abounding in fish, and in winter every pond and lake crowded with all manner of water fowl, that a regularly increasing tide of emigration set in to this promised land. So rapid was this emigration that it became necessary to divide this immense parish of Natchitoches, for the seat of justice was too far to be reached by distant settlements, consequently, in 1828, the Legislature passed the following act incorporating the parish of Claiborne, naming it for Louisiana's first governor.

No. 42.

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW PARISH IN THE PARISH

OF NATCHITOCHES TO BE CALLED THE PARISH

0F CLAIBORNE.

Section I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Louisiana, in General Assembly convened: That all that portion of territory within the following boundaries, towit: Beginning on the eastern bank of Red River, about fifty miles northwest of the town of Natchitoches, at the northern boundary line of Township thirteen; thence east, in the direction of said line, to the dividing line between Ranges three and four west; thence along said line, which shall form the western boundary of the parish of Ouachita, north to the Arkansas Territory, thence west to the main branch of Red River, and descending the same to the beginning, be and the same is erected into a new parish, to be called the parish of Claiborne.

OCT. LABRANCHE, Speaker of the House of Representatives

AD. BEAUVAIS, President of the Senate,

Approved March 13, 1828:

H. JOHNSON, (Governor of the State of Louisiana

CHAPTER III.

CLAIBORNE PARISH

The parish having been thus incorporated, the paraphernalia of law and justice was put in motion by the election and appointment of all necessary officers. The first District Court, in all its majesty, embodied in the person of Judge Wilson, of Monroe, supported by Isaac McMahan as Sheriff, and Robert Cockran as Clerk, was convened in the house of John Murrell, whose house for years was the center of all public business for the new parish, where law and justice were dispensed until the police jury, in its wisdom, selected a seat of justice. Tile place selected was on the premises of Samuel Russell, and was named Russelville, in honor of Mr. Russell who had offered liberal inducements to the jury for the benefit of the parish, and because this locality had become more central to the widely diffused population. When the District Court convened at this new domicile Judge Overton was the presiding officer, Wm. McMahan was Clerk, and Isaac McMahan was yet Sheriff.

Russellville remained the parish site until 1836 when the Population having tended westward, the seat of justice was removed to Overton on Bayou Dorcheat, near the place now known as Minden Lower Landing. This place being at the head of navigation, it was believed that the location would be permanent and a thriving commercial town would build up. But Overton proving to be unhealthy and subject to overflows, and the population having become preponderant in the eastern portion of the parish, in 1846 the seat of justice was removed to Athens, where it remained until the courthouse, with all the records of the parish was destroyed by fire believed to have been the work of an incendiary. Then the police jury for by this time the rapidly increasing population had disseminated itself about equally all over the parish determined to locate the courthouse centrally and permanently. After due investigation and proper consideration of all claims as to locality as well as the main interests involved, the site where Homer now stands was selected. These lands had been entered and were owned by Allen Harris and Tillinghast Vaughn, both of whom made liberal concessions to the parish for the public buildings, and to the people for schools and churches. Frank Vaughn, son of Tillinghast Vaughn, had the honor of naming the new parish town. The first District Court was held here in September, 1849, in a cheap board shanty erected for the purpose. Litigants and visitors encamped around in the woods, and, when court was in session would stand at the windows and peep through the cracks to watch the proceedings of the august tribunal within, until fatigue or hunger or thirst would drive them to their camps for rest, or to the grocery for refreshments. Roland Jones was then district Judge, Allen Harris, Sheriff and W. C. Copes, Clerk.

But Claiborne Parish being prosperous and her people increasing rapidly in numbers every year determined to erect a suitable building in which justice should preside, and to execute this laudable intent, the necessary tax was levied, and in due time a commodious (sic) brick building, with all the proper offices, was erected. Judge Jones, supported by Sheriff Allen Harris and Clerk W. C. Copes, in 1850, held the first District term in this new courthouse, then the finest structure in all North Louisiana.

Following the incorporation of Claiborne Parish was a marked increase of emigration particularly about 1835when steamboats, navigating Ouachita and Red Rivers, made access to the country less difficult. But, from 1840 to 1860, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee sent in their sons and daughters and slaves by hundreds and by thousands. In a few years roads, farms, villages, churches and schoolhouses were to be found all over the parish. Every trade and industry was represented; bountiful crops rewarded the farmer's toil without stint, and peace and prosperity blessed all the people.

This remarkable influx of populaion (sic) almost yearly demanded the formation of new parishes; consequently, out of the immense original Claiborne was formed, in their order of dates, the following parishes, Bossier, in 1843; Jackson, in 1845; Bienville, in 1848, Webster in 1871, and Lincoln, in 1873-thus this once great parish to its present limits bounds towit: Union Parish on the east, Arkansas on the north, Webster Parish on the west and Lincoln on the south, leaving her a total area of 778 square miles, embraced in five townships and subdivided into eight wards; Ward 1 has an area of 120 square miles; ward 2, 110; ward 4, 72; ward 5, 72; ward 6, 83; ward 7, 104, and ward 8, 107. And yet old Claiborne although so reduced from the granduer (sic) of her original area, has not been shorn of all her glory; she yet proudly maintains her Position as the banner parish of North Louisiana, and so she will remain, for her foundation is of iron, and she can and will conquer all adversity.

CLAIBORNE PARISH.

CHAPTER IV.

CLlMATE, HEALTH, PHYSICAL RESOURCES, ETC., OF CLAIBORNE PARISH.

Claiborne is one of the old parishes of the State, having been organized as a parish in 1828. Previous to that time it formed a part of Natchitoches parish. When organized, Claiborne contained, in addition to its present area, all of what is now known as Bienville and Webster Parishes, and a part of what is now Lincoln. It now extends from Union Parish on the east, along the southern boundary of the State of Arkansas, to Webster Parish on the west, and is bounded on the south by Bienville and Webster Parishes, and on the southeast by Lincoln Parish. It will thus be seen that Claiborne occupies abut a central position in the northern tier of parishes, and is beyond 'question the highest as well as the healthiest portion of the State of Louisiana.

The average altitude of Louisiana, as set forth in Toner's Dictionary of Elevations of the United States, is 75 feet above the level of the sea. This is a somewhat lower average level than that of any of the other States, except Florida, which is put down at 60 feet above the sea in its average. Claiborne Parish has the highest average elevation of any parish in the State, being about 200 feet above sea level. Still this is a rather low average as compared with the country north and west. There is an impression with some that high places are the most healthy, but this does not always follow, and is not the testimony of experience here in Louisiana. Sometimes the lowest places in the same neighborhood have had quite the advantage in point of health.

In the Old World some healthful and fertile localities are below the level of the ocean as the valley of the Jordan, more than 1000 feet below the surface of the Mediterranean Sea, the shores of the Caspian Sea, and portions of Holland, reclaimed from the ocean by its dykes. Settlers here from Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and other States, say they find Claiborne Parish as healthy as the countries from which they came.

It is never visited by the severe epidemics of yellow fever and smallpox which are so fatal in the parishes bordering on the rivers especially in the cities and towns on their banks; nor is it subject to those dangerous malarial diseases, such as swamp fever, typhoid fever, etc, which are such a scourge to the lower country; in fact, it is singularly free from epidemics and malarial disorders of all kinds, and will compare favorably with any portion of the United States in point of health. The only epidemics ever known in the parish is measles, and that of a very mild type, very rarely causing death.

Area in square miles 778; in acres, 4477920; amount of land vacant, 537660 acres; population in 1880, 18,857whites and blacks equally divided; amount of taxable property, as per assessment roll for last year, $1,479,060; rate of taxation, 11 mills on the dollar; area in cultivation, 126,000 acres; valuation of land subject to taxation, $743,317; value of stock, $293,835. The conditions of the atmosphere in its degrees of temperature and moisture are items which affect organized life, animal and vegetable. Since the temperature of the atmosphere falls, as distance from the equator increases, one degree of depression for every added degree of latitude; and since, moreover, the thermometer falls one degree for every 300 feet of altitude, Louisiana being comparatively near the equator and so little above the sea level, might be thought, by residents of Northern States, to be very warm; but there are other influences which disturb this natural order of things which must be taken into account before the truth is reached. There are dozens of rivers and hundreds of smaller streams coursing over the surface there, too, lakes and other bodies of water are numerous.

The evaporations from these streams and lakes, and from the Gulf of Mexico on the south, rapidly consume or absorb the heat of the sun, just as water sprinkled on the floor absorbs the heat of a room, and this process is more rapid because, as the vapor rises, taking with it all the heat it can render insensible, breezes from the Gulf, as from the plains of the northwest, take it away and supply other air to be filled with other vapor performing the same office in the cooling process, so that, as a matter of fact, the thermometer rises higher in summer in New York, Boston and Philadelphia than in any portion of Louisiana. Sunstroke, so frequent and fatal in the cities, and, indeed in the country, north, is never known in Louisiana. There is, also, another item not to be overlooked in seeking the causes of a higher temperature in summer in countries north of Louisiana it is, that the days are longer in summer as we proceed northward, and the nights shorter. There is, therefore, less time for throwing off or radiating the heat received from the sun, until his return with other supplies.

I regret that there are no tables of mean relative humidity and temperature from which I can quote, for the information of the possible northern reader, on this important subject. But an experience of thirty years in this part of Louisiana enables the writer to say that the thermometer very rarely rises as high as 100 degrees in summer, and as rarely falls am low as 25 degrees in winter.

As already noticed, the thermometer does not rise quite so high in Louisiana as in countries further north, but this is not the whole advantage. The temperature of the animal system is ordinarily above that of the atmosphere. The breezes are constantly removing from contact with the body the partially heated paticles (sic) of air and supplying cooler particles, which absorb the heat, and the cooling sensation is in proportion to the rapidity of the process. Such breezes are a constant and enduring feature of Louisiana's summer climate, occurring with almost daily unvarying regularity. It is this feature that enables a man or beast to exist during a long summer day under our semitropical sun, without distress or danger; and it is this too, perhaps, which accounts for the total absence of sun strokes among men, and hydrophobia among dogs. It would, perhaps, not be well to omit mention in this connection, of the fact that we have some cold weather in Louisiana. This country is subject to occasional cold waves brought down upon it by the northwest winds, but they are of short duration; lasting not generally longer than three or four days, as the wind quickly veers round, our Gulf breezes come, and our normal winter weather resumes sway, which is never cold enough to require shelter for stock, or to make fuel for heating purposes a matter of consideration.

The surface of the country is undulating, hills and valleys running in every direction; or, perhaps, it might more properly be described as rolling, as the hills are only gentle elevations, never precipitous and high as in the States north and east. This rolling or undulating surface gives rise to numerous water courses, creeks, bayous, etc., which drain the country in every direction, and whose currents are generally sufficiently swift to carry off the greatest, rainfall, so that we have very little of what is known as swamp and overflowed land, with their ponds and lagoons stagnant water, breeding miasma, malaria, mosquitos(sic), buffalo gnats and other ills and pests to man and beast. In this respect, Claiborne Parish is blessed above almost any other part of the State, the greater part of which, as is well known, is not sufficiently rolling to drain well, and in consequence the slow, tortuous water courses failing to carry off the water fast enough, it spreads out over the adjacent lowlying country, where a great part of it is left in ponds, lake, and lagoons, which, under the influence of our warm summer sun, doubtless gives rise to the various malarial diseases and insect pests for which Louisiana has acquired quite a reputation.

The writer has often been surprised at the opinion held by residents of other States, particularly the Northern States, in regard to Louisiana. They seem, in many cases, to regard the whole of Louisiana as one vast frogpond, interspersed with occasional dry patches or spots of land on which the inhabitants eke out a miserable, chillshaken existence; indeed, they would be surprised to find a resident of the South, outside the cities and larger towns where, as they think, man has improved natural conditions, who was at all robust or in ways like a man. They seem to think he should conform very nearly, both in his physical development and habits of life, to his most intimate friend, the frog. In fact, nothing could be more erroneous, or further from the truth, than the idea entertained of Louisiana generally by residents of other States, and this idea has originated and been fostered by the inaccurate descriptions of geographers and by the written accounts of travelers along our water courses, which, until late years, have been our only highways of trade, and these travelers, added to their lack of means of observation, have been, to say the least, very casual observers, and seem in most eases to have taken a jaundiced view of everything.

It is true, and very proper to be noted here, that we have what is called malaria in Louisiana, but we have very little of it in the rolling woodlands of Claiborne. Through about the center of this parish runs the ridge, or water divide, which separates the waters of the Red and Ouachita Rivers the water courses on the right, or west, emptying into Red River, and those on the left, or east, into Ouachita. We have no streams which are navigable within the boundaries of the parish, though there are several having their rise here which are navigable in their lower courses. Our natural scenery, though not perhaps as picturesque as that of mountainous Countries, is sufficiently varied and interesting to impart a sense of pleasure to any one not entirely blind to nature's beauties. We have winding streams, babbling brooks, gushing springs, manyhued forest scenes, birds with brilliant plumage, and merry songsters; we have rocks here, too, and minerals; strange as it may seem to those who only know Louisiana from hearsay. No poets fancy has ever delineated in measured song the beauties of our fields and forests; no artists pencil or brush has transferred to canvass the beauties, of our landscapes; but they are here, and will abide their time. In this respect, as in many others, this part of the State is verily a terra incognito.

As to the soil of Claiborne, it would be impossible within the limits of this book, or within the limits prescribed to this part of it, to do full justice to this important feature--important because the soil is as yet our country's only stock in trade, its only resource. We are emphatically an agricultural people. Everything is dependent directly and exclusively upon the productions of the soil when this fails everything else fails when the cultivation of the soil becomes unprofitable, everything else becomes unprofitable, Hence, the importance which attaches in a work of this kind to the nature and quality of the soil, Leibig, the celebrated German Agricultural Chemist, says that the poorest soils, even the Limeburg heath of his country, contains enough of mineral plantfood for centuries of profitable tillage, but that it is locked in such chemical combination as to render it inaccessible to plants, except in a very slight degree. If this be so, and it doubtless is so, for Leibig knew whereof he spoke in matters of this kind, it would seem that the quality of the soil is not a matter of such very great importance had we but the key to this chest, the means of unlocking this chemical combination, and surrendering this inexhaustible supply accessible to plants, but here is the rub, we have it not, nor are we likely to have it soon, if ever. The farmer in North Louisiana is obliged in the main to take his soil just as he finds it to accept the return it makes for his patient toil, of its own free will, without the aid which scientific discoveries have rendered possible in more favored cases; for he is, in most cases, ignorant of the elements with which his soil is supplied or in which it is deficient he knows nothing of the chemical combinations necessary to the growth of the plants he wishes to cultivate; and even if he possessed this scientific knowledge, he has not the means at hand to render it practicably useful. So the best he can do, is to make use of such fertilizers as he may have at hand which observation and experience tell him will be beneficial to his plants. He is an experimenter, groping in the dark even the little way which his circumstances will admit of his going in this direction. The supply of fertilizers on an average farm in Claiborne parish, known to be of value, is so limited that a large part of the area in cultivation must necessarily go from year to year without fertilization; so that the quality of the soil is an item of the first importance.

When I tell the practical geologist that the soil of Claiborne Parish is not alluvial in its character, he says at once, then it belongs to the tertiary formation, or to the tertiary geological epoch, and is formed in the main from the disintegration of sandstone. Your soil, says he, must be largely composed of sand. Quite true, sand seems to be a predominant constituent of our soil, but I say to him, we have "red lands in Claiborne--lands in which sand is not at all conspicuous, as an element. They are, says he, somewhat sandy in their character, and are formed from the disintegration of red sandstone to which iron has given the coloring matter; such soils ought to be rich in the phosphates of iron and profitable to cultivate, as these elements are valuable as a plantfood. Right again; our red lands are profitably cultivated on them crops do well, to which the phosphates of lime and iron are a vital necessity. The practical farmer, or plant grower, knowing little of chemistry or geology judges of land by the natural growth upon it the trees which nature has planted there, and which have flourished and taken possession of the soil in its wild state. He sees the oak, the ash, the hickory, the walnut, the blackjack he knows that from their ashes good soap is made; he may not know that these ashes are rich in the phosphates of lime, so valuable as plantfood, but he does know that where these trees grow, corn, cotton and potatoes will grow, and may be profitably grown. He knows, too, when he sees the character of the soil, that it is porous, loose and mellow, that it will readily yield up what elements of plantfood it possesses, that it is generous in its nature and easy of cultivation. The practical farmer of Claiborne knows these things and makes practical and profitable use of such knowledge, but he does not know often, how, by several successive years of profitable tillage, he has robbed his generous soil of the greater part of its available plantfood, and that he has to replace what he has recklessly, taken away to reinvigorate his exhausted soil.

In fact, he does not seem to be aware that these years of constant cultivation are making fearful inroads upon his bank account his stock in trade the available plant food in his soil; does not seem to know, or acts as though he did not know, that these elements of plantfood are his only resource, the sole reason why his lands are worth anything whatever to himself or others. If he thinks about these things at all, he thinks that lands are cheap, and so goes ahead, year after year, without counting the cost, even to himself in the end, leaving out of consideration altogether the heritage of his children, the needs of the generation which is to come after him. In this case, the "sins of the fathers are indeed visited upon the children to the third and fourth generations." The rule generally followed is, as fast as one field is exhausted it is turned out, the forest cut away and another enclosed to go through the same process of treatment; so that our domain will soon be largely composed of old fields turned out to grow up in pines, for it is a peculiarity of our soil that the natural growth does not return to it after it has been treated in this way, that natural growth which eventually enriches it and brings it back to its original state of available fertility, but young pines take possession of it, and they, as is well known, add little to the fertility of soil by the decay of their foliage, as is the case with numerous other plants. It might be well to enter a little more into detail as to the average farmers' methods and the success which attend them.

When he decides upon the precise plot of eminent domain which he will next lay waste, his first step is to seek out all the timber growing upon it which can be converted into rails, such trees are felled and converted into rails, next he cuts off the undergrowth, which is made into brushheaps to be burned when dry; then cuts down the saplings and smaller trees, whose bodies are cut into convenient lengths for hauling home and whose laps go to the brushheaps; he next chops around all trees left standing, thus "deadening them' as it is called. as this circular chopping through the sap part of the tree prevents the free circulation of the sap, thus killing the tree which is left standing to take its chances against decay and the prevailing winds, its falling is only a question of time. He hauls out everything available for fuel, thus frequently getting enough fuel for a year or two from a small plot of ground next he puts all logs left on the ground into convenient lengths which, with the help of his neighbors, he makes into heaps on the ground, and into these heaps go all refuse from the fuel selected. The brush with log heaps often cover almost the entire surface of the ground. His clearing is now done and is ready for the grand burning as soon as the brush and logs are sufficiently dry. If the clearing is done in the summer or fall, the burning may be done in winter, but if the clearing is done in winter the burning is not generally done until in the spring, just before planting time. After this new field is burned off, he proceeds to surround it with a "crossfence" of rails, when it is ready for the plow.

The farmer frequently realizes enough corn or cotton from this new field the first year to pay for its clearing, though it generally happens that very little is obtained for the first year's cultivation, but the second year's cultivation generally yields excellent crops bale of cotton or thirty bushels of corn per acre being frequently realized on uplands the second year, but its maximum is not generally reached till the third year. This field is then kept in constant cultivation in crops which take all from the soil and return very little, or nothing, to it until by a constantly diminishing yield, it is found no longer profitable for cultivation; then it too, is laid aside, and another inroad made upon the forest.

Nowhere in the United States, perhaps, can more generous soil be found than the rolling woodlands of Claiborne Parish nowhere a soil which more readily yields up its elements of plantfood, or is easier of cultivation. There are richer and more durable lands elsewhere, but taking into consideration certainty of yield and ease of cultivation, there are none, I venture to say, which will better repay careful tillage and proper management than they, or more worthy of the attention of the intelligent agriculturist. These lands are almost all adapted to the highest fertilizing; they can, by proper management and very little cost, be kept at their maximum yield indeed, they can be made better every year instead of being made poorer, as is now too often the case. I have heretofore spoken of the better class of uplands in Claiborne, these, as I said before, often yield, with careful tillage and without fertilizers, as much as a bale of cotton or 30 or 40 bushels of corn per acre. Corn and cotton being the leading productions of the country the value of land is generally estimated by its production of these two staples; but there are other lands not so productive; others in cultivation on which half of the above yield is considered a good one; others there are, too, which seem comparatively worthless, except for the timber on them.

But this last class of lands form but a small part of Claiborne's area. There is very little land within the limits of the parish which may not be profitably cultivated, and upon all of it fertilizers may be profitably used. This fact has been demonstrated again and again, in numerous instances. The surface soil, though unusually light and porous, has underlying it a firm and compact subsoil which is within easy reach of plant roots, and which serves the double purpose of giving the plant a firm hold on the earth, and of preventing the leaking through of fertilizers applied to the surface soil. This subsoil is not entirely of clay or aluminum, as the chemists call it, which is not food for plants, but is found to contain, in many cases, a fair amount of plantfood.

The staple commodities of this part of the country for markets outside the State, it is expected, will soon enlarge in number, but at present they are extremely few, and might perhaps be summed up in one word Cotton. Cotton is almost our only crop for sale. It is, as we say here, "our only money crop." The history of agriculture in the United States, and perhaps in other parts of the civilized world, has always taught one important lesson which impoverished farms and empty purses are slowly urging the present generation to heed. It is this that no exclusively agricultural community can ever be prosperous while it confines itself to the production of a single commodity. No matter how well the soil may be adapted to its production, the climate and natural conditions suited to its growth, that country or community which links its fortunes to that of a single plant, that stakes its all upon its successful culture, will be and must needs be always poor and often finds itself in sad straits. Experience proves this lesson wherever such a course has been pursued. The most unobservant traveler through a country where cotton is cultivated to the exclusion of other crops suited to the soil and climate, or where tobacco, hemp, or any other single plant reigns supreme, has had this truth forced upon him by the worn out lands, the deserted homesteads, the dilapidated fences and farm houses, the utter absence of progress and enterprise, and the scenes of thriftlessness and want which meet his eyes on every side,

While cotton is now almost the only thing produced for market, the soil of Claiborne Parish is admirably adapted to the production of a variety of other crops, which might profitably take the place of cotton in part. The sweet potato is, for house use, a universal crop in this part of the State, and seems to be in its natural home. It is easily propagated from the roots, sprouts or vines, and with a little care in the preparation of the ground and subsequent cultivation; returns an immense yield, often as much as 300 bushels per acre. From its easy propagation and cultivation, its large yield and the variety and excellence of the dishes prepared from it, it is one of the indispensable crops for home use, but has not hitherto, been raised for markets outside the State. This is due, doubtless, to lack of transportation, but now that we have a railroad within easy reach and are likely to have another soon, this impediment will be removed and we may expect to see the sweet potato take its place among the products of the country and with great profit to the farmer.

The Irish potato or "white potato," is accredited as a native of Chili and Peru, and was introduced into North America by the Spaniards, from whence it was, in 1586, carried by Sir Waiter Raleigh to England, and perhaps acquired its name of "Irish potato" from the extent to which it was grown in Ireland. This tuber ought soon to take a prominent place among the very profitable crops of North Louisiana. There is probably nothing that the soil produces which can be more profitably grown than the Irish potato.

Field peas of many varieties grow to perfection here and are often a valuable adjunct to the farmers' corn crop, as they furnish excellent food for all kinds of domestic animals, including man himself. Their cultivation is receiving a large share of attention now, which is a sign of better times, as besides its valuable qualities as a food, its culture is very beneficial to the land on which it is grown. The pea is largely an air feeder and hence may be grown on very poor land and be made to return much more to the soil than it takes from it, and thus increase fertility. It is found very advantageous to land to sow it in peas and plow under while the vines are green.

Wheat does not seem to do well anywhere in Louisiana, though it has been tried at various times on the uplands of Claiborne; its culture has never been attended with marked success. Sometimes its yield has been satisfactory, more frequently however it fails.

Oats are a staple production of the country. If sown in the fall they rarely fail to amply repay the farmer for all the care and attention bestowed upon them. Barley and rye also do well here but are not at present largely planted, not as much as formerly.

Sorghum has been at various times experimentally grown, and is at present grown in small quantities. It grows very luxuriantly, and is of certain yield if properly cultivated, but has been regarded as of doubtful profit. Its tops or seed are known to be excellent food for stock.

Garden products are an essential feature of every household in the parish; no home is complete without its vegetable garden, the products of which go far toward furnishing the family with wholesome food throughout the entire year. Every variety of garden vegetable found in this latitude does well here, beans, English peas, cabbage, tomatoes, turnips, onions, beets, lettuce and numerous others grow very luxuriantly, and nothing pays better or is more pleasing to the eye than the well kept gardens in Claiborne Parish.

The timber supply is sufficient to meet the demands of the population, as it naturally increases, for many generations. Pine, several kinds of oak, sweet and black gum, hickory, walnut, ash, maple, iron wood, persimmon and many other varieties are found in easy reach of nine-tenths of the farms. There are thousands of acres once in cultivation worn out and now left to grow up or wash away, that are covered with young pines, etc. Here and on parts of farms too wet to cultivate, grow delicious blackberries, bushels of which may be seen at a glance; dewberries in luxuriant plenty are found in these old fields. These, together with various other berries, such as the different kinds of haws, huckleberries, paw paws, (the banana of the temperate zones) etc, may be had in plenty for the mere trouble of gathering; chincapins, walnuts and hckorynuts are equally as numerous. Fruits of all kinds peculiar to this latitude grow to perfection, and a failure of the crop is rare. Flowers, native and exotic, are reared with little trouble, grow luxuriantly, and frost, except with the most tender varieties, seldom requires that they be housed or protected.

Game of the smaller species, such as squirrels, birds, hare, etc. are numerous, but deer and turkey, though once very numerous, are now rare, having sought more thinly settled parts of the country.

Melons of every variety, from the classic pumpkin to the primitive gourd, abound in Claiborne and of the very finest quality, among which the watermelon deserves special mention. It is probable that nowhere in the world can this fruit be grown more successfully than here on the sandy lands of Claiborne. It is extremely prolific, fully flavored and often grows to immense size. The writer has often seen them weighing fifty pounds, sometimes sixty. They might be very profitably grown here for northern markets.

CHAPTER V.

EARLY DAYS IN NORTH LOUISIANA, BY AN OLD SETTLER

WILD APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY FOREST FIRESSETTLEMENTS, ETC.

In the latter part of the winter of 1818 could have been seen in the Horse Shoe bend Of Cumberland River, Tenn., about three miles from Carthage, a flat boat tied by ropes to the shore. On this boat was a man and his wife, some children, a few household goods, cooking utensils and a rifle. That man was John Murrell, starting with his family in search of a home in the far west, somewhere up in the Red River valley. Early in the morning the lines that held the flat boat to the shore were cut looser and John Murrell, wife and children turned their backs to their old Tennessee home. Floating down the river, they joined at Nashville, according to a previous understanding, a company of emigrants that were bound to the same unknown promised land. Disposing of his old flat boat, Murrell and family got aboard one of two barges, or, as then called, keel boats. There were about ten families, towit: that of Wallace: Clark, Ward, Manning, Dyer, (big Joe), Hutson, Robinson, Duty, Dooly, Peterson and Murrell. Descending the Cumberland, they entered the great Mississippi and floated down to the month of Red River. After resting here a few days, they slowly ascended the wondrous Red River, and after many days of toil and much loss of time in working their way through the Great Raft (note from transcriber-this is a reference to the immense log jam which hindered navigation on the Red River) and among monster aligators (sic), safely landed at Long Prairie, in the Arkansas Territory. All were charmed with the country--it was so fresh and new but it was a solitude. The sound of an axe or rifle was not to be heard, nor the smoke of a cabin to be seen. They were alone in a primeval world. One of the company, H. Robinson, became so dissatisfied because of the wild and unbroken solitude of the country, that he alone with his wife and child, made off through the wild woods for his home in dear old Tennessee.

The others, having more nerve, spent some time in hunting out localities to suit them. Murrell and Wallace pitched their camp on the bank of the river, put up rude board shelters, cut down a small patch of cane and planted corn and vegetables. Murrell having about $100 in cash, determined to invest it in cattle; so in June he took a trail that led down to Natchitoches Parish; for it must be remembered that the only pass ways were the hunter or Indian trails, or paths. On the trail Murrell traveled there were between Long Prairie and Natchitoches, only two cabins, one of which was vacant, for the man (Bosel) who built it, left in a few days after completing it for Texas, or the Spanish country, as it was then called. The other was the home of Isaac Alden and Mrs. Johnson, the place now known as the Bools place, eight miles east of Minden. Alden and his wife entreated Murrell to bring his family and take possession of this cabin. But Murrell wanted cattle, so he went ahead on his cow hunt south of Natchitoches found and bought ten cows and calves. On his arrival home with his cattle, he was horror struck to find a number of his family sick with fever. This he could not stand, and at once determined to get his family away from the river. The deserted cabin on the Natchitoches trail, the kindly suggestion of the Aldens, promptly came to mind, and he resolved so soon as his family was able to travel, to leave the poisonous Red River and find a shelter in this lonely cabin.

His wealth was not great, consisting of two ponies, ten cows and calves, one dog, one rifle and an axe, but of far more value to him than all else, a brave wife and six dependent children. August 6, 1818, he stopped in front of that vacant cabin on the place now belonging to Wm. H. Maxey, and beneath its humble shelter, thankfully placed his wearied wife and children. Letting Mrs. Johnson know that his family was in the Bosel cabin she immediately attended to his wants, letting him have meat, bread, corn, etc, and showing every delight at knowing she had a neighbor within twelve miles, for up to this time her nearest neighbors were at Campte (sic) miles below on Red River. As neighbors, we mean such as a civilized, Christian woman could welcome. We could almost daily see Indians, for there were many of them in the country. They lived in small villages, and moved from place to place as their hunting expeditions required. But these Indians were inoffensive, committing no depredations on stock or other property. One of these villages was on the land now owned by Col. John Kimbell, and among these roving people was a halfbreed Cherokee, who had fled from his people for killing one of the tribe.

Away from the malarial Red River, Murrell's family soon regained good health, save the babe, which in a few days left the lonely cabin a corpse.

Murrell being possessed of a fair supply of native genius, as well as plenty of pluck, at once went to work and in a day or two had rigged up and in fine working order a first class Armstrong mill. This mill, though simple in appearance, combined several of the mechanical powers, operating through a spring pole to a pestle in a mortar box, or hole burnt into the end of a heavy block of wood. The spring pole is worked up and down by hand hence the name "Armstrong mill." The sifting apparatus of this mill was made of a dry deer skin from which the hair had been shaved, stretched tightly over a broad wooden hoop, and then burned full of holes with a hot spindle. It was a great success; far surpassing the common hand pestle and mortar. However, two or three years thereafter, he succeeded in getting an improved Armstrong, a steel mill, which proved to be a great saving of labor, and made a better meal than the old fashioned spring pole.

The country then was almost entirely covered with a dense thicket of brush, briars and vines. Cane was abundant on all the streams and abutting hill points, but fire breaking out and spreading, all over the land, killed this mass of brush, while a second fire cleaned off all the face of the land, leaving it an open, beautiful country. You could see a cow or deer as far as the eye could reach through the intervening living timber. New grasses sprang up, the wild pea vine and switch cane, and a better range for farmer’s cattle, hogs, deer and turkey was never seen.

Murrell cultivated his first crop with the hoe, both his ponies having died. The woods abounding with all manner of game, he got his main supply there from. A turkey for dinner required only a few minutes hunt, venison steak was to be had at any hour, and bear in the proper season was readily converted into the best of bacon. Wolves, too, abounded. It was common to see them, of moonlight nights, traveling around the house or cow pen. Mrs. Murrell left her churn at the creek side one night and the wolves carried it off it to a tree top fifty yards away and knawed (sic) it to pieces. They were fearful on young pigs and calves.

As previously stated, there were no roads, but in lieu thereof were two trails leading through the country one from Mt. Prairie, Ark.,to Natchitoches, the other from Long Prairie, Ark, to Monroe, or Ouachita Parish. Natchitoches Parish, in which was then embraced Claiborne Parish, extended from Rapides north to Arkansas Territory, and from Ouachita Parish on the east to the Spanish country (Texas) on the west.

In the fall of 1818 several families moved into the country. Mrs. Long settled, where is now Haynesville. Her house, or cabin, stood about where now is the residence of A. Brown. Her son, Davis Long, settled the place now known as Long’s Springs, near Minden, and lived there a batchelor for years; but in 1836 he took unto himself a wife, and raised a clever family of children; among them we recollect Miss Lucy Long. She is now dead.

If I mistake not, about this time Martin Allen came into this same neighborhood and settled on what is known as the J. W. Fuller property. He was the first Justice of the Peace appointed in this part of the parish. Mr. Holcomb, about the same time came among us, and Mr. Brazil and Obediah Diskill, and Mr. A. Crownover. Mr. Diskill settled the Cooper place, and Mr. Crownover on the Dr. Harper Creek. Mr. Crownover was a hatter by trade, and to get me a hat I hunted coons many nights to get fur enough to make it. Ten good skins were required to make a boy's hat. Dr. Walker located on the same Harper Creek (both settlements are now in the Joe Carter farm); and he was a doctor by nature and not by education, and very successful in treating all the simple sickness of that day, (1819); for the country was remarkably healthy. The population of this settlement increased rapidly, it looked to us to be numberless, and may be enumerated by calling the names of the families Mr. Jessie Williams and his good wife, Aunt Minnie, two children and a black dog, and Thomas Gray, who settled three miles south, of Murrell. He was a most zealous Methodist and seemed to think, from the way, he talked, that Methodism was first and the Bible second. But religion was at a mighty low ebb in those days. Meat, bread and shelter were the main considerations.

In 1820 news came that some German emigrants had been left near Loggy Bayou in a destitute and helpless condition. Mr. A. J. Alden, Thomas Gray and Murrell went to see if they could be of any assistance to them. Finding them in a truly bad condition, each contracted with a family to live with him two years in consideration of a support and being taught the use of our implements in making a living in a new country. Mr. Alden brought home with him Jacob, a pedler; Mr. Gray, Adam Miller (father of Jake and Cody), and Murrell, Frederick Miller and his father, father and grandfather of Long John Miller. The old man Miller died the second year after he was brought among us, and for his body was dug the first grave, in Murrell's grave yard, and we believe he was the first man to die in Claiborne Parish. That grave used to look lonely out there in the woods, but it is in a little city of the dead now shaded by the cedar and forest growth. These people worked out their contracts, then settled near by on homes of their own and raised large and respectable families. There are many of these true Millers in different parts of the parish.

During this year William Gryder moved in and settled on Buck Creek, with all his girls, boys and dogs many, though he had no more than the law allowed him. He was our first blacksmith, and hammered more iron and with more persistence than any man in ail the land. With him bell making was a specialty; he could not be beat, and he learned all his boys to make bells his girls were belles by nature, of the best kind, as was proven by the boys taking one as soon as they could. Also came this year the McCaftys, the Edmonds and many others, good men and women, whose names I cannot now recall.

In 1821 Mr. Newt Drew settled on Black Bayou, near Driskill. Drew was a gunsmith by trade, though he here turned his attention mainly to farming. He sent his old servant, Jack, one morning to drive up his horses. That morning Jack found a bear turning over a log in search of bugs, and thinking himself a good bear hunter, picked up a pine knot and made for the bear. Slipping close up he let drive at the bear, and to his astonishment the bear wheeled around to see what was the trouble. Seeing Jack, the bear laid his ears back and made for him, but Jack, trusting to his legs, fled like a scared wolf. He escaped from the bear, but when he stopped in his wild flight, he was lost, and wandered around for three or four days when he was found in Dorcheat Swamp, near Long's Springs, as now known, about twenty miles from home. Jack quit the bear business. Mr. Drew afterward moved down on the Dorcheat, established the lower landing and got under way the town of Overton, which being at the head of navigation it was thought would become a big inland city. He also built the first saw and grist mill in the parish. It was on the Cooly and ran by water power. Much might be said of this good old go-ahead pioneer. Himself and wife were true old Tennessee Baptists. His oldest son, Thomas Drew, became Governor of Arkansas. Harmond Drew, his youngest son, became District Judge in this State; and Richard Drew died while Probate Judge of this Parish. Some of his daughters married well, others, contrary to the old man's wishes, not so well. This makes me think of the first marriage that took place in our parish though the ceremony of the marriage was performed in Arkansas, if I mistake not. At least it soon became the fashion for the bride and groom to go to Arkansas to get married. People then were about the same as now, in this particular. When they determined to marry, any officer or preacher, who was able to administer the ceremony, would do. This was in 1821, and Mr. John Allen and Miss Mary Holcomb were the happy pair. The next, in 1822, was Wm. Crowly and Miss Jenny Long. This pair, I think went to Natchitoches. Then came the marriage of Raleigh Rogers and Miss Mary Ann Long; then George Demos to Miss Nancy Gryder, and then, well, almost a host in rapid order. All went to Arkansas for convenience. A certain pine log in Arkansas became known as the stopping place, and which soon became famous for it had frequent visitors from far and near. One couple came from beyond the Sabine river. It was my friend Thomas Palmer and Miss Steel, They told a good joke on her old father. He left home for Natchitoches on business, when seeing their chance, they made ready and followed on just after him. When near Natchitoches they turned to Grande Core (sic), crossed Red River, took the Claiborne trail and made direct for that old pine log, where they were duly married. They dodged the old man completely, because they feared, I reckon, he might say not and therefore knew nothing about thereafter until be got back home some two or three days afterwards. If that old log could talk it could tell some funny things. Sometimes the justice of the peace would be absent on a bear hunt, sometimes attending court at Champanolle or Echore Fabre, and sometimes exercising himself as a good old "Arkansas gentleman." He would have to hunted up and brought in sometimes via armis, and in the mean time the anxious Couple would camp out and wait patiently.

In 1822, Mr. Deck (a gunsmith), blessed with an interesting family, settled near where Minden is now located, and Mr. Bias settled within three miles of him on the now Leary place. Near here also settled Mr. Loyd, a devout Methodist preacher, and John Gerren, a very quiet man, but a true born Methodist, and beliked by everybody. James Crow one of our best citizen, and a full fledged Baptist, but not a fussy man, lived on a place that is now embraced in the farm of Mr. D. Murrell, now dead. Mr. W. Wright located on part of the same farm. Aunt Jenny, as everybody called his wife and whom everybody liked, could tell as good a joke and laugh as long and loud as any one. She was a kind hearted, generous woman.

We had no such thing as store clothes in those days. Every family had their cotton cards, spinning wheel and loom. Our shirts and pants were all homespun, home woven and homemade. Buckskin pants and hunting shirts, and moccasins, the regular old Indian moccasins, were very fashionable, and a pair of good heavy homemade shoes made one feel almost proud enough, particularly if he was a young man, to think and feel like courting every woman he could hear of in the country.

Our first school was taught by James Ashburner, in 1822, at a salary of $15 per month. John Murrell employed him.

We got our salt at McCally's salt works, somewhere in the vicinity of Drake's old salt works, in Bienville Parish.

It was about this time, too, that Mr. James Brinson of Ouachita parish, commenced his monthly preaching at John Murrell’s house. Assisted by Mr. Arthur McFarland, they soon established a church (Baptist of course) and kept up regular services for many years. These were the first Baptist preachers in the parish. To show how our section was improving, and what notoriety it was gaining, sometime in this year, 1822, Harrison & Hopkins of Natchitoches, sent up a small stock of goods in charge of a Frenchman by the name of Forshe, who opened up in a small cabin close to Murrells. But he went off on whiskey, and in a year or two lost his stock in trade and ran away.

In 1823 a long step towards the civilized world was made, for in that year a mail route was established from Natchitoches to Washington in Arkansas. Our post office was called "Allen Settlement Post office," because Mr. Allen was our first Justice of the Peace, and John Murrell was appointed postmaster. Trips were made back and forth twice a month. Letters conveyed over 500 miles cost twenty-five cents, and under 500 miles twelve and one half cents postage. Let us here state that our old friend Peter Franks, was an early settler on Brushy Creek, now in Bienville Parish; also John Leatherman, the Cragiles, and Robert and Jas. Henderson were on the road near the place now known as Buckhorn, but the date of their coming we have forgotten. The first cotton gin was erected by Thomas Moore, in 1824, for Adam Reynolds, who sold it to Russell Jones in 1825, then on the present Harper place. Reynolds was a man of great energy. He made more improvements and sold out oftener than any man in the parish, except perhaps, John D. Pair. About this time Josiah Wilson, believing competition to be the life of trade, started up the Middle Landing, near Minden. These two landings go to show that the boating business (keel boats I mean) amounted to something. James Lee and R. L. Kilgore, in 1825, opened a fair stock of goods in the little storehouse near Murrell that had been put up by Harrison & Hopkins. And in this year we had our first camp meeting, held near Isaac Miller's place, and conducted by Revs. Wlm. Stevenson, McMahon and Ross. The next, in 1826, were held on the Maxey place, and in 1827 was assembled our first Baptist Association, in a school house on the late Dr. Martin's farm, near Germantown.

In 1825 Charley Hays settled on the place now known as Keener farm, near Athens. He was reputed the greatest bear hunter of his day making bear hunting a specialty in the winter when they were fat.

In those early days the French Creoles in and about Natchitoches and Campte would make raids through the country bear hunting, having with them from 25 to 30 ponies and as many dogs. They moved northward in December and returned generally in February, with their ponies loaded down with bear meat and skins. This year George Grounds located on Flat Lick. He was as kind and true a hearted Dutchman as ever lived but would go off on whiskey sometimes. He had a large family, some of whom were devoted Methodists. I think some of his descendants are yet in this Parish. Our first singing school, in 1827, was taught by Mr. George Ridley, near Mr. Ground's house. He used the patent notes. In this year also, and I am sorry to tell it, the Baptists had a split in their church about the fellowship of the members, whose conduct was not in keeping with the word. Some condemned while others sustained them believing their conduct not to be unscriptural. The parties sustaining the brothers, took the Bible for their creed and guide, and went off, refusing to be governed by man’s (?) creed, and there are a few of that faith in the parish yet calling themselves Christians, for short. They came very near playing out though when the war of 1861 came on. Some time during this year the road heretofore referred to as the military road, was cut by United State troops, connecting Fort Jessup, on lower Red River, with Fort Towson, away up on upper Red River. This road was opened to transport supplies to that distant garrison. I well recollect that the soldiers and recruits passing to and from that fort, stole everything of small value they could lay their hands on such as bells, whetstones, chickens, geese, etc., and among other things a pet deer from Murrell’s yard.

In 1828 Claiborne Parish was created. It was bounded on the east by Ouachita Parish, on the west by Red River, on the north by Arkansas Territory and on the south by a line dividing townships 13 and 14, crossing the old military road at or near what was then called Boggy Branch, and touching Red River at or near East Point. Our first probate judge was Chichester Chaplin, a young lawyer and widower of some promise. He was from Natchitoches and was appointed judge. But he soon cast aside his weeds and married Mrs. Palmer, a most estimable lady. Bo(?) was Clerk of the Court, Isaac McMahon Sheriff. Mr. Wilson of Monroe, District Judge. Murrell’s house was used for a courthouse for a year or two, when, by the influence of Sam Russell and others at interest, a place on His (Russell’s) property was selected as the parish site, which was named for him, Russellville. Then James Lee and R. C. Killgore moved their stock of goods there, thereby being the first merchants in Russellville.

As our people had now increased considerably in numbers, the convenience of public roads began to be called for. So in 1829 our first public road was opened. It was from Russellville to the Minden lower landing, the head of navigation on Bayou Dorcheat. Hands were summoned for a distance of 25 to 30 miles to open it. This road was a big item in our history then. An election was held this year, and Murrell’s house, which seems to have become the headquarters on all public occasions, was the voting place. A difficulty sprang up while the voting was going on between George Grounds, Jr, and James Madden. They exchanged a few blows and were then separated. Wm. Robinson, Justice of the Peace, ordered the Sheriff to arrest the two combatants and bring them before his august presence, which order was promptly executed. On investigation the J.P. found Grounds guilty of assault and battery, fined him $20 and to be held in custody until paid. Grounds, poor fellow, had no money, but offered to sell two cows and calves to pay the fine. A purchaser was soon found for the cattle, the fine paid, and so was closed this breach of the peace without further trouble. Was that not a better way to dispose of such troubles than now prevail?

James Dyer, who moved to Texas after the war, was the first representative, 1829, that Claiborne Parish had the honor of sending to the State capital; and his immediate successor, a full-blooded Democrat, was Berry A. Wilson. It was in 1830, I think, the legislature appropriated $1,500 for the improvement of navigation in Loggy Bayou and Lake Bistenau. (sic) The contract was awarded to a Mr. Leavright, which work he executed to the satisfaction of the committee appointed to examine and pronounce upon the faithful fulfillment of the the contract. And now as our honorable Court had got into good working order, it may be well to refer to the first case of any importance that was spread upon the court docket. This was Hempkin vs. Mabry Wafer. It hung fire for years. Mr. Wafer lived on Sugar Creek, and was Justice of the Peace in that ward. He was a shrewd man, knew what he was about, and in law was generally successful.

By this time and up to 1837 a number of small trading houses were set up in different parts of the parish. Mr. Savage, of Campte, had a shop at Overton, and was succeeded by Joe Robinson, also of Campte. D. C. Pratt was his successor. One McGrady opened up on Flat Lick. George A. Bell succeeded him and then Wm. Harkins bought out Bell. They all carried on a splendid one horse business. Mr. Harkins was justice of the peace for years, and was considered a good judge of law at least he had considerable experience as defendant.

As before stated, roads in these early days were not, and the pathways and byways were winding, yet along these ways our people would bring from distant trading points nearly all their supplies on horseback, even to bars of iron. Our rude wagons would sometimes set out on a trip to Natchitoches or Monroe, with wooden axles and no skeins, and the screeching of the wheels, which were long and loud, could be heard of a morning three and four miles away, reminding one of a pack of hounds at full cry in the distance. But the boys and drivers were used to such a racket, and the game was so plentiful that by the time the wagons would reach Natchitoches or Monroe they would be bearing an extra load of deer skins and skins or peltry were then our main staple or exchange in trade. It took twenty to forty days to make these wagon trips.

Sometime in 1833 Mr. Alexander and Jake Masters determined to slaughter an old bear that had got into the bad habit of making away with their hogs in Dorcheat swamp. They soon got Mr. Bear up and then the chase began. The bear passed several times through an open slough in the cane brake, and Alexander discovering this, took a stand for him in the slough. Soon the bear entered the slough, and spying Alexander, made for him with a vengeance. Alexander's gun failed to fire, the bear went for him, and had it not been for Alexander's buckskin suit he would have been killed he was maimed for life. Masters said it was the first fight he ever saw that he had rather not take choice of sides.

I should have stated that the first killing in this section was by a Mr. Sapp who killed his brother-in-law, Bryant, and then fled to the Indian Nation. The cause of the killing was said to be heinous. Then came the next murder in our parish. It occurred about eight miles east of Minden, on the military road. It was the willful assassination of a Mr. Sloan, of Arkansas, by John Halthouser, for his money. Halthouser believed Mr. Sloan had a good sum of money on his person as he was a trader, but he had only $370 with him at that time, of which sum $60 was found in possession of Halthouser. To make a good thing of it, watch was kept on Sloan until report said he had some fifteen hundred dollars that he was taking to Arkansas. Secreting himself in the brush, on the military road, Halthouser waited his opportunity. The old man Sloan, apprehending no danger, rode by where the murderer was concealed, and was shot through the head from behind with a rifle ball. It had been raining a good deal and the ground was wet and the grass luxuriant. The track of the dead man was left on the ground, as his body was dragged to one side, about fifty yards from the road, and thrown into a pool of water. The buzzards attracted the attention of some passersby, a few days afterwards, when on examination the ghastly corpse was found, and a too precipitate display of money led to the suspicion of the Dutchman, which demoralized him. It was generally believed at the time that Halthouser,s brother in law had a hand in the murder, but if such was the case Halthouser was too plucky to tell on him. Halthouser was found guilty, confessed, and was executed at Russellville in 1835, by Mr. Dyer, then our sheriff.

But after this followed one of the most horrible murders and shocking crimes ever recorded. It was the desecration and murder of Miss Demos, a young lady about eighteen years of age. She was on horseback, going by a pathway from her father's house to a neighbors, to warp some thread. Failing to return in time search was made, the signs of a desperate struggle found, and the signs being followed, the dead body of the girl was found, with both arms broken and the face pressed down in a pool of water. The footprints of the murderer were plainly to be seen on her shoulders, where he stood pressing her down. The whole community arose in its wrath and instituted search for the monster. A bloody shirt belonging to one Lambright was found in his own cabin, and on failing to satisfactorily to explain, he was arrested as the murderer, but escaping from jail, how, no one knew, fled to Texas and was no more heard of.

Here we close these reminiscences, because a number of the actors of that day are yet living and the events of the later years are patent to many now with us, and can be recalled by them, perhaps, with more relish than myself, for we were all plain people then, with few wants and much love for our fellow man. Sixty seven years, with all their promises and disappointments, their sunshine and shadows, have come and gone since I came to North Louisiana. Many changes, ups and downs, since then have occurred. Then I was young and jubilant, now I am old and stricken in years; my sons and daughters, save one, fail to answer my call. Ah, Yes---'' My head it is gray; Yet I sit in the sunshine to watch you."

CHAPTER VI.

A GEORGIA EMIGRANT-HIS RECOLLECTIONS OF THE

EARLY DAYS IN CLAIBORNE PARISH.

On the 28th of November, 1847, my father and stepmother, with eight boys, left Troup County, Georgia, for a home somewhere west of the Mississippi River. On the 8th day of January, (a historical day in Louisiana), 1848, we landed in the little village of Athens, which was situated on a deep sandy ridge about ten miles south of Homer, (Homer was then not in existence) and fourteen miles north of Minden. Minden was then a small but active trading point at the head of navigation on Lake Bistenau. This I hope will enable you to know where Athens is. We found in Athens, when we stopped there, a beautiful flowing spring, a court house, which was then considered a creditable building, and about a dozen dwellings, here and there. The court house remained at Athens until 1849 when on the night of Nov. 27th, it was fired and burned down with all the parish records. How it took fire has never been found out. The post office was in charge of Arthur McFarland, who was a Baptist preacher. There was a little tavern also kept by one Saunders P. Day; also a small stock of goods in a little log house, managed by a man named Kiser. Right here was concentrated the business part of town.

We had a good camping ground just above the spring I have referred to. Shortly after we had got our camp pitched, who should ride up but Mr. John Kimball, and to father's great surprise he at once recognized him. He and father, when boys, were play mates. Well, you can imagine how pleasant was the meeting between these two men in the wilds of Louisiana, who separated when boys in old Georgia. Mr. Kimball at that time was living on the John Frazier place, now known as the Keener place. Mr. Kimball was anxious for all new comers to do well, so he told father of a good place about three and a half miles southeast of Athens, known as the Nelson place, and which he thought could be bought cheap and on good terms. Nelson had moved to Arkansas, leaving this place in charge of Col. Lang Lewis, as agent. On agreement, early next morning, Col. Kimball was back at our camp, and in a little while he and father went off together to look at the Nelson place. On examination father was so well pleased that he and the Colonel went direct to Col. Lewises, and, behold, here came together three old Georgian boys, now men with families in the far West. Father did not hesitate to make known his business to Col. Lewis; a trade was soon made, a good dinner partaken of, and a long old Georgia talk indulged in all round. Then father and Col. Kimball set out for our camp in Athens, to bring the good tidings that we had a home now, and would next day be under our own shelter. I tell you that was a happy camp that night. The next morning, January 10th, we rolled out of camp for home where father lived until September 30, 1867, on which day he died, aged seventy-four years.

When we settled down in our Louisiana home, the country was new, open and full of game, such as turkey, deer, ’coon , etc. We could have venison or a turkey just any day. Often we would have as many as a dozen dried venison hams at a time. Wolves were numerous and very troublesome. They were very fond of pigs, and many a night have I heard a pig squeal as Mr. Wolf was flying off with him to the thicket. They disappeared in 1852, and the last bear killed in our neighborhood was in 1850 by Thomas Berry and A. J. Durant, near the old Windfall race track. Lands were cheap, $2.50 per acre on an average up to 1848. It was very productive often making as much as forty bushels of corn per acre.

There were only a few common watermills in the country then, and when the summer came the winter and spring supply of water in the ponds would become exhausted, and of course the mills would stop grinding. Two were on the Murrell creek and one just below old Russellville, on the Berry Creek. There were a few horse mills and gins here and there. Densmore Cargile and Sam Leatherman had mills attached to their gin machinery and made very good meal. The tole then was only one fourth of the grist. Wonderful changes and improvements have taken the place of those early day makeshifts. But we all thought nothing of it then, satisfied in believing we had the best times could afford. Now I am in hearing of eight steam mill whistles where lumber of all kind is made corn ground and cotton ginned, and even pressed by steam at some of them. As for churches and schools, very little interest was taken in them when we first landed in this country. But in 1850, when the Georgians and Alabamians began to crowd into the country, a great interest in both church and school was soon manifested, and this interest has been making more or less progress up to this date, as is proven by the numerous schools and churches throughout the parish.

Perhaps it may be well to name the families living in this part of the parish when we came their descendants or many of them are here yet. We will name the McFarlands, Brinsons, Nelsons, related families; Albert Ashbrook, Jessie Long, Luther and Dave Pratt, Esquire Russell, the Butler’s, Browns, Isaac Alden, Peter Franks, Berry Wilson, Jim Lee, R. L. Killgore, James Dial, Madden, Sr., Thompson, Tom Berry, Martin and Jimmy Crow, Bob Henderson, Wright, Sam Williams, Leathermans, Pruits, Taylors, Cargile, John Wilson, Parker and Barfield, Mullens and Charley Hays, father of C. L. Hays. Some of these families were in the Russellville and others in the Athens neighborhood. Near Athens you will find Thomas Leatherman, who has ever proved himself a worthy citizen, and C. L. Hays, Who has as few enemies (if he has any) as any matt living, and Isaac Butler, who yet loves the fun of beaver, rapping, and Tom Crow, who can makes dollar and has sense enough to save it. Among the old ladies ye, among us, who were young and in their prime when th6y came here, let me mention Aunt Charity Berry; she is about eighty-five years old and is still living on the place where she first settled, fifty years ago. My old step mother also, who came to this land of promise with father thirty six years ago, is still living, and is seventy-eight years old.

Russellville being the parish cite (sic) of Claiborne Parish, perhaps a few words as to its history may not be out of place here. Its settlement began, if I mistake not, about 1825. B.L. Killgore deposited the money in the Land Office at Natchitoches to enter the land on which the Village was built. This deposit of the purchase money was made at the request of many citizens in order to secure that particular locality for the town as the land in that part of the parish had not yet been surveyed. The courthouse and jail, both of wood, were promptly erected, also several small business houses and grog shops. It was a wild place inhabited in part and visited by a number of hard cases to be found in all new countries, Russellville had the honor of the first man tried, convicted and hung as the law directs. The miserable man, Halthouser, was hung about half a mile east of the courthouse. R. L. Killgore, one of the early merchants of Claiborne, first sold goods, etc., near the Murrell place and next at Russellville. Lee and Berry Wilson were with him. Soon after commencing business in Russellville he married Miss Maxia A. Miller, whose father was the first white man buried in the Murrell graveyard. Killgore was a popular and worthy citizen, and the people showed their appreciation of him by electing him parish judge, which office he filled eight years. He was next elected by the Democratic party to represent Claiborne Parish in the State legislature, defeating his Whig opponent, James Dial, by a large majority. Killgore, after serving his term in the legislature, retired to private life, esteemed by all. He raised a large family of children five boys and six girls. He lost two gallant sons in the late war, and his youngest son was the first person buried at Salem church. Judge Killgore died in 1871 and his wife in 1883. Both were buried by the side of their son.

A parting word about Russellville. We have referred to her when she was in all her pride and prosperity. When the courthouse was moved her glory departed. The village ground is now an old worn out field, and the only house that was a part of the village stands solitary and alone, just above the spring. This was the house of Judge Killgore, and is the oldest house in this part of the parish. Having referred to Athens as she was thirty-six years ago, let me refer to her as she is now. Athens is situated in the midst of a good and religious people. There are none better, taken all in all in the parish. She has two first rate Baptist and Methodist, each blessed with a large membership. She has the parsonage of the Tulip circuit-has a good school--a good doctor-two commodious storehouses--a good steam gin and gristmill--a blacksmith and woodshop and a post office with four mails a week. Four public roads lead to and from the village, and on each are several beautiful residences. And now let me close this little narrative by advising all men to obey the laws; keep God's commandments, and then we will dwell in peace and harmony.

CHAPTER VII.

OVERLAND, FROM WEST POINT, GEORGIA, THROUGH NORTH LOUISIANA TO

ARKANSAS AND BACK TO CLAIBORNE

On the 8th of December, 18,3, with wife and four children, I left my old Georgia home for the State of Arkansas. There had been a continued and unusual amount of rain, the streams were much swollen and the roads were almost impassible. On this account, when we reached Eutaw, in Green County, Ala., we stopped four months. This place had lately been made the county site, consequently it was fall of life and activity in the way of improvements. The surrounding lands were rich, and mostly owned by wealthy planters. We utilized our time and skill while in this place. The first of May, 1844, I was en route to the West. B.P. Robinson, who left Georgia with us, had stopped over at Greensborough, the late county site of Green. He left Greensborough the day before we left Eutaw, it having been agreed that we should meet at a certain place , but in this we failed, and I moved on. But Robinson overtook me at Pearl River, in Mississippi. At Jackson we took the road to Rodney, having learned we could not get through the Mississippi bottom opposite Vicksburg.

Crossing the river we traveled down the west bank to Waterproof. Then we left the river, turning northwest to Green's bayou. And this was our first day west of the great river. In Alabama and in Mississippi we had seen large bodies of rich land and magnificent farms stretched out as far as the eye could reach, around splendid mansions. My thoughts would go back to Morgan County, Ga, where I was born and partly raised, and to Troup County which I had so lately left, and the contrast was wonderful.

We found a great deal of poor land though, both in Alabama and Mississippi; but when we beheld the land west of the Mississippi we found the soil far beyond anything we had ever imagined. We could but think of that granary of the world, the land of the Nile, in Egypt. We had some trouble in crossing Green's Bayou, for it was full. Getting side by side two dry cypress logs, we made a raft, and fortunately, being in the days when corded bedsteads were in vogue, we tied our bed cords to the trees on either bank and thereby drew our raft across. We carried a wagon at each trip, then carried over the women and children and last swam our stock over. We were of course delayed here some time, in the midst of immense canebrakes, cypress and other swamp growth. The noises of this howling wilderness at night were peculiar and to us horrible. Believing we had crossed the most difficult stream on our way to Sicily Island, we resumed our journey in good spirits, but were soon and sadly disappointed. We came to the Tensas River, where the Choctaw enters it, at Kirke's Ferry, and was told and saw that there was no chance of pursuing our way to Sicily Island by land, for from the ferry to the island nearly everything was under water. We pitched our camp on the edge of a canebrake near the banks of the river, and fed our stock on cane. There were but few settlers near our camp, which made it rather lonely, and as the river was rising very fast, we also felt a little uncomfortable, for retreat was impossible. (sic) Apprehensive that our camping place might be entirely submerged, we determined to build a proper raft, and try to make our way down the Tensas. Robinson had three sons nearly grown, a lad of a boy, a negro man and woman. I had one negro woman. We determined to utilize all our force in building our raft, had determined on plan and size, and were about to commence work, when as fortune would have it, up came a little stern wheel boat, propelled by horsepower, Hailing this boat she came to land, and it was not long before we made a trade with the proprietor to take us around to Harrisonburg, on the Ouachita River , but as the boat was on her up trip, we had to remain in our disagreeable camp two or three days, and daring this time we took to pieces our hack and wagons. On the return of the boat we got our families aboard, then our teams, and so placed our wagons as to prevent our stock from falling overboard. Our horse steamboat moved down stream slowly, and on reaching Waterproof, greatly to our annoyance, remained there some time.

We could only be patient, however, and abide our boat’s time. At last up the Ouachita, we went creeping along, taking three days to make a trip of seventy miles. We landed at Harrisonburg in the night, but desiring to leave that boat, we went to work and got everything ashore and had our wagons together ready for an early move the next day. Harrisonburg was a small place and looked rather ancient boasted of two or three business houses with small stocks of goods. Turning our way north we found the country very poor, but having plenty of fine pine timber; occasionally would be passed a body of good land, and now and then a settlement on the road we traveled. We began to feel discouraged, to think we had left behind the Eden of America.

When we reached Jackson Parish, we found a little more promising country, more settlements, and the people had plenty of all the substantials. Watermelons were abundant and free. Pushing on through, we reached and crossed D'Arbonne near the junction of Corni Bayou. On reaching Farmerville, then a new place and improving rapidly, we rested a while. Leaving Farmerville with a good impression of its people, we pursued our journey through Union Parish to Union County, Arkansas, and stopped at a place which afterwards became known as Lisbon. After crossing the D'Arbonne, we found the lands generally to be of a deep sandy soil, well watered, with an abundance of pine timber. A peculiarity of this region I noticed, was a swamp growth all over the hills, and this was a new chapter to me. Emigration was pouring into this hill country from all the Southern States. A few of the old settlers, "Hoosiers," some called them, who had been here for years and who had made hunting their main business, still remained on their old homes. They were generous and kind, though rude in their way, but felt grieved at seeing the forest, in which they had spent so many happy days, so ruthlessly cut down. Most of the emigrants of that day were men of some means, with growing families. Union County tilled rapidly with a class of men, take them all in all, that could not be surpassed in those sentiments that go to make up a reliable and trusty people. About the time Eldorado was laid off into lots, 1845, I settled down about two miles from it, but remained only one year. The improvement of town and country that year was wonderful, and for years the agricultural yield was great. But in a few years the lands washed badly and began to fail when they should have been in their prime. We left Union County the last of December, 1845, and went to Deshee County.

We got to our new home in the early part of January, 1846. Deshse is a river county, and Napoleon, situated at or near the mouth of the Arkansas River, was and yet may be the county site. I spent the year in that part of the country lying between the Barthalomew and Saline Rivers. In 1847 I had to move, but it was only to another place in the same region. Being in the saddle most of the time, I traveled over large portions of the country, but mostly in the Arkansas River sections. From Pine Bluff to the Arkansas Post the lands were very rich, and a number of large farms were being worked there. A few farms only were back from the river. At the close of the year, I moved to Drew County, settling down n the parsonage, where I remained during 1848 and '49.

Having to change my location, I moved to a small town not far from Monticello, known as Rough and Ready. At the close of 1850, I was broken down in health, and with a dependent and expensive family of seven children to raise and educate. Having visited Claiborne Parish, I decided to make that my home. Leaving Pine Bluff in the latter part of December, I arrived in Claiborne in April, 1857, having been delayed by business on the way. There was then a heavy tide of emigration pouring in. I have never seen more energy displayed than was displayed by these newcomers. Thousands of acres were yearly cut down and brought into cultivation. As to intelligence and morality, this community was comparable with any. There were many men of sterling and superior worth here. The soil of the parish, her prodigality of forests, were unsurpassed by any upland parish in the state or county in south Arkansas. From 1850 to 1861, the accumulation of property in the parish was immense, churches were established everywhere; schools in every neighborhood; prosperity blessed the land and the people were just and happy. But the war cloud came down in 1861, and the present and promising future vanished in the turmoil and devastation of marching and contending armies.

CHAPTER VIII.

OTHER SETTLEMENTS AND NEIGHBORHOODS ANTIBELLUM (sic)

VILLAGES PERSONAL MENTION INCIDENTS, ETC.,

Although the tide of emigration had been steadily increasing in volume, it was not till 1850 that it reached its flood; then the rush, by land and by water, was continuous and immense, particularly to the eastern portion of the parish. Up to about that year, this part of Claiborne was rather thinly populated but those that had come in were of the best material. It was composed of such families as that of O'Banon, Hargis, Dr. Bush, Thomson, Nolan, Williams, Smith Barber, Wasson, Bruce, Kennedy, Hall, Nelson, Wafer, Bullock, Aitken, Stephenson, Dyer, Gee, Butler, Henderson and Henry, James Dyer, Sam'l Smith, Dr. Bush and Richard Hargis, who once, represented the parish in the State Legislature. These pioneers came to North Louisiana when it was one of the most charming countries in the west. The axe had never resounded in these forest isles, save the chipping of the early surveyor. The forest was grand in its primeval state; the cloth of green spread interminably, presenting a vast range for all manner of stock in summer, and in winter was the switchcane on the hillsides and dense masses of large growth in the bottoms. The huge oaks never failed to furnish a bountiful supply of mast, or acorns. Game, consisting of bear, deer, turkey, wolf, fox, cat, ducks, numerous birds, fish in such quantities that the supply really appeared inexhaustible. It was certainly the happiest community to be found. Unpretending, possessed with a bountiful supply of the real comforts of life, with elementary schools in log cabins, the pathetic story of the Cross told under some umbrageous arbor, or in a rude log house with puncheon floor and seats , with wants few, and ways just, these people were happy.

But about 1849-50, this primeval land was found by the working Georgian and Alabamian, and from 1850 to 1861 lands changed ownership rapidly, the large area of public lands, then vacant, were soon entered. Then indeed the busy hum of agricultural industry commenced in earnest.

"Loud sounds the axe, redoubling stroke on stroke, On all sides round, the forest, hurls the oak. Headlong, deep echoing, groan the thickets brown, Then cracking, crashing, rushing, thunder down."

And the busy thud of the massive mawl, swung by black sinewy arms, kept time to the old plantation song of the simple happy negro, which for its plaintive melody can never be recalled on stage or in song. Roads were opened, the bayous bridged, academies were built and churches reared, in which such men as Randal, Wafer, Pennington, Fancher, Fuller, Simmons and others of equal ability and earnestness worked to develop the religious spirit of the people. Up sprang the village of Lisbon, surrounded and built by many well known families. I recall those of Killgore, McClendon, Cook, Duke, Patton, Tate, Bullard, White, Simmons, Heard, Coleman, Tippet, Aycock, McCasland, Dawson, Williams, Pennington and many others, with Dr. Seth Tatum, making it a live village.

A few miles west of Lisbon was the thriving business stand of Forest Grove, the leading spirit of which was that truly good and upright man, Frank Taylor. He now sleeps in the bosom of Texas, and the place he once made noted throughout Claiborne, is now pointed out by the cold marble shaft in its silent forest grave yard. Here rests the remains of that eloquent and active Christian, Tatum Wafer; and Dr. Scaife, a physician of note and a man of business; of Milton Barnett, and many others whose memory is yet green in the hearts of surviving friends and relatives. The Methodist Church at this place was the most noted in the parish in its day, for here the ablest men preached and the most effective work was accomplished in the name of the Master. North from this place on the banks of the Corni flourished for years the active village of Scottsville at the supposed head of navigation on that stream. But navigation never came. Yet such men as Major Browning, Dr Bush, Thomas Hart, the Stanleys and others like these, gave it life and vigor for years. But the village is now dead and no longer

known.

West of this place was situated the little inland village of Colquitt, surrounded by such men as John Wilson, Elbert Gray, the Tignors, and others, whose names we cannot now recall. Blessed with a good church and a thrifty community, it flourished as did Claiborne, but is now nearly silent. A few miles west of this place, we come to Gordon, named for Dr. Gordon, who started it, and is now, if living, a citizen of Texas. It too, was surrounded by an active, go-ahead community, and flourished to the outbreak of the war.

We next come to Haynesville. The original name of the place was Taylor's Store, for J. C. Taylor, who opened a small retail business there in 1848. Previous to that date, in 1843, Hiram Brown had located close by, also J. C. Wagon and L. S. Fuller, in 1844. In 1846 Miles Buford and Samuel Boyd cast their fortunes in this settlement, and in 1849 Henry Taylor came among them. Yearly the settlement increased in numbers, and farms, large and small, were opened. In consequence of this increase in population and agriculture, Wm. W. and J. L.Brown began a mercantile business, next door to Taylor. Sam Kirkpatrick and Dr. Wroten opened a drug business. Up to 1848 very little of the public lands had been entered in this neighborhood, and farming was on rather a small scale. The country was full of game, and deer skins and hams were staple articles of trade. But with THC rush of emigration that began in 1850 and which continued up to 1860, new ideas came, new wants and new industries. Agriculture began in earnest, and in a few years large farms were in every direction, the public lands were all entered, roads opened and a mighty prosperity was exhibited all through the region.

Summerfield, situated in the northeastern portion of the parish, is a thriving village of about one hundred and twenty inhabitants. It was settled by W. R. Kennedy in l868, by the erection of a wood and blacksmith shop, and a business house. It now has four stores dealing in general merchandise and plantation supplies, several drug stores, a saw and gristmill, and several mills in the vicinity , all run by steam. It has four churches, M. E. Church South, Methodist Protestant, Missionary Baptist, and Primitive Baptist, all with live and progressive congregations. The town has a good school building, with a good and regular attendance of pupils. The four stores do an aggregate business of about fifty thousand dollars annually. The town has two mails a week. The country around is in a prosperous condition, and with good water, pure air, good health, and a fertile soil. Summerfield and its neighborhood offer strong inducements to those hunting homes. The land is well timbered, and can be bought, at from one to five dollars per acre. The agricultural future of this section of our parish is bright for him who puts his heart in his farm work and will use progressive methods of tillage.

About six miles east of Homer is located the beautiful village of Arizona. Soon after the war a magnificent cotton factory was erected at this place, capable of employing a large number of hands. Its inconvenience to easy and rapid transportation, with other trouble, caused it to cease operating after a few years. It is now owned by John Chaffe of New Orleans, and is motionless. Arizona for a number of years, was the seat of Arizona Seminary, a very popular and flourishing school under the principalship of J. W. Nicholson, now the eminent Professor of Mathematics in the State University at Baton Rouge. Notwithstanding the discontinuance of the factory, and the decadence of its school, Arizona has held many of its best citizens, the Willises, Wafers, Nicholsons, Drs. Calhoun and Baker, Dutcher, Corrys, etc., and is happily blessed with, surrounding community of thrift, morality, and intelligence. In addition to the school and factory buildings, Arizona has one or more stores in operation, and a large and excellent meetinghouse, the property of the M. E. Church South, in which large and intelligent congregations meet regularly for religious worship.

Tulip, another small village, situated about nine miles southeast of Homer, was, until quite recently, a fine trading point. Here for many years, P. Marsalis & Sons have carried on a heavy general merchandise and supply business; but lately much of their custom has, been drawn to Arcadia, a rising town on the V. S. & P. Railroad, twelve miles south; and to meet the exigencies brought about by this change, they have moved the greater portion of their business to that place. Besides its store and post office, Tulip owns a steam saw and grist mill, a steam cotton gin, a schoolhouse, and a commodious and very good Methodist meeting house. There are a number of other steam cotton gins and saw mills in the immediate neighborhood, no less than five or six steam whistles being in easy hearing of the place. Tulip is noted for the steady and churchgoing habits of its people, and for the permanence and excellence of its school. The neighboring lands are among the most productive in the parish, and are occupied by a class of industrious and thrifty citizens. Among the old settlers, we may mention the Watsons, Marsalises, Whites, Gandys, Fomby, Leslie, Hays and others.

The water shed of Claiborne is quite simple; Dorcheat carrying the water from the western slopes to Red River and D’Arbonne and Corni to the Ouachita River from the eastern slope. From D'Arbonne east the country is gently rolling, but from D'Arbonne to Sugar Creek south, the ridges are more sharply defined, particularly near the bayou, as well as the valleys and plains. This portion of the parish was very thrifty in the antibellum (sic) days, and claimed the largest farms and heaviest taxpayers, of whom I recall the names of W. A. Obier, S. P. Gee, J. W. Andrews and B. C. Frazier. The Sugar Creek and adjoining lands were fine, and here were to be found the Hood family from Alabama, Buck Edmunds, Perritt, Howard, Snider, Landers, Robinson and many others; here their numerous industrious descendents are yet to be found.

We cannot close these notes of the early days in Claiborne without referring to two or three characters among the living and the dead.

James Dyer, who represented this parish in the State Legislature when the country was in its primeval state left just after the war, an old gray headed man, with his young wife and several children, for Texas. He has been dead for some years.

Josephus Barrow, a leading man in the Primitive Baptist Church, and who died six or eight years ago, was a worthy man and well qualified. He was a good neighbor and an active citizen, possessed of strong natural ability, considerate in the discharge of all his duties in obedience to the law of his God, as he understood it. He was steadfast in his friendship, his word was his law, provided for his family, left them a competency and has many children to revere his memory and follow in his path of truth and honor.

Joshua Willis, yet with us, a native of Virginia, but from Troup County, Georgia, to this parish, now in his 90th year, belongs to that modest but true type of Virginia, gentlemen, that secures the regard and esteem of all good people. He has a numerous family of sons and daughters, grand and great grand children around him. Courteous in manner, even in his temper, just in his ways, he can truly say he is ready to leave without an enemy. His good wife, Aunt Barbara, who had stood by his side aiding and encouraging in all the vicissitudes of his long life, has gone to her happy home. And now, as this upright old man, veteran of the War of 1812, a pensioner of the United States, nears the apex of that mount which stands before all the human family, he no doubt feels in his heart that when his eyes look out upon the pleasant, restful plains of the true promised land, that wife who was the soul and the pride of his young days, and his prop and stay in the hard toils of this life, will be the first to greet, as of yore, and welcome him home.

But here comes another character before us, with head gray but not bowed, and eye flashing as ever--Capt. W. G. Coleman. Genial in manner, with a good word for all, he was and is yet a son of Carolina. An ardent subscriber to the Calhoun school of polities, in his early manhood he was an outspoken nullifier, and in older years a bold and defiant secessionist. His first taste of war was as a volunteer, under Captain Jarnigham, in THC Creek War of 1837. Returning to Carolina he married, and in his native State remained till the death of his wife. The charms of old Carolina now became dimmed to his eyes, and with his four children he emigrated in 1844 to Perry County, Alabama. Here he contracted a second marriage, and this wife, who has borne him eight children, is yet with him. In 1846, when Mexico declared war against the United States, he was one of THC first to respond to his country's call, at the head of one hundred gallant men, known as the Perry Rangers. He joined Col. Coffee's regiment of Alabama volunteers, and with that regiment: for twelve months, was engaged in all it, marches, hardships and battles. And here let us not fail to recall the name of his faithful body servant, Sep. Although in a free country and other servants fleeing to the Mexican lines, Sep stood fast by his master, nursed him in sickness, faithfully administered to his wants when worn down with fatigue and exposure, and not only to him but to others of the company when he possibly could. He had the good will and confidence of all the men, became the custodian of their little treasures and never betrayed a trust. Returning home with his master, he died in his arms, and as his glazing eyes looked up into that kind master's face for the last time, that master's stricken heart blessed the faithful Afric son. In 1850, Capt. Coleman moved to Claiborne Parish, and being fond of the chase greatly enjoyed the rare sports of the day. In 1854, he with Col. J. W. McDonald, in a hotly contested campaign, as the Democratic candidates, gained a signal victory over the then rampant Know Nothing party. He has refused all political preferment since. When the war of secession was about to commence he, being to (sic) old to serve, drilled several volunteer companies previous to their march to the front.

Capt. Coleman joined the Missionary Baptist Church at Lisbon in 1854, and was elected clerk of the church. For twenty three years he has as promptly taken his seat at the desk as he did at the head of his company when the long roll called it to arms on the arid plains of Mexico. Always fond of company, always , good neighbor, his friends are many. Having ever been temperate in his habits, he now, although in his 80th year, writes a clear and even hand, and can yet bring down his bird on the wing as often as the best shots among our young men. Without enemies, with hosts of friends, he now serene and happy, awaits the bidding of the Master, summoning him to the great church above.

Another character who appeared in this parish between 1830 and 1840, and is yet with us, is Col. John Kimball. A Georgian by birth, in his young manhood he sought this part of the western world, and by strict attention to duty and business, secured to himself a competency and hosts of friends. He represented this parish in the State Legislature in 1855-56 with credit to himself and satisfaction to his people. He is now an old man, feeble in strength but with a heart strong as ever; yet a tiller of the soil and with honor untarnished, he is beloved by many and respected by all.

Nathan Brown, with his wife and four children, left Tennessee in 1833, crossed the Mississippi River at Memphis, from which point he made his way slowly through the wilds of Arkansas, camped a day or two where now stands the flourishing town of Prescott in amazement gazed at the magnificent meteoric display in November of that year, and in the timbered lands on their route had frequently to cut their way and as often dig down the banks of streams or bridge them before crossing, finally landing at or near Crystal Springs, in Claiborne Parish. Here he remained about five years, when he settled down at his home, near Haynesville, where he has resided since. Prospering in this world's goods he reared a large family of sons and daughters--sixteen only--thus enlargening (sic) the little family that left Tennessee toward a regiment in number. Mr. Brown, after an absence of fifty two years, returned to Tennessee on a visit to a sister whom he left a young married woman. She is now a grandmother. Old and stricken in years, but with honest hearts and dear consciences, this brother and sister meeting will they recognize each other can they recall ,he young manly and sweet womanly faces that separated so many years ago in Tennessee, when life's young morning was bright, and so full of promise?

Almost weekly can be seen on the. streets of Homer, the tall, erect form of Isaac Gleason. He came from the swamps of the Mississippi and Ouachita to this Parish in 1835. Born on the frontier and there raised, he is one of nature's unsophisticated children, warmhearted, liberal, just, doing evil to none. All around Homer, in the D'Arbonne bottom was his hunting grounds, and many are the bear, panther, turkey and deer that have fallen at the crack of his long flint and steel Kentucky rifle. He claims to have killed the last bear that was killed on the grounds of Homer. Nature was his school, and he has culled much profound knowledge there from, knowledge by experience, which others only obtain by reasoning. Uncle Isaac has raised a good family of sons and daughters, has given his daughters every advantage the schools of Homer could offer, and now he can safely point to all his children with pride, for they have taken their places among the just and the good.

As another of our old and honored citizens, we may mention Col. J.W. Berry, who came to Claiborne in 1834, when a mere youth. In 1836 and 1837 he resided at Overton. In 1838 he moved to Minden and engaged in merchandising, which he continued till near the commencement of the war. He has been honored by his fellow citizens with many positions of trust. In 1847 he was elected 1^st Lieutenant of a company of militia, and commissioned by Governor Isaac Johnson In 1849 he was appointed on the staff of General Gilbert, of Shreveport; was elected to the Legislature in 1851; elected Colonel of Claiborne Regiment in 1855; reelected to the Legislature in 1860; appointed Colonel in the Confederate service, and assigned to duty as enrolling officer of Claiborne Parish; and was again returned to the Legislature in 1864. Since the formation of Webster in 1871, Col. Berry has resided in that parish, and has been constantly honored with public trusts.

Among the early settlers of Claiborne Parish, who yet live, is W. F. Moreland. Engaged in agriculture, he has never sought political preferment, but at the request of his people has served them m both Houses of the Legislature. In these positions he discharged the duties with marked judgment and ability, and to the satisfaction of his constituency. In 1879, with Rev. J. T. Davidson, he represented the Parish in the Constitutional Convention, and his course was heartily endorsed by the people. Pure and irreproachable, he has passed through the trying ordeals of public life with honor unsullied; and honored of a11 who know him, he is now spending the evening of his life in the quiet of his country home.

CHAPTER IX.

GERMANTOWN--ITS ORIGIN, GROWTH AND FINAL

DECAY.

This is a town or settlement, the history of which is full of interest, embracing much that is romantic; and could all the details be had, the events would be thrilling. In 1830, and for some years previous, Germany had become infected with revolutionary ideas that were then declared wild and dangerous, and many of which, when attempted to be carried out, proved altogether visionary. Among others who became involved in these schemes was the Count Von Leon. His liberal movements or ideas were declared treason. He was arrested, tried, and condemned to die, but a powerful influence which then pervaded Germany came to his rescue, and his life was spared. This mighty influence emanated from the Masonic order. Count Leon had taken the highest degrees, and in his own state Or principality, was the head of the order. Through this influence his sentence was commuted to perpetual banishment. Bowing to this cruel, though merciful sentence, as to the matter of life and death, in 1831 Count Von Leon of the principality of Hapsburg, and Madam the Countess Von Leon, daughter of one of the merchant princes of Frankfort on the Rhine looking for the last time on their native land, turned their faces to the west, giving up all the comforts and luxuries of wealth and religion, an untried and unknown home in far off America. Perhaps there are a few of our old people, from the states east of the Mississippi River who raised in wealth and all its comforts, but were suddenly reduced there from can realize and sympathize with the miserable change that thus suddenly occurred in the life of this family, aggravated too by knowing that a return to their old home was forever forbidden.

Embarking at the nearest seaport, Count and Madam Leon, accompanied with about 300 persons, who came with them as colonists to build up a new home in untrammeled America, without accident or mishap on the sea, safely landed in the City of New York. Resting here a while and the better to determine whither to go the company moved down into Pennsylvania, the neighborhood of Pittsburg, where ?????? two years. Becoming dissatisfied on accounthn??? of the harshness of the climate and the indifference or cold welcome meted out to them, some of the company removed to Ohio and other northern states. But the main body, following the fortunes of the Count and Countess, determined to seek a milder climate than was to be found in the northern portion of United States. Having determined to make Louisiana their home, they gathered up their stores, and after a long and arduous journey, in which they endured many hardships and much suffering, they landed safe near Natchitoches, on Red River. Here they located and commenced business; but soon the colony fell victims to swamp fever of the most malignant type. Count Leon and the most of his followers died and were buried here on the banks of the Red River not under their native linden trees, but under the stately cotton wood, and the solemn cypress. The Count and the most of his faithful followers now sleep that long, dreamless sleep, in unknown graves somewhere on the banks of the Red River. No friendly hand can ever decorate their graves, but with each returning spring the wild flowers will bloom over them and the tall cypress will keep ward over them till the morning of the resurrection.

How lonely and sad the Countess now weeping in a strange and far off wilderness, over the grave of her husband! One of Louisiana’s noble representatives in Congress introduced and had passed a bill, donating the colony a good body of land in Claiborne. The colony was very wealthy when it left Germany, but they had spent a large sum for implements and equipments which were all lost, together with much of their jewelry and, fine furniture. A large part of this wealth was sunk in barge boats on which they traveled. The last articles of value which the Count owned was a beautiful set of Masonic regalia, set with precious stones, and valued at $6,000. This was sold to the Catholic Church at Natchitoches, and is, we believe, still in its possession. The Countess now, after a stay of about two years on Red River moved with the remnant of the colony to Claiborne Parish, and settled on the land donated by Congress, which lies about twelve miles southwest of Homer. When they reached their destination, there was not the sign of a habitation to receive them, nor to be seen in that vicinity. The only road near was the military road from Natchitoches to Fort Smith in Arkansas. Brought up in towns, these people knew nothing of country life, but they went to work with 'willing hands and brave hearts, and soon built themselves rude log houses to protect ,themselves from the storms of winter and the heat of summer.

The colony still had its own minister, physician, mechanics, etc., and of course held everything in common. Here the colony engaged in agriculture and merchandizing, and succeeded well. Their mercantile business was small at first, but gradually increased till in 1870, they did a business which aggregated $100,000. Their business was conducted on the credit system and a large number of their customers failing to settle, in 1871 they failed. Had they enforced collections, they might have continued to prosper financially , but recalling to mind their own distresses years before, and the aid and sympathy extended to them at that time, they deeply sympathized with their customers, who had lost their all in the great civil war, and they could not find in their hearts to oppress them. Noble Countess! that old ledger is her grandest monument. Countess Leon left Germantown in 1871, went to Bastrop, La, and resided a while there with her daughter. From Bastrop, she moved with her daughter to Hot Springs Arkansas, where in 1881, she died at an advanced age.

The Count Leon had but one son--a noble young man--greatly admired by all who knew him. He died while yet young, in 1870, we believe of yellow fever, near Vernon in Jackson Parish.

A few months ago the writer of this sketch visited the scene of this old settlement. The store and shops in which the former inhabitants did business, are all gone. In a small house near, we found an aged gentleman--Wm. Stakouskya--native of Germany, and one of those who came over with the Count Leon. The old gentleman is a fine scholar and well read in both German and English literature. At our request he recited the history of the colony, and gave it an interest we have wholly failed to transfer to these pages.

CHAPTER X

Minden-Its Origin, Growth and Present Status

Prior to February, 1871, at which time the Parish of Webster was created, the town of Minden was embraced within the limits of Claiborne; its mention may therefore be properly included in this work.

This beautiful and thriving little city was founded in the year 1837, by Charles H. Veeder. Veeder was a man of great energy and enterprise. At that time Claiborne included the greater portion of the territory of North Louisiana lying between the Ouachita and Red Rivers, and a movement being on foot to divide the parish, which would necessitate the removal of the parish seat, Mr. Veeder worked hard to have the new Courthouse located at Minden; and it was principally through his efforts that an appropriation was secured from the state to build “Minden Academy.” Thus may be claimed for him the honor of having been one the originators and the chief promoter of this institution, which was subsequently change to Minden Female Seminary, and that later to Minden Female College. Defeated in his efforts to get the Courthouse, and failing financially, Mr. Veeder soon after left the country. He died at Bakersfield, California, September 6, 1875 at the age of 79 years. The following extracts from an obituary notice published in the Weekly Courier of that place will be interesting to those .who knew him: "Col. Veeder was born in Schenectady, N. Y., Oct. 1st, 1796. He was educated at Union College, Schenectady, and adopted the profession of the law. At an early age he sought service in the War of 1812, served with distinction, and was a pensioner of the government to the time of his death for services rendered in that struggle. He was of a restless disposition, and constantly sought excitement in new and stirring scenes. He traveled the West and South pretty thoroughly, figuring at various times in Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana and Texas, and finally finding his way to California in 1849. Here he lived in Vallejo, Sonoma, Mendocino, and eventually came to this place. Col. Veeder was a man of large intelligence, warm sympathies and kindly instincts, and his loss will be generally deplored."

Adam L. Stewart, who sold to Veeder, was probably the first white man to occupy the ground on which Minden stands. The first merchants to follow Veeder we re Wilson & Wells; Lee & Co.; Morrow, Berry & Co.; W. A. Drake, Sr.; and Myers Fisher. Soon after these came John Chaffe, Foster Robinson, Berry & Thompson, Harry Drake, Wm. Oliver, D. & J. H. Murrell, and others. Minden's first lawyers were E. Olcott, Tillinghast Vaughn, D. L. Evans, G. W. Peets and Andrew Lawson; and her first physicians were Wills, Pennell, Williams, and D. M. Farland. Dick Thompson was the first hotelkeeper. His hotel stood where T. B. Neal’s old brick store now stands. The first business house erected in Minden was on the site of the handsome brick store now occupied by Leary & Crichton. The site of the 01d Minden Academy is now occupied by Minden Female College. Minden’s first newspaper was conducted by a Mr. Craig, and was Democratic. The first church was built by the Methodists in 1839; the next by the Baptists in 1841. The Catholic church was established in 1867 and the Protestant Episcopal in 1870. Of the pioneer citizens of Minden, Col. J. W. Berry, Dr. Dan M. Farland, Wm. Hardy, E. Etter, and David Canfield are about all that remain in the place. A few linger yet in other homes; the rest have gone to the silent shore.

In 1871, Minden became the parish seat of Webster, a new parish organized that year from portions of Claiborne, Bossier and Bienville. The present Courthouse was built immediately after the incorporation of the parish at a cost of $25,000 and is one of the finest structures of the kind in this portion of the State. In addition to its handsome Courthouse, Minden has many bountiful residences, and numerous large and substantial brick stores, all of which indicate the cultivated taste and solid prosperity of its people.

The excellent location of Minden as a trading point, added to the liberal and progressive policy of its merchants, assured it a prosperous business career from the beginning. We have no figures to show the extent of its trade prior to 1882 but in that year there were shipped from the town 22,000 bales of cotton, of which 15,000 bales were handled by its own merchants.

In 1883, the shipment was 15,000 bales, of which its merchants bought lO,O00. In 1884 the receipts were 10,000, and the purchase 9000. During the last ten years the annual receipts have averaged fully 15,000 bales, of which its merchants have handled about 10,000. Minden's average annual sales of merchandise during this period, have aggregated fully half a million.

The decline in business in l883 and 1884 was owing to the changes wrought, first, by the extension of a branch of the Paramore Railroad to Magnolia, Ark., which town, in consequence has controlled about 5,000 bales of cotton that had formerly gone to Minden; and secondly, by the completion of the V. S. & P road running five miles south and cutting down its receipts another 5,000 bales.

Such heavy inroads upon their business would have discouraged and paralyzed many, but not so with these people. They were equal to the emergency. Nobly, and with their accustomed zeal and activity, did ,they go to work and build a tap connecting them with the V. S. & P. R. R. which they have now completed at a cost to themselves of nearly $50,000 and which connects them with every train on the main line. They have also succeeded in impressing the V. S. & P. R. R. authorities that Minden can control a large amount of business for their road, which, until the completion of the tap, had gone to Magnolia. This together with the fact that it is more to the V. S. & P. R. R. to have business concentrated at Minden than to meet the strong competition at Shreveport, has induced it to give a through rate of freights to and from Minden for less than that of any other town along its line. To compensate the V. S. & P. for this concession, the Minden men have agreed to do all their shipping by rail, not patronizing the boats at all, believing that the rates they have obtained from the road are about as low as they formerly were by boat.

The merchants of Minden repudiate the idea of the railroads having done anything for them as a favor but claim that its geographical position has made Minden a competitive point; not, however, to the extent of Shreveport, but sufficiently so to entitle it to the comparative freight rates given, These advantages Minden now enjoys, and the high financial standing of its business men, and the energy and pluck displayed by them in laying out $50,000 in cash on their branch road, and this just after the loss of $40,000 by the burning of some 1200 bales of their cotton two years age and the financial embarrassment occasioned by the failure of some of their friends in New Orleans last spring, are a sufficient guarantee that Minden is to be herself again. She will ship fifteen to eighteen thousand bales of cotton this season,(1885-1886), and with a good crop next year, 25,000 bales are the figures set by her merchants. Minden claims that she should handle all the cotton in Webster Parish, and in the west half of Claiborne; and will contend for the trade of Bienville Parish lying around Ringgold, an d believes that hereafter, in time of low water a considerable amount of cotton will come to her from Red River below Loggy Bayou. Minden is amply able to pay cash for all the cotton brought to her, and with her reduced freights, she is certainly a formidable competitor of the towns along the line of the road; and when the known liberality and progressiveness of her merchants are taken into the account, there is very strong additional inducement for farmers to patronize her market.

For her educational advantages, Minden is not surpased (sic) by any town in the State, nor, as for that matter hardly any where else. Her Female College is one of the oldest institutions west of the Mississippi River, giving superior education to young women. Its alumni, widely scattered over the State, have always maintained the high position the College holds in the public estimation. They are among the most honored wives and daughters of her citizens. Many of them have achieved distinction as writers of prose and poetry, and some of them are among the best female teachers in the State. A brief history of the school, we are sure, will be interesting to the reader.

In 1838, Minden Academy was organized and was successively conducted by Rev. R. T. Baggs, Henry M..Spofford, Prof. Burke, Rev. Wm. Brooks and Rev. W. H. Scales. In 1850, the name was changed to Minden Female Seminary by organizing it under the first Board of Trustees.

The first Principal of the Seminary was John S. Garvin, who took charge in September, 1850. He did not finish a scholastic year, but resigned and left it in charge of some of his associates, who were assisted by J. D. Watkins, then one of the principals of the Minden Male Academy his associate being A. B. George. Of these teachers, Mr. Spofford subsequently became one of the eminent Supreme Judges of La, and Mr. Watkins a Judge of the District Court now one of the most distinguished jurists of the State. Mr. George is now one of the eminent Judges of the Court of Appeals.

In 1853, a new Board of Trustees was formed, who elected Mr. S. L. Slack as principal. Under his administration the name was changed by Act of Incorporation to Minden Female College. President Slack began his administration by securing funds and erecting the main buildings of the College and no man ever brought to it more zeal, energy and ability. THC buildings erected under his supervision show the wisdom of his plans.

President Slack resigned and was followed by J. Franklin Ford. This gentleman succeeded in having two additional buildings added to the College one the large Concert Hall, the other a large building for boarders. Under the administration of President Ford, which lasted six years the college was in a most prosperous condition. In February, 1862, he resigned, and was succeeded by J. E. Bright, D. D. Dr. Bright was a scholar of rare attainments, and a minister of great celebrity. A large number of pupils from every part of the State attended while he was in charge. He served as President eight years, resigning in January, 1871.

The next President was Rev. T. B. Russell, who served only one year, resigning on account of ill health. After the departure of Mr. Russell, the Board employed Miss Mildred Boyle, as Principal. Miss Boyle had been one of Mr. Russell's associate teachers, was a graduate of the College, and had taken the first honors of her class. She managed the institution very successfully until failing health compelled her resignation.

In 1876, Col. Thos. O. Benton, formerly of the law firm of Garrett, Benton & Slack of Monroe, La., was elected President. Col Benton, a profound lawyer and elegant scholar, held the position three and a half years. Resigning, he was succeeded by Col. George D. Alexander, who was elected President for five and a half years. Col Alexander entered upon the discharge of his duties in February, 1879, and the term of his office will expire with the scholastic year 1885-86. He is a gentleman of erudite scholarship, and the reputation of the college has increased greatly under his administration.

The old Minden Academy, erected mainly through the agency of Charles H. Veeder, was, as we understand, a school for both boys and girls.. When it was, changed to Minden Female Seminary, in 1850. provision was made for the separate education of boys. The present Male Academy was built about that time mainly through the liberality of W. A. Drake, Sr. who donated the sum of $1500 for that purpose, thus putting himself on record as one of the benefactors of Minden, and of his race. This school has been in charge of many able teachers, and has a high reputation.

Its pure water, good health, pleasant location, fine residences and beautiful shade trees, together with the literary air of its citizens, render

Minden a most desirable place for a home, where both daughters and sons may receive a finished education.

Claiborne Parish History, Claiborne Parish, LA

Source: Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana

The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890

Submitted by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez

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Chapter VII

Page 379

CLAIBORNE PARISH-NATURAL FEATURES-STREAMS, TOPOGRAPHY AND STATISTICAL MATTER-PIONEERS, LAND ENTRIES AND OLD TOWNS-IMPORTANT ACTS OF THE POLICE JURY-THE COURTS AND POLITICS-MILITARY RECORD-THE PRESS-EDUCATION-MEDICINE-AGRICULTURE-RAILROADS-HOMER CITY-SMALLER VILLAGES OF THE PARISH-INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY SKETCHES.

"Men married women then

Who kept their healthful bloom

By working at the churn,

And at the wheel and loom.

And women married men

Who did not shrink from toil,

But wrung with sweat their bread

From out the stubborn soil."

R. H. Stoddard.

CLAIBORNE PARISH is decidedly rolling and even mountainous on the divide between the D'Arbonne and Black Lakes. The soil of the uplands in from 18 to 27 inches in depth, is free from rock and may be cultivated readily. The area is 767 (corrected 778) square miles of which 60 square miles are red lands. In 1879-80 there were 126,000 acres in cultivation of which, 46,567 were in cotton; 42,920 in corn; 471 in sweet potatoes and 99 in sugar cane. The cotton acreage yielded 19,568 bales (of .42 bales per acre) 600 pounds seed cotton or 200 pounds of cotton lint. J. Y. Davidson of Homer, placed the capacity of red lands at 1,000 pounds of seed cotton per acre of fresh land and 700 pounds per acre of ten years' old land. To uplands he credited a capacity of 1,200 pounds, and after twenty years, 800 pounds of seed cotton per acre. The population in 1880 was 18,858--8,544 white and 10,314 colored. In 1870 there were 9,630 whites and 10,608 colored or 20,240; and in 1860, 8996 whites, 7,848 slaves and 4 free colored or 16,848. In 1850 the total population was 7,471, 2,522 slaves; in 1840, 6,185, including 2,295 slaves; and in 1830, 2,764 including 215 slaves. The population in 1890 is places at 21,011 and the number subject to military duty at 2,831. The State census taken in June, 1890, credits the parish with 8,909 white citizens-4,560 males and 4,349 females; and 12,101 negroes-6,108 males and 5,993 females together with 7,377 children of all colors, the blacks showing a small majority. The total, 28,387 includes 1,111 inhabitants of Homer.

The real estate is assessed at $823,254 and personal property at $805,415 or a total of $1,628,669. The value of live stock is placed at $341,034. The total acreage is estimated at 497,920 acres, of which 65,000 are in cultivation-27,780 under cotton, 24,460 under corn, 3,870 under oats and remainder under other crops. In 1889 there were 10,380 bales of cotton produced; 265,350 bushels of corn and 29,950 of oats.

It is estimated that there are 1,500,000,000 feet of yellow pine lumber, and probably an equal amount of hardwood, including cypress, various kinds of oak, hickory, etc. There are thirty-six saw-mills in the parish.

The mineral interest of the parish are represented by deposits of iron ore in considerable quantities, so nearly pure ore that steel may be made from it very cheaply. During the war a Confederate officer, under instructions to search for iron ore, made a trip through this parish and reported rich deposits of lead, but the site has not since then been discovered.

The storm of April, 1889, moved the church building at Colquitt, 14 miles north of Homer, and damaged or destroyed all the small buildings in its track.

In June, 1889, an alligator or gar is said to have carried off a small colored boy, who was swimming in the Corni, near Summerfield. The boy was never heard of again.

In April, 1881, a party of 300 persons went into the forest at Dyke's mills, to search for the seven-year old son of W. H. Randle. After two days the boy was found in Dorcheat swamp, twelve miles from home.

In 1818 the only houses or cabins between Long Prairie in Arkansas Territory and the old town of Natchitoches were those just completed by a man named Bosell, who is June moved down to the Sabine River country, and another was the home of Isaac Alden and Mrs. Johnson. Both cabins were on the hunter's trail eight miles east of Minden, near the present line between Claiborne and Webster. Murrell's Cemetery was established in 1822 by the burial of one of the poor Dutch immigrants, Miller. In 1821 John Allen and Mary Holcomb introduced matrimonial customs here; while in 1822 Jenny Long and William Crowley went down to Natchitoches to have the old, old church sanction their proposed union of hearts. In this year also John Murrell employed James Ashburner Conley to open a school, the pay being $15 per month. A Baptist society was organized by James Brinson and Arthur McFarland at John Murrell's house, and Jean B. Fashier opened a store close by as agent of Harrison & Hopkins, of Natchitoches. A year later john Murrell was appointed postmaster for the new office in Allen's settlement. In 1824 a cotton-gin was constructed by Thomas Moore for Adam Reynolds (on the present Harper farm), which became the property of Russell Jones in 1825. Lee & Killgore opened a store near Murrell's in 1825, vice Fashier, who drank heavily and fled. The preachers, Stevenson, McMahon and Ross conducted a camp-meeting near Isaac Miller's cabin in 1825, the first within the wide domain of ancient Claiborne. Shortly after the establishment of the seat of justice at Russellville, Lee & Killgore removed their store thither. In 1829 a road was opened from Russellville to Minden Lower Landing, and in 1830, $1,500 was expended on Lake Bisteneau.

At Russellville in 1835-36 James M. McMahon was postmaster. Col. Berry thinks that L. E. Pratt was subsequently postmaster at Overton. On the removal of the parish offices to Overton Russellville was deserted as related in the sketch of that village. About 1826 the first slaves were introduced here, and the cultivation of cotton entered on extensively. Sac Pennington Gee, of Ward 6, was the largest slave owner in 1860, owning about eighty slaves. Gen. J. L. Simmons, who resided near the line of Webster Parish, claimed seventy; J. W. Andrews, T. H. Tuggle, J. C. Blackman, Horace Blackman, James Blackman, T. A. Heard, Joshua Willis, R. M. Browning, Dr. Bush, the Maddens, Wiley Thornton, G. S. Barrow, Josiah and Josephus Barrow, John Wilson (near Arkansas line), the Tigners, W. F. Moreland, James Dyer, Thompson Wood, Thomas Wafer, J. T. Wafer, W. B. Nicholson, W. A. Obier, Marshall Kinabrew, Morgan Hall, G. W. Maddox, James A. Turner, Hugh Taylor, Joseph Shelton, Henry Taylor, Richard White, J. M. White, J. R. Walker, John Walker, John L. Tippitt, J. J. Duke, Harmon Patton, Jonathan Knox, Capt. Coleman, Michael L. Casson, John Murrell, Jr., Littleton Fuller, James M. Morrow, R. M. Kennon, T. H. Brown, John Cooksey, William and Allen Hill, John Kimball, Wilkes Ramsey, Gennbeth Wynne, Samuel Smith, J. L. Godley, W. W. Goodson, J. J. Blackburn, B. C. Johnson, Ephriam Pennington, J. M. Wafer, Thomas Hightower, J. S. Corry, James L. Dial, B. C. Frazier, James C. Egan, Phineas Gleason, Nathan Brown, Dinsmore Neely, John Neely, Ben Reynolds, A. R. Thompson (killed in a railroad accident in 1869 or 1870), Bryan O'Bannon (who died in 1890), D. W. Gladden, J. D. Dansby (killed in 1884), A. A. Phillips, J. M. Prestidge, the Grigsbys, Dr. T. E. Glass (moved to Texas in 1863), William McCree and others named among the early land buyers were slave owners. Hall Frazier, a slave of John Frazier, bought his freedom twice, and established a mercantile house at Minden, and a water-mill on Cross Creek in Claiborne, and moved to Winn Parish, where he died some five years ago. So far as Mr. Ramsey remembers, he was the only free colored resident in Claiborne in 1852, and was himself a slave owner, having purchased one slave from Leatherman, who had previously sold his farm here for two slaves.

Among the ordinances of Homer, adopted in 1855, is one pointing out the duty of patrol captains. Section 3 of this ordinance ordained that each captain of patrol should cause the bell of the Homer Hotel to be rung every night at 9 o'clock to notify the negroes to repair to their homes, and all negros caught out from their homes after said time without a pass from his or her owner shall be flogged by the patrol. White persons caught conversing with negroes under suspicious circumstances, or found round kitchens or negro quarters after the stated hour were to be brought before the mayor and fined. Groups of negroes, over three in number, found on the square on Sundays, were to be dispersed.

The first private purchasers of the United States lands in Township 19, Ward 6, were Arthur McFarlane and William Ashbrook on Section 18, 19, in 1831; William Lee, P. P. Brinson and William Crowley, in 1832-33; William Hill, J. Casey, H. Barber, Robert Henderson, Alex T. Nelson, Keziah Brinson, Elias Welborne, Hardy W. Miller, William P. Robinson, James C. C. McCauley, John Browning and William Moglin, in 1835-37. In 1836 James Dyer entered lands on Section 3 and Robert L. Killgore on Section 6 in 1837. December 4, 1830, James Lee entered for the parish of Claiborne 144.45 1/2 acres on the northwest quarter of Section 6; Charles Hayes on Section 8, in 1832; Jesse L and Erastus Long, in 1833; James W. Wright, in 1836; Daniel Carragan, in 1832, and Stephen Pate on Section 9, in 1838. Francis W. Turpin, W. R. McAlpine and John Stamps located on Sections 32 and 33 in 1837, while the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 29 was entered for the town of Lexington. Township 19, Range 7, was entered on Section 4 by John Wilson in 1835. James Crow, Reuben Drake and John Bausket, Bartley M. Shelton, Jasper and Tom Gibbs, Lewis Harrison, Elizabeth Henderson, Chandler Lewis, Carney Cargile, Robert Madden, Samuel G. and Daniel Graves, Tom Leatherman, T. B. Goldby, F. M. Bradley, R. H. Barrett, T. C. Scarborough and Samuel A. Kirby located lands throughout the township in 1836-37. Daniel Gray entered the first lands on Section 24 in 1832. James M. Morrow entered several tracts in Township 19, Range 8 in 1839-40 and Richard M. Kennon in 1848.

Township 20, Range 6, was first entered by Jethro Butler on Section 22, Thomas Brown on Section 12 and John Avers on Section 14 in 1832. In 1836-39 a number of settlers purchased lands here, among whom were John P. Smith, Samuel Clark, J. M. Bigham, Samuel Butler, Thomas Henderson, Joe and Ben Brown, John Williams, J. G. Austin, Drewry Thompson, W. A. Drake, Ransom Butler, William Dyer and Joseph Burns. In 1833 Samuel Walker located on Section 35. The first entries on Township 20, Range 7, were John Merrill or Murrell on Section 5, in 1835; W. B. Hargis, Section 12; Blakeley Edins, Section 26, and Tillinghast Vaughan on Section 36, in 1836.

The entry of Township 20, Range 8, dates back to 1837, when Russell Jones, William Hobbs, Jacob Peacon, William Harkins, Quintain Dines, Ben Nugent, Jesse and Louis Nullion, James Hiler and John Murrell entered their lands. In 1838-39 Fred Miller, Jacob Wittle, Fred Botzong, Morris Miller, Steve Butler, J. W. Miller and W. Melton made entry.

Township 21, Range 6, was entered largely in 1836-37. Among the buyers in the first-named year were R. L. Killgore, John Smith, Thomas Wafer, Daniel Sears, William Crowley, James Dyer, John L. Dyer and Ben Goodson. In 1837 came Volney Stamps, William C. Mylene, D. S. Humphries, Daniel McDougall, George W. Peets, William M. Givin and Caleb Goodson. The first entry was made in February, 1835, on Section 25 by Joshua Willis. In 1848-49 William C. Moreland, Antony Pate, Martin Able, John L. Tippett, Dumas Patterson, Allen Woods, A. B. Colton, E. S. Hamilton, Thomas P. Hamilton, William Berry and W. Giles entered some lands here, while ten years before this Ben and T. W. Green entered their land.

Township 21, Range 7, was opened for entry in 1839, when Mary and Burrey Bradley located on Section 3, George Demors and son on Section 4 and Catherine Hews on Section 27. From 1849 to 1859 immigrants flocked hither, and before the war the whole township may be said to have passed into the hands of private owners.

Township 21, Range 8, was first entered in 1838-39 by William M. Gryder, Section 1; Silas Talbert, Section 2; Hugh and Hiram Gryder, Section 10; Martin Wood, Section 18; John Holcomb and Fred Grounds, Section 20; William Harkins, Section 27; Wash. E. Edins and Bamster Edins, Section 29; George and Conrad Grounds and George A. Bell, Section 30; Vincent Walker, Section 32, and John B. Hendley and John Murrell, Section 36. Like the former township it was bought up principally during the antebellum decade.

Township 22, Range 6, was offered for sale in 1839, when Charles Y. Long entered a tract on Section 3; Jesse Lee, Section 23; John B. Wallace, Section 24; and John Gwinn, Section 35. The township was mainly purchased within the years 1849-58.

Township 22, Range 7 west, did not claim more than one private owner prior to 1853, when Hugh Taylor, J. F. McGinty, John E. Weeks, Jesse Connor, Samuel Cook, George W. Fuller, Dave Cripps, James A. Turner, Isaac Oakes, R. M. Been, Jonas Short, J. J. Wise, John Herring and W. H. Brittain made their selections. In 1848 William F. Moreland entered a half section on Section 1. Between 1853 and 1858 the lands passed into the hands of private owners.

Township 22, Range 8, was sold between the years 1848 and 1859. Robert C. Russell bought on Section 1 in 1848; Miles Beaufort was a large buyer in 1850. Patrick O'Connell bought on Section 19 in 1841; John McCarty, Section 21; Jonathan Knox, S. S. C. Wilson, Section 22; Michael L. Casson, Section 32; William M. and Claiborne Gryder, Section 35 in 1839, and Silas Talbert, Section 36 in 1838. In 1859-51 a large area was purchased by residents.

Township 23, Range 6, was opened in 1839, but was not until 1849 was there any impression made on this section of the wilderness by the immigrants. In July, 1839, Abram Foster entered 78.44 acres on Section 8, and here a halt was called until 1849. During the ensuing ten years the township passed from the ownership of the United States.

Township 23, Range 7 west, was first entered in November, 1838, by Joseph Copeland on Section 3, and secondly in December, 1840, on Section 34 by Franklin Short. In June, 1849, he purchased a second small tract on Section 35, and Morgan Franks on Section 12. In 1850 a large number of settlers and speculators descended upon this township.

Township 23, Range 8, was proclaimed in 1839-James Ward making the first entry on Section 10, in December of that year. Cornelius McAuley entered land on Section 31 in 1847. Isaac L. Leonard, J. C. Garlington, Peter McDonald, James C. Beck, J. W. Camp, J. P. Sale, W. T. Leonard, James C. Taylor, Redick Aycock, Lewis Moore, Joel G. Patrick, William E. Hughes, A. J. Watters and perhaps a few others located lands here during the years 1850-56.

Russellville the second seat of justice (Murrell's being the first), was settled as early as 1825 by the Killgores and others named in the chapter on pioneers. A rude court-house and ruder jail were erected, and R. L. Killgore's store opened. The place was named in honor of Samuel Russell, who urged the location as the proper place for the seat of justice. There, in 1835, the murderer Halthouser was hanged, and in the old jail several of the white and black desperadoes of the period were confined. The only evidence of the place being ever a village is the old Killgore House, still standing in the clearing. The owner died in 1871, and his widow in 1883. On December 4, 1830, is made a record of the purchase, by James Lee for Claiborne Parish, of 144.45 1/2 acres on the northwest quarter of Section 6, Township 19, Range 16. In 1829 the first road was opened from Russellville to Minden Lower Landing at the head of navigation on Bayou Dorchette. About this time R. C. Killgore and James Lee moved their little stores to this point from the old Fashier store, which they occupied in 1825 near Murrell's house. Later a water-mill was constructed on Berry Creek, and gins and horse-powered mills were in use in the neighborhood. In 1836 the parish seat was removed to Overton and Russellville soon after fell into decay. In 1858 Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church was established near the deserted town.

The history of the town of Overton is given in the pages devoted to Webster Parish. Owing to the unhealthy location and the general desire for change, Overton was deserted in 1846, and Athens selected as the official center of the parish.

Athens was selected as the seat of justice in 1846. Charles L. Hay settled on the present Keener farm in 1825. Thomas Leatherman, the Butlers, Crows and others hitherto named, were identified with this section. In 1832 the first camp-ground was established close by. In 1846 the school building and a large area of ground were donated for parish seat purposes by John Wilson. The flowing spring was a consideration in adopting this site. Kiser kept a small general store, Saunders P. Day was tavern-keeper, Arthur McFarland filled the dual position of postmaster and Baptist preacher, John Kimball lived on the Frazier lands. Col. Lewis was also here and all the parish officers. A Methodist Church, known as Ashbrooks, was erected in 1830; in 1839 the Missionary Baptists held meetings in the schoolhouse; in 1851 the first Presbyterian society of the parish was organized near here at old Midway, but soon after moved to Athens. On November 7, 1849, the academy of school building, in which were the offices of the parish, was burned with all the valuable records and documents-the only things of value destroyed. In 1850 the grounds were reconveyed to Wilson, and he was also granted a sum of money in consideration for the burning of his school-house. The fire was considered at the time to be carried out by conspirators, who desired the destruction of part of the records, and to carry out their desire destroyed all. New Athens is east of the old town on the Louisville & Northwestern Railroad.

The site of the town of Lexington, east half of the southeast quarter of Section 29, Township 19, Range 6, was entered in 1837.

Lisbon was an important point over forty years ago. Near by, in April, 1849, at Thomas B. Wafer's house, a Methodist society was formed. The Baptists built a large meeting-house there a few years ago (1885-86). In the village and adjacent thereto, resided several pioneer families. Masonic Lodge No. 130, organized here in 1857, ceased in 1886.

Forest Grove was founded a few miles west of Lisbon, by Frank Taylor and others, such as Dr. Scaife, Milton Barnett. Prior to 1850, Contractor John C. Blackman built a Methodist church-house near Maj. Dyer's house, six miles east of Homer. This building was moved to Arizona in 1866. Scottsville stood north of Forest Grove, on the banks of the Corni, and flourished for years at the supposed head of navigation of that stream. But navigation never came. Yet such men as Maj. Browning, Dr. Bush, Thomas Hart and the Stanleys gave it life and vigor for years. Dawson Lodge No. 138, A. F. & A. M., was organized here at an early date, and ceased in 1873. Colquitt, Gordon, Haynesville, Summerfield, Homer, Arizona, Tulip, Aycock, Blackburn, Cane Ridge, Dykesville, Holly Springs, Langston, Millerton and Ward's mill are the center of the old settlement of the parish as now constituted. Terryville was the name given to an old center existing before the war. In 1854 a Masonic lodge, No. 127, was organized there. This ceased to exist in 1861. At Holly Springs another lodge (No. 211) was chartered in 1870, and continued work until 1879, while Flat Lick, where one of the earliest church organizations took place, claimed a Masonic lodge from 1868 to 1883.

Claiborne Parish, the first subdivision of Natchitoches Parish, was established by an act of the Legislature, approved March 13, 1828. The boundaries extended from a point on the east bank of Red River, fifty miles northwest of Natchitoches village, at the northern line of Township 13; east on that line to the line between Ranges 3 and 4 west, along the range line, forming the western boundary of Ouachita Parish, to the south line of Arkansas Territory; thence west to Red River, and down the river to the place of beginning. Within the originals boundaries of old Claiborne, were the parishes of Bossier, detached in 1842; Jackson, in 1845; Bienville, in 1848; Webster, in 1871, and part of Lincoln in 1874.

The police jury also organized at John Murrell's house in 1828, and held meetings at Murrell's for some time, or until the offer of Samuel Russell of a site for the seat of justice was accepted. This place was called Russellville, in honor of the donor. Chichester Chaplin was parish judge.

The first court held at Russellville was presided over by Judge Overton, Isaac McMahon still being sheriff, while William McMahon, who had taken Cochran's place, was clerk.

After the removal of the great raft in 1835 the head of navigation was extended to a point near the Minden Lower Landing on Bayou Dorchette. The aspirations of the place fifty-five years ago were lofty, and , as a result, the parish seat was transferred thereto in 1836, and the name Overton conferred upon it, evidently in honor of Judge Overton. For ten years the police jury and courts met here, but owing to a desire for a more central location, and in consideration of the unhealthy character of the village in the bottoms, the offices and records were moved to Athens in 1846. In 1848 the public buildings and records at Athens were destroyed by fire, and the same year the seat of justice was established at Homer (named by Frank Vaughan), on land entered by the parish or granted by Allen Harris and Tillinghast Vaughan. A very primitive board building was at once erected, and there, in September of that year, Judge Roland Jones opened court, with Allen Harris, sheriff, and W. C. Copes, clerk. During the winter on 1849-50 a substantial brick building was erected for public purposes, and therein, in the fall of 1850, the same judge, sheriff and clerk opened court.

The oldest record of the police jury is dated November 12, 1849, the records of twenty-one years having been destroyed with the court-house at Athens, November 7, 1849. At this time Thomas Henderson was juror from Ward 1; John Bopp, No. 4; James B. McFarland, No. 5; Reuben D. Madden, No. 6; Silas Gamon, No. 7. F. Lyman was clerk. A copy of ordinance, published in Minden paper shows that on July 1, 1848, the boundaries of seven wards were fixed, J. Kilborne being then president, and F. Lyman, clerk. In November, 1849, Allen Harris was collector, and on December 18, James Kilborne was appointed agent to sell lots at Homer, and in April following, the exchange of property between T. Vaughan and the parish was ratified. At this time a donation of five acres near James M. Wynne's farm was make to the town of Homer by the parish for cemetery purposes. In June, 1850, the new jury organized, with James B. McFarland, of Ward 5, president; Thomas Henderson, of No. 1, Reuben Warren, of No. 2, Joslin Jones, of No. 3, Robert C. Adams, of No. 4, Tatum M. Wafer, of No. 6 and Silas Gamon, of No. 7 being the members. The president was empowered to make a deed of one acre to each incorporated religious society at Homer. In September a reconveyance of all lots at Athens, formerly donated to the parish by John Wilson, was ordered. Ward 8 was established in 1852. At this time James Patterson, Reuben Warren, Jackson Sikes, W. B. Scott, J. G. Barnett, James M. Dorman, Dinsmore Neely and Adolphus Johnson represented the eight wards, respectively, with William T. Hadley, clerk. James A. Millican was treasurer. In 1853 one change is noticed in the personnel of the jury. E. A. D. Brown represented Ward 5. W. B. Scott was chosen president, and N. W. Peters, clerk. In June the sum of $150 was ordered paid to John Wilson in compensation for the burning of the Claiborne Academy at Athens, which was used for court-house purposed up to November 7, 1849. In September Bonaparte T. Payne was sent as student to the Louisiana Medical College by this parish. In January, 1854, action in re the defalcation of Allen Harris in $3,396.25 was taken, and a rigorous prosecution ordered. James B. McFarland was also censured for neglect of duty while president of the jury. The jurors in June were C. J. Thompson, James S. Brandon, Albert Wilbanks, R. C. Adams, Dinsmore Cargile, Andrew Thompson, Dinsmore Neely and A. Johnson. L. F. R. Reynolds was chosen clerk, but Peters continued in that office. Nicholas Corry was chosen medical student. In January, 1855, a committee was appointed to receive the court-house from the contractors. Cotter & Killgore, C. J. Thompson, William R. Moreland, L. Lucius Leonard, Isaac Murrell, D. Cargile, A. R. Thompson, D. Neely and A. Thompson qualified as jurors in June, and elected B. D. Harrison clerk. T. Vaughan was then, as he had been for years, parish attorney. In 1856 Harrison resigned, and W. H. Elliott was chosen clerk, and Sheriff Warren, collector. In June W. T. Hardee took Cargile's place as juror, and B. D. Harrison was chosen clerk. The Claiborne Advocate was given the printing contract at $125 per year. In September James Kilborne represented Ward 3 and John S. Carleton, Ward 6; Joseph Jones was selected as medical student; T. J. Hightower was appointed treasurer, vice Millican; Syke's ferry was established, and the estimate of expenditures for 1857 placed at $8,500. In January, 1857, the act relating to the formation of school townships was passed.

In June, 1857, William McDonald, J. M. Prestidge, G. J. Wise, Isaac Murrell, W. T. Hardee, John S. Carleton, D. Neely and A. Johnson formed the jury. President Dinsmore was authorized to subscribe for $4,000 shares ($100,000) to the stock of the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas Railroad, and levy a tax of two per cent for five years to meet this outlay. This ordinance, with the date of voting on it, was to be advertised in the Advocate and Democrat. E. B. Whitson was appointed treasurer, later B. F. Cunningham was nominated as medical student, and T. G. Warren, collector. In 1858 John R. Ramsey represented Ward 5, and Thomas D. Meadows, Ward 8, being the only changes. The Minden Bridge Company was incorporated to build a bridge at Murrell's Point, and the expenses for 1859 were estimated-($6,405). T. C. Barnett was chosen medical student in October, and at this time the court-house was declared unsafe, and measures were taken to build a new house. In February, 1859, the question of providing shelter and attendance for small-pox patients was disposed of, and suits against Ex-Treasurer Millican were suspended. In January, 1860, J. R. Ramsey signs the record as clerk, G. W. Oliver was appointed parish attorney and J. R. Ramsey, treasurer. In March of that year the following names of jurors appeared: Seaborn Gray, W. L. Oakes, N. W. Peters, J. H. Curry, John Kimball, D. Neely and T. D McAdams. J. G. Warren was president. The organization of June, 1861, shows John G. Warren, president; B. D. Harrison, clerk; J. S. Bush, No. 1; W. L. Oakes, No. 2 (later J. M. Prestidge); J. W. Norton, No. 3; Isaac Murrell, No. 4; A. H. Payne, No. 5; J. A Parker, No.6; J. G. Warren, No. 7, and C. H. Tait, No. 8. At this time $800 was appropriated for ammunition and Leak & Co. appointed purchasing agents; $500 was appropriated for the relief of soldiers' families; 1-15 of 1 per cent was levied for military purposes, and the appointment of I. Murrell, J. M. Morrow and E. K. W. Ross, as a sub-committee of the State Relief Association, was confirmed.

On September 3, the court-house committee reported the building complete (the total cost being $12, 304.30); scrip was ordered to be issued, and W. J. Blackburn appointed parish printer. In January, 1862, the sum of $30,000 was appropriated for defensive purposes; in March an additional sum of $40,000 was granted in bonds and $50 and $25 bounties authorized. Dr. Bush and Sheriff Kirkpatrick were appointed agents to negotiate all bonds, and it may be stated that the jurors gave up ordinary public business, as the citizens did their business, to forward the interests of the Confederate cause; military and relief measures occupied their whole attention. In June, E. A. D. Brown, of Ward 5, W. B. Gill, of Ward 7, and J. L. Williams, of Ward 8, were the new members. John W. Hayes was appointed treasurer, and scrip of all denominations from 5 cent to $10 was ordered to be printed, the total issue not to exceed $20,000. In September the estimate for the year 1862-63 was placed at $97,160.54, exclusive of $17,898.46, provided for. An additional issue of scrip for $40,000 was authorized and plans for a jail building adopted. In January, 1863 the war resolutions were adopted. In February scrip for $5,500 was issued, and in September the recorder and treasurer were authorized to take measures for the removal of moneys and records in case of invasion. In January, 1864, the members of the jury were Seaborn Gray, J. M. Prestidge, R. Warren, I. Murrell, J. B. McFarland, William Mitcham, W. B. Gill and J. L. Williams. The contract for building the jail was sold to J. C. Blackburn for $800, and scrip for $7,500 was ordered to be printed, B. D. Harrison agreeing to supply the paper and do the printing for $300. In June, Josiah Watts, Ward No. 5, Thomas c. Weir, No. 6, and Elijah Sparks, Ward 8, appear as new jurors. In September, the bonds and scrip outstanding amounted to $52,637, against which the sum of $21,000 was on the treasurer's hands. In July, 1865, R. A. Hargis, John Wilson, R. Warren, I. Murrell, B. C. Frazier, A. R. Thompson, J. T. Fortson and J. J. Duke were appointed police jurors by the governor. On the death of R. Warren, G. M. Elliott was elected. In September, 1866, the newly-elected jury comprised J. F. Hightower, T. J. Moore (president), Jackson Sikes, J. H. Curry, T. B. Wafer, J. L. Madden, J. E. Goodson and J. J. Duke. Several acts mark this administration, such as road laws, destruction of scrip, etc. The last meeting was held June 5, 1867, and the record is signed by Burk Coleman, successor of B. D. Harrison.

In June, 1869, Thomas D. Meadows presided, with R. E. Thompson, O. A. Smith, Jackson Sikes, J. H. Curry, John Kimball, W. E. Taylor and John McClish, members, and W. W. Brown, clerk. In 1870 D. W. Harris of Ward 7, took the place of McClish, and in 1871 B. F. Reed took Taylor's place. T. J. Hightower was treasurer and D. W. Harris, clerk. In August, 1871, the legal jurors chosen to take the places of those deposed qualified with W. C. Martin, D. Cargile, W. L. Oakes, D. W. Harris and T. D. Meadows. The Webster committee comprised T. B. Neal and W. A. Drake. In June B. D. Harrison was appointed clerk and W. J. Blackburn collector. During the fall of the year this jail was destroyed by fire. In January, 1873, W. L. Oakes was chosen president, J. H. Simmons, A. C. Barber, George Shaw and J. F. Heard formed the new board. John S. Young was appointed attorney and D. W. Harris was treasurer. The jurors for 1875 elected E. W. Cox president; J. J. Glover represented Ward 1; Elliott Gray Ward 2; J. H. Chappell, Ward 3; and E. Sparks, Ward 5. In 1875-76 J. R. Ramsey was treasurer. On June 4, 1877, J. H. Chappell, president; J. J. Glover, W. S. Copeland, A. L. Atkins and J. F. Ford met at Homer. J. H. Simmons was appointed treasurer, D. D. Harrison clerk, W. W. Arbuckle physician, J. R. Ramsey (recorder) straymaster. Later J. T. Tiger, H. A. Lewis and E.W. Cox appeared as jurors. In 1878 S. R. Richardson was parish physician, and J. C. Moore treasurer. The names of Milton, Hulse, A. T. Nelson, T. A. Watson, J. M. Dunn, W. G. Coleman, A. L. Harper, W. S. Copeland and J. H. Curry appear as jurors in June, 1879, but by January, 1879, R. H. Cleveland had taken Dunn's place. In June, 1880, the jurors were R. J. Hart, W. L. Oakes, W. S. Copeland, John Miller, Jr., J. W. McFarland, S. W. Howard, L. R. Lay and T. D. Meadows; J. R. Ramsey was appointed clerk. In December, 1880, the majority of voters in Ward 1,5,6,7 and 8 opposed the granting of license for the sale of liquor. In January, 1883, the parish was out of debt and the tax levy reduced to 6 mills. In 1884 B. R. Neil, Shelby Baucom, E. W. Cox, J. E. Gandy, J. F. Heard, J. M McKinzie, R. T. McClendon and S. Kerlin were members of the police jury.

The members of the police jury in February, 1885, were Samuel Kerlin, B. R. Neil, No. 2 Shelby Baucom, E. W. Cox, J. E. Gandy, J. T. Heard, J. M McKinzie and R. T. McClendon. In April of this year, J. W. McFarland was appointed commissioner for the parish at the New Orleans World's Fair; the purchase of lot and contract for building jail entered into by a committee of the jury were ratified. An election on the question of prohibiting the sale of liquor was ordered, and the establishment of a poor-farm authorized. On August 24, 1886, the 5 mill tax aid to the Arkansas & Louisiana Railroad Company was carried, the vote being 1,371 for, and 1,247 contra. In July, 1887, the sale of the old jail building and lot was confirmed. In July, 1888, T. A. Watson was elected president, vice J. M. McKinzie. The jury comprised the president and ex-president named T. W. O'Bannon, B. R. Neil, J. A. Aycock, T. T. Lowe, R. A. N. Wynne and B. J. Bridges. In July, 1889, the jurors considered the title of Claiborne to the old town of Lexington, and asked the representatives of the parish to introduce a bill granting the police jury power to sell the old town site.

The oldest record of the district court of Claiborne, now in possession of District Clerk Ferguson, is dated may 27, 1850, or almost twenty-two years after Judge Wilson opened the first court within the house of John Murrell (eight miles east of Minden) at the Allen settlement. Then Robert Cockran was clerk and Isaac McMahon, sheriff. In May, 1850 Charles A. Bullard, of the Sixteenth District, presided in the absence of the judge of this, then in the Seventeenth District. James Dyer, John Bopp (chief of the Dutch colony), R. Butler, Phineas Gleason, Charles Hayes, John Kimball, W. DeMoss, John Dore, Isaac Miller, A. T. Brantley, Edwin Foster, Stephen Pate and James L. Dial were the grand jurors. William B. G. Egan was appointed district attorney, vice the absent John S. Gilbert. William C. Copes took the oath as clerk, and Waddy T. Cleveland as deputy clerk. In November, 1850, Roland Jones, of the Seventeenth District, presided. The sheriff, Allen Harris, appointed A. G. Willbanks, deputy. In May, 1851, Judge Bullard was present, William L. Burton, district attorney, being absent. Eugene J. H. Jones was appointed, and took the old time oath which denounced in measured terms dueling and other chivalric methods of that day. A large number of civil cases and a small criminal list was the rule, up to November, 1851, when Judge Jones was present. Both list appear large and this ordinary business with the record of naturalization of foreigners occupied the court's attention. The grand jury's address pointed out the material growth of the parish, the zeal of citizens in bringing to justice all criminals, and the pride of the people in the new court-house. While gratified at all this, the jurors were severe in their references to the log-hut or cabin, then forming the parish prison. In May, 1852, Judge Bullard was present; vice Jones; John Young was appointed to act as district attorney. Several indictments were returned against Giles and John Crownover for exciting insubordination among slaves, resisting patrols and admitting whites into negro quarters. In November of that year Franklin Taylor was excused from jury services on the grounds that he was a school director. In September, 1853, Andrew Lawson took his seat as judge of the Seventeenth District. The admission of Alfred Goodwill to citizenship was one of his first acts.

In March, 1854, Harmon A. Drew was judge of the Seventeenth District; J. D. Watkins, district attorney, and D. Henry Dyer, clerk. A number of indictments for retailing without a license were returned. In March the report of the grand jury was ordered to be published in the Claiborne Advocate. Under the system of judicial interchange, H. M. Spofford, of the Eighteenth Circuit, took Judge Drew's place here in July, and to him Chris Chaffe, a second member of the English colony at Minden, confessed his intention of becoming a citizen after four years' residence at Minden. Thomas Reeves, of Homer, John C. Loye and William and Stephen Life followed this example. In March, 1855, the grand jury reported on the unsafe condition of the court-house and the insecure state of the jail. In September Thomas T. Land, of the Eighteenth District, was present, but in January, 1856, Judge Drew resumed his place. In September, 1856, R. W. Richardson, of the Twelfth District, was present, with Reuben Warren, sheriff, and D. H. Dyer, clerk. In July, 1856, W. B. Egan was judge, and in October David Cresswell, of the Eighteenth District, presided in some special cases. In April, 1858, John H. Cunningham was admitted to the bar, and took the customary oath. John G. Warren served as sheriff until H. W. Kirkpatrick qualified, in 1860. At this time, B. R. Coleman was district clerk and E. L. Dyer, deputy clerk. The April term of 1861 was opened by Judge W. B. Egan on the 1st and closed on the 2d. There was another short term in October, and at that time No. 17, as applied to the district, was written 11th, to correspond with the act of Legislature. From October 21, 1862, to April 18, 1864, there is no record of court. On April 19, 1865, Judge Egan adjourned court sine die, but on September 25 of that year Judge J. D. Watkins, of the Eleventh District, opened the fall term. John Kimball was sheriff, and M. Callahan, clerk. The latter was succeeded in 1866 by Hyder A. Kennedy, while John Kimball was succeeded by L. J. Kimball, and he, in 1867, by J. A. Witter. In October Judge Watkins received an order from W. T. Gentry, asking that the jury list be restricted to registered voters, found on tables of assessment. In 1868 S. D. Spann was clerk; J. A. Witter, sheriff, and James T. Story, successor of Beck, was recorder. On the opening of the May term of this year, Attorney-Gen. B. J. Lynch transmitted to the clerk a copy of Special Order No. 203, issued by Gen. Hancock, of the Fifth Military District. In view of this order and of a then recent decision of the Supreme Court, Judge Watkins ordered the discharge of all the jurors summoned for that term. In October court was opened and a return made of a constitutional jury. At this time S. D. Spann signed the record as clerk: A. Ragland as deputy sheriff (R. T. Dawson being sheriff); J. R. Ramsey, recorder, and N. J. Scott, parish judge, all elected that year.

In April, 1869, Gov. Warmoth's commission to John L. Lewis, as judge of the Eleventh District, was read in court. N. J. Sandlin was district attorney. On the opening of the fall term of court, October 20, 1869, the case of the State vs. J. L. Lewis was presented. The new judge delivered an opinion which resembled somewhat the alleged resolution of the Pilgrims in 1620, as it pointed out "The land belongs to the saints, and we are the saints." This opinion explained in April, 1869, Judge Drew (who was commissioned parish judge in 1869, by Warmoth, was at loggerheads with N. J. Scott, who was elected in 1868 to the same office) refused to try the case against Lewis, when it was continued to the present term. Parish Judge Scott was present in October, 1869, but the presiding judge (Lewis) refused to recognize his authority or call upon him, as, on May 9, 1869, he (Scott) surrendered the office of parish judge to H. A. Drew. Having shown so much, he proceeded to dispose of the docket. In November, 1869, Parish Judge Scott took the place of Lewis ad hoc, and refused to entertain a motion for a non-suit, but tried the case and gave judgment for the commonwealth. An appeal was at once entered, but before it could be disposed of Gov. Warmoth commissioned James Constantine Egan judge of the Eleventh District on March 18, 1870. In April Green Smith was found guilty of murder. In October, 1870, W. Jasper Blackburn was parish judge; Prince Spencer was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to three years in the penitentiary. In April, 1871, J. S Young was parish judge, and W. F. Aycock, sheriff. The trial of Troy Harrison for the murder of J. M. Burns (January 1, 1871) was commenced. In April, 1873, J. E. Trimble presided as judge, with John A. Richardson, district clerk; N. J. Scott, parish judge; W. F. Aycock, sheriff, and J. R. Ramsey, recorder. In April, 1877, Judge E. M. Graham opened court here; H. W. Kirkpatrick was sheriff; Drew Ferguson, clerk (succeeding S. D. Spann), and J. R. Ramsey, recorder, who served until January, 1880, when the office was merged into district clerk's office. The report of the grand jury referred to the small number of bills presented, crediting the peaceable condition of affairs to the unquestionable establishment of the lawful government of Louisiana, and to the wise administration of Gov. Nichols. The jurors were not so happy in their fall expressions, as, on October 20, the report deals with the horrible murder committed near Homer. In the fall of 1879 resolutions on the death of Robert T. Vaughan appear on the record, signed by John Young, J. S. Young and E. H. McClendon. Allen Barksdale was district attorney in September, 1880, and J. H. M. Taylor, sheriff. The district was now known as the Third. In June, 1884, Judge John Young presented his commission, and District Attorney E. H. McClendon qualified for that office. On August 27, 1888, Judge Allen Barksdale was present, having been elected in April of that year.

The first homicide in the parish was that of Bryant, by his brother-in-law, Sapp. The latter fled to the Indian nation and escaped the law. Shortly after, Sloan, a trader from north of the State line, was murdered by John Halthouser, at a point eight miles east of Minden. This led to the trial of Halthouser in 1835, and his execution at Russellville in 1835 by Sheriff Dyer. Then followed the assault on Miss Demos, a girl of eighteen years, by one Lambright. Not content with assaulting her, he murdered her in the most cruel manner, left some evidences of his guilt, was arrested, but while waiting trial escaped from the jail and fled to Texas.

During the occupation of the country by the carpet-bag element, murders were ordinary affairs, and even down to the present time the parish is far from being freed of those passionate men, who, in their rage, think nothing of human life. In January, 1873, a negro named Henry Moore, assaulted and murdered Mrs. Kidd, who resided near Athens. A number of white men hunted down the brute, gave him a fair trial and hanged him. On July 31, 1879, a negro named Martin, killed one white girl and assaulted another. The people gave pursuit and, capturing him, hanged him with little ceremony. A few similar crimes mark the record of the last decade. In September, 1889, Deputy Sheriff Brown arrested Adams, who escaped from the penitentiary in May, and coming to Ward 1, married a young woman near Lisbon; he murdered his father-in-law in Winn Parish in 1887, and received a life sentence.

On the inside of the cover of the court record 1857-67, is the first roll of attorneys known to have been made in connection with the bar of Claiborne. The names given are as follows: Tillinghast Vaughan,* J. M. Thompson, in Texas; Henry Gray, Bienville; John Young, now senior member of the bar; J. D. Watkins, Webster; A. B. George, appellate judge; G. W. Oliver,* A. C. Hill, Texas; N. J. Scott, Bienville, G. M. Killgore,* Col. John S. Young, Shreveport; F. Vaughan,* J. R. Monk, L. B. Watkins, supreme court; J. G. McKinzie, Webster: W. B. Egan,* Micajah Martin,* Texas; James C. Egan, judge of Fourth District; J. W. Wilson,* W. F. Blackburn, judge at Alexandria; W. E. Paxton,* T. E. Paxton,* G. L. Jones,* Joseph Pierson,* David Pierson, at Natchitoches. The lawyers admitted since 1867 are Robert T. Vaughan,* J. W. Young,* Drayton B. Hayes,* John A. Richardson, E. H. McClendon, J. E. Hulse, J. W. Halbert, J. E. Moore and C. W. Seals. *Deceased.

In 1868 W. Jasper Blackburn, so well described by W. H. Scanland and William Meadows (colored), were delegates to the Constitutional Convention from Claiborne. Although the scheme was ignored by the whites, Claiborne placed Judge Taliaferro at the head of the Democratic ticket, and Col. McDonald, who beat the Know-nothings in 1854, at the head of the local ticket. The Warmoth circle of Republicans, of course, carried all their points. W. W. Bennett, a physician, and C. B. Pratt were chosen to represent Claiborne in the Legislature; R. T. Dawson, sheriff; S. D. Spann, clerk of district and J. J. Scott, parish judge. A district judge, J. L. Lewis, was counted in, but ultimately James C. Egan was appointed to that position. Two years later the new constitutional heroes had made themselves generally odious. In 1870 J. C. Meadows (colored), or Meadoes and J. S. Killen were elected representatives; John S. Young, parish judge, and W. F. Aycock, sheriff. In 1872 the Liberal and Democratic tickets were in the field, opposed to the Republicans. The former merged into the Fusion ticket, with John McEnerny at the head, while Kellogg led the Republicans. W. J. Blackburn, Republican, and J. W. McDonald,* Democrat, were counted in by their party as senators; William F. Moreland and Thomas Price were elected to represent Claiborne, Aycock was re-elected sheriff; J. A. Richardson was chosen district clerk, N. J. Scott, parish judge; R. P. Vaughan, district attorney, and J. R. Ramsey, recorder, Two Legislatures assembled at New Orleans. A. B. George was a senator throughout the days of terror, but unlike McDonald, who wisely preferred compromise with the rulers to resistance, he did not enter the Republican Senate until all hope was lost to the McEnerny party. Gen. John S. Young and H. C. Mitchell were representatives in 1874, and aided in securing control of the House for the Democracy. Two years later Gen. Young was re-elected, with J. J. Duke members of the House; H. C. Mitchell was in the senate; H. W. Kilpatrick was chosen sheriff; Drew Ferguson, district clerk; E. M. Graham, district judge; Allen Barksdale, district attorney, while Messrs. Scott and Ramsey were chosen parish judge and recorder, respectively. In 1878 Judge J. D. Watkins of Minden, and John C. Vance, of Bossier, were elected senators; W. C. Martin and J. H. Hay, representatives; William F. Moreland and Rev. J. T. Davidson, members of Constitutional Convention; Kirkpatrick was re-elected sheriff, and John A. Richardson was chosen parish judge. Owing to the decrees of the constitutional convention, the State and parish offices were vacated, and an election ordered to fill the vacancies. John B. Phillips and A. L. Atkins were chosen representatives. Messrs. Watkins and Vance were re-elected senators; J. H. M. Taylor, sheriff, and Drew Ferguson, district court clerk. Judge Graham of Lincoln, and Attorney Barksdale were re-elected. In 1884 Thomas Price and W. J. Leslie were chosen representatives; J. C. Brice and J. C. Vance, senators; John Young, district judge; E. H. McClendon, attorney, while the sheriff and clerk were re-elected.

*Col. J. W. McDonald died in December, 1888. He was born in North Carolina in 1814, and was brought to Louisiana in 1822.

In 1829 James Dyer was elected member of the Legislature from Claiborne, and it was he who, in 1830, won an appropriation of $1,500 for the improvement of Lake Bisteneau, one Leave-right taking the contract. Berry A. Wilson was chosen representative in 1830.

In 1851, 1860 and 1864 Col. J. W. Berry was elected representative. In 1854 Capt. W. G. Coleman, a soldier of the Creek War and of the Mexican War, was one of the Democratic candidates for the Legislature,

In 1859 Moore received 907 and Wells 528 votes for governor; Landrum 957 and Jones 90 for Congress; Young 684 and Moreland 938 for senator; Martin 936, Kennedy 546, J. W. Berry 753, and Dyer 744 for representative; Whitson 806, Cleveland 354, and Tatum 442 for clerk; Kirkpatrick opposing the Know-nothings. He and J. W. McDonald were elected by large majorities.

Col. John Kimball was representative in 1855-56. Sack Pennington Goe was representative in 1839.

W. F. Moreland was representative. R. L. Killgore was parish judge for eight years and subsequently representative.

In 1856 there were 857 votes given to Buchanan and 700 to Fillmore in Claiborne. J. W. Berry received 852 and Isaac Murrell 678 for representative.

In 1859 Moore received 907 and Wells 528 votes for governor; Landrum 957 and Jones 90 for Congress; Young 684 and Moreland 938 for senator; Martin 936, Kennedy 546, J. W Berry 753, and Dyer 744 for representative; Whitson 806 Cleveland 354, and Tatum 442 for clerk; Kirkpatrick 842 and Weldin 789 for sheriff, and Simmons 874 for assessor, against 744 recorded for Cross.

In 1860 Breckinridge received 896, Bell 719, and Douglas 166 for President. J. L. Lewis, of Claiborne, signed the secession ordinance of 1861.

In 1863 J. W. McDonald was chosen senator; J. W. Berry, representative; J. W. Kirkpatrick, sheriff; B. R. Coleman, clerk; H. C. Walker, assessor, and H. L. Cox, coroner.

The Claiborne elections of November, 1865-Egan received 763, A. A. Abney 512, and Pearce 504 votes for senator. W. F. Blackman and W. F. Moreland 642 votes each for representative, defeating Drew and Murrell on one ticket and Blackburn and Martin on a third ticket. Senator Abney died in February, 1867.

There were 1,588 votes cast for Nicholls (D.) and 427 for Packard (R.), candidates for governor in 1876. In 1879 L. A. Wiltz (D.) received 1,725 and Taylor Beattie (R.) 444; McEnerny (D.) received 2,175 and Stevenson (R.) 596 in 1884/ while in 1888 Nicholls (D.) received 2,397 and Warmoth (R.) 768. The number of voters registered in April, 1888, was 5,117-2,512 being white. Fifty-three whites and 2,404 Africans could not write their names.

The census of 1840 gives the names of Jethro Butler, aged eighty-eight, and Benjamin Goodson, aged eighty-two, residing in Claiborne. They were pensioners of the Revolution.

In September, 1877, a convention of Mexican veterans brought together Capt. W. G. Coleman, J. G. Heard, Joseph Heard, Jesse Aycock, T. P. Hamilton, B. D. Harrison, J. R. Smith, John Cook, M. H. Lippmins, J. A. Witter, Ob. Owen and J. M. Blackburn. The Soldier's Association was organized August 10, 1878, with W. L. Oakes, president, and A. T. Nelson, secretary.

The "Claiborne Guards" of the Second Louisiana Infantry, was organized in Homer in April, 1861, with John Young, captain; J. B. Parham, J. M. Andrews and John S. Young, lieutenants. On muster in at New Orleans Capt. Young was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Second Louisiana. J. M. Andrews was elected captain of the Guards, with J. B. Parham, John S. Young and W. C. Leslie, Lieutenants. Going into service at Richmond and on the James River, the winter was passed at historic Yorktown. Early in 1862 the company re-enlisted and elected A. S. Blithe, captain, with Cager, Martin, Reams and Cotton lieutenants, and Charles Cheatham, sergeant. The company served under Lee at Gettysburg, and were with him at Appomattox. In May, 1865, the survivors returned to Homer.

The Moore Invincibles or Company A, Ninth Louisiana Infantry, were organized in May, 1861, and mustered in at Camp Moore, Louisiana, June 13, 1861. In January, 1862, the men re-enlisted for the war. In 1861 R. L. Capers was captain with Alfred Blackman, Rydon Grigsby and W. F. Blackman, lieutenants; Tom Bowling, Merrill Roland and Frank Montgomery, sergeants. On reorganization Rydon Grigsby was chosen captain, and served until killed at Sharpsburg; W. W. Arbuckle, surgeon. Montgomery, the first lieutenant, lost a leg at Harper's Ferry; Thomas Bowling, the second, was wounded at Gettysburg, and William Mills, third lieutenant, At Harper's Ferry, where he died. First Sergeant William Dansby was killed at Petersburg; Lieut. Napoleon Henderson at Harper's Ferry.

The Claiborne Rangers, organized in June, 1861, were mustered in in July as Company B, Twelfth Louisiana Infantry. In August, the command was dispatched to the front and later moved from Columbus, Ky., to New Madrid, Mo. From March to May, 1862, if formed part of Fort Pillow's garrison. After a year of brisk service, the men are found before Vicksburg, and in May, 1863, suffered heavily at Baker's Creek. After the surrender of Vicksburg, Company B engaged in the eight day's fight at Jackson. In 1864 it formed part of Johnson's corps, and in the fall of that year was attached to Hood's army in Tennessee. During the winter the men suffered more from cold and hunger than from the enemy. In February, 1865, the regiment rejoined Johnston's army in North Carolina, and on April 26, 1865, surrendered at Greensboro in that State. On June 7, the survivors arrived in Claiborne. Company G. of Twelfth Louisiana was also a Claiborne command, organized March 4, 1862, with Thomas Hightower, captain; Zachariah Grigsby, T. Bridgeman and James Potts, lieutenants, and Thomas Price, Sergeant.

The fortunes of this command are almost identical with those of Company B. Prior to the Baker's Creek affair, the people of Homer sent clothing to the men by their agent, Linchicum; but the welcome additions to 1,000 wardrobes made the knapsacks too heavy to be carried into battle, and so they were left in a secure place until victory would perch on the regimental flag. This was not to be, and with the loss of victory came the loss of much-prized clothes from friends at home. The Arcadia Invincibles formed a part of this regiment. The Claiborne Invincibles, or Company H, Seventeenth Louisiana Infantry, was organized in October, 1861, with William A. Maddox, captain; John G. Heard, G. M. Killgore and J. A. Simmons, lieutenants. From November, 1861, to February, 1862, the command was in camp near New Orleans. In February, 1862, the regiment was at Corinth, in April at Shiloh (where Capt. Maddox was wounded), and at Vicksburg from May 7, 1862, to July 4, 1863. On May 21 Company H, was reorganized at Edward's Miss., with G. M. Killgore, captain; M. C. Leake, A. L. Harper and J. D. Hamilton, lieutenants, and soon after was present at Chickasaw Bluff. Leake was wounded on May 30 and died June 5, 1863, when Lieuts. Harper and Hamilton were promoted, and J. H. Hay elected third lieutenant. Capt. Killgore died July 27, 1863, while en route home. In April, 1864, the exchange took place at Pineville. A. L. Harper was chosen captain, with J. D. Hamilton, J. H. Hay and Walter Hall, lieutenants. After this its duties were confined to service on the Red River.

The Claiborne Volunteers (Company C, Nineteenth Louisiana Infantry), with A. H. Kennedy, captain; John Spears, S. A. Hightower and J. W. O'Bannon, lieutenants, was organized in August, 1861. In September they were mustered in at Camp Moore. Like Company H, Seventeenth Louisiana Infantry, this was present at Corinth and Shiloh. From April, 1862, to April, 1863, the command was at Pollard, Ala., but came to Vicksburg too late to aid the defenders. At Missionary Ridge, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mount, Florence, Nashville and other fields this company did service, and up to May 4, 1865, when the surrender to Gen. Canby at Mobile, Ala., was recorded, Company C, continued to win laurels.

Company E., Thirty-first Louisiana Infantry, was organized in April, 1862, and in June took up a position in the swamp opposite Vicksburg, being afflicted with measles in sixty-five cases and fever in forty cases. Camping at Tallulah or Delhi and the fiasco at Milliken's Bend occupied the attention of the men up to November, 1862, when one or two raids were executed without results. The memorable ride from Vicksburg to Jackson and return to Vicksburg, on flat cars, resulted in the death of forth men from pneumonia. On December 26, Company E took part in its first battle at Chickasaw Bluffs. Again at Port Gibson, an don the retreat from Baker's Creek to Vicksburg, other military experiences were gained. After the surrender the men returned to their homes, but in January, 1864, were convened at Vienna, and in June at Minden, parole camps being established there. Further service was confined to the line of the Red River, until the Appomattox affair ended the hopes of the Confederacy, and enabled the tired troops to return home on May 23, 1865. The officers were, captain, Shelby Baucum; lieutenants, D. W. Gladden, James M. Cleaver and Thompson Scott; sergeants; W. F. Wallace, E. Sanders, W. T. Williams, J. J. Howerton and R. D. Hightower.

Company G, Twenty-fifth Louisiana Infantry, was organized in February, 1862, with Seaborn Aycock, captain; P. C. Harper, W. J. Leslie and Thomas Brown, lieutenants, and John Cook, sergeant. The later succeeded Brown, as lieutenant, within a short time. At Corinth, Shiloh, Farmington, Perryville and Murfreesboro the command received its first practical lessons in warfare. At Jonesboro, Ga., Capt. Aycock was killed, and W. J. Leslie took his place. In Tennessee the command was in active service with Hood's army, and after the surrender at Appomattox, was still in arms and guarded the commissariat at Meridian, Miss., until the property was transferred to the United States quartermaster, thus being the last Confederate troops east of the Mississippi.

Company D, Twenty-eighth Louisiana Infantry, was organized in May, 1862, with M. O. Cheatham, captain; James Simmons,------ Warson and J. Thompson, lieutenants, and J. L. Tippet, sergeant. On May 15 it was mustered in at Monroe, then moved to camp near Vienna, and thence into the Mississippi bottoms. Later the Twenty-eighth was sent into the Teche country, and there, at Franklin, encountered the Federal troops. Sergt. Tippet was killed there, and a number of private soldiers fell. At Yellow Bayou Lieut. Simmons was killed, and at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill the command lost a small number.

Company F, Fifth Louisiana Cavalry, or Claiborne Partisan Rangers, was organized by R. L. Capers, captain; John S. Young, N. J. Scott and G. A. Gordon, lieutenants, in June, 1862. McN. Brown was first sergeant. In August this and five other commands formed the First battalion of Partisan Rangers, with Samuel Chambliss, lieutenant-colonel, and R. L. Capers, major. John S. Young was promoted captain of company F. Before the close of the year the battalion was raised to regimental strength, with R. L. Capers, colonel. John S. Young was subsequently commissioned major, and afterward lieutenant-colonel. In was organized as a cavalry regiment in February, 1863, with 761 men. Its operations were confined mainly to the country between the Ouachita and Mississippi Rivers, and later against Banks, on Red River. In 1865 G. A. Gordon was captain of Company F; A. W. Palmer, J. H. Carr and J. R. Monk, lieutenants, and McN Brown still held the rank of first sergeant, immovable in notions of promotion as he was in political faith.

There was one Louisiana Cavalry company in the Eighteenth Tennessee Cavalry Battalion, Company E, commanded by Capt. Junius Y. Webb, seventy-eight strong.

The Claiborne Advocate was the first newspaper issued within the present boundaries of the parish, and the second within its ancient boundaries-the Minden Iris being the first. In 1851 B. D. Harrison, of Talladega, Ala., came to the present seat of justice, and in June of that year established the Advocate, with Frank Vaughan editor. J. M. Thomasson subsequently held the chair. W. S. Curstis purchased the office in 1855, and carried on publication regularly until the tocsin of war sounded throughout the land. Some time after Curstis bought the Advocate another candidate for journalistic honors and emoluments appeared in the new town, but its life was very short. In 1859 the inevitable Blackburn, W. Jasper, established the Homer Iliad. This was at a time when ideas of secession began to take shape, and to the useless task of changing such ideas Blackburn directed his energies. He fought the secession policy up to the beginning of the war, and denounced it until he and the Iliad had to disappear. A reference to other pages will point out clearly his adventurous life during the days of civil strife. After the war was closed he and the Iliad reappeared, and continued in the flesh here until 1877, when the Guardian was founded.

The Claiborne Guardian was established by Phipps & Seals in 1877; B. D. Harrison had some connection with the office; Drayton B. Hayes was editor until his death, in 1885, when J. E. Hulse took his place. In 1886 D. W. Harris was proprietor. B. D. Harrison died in April, 1889, after a continuous residence of thirty-eight years at Homer. The Guardian was issued for the last time on June 30, 1890, O. P. Ogilvie & Co. purchasing the Journal form J. E. Hulse, May 8, and consolidating the two papers June 18, under the title The Guardian-Journal. In 1889 Mr. Ogilvie purchased the Phipps interest in the Guardian, and subsequently Charles Shaeffer purchased Seals' interest. The Louisiana Weekly Journal was issued January 13, 1886, by J. E. Hulse and B. D. Harrison, and continued publication until the consolidation of 1890.

The Southern Agriculturalist was established in 1890 as the organ of the Farmers' Alliance of this parish. Number 10 of Vol. I was issued July 31, 1890, with G. H. Dismukes editor and proprietor, and J. E. Goodson publisher. The Agriculturalist knows no man. It espouses the cause of the farmers, according to its faith, without fear, and handles its enemies without gloves.

The Greenback Dollar was published some years ago at Haynesville, but collapsed after a short term. In June, 1879, J. G. Warren resumed publication of the Greenback Dollar, and at that time the Western Protestant ceased to exist.

The Haynesville Star was issued in 1889, and reached No. 22 in Vol. II on August 1, 1890. John M. Henry is editor.

Some years before the war the system of private schools was introduced here, and is to-day observed; however, the common-school system is not unknown. The enrollment of white pupils in schools of Claiborne for 1877 was 1,111; for 1878, 1,416; for 1879, 1,458; for 1881, 1,716; for 1882, 1,843; for 1883, 1,875; for 1884, 1,739; for 1886, 2,052, and for 1887, 2,199. The enrollment of colored pupils for 1877, was 1,050; for 1878, 762; for 1879, 1,254; for 1881, 1,040; for 1882, 1,024; for 1883, 1,070; for 1884, 785; for 1886, 1,530, and for 1887, 1,605. In 1890 the returns show over 7,000 children, of whom the blacks are in the majority.

The physicians of the parish, with location and date of diploma, are recorded as follows: Silas Turner, Homer, Iowa State University, 1865; William Henry Hines, Summerfield, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 1859; John Elmore Meadows, Homer, Medical College of State of Georgia, Augusta, 1857; William Williams Arbuckle, Homer, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 1845; Stephen Moore Dickens Webb, residence Flat Lick P. O., Minden, Webster Parish, University of Pennsylvania, 1854; William Wirt Culpepper, Athens, New Orleans School of Medicine, 1870; John Davidson Calhoun, Arizona, New Orleans School of Medicine, 1869; Alfred Castillo Simmons, Lisbon, Atlanta Medical College, 1860; William Sellers, Summerfield, University of Louisiana, 1870; Joseph Atkinson, Homer, Medical College of Alabama, Mobile, 1872; Richard Groves Gantt, Haynesville, Medical College of South Carolina, Charleston, 1881; William Madison Baker, Arizona, University of Louisiana, 1874; Hugh Monroe Longino, Haynesville, University of Louisiana, 1870; Thomas Florence Patton, Lisbon, University of Louisiana, 1881; Jesse Marion Ledbetter, Summerfield, Charity Hospital Medical College, New Orleans, 1876; Henry Alvin Longino, Haynesville, Missouri Medical College, St. Louis, 1880; Marcellus Franklin Alford, Summerfield, University of Louisville, Ky., 1879; Luther Longino, Minden, Webster Parish, Missouri Medical College, St. Louis, 1882; Tandy Linton Appleby, Homer, Southern Medical College, Atlanta, Ga., 1883; George Richard McHenry, Homer, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., 1882; Montrose Day, Haynesville, Missouri Medical College, St. Louis, 1881; Thaddeus Henry Pennington, removed to Arcadia, Bienville Parish, University of Louisiana, 1856; Albert Richard Bush, Gordon, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, 1883; Joseph William Day, Homer, Graffenburg Medical Institute, Alabama, 1857; Joe Glenn Gladney, Arcadia, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, 1886; James Madison Walthall, Gibsland, Bienville Parish, Hahnemann Medical College, 1887; Robert McAlpine Bromfield, Athens, Louisville Medical College, 1888; Charles P. Cargile, Ward's Mill, Atlanta Medical College, 1886; Addley H. Gladden, Homer, Tulane University of Louisiana, 1888; James Buck Alexander, Holly Springs, American Medical College, St. Louis, 1889; James Freeman Pace, Athens, Memphis Hospital Medical College, 1889; Andrew Jackson Pennington, Blackburn, Medical College of Alabama, 1878; Curtis Albert Baily, Athens, Louisville Medical College, 1890. Frank Henry and Sterling R. Richardson registered under the act providing that physicians who practiced for five years prior to 1882 were fully qualified.

The Claiborne Agricultural Society may be said to have permanently organized in 1871. The first fair of the old association was successful, but the five succeeding meetings were failures. The seventh fair was held in 1877 and proved successful. In 1889 the Claiborne Fair Association purchased grounds, and at once entered on the work of preparation for the fair of 1890. At that time R. P. Webb was president; F. U. Allen, vice-president; J. W. Holbert, secretary; J. K. Willet, treasurer; J. H. Simmons and T. Bridgman, with the offers named, directors.

The Farmers' State Union is one of the strongest organizations in Louisiana, J. W. McFarland is secretary; R. L. Tannehill, of Winn, treasurer; T. J. Guice, of Grand Cane, State lecturer; W. H. Bass, of Pleasant Hill, chaplain; and G. L. P. Wren, of Minden, member of executive committee. Claiborne Farmers' Union was organized in April, 1887, with C. J. Cargile, president, and J. W. McFarland, secretary. The Farmers' Union Co-operative Commercial Association, of Claiborne, was incorporated October 3, 1889, with the following named directors: S. A. White, R. T. McClendon, B. B. McCasland, John C. Murphy, A. T. Nelson, J. S. Burnham, C. A. Gandy, T. T. Lowe, and J. W. Nelson. Early in December, 1889, a store was opened at Homer, under the management of A. T. Nelson. In January, 1890, there were 120 stockholders and $25,000 paid-up capital.

In July, 1882, S. Y. Gladney and J. A. Richardson went to Hope, Ark., to meet Maj. Beardsley of the Arkansas & Louisiana Railroad, and confer with him on the subject of building a road from Hope, via Haynesville and Homer, to the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific Railroad. In February, 1886, the railroad question was revived, and Beardsley suggested a 5-mill tax for ten years, on the valuation of 1886. In August a meeting was held at Homer, to further the interest of the road, J. T. Boone, W. D. Prothro, H. F. Scheen, Gladney, Richardson, Clingman, Bridgman, Nelson, Gill and Hammett, the directors being present. The tax was approved on August 24.

On January, 15, 1890, the stockholder of the Louisiana North & South Railroad, at a meeting held in Homer, decided to sell the property and franchises of the road to the Louisiana & Northwestern Railroad Company. The construction of the road to Gibsland cost about $120,000, of which the sum of $40,000 was contributed by citizens of Claiborne and Bienville Parishes. The new company assumed all obligations, and took out a new charter containing the names of about 160 of the members of the old stockholders in this company.

The Louisiana North & South Railroad Company elected directors in July, 1889, G. G. Gill (treasurer), S. Y. Gladney, J. A. Richardson (attorney) and W. G. Darley, of Homer (assistant secretary), W. B. Colbert, A. D. Hammett and W. L. Kidd, of Gibsland, being the local directors. Maj. Beardsley sold one-half his interest in the road between Homer and Gibsland prior to this date, but retained the management. In August the work of constructing the road south to Bienville was entered upon, and in 1890 regular train service between this new town and Gibsland was established. The office of the company are at Gibsland.

In the history of Caddo Parish references are made to the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas Railroad.

Homer is situated 16 degrees west of Washington, in Latitude 32 degrees 46 feet north, on the divide between the D'Arbonne and the Corni. The entry of the town site of Homer was made July 24, 1848, the east half of the southeast quarter and the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 23, Township 21, Range 7, by the police jury, while Tillinghast Vaughan entered, on the same date, the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of same section, which he was compelled subsequently to exchange, under threat of removing the parish seat. This exchange was promptly made, and the town was surveyed by B. McCloskey. The sale of lots followed (before the fire at Athens), H. Robertson, J. C. Cunningham and E. H. Fuller buying on the north side; B. F. Sanders, W. Dyer, S. P. Day and A. Whitehead on the south side; C. C. Gryder, Grooms & Co., B. L. Rye and J. Atwell, on the east side; T. Mitchell, R. Browning, J. Taggart and J. Beopple, on the west side-all fronting the public square. Tillinghast Vaughan purchased Lost 83 and 86, in Block E, and William Berry, the corresponding lots in Block D, While A. B. Catton purchased south of Berry. J. Nettlerode purchased the present Hulse property, and S. P. Day purchased four lots where now stands Mrs. McCranie's brick block. T. Henderson purchased the lost north and east of the old jail. Fuller, Foster and S. Gamon purchased the north front lots of the block north of the court-house, and W. B. Dyer, W. C. Ridgeway, W. Prichard, J. B. McFarland, W. McDonald, G. W. Martin, J. Merze, J. Gwinn, S. Nelson, A. Hise and Wynne were the other original lot purchasers. The name was suggested by Frank Vaughan. William H. Maxey at once erected a log house on the southeast corner of the square, and a temporary building for parish office was constructed east of Maxey's house and a hotel erected where is now the residence of Mrs. McCranie.

After the location was adopted R. W. Capers built a storehouse on the northwest corner of the square. This was a log cabin, wainscoted with boards sawed at Eldorado, Ark., forty miles away. The old Claiborne Hotel, a two-story house, stood north of the court-house; then the larger Maxey Cheap Cash Store on the site of the pioneer cabin, and next the three cute Germans, Samuel, Michael and Alexander Wiles, opened a little business house. A. McCranie built on the southeast corner and established a large trade. B. D. Harrison opened a newspaper office in 1851, and the same year the Masons of the village organized. J. C. Blackman's house stood where R. W. Collier's dwelling now is, but the old building was removed a point west, and in 1886 was occupied by J. M. White; Green's house on the hill is occupied by the Widow Vaughan; on the site of Green Taylor's dwelling stands that of J. K. Willet; the old tavern has given place to Mrs. McCranie's dwelling; the Bonning House and Tillinghast Vaughan's house are all standing as reminders of Homer's early days; but the temporary court-house, as well as the first permanent building erected for parish purposes, have disappeared. Up to 1861 every one of the buildings named had happy associations, but then the terrors of civil war over the place and the peace of this Louisiana Auburn was offered up as a sacrifice to the god of arms. Every home sent forth a soldier, and when the refugee families from the Mississippi Valley came hither to seek shelter from the storms, they found only non-combatants, stoical while enthusiastic, silent and thoughtful. The riflemen and artillery of the North did not come hither until the war was over, but the Trans-Mississippi battlefields claimed many of Homer's citizens and few returned to realize the political and social changes which a few years had effected.

The first postmaster of Homer is not remembered by the old settlers, but as McFarland was master at Athens when the seat of justice was moved, he may have moved here also. W. C. Crutcher, who was postmaster in 1852, kept his office in his drug store. M. Callahan was postmaster subsequently; J. P. Smith came next as United States Postmaster, in 1866. Augustus Lovellette, a Federal soldier was commissioned after the war. W. J. Taylor, R. T. Vaughan, J. A. Witter with S. Y. Gladney, deputy; Miss Lou Martin, 1870-71; D. W. Harris, 1871-86; W. W. Brown, 1886-89; Mrs. E. V. Boring, in July, 1889, now incumbent.

The location of old-time business houses in always worthy of attention. At the southeast corner of the public square was William H. Maxey, and on the extreme southwest corner, Dunston & Dansby. Reams & Clegg were at the northwest corner. Between these points were many houses of less note, but all appeared to do a lively and successful business. Repeated failures of crops, however, brought about disaster, and house after house failed or closed. Jonathan Ferguson assumed control of the old Planter's House, and did a thriving business for a number of years. In time Gill & McCranie dissolved copartnership and sold their brick house to Otts & Barrow, but McCranie, too full of business to stop work, erected a spacious and handsome wooden store on the northwest corner, where prosperity seemed to bless every venture he made there. The business of Duston & Dansby was closed, owing to the death of the former, and their fine brick house was disposed of to J.C. Blackman and Hugh Taylor (good Uncle Hugh), which firm, for some years, did a fine business. On the death of Uncle Hugh the firm closed and the business went into the hands of George Taylor and H. C. Mitchell, who did a fine business until burned out in April, 1871. G. G. Gill did a good business at the corner store now occupied by W. G. Taylor. Reams & Clegg having closed out their business, the old Caper's House, where so much business had been done, now became vacant.

On December 22, 1876, fire destroyed the north and west sides of the square. To replace the houses burned was now the object of the business men. The McCranie brick store took the place of the old frame house; W. J. Barrow also built a good house and G. G. Gill built on the site of Col. Caper's store. While this fire destroyed several buildings, the heavy snow, which followed, crushed the Methodist house of worship and necessitated restoration or rebuilding. The fire of August 20, 1890, destroyed the old livery stable of J. T. Otts and F. N. Allen.

Early in December, 1877, Dr. Cunningham's house on Third Street was burned. It was the fifth of a row of dwellings on this street, the other four being saved by the citizens.

The fire of July 27, 1889, originated in the Whitter saloon, the front of which had been torn down to make way for the A. K. Clingman brick block. The south side of the square was swept away except T. J. Longino's brick block. The flames leaping across the street reduced the Hamilton and W. W. Brown buildings to ashes, but were arrested at the Johnston jewelry store.

The first set of ordinances was adopted September 12, 1855, and signed by W. S. Custis, mayor, and W. Crutcher, clerk. In 1856 J. M. Thomasson was mayor, succeeded in 1857 by John W. Pennall, who in November gave place to W. S. Custis. In this year B. D. Harrison succeeded Crutcher as clerk. In 1858 N. J. Scott was chosen mayor. Ordinance No. 39, adopted in June, provided that all coffee-houses be permitted to keep their back doors open and sell on Sunday's until 9 A. M., and from 5 to 9 o'clock P. M. On May 17 Surveyor E. B. Whitson, with Chain Carriers H. L. Cox and E. A. Walker, marked the boundary lines of the town. Micajah Martin was appointed clerk in 1859, and E. L. Dyer in 1860. In 1861 G. W. Price was mayor and James Potts, clerk, followed in 1862 by F. Vaughan, mayor, and B. D. Harrison, clerk. In 1864 A. McCranie presided as mayor, with M. Callahan, clerk, and in 1866 N. J. Scott was elected chief magistrate. At this time Ordinance No. 16 was adopted, fixing the license tax as follows: Retail grocers, $300; dry-goods, $50; livery stables, $25; family grocery, $50; confectionery stores, $25; hotels, $25; drug stores, $30; and dentist, $25. In 1867 H. L. Cox was elected mayor, and the license tax was reduced to less than one-half in most cases. J. R. Ramsey succeeded Cox the same year, and served until the election of J. Ferguson in 1868. W. J. Reams succeeded Callahan as clerk, both serving in 1869, when the first book of ordinances closed.

In 1877 J. Ferguson was mayor, and B. D. Harrison, secretary. In 1878 W. J. Leslie, Dr. S. Y. Webb, Dr. Meadors, John Cook, Col. J. S. Young, George Davis, B. T. Ledbetter and Bob Ferguson were school directors. In 1879 Mayor Ferguson presided, with M. R. Bryan, clerk, followed in 1880 by J. A. Richardson and J. H. Simmons, mayor and clerk, respectively. In 1881 E. H. McClendon was mayor, and in 1881-82 J. R. Ramsey signed the records as clerk. In April, 1882, John E. Hulse was elected mayor.

In 1885 E. L. Johnson was elected mayor, and in 1886 J. D. Ferguson. A. E. Welder was acting clerk, vice Ramsey, at the greater number of meetings up to July of the last named year. Walter Ward was mayor in 1887-88, while S. J. Maffett succeeded J. R. Ramsey as clerk in 1888. The officers in June, 1890, were: J. E. Hulse, mayor; R. W. Collier, George Gill, A. E. Wilder, C. O. Ferguson, J. T. Otts, selectmen; R. L. Richardson, clerk; Thomas Harris, marshal, W. F. Bridges, treasurer.

The Methodist Episcopal Church in Louisiana may be said to date back to 1823, when eighty-nine white and ten colored members represented the denomination in the State. From 1829 to 1833 William Stephenson preached throughout this section. In 1827, however, a class was organized in the Hood settlement with John Burnham, leader; this was followed by Ashbrook's class near old Athens, but not until after the organization on the Louisiana Conference in 1846 did the people of the wilderness receive the new faith.

A society was organized at Homer, in 1849 or 1850, within the log house which stood where is now Dormon's blacksmith shop. Later a house for worship was erected in rear of the present house, and this was used until December, 1876, when the big snow crushed it in. In 1877-78 the house now in use was erected.

The Cumberland Presbyterian society was organized at Homer, and another at Shongaloo, in the fifties. The Homer Association dissolved instanter, but a strongly society was organized at Mount Pleasant, and still another at Pleasant Grove, near Alexander's mill. During the war the building at Mount Pleasant was destroyed by fire. Salem, near the site of old Russellville, ultimately became the seat of Cumberlandism, with churches at Haynesville, Salem and four other places.

The Presbyterian Church dates back to Mr. Banks' address at Overton, in 1838, and to Allen's settlement in 1839. In 1851 the first organization was effected near Athens, although a preacher and school teacher of this faith resided at Homer then. In 1852 Rev. J. F. Davidson arrived and found one other Presbyterian here. Up to 1872 services were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but in that year their own building was completed.

The Missionary Baptist Church dates back to June 11, 1825, when a society was organized south of new Athens. Fourteen years after the place of meeting was fixed at the old academy at old Athens, and lost many of its members by that move. In 1859 the three remaining members, with others, reorganized under the name New Hope Church. In 1826 or 1827 Black Lake society was formed at John Murrell's. In 1852 the name and location at Ebenezer Church was changed to Homer, S. Harris, being then pastor, and J. A. Millican, clerk. In October, 1867, the organization ceased, but was revived four years later by A. Harris, who was succeeded as pastor by H.Z. Ardis. From 1873 to August, 1877 the pulpit was vacant, and then J. W. Melton was called as pastor. Friendship Church was organized in 1847, at James Wise's house; in 1856 the Rechabite Church near Haynesville was organized as New Friendship out of this society; the old Friendship out of this society; the old Friendship church-house was burned, and the society dissolved. Gilgal Church was constituted in 1842; Union Church on Dorchette, in 1852; Pilgrams' Rest in 1853; Cool Springs, in 1862; Crystal Springs, in 1874, and then followed the white and colored churches of modern times.

The Homer Male College (Methodist) was incorporated in 1855 and in 1856 work on the buildings was begun, but for some reason the rooms were not opened for educational purposes until 1859. The presidents were Rev. Baxter Clegg, assisted by J. W. Stacy and J. B. Gutter in 1859, followed by Rev. W. D. O'Shea in 1860, who conducted the school until 1863, when R. M. Seavey came; it was closed in 1865. In 1869 Rev. H. T. Lewis, assisted by Messrs. Borden and Wills, reopened the institution. Rev. J. E. Cobb was president in 1870, with Messrs. A. C. Calhoun, J. W. Nicholson and E. M. Corry assisting, and Rev. F. J. Upton, collecting agent. The latter collected subscription notes aggregating over $40,000, but their collection was quite another affair and ever the interest on a great part was refused. In 1973 Rev. J. L. Bonden presided, followed by Baxter Clegg, Dr. T. B. Gordon and R. A. Smith, who was president when the institution was sold under execution in 1878. Contemporary with the male was the female college.

The Homer Masonic Female Institute was established in 1859 as successor of the Homer Female College, with Prof. Wilcox in charge. The Masonic lodge owned the property and directed the policy of the school. Prof. Sligh and Mrs. Sligh were teachers here for many years.

The Homer Masonic Male and Female College dates back to 1885, when the plan of county education was adopted, and President Davidson placed in charge. Then the Claiborne Male and Female College and the Masonic Institute appeared to have been separate institutions for a short time until the consolidation of two years ago when Claiborne College was adopted as the title. The faculty comprised Mrs. Lawrence, M. A., and Prof. Martin, A. M., associate principal; Miss Mary Furman, M. A., instructress in elocution and French; Miss A. M. Teskey, M. A., in the art department; J. W. Connell, A. M., commercial department. The brick building of olden days was restored, a new boarding hall erected and the Masonic Institute building repaired and refitted.

The Athenian Institute and Business College was presided over in 1888 by R. P. Webb, with E. H. Payne, secretary; T. J. Caldwell, treasurer; W. W. Culpepper, A. H. Wilburn, A. H. Caldwell, J. W. Hilbun, H. L. Awbrey, N. D. Smith and B. P. Smith, directors. In November of that year the officers named were called upon to refute the charges against Rev. L. A. Taylor.

Taylor Lodge No. 109, A. F. & A. M., was chartered in 1851, and continued in existence until 1858, when the charter was surrendered. Later, in 1858, Homer Lodge was chartered. This lodge was organized U. D. With D. H. Dyer, worshipful master; J. M. Tilley, J. T. Brooks, J. S. Burnham, J. F. Leak, secretary; G. W. Price (died in 1881), E. B. Whitson and W. P. Brown, officers in order of rank, and James A. Millican, J. C. Blackburn and E. H. Fay, unofficial members. The meeting of April 22, 1858, was held under charter No. 152. Master Dyer was re-elected with E. B. Whitson, secretary; J. M. Thomason was chosen master for 1859, and in January the new charter of the Female Collegiate Institute was considered; John S. Young, R. F. Fancher, Wiley B. Gamon, J. G. and G. W. Warren, John Young, W. A. Carr, J. J. Brown, John Greer, S. M. Brown, W. H. Maxey, S. P. Gee and other members of old Taylor Lodge were admitted members of the new lodge. In 1860-61 G. M. Killgore (died during the war) was master, and W. P. Brown, secretary, until J. /w. Stacy was appointed. The death of E. B. Whitson is noticed on February 16. A. C. Hill was master, and B. R. Coleman, secretary in 1862, followed in January, 1865, by H. W. Kirkpatrick, worshipful master, and W. C. Crutcher, secretary, an they, in 1866, by F. A. Jones, worshipful master, and A. Weil, secretary. The masters and secretaries elected since 1867 are named as follows: F. A. Jones, M.; and B. R Coleman, Sec., 1867; A. C. Hill, J.; and J. R. Ramsey, Sec., 1868; F. A. Jones, M., and J. R. Ramsey, Sec., 18679-72; R. T. Vaughan, Sec., 1872; J. W. Todd, M. (died in 1877), and B. D. Harrison, Sec., 1874-76; J. R. Ramsey, W. M., 1877-90, and B. D. Harrison Sec., 1877-89. On the latter's death John A. Richardson was appointed temporary secretary and subsequently elected secretary. The cause of losing the old charter was due entirely to the fanatical action of a few members, when resolutions bearing on the death o Allen Harris were considered.

Homer Council No. 1, U. F. of T., was a strong organization here in 1877. The Grand Council of North Louisiana was also organized here.

Davidson Council 444, A. L. of H., was organized November 20, 1881, with the following members: Drew Ferguson, commander; A. Weil, M. H. Lipmins,* 1888; W. W. Arbuckle,* J. R. Ramsey, W. W. Brown, D. W. Harris, Nancy L. Harris,* 1883; B. D. Harrison, E. J. Harrison, G. W. Vaughan, J. e. Hulse, R. R. Hightower, J. H. M. Taylor, Sallie Jones, Betty Ferguson, L. J. Brown, W. C. Price, D. P. Taylor, E. G. Hightower, P. E. Lipmins, W. P. Carter* 1886, and G. W. Day. The names marked * are deceased, and to their representatives $10,000 was paid. J. R. Ramsey has served as commander since 1882.

Lodge 27, K. of P., was instituted July 5, 1881, with J. R. Ramsey, P. C.; Drew Ferguson, C. C.; T. S. Sligh A. E. Wilder, J. W. Holbert, J. K. Willet, M. C. Lawrence, W. Ward, James T. Otts, J. Floyd Key, B. A. Bridges, A. K. Clingman, Barney McHenry and John Brown, filling the other offices. The office of chancellor commander has been filled by A. E. Wilder, F. C. Greenwood, E. H. McClendon, G. G. Gill, J. A. Richardson, C. O. Ferguson, E. R. White and A. E. Wilder, the present commander. Then Endowment Rank was organized immediately after with G. G. Gill, the first president, followed by Drewry Ferguson. G. G. Gill is now president, with Walter Ward as secretary.

The Y. M. C. A. Was organized June 10, 1890, with C. W. Seals, president; Dr. Pollard, vice-president; P. A. Tatum, secretary, and J. K. Willet, treasurer. Lila M. Gill, Ada Mercer, Agnes McCorkle and J. A. McCorkle were appointed a committee to select books.

The Homer National Bank was organized in November, 1889, with W. P. Otts, president; J. W. Holbert, vice-president; C. O. Ferguson, cashier; T. Bridgmen, P. Loewenbery, J. H. Simmons, J. W. Holbert, J. K. Willet and Drew Ferguson, directors.

The Interstate Building & Loan Association was organized in March, 1890, with J. K. Willet, president; A. K. Clingman, vice-president, and R. P. Webb, secretary, treasurer and attorney.

The Southwestern Building & Loan Association was organized in March, 1890, with A. K. Clingman, president; J. C. Willis, vice-president; R. P. Webb, secretary, and they with Joe Palmer, W. A. Walker, John P. Awbrey and J. L. Ferguson, formed the board of directors.

The Otts House is the modern hotel of the town. The old Homer House and the old Claiborne House are referred to as belonging to a past age. The brick for the proposed Clingman hotel was burned in 1890, by Mark Lee. The projector of this house established the Clingman nurseries in 1873.

Athens is an old name given to a new town on the Louisiana & Northwestern Railroad. It claims a population of about 250, six business houses, a Masonic hall, one saw-mill, and planer, one steam gin and grist-mill, blacksmith and woodshop, a hotel, three religious denominations (Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian) and excellent school in charge of Prof. J. M. Davis, good depot buildings and telegraph office, and a few modern dwellings houses. It is surrounded by a healthy and productive country, the soil and climate being admirable well adapted to the raising of all the products peculiar to this country, and especially to the successful growth of fruits and vegetables. The country is well watered and timbered. Sugar cane is grown in large quantities, and the manufacture of molasses is practiced on an extensive scale. The farmers are also turning their attention to the raising of mules and horses, principally the former. The first fire was that of March 23, 2890, which destroyed the Baker store, and a portion of his stock of merchandise. The old Masonic lodge, Athens No. 145, organized at the old town in 1856, is still in existence with headquarters in the new town. In 1889 the Benevolent Association of Confederate Veterans was organized, composed of former residents of the States of Georgia, Maryland, Alabama, Mississippi and other Southern States. The following officers were elected to serve during the first year: J. T. Baker, president; P. A. Awbrey, vice-president; J. H. Carr, recording secretary; J. W. Brooks, corresponding secretary; J. F. McFarland, treasurer.

Arizona, six miles east of Homer, may be said to have been founded in 1866. Soon after the war a magnificent cotton factory was erected at this place, capable of employing a large number of hands. Its inconvenience to easy and rapid transportation, with other trouble, caused it to cease operating after a few years. It is now owned by the John Chaffe estate, and is motionless. Arizona, for a number of years, was the seat of Arizona Seminary, a very popular and flourishing school under the principalship of J. W. Nicholson, now professor of mathematics in the State University at Baton Rouge. Notwithstanding the discontinuance of the factory, and the decadence of its school, Arizona has held many of its old citizens, the Willises, Wafers, Nicholsons, Drs. Calhour and Baker, Dutcher, Corrys, etc. Here Beacon Lodge No. 220, A. F. & A. M. was chartered in 1872, and existed until 1886. Hither the Forest Grove Methodist Episcopal Church-house was moved in 1886.

Haynesville, formerly known as Taylor's Store, dates back to 1848, when J. c. Taylor established his business here. Prior to that date, 1843, Hiram Brown had located close by, also J. C. Wasson and L. S. Fuller, in 1844. In 1846 Miles Buford and Samuel Boyd cast their fortunes in this settlement, and in 1849 Henry Taylor came among them. Yearly the settlement increased in numbers, and farms, large and small, were opened. In consequence of this increase in population and agriculture, William W. and J. L. Brown began a mercantile business next door to Taylor. Sam Kirkpatrick and Dr. Wroten opened a drug business.

The country was full of game, and deer skins and bear hams were staples articles of trade. But with the rush of emigration that began in 1850 and which continued up to 1860, new ideas came, new wants and new industries. Agriculture began in earnest, and in a few years large farms were opened in every direction, the public lands were all entered, roads opened and prosperity was exhibited all through the region. After the war the Greenback Dollar and the Western Protestant were issued here. Other little journals were projected; but the present Star of 1889-90 shows signs of permanence. The Methodist Episcopal Church at this place is one of the old classes of D'Arbonne Circuit. Haynesville Lodge 178, A. F. & A. M., was chartered in 1861.

Summerfield, situated in the northeastern portion of the parish, is a thriving village of about 120 inhabitants. It was settled by W. R. Kennedy in 1868, by the erection of a wood and blacksmith shop, and a business house. It now has four stores dealing in general merchandise and plantation supplies, several drug stores, a saw and grist mill, and several mills in the vicinity, all run by stream. It has four churches (Methodist Episcopal Church South, Methodist Protestant, Missionary Baptist and Primitive Baptist). Hebron Missionary Baptist Church was organized near this village in 1848 by R. A. Hargis and Richard Young. On August 29, 1882, a Baptist society was reorganized here by Elder Burt, the old society at Hebron being also in existence. In 1845 a Methodist society was organized in the Corni Bluff vicinity, which in time merged into the Summerfield society, whither house of worship was erected there. In 1842 the Methodist Protestant denomination organized in the parish, and Presbyterianism was organized in 1851. Summerfield Lodge No. 210, A. F. & A. M., was charted in 1870, and now bears the number 88. There are twenty-three members reported.

Tulip, in the southeastern part of the parish, was an important trade center until the completion of the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas Railroad in 1884, when Arcadia, in Bienville Parish, competed for the trade of the district. Here, for many years, P. Marsalis & Sons carried on a large general store without serious opposition. Among the old settlers of this vicinity are the Watsons, Marsalises, Whites, Gandys, Leslie and Hays, with others named in the list of first land buyers of the township. A stream saw and grist mill, a steam cotton-gin, a school-house, a commodious Methodist meeting-house, and a number of steam cotton-gins and saw-mills in the immediate neighborhood make up the industries, no less than five or six steam whistles being in easy hearing of the village. A lodge of Masons, known as Tulip Lodge No. 187, was organized in 1867, and still works under the charter of that date. The Methodist Church is the final development of a series of organizations that went before it. In 1847 or 1848 William McCue settled near the Dansby place, and , with the assistance of others, built a log house in which was organized a small membership. As others began to move into the neighborhood, Re. James Watson, Josiah Watts, M. Kenebrew, William Oliver, and others, in order to have the church more centrally located, it was taken down and moved two miles farther south. It there took the name Walnut Grove. About 1855 a large frame building was erected about half a mile east to take the place of the loge house, and to it was given the name of Pisgah. Here it continued until 1872, when the class was divided, one section being attached to Homer and the other to Tulip, where a new house was built at a cost of $1,500.

Colquit is still known, the storm referred to in the first chapter shaking it into life. Around this place settled the Tignors, Grays and Wilsons, and here, in 1856 Cool Spring Lodge No. 149, A. F. & A. M., was organized, continuing work until 1881. Methodist and Baptist societies were organized there at an early day. Gordon was founded by Dr. Gordon years before he moved to Texas. It is still a small business center.

Antioch P. O. Was established in August, 1889, with J. B. Williams, master. Forty years before a Baptist society was organized here, and in December of that year Seaborn J. Fuller was chosen pastor. It was a strong Baptist settlement, such pioneers as the Fortsons, Lees, Hays, Johnsons, Williams, Browns, Applewhites and Sterlings being members of the society of 1852.

Parish History: Historic Claiborne '62, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana

Submitter: Claiborne Parish Historical Association

File Preparer: Kelly Priestly

Historic Claiborne

Materials prepared for the Claiborne Parish Historical Association

Claiborne Parish Historical Association Homer, Louisiana 1962

Foreword

This is the second collection of papers and other items of historical interest to be published by the Claiborne Parish Historical Association. The first, entitled Claiborne Parish Sketches, appeared in 1956. Slightly altered excerpts from the preface to the latter are given here:

"The Association feels that these materials constitute important additions to the recorded history of this area and that they should be preserved in print. In editing the papers there has been no attempt to attain uniformity of treatment or style. Each paper reflects its own authorship, fully identified for the readers' information. Each author assumes responsibility for what he has prepared.

"The Association acknowledges its indebtedness to the contributors to this volume. The ends of the Association could hardly be realized without the efforts on the part of individuals which is represented here. The gathering of the materials of history is often tedious and discouraging, but there is great satisfaction in knowing that one has helped to record the passing scene and save it from oblivion. Our authors and contributors have that satisfaction."

We acknowledge with thanks the long-suffering patience of our printers. The publication of such a volume calls for co-operation well beyond an ordinary obligation, and this we have had.

Henry A. Smith, President

Lily Kinabrew Phillips, Publication Chairman

Sue Hefley, Editor

EARLY SETTLERS

by Lily Kinabrew Phillips

Over a century ago, numbers of families who were friends in Georgia, loaded their household belongings in ox-wagons, helped their wives, daughters and sons to climb in then urged the oxen forward on the long trek to Louisiana.

After a tiresome journey of slow traveling, they arrived in the spring time. Settling in Claiborne parish, some to the east and some to the west, they went to work clearing and preparing to till the soil, not the modern way, but with oxen and crude implements.

Records show that the land purchased by these families had been obtained from the government on what was then called "entered land", Sometimes for the sum of fifty cents an acre, with receipts signed by the receiver.

Work, the settlers did. They felled their trees, towed them in from the forest, and with an improvised sawmill fired by pine knots, which they called 'lightered', they began the building of small homes built of the virgin timber, cut by the elders, with all lending a helping hand.

After the first crop was laid by, they provided a grist mill for the grinding of their corn. At the gin, cotton was pressed into bales by hand with wooden screws. With the cane mills being pulled by horsepower, and with cane ready to be ground for the first syrup makings, all treked to the mills, drank the juice, and ate cane to their hearts' content.

An old store stood for years, operated eventually by the great-grandchidlren of the original owners. Here everything was sold from a pin to a plow. It was also a community meeting place.

With wild game aplenty, and with streams in the area abounding in fish, many preferred the rod to the gun. Soon these became self-supporting communities.

These pioneers were a religious people, on the fourth Saturday of each month the circuit rider came, when all business was suspended while the people attended services for two days. The ministers traveled the wilds on horseback or in a buggy.

The "old peddler" made his rounds through the communities, with his spirit of gaiety, along with kitchen utensils, and dress material, which was known then as calico, and sold for five cents a yard, which was probably a good thing as it took 10 yards or more to make one of the full trailing dresses with long sleeves and high necks. From three to five petticoats, lace trimmed, were worn with these dresses, which was then the fashion.

The peddler finishing his work went on his way with very little cash, but with an ample supply of chickens, eggs, vegetables and other barter.

All was not work with these communities. Their days and nights were brightened by picnics, play, parties, square dances, candy pulls and Sunday singings.

Old cemeteries are interesting. It would appear to have been a custom to quite frequently have the place of birth indicated on the grave marker, consequently there was a good index as to the origin of those who came to settle here when it was a wild frontier. Many died from the effect of tragedy, epidemic or war. They had courage to settle this new land.

CLAIBORNE PARISH

Reprinted from The Haynesville News, April 28, 1938

Claiborne is one of the oldest parishes, having been organized in 1828, and was named for Mr. W. C. C. Claiborne, our first governor. Out of the original Claiborne were formed the following parishes: Bossier, Jackson, Bienville, Webster, and Lincoln. Russellville was the first seat ofjustice. In 1836, the population having taken a westward trend, the seat of justice was removed to Overton on Dorcheat Bayou, near what is now known as "Minden Landing." But this place was found to be unhealthy, so in 1846 Athens became the parish seat, and remained thus until the court house and all records were destroyed by fire.

By this time the population had increased so rapidly a more central location was desired for the court house so the choice fell upon Homer. The town was named by Frank Vaughn in honor of the Greek poet. The land had been entered and owned around this location by Allen Harris and Tillinghast Vaughn: both of these men gave liberal concessions to the parish and town for public buildings, schools and churches. The first court was held in a cheap board shanty about where the O. G. Jones' store is situated. The court house that was built at that time was thought to be one of the finest structures in North Louisiana. About 1857, this building began to show decay, so it was taken down and the present court house was erected on the same spot. About 1849 or 1850 the working Georgians and Alabamians began to settle in Claiborne. Roads were opened, bayous and creeks were bridged, schools and churches were built. Near this time Lisbon was settled. A few miles west was Forest Grove. At this time the Methodist church of Forest Grove was known as the most noted church in the parish. Colquitt and Haynesville then fell in line of development. W. R. Kennedy settled Summerfield in 1868 by erecting a wood and blacksmith shop there, and a business house. About 6 miles east of Homer is the beautiful village of Arizona, where soon after the Civil war was erected a magnificient cotton factory.

The first marriage that took place in Claiborne was in 1821 and Mr. John Allen and Miss Mary Holcomb were the happy pair. The ceremonies were performed by the Justice of the Peace. Up to this time no marriage license was required and it was the fashion then for the bride and groom to go to Arkansas to get married; many remember the old oak stump where ceremonies were solemnized by an Arkansas Justice of the Peace.

Land sold for $2.50 an acre up to 1848.

The first newspaper to be published here was the "Claiborne Advocate," edited by Frank Vaughn.

The L. & N. W. railroad entered this parish in about 1887 or 1888. There was much excitement and rejoicing over such an improvement as all our travel to that time was done by covered wagons, buggies and surreys. The U. S. Mail was brought over by team and when the carrier reached town he blew a horn to let people know the mail had arrived. Everybody flocked to the "post office" to wait until it was opened.

ANTIOCH

by Pearl Fortson Smith

I do not know in what year or by whom the community of Antioch was first settled but I do know that Antioch is one of the oldest settlements in all of Claiborne Parish.

Most all of the settlers were natives of Georgia, coming from different sections of that state. My general recollection of names is: Monk,

Williams, Lay, Scaife and Fortson.

My own father's family left Columbus, Georgia, when he was twelve years old. They came with all their possessions by boat to New Orleans, then overland by carriage train to what is now Claiborne Parish. They brought their slaves with them. The slaves that I remember are the cook Sarah and the carriage driver, a red bone, whom every one called "Red Sam." He had his quarters over the carriage house and his only duties were to take care of the horses, the harness and carriage, and to drive my grandmother.

My grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Fortson, built a two story colonial home about nine miles east of the town of Homer. A number of our towns-people remember it as the old Fortson home, long since burned. The only homes now standing belonging to the old settlers are the Scaife house and the Williams house, both east of Homer on the Summerfield road, and the Ben McCasland house on the Lisbon Road.

Each man in the neighborhood had his own special talent. Mr. Beach was usually called in if a cow or a horse became ill. Mr. Ben McCasland filed snake bones for the babies to wear around their necks to make teething easier. My father robbed the bees; they never stung him. Mr. John Williams was the only Sunday School superintendent I ever remember in the neighborhood. Mr. Jim Monk was a school teacher.

The first school building was a one room log house with a huge fire place, wooden shutters over the windows, home-made seats and one long desk extending the entire width of the room with seats on each side where we sat to take our writing lessons.

The only church in the community was Baptist---a large, well-built edifice with one section reserved for the slaves.

There was a pool just under the hill back of the house, fed by a beautiful spring, for baptizing.

"Uncle Billie Malone", as he was generally know, had the only cider press in the community and the neighbors would carry loads of apples to him every summer to be gound into cider and that was generally used as refreshments with home made giner bread to go along.

My mother made her own candles from tallow, often mixed with beeswax made by boiling the honeycomb. The tallow she made by rendering out the fat saved from beeves killed on the farm. She also organized reading clubs and debating clubs during vacation times.

Mr. John Williams had the only cotton gin in the community and my friend, Luna Williams, and I thought it was the greatest fun to ride thelong poles to which the two mules, Rock and Dock, were hitched to run the gin. We would also slide head foremost down the chute, which carried the lint cotton to the lint room. Truly, we had our own special angels watching over us.

Most all the settlers of Antioch were farmers, with cotton their specialty. As a result of the Civil War, fortunes in cotton were lost. I can remember the fire screens my grandmother had covered with Confederate money, which was no good after the war.

I do not know just how many men from the Antioch community served in the Civil War; B. B. McCasland, W. R. Fortson and L. R. Lay were three who died.

And, by the way, Mrs. L. R. Lay, who was Margaret Garrett, was a sister to Pat Garrett, who killed "Billy the Kid." The gun with which he killed him is still in the Lay family. Pat Garrett and his wife used to visit the Lays and we children thought it quite an honor to be able to say, "We know Pat Garrett."

As the community grew and progressed, our fathers realized the need of bigger and better church and school facilities; so we discarded the old buildings and built new and more adequate ones. We had school teachers second to none, such as: C. C. Seals, who afterwards became U. S. District Attorney of the Western Section at Shreveport during President Cleveland's administration; Mrs. Hattie Lawrence; S. E. L. (Sidney) Brown, a graduate of the University of Ohio; Miss Winnie Camp; Mr. Jim Monk; Mr. Joe Meadows; Mrs. Debet Bonner, mother of Mrs. Mary T. Bonner Cole and Pleas Bonner.

We finally obtained a post office at Antioch, with Mrs. John Williams post mistress. In connection with the post office she had a little storewhere she sold shoes, tobacco, snuff, calico and numerous other things that country folk need.

At Christmas time there were always turkey dinners with plenty of "Sillabub," with a party each night with the late Tom Richardson, grandfather of our townsman, Pat Richardson, and Mace Palmer and a colored man making the music. We danced the Virginia Reel and the old fashioned square dance, with Mr. Will Palmer and a Mr. Glass calling the sets.

ARIZONA

By Vera Robinson Malone

In the year 1738 John Robinson was granted a piece of land from King George II of England. This land was on Muddy Creek, located in what is now Cumberland County, Virginia. Benjamin Franklin Robinson, one of the old family, still owns this farm. One of the boys, Hudson Allen Robinson, Sr., moved to Carthage, Tennessee in the year 1815. A few years later he and Hudson Allen Robinson, Jr., came to Louisiana to find a home. They came on horseback by way of the old Indian Trail. They came to what is now Arizona - then a dense forest; they hewed oak logs and built the first house. Then Hudson Allen Robinson, Sr. went back to Carthage, and moved his family by wagons back to the new home. The old shade trees--oak and walnut-- are still there. Some of the old hewn logs which were put into the house were still there a few years ago.

Hudson Allen Robinson, Sr., and his wife, Mary Dyer Robinson, spent the rest of their lives at Arizona and are buried near the community. Their son, Hudson Allen Robinson, Jr. (born in Carthage Sept. 8, 1823, and later known as Uncle Dick) continued to live in Arizona and died there in 1916 at the age of 92. His wife was Sarah Jane Schinque Robinson. She was born near Natchez (Louisiana) near Natchitoches. Her family moved to the Tuggle Place, near Homer. She walked to church in Homer each Sunday, stepping in the footprints of her grandfather, Wesley Goodson, who wore a long white linen robe. He was the first preacher to preach in Homer; his "church" was a one-room log hut.

Other settlers were Joshua Willis and Barbara Winston Willis. They were married in 1817; their children were: Americanus, Joshua, Barbara, Patsy Ann, John Winston, Lenora. They were related to England's Winston Churchill. Some family names identified with early Arizona are: Nicholson (J. W. Nicholson was the founder and principal of Arizona Academy, and in later years served as president of Louisiana State University) Harris (Tom Harris was superintendent of education for the state of Louisiana for many years) Willis (the Willis- Knighton Clinic in Shreveport bears this family name) Palmer (James G. Palmer was once mayor of Shreveport and served as Judge of the Circuit Court of Appeals). Barnette (William C. Barnette served as judge of the 3d Judicial District Court from 1912 through 1914) Malone, Brown, Baker, Scaife, Leslie, Calhoun, Menefee, Thomason, Blackman, Myers, Oakes, Ledbetter, Wafer, Pryor, Parker, Jamerson, Bonner, Beard, Johnson, Kimbell, Simpson, Corry, Parson Harris, Major Dyer, and others. Miss Mary Mimms "Sweetheart of the South" and Minor Wallace "Silver Tongue of the South" went to school here.

Our Arizona Methodist Church is a very old one and is owned- not by the Methodist Conference, but by the people of the Arizona community. This arrangement was made by our forefathers and we are glad to have it this way. The church and school grounds were donated by J. P. Malone's great grand-father Willis whose wife was Lenora Willis Malone and who later married one of the Nicholson family.

ARIZONA

By Clare D'Artois Leeper

This article is reprinted from the Shreveport Times, Historic Place Names Series, by permission of the Times and the author.

Arizona, Louisiana was incorporated March 1, 1869, the name taken from the Territory of Arizona. The persistent belief that the word Arizona derives from the Spanish "arida zona", calls for inclusion, as Jack Reynolds says, merely for the purpose of refutation.

The origin of the word Arizona advanced by James McClintock in his "History of Arizona" and accepted by all modern historians, says: "There is no doubt that Arizona Territory was named after some springs near Banera, eight miles south of the border, and about 85 miles below Tucson. These springs were called "Alel-zon" by the Papago, meaning "small spring".

In the days before its incorporation, Arizona boasted of the largest flour mill in the state and of the first cotton mill operating west of the Mississippi River. The flour mill was abandoned after it was discovered that wheat could not be grown profitably there. And the cotton mill, too, was abandoned as economically unfeasible because it was 30 niles from a navigable stream and there were no railroads to haul its products.

In 1869 James W. Nicholson established the Arizona Seminary which was considered one of the best colleges in the state. After two years he left the school to return to teaching in Homer College. The seminary began to wane at Arizona after his departure. After two years there, he returned to Arizona to place the school on a sound basis, staying there until 1877, when he was offered the chair of mathematics at LSU, which he accepted. There he remained until his retirement, and in the interim of his service he was LSU's president from 1883 - 1884 and from 1886-1896.

With Nicholson's departure, Arizona Seminary began to decline. And like the flour mill and the cotton mill before it, the Seminary was finally abandoned. There was an unsuccessful attempt to revitalize Arizona by making it oil-rich, but only dry holes were drilled. By 1953 the Arizona post office served only 14 star route boxes. So in 1954 the post office was discontinued.

ATHENS

By Annie Volentine

Athens is a small town ten miles south of Homer, with a population of 432. The original town, Old Athens, was two miles west of the present town.

Although Athens was not chartered until 1898 when Governor W. H. Heard signed the proclamation, the town started its existence when the Louisiana and Northwest Railroad was routed through the present town site in 1888 and J. T. Baker moved his general merchandizing store from Old Athens and the Reverend and Mrs. J. L. Stone moved the post office to New Athens. About three years later W. H. Pace and W. 0. Barnes began their drug store on what is now "main street".

Athens was incorporated - a mile square - in 1898 and inside the corporation limits is a dwelling now owned by Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Willett, which was built by a Mr. Beauchamp before 1857. (So said the late J. E. Gandy, who told his family that he remembered going there with his mother in 1857 when he was five years old and he was born in 1852). The house is well preserved. At one time a partition between rooms was removed and it was found that the studdings were six-inch square hewn timbers.

The first church in the town was the Cumberland Presbyterian (now the United States Presbyterian). It was organized in 1858 by the late Reverend G. N. Clampitt and he served as its first pastor. The land for the church and Salem cemetery was donated by Judge J. L. Kilgore, a great-uncle of John and Myrtle Dance, who live at Athens at the present time. Later Frank Bridges gave an adjoining plot of ground for an academy. Elders for the first church were: W. H. Gandy, John A. Harris, Peyton Pate, Thomas Berry, and J. N. Mitchell. Deacons were: P. H. Hicks, Green Walker, and T. E. Bailey. The Presbyterian Church was moved to its present location in 1905. The first Methodist Church here was built in 1890. It was called Foster's Chapel by its first pastor. It was moved to the present location in 1910. Early leaders of this church were: W. H. Pace, Eugene Watson, F. E. Marsalis, Jim Pittman, W. C. Webb, Frank Webb, J. T. Baker.

The Athens Baptist church was built in 1903. Before that time the congregation went to the Old Athens Baptist Church, which is still well preserved and is used every Sunday.

The first court of justice for Claiborne Parish was housed in the Samuel Russell log house (at Russellville). This site was a few hundred yards north of Salem cemetery and all that remains is a mound of dirt where the building decayed and the old oak that was used as a gallows for hanging criminals. The first judge was J. L. Kilgore.

Doctors who have come from Athens are: James, F. J. Pace, C. A. Bailey, C. C. Craighead, Walter Harman, Joe Gandy, L. T. Baker, B. P. Smith, Don S. Marsalis, Thomas Ward, Claud Craighead Jr., Lavelle Maddry, Lamar Atkins. Lawyers who have come from Athens are: Jean Craighead Shaw, who practices with her husband in Homer, and the late Ab Atkins. Preachers who have come from Athens are: the late Willie Barksdale, Presbyterian; Douglas Peeples, Methodist; Tommy Greer, Baptist.

The first car owned by anyone in the town was one bought by W. J. Greer, a merchant, in 1913. The next year Dr. C. C. Craighead bought the second one.

ATHENS

By Clare D'Artois Leeper

This article is reprinted from the Shreveport Times, Historic Place Names Series, by permission of the Times and the author.

Greek classical place-names dot the U. S. map, and Louisiana is not without its share of them. Athens, the first such name to appear on the Louisiana map, was soon followed by Homer, Sparta, and Arcadia.

The original Athens of Louisiana, which served as the third parish seat of Claiborne parish, is now known as Old Athens and is located 2.3 miles west of the present village of Athens.

Many of the Athenses of the U. S. were so named because universities were to be located in them. However, Louisiana's Athens does not seem to have had such an institution according to The History of Claiborne Parish by D. W. Harris and B. M. Hulse. One of the authors visited Athens in 1848 and gave a rather complete description of the place. While he did not mention the presence of any university he did comment on, among other things, the presence of "a beautiful flowing spring, a courthouse, which was then considered a creditable building, and about a dozen dwellings, here and there. . ." Although Athens, Louisiana, does not seem to have had a university it did serve as a seat of government. This fact, coupled with its strong topographical resemblance to Athens, Greece, was certainly enough to warrant the choice of the name.

Three notable similarities exist between the two Athenses. First both Athenses were situated upon hills. The famous hill upon which Athens, Greece, is built is known as the Acropolis and has an altitude of 512 feet. Louisiana's Athens is built on the highest hill in Louisiana (altitude 415 feet). Second, both Athenses had that prime requisite necessary for the survival of early towns, a water supply, and both had it in the form of flowing springs. Third, both Athenses are approximately three miles from water transportation. There may be yet other similarities between the two Athenses especially in the matter of bracing breezes and annual mean temperature. But the similarities cited proved that the placenamers knew their classics when they selected the name of Athens, Louisiana.

AYCOCK

By Gilbert C. Owens

Aycock, one of Northwest Louisiana's old settlements, was known as the Hood settlement before it had a post office, and was the cradle of the Methodist Episcopal church in this area, a class being formed there in 1827. Later Walton Wilson donated land near his home and a church was built known as the New Hope Methodist Episcopal Church of which he was a member. Many years later as the country settled and became a prosperous farming area New Hope Church was moved about half way from Aycock to Homer and is now known as the Wesley Chapel Methodist Church. The church has played a most important role in making this country what it is. Our forefathers made the supreme sacrifice that this great country of ours might survive and I relieve it will so long as we follow their plan and scheme of things, and keep their memories alive.

Aycock's only postmaster, Walton Wilson, was the son of A. M. Wilson, a young lawyer born in North Carolina, who married and had two children in Mississippi. He came here to build a home in the "wild west" leaving his family in Mississippi. He never finished his home; he died in 1841 and is buried about one quarter mile north of the present site of Aycock. The daughter Eliza Wilson married a Mr. Ponder from Texas.

The son, Walton Wilson, married Sicily Honeycut. They reared a large family. Only one child survives, Mrs. W. C. Owens of Haughton. The oldest grandchild is Mrs. T. A. Owens of Aycock. Sicily Honeycut Wilson lived to the ripe old age of 94.

I have spent many hours listening to her tell of the old days and the good times and bad times which she remembered so well. She told of some friendly Indians and of course there were some not too friendly. She would tell me some exciting experience in the early days. The stage line from Homer to Trenton (Monroe) had a stage barn where they changed horses at Sugar Creek near where Highway 146 (White Lightning) now crosses.

The first one out of Homer was in Ward 7 and Ward 6 line was a few feet in front or east. The mail was carried horse back from Arcadia north to Marsalis or Tulip to the stage stop and on to Arizona, almost one mile northeast, another old settlement. This was on the old Indian trail from Natchitoches to Chicago.

After considerable questioning of the old timers, including my grandmother, and much search of history I learned that Aycock was named for a Mr. Aycock, who lived just across Bayou D'Arbonne, then considered Aycock Settlement about half way from the present site of Aycock. Walton Wilson and Captain Seaborne Aycock were good friends and neighbors. After the war was over Walton Wilson was a prosperous farmer, breeder of saddle horses, and carpenter and blacksmith. Several of the homes still stand which he built. He made window sashes, doors and the lumber was hand dressed. He and his two oldest sons had a sawmill and they cut 18" heart pine boards some twenty feet in length. The settlement needed a post office after the war ended and my grandfather Wilson was builder and postmaster. The post office was named Aycock, in memory of Captain Seaborne Aycock, born. Sept. 27, 1819, probably in Selma, Ala. He served in the Mexican War and came to Louisiana in 1852 and the outbreak of the Civil War. He married Angeline Ford, Jim Ford's sister, Dec. 3, 1846. She is buried at Rocky Springs. The records show that on March 15, 1862, Seaborne Aycock entered service in the Confederacy and on the same day he was elected captain of Co. G. La. Infantry. His officers were P. C. Harper, W. J. Leslie and Thomas Bron, lieutenants and John Cook was sergeant. This company was formed at Lisbon.

History indicates that Capt. Aycock fought at Corinth, Shiloh, Farmington, Perryville, Murfreesboro and was killed while leading a charge at Jonesboro, Ga. This was part of the Atlanta Campaign. He was under Hardee and Hood. He was killed August 31, 1864.

The village of Aycock reached its peak in the early 1900's. It had a church, school, post office, cabinet and wagon shop, blacksmith shop, three stores, a doctor, three sawmills and gins, a railroad and log camp. The Dubach Lumber Co. Rail Road went to the south edge of Sugar Creek, Sac P. Gee's place, with a spur narrow gauge line up White Creek, near Tulip, where Mr. Walker Fomby had a sawmill. Mr. Will Hightower had a store at the present site of Aycock, only across the road, next to Dr. Jarrell's home and office; the home still stands. Not far from the railroad Mr. Will Sconias had a large general store, which he later sold to A. M. Wilson, and a two story building, with W.O.W. Lodge Hall on the second floor. The log camp was about half way between these two stores; the other store was in Hood Town.

The saw mills and gin: There were Wilson's Mill near the post office and Heard's Mill, owned by the father of the late Bert Heard. The first mill was a horse drawn mill; later it was powered by steam. The Atkins Mill was near the present Wesley Chapel Methodist Church, on the west side of the Aycock Community.

Aycock community was considered to be bound on the west by the road from Arizona to Arcadia, as far as White Creek near Marsalis, and on the north by Bayou D'Arbonne.

BLACKBURN

By Iler King Campbell

In the West section of Claiborne Parish lived a number of farmers who had come largely from Alabama and Georgia to settle in the red hills of North Louisiana, establish their homes and raise their families. As the number of farmers increased and the community grew the need for a local store was felt and in 1881 two young men, Frank T. and John Henry King, opened their doors for business and Blackburn became a village. Soon in the rear of this store the federal government established a post office and John Henry King was the first postmaster. Here, too, from miles around, came the farmers to discuss political issues and the price of farm products. It was not unusual to see teams of oxen hitched here.

In the community lived a man named John Blackburn, who owned and operated a vat where he tanned the skins of animals he caught and those he bought from farmers. He conditioned these hides and made shoes out of them for the neighborhood. Because of the importance of his occupation and his pioneering spirit, the village was named for him -- Blackburn.

As the community grew and prospered and more homes were established, the need for educational and religious influence was felt. So a one-room schoolhouse was built. Soon a Missionary Baptist Church was erected and across the narrow road a Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In the School each year was held the community Christmas tree celebration; friends and neighbors gathered here on Christmas Eve to hear the children say their recitations and to see "Santa Claus".

Later Dr. Cason opened an office in the community; Ben and Charley Shockley operated a cotton gin and Will Walker was the blacksmith. In the rear of the blacksmith shop the owner set up a grist mill, where each Saturday farmers came from miles around with corn to be ground into meal while their mules an horses were being shod.

At the height of progress in this village many families, realizing the need for better educational facilities for their children, moved to Homer, Haynesville, or Ruston. The King brothers, after twenty-one years in business at Blackburn, moved their business to Homer in 1902.

CAMP POST OFFICE

By Ava Avinger Jackson and Alma Avinger Bledsoe

On a cold frosty morning in 1898 a shrill whistle echoed through old D'Arbonne bottoms and Claiborne Parish was on the map. The Louisiana & North-West Railroad, so long dreamed of, had become a reality. Beginning at McNeil, Arkansas, it stretched through hills and woods, crossed Red River at Grand Ecore, and terminated in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Among the small communities along the line lay Camp, halfway between Homer and Haynesville, a sleepy little cross-roads junction, boasting two small stores, the John W. McKenzie store in which was established Camp's first post office, and the Ed Adkins store. There was also.Shockley's sawmill, a cotton gin, and corn mill. There was a depot close by the watering tank where the people patiently waited for their first passenger train.

John W. McKenzie was appointed post master by Postmaster General Charles Emory Smith June 1, 1901.

On January 24, 1906, James A. Robinson moved to Camp and built a general mercantile store and the post office was transferred to this

location, Mr. Robinson becoming post master.

On January 8, 1908 John P. Avinger bought the Robinson store and was appointed post master by Postmaster General Geo. von L. Meyer. On March 9, 1914 Onfrey P. Avinger was made post master and continued in that capacity until December 30, 1915. Upon his moving away from Camp, John P. Avinger was again made post master and remained post master until the post office was discontinued February 15, 1917.

On August 1, 1908, Rural Route No. 4 was established out of Homer, which supplemented the service of the Camp Post Office. Then in the summer of 1917, upon the closing of the Camp Post Office, Rural Route No. 3 was established out of Haynesville to serve the people not included in the Route No. 4 District.

Among the families served by these routes were the Morrises, Robertsons, Adkins, Avingers, Robinsons, Aubreys, Camps, McKenzies, Gentrys, Kendricks, Hardaways, Walkers, Tinsleys, Harrises, Smiths, Gordys, Shaws, Millers, MeElwees, Lewises, Evans, Beavers, Roberts, Heards, Bairds, Hammetts, Bridgemans, Crows, Owen, Kirkpatrick, Peacaw and many others.

Soon after the Avingers came to Camp, Dr. Kilgore, a general practitioner, came, built a small office and became the community's family

doctor.

If one were to visit the home of Irma McKenzie Noland in Homer, he would find the old original wooden box which was tacked on the inside of the store door into which letters were dropped for mailing - now being used as a lovely planter.

Camp was named for Robert Camp who lived in the vicinity at that time. To the Old Timers, however, it will always be known as "Stand Pipe". This identification arose from the fact that a tall water pipe was erected by the side of the railroad track to convey water from D'Arbonne Creek to the engines before the big tank was built.

In the evenings as the neighbors began to gather around the old McKenzie well in front of their house one would know it was time for the north-bound "Doodle" to come puffing through a deep cut around the bend.

Years have passed and all the stores are gone. Only a few houses remain. Friends and families are scattered, but we have a wealth of memories of those care-free days of our childhood.

COLQUITT

By Jewel Garland Tigner

The Colquitt community, twelve miles north of Homer, was founded prior to 1850 (John Thomas Tigner with his brother George came to Claiborne from Georgia in 1849, and settled at Colquitt.) It was named for an early settler. Pioneer family names are: Christian, Gray, Greer, Odom, Palmer, Barrow, Monk, Leake.

The village formerly consisted of two stores, a postoffice, two churches (a Baptist and a Methodist), a school, a blacksmith shop, and gin. Dr. Perry Taylor was the beloved doctor of the community. Miss Hattie Lawrence was a beloved teacher of early days; another who gave long and faithful service was Mrs. Mary Lou Meadors Matthews, principal of the school for many years. At one time cotton farming was the main industry; dairying and oil have supplanted cotton.

Margueritte Garland Nation provides additional information: The Colquitt Methodist Church is well over 100 years old; pioneer members belonged to the following families: Wilson, Tigner, Palmer, Monk, Greer, Christian, Adams, Spears. The church had its beginning in a two-room log building. One room was used as a church and the other was the Community School house. On May 31, 1885, this log building was destroyed by fire, and services were held in the Masonic Hall until a new building was completed in 1886. In 1912 the building was blown from its foundation by a tornado. After this damage was repaired, there were no more changes until the years 1936-37 when there was some renovation. In 1950, three Sunday School rooms and Fellowship Hall were added. Since Colquitt has always been on the Haynesville charge, the forty-one pastors who have served the Haynesville church have also served the Colquitt congregation.

MORE ABOUT COLQUITT

By Bernice Andrews Wise

Colquitt is a community about thirty square miles in area in Township 23 North, Range 6 West, Claiborne Parish. It is between Cypress Swamp on the north, Middleforks Botton on the south, less fertile land on the east, and the community of Gordon on the west. The rolling hills have clay soil on the high land and deep sand on the low land, with numerous springs and small creeks. Chincapin Hill, about the center of the area, is the most prominent landmark. There are some graves on this hill, and one is reported to be the grave of the man after whom Colquitt was named. The town was laid out and streets named about the year 1850 and it flourished during the cotton growing years. It had several stores and a post office, a Methodist church and a Baptist church.

The first cotton gin was a screw and press, driven by a mule and filled by hand with baskets. This gin, a sawmill, and a grist rnill were on the Crawford Greer place. The first steam gin was at the Palmer place east of Colquitt. The first school was a two-room log cabin at the crossroads south of the Greer home. A two-story school was built near the Christian home, where the teachers boarded. This building had a large room downstairs that was used as an auditorium for local theatre, for quiltings, and for an annual Thanksgiving dinner. The fabulous food at Colquitt is still brought to the memorial at the Methodist Church in May, and to quiltings. The local favorites include chess pie, black walnut cake, plum pudding, and applesauce cake. Mulligans, barbeques, and chittling suppers are enjoyed.

A list of members of the Colquitt Baptist Church show the following joining by letter on February 9, 1879: Elbert Gray, Andrew Jarrell, S. R. Jarrell, Joe Grey, J. S. Gray, Mony Gray, Mrs. Sollie Owens, Mrs. Ella Jarrell, Miss M. H. Barrow, Frances Mills, Mrs. Mary Owens, Mrs. Emma Jarrell, Mrs. Mattie Gibson, J. M. Finley, Mrs. Eunice Jarrell. Joining before 1900 by baptism or letter were Mrs. H. E. Gray, John E. Gray, Mrs. Willie Nelson, A. H. Haynes, E. J. Haynes, J. N. Wise, Sr., Miss Mattie Wise, William Gray, Mrs. Malinda Gray, D. P. Owens, Jesse Wise. The list of those contributing to the building of the church in 1887, as recorded by John E. Gray and J. N. Wise, included many Methodists, and this spirit of cooperation has continued through the years, with the Methodists having services on the first and third Sundays and the Baptists on the second and fourth. Payments made to Capt. A. C. Jones seem to indicate that he was the builder.

State Line Church was also a part of the Colquitt community. Its constitution states: "We the undersigned do hereby covenant and agree to establish a church at G. R. Bishop's house to conform to all the requirements the Scriptures, to live peaceably, maintain ordinances, and to attend the meetings regularly unless providentially hindered". The "undersigned" were Steven Culpepper, Joseph Wise, Joseph Culpepper, Cornelius Ludlum, Mrs. Elisabeth Haynes, Mrs. Martha G. Wise, Mrs. Rebecca Ludlum, Mrs. Caroline Wise, Mrs. Dealia A. Culpepper, Joseph Wise, Mrs. Amarintha Culpepper. The first baptism recorded was that of Miss Josephine Millican. Family names in the membership roster were: Price, Millican, Owens, Wise, Byrd, Bishop, Peavy, Clower, Puckett, Lee, Colman, Mullins, Culpepper, Mills, Teague, Garner, Hudson, Goodwin, Cabbage, Bishop, Mullens, Haynes.

During the early years, this church was part of the Columbia Association; later, in 1871, it became part of the Liberty Association. Church dissolution was in the year 1881.

DYKESVILLE

By Agnes Caston Ware

The Dykesville post office was established April 30, 1886, after which the following men served as postmasters:

Alexander N. Garland, April 30, 1886; William J. Garland, August 8, 1889; Sbelvy B. Baucum, Feb. 8, 1898 - May 7, 1902. (1)

A. N. Garland was the father of Mrs. George Tigner of Homer.

W. J. Garland, one of the outstanding figures in Claiborne Parish history, was in the mercantile business in Dykesville. A member of the Claiborne Parish School Board, Mr. Garland was also very prominent in the Methodist Church of Dykesville, among other things teaching Sunday School. His daughter, Mrs. Shep J. Beene (better known as Miss Nancy) recalls times that bad weather and other factors limited Sunday School attendance to just their family, but her father went right on with the lesson. Since they were eight miles from a minister her father was often called upon to perform burial ceremonies, Mrs. Beene added. Another of Mr. Garland's daughters, Mrs. Sam Nation, resides in Shreveport, and is well known for her work in genealogy.

In 1948 a tornado hit the small community and not much remains as a landmark save the White Hall Methodist Church and cemetery, where head stones bear the names of the early settlers: Garland, Baucum, Day, Dickerson, Sale, Talley, Thomas, Knight, Baugh and others.

1. The National Archives and Records Service of Washington, D. C., sent this information to Mrs. Sam Nation.

GORDON

By Agnes Caston Ware

Seven miles east of Haynesville, "Gordon was founded Dy Dr. Gordon years before he moved to Texas." (1)

Somewhere in the early 1900's Gordon was a thriving community, with post office operated by Oat Smith, (2) a gin, a grist mill, a general store run by Marshall Lewis, Madden's Store, a schoolhouse, and possibly a saw mill. (3)

One of the students at the school was Willis T. Owens, Sr., who lived at Gordon most of his life, and who ran a general store for over half a century. The last store Mr. Owens built stands mute and empty now, with only the fading letters "Gordon, Louisiana" to remind one of its senior citizen, while across the highway only rubble is left of the once lovely home, with huge wisteria vines hiding the fences and large crepe myrtles marking off the boundaries of the yard.

Two colored churches, two white cemeteries, and a well-kept community house are all that remain of the old Gordon, the latter being the old school building, where revivals are still conducted, funerals, and old-fashioned all day singings, with "dinner on the ground."

1. Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, The Southern Publishing Co.

3. Inforination furnished by Finis Bailey, born and reared near Gordon, who now lives in Haynesville.

HAYNESVILLE

By Joyce B. Dobbins

Historical records reveal the earliest settler in the Haynesville community to be a Widow Long who established a residence in 1818, but she moved very shortly to Arkansas. Not until some twenty-five or thirty years later was there to be a tidal wave of migration into this area. J. C. Wasson and L. S. Fuller came in 1844, Hiram Brown in 1845, Miles Buford and Samuel Boyd in 1846. In 1848 J. C. Taylor migrated from Georgia and settled in the community now known as Old Town, buying 160 acres of land at 75 cents per acre from the government and establishing a small country store, so that Haynesville was first known as Taylor's Store. J. C. Taylor expanded his business enterprises and donated land for the first Methodist Church, cemetery, and school house built in 1860. The school's first teachers were Tarpley Winn and Thomas Beck.

Other Old Town businesses include a drug business owned by Sam Kirkpatrick and Dr. Wroten, a jewelry shop operated by a Mr. Wood. Mr. Stone was a carpenter, Mr. Ray was a coffin maker, and Captain Maddox, John Brooks, and Lindsey Mosely had general stores.

This community steadily grew, and by 1898 it was a thriving village of some 250 people, covering a mile square, and serving many families within a ten mile radius. The community acquired the name "Haynesville" from a certain Captain Haynes who lived there temporarily.

Saddle-pocket preachers and bush arbor services held important places in the religious life of early Haynesville pioneers. These ministers traveled the country on horseback bringing the word of God. These sacks thrown across the saddle held the Bible in one end and their clothes in the other. Early saddle-pocket preachers were Tom Brasher, Rufus Neal, Hollis, Idson and M. C. Parker,

Back in Old Town days, Haynesville was not incorporated, and government consisted of constables and justices of the peace who occasionally held court. Haynesville's first post office dates back as early as 1849 when the mail was brought from Homer and placed in a showcase of Brown Brothers' Store.

Journalism was introduced in 1879 to Haynesville by John Warren and J. M. Hendry, who edited a Political paper called the Greenback Dollar. It was printed until 1889, and J. M. Hendry took over editorship of the Haynesville Star.

From 1887 to 1893 Haynesville had a Normal Institute for teacher training headed by Phillip Gibson, nephew of J. C. Taylor. It was under Mr. Gibson's guiding hand that the Haynesville Star was first published.

In 1898 the shrill blast of a train whistle marked the dawn of a new era for Haynesville. The residents bought three hundred acres of land and gave it to the L. and N. W. railroad company so that the town would be placed at its present location. Major J. D. Beardsley, promoter of the railroad, sold the land in lots to finance its completion. Two hundred acres were bought from C. A. Bridgeman at $6.25 per acre, 60 from J. W. Camp at $10.00, 40 from G. B. Sherman at $7.50 per acre. Major Beardsley plotted a map of the town and named the streets with such early family names as Dawson, Gantt, Greer, Taylor, and Bailey.

Within a few years Old Town ceased to exist and new businesses were brought in as well as old businesses relocated. Jo Greer and George Sherman built the first store in August, 1898. The first depot was a box car which was used for three or more years. T. W. (Tom) Camp was the new town's first barber. Shortly afterwards John Sale began to burn brick kilns; W. A. Waters and Hugh Miller built the first brick stores; T. U. Norton, Tom Sale and S. B. Baucum followed with brick establishments. When Haynesville was incorporated around 1899 frame buildings were outlawed. In 1904 John Henry was elected the new town's first mayor and S. E. Rankin was made its first marshal.

Practically overnight, in the early part of 1921, Haynesville mushroomed from a peaceful little town of 1,000 inhabitants to a oil boom town. Tents, shacks, and lean-tos were thrown up to provide lodging and food for both workers and oil speculators. "Liquid gold" gushed forth on March 30, 1921, bringing in untold wealth which was followed by a building boom for new residences and business establishments, churches and school buildings.

The condition of the roads and streets during the oil boom is vividly recalled by those who lived through the boom. A mule drowning in mud and slush on Main Street was a topic for conversation for many days during this time. The same is true for the youngster, a very enterprising young business man who took advantage of the situation, placed "2 x 12's" on blocks across the street and charged five cents to walk across. Rural mail carriers resorted to horseback to get the mail to its proper destination.

Haynesville's progress can be attributed to many, many people. To list them all would be an extensive project, but names of a few families that have helped to make Haynesville a progressive town are as follows: Dawson, Greer, Brown, Waller, Sale, Sherman, Beene, Miller, Norton, Camp, Callender, Ware, Harp, Almand, Garrett, Rankin, Burns, McEachern, Lowe, Bond, and many others.

Since World War II the importance of cotton in agriculture has been replaced with beef cattle, dairying, and forestry.

H0MER

By Lily Kiiiabrew Phillips

Homer, which superceded Athens as the parish seat of Claiborne, bears a name chosen by Frank Vaughn, son of Tillinghast Vaughn who helped lay out the town around a public square, about 1850. The choice of a name can be explained in the interest in the classics which characterized the times. The name of the local newspaper, the Illiad, the classical style of the courthouse, the names of nearby communities - Athens and Sparta - are further indications of this interest.

By 1860 Homer was a flourishing incorporated town, with approximately 700 inhabitants. A description of the town in 1886 is found in a rare booklet by F. H. Tompkins entitled North Louisiana: its soil, climate, productions, health, schools, etc., coupled with its timber and mineral wealth, also embracing a description of its various towns, prospective and completed railroads, and printed by the A. H. Pugh Printing Co., Cincinnati. Excerpts which follow provide not only light upon the history of Homer, but upon the journalistic style which was in favor at

that time:

"Dotted down among the iron clad hills of Claiborne is the charming and peerless little city named after the great Grecian bard. As will be seen from the account of Claiborne, it ranks among the finest of all the hill parishes of our state, and its people as possessing all the traits of real ante bellum hospitality. So is this little city like its surrounding. Its inhabitants are generous, whole-souled and hospitable, and possess the rare intelligence that always shows itself so plainly in those towns which have always had good schools. The schools of Homer have always been presided over by teachers of the very highest excellence. The Homer Masonic Female Institute has ushered from its portals girls whose subsequent careers, as mothers, wives, authors and teachers, have added lustre and fame, to their alma mater, and culture to the community within whose limits their lives have been spent. The Homer Male College has laid the foundation of many a collegiate education, and furnished many a bright boy all his parents were able to give him to battle against the world and make life a success. The votaries of mixed schools, of males and females, have gained the ascendancy, and these two honored institutions are now one, presided over by a gentleman of scholarly attainments, crowned with habits of piety and religious devotion. Situated in the midst of a people of thrifty and frugal habits, Homer's trade has always been very large. New trade centres, brought into existence by lines of railroad, have diverted its trade from a distance to some extent, yet its local trade has increased with the increase of population, and it enjoys a fine trade now. For a town of its size it has quite a large capital employed. A detailed statement of its business houses is as follows:

A. E. Wilder. Dealer in dry goods and jewelry, does a large business almost exclusively for cash, and carries a beautiful stock of fancy goods, jewelry, etc. Mr. Wilder was for many years the confidential bookkeeper for A. McCranie. Embarked in business for himself in 1882, and has a good line of customers and plenty of friends.

C. 0. Ferguson. In 1880, three young men, clerks in stores, who had saved their money, embarked in business together. They were Fayette Camp, A. H. Davidson, and C. 0. Ferguson. . . . They stepped into a fine business. In 1881, Mr. Camp withdrew, having sold his interest to the remaining partners. In 1884, Mr. Davidson withdrew, leaving C. 0. Ferguson the sole possessor of the fine and growing business. His friends are many...

G. G. Gill. Mr. Gill is doing a general mercantile and advancing business. He is an old and esteemed merchant . . . an enterprising man and noted for his liberality. His store is on the north corner of the west side of the public square.

J. K. Willet. A very deserving young man, who . . . by untiring industry, close economy and strict attention to business has built himself up an excellent business in the general mercantile and advancing line . . .

Joseph Shelton is a young gentleman who has made the drug business a success. He is affable and courteous, and possesses a line of customers that no one can take from him ...

J. W. Clingman is a young man who has recently embarked in the drug business . . . Mr. Clingman merits and receives a fine trade.

W. J. Taylor commenced business in 1876 with but a small capital. He has been doing a general mercantile business on a cash basis since, and increasing his capital, year by year, until he now enjoys a good trade and carries a good assorted stock.

Willie Tankersley is doing a retail business in the grocery line. He is a native young man and yet a minor. He may be numbered among the largest and staunchest of Homer's merchants some day.

Otts & Allen. Two popular and enterprising young men, bought out the livery stable and stock of J. O. Tankersley, who had for many years done a fine business in Homer. This stable runs a daily line of hacks to Arcadia, and furnishes A 1 teams to drummers.

Ragland & Taylor. This stable is managed by Mr. R. P. Ragland, the senior partner, an old and popular livery man. He has a first-class stable, with first-class stock and conveniences.

Brown's Hotel. Kept by Mr. W. W. Brown, is a very large and commodious house, built within the last few years. It is the business center of the town.

Hamilton House. Another hotel, is also a large house and eligibly situated near the Brown Hotel.

Ott's House. This is kept at the old Ward House by Mr. W. W. Otts, a gentleman formerly in the mercantile business in Homer. It is popular with the traveling public.

Clingman Nurseries . . . These extensive nurseries are now in their 14th year. They embrace every family of fruit trees that are adapted to our climate ... There is perhaps no nursery in existence in the United States to-day that has such strict rules with regard to the proper representation of trees. If a canvassing agent should misrepresent or mislead, to sell, it is deemed sufficient cause for his immediate discharge. Mr. Clingman pays his employees stated wages, and consequently can better control them in this matter than those nurseries which employ their men on commission, and allow them to make any statement to effect a sale. Trees, vines, shrubs, etc. grown at this nursery have all the advantages of acclimation, which is a great desideratum and one not possessed by Northern dealers. This nursery also prefers to replace any trees which may die or fail from any cause, than let the loss fall on the purchaser..."

{Also see "Page 30-Announcements" in the corresponding photo album located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.}

HURRICANE

By Joyce B. Dobbins

Hurricane is located in the southeast corner of Claiborne Parish, seven miles north of Arcadia, on state highway 519, amidst rolling, red topped hills. A covering a of gravel and rocks with some weighing as much as fifty pounds may be found in many places. Sandy soil is prevalent, as well as a year round supply of water in surrounding wells, springs, and creeks for both livestock and human consumption.

Hurricane's earliest history dates back to 1830-1850 when it was used as a camp site for travelers to Old Sparta on business. The presence of good drinking water and plenty of land was eventually to bring in many pioneering settlers. Particularly was this true after the Civil War.

Research reveals that some of the earliest settlers were Tillman Howard, John Greer, S. A. Craighead, the Crossland brothers (L. P., Ab, and Tom), Washburn Byrd, Charlie James, and Bill Kilpatrick. Both Mr. Byrd and Mr. Kilpatrick located here around 1850. From 1860-1875 these families moved in: Bonaparte (Bonie) Watson in 1875, Irving Feazel in 1873, M. A. (Alex) Baker in 1867, Rance Baker and Giles Dobbins in 1872. Very shortly the Chandlers, Coxes, Davidsons, and Harrels were to follow.

One of the first houses, built by the father of Tillman Howard, in 1836, is still in existence, although it is in poor condition. The front porch has long faded from the main structure, but the log walls, rock and mud chimney, and the dog trot typical of the architectural design of the period are still intact.

The present Hurricane cemetery had its beginning in 1850. Shortly after Mr. Bill Kilpatrick moved into this community, he passed away. Mr. Washburn (Wash) Byrd owned the land which the community agreed upon as a proper cemetery site and Mrs. Kilpatrick paid him one dollar for a burial plot. Trees had to be cut down before a grave could be dug. To-day this grave is in a group of six marked only by rocks for head and foot stones.

Hurricane's name was derived from the "big hurricane of 1863." Its early settlers have passed vivid descriptions of this storm down through the years, So much tall, virgin timber was blown down that it was impossible to ride horse back to Arcadia. Cow trails were blocked with tall trees preventing the cows from returning home for milking.

Historical records reveal Charley Hays to be one of the early settlers of Athens. Mr. Hays rode into Claiborne from Tennessee on a horse in 1825. His descendents have contributed greatly in the early settling of Hurricane. J. W. Hays, a son, moved from Athens to Hurricane and established a saw log and planer mill, a cotton gin and grist mill. Many of J. W. Hays' descendents are still to be found in Hurricane and many parts of North Louisiana.

Hurricane had a full time doctor in the late 1800's and the early 1900's. Dr. Thomas M. Mask (1855-1917) administered to all kinds of ills in the community including toothaches.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, founded in September of 1883, is the oldest and first church in Hurricane. The Rev. G. R. Stewart organized it and Mrs. Caline Pardue gave it the name Bethel. The church continued with that name until 1922 when the Presbytery changed it to Hurricane.

In 1908 the Hurricane Junior High School was built with Will Greer, Larkin Stevens, and Jim Watson as trustees. In 1916 The Hays School consolidated with the Hurricane Junior High School. In 1951 it consolidated with the Athens High School. The main building and teacher's home were auctioned off to the highest bidder. The cafeteria and auditorium remained for a community center.

Up to World War II Hurricane was a cotton farming community, but at present the only farming practiced is either in forsstry or dairying.

JUNCTION CITY

By I. A. Brinker

Junction City became a town on Sept. 27, 1894. The town came into being when the Arkansas Southern Railroad, later the Rock Island, was extended to that point by a Mr. Henderson, who named Junction City.

On the day the railroad reached the site a barbecue was given, supervised by Mr. A. J. Brinker, a citizen of the community, and a public sale of lots was held. Many people of surrounding country came - many to buy lots - and many old people saw a train for their first time.

The first business house was built by the railroad and managed by a Mr. Couch. Many places of business were soon built. Some of the first of these merchants were, Mr. Al Curby, and Simmons, Muse and Harris, and Jessie McDonald, druggist. Descendents of these families still live in Junction City. An abundance of virgin pine and oak timber grew here and many homes were built. Saw mills moved into the surrounding country and operated for many years.

We are in the unique position here on the state line of having two sets of town officials - one on the Arkansas side and one on the Louisiana side. Most of the businesses are located on the Arkansas side - the post office, bank, schools, and churches, although the railway depot is on the state line - half in Arkansas and half in Louisiana.

In the early days, a water well was located in the middle of the street on the state line, half being in Arkansas and half in Louisiana, with the southwest quarter of the well in Claiborne Parish and the southwest quarter in Union Parish. This well furnished water for the townspeople and a watering place for animals riden or driven into town by those who came to buy or sell. Now U. S. Highway 167 is routed through the main street and covers the location of this well.

In that time cotton and corn were the money crops and source of income for the surrounding territory. Several thousand bales of cotton were sold yearly to buyers here. Today there is no buyer here, and only one cotton gin operates in this territory. Dairying, cattle-raising, truck gardening,-- timber and some cotton-are the chief sources of income to farmers.

LISB0N

By Ruth Tait Keener

The community of Lisbon, Louisiana, became the homestead of early settlers from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and the Carolinas, between 1800 and 1850. Finding here a sufficient water-supply for the livestock of the wagon-train, these pioneers put down roots on what proved to be good soil, for it sustained the needs of six or more generations of their descendents.

A post office was established at Lisbon on September 30, 1851, with Seth Tatum appointed as the first post master. (1) Mail service for rural residents was begun when Rural Route No. 1 was established on January 3, 1911, with Tom M. Killgore as the first rural carrier. (2)

While Lisbon was in her youth, the citizens gave expression to their religious feelings by organizing the Rocky Springs Baptist Church and the Lisbon Methodist Church.

Rocky Springs Baptist Church was organized in 1845. (3) The Church acquired 4 acres of land during the 1850's, as follows: 1 acre by donation from W. D. Hester on January 24, 1852; (4) 2 acres for $1.00 from J. L. Love on April 21, 1852; (5) and 1 acre for $10.00 from Allen Killgore on June 25, 1857. (6)

The Lisbon Methodist Church was organized in April, 1849, at the house of Thos. B. Wafer. (7) This church acquired three acres of land, August 5, 1871, from James McClendon, by DEED OF GIFT to the Methodist Episcopal Church South of Lisbon, President and Trustees: T. H. Pennington, J. J. Duke, John Duke, J. W. Dawson, James M. Clements, James Cook, and James McClendon. (8)

There has always prevailed at Lisbon a respect for those who serve in defense of our country. During the Civil War, the great-uncle of this writer, in a letter to his parents, Louis M. and Milley Raborn, told that his company was organized at Homer, then departed for Camp Moore. On the way the men were stopped at Lisbon where the citizens had gathered to present a patriotic program in their honor, and to present the company with a flag.

This same spirit of patriotism was again demonstrated following the death of Allen David King, who gave his life for our country, August 6, 1952, while serving as 1st Lt. U. S. Infantry, Co. K. 31st Rifle Regiment, 7th Division, in Korea. In his memory the Lisbon Men's Club built and continues to maintain a lake and recreational area east of Lisbon, just north of the Claiborne Gasoline Plant.

The schools of the Lisbon community date back to the middle of the 19^th century. Small one-room schools were located from five to eight miles apart. Some of the family names responsible for these schools were: Harris, Meadows, English, Killgore, McCasland, Simmons, Ford, Smith, Dawson, White, McDonald, McClendon. Some of the school masters came from these families. These schools were run partially by taxes but mostly by parent-paid tuition.

(9)

On March 16, 1907, there was a transfer of 4 acres of land from Charles J. Morton, of Union Parish, to Lisbon School Trustees: O. W. Meadows, President, and J. A. Aycock, T. F; White, W. O. McDonald, and W. C. Killgore. (10)

In the early 1920's, while John Sparks Patton, a native of Lisbon, was serving as Claiborne Parish Superintendent of Schools, the rural schools of Sharon, Antioch, and Arizona were consolidated with the one at Lisbon, making it the Lisbon High School. Leon Killen was the first principal. (9) Serving as principal for the longest period of time was M. J. Haynes, from 1926 until his retirement in 1953.

Lisbon School had an enrollment of about 150 students during the time of the Lisbon oil boom, from about 1937 until about 1947. Since then it has dwindled to the present enrollment of 102.

For several decades, the community flourished economically by raising cotton as its major industry. In recent years, farmers have given more attention to the raising of cattle and pine trees. Also, for the past twenty-five years, the oil industry has contributed much toward financial prosperity.

After being bound together by their mutual interests for more than a hundred years, the families of Lisbon legally joined themselves together in 1958. On July 16, 1958, a number of residents signed a petition, requesting the Governor of the State of Louisiana to declare their settlement to be a municipal corporation, to be known as "The Village of Lisbon."

This petition was signed by members of the following families: Abbott, Bailey, Bennett, Carathers, Copeland, Gaston, Greeson, Haynes, Heard, Killgore, Knighten, Lowrey, McAdams, Marsh, Merrill, Peppers, Saulters, Spears, Tait, Welch, White, Williams, Womack.

Subsequent to the official incorporation of the Village of Lisbon, a meeting was held at which time the following officers were elected: Mayor: Ben W. White; Marshal: Thomas Peppers; Aldermen: T. F. Greeson, F. M. Lowrey, and Frank Tait. These gentlemen took their oaths of office, October 23, 1958, In 1960, the Village of Lisbon had a population of 229. (12)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. National Archives and Records Service, Washington, D. C.

2. Federal Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

3. Minutes of Liberty Baptist Association.

4. Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court's Office-Conveyance Book A, page 566.

5. Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court's Office-Conveyance Book A, page 564.

6. Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court's Office-Conveyance Book D, page 505.

7. "The History of Claiborne Parish'', by D. W. Harris and B. M. Hulse.

8. Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court's Office-Conveyance Book J, page 478.

9. "A History of Lisbon High School" in files of Claiborne Parish School

Board.

10. Claiborne Parish Clerk of Court's Office--Conveyance Book X, page 14.

11. "The Guardian-Journal", August 21, 1958.

12. U. S. Dept. of Commerce--United States Census of Population 1960-

Louisiana, Number of Inhabitants.

MAH0N

By Lilla May McElwee Shaw

Following an age old custom, Mahon Community was named in honor of its most prominent first citizen, John Mahon. A son of Mr. Mahon is now a U. S. Senator from Texas.

Dr. Fleater Palmer was the first mail carrier, covering a route from Homer to Mahon and on to the Gordon community.

Its early settlers were: Mr. Mahon, R. H. Cleveland, who came from Georgia, John S. McElwee (father of W. T. McElwee) who came from Brownsville, Tennessee, Dr. J. E. Meadors; Willis Jarrell; Willie Moreland; Hickman; Jim and Monroe Kirk; and Jim Ford.

Mr. Hickman operated a blacksmith shop, repaired implements, shod all work-horses and mules, and also made caskets as needed.

In 1891 Hugh Taylor and R. H. Cleveland bought Mr. Mahon's store. This store supplied every need of the inhabitants of the community and also a chosen few of the luxuries. Among the latter were apple and apricot cider, stored in kegs, boasting of faucets from which it was dispensed in mugs at 10 cents each. Some of the earliest clerks in the store were W. T. McElwee and Tuck Bailey. Taylor and Cleveland later sold the store to Dr. J. E. Meadors, who operated it over a space of years.

In January 1901 W. T. McElwee married and brought his bride, Mattie McKenzie, to Mahon to live. He built a store and christened it "The Blue Front". Besides operating the store he supervised a gin and grist mill, the toll being "one peck of meal to the bushel". Aside from these enterprises he was the landlord of a large farm, which he called "The West Side Plantation". There were fifteen families living on it to do the labor.

On chosen Saturday nights W. T. or Tandy, as he was better known, would stage an entertainment which the wage hands called "de Bull Fight". All of them crowded into the store, and then Tandy would toss (over the counter) sardines, apples, oranges and candy. There was a mad scramble to acquire these free items and various strategies were used to amass the most. One long legged Negro tied strings around the bottoms of his overall legs, and unbuttoned the sides, and when it was over - he had all this space filled, as well as his pockets. At Christmas, a tree was erected in "The Blue Front" decorated with colored paper chains and popped pop-corn strung on thread. One of "Santa's helpers" distributed the gifts, and no Negro failed to hear his name called. Supplies for "The Blue Front" came by rail to Homer and then were hauled by wagons, with four-horse teams, to the store.

No doubt the most popular item on the plantation was the old dinner bell that rang out its chimes at 11:30 a.m. every work day. Once Richard McElwee who lived with his grandparent John S. McElwee, said: "Aunt Matt's bell says: Cakes and pies, and grandma's says: Peas and bread."

Back in those days everybody wore "long-handled" underwear, made of drilling and tied at the bottom of the legs to hold tightly in place and guard off the wind. These was never discarded until the crocus were in full bloom.

One moonlight night Tandy was returning from Homer in his buggy. As he came to a branch "Dan Patch" stopped and shied and began snorting. Looking to the right, Tandy saw the figure of a man. Thinking it to be a Negro man that lived near-by, Tandy did not become frightened until he saw the figure seem to go through a rail fence and cross the road, disappearing into "thin air". At that, Tandy gave "Dan Patch" the reins and they lost no time in getting home.

Some of those who clerked for Tandy were: Andrew Evans, Chester Owens, Frank Owens, John Prather, and A. W. Blackwell. Contemporary with Tandy in the community were J. J. McElwee, Jim Baker, Martin Smith, Walter Jarrel, Mr. Warwick, Virgil Green, John T. Meadors, Tom and Drew McKenzie, Brythol Evans, Jim Robertson, Mr. Malone, Jeff Russell, and Prentiss Meadors.

All the old homes are either deserted, torn down, or occupied by Negroes at the present time. The children of Tandy still own his property. There are Lilla May (Mrs. Madden Shaw), Rosa (Mrs. J. T. Swann) Mary Lee, (Mrs. James L. Green) and Tandy Jr.

Most of the land has been dedicated to the pine industry, and no longer will be heard the plaintive songs of the Negroes in the cotton, corn and sugar cane fields. The bell no longer promises cakes and pies for there is no one to heed the invitation. A sentinel is kept on the growing pines; the hawk by day and the owl by night. And often an antlered deer is silhouetted in the twilight, drinking boldly from the spring at the road side.

SHARON

By Ruth Tait Keener

The community of Sharon, known also as Kimbell Town, which takes its name from the Sharon Baptist Church (organized in 1872) and from the Kimbell School, consolidated with Lisbon High School in the 1920's, is located about seven miles southeast of Lisbon, on the Dubach Highway.

Some of the school teachers at Kimbell School were: Mrs. Willie Lee Kimbell Tarpley, Mrs. Berta Tatum, Mrs. Vera Ferguson Enloe, and Mrs. Eva Patton Bennett.

During the childhood of this writer, church services at Sharon were held on Saturday morning, preceding the First Sunday, and the first and third Sunday afternoons of each month. Following the Saturday morning eleven o'clock preaching services, the congregation spread dinner on tables underneath the trees in the yard, or in the church building during inclement weather, and visited with each other. Afterwards, there was a general conference, at which time all church business was transacted, as the members felt it would be desecration of the Sabbath to bring up business matters on Sunday. Following the August revival, baptismal services were held in a pool, equipped with steps, on the farm of Nolen Carter. For several years, the Church has been on a full-time basis, with worship services held every Sunday morning and evening, and prayer services on Wednesday night. A pastor's home on the Lisbon-Bernice highway was built on land which was donated for that purpose by Mrs. Ady L. Green Scriber.

Sharon is the meeting place of the mail routes from Lisbon and Dubach.

It is also the meeting place of those who borrow reading material from the bookmobile of the Claiborne Parish Library. Miss Sudie Fowler, now almost 90 years of age, has earned a Reading Certificate nearly every year since the library was opened, in April, 1951.

Some families in the community will be remembered by their names of: Brown, Carter, Clawson, Clements, Cooper, English, Enloe, Fowler, Green, Hanks, Haynes, Hendrix, Henry, Hood, Kimbell, McCurry, McVay, Mansfield, Mitchell, Oxford, Peacock, Puckett, Rives, Scriber, Stansbury, Tait, Tatum, Tanner, Tippet, Wilson, Wise, Holmes.

SUMMERFIELED HISTORY

By J. Will Gray

First post office--Scottsville on Corney Bluff, Barges came to Corney Bluff; today, you can hardly make it in a rowboat.

Earliest business establishments:

J. W. O'Bannon........................ General merchandise

Paul Talbot........................... General merchandise

W. M. Ledbetter....................... General merchandise

G. Hay............................... General merchandise

Earliest doctors:

Dr. W. M. Sellers.............................. Drug store

Dr. J. M. Ledbetter............................ Drug store

School building - Log-cabin before the Civil War.

Earliest settlers:

Alberry Wasson (one of the earliest)

Wilson

Henry Smith (Jack Smith's great-great grandad)

Martin

Kennedy

Later settlers (but still way back) O'Bannon, Ledbetter, Kerlin, Barber, Brown, Gray, Allgood, Havis, Ramsey, Tanner, Hall, Thompson, Langford, Barrow.

Main highways:

(1) Farmerville - Magnolia road.

(2) Claiborne Road; Farmerville to Homer.

These were roads blazed through the woods, but there are still signs of the old roads today.

Industry:

Farming: the Georgia Plowstock was the chief piece of equipment; Negro labor was plentiful.

Transportation:

Mostly wagons, horse-back and ladies side-saddle. The ladies wore long riding skirts. They used horse blocks, composed of three steps to get on and off. I might add too, that it was almost a disgrace for ladies to expose their ankles. Later were the horse and buggy days.

Churches:

Earliest ones I know about date back to about 1975. They were: Methodist, Baptist, Primitive Baptist (earliest of all).

SUGAR CREEK

(This information is furnished by E. R. Hester, of Arcadia, and was obtained from the National Archives in Washington, D. C.)

On October 1, 1853, a post office was established at Sugar Creek, in Claiborne Parish, which is about nine miles north of Arcadia. It was discontinued February 28, 1907. Eight men served as postmasters during its fifty-four (54) years of history. The list of men and the dates of their appointment are as follows:

Postmasters Dates of appointment

John S. Carlton...............................October 1, 1853

William A. Sherard..........................December 29, 1857

R. Rabun.....................................January 14, 1861

James A. Enlow..................................July 24, 1868

M. J. Beckham...................................June 26, 1871

George W. Sims..................................June 14, 1888

Frank T. Taylor................................April 12, 1890

George W. Sims..............................October 23, 1902

Discontinued on February 28, 1907

WELDON

By Henry A. Smith

Weldon, a small community in Ward 1, near the Union Parish line, really had its beginning at the "Alabama Camp Ground", where "revival" meetings were held annually under an arbor. The community was not known as Weldon until years after the beginning of the "Alabama Camp Ground" - before 1850.

Part of the village of Weldon was patented from the United States to Severn Ozley and to John T. Beville. These men sold portions of the patent to the following: J. T. Wade; Aaron C. Harper; J. R. Fuller; J. J. Booles; T. G. Weldon; C. A. Wade; T. H. Land; J. E. Haynes; J. H. Haynes; T. H. Willamson; C. A. Roach; O. E. Glover; J. M. Houst, 1904.

This community supported both an elementary and high school until 1926, when the school was consolidated with Summerfield.

ROSA WILDER BLACKMAN, HISTORIAN

By Sue Hefley

Rosa Wilder Blackman records history in clay, wire, cotton, string, beads, and scraps of this and that. She is a Homer artist whose best known and most loved creations are her Negro dolls for the construction and clothing and dramatic setting of which she is entirely responsible. She and her dolls have had wide acclaim, but perhaps her contribution to the preservation of the history of her section has never been recognized adequately as such. For this contribution she deserves "distinguished award."

The Negro of the old south belonged to a special segment of society and because of the circumstances of his life, certain characteristics were developed and he became a distinct personality. Individuals varied, as they always do, but the image of the Negro of the old south is something we of that region hold in common. Because it is an image which is fading with time and because it is one which should not be lost, Mrs. Blackman's work in preserving it has a very special importance. As long as her dolls may be seen and studied or faithful photographs of them consulted, this period of history lives.

Mrs. Blackman's dolls represent characters she has known. They are nine or ten inches in height and are carefully built over a foundation of wire, covered and padded with cotton and shaped with wound string. The head, hands, and feet are modeled meticulously from clay, hardened, and finished with a life-like "skin" of soft brown enamel. No two faces are alike since each has its real-life counterpart. Mrs. Blackman has used just the right fabric, perhaps faded and patched, for the clothes for each doll. The facial features are unforgetable and the posture of each---sitting or standing---is evidence of this artist's genius for imparting a living quality to her creations.

A catalog of her best known dolls can be made by referring to descriptive brochures which Mrs. Blackman has prepared from time to time and by consulting newspaper accounts of exhibits in which her work was represented. Such a catalog is in itself a contribution to the history of the region for the dolls tell their own story of patient labor, faithful service, deep religious feeling, and of some of the lighter moments of relaxation and play. The following list includes excerpts from brochures and newspaper accounts:

Magnolia: The white "chile" she holds wears a dainty lace-trimmed dress and is wrapped in a fringed flannel shawl. Magnolia wears a dark calico dress and trimmed underwear in keeping with the times.

Uncle Bill Cornelius: Born of slave parents in North Carolina, Uncle Bill moved with them to Louisiana "just after the surrender". "Cornelius" was the surname of his "young marster". He carries a sack on his back which contains a donation of clothes from his white friends.

Aunt Sally Woodfork: Aunt Sally wears a patched dress and apron, white head-rag and underwear, and well-worn shoes. In the back yard she talks to herself as she stirs the clothes in the boiling-pot. A hat surmounts the headrag.

Lee Annie: This old-fashioned Mammy wears long white drawers and undershirt, a red flannel petticoat or balmoral, home-spun dress, apron, and little shoulder cape.

Uncle John Wills: An old, stooped man. He has long, gray chin whiskers and wears patched pants, a ragged felt hat, old shoes and a wool coat over a shirt or sweater. He carries a burlap sack over his shoulder.

Cotton pickers (men) They wear well-worn pants, shirts, shoes, and straw hats. They drag long cotton sacks and hold in their hands cotton just picked from the bolls. (women) They smile and show white teeth; they wear big straw hats, leather shoes, and faded summer clothes.

Cotton choppers (men and women). Dressed like the pickers they carry hoes over their shoulders.

Reverend Mayfield: He has a fringe of gray hair around a bald head and wears a black wool Prince Albert coat and pants, white shirt and collar, black tie and shoes. He stands behind a pulpit upon which is a white linen scarf and an open Bible. With outstretched arms he is bringing The Word to his congregation.

Crapshooters: Two Negro men are mounted on the same base. They wear overalls, or shirts and pants, old felt hats, and leather shoes. One obviously is winning and the other losing; the thrown dice are visible on the foundation between them.

Duck: Duck is a wash-woman. She carries her bundle of clothes on her head, and wears a woolen petticoat or "balmoral", faded dress, apron, and men's shoes.

Aunt Mary Lewis: A "shouting member" of the African Methodist Church, located in Buck Bottom, a small Negro settlement on the outskirts of Homer. She often "got happy" and "shouted"; the women fanned her while the men carried her--"stiff as a board"--out of the church for fresh air.

Melvinie: Dressed in a spotless white apron, calico dress, and white head-rag, Melvinie has abandoned her sweeping for the moment and is refreshing herself by playing on the organ in the parlor. Her broom rests beside the organ, her hands are on the keyboards and her feet on the pedals. A small mirror on the wall at her side allows the viewer to see her remarkable profile.

Old Black Joe: Seated with his banjo, ready to play. "A Stitch in Time": A woman seated, dressed in faded gingham, with a white apron and head-rag and a fringed shawl. Needle and thread are in hand.

Woman ironing: Standing at the ironing-board, "testing" the iron in the time-honored fashion.

Mrs. Blackman began making these dolls in 1941. They have been sold throughout the United States, and some have found purchasers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In 1958 there was a special showing of twenty-one of her dolls at the Louisiana Art Commission galleries in Baton Rouge. Samples of her work have been acquired by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the American Museum of Natural History, Louisiana State Museum, the "doll section" of the museum maintained by Hobbles Magazine, the Children's Museum maintained by the Detroit Board of Education. and the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Mrs. Blackman was born in Homer and has lived there almost continuously. She is the daughter of A. E. Wilder, native of Old Vienna, near Ruston, and Bennie MeCranie, born in Homer. She is a self-taught artist and her work has great idividuality and distinction. It truly reflects the sympathetic respect and affection she has for her subjects and her concern for the preservation of the history of her region.

{Also see "Page 43-Melvinie", "Page 45-Log Cabin & Aunt Sally Woodfork", and "Page 47-Cotton Picker & Crap Shooters" in the corresponding photo album located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.}

THESE THINGS I REMEMBER

By Blanche Collier Kinnebrew

Our parents and grandparents worked hard for a living; this was especially true of our grandparents who survived the War between the States. Much property in the South had been destroyed, and many houses burned to the ground. There was little time for relaxation and social life. There were no automobiles, so most of the travel was by carriage or in wagons drawn by horses or mules. Church going and family visitation were just about the only diversions.

Church organs were pumped by hand and lights were swinging kerosene lamps. In private homes candles were used in the bedrooms and lamps only in the parlors.

Every home had a smoke-house which was used for curing and storing foods. The smoke-house was built back of the main house, excavated about a foot; it was without a floor and it was kept very dark for coolness. Hams were hickory smoked for a month or six weeks, salted and hung from the rafters where they were kept indefinitely. Sorghum syrup in tin buckets, sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes were stored here.

Very little could be bought in the smaller towns and ice had to be shipped from the nearest city. Most of it melted, even though it was packed in sawdust. Some well-to-do folks owned ice boxes, but all country families let perishable foods and milk and butter down into the wells in long cylinder-like buckets and pulled them up at meal time.

Housewives considered it a disgrace if all mattresses and feather beds were not taken to the back yard and sunned every two weeks. There was usually a colored servant who helped in lifting these beddings. The mattresses were made from home-grown cotton and feathers for the feather-beds were picked from the chickens and geese.

Soap was made at home in a container of oak-wood ashes which formed a lye when water was added and the whole boiled with grease. The device used was called an ash hopper. Floors and dishes were scrubbed with this lye soap which was very hard on the hands.

Mops were made of corn shucks. Holes were bored into a thick piece of wood about six by twelve inches and a handle also was made of wood and fitted into the bottom which held the shucks securely.

Every Monday was washday - rain or shine. The wash-shed was in the back near the well. In it were three or four large wooden tubs set on a plank platform. A black wash-pot sat nearby and dry wood was piled under it for boiling the clothes. The battling block was also considered a necessity. Clothes were beaten with a long wooden bat, called a battling paddle, on a wooden block which was called a battling block.

Freezing food was unheard of. Beef was delivered by horse-back to the homes, often in time to have fried steak for breakfast. The old butcher would blow a horn to let the housewife know when the beef was ready. It was not unusual, especially in case of unexpected company, to catch a chicken from the back yard, wring its neck, dress it, fry it, and have it on the dining table in thirty minutes.

The old parlor was really called the "inner sanctum" and rightly so, because no one was allowed to enter unless there was company.

In south Louisiana French styles of furniture were copied-gold mirrors and chairs, bric-a-brac, mahogany cabinets, rosewood tables, and breakfronts, but in north Louisiana the parlors were of colonial type, with carpets of red velvet, usually with a floral design. There was the old square piano, cherry, mahogany, or walnut chairs, and a sofa upholstered in velvet or horsehair, There was a grandmother rocker and there were marble-top tables. Enlarged family portraits hung on the walls and lace doilies were seen on the arms of chairs and on tables. The family album lay on a table in the parlor. Dried flowers were often used as an ornament. The parlor may have had a musty odor since it was opened only once a week to "air it out".

The more modern parlor of about nineteen hundred changed its décor over-night. "Art-squares" replaced the wall-to-wall carpets. These squares were about nine by twelve feet, leaving a two-foot space around the floor which was stained or polished. Sofas were overstuffed and showed no wood at all; with the sofa came two overstuffed chairs - one a straight chair, the other a rocker. The upright piano replaced the square; electric lights replaced the old swinging lamp.

Every home had a wood fire, with a brick hearth and wooden mantel-board on which the clock rested, flanked by huge vases and bowls for flowers.

Popping corn was a pleasant pastime on Sunday afternoons. Amusements for the young people were varied. Public dances of a decade before were replaced by dances in private homes where the girls and boys were learning the new dance called the "two-step!" Music was furnished by members of the group who could play the piano. Walking down the railroad track by moonlight was most popular as none of the streets were paved. Boys and girls walked in pairs, holding hands.

Of course there must be chaperones and finding them was sometimes a problem. The hayride was popular; the boys would rent a wagon and mules and fill the wagon with hay. The girls would furnish the lunch. The crowd would ride out into the country for about five miles, stop at a country home and eat lunch. I well remember how they would sing all the way home. I remember a hayride to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Burrell Moore, where Mrs. Moore's sisters, Dora and Clara Wade, were visiting. As we departed for home we sang "See the boat go round the bend, good-bye my lover, good-bye." Other songs popular at that time were "Sweet Adeline", "In the Good Old Summer Time", and of course every hay-ride ended with 'Good Night, Ladies".

Soon after this period - about the year 1905 and 1906, picture-shows and automobiles were introduced and all local social life changed. Young people no longer took moon-light walks or carried lanterns to parties. Pop-corn and Coca-Cola replaced the chicken barbecue. Sock parties (where everyone was asked to bring as many pennies in a miniature home-sewn sock as his years of age as a donation to charity or perhaps to a Sunday-school class) icecream suppers in the corridors of the Courthouse or under the cedar trees on the G. G. Gill lawn just went out of style. Then came the gramophone, the radio, and television; city and country were brought together.

{Also see "Page 50-Ash-Hoppers" in the corresponding photo album located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.}

LIFE IN THE C. S. L. PATTON FAMILY, 1866 - 1960

By Laurice Patton Robinson and Blanche Patton Hensley

Our father, C. S. L. Patton was born Sept. 20, 1866 in the little village of Lisbon to Harmon Wright Patton and Narcissus Antonet Tate Patton. He had three brothers, James, John, and Tom Patton. He had three sisters, Etta, Effie, and Louella Patton, all of whom were older - except Louella.

His father died when our father was only a boy. Our father had all of the education that was offered at Lisbon at that time. Three of his teachers that we remember hearing him speak of were: Professor Nicholson, Mr. Minor Wallace, and Mrs. Mattie Perkin. He also attended Tulane University as long as he was financially able. He then taught in the one-room schools of this parish for a time.

Our father married Kate Henry of Arcadia, who also taught in this parish. They settled four miles south of Lisbon on land that he inherited, bought, and homesteaded. To this union were born six children: Laurice, Lanier, Blanche, Marion, James Henry, and Charles Emmette.

Our father made a living for his family by farming his land with the help of a few share-crop families and also with the help of his children who all knew what work on the farm meant. This farm produced cotton, corn, peas, potatoes, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, cattle, hogs, sheep, geese, turkeys, and chickens.

Our mother managed all the home affairs, such as cooking. Food preserving, making clothes for the family. The clothes she made were all the clothes we had in those days except shoes, hats, heavy coats, and our father's dress suit. The bed-clothes were made by hand. We children all had our "cook" weeks and "house-cleaning" weeks.

Our father also helped run the cotton gin that was on his mother's place. After the ginning was over, the cane had to be made into syrup. Both the cotton gin and cane mill were of the old type. The gin was run by wood fire under a big boiler of water to form the steam. The syrup mill was pulled by a mule to grind the cane and then the juice cooked in a large pan over a wood furnace. Our father also helped shear the sheep during the year. This was usually done in the late spring and summer months.

Work on the farm in those days was a full-time job for the entire family. You never heard of much unemployment in those days. The land was cultivated with a one-horse plow and hoes. Fences were built out of rails split from logs and pickets for garden and yard fences were riven out of pine logs; boards for covering houses were riven out by hand. The home had to be heated with wood which had to be cut or sawed from the trees on the place. This, too, was work for the family, and there were no electric saws then.

Our home was a big old-time two-story house which had seven rooms and a big porch and a large open hall. There was much happiness and much hard work in this humble home. There were no modern conveniences. The heating system consisted of three large fireplaces and a wood cook-stove downstairs and a wood heater upstairs. We had "running water" when we children decided to "run" to the well with a bucket and draw the water with a windlass and rope and then "run" in with it. This well would get very low in water during the dry summer months, so we had to do the washing during that time at a spring down under a big hill about a quarter of a mile from the house. We would pack our lunch basket and take our clothes down to this spring for a day's work and fun. There between two beautiful trees my father had built a nice wash-bench to put the tubs on and placed a battling-block and stick near by to be used to help clean the dirtiest clothes. We had big iron pots in which we boiled the clothes after we had washed them. Then we would take them from the pots and rinse in clear water.

Our "Frigidaire" in those days was an old well that had gone dry, but was deep and cool. We would swing our milk, butter, eggs, and fresh meat down in it in containers by ropes. This would keep these things cool and save them for several days at a time.

We never kept much fresh meat at one time. We killed the hogs in the winter when the weather was cold and cured the meat. We would kill a beef in the summer or fall and divide it among our neighbors and when they killed one they would do the same. This gave us beef quite often without keeping much on hand at one time,

We raised most of our food at home, with the exception of a few staple foods such as flour, sugar, and coffee. The coffee was bought green and was parched and ground at home.

The soap we used for everything except toilet soap was made at home by our mother with the help of the children. We saved the ashes from the fireplaces and placed them in a hopper which our father had built out of a hewed log and some boards. We then lined this hopper with shucks from corn to be used as a filter, and then placed the ashes in the hopper. It was kept covered until we needed a new supply of soap. Then we would soak the ashes with water and it produced the prettiest red lye you ever saw. When we had run enough lye we would take the craeklings and other scraps of meat which had been saved for this purpose, place in a large wash-pot with the lye, and cook until it formed a nice thick soap. This soap was placed in a big barrel and put in the smokehouse to last the rest of the year.

It was good to make lye-hominy while we had plenty of lye. We shelled a nice supply of corn and cooked it in water with enough lye to cause the husk to turn loose. Then we would wash it many times in clear water and cook it in grease and other seasoning. This was much better than the hominy you buy in cans now.

We children had to go four miles to school and there was no transportation except what each family provided. We went by such means as walking, horse-back, buggy, and finally, a little one-horse wagon. We left before daylight and returned after dark many times during the winter months; school was from eight to four in those days. We had no holidays except Thanksgiving and about a week at Christmas. All parties and other entertainment for young people had to stop while school was in session. We did not even have a ball-game except on Friday afternoons after school. All ball practice was at recess and during the noon hour.

Hog-killing was a big event. We children always wanted it done when we could be at home to help (or perhaps hinder). Our father would hire a few colored men to help him dress and cut up the meat and hire some colored women to help our mother take off the fat, cut and render the lard, grind and stuff sausage. There were also the feet and heads to clean and we children helped with this. These parts were used in making of hogshead cheese.

The meat was cured by spreading it out and sprinkling salt over it, letting it remain through the night so it would get cold through. The next morning it was packed down with salt in a large box. It remained here for two or three weeks, then was taken up and the salt washed off with scalding water. It was then hung in the smoke-house and smoked with smoke made by burning hickory wood. After it was completely dry, the hams would be placed in cloth sacks made for that purpose, and hung back up. The bacon was left hanging as it was.

We always had much fun in our home. We played games around the fireside, sang songs around the piano, popped corn, parched peanuts, and made molasses candy. We played outdoor games such as town ball, the ball being made from an old sock. We went fishing, gathered nuts and fruits from the woods, went horse-back riding, and played many pranks on each other.

We were instructed in the reading of the Bible. We had prayer at the table. Every member of the family had to be present at each meal at the same time; sickness was the only excuse.

The kind of life we led may seem very hard to some, but we can say that we had a happy life together. Our mother passed away on November 11, 1936 and our father passed away on September 17, 1960.

MUSINGS AND MEMORIES OF ARIZONA

By J. Vernon Harris

(Editor's note: This is taken from a longer account; a "camp hunt at Nicholson's Bridge on D'Arbonne Bayou" furnishes the setting that leads to

reminiscences)

...Afterward, the men sat around smoking and talking. Across the bridge, the road wound around the hill up to the old house almost in sight of the camp. Their conversation and thoughts went back to their childhood as they reminisced and re-lived "Those good old days on the farm at Nicholson's Bridge". The boys listened, and the tales the men told made an indelible impression on their minds. They, too, lived on that hill and played, and frolicked over the hills and bottoms as they did. They knew the location of all the sugar cane patches along the creek. They knew where to find the trees with the most food for squirrels, and went with the brothers on their hunts to catch "possums". They knew that old Brer Possum had to be kept up for a couple of weeks and fed before he would be clean enough to eat as a roast with sweet potatoes for that special meal. They helped each winter with the hog killing, keeping the fire going around the big wash pot with the water to scald the hogs and helping to scrape the hair off. They roasted the liver-like meld from the hogs over the coals in the fire and turned the sausage mill as they ground and stuffed the sausage that helped to tide the family over during the winter. They stirred the pot of lard as they cooked the fat from the hogs and made their own shortening, squeezing the grease out of the cracklings and saving them to make crackling bread. They watched as the meat was salted down in the big box for curing, and after the salt had penetrated the meat, they helped to hang it up in the smoke-house and watched the fire so that the smoke only would come from it and fill the little room, but the fire must not blaze up lest it set fire to the house and burn it up along with the meat.

During the winter, they carried out the ashes from the fireplace where they had burned oak, and stored them in an ash hopper where the rain could fall in it and drip through the hopper. The pan that caught the lye water was then carried into the kitchen and they helped to make the soap with which to scrub clean, floors, clothes, and boys and girls. They helped to shell the corn that went into the big wash pot to make lye hominy, and they shelled the corn and went with the boys to the grist mill to grind it into meal.

They helped to hunt deer and wild turkey and always kept plenty of quail, squirrels and rabbits in the house for meat. They set out hooks on D'Arbonne in the spring and "muddied" in the late summer to help the larder out with plenty of catfish. They went with the family to visit their neighbors, to the fish fry in Robinson's Pasture, and enjoyed all the fellowship and friendship of the people in the community.

John Tom Harris, son of Eli Harris who had moved into the community sometime before the War between the States, returned from the war and settled down near the home of his father. He married Kate Glover, and reared a family of five boys and girls. Four of the five boys were on this particular hunting party. The oldest, Orren who lived in Webster Parish was not present. While Grandfather Eli had owned a number of slaves, and was a considerable planter in the area, with the end of the war and the emancipation of the slaves, each farmer was left to clear his own land if not cleared. Walter, Glover and Tom could well remember the days and the ways their fields had been cleared in their early childhood. The men of the family went into the woods and felled all of the trees and cut them into logs, leaving them where they fell. This usually took place during the winter, and in the early spring, they gave a "Log-Rolling." Menfolks met at the field and teamed up in pairs, each pair using a stick under the log, and each trying to get the long end of the stick and to out-pull his partner. The logs were toted from the field and piled where they were burned. The "new-ground" was then planted in corn by the family as soon as the ground was warm enough.

The women met at the house where they all helped to prepare a big meal for the men: plenty of meats, turnip greens, dried blackeyed peas topped off with cakes and pies which had been prepared by all for the occasion. Late in the evening, after the meal came the fellowship together. There was a sense of togetherness in the community with each family concerned about the welfare of their neighbors. In time of need, their help was automatic and timely. In case of sickness in a family, the neighbors helped to "sit up" with the patient and to wait on him. In death, the neighbors "laid out the body" and took charge of securing the coffin and digging the grave. This was a community of people who lived together, played together, worked together, and wholly enjoyed life together.

There was a little church in Arizona, a Methodist church where the people went to worship their God. They assembled on "meeting days" like all good Methodists and all participated in their quarterly conferences, each held on a Saturday, with preaching the next day. The community was prosperous in spite of the hardships of the men coming directly from the war, and before too long, the community was faced with the ever present problem of turning to industry. Claiborne Parish had plenty of labor, plenty of skill, and a group of public spirited men who imported and built a cotton niill in the town to make piece goods. Transportation problems and unfair freight rates pushed the cost of the goods so high that they were unable to compete with northern markets, and the Arizona Manufacturing Company folded up and its property was sold.

In the bustling town of Arizona there was also a fine school, operated after the war by Col. J. W. Nicholson and known as Nicholson's Academy. Col. Nicholson later became the professor of mathematics at Louisiana State University where he remained for many years. He was the author of several books of mathematics which were taught in all schools of Louisiana from the early grades through college. He recorded many of his experiences before and after the Civil War under the title "Stories of Dixie". The two-story Academy stood under the big oak trees near the church on the main street of the town. Water was supplied by a spring in the edge of the woods some few yards away. The town supported a Woodman of the World Camp, and a Masonic Lodge, and this writer remembers that as a very small child he visited in Arizona and had the privilege of climbing the stairs of the old two-story building, long since converted into a more modern school of two rooms on the ground floor with the upper floor used as lodge rooms. Though the lodges were inactive, much of their regalia was still in the rooms, their robes, swords and other regalia that created in the minds of those boys, a feeling of awe and mystery that they never lost.

Arizona was the birthplace of numerous men and women who have helped to make history in Louisiana and elsewhere, serving in many professions such as the medical, legal, teaching, and political. One of them, Thomas H. Harris served the state as Superintendent of Education for more than a quarter of a century. Others have served as judges, lawyers, doctors. Family names of Arizona included the following: Barnette, Calhoun, Scaife, Palmer, Robinson, Nicholson, Willis, Harris, Corry, Baker, Malone, and others.

The family of John Thomas and Kate Harris was typical of the others in the community. While they had a large family of living boys and girls, two others were buried in the Forest Grove Cemetery northwest of Arizona on the Section Road. These had died in their infancy, and like most of the other families they laid them to rest in the Forest Grove Cemetery.

There was plenty of work on the Harris farm in the fields along the top of the ridge and down in the bottom, and all of the boys had their particular jobs to do. They plowed in the fields and helped with all of the farm chores, but they also had time to hunt the woods from an early age in search of game which was plentiful. Each of them took his turn in hunting to provide meat for the table, and all of them became expert marksmen and woodsmen.

On Saturday nights, the children were allowed to go to parties in the neighborhood. The girls entertained their beaus and the boys would go "calling" on their girls. The boys, who had to go some distance to visit their girls were required to be back in time for Sunday morning breakfast. Each boy had his own horse and saddle, and he made his long-distance calls on horseback. Sometimes, there were group hay-rides, candy pullings, and other types of parties.

On "Meeting" or Preaching Sunday, all the family dressed in their best and headed for church in Arizona. With Pa and Kate on the wagon seat, the older girls riding in straight chairs, each sitting primly erect, and the younger girls riding on quilts in the back of the wagon with their feet hanging out, and the boys riding horseback alongside or walking, the Methodist congregation was swelled by these twelve members. With preaching over, the family would on some days accept the invitation of one of their friends who lived near the church for dinner. It was not rare to see some three or four families visiting in the same home for dinner on "Preaching Day."

Sometime during the year, always on one day during a protracted meeting, and often at the quarterly conference, all of the families for miles around came and brought their dinner which was spread on the ground under the big oak trees. Services usually lasted most of the day and during these series of protracted meetings, sinners were converted, fellowships restored and friendships renewed with those who had moved from the community but had returned for this particular day.

Once a year a certain Saturday was set aside in the community for a "graveyard working." Men, women and children and visitors from afar met at Forest Grove Cemetery, each family bringing dinner. The men and boys cleaned off all the graves, scraping all of the grass from the entire cemetery, while the women and girls busied themselves with putting flowers on each grave and spreading dinner. At noon, a short memorial service was held by the preacher, and then all ate dinner. Always, the women vied with each other to see who could bring the most and the best that they had. For days before such a meeting, there was baking and roasting and all kinds of cooking going on that there might be plenty of food at the meeting for those who had a long way to come and couldn't bring food. There has never been a time when all the food at one of these meetings was consumed, and it was a social error for one to begin to eat and not at least eat a mouthful of each cook's special dish on the table. All afternoon the families visited and talked about those who were gone to other towns or communities and who could not make it back home today.

Bell had not yet invented the telephone, and the means of communication were still crude, but very effective. In time of need, word was sent to the neighbors by one of the children on horseback, or by one of the darkies on the place. In case of emergency, the old dinner bell on the post by the back door was rung as a signal to the men in the field who immediately quit their work and hurried to the house. If the menfolk of the family were laid up with the slow fever or other illness, and the crops got behind, then the neighbors would pitch in and work the crop out. If barns were destroyed by fire, there was a barn-raising from new logs by the neighbors.

Funerals were mostly held at the grave side at Forest Grove when all of the neighbors came out to pay their respects to the family and to assist them in any way they could. They dug the grave, and when the body arrived in the wagon, it was tenderly lifted out and lowered into the grave on plow lines. Neighbors filled the grave and the service was completed, and again the neighbors who had not seen each other for a few days lingered to visit and say "howdy" to each other.

Forest Grove Cemetery lay on the south side of the Section Road and was divided into white and colored sections. The west side of the graveyard was for the use of the whites. The colored section started right up against the white section, and extended along the road, it being somewhat larger than the white section. There was no fence around either of the sections, and bushes were not allowed to grow between it and the road.

The years have passed on, and all of the sons and daughters of John Thomas Harris and Kate Glover are gone. Having heard so much of the happenings at Arizona, the writer felt that he was a part of it all. He had visited so much there that he feels that he is a native of Arizona. In fact, he first saw the light of this world in one of those old houses that has long since been destroyed by the ravages of time between Nicholson Bridge and Arizona, the son of Walter and Katy Harris. It was in Arizona that he first heard of a Chivaree.

Until 1923, one of the brothers of Walter lived in Arizona and the writer spent many happy moments in their home with them and their children. Glover had just moved his family from the old Kimball place into the heart of the community where the houses were rather close, being built on city lots, and no more than fifty yards apart. That night, after the moving, it seemed like the entire community showed up at the house, singing and welcoming the new family to their new home. One of the songs they sang was "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" and when he finally got over there and found that all he could see was the other side, refreshments were served to all, most of which was brought by the visitors. There were cakes and cookies for all, and a wonderful expression of welcome from a community to a new neighbor.

Two world wars and several minor conflicts have gone by and time has taken its toll of the many fine people who lived here. Fields have grown up into forests again; syrup mills are fast becoming museum pieces, but on Home-coming day at the Arizona Methodist Church and on that certain Saturday in May when the community meets at Forest Grove for its annual graveyard working, the descendants of most of the families who once lived there return to enjoy with the descendants of those who remained at Arizona, the fellowship and friendships their fathers had when they helped to carve the homesteads from the wilderness.

Time, too, has taken its toll of the prosperous town of Arizona. What was once the seat of culture and industry in Claiborne Parish would hardly be recognized by one who had known it in the olden days. An economy-minded federal government closed the post office several years ago. Gone is the spring that furnished water for Nicholson's Academy and for the church. In fact, gone these many years is the building in which all of the Arizona schools assembled, from the one initiated by Col. Nicholson to the last one operated by the Parish School Board. However, just a little farther east, on the lot that was bought for it in the eighteen fifties, still stands the little white Methodist Church. It hasn't grown much, either in size of the building or in the size or number in the congregation, but neither has it shrunk in the size of the building or in the faith of its members and its place in the community. They still hold their quarterly conferences on Saturdays, and they still worship the same God that led them lo these many years.

Across the road, just a little way off, but still in sight of the little white church, standing on its own acre of ground, is the ivy-covered brick chimney, the sole evidence of the industrial might of the community, the one remaining part of the Arizona Manufacturing Company, built by a civic-minded and cooperative community during the trying years of the reconstruction period following the war between the states.

The little white church and the tall ivy covered smoke-stack stand in their respective places, symbols of the faith and determination of the settlers. Their descendants who still live in the community will still welcome one with the same sincere southern hospitality that their fathers knew, and to them, this effort is dedicated, with the hope that they may hold fast to the way of life that is their heritage from their forefathers who carved out of the wilderness a home for themselves and their loved ones.

OLD HAYNESVILLE TOWN

By Margueritte Garland Nation

Old Haynesville, a thriving town from 1843 to 1898, was located in the northwest part of the parish, twelve miles north of Homer, where the Military Road and the Dykesville - Gordon road crossed. To the south of ttown flowed the well-watered Dixie Bayou, which was used by the farmers and cattlemen for their stock. At one time an industrious farmer tried raising rice on the low banks which overflowed.

In the early days there were no roads in Claiborne Parish. The families who moved into this section traveled the two hunter or Indian trails leading from. Mt. Prarie, Arkansas to Natchitoches, and the other from Long Prarie, Arkansas to Washita now Monroe in Ouachita Parish. The latter connected with the trail west which crossed the Mt. Prarie Natchitoches trail about fifteen miles south of the Arkansas line.

The first settlers of the Old Haynesville vicinity were probably Mrs. Long and her son Davis who built a cabin on the north side of Dixie Bayou in 1818. The pioneers came in very slowly at first, Samuel Russell stated there were only eighteen families in this part of the parish when he came in 1822.

In the winter of 1827 and 1828 the United States government cut a military road through the woods and over the hills from Fort Towson in Oklahoma Territory to Natchitoches for the purpose of transporting supplies to the inland outpost. This road passed the Long cabin on Dixie Bayou and later became the north-south street of Old Haynesville. During the 1830-1838 period another road was built which connected with the Military Road at Dixie Bayou and ran southwest through what became Blackburn, Germantown and on to reach Dorcheat Bayou at Overton. It was over these routes that the prospectors drifted in, and finding the land good, country full of game, and the neighboring Indians peaceful, they decided to stay. Many established themselves at a location suitable to their needs, before applying for a land entry from the government.

In 1846 a small community had sprung up a short distance north of Dixie Bayou on the Military Road. A Methodist camp meeting was located near by and named for Capt. Thomas Price. James C. Taylor, a young Georgian arrived in 1848, built his store, dug a public water well and the community became known as Taylor's Store.

The earliest land entries in this area appear to have been in 1848. But not until the 1850's did the working Georgians and Alabamians find this primeval land; then the land rush was on. Most of the purchases of lands were made during the ten year period of 1850-1860. Many of the lands near Taylor's Store were given to veterans of the Mexican War.

The daily orders of the Postmaster General show that when the name of the post-office at Walnut Creek, James Ward postmaster, was changed to Haynesville on February 9, 1852, the site of the office was also changed. There is no further information regarding, the description of the new site or the distance involved in the change.

A tradition has survived to the effect that Haynesville was named for Samuel Haynes, a Georgian, who brought his family to this location, before the land was opened for entry. He remained in the community only long enough to find a suitable place to open a farm and after eight months settled at what is now Shongaloo. Mr. Haynes has many descendants in that section today. Among them are: Tom Haynes, Shongaloo; J. B. Haynes and Mrs. L. B. Allen of Springhill.

The first postoffice was in J. C. Taylor's store and during the next forty-six years it was "kept" in almost every business house in the town. The first mail was brought in by horseback once a week from Homer. Later routes were established to Emerson, Ark., Gordon, and Millerton, over which mail was carried every day and to Horner twice a week, unless Dixie Bayou was swimming. There was never a bank in the town; the people purchased postal notes, money orders or used the bank in Homer for their savings,

The postmasters who have served at Old Haynesville are:

James Ward, Sept. 22, 1846; James C. Taylor, Feb. 9, 1852; Samuel Kirkpatrick, Feb. 25, 1859; James C. Taylor, May 21, 1860; Mrs. Margaret Kirkpatrick, Feb. 8, 1870; James B. McKenico, Oct. 21, 1872; R. F. Hardaway, Jan. 21, 1873; James C. Taylor, Oct. 20, 1873; Wm L. Phillips, Sept. 1, 1876; Joseph Taylor, Jan. 27, 1877; John A. Brooks, April 1, 1878; Joseph Taylor, May 20, 1878; John G. Warren, Jan 19, 1880; James R. Smith, May 17, 1880; William Y. Dawson, Nov. 12, 1888; John M. Henry, May 12, 1891; Abraham N. Brown, Sept. 12, 1893; Lillian Brown, Feb. 8, 1898 - June 12, 1903.

In 1850 the Methodists of the community decided to build a church and J. C. Taylor donated the land. On the site where the present Old Town cemetery is located a log church was built and used as a place of worship until it was destroyed by fire.

By 1861 the town had two dry goods stores, James C. Taylor's and Brown Bros. operated by William W. and John Leonard Brown. Dr. Wroten and Sam Kirkpatrick were owners of a drug store. The Methodist Church was in the process of being rebuilt by Joseph W. Camp and a Choctaw Indian, on the same location. Before it was finished the war between the states was declared and Mr. Camp had to go into the service. He finished it when he returned from the war. Living in the community was James Beck, a doctor; T. J. Beck, a teacher; A. J. Waters, Methodist minister; and H. B. McMahon, Cumberland Presbyterian minister.

Old Haynesville was incorporated in 186l with the boundary lines set for an area running one mile east and west and three-fourths mile north and south in parts of Twp 22 Sec 1, Twp 23 Sec 36. Provisions were made for a mayor, board of selectmen consisting of five members - clerk, treasurer, assessor, collector, and constable - who were elected to serve. No list of names of these officers has been found.

Yearly the settlement increased, farms large and small were opened. The farmers grew most of their foods, meat, vegetables, fruits, syrup, and corn from which they made bread. Cattle and cotton were the money crops. Cattle had to be driven, and cotton hauled to markets in Monroe and Shreveport. It took a week to make a trip to Shreveport with wagon loads of cotton. Many farmers traveled in caravans for protection and camped out at night. The farmers purchased at the markets the items they could not produce such as coffee, sugar, flour, tea, and bolts of materials to be made into clothing for men, women, and children at home.

Old Haynesville gave her fair share of sons for the lost cause. Most young men went to Homer to join the ranks, and paraded on the court house square as they marched off to war. The home folk were kept busy producing supplies of food, clothing and shoes for the army and home use. Many a woman guarded the home front, while her man was away at war.

When the war was over there were parties and dances for the returning soldiers. Mr. John Meadows gave a party for son Jim and his friends. This entertainment was the beginning of a romance between Miss Margaret Indiana Brooks and soldier Abe Brown who had served in the Confederate Army for four years and came home without a scratch. They were married in 1866, purchased the Dixie Bayou farm from Henry Taylor, resided there for thirty years, raising a family of nine children.

The earliest schools were taught in the homes. A teacher was engaged to teach children of several families in the neighborhood. About 1860 James C. Taylor gave the land and constructed the first school building. A tuition was paid by the parents for each child who attended. When the child finished he had a common school education.

The first teachers were Tarpley Winn, Thomas Beck, and a Mrs. McFarland, widow of a Methodist minister.

The Haynesville Normal Institute, a two-story building with porches on three sides was located across the street from the Methodist Church. This building was later torn down, moved and rebuilt at the new town. Some of the early teachers of this school were Mr. Brantley, and E. J. Moore who had as his assistants the Misses Jenny, Tiney and Mattie Hearn, sisters of Mr. George Hearn Sr. of Shreveport, J. C. Byrd, and Miss Claudia Woolworth, music teacher and Lou Featherston. Sidney Brown and Philip Gibson served several terms as president. During the teaching of John Bunyon Lockart, a young Methodist minister, there arose a dis-satisfaction between the tax payers and the teachers. Some withdrew and built a new one-story school south of the Presbyterian church, which they called the Haynesville High School. Prof. and Mrs. John M. Davies taught in this school about 1887. In 1888 Prof. S. J. Meadows served as supervisor and Miss Lena Meadows as one of the teachers. Some of the pioneer families represented were: Brown, Browning, Broadnax, Camp, Gantt, Marshall, Moss, McEachern, Price, Swan, Smith, Taylor and Winn. Children came from miles around to attend the two schools.

An act for the organization of a school for literary, scientific, religious and charitable purposes, with the title of Haynesville Academy was signed in 1893 by the stockholders of the Haynesville Institute Corporation who lived within five miles, they were:

W. A. Waller, C. B. Hollis, C. A. Burnham, J. W. Greer, H. M. Longino, A. N. Brown. Witnessed by: C. W. Sherman, Tom Taylor before Notary J. M. Henry. Among the teachers during the 1890s were: Mr. Huddle, Mr. and Mrs. Moody, Walter Price and his sister, Miss Mattie Price, Mr. and Mrs. Herring, Miss Lula Baird, Miss Glover Sims, Miss Ola Braselton, Jim Bond, Miss Elizabeth Camp, Miss Valley Greer, Miss Bell O'Bannon.

Old Haynesville suffered from several storms. The one in 1878 or 1879 destroyed the Methodist church; it was rebuilt by John W. McEachern and an old colored man, Uncle Gus Gilmore. They used the same sills and sleepers that were used in the first frame building built by Mr. Camp. There was a divider of columns and a rail through the center of the church. The women sat on the right side, the men on the left side, couples never sat together. The lights were candles fastened to little wooden shelves on the walls. Night services were announced for "early candle light". Day services quite often stressed "preaching with dinner on the ground". There was no heat in this building until Miss Lillian Brown, the organist, nearly froze one Thanksgiving service and started a collection to buy a stove. The building was used for worship services until the congregation moved to the new town, and served as chapel until it was torn down in 1932. The same sills and sleepers, with the salvaged lumber, were sold to the Negro Methodist Episcopal Church in New Haynesville for one hundred dollars.

The Cumberland Presbyterians first held services in Sam Kirkpatrick's home. In 1860 the Rev. H. B. McMahan was residing in Haynesville, he was the only preacher serving the Presbyterians during the Civil War. A church was built across the street from the McKee place, in 1878 a parsonage was purchased near by and made ready for the Rev. F. E. Leach. The Presbyterian church was used for community church activities as the congregation owned the only organ in the town. The Misses Minnie Warren and Lillian Brown were the organists. After the Haynesville Academy was moved to the new town, the Presbyterian church was used a few years for a school taught by Miss Glover Sims. The congregation built a new church in the new town and the old building was finally torn down. Some of the members of the church at the Old Town were: Kirkpatrick, Price, Randle, Fambro, and Baird.

The Friendship Baptist church was located about a mile east of Old Haynesville. The congregation built a nice church for the day and time and started a cemetery. Near by was a rocky spring which flowed into a framed pool and served as the baptistry in the early days. Mr. Joe Meadows started the first Sunday School in 1887. In 1890 Miss Lena Meadows and Mr. W. Y. Dawson were married in the church. Among the members of this church were: Frank Darden, Meadows, Hollis, Sims, Sales, Harkins, Jones, Copeland, Oakes, and Jarrell.

About one and one-half miles north west of Old Haynseville was the Shady Grove Methodist Protestant Church. It was organized in 1853 by Rev. Peter McDonald, a native of Scotland. The first services were held under a brush arbor. Later Rev. McDonald and his son built a log church which was replaced by two other buildings, still later the congregation moved to New Haynesville. There has been a cemetery at Shady Grove since about the time the church was organized. Some of the families prominent in the early church and camp meetings were: Black, Bond, Caswell, Dunn, Edwards, Garrett, Goodwin, Harp, Hearn, Kennedy, Knox, Lowe. Longino, Marsh, McDonald, Morgan, Powell, Sherman, Smith, Tanner, Trammell, Taylor, and Warwick.

Several newspapers were published at Old Haynesville from time to time. There were: The Haynesville Star with editors Geo. H. Dismukes and John M. Henry; The Greenback Dollar with editor J. G. Warren; and The Western Protestant.

Among the social activities and entertainments of the town were weddings, concerts at the close of schools, ice cream socials, candy pulls, box suppers, dancing and promenading, and at Christmas time a community tree at the school building. Many young men placed expensive gifts for their sweethearts on the tree. Some liked to play jokes, switching gifts and placing a bottle of whiskey for the preacher. Boys would be boys, even in those days.

Fanpaws Wagon Show and Circus made regular stops in Old Haynesville during the 1880's. An advance man was sent ahead to select a suitable place for the circus ground. He usually engaged Abe Brown's gin lot for its location on Dixie Bayou would furnish plenty of good water for the elephants and other animals. Farmer Brown's barns were full of corn and hay and at the farm house Mrs. Brown and the women folk were known to set a fine table. Mattresses filled with cotton from the gin would be placed on the hall floors and rooms not used by the family.

The circus traveled by horse-drawn wagons through the country. In the rainy season the wagons would mire down on the muddy roads, or break down and have to be left on the road over night. It was a frightful thing for the children to hear the lions roaring in the night. The snake charmer kept her pet in a big wooden box at the house. During the cold weather large bottles of water had to be heated and placed in the box to keep it warm. The circus spent a week in Haynesville and people came from communities all around to see it play.

A showman was the first person buried in the "Old Town Cemetery". He was killed in a fight with a fellow worker. Neither his name nor the date of his death has been preserved; it is thought to have happened before 1867. Probably the oldest marker in the cemetery is for the second person buried there, a young child of Rev. W. C. Haislip who was the Methodist minister serving the church from 1867 to 1870.

The last available United States census of the Village of Haynesville for the year 1880 shows: seventeen families, one hundred thirty-five people.

Postmaster was James R. Smith; merchants, J. C. Taylor, S. F. Brown, Geo. Edward Phipps, Luther Longino; druggist, S. T. Hutcheson; clerks, John McLeath, Gent Bailey, George W. Brown, Martin W. Sherrod; doctors, Dr. Hugh M. Longino, Dr. Almer Longino; minister, Rev. Finis E. Leach, Cumberland Presbyterian Church; teacher, John C. Byrd; music teacher, Mrs. John A. Brooks; mechanics, Ben A. Swan, Walter Everett; blacksmith, John G. McKethan; huckster, James Dickinson.

During the next eighteen years Dr. Richard Gantt and his son, Dr. Hal Gantt practiced medicine in Old Haynesville. Willis Harp built a drug store in which Dr. Shack Waller and Lee Waller had their offices. Greer and Sherman owned a dry goods store; J. H. Taylor opened a store; W. Y. Dawson joined the firm of Longino and Dawson, Thomas Nix was in business; Dr. Montrose Day was a new-comer to town and Wright Sherrod could be engaged to play the fiddle for any entertainment.

When it became known that the railroad would be built from Homer to McNiel, Arkansas with plans to by-pass the town, a new location was purchased on the site of the railroad two miles north of Old Town. The business houses, the school, and many homes were torn down and rebuilt at the new location. The old town took on the appearance of a ghost town, only the postoffice was left, housed in the two-room office building previously occupied by Dr. Hugh Longino. Every afternoon the citizens of New Haynesville closed their stores and rode back to the Old Town to get their mail.

In October of 1898 the postmistress, Miss Lillian Brown, received orders from headquarters in Washington, D. C., to move the office to the new town, retaining the same name. She immediately prepared for moving by borrowing a "one-horse wagon" from her brother-in-law, Gus Lane. With the help of a trusted elderly colored citizen as drayman, the few pieces of office furniture were loaded on the wagon. Miss Brown climbed into the buggy with mail pouch containing postal notes, money orders, stamps, and other valuables and followed by the driver and wagon, took off with the post office for the New Town.

Gradually the landmarks of the "Old Town" have disappeared. The place is only marked by the McKee home; the Cemetery and a small stream, which was once Dixie Bayou.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

History of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana., Harris & Hulse, 1886.

Biographical & Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, Sou. Pub. 1890.

Claiborne Parish Sketches, Claiborne Parish Historical Association, 1956.

History of Northwest Louisiana, John Fair Hardin.

A Century of Methodism, Haynesville Methodist Church, 1955.

Atlas containing 1828 map of Claiborne Parish consulted at Shreve Memorial Library.

Western District 1838 Survey Map, Louisiana State Land Office.

The author acknowledges the help of Wade O. Martin, Secretary of State for Louisiana. She has consulted Lillian Brown Garland's notes on life at the Old Town and is indebted to the following for personal statements: Henry C. Brown, E. O. Brown, Bess Brown Green, Miss Addie Meadows, Mrs. E. E. Stewart, J. T. Haynes, Mrs. L. B. Allen. She has consulted official postoffice recoris in Washington, D. C., she has gleaned information from various newspaper clippings.

OLD MOUNT ZION

By Frances Nelson Gladney

Unknown to the majority of present day residents of Claiborne Parish there stands today in a clearing in a wooded section about seven miles northeast of Homer, between what are known as the upper and lower Colquitt roads, a country church, a white frame building in good repair. Yet to a small minority it is well known, Mount Zion Methodist church must have been an integral part of the lives of the families making up its congregation - Morelands, Meadors, Nelsons, Langstons, Clevelands, Featherstons, Taylors, Allens, Camps, Coueys, Leslies, Lanes, Winns, Browns, Blackmans, Johnsons, Stones, Kimballs, and others. Lacking written records relative to the choice of the name Mount Zion for this particular Methodist Episcopal Church South, one may not be reading too much into the name when one surmises that the old Testament references to Jerusalem, the city of peace, or Mount Zion, the dwelling place of the Ark of God and the site of the first Temple, entered into the minds of these pioneer Claiborne Parish settlers as they designated their house of worship as Mount Zion.

Today this white frame church building is no longer known as Mount Zion, rather as Mount Obie. The conveyance records of Claiborne Parish reveal that on May 17, 1901, the Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church South was sold to the board of Trustees of Mount Obie Methodist Episcopal Church of America - Colored, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. (1)

During the sixty years it has been in their possession the members of Mount Obie have made a few changes in the physical property of the building as repairs have become necessary; but in many respects the church remains much the same in appearance as it must have been in the 1880's and 1890's. According to present day descendants of a few of the families once active in the work of the church of those early days the most noticeable changes in the building and furnishings are: windows cut in the wall back of the pulpit where there were none originally; a new straight altar rail replacing a curved one; electric lights and gas heaters, obvious results of rural electrification and butane gas, replacing kerosene lamps and wood stoves of days gone by. Yet, even with these changes, one driving through the country side and coming upon this little white church in the woods can turn back the pages of time and visualize "Old Mount Zion." That is - one is able to do this - if one knows its history. Otherwise, it is probably just one more small country church lost in anonymity. A knowledge of its history enables one to see it as a bright flame of faith burning in the hearts of those early settlers.

Available records and memories of several living descendants of members of Mount Zion Methodist Church do not reveal the exact date of the organization of this church. From The History of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, by Harris and Hulse, one learns that Mount Zion was organized in a low school house and that the date at which this organization took place had not been obtained when that history was published in 1886. This same history stated that at that time - 1886 - there was a very creditable new house of worship at Mount Zion and that many of the leading citizens of the parish held membership there. The book further noted, "The very liberal hospitality of these brethren is widely noted, especially at the camp meeting seasons."

Mrs. Vassie Allen Bostick has stated that Mr. Young D. Allen, her grandfather, gave logs for lumber to build the church still standing today. Also by Mrs. Bostick's statement it is known that Mrs. Young D. Allen brought a glass pitcher from Macon, Georgia, and gave it to the church for use as a pulpit pitcher. Inside the building the pews in use today are the same ones that were there when the church was sold to the Negroes. Dr. William Edmond Moreland has said that his father, Mr. W. W. (Willie) Moreland, assisted by other men in the congregation, built these pews. The curved altar rail, at which many knelt to receive communion, to which some came forward to join the church, before which the caskets of others reposed, is no longer there. It has been replaced in recent years by a more modern one. Also no longer there is the railing dividing the center section of pews, Mrs. James Frank Gladney, the former Jemmie Nelson, and Dr. William Edmond Moreland have recounted that the men sat on the left side of the center railing and the women on the right. The short pews on the left facing the side of the pulpit were for the older men and were called "the Amen pews." Facing the right side of the pulpit were the short pews for the occupancy of the older women.

Yes, the present church was there in 1886 and probably a number of years earlier. On February 28, 1878, William F. Moreland, A. T. Nelson, R. A. Allen, J. H. M. Taylor, James F. Nelson, F. A. Lane and G. T. Winn organized themselves into a body corporate under the name and style of the Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church South and School Association. (2) On September 21, 1878, W. J. Leslie and J. F. Nelson in consideration of their love for the causes of Christianity and education deeded to William F. Moreland, President of Mount Zion Church and School Association, 5.25 acres in Section 19, Township 22 North, Range 6 West, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, together with the right-of-way to and the use of the two springs known as the camp ground springs. (3) Though no written record giving the exact date of the organization of this church or of the building of the house of worship is available, it is quite probable that the church was built a number of years prior to 1886. The deed of 1878 seems to indicate the existence of both a Mount Zion Church and School. And it is not unlikely that the church had been organized and was functioning some years before the association was formed and the land deeded to it, for it was a rather common practice of that day to use a site for religious gatherings, even before a public deed was made and filed. The reference in the deed to the camp ground springs certainly signifies that the site had been used for religious gatherings earlier than 1878. Just five years after this land was deeded to the Mount Zion Church and School Association worship services were held - evidently fairly regularly- at Mount Zion and records were kept of the Mount Zion Church Conferences. (4) An old book with worn binding and yellowed pages whose title page bears this information: "The Church Conference Record. Mt. Zion, Haynesville Charge, Homer District, Louisana Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Nashville, Tenn.: Southern Methodist Publishing House. 1883." has been preserved. This record of Mount Zion Church Conference covers the period of 1883-1897. These minutes reveal many things of interest. From them one learns that the following ministers served the church: John A. Miller, C. R. Godfrey, F. C. Hocut, Harry W. May, R. M. Blocker, Thomas J. Upton and D. C. Barr. During this period the following served as church conference secretary: A. T. Nelson, J. P. Nelson, W. L. Lay, A. S. Nelson, W. W. Moreland and J. F. Nelson. In the middle 1880's the assessment plan for collecting money for the preacher in charge was used.

The minutes of the conference of October 22, 1886, state, "...The Steward, Bro. A. T. Nelson, reported that the finances of Mt. Zion Church were well up as regarded the preacher in charge and that only a small balance of the Presiding Elder's salary remained to be paid." A perusal of these records and the diary of James R. Langston, local elder and lay preacher, reveals that there was a Sunday School at Mount Zion. The diary entry for Sunday, March 23, 1884, states that a "Saboth School" was organized there that day. The church conference minutes of October 22, 1886, read: "...Bro. A. J. Nelson, S.S.S., made a good report in regard to the condition of the Sunday School at this place. The scholars and officers numbering about twenty-five and all working in a way that indicated success." Another part of the worship at Mount Zion evidently was carried out through the medium of class meetings. At each conference there was always a report from the class leader. This portion of the work experienced its ups and downs - the entry of the conference of March 28, 1886, is an example of this-"...Next business before the house was report of J. T. Nelson, class leader of Mt. Zion Church. He reported that the class meeting went into winter quarters in December last, and that on account of the inclemency of the weather and the exceedingly small numbers who pretended to attend the social meetings at all, that up to this time it was a matter of impossibility to revive this part of the public worship." Even though the class meeting was inactive at that time the Rev. C. R. Godfrey stated in his report to the church conference of that date, that Mt. Zion Church was the only charge in good working order, and that the other churches in the circuit were in rather a cold state, in regard to spiritual matters." Indeed it would seem that the flame of faith burned brightly at "Old Mount Zion."

The causes of Christianity and education often went hand in hand. This seems to have been true at Mount Zion. The Mr. W. J. Leslie mentioned in the deeding of the land to the Mount Zion Church and School Association was one of the first, perhaps the first, school teachers at Mount Zion. Mrs. Lillian Featherston Wideman has recalled going to school there to Mr. Leslie. Mrs. James Frank Gladney has recalled hearing her mother, Mrs. James Willis Nelson, the former Willie Taylor, tell of her first day at school at Mount Zion under Mr. Leslie in the year 1867 or 1868. From this one knows that the Mount Zion School was in existence at least ten years before the land was deeded to the Association.

It was often true in small country communities that the burying ground was near the church, About three quarters of a mile south-east of the Mount Zion Church on what is now known as the lower Colquitt road is the Mount Zion Cemetery, the burying place of many of the old settlers of that section of Claiborne Parish. This land was given by Mr. Young D. Allen. The first burial was that of a little Negro slave belonging to Mr. Allen. The next was that of Mr. Allen's daughter. There are no markers for these first two graves. (5) The present fence was given by Mr. A. T. Nelson, Mr. Dick Cleveland, Mr. Hugh Taylor and Mrs. Willie Taylor-Nelson. Mrs. James Frank Gladney, daughter of Mrs. Willie Taylor Nelson, has recalled her mother listing these names as donors of the fence. It is possible that others contributed. She also recalls that her mother said they did not have sufficient funds to enclose all of the unmarked graves - many of which are in the woods back of the present enclosure. Through the years the cemetery has been given some care by a few of the descendants of those buried there. in recent years the Claiborne Parish Historical Association placed a marker on the gate designating this as "Mt. Zion Cemetery."

Today's visitor will find only the cemetery marked by the name Mount Zion. The school is no longer there near the church. The so-called tents, semi-permanent structures, used at camp meeting time have disappeared into the past. The two springs known as the camp ground springs remain as landmarks to those familiar with the area. And the white frame church,. though no longer bearing the proud name of "Old Mount Zion," still stands. Yet in the hearts and minds of the few whose parents' and grandparents' lives were centered around "Old Mount Zion" the flame of faith kindled there will ever burn brightly.

1 Conveyance Records of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Book U, page 138.

2 Records of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Book A Miscellaneous, page 215.

3 Conveyance Records of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Book M, page 527.

4 Personal Diary of James R. Langston, 1883-1886. Mt. Zion Church Conference Record Book, 1883-1897,

5 Statement of Mrs. Vassie Allen Bostick.

MT. ZION CAMP MEETING

By Jemmie Nelson Gladney

"Andrew (1) is moveing in quite early this morning to the camp ground. Meeting commences this evening at early candlelight." These words, written by one of my great-grandfathers on the twentieth day of September in the year 1883, which was before I was born, evoke pictures of an earlier period in the history of Claiborne Parish before Thomas Alva Edison's incandescent lamp became commonplace. But for me, and perhaps others of my generation, they do more than that. They bring into focus once again a small country church "dear to the heart of my childhood" and pleasant hours spent at the selfsame church camp ground some years later as a little girl. The words "camp meeting" were meaningful for my grandparent's generation. They hold special significance for some of my generation. Today's generation never having known this joyous occasion may well question its origin and its function.

Historians do not agree on the beginning date of the "Great Religious Revival" in the United States. But they testify that it inflamed the

Cumberland region and for fifty years fanned out across each new frontier in the west. One pioneer preacher wrote, "From 1801 for years a blessed revival of religion spread through almost the entire inhabited parts of the west." In this revival movement originated our camp meetings.

I have pleasant memories of one of these camp meetings which was held at the Mt. Zion Methodist Church. I have not been able to find when the Mt. Zion Camp Meeting was organized. The History of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, by Harris and Hulse, which covered the period 1820-1885, states: "Mt. Zion has for many years been noted for its Camp Ground where annually 'the tribes go up to worship.'"

I think the Mt. Zion Camp Meeting must have had its beginning several years before 1870 because my family told me that Grand-father Nelson (1) added a log room with fireplace to his tent that year. I have been told that Mrs. Rosa Miller, wife of the Reverend John A. Miller, died during one of these camp meetings. I find on her marker in the Mt. Zion Cemetery that she died September 23, 1871. I own a diary which covers the years 1883, 1884, and 1885. The Mt. Zion Camp Meeting is mentioned in September of these years. I quote directly from this diary which was written by James R. Langston, my great-grandfather. He was a farmer, country storekeeper and Methodist lay preacher. James R. Langston's whole world - family, friendships, church, farming iinterest, country store and post office – comes alive in this old volume whose pages are crumbly with age. Perhaps these entries relative to Mt. Zion Camp Meeting. written by him so many years ago, will help to make camp meetings of another day and age live for you. Spelling and wording are as in the original.

"Sept. 11, 1883. Andrew is working on his tent.

Sept. 12, 1883. Andrew is working on his tent with several handes.

Sept. 14, 1883. Andrew finished working on his tent yesterday.

Sept. 18, 1883. ...I assisted in fixing up the camp ground preach er's tent, cleaning out the church, etc...

Sept. 20, 1883. . . . Andrew is moveing in quite early this morning to the camp ground. Meeting commences this evening at early candlelighting. Kimble came & taken supper with us. Walked over to church. Miller (2) preached. His subject was prayer. Kimble concluded.

Sept. 21, 1883. ...There was services at 9 o'clock prayer meeting. Preaching at eleven o'clock by Kimble. Preaching at 3 by Pipkin. The best sermon I ever heard in that house. There are not many pearsons outside of the tenters. It has been a little cool all day in the shade. Not many pearsons in attendance. We had Brothers Medlock (3) & Heart to spend the night with us.

Sept. 22, 1883. Clear & cool. Some more tenters came in. Experience meeting at 9. Preaching at eleven (by Comett). Quarterly conference after diner. Preaching in the evening by Heart and night by Joe Jordan. We had five preachers and several others with Brother Foreman with his wife & two sons.

Sept. 23, 1883. Saboth clear & cool. Brother Jas. Smith preached at nine. Comett at eleven. Sacrement of the Lord supper was administered. Doors of the church opened. Two young men joined. Heart preached at three. Ann Tigner is with us...A large number of pearsons out today. Preaching in the church and under the arbour. Kimble preached at night Had several to spend the night.

Sept. 24, 1883. ...I walked over to the church. Pipkin preached from the dry bones etc. A good sermon. Several young men came home & taken dinner with us...I went back in the evening. Joe Jordan preached. I did not go at night The children went. Jas. Smith preached...

Sept. 25, 1883. ...I am not able to tend church. Had a glorious experience meeting lasting until near 12 o'clock. No services until 3. Medlock preached. Kimble preached at night. I have not been able to attend church today....

Sept. 26, 1883. ...The congregation met at the stand for prayer and received those in the church that had joined. The tenters are moving home this morning. The encampment will soon be deserted. Some of us will never in all probability meet there again. There has been good done. No doubt the great day of eternity will tell it out.

Sept. 25, 1884. ...Gus (4) taken his & Eller's (5) & wife's bead & 2 mattresses, 6 pillers & 2 boalsters & Eller & Ider (6) to the camp ground to assist Emer (7) to fix up the tent...

Sept. 26, 1884. I taken wife to the camp ground. There was five tents occupyed. Had preaching three times each day and Experience meeting at nine in the morning. Preachers coming in. Well supplied with Preachers. McSwain from Magnolia, Billingsley from Arcadia, Couey from Cashatta, Parrish from Tulip, Miller & .Medlock from Homer. Also Hamill (8) and myself...

Sept. 27, 1884. Cloudy. I went to Homer after Emer (9) & the children & brot them out to the encampment. I did not attend the services until night. Not much stir. Good preaching.

Sept. 28. 1884. Saboth. A large concourse of people. Experience meeting at nine. Preaching at eleven in the church & school house. The sacrament administered in the church after services. Preaching at 3 & early candlelighting, but few penitents.

Sept. 29, 1884. ...Congregation getting small but little excitement.

Sept. 30, 1884. The last day of the meeting. Some of the members rejoicing. Others cold & sinners unmoved & unsaved. Some came to the alter the last hours of service. Some two or three claimed to be changed. This closes the camp meeting. Perhaps the last I shall ever attend. I have been blest several times during the meeting...

Oct. 1, 1884. ...Got home after 10 o'clock. Met numbers on their way home from camp meeting. Gus had got our things home & commenced picking cotton.

Sept. 24, 1885. ...Camp meeting commences at Mt. Zion tonight.

Sept. 26, 1885. Cloudy. I taken wife & Lee in the wagon & drove down to Mt. Zion camp ground. A good attendance but few Preachers. The Elder preached at eleven. Held conference at 2 o'clock. Medlock preached at three. Elder at candlelighting...

Sept. 27, 1885. Saboth. Cloudy. A light sprinkle of rain fell in the night. After breakfast we drove back to the camp ground. Stone (10) conducted love feast. The Elder preached at eleven. We got our diner & left for home..."

These so called tents of which my Grandfather Langston wrote in his diary were not portable shelters consisting of coverings of canvas stretched over poles, but were more like camp houses. They were made of rough pine lumber with a floor covering of sawdust or straw. There was a row of these buildings northeast of the church. They were occupied by the families of A. T. Nelson. Wm. F. Moreland. R. H. (Dick) Cleveland, L. H. Featherston. Joshua Allen and Andrew J. Nelson. Possibly there were others whom I do not recall. There was a preachers' tent. Dr. Edmond Moreland and Mrs. Vassie Allen Bostick believe the school house (near the church) was used for the preachers' tent.

The memory of Grandfather Nelson's (Andrew J. Nelson) tent is very clear after more than half a century. The main building was of rough plank, running up and down, roofed with hand hewn boards. The floor covering was oat or wheat straw. There was a narrow gallery across the front of the building. Down the center of this main building was a hall, open at both ends, which separated the long rooms, known as the boys' and girls' rooms. A curtained door in each room opened into the hall. The girls' room had a low scaffold built along the wall to accomodate five or six mattresses. These would be called bunk beds now. The other furnishings of the room consisted of a mirror on the wall; nails for hanging clothes; a bowl, pitcher and kerosene lamp on a table and two good sized trunks. I suppose the boys' room was furnished in a similar manner. The hall between these rooms had long plank benches on either side. This was quite a visiting place for the young people. There were chairs on the front gallery.

A long shed the width of the center hallway and the girls' room, open on one side, was attached to the rear of the main building. This shed was used for cooking and eating purposes. There was a long table with benches on either side and always a white cloth on the table. Several feet away from the dining area was the cooking place. A large hopper-like box filled with earth on which wood burned into coals served as the cook stove. Caroline West had charge of the cooking. She was neatly dressed in dark calico and wore a big white apron and a white head-rag. There were other cooks and other help, I am sure, but I remember only "Aunt C'line." She was so kind to me.

There was lots of "eating company," especially on Sundays. The visitors I enjoyed most were the pretty girls my uncles would bring to dinner. I thought Miss Minnie May Monk the loveliest of all.

Facing the open side of the eating shed was Grandmother's room. This was a log room with a fireplace. It was built in 1870 because my grandparents needed it for their twin sons, Will and Tom, who were born in February of that year. This room was furnished with two beds, a trunk or two, straight chairs and Grandmother's rocking chair. I recall the names of some of Grandmother's friends who came for a rest in her comfortable log room - Mrs. Jim Otts, Mrs. Arthur Ford, Mrs. Chris Ferguson,,Mrs. Ben Fortson and Mrs. Alabama Kinnebrew.

I wonder if I did not enjoy all of this tent life more than the regular services of the camp meeting.

There lingers in my memory the grove prayer meetings in the early evenings. The women and children would go into a quiet clearing in the woods away from the church and tents for a worship period. The women would sing and pray. They would tell of their experiences. Often Grandmother Nelson would get very happy. She always talked of the bright, happy things of life and the glories of heaven.

It is my hope that this backward look at the Mt. Zion Camp Meeting, a vital force in shaping the lives of many of the early residents of Claiborne Parish, may give present day readers a fresh insight into the rich heritage which is theirs. Many descendants of these early residents, who came in buggies, wagons, on horseback and by foot to the camp ground at Mt. Zion in those September days long ago, owe a debt of gratitude to those same campers. They came with mixed motives, perhaps. These few days together, usually five to seven, offered a wonderful opportunity to visit with neighbors, to dispense and receive true Southern hospitality, to be refreshed in an atmosphere of Christian fellowships through the medium of singing, praying and listening to spirited sermons. However, it is important to remember that most of them came desiring and expecting revival and conversion by the grace of God. I feel that the Mt. Zion Camp Meeting was a power for good in molding family and community life of that period. Yes, there was "good done," as Grandfather Langston wrote in his diary September 26, 1883: "The tenters are moving home this morning. The encampment will soon be deserted. Some of us will never in all probability meet there again.

There has been good done. No doubt the great day of eternity will tell it out."

1. Andrew Jackson Nelson.

2. John A. Miller

3. J. W. Medlock

4. Gus Nelson

5. Mrs. Gus Nelson, nee Ella Willis

6. Miss Ida Willis

7. Miss Emma Nelson

8. W. L. Hamill

9. Mrs. Emma Harrison, nee Langston

10. Joseph H. Stone

MORE ABOUT MT. ZION

BRUSH ARBOR AND FIRE STANDS

By W. E. Moreland

A brush arbor at Mt. Zion was a very important part of the religious life of the camp grounds. It was constructed annually with poles and branches from surrounding timbers - upright, forked poles and saplings to which horizontal poles were fastened by means of vines, mostly rattan, by tying them to the top of the upright poles or posts. Leafy tree branches, such as sweet gum, were laid across the horizontal poles to make a dense shade. Under this arbor various worshipping groups met during the day; prayer groups, testimonial, and singing groups met for worshipping out of church. The arbor was located some forty or fifty yards below and to the west of the front of the church in the edge of the camp ground clearing. Besides the church and brush arbor services, other worshipping services were held in the open woods and large front rooms of the various tents (houses).

Another accessory, almost a necessity and a near luxury, at Mt. Zion Camp Grounds, was the "fire" or "light stand." At Ft. Jessup Camp Grounds, in Sabine Parish, these were called "fire pans." Four posts, several feet high were put in the ground in a four to five foot square covered with plank, which was made several feet square and on top of the plank was put several inches of sandy loam dirt. On top of this dirt, pine knots were used to keep the fire burning at night for lights to go to and from tents and church. The colored help kept these fires and lights burning until after night services.

PENTECOSTAL EXPERIENCE

By Lillian Featherston Wideman

A camp meeting was held yearly by the congregation of Mt. Zion. Near the church a big arbor, surrounded by tents, was kept for the purpose. This meeting generally provided a spiritual uplift for the members and visitors, for people who came from miles around, to attend this revival.

I recall one year, the congregation seemed cold and God's presence was not evident, so they decided to fast and pray without ceasing all the next day. That night the arbor was full of people; the preachers talked and prayed much. All at once, the whole congregation began shouting and were supremely happy.

It was like Pentecost the Bible tells us about. There was a general spiritual uplift. The members all declared the meeting had been a decided

success that year.

HISTORY OF ALABAMA CHURCH 1850-1945

By Lillian Dawson Smith

In 1849 a group of white people came from Shelby County, Alabama, to North Louisiana in search of a new home. The trip was made in wagons drawn by horses, taking six weeks to make the trip, arriving here in December, 1849.

Being of Methodist belief they soon organized a Methodist Church and named it Alabama in memory of the State of Alabama from whence they came. It was first organized three miles west from where it now stands, and a brush arbor served as a place of worship. They soon decided to move the church and A. D. Gaskill donated three acres of land for Alabama Church ground so long as it remains an organized church, reverting to original owner should it cease to be a church. The framework of the building was made of hand hewn timber, as but little lumber was available in that day. The building stood for many years, and. many fond memories still linger with us. The carpenters for this building were Henry White Harper, John Harper and J. W. Beville. The first trustees were Henry White Harper, G. W. Boggs, Seborn Ozley, G. W. Lowrey, A. D. Gaskill. Some of the charter members were Mr. and Mrs. A. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Boggs, Mr. and Mrs. Seborn Ozley, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Harper, Mr. and Mrs. Henry White Harper, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Beville, Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Gaskill, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Lowery, Mr. and Mrs. Mart Harper, Mr. and Mrs. William Harper, A. L. Harper and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Webb Jennings, Mrs. Laurence Kidd, Dr. and Mrs. Gaskill, Mrs. Harriett Harper Brinker. This building is located in Union Parish just east of the line of Union and Claiborne Parish. Some years later the membership decided to hold camp meetings each year, and built a large arbor just west of the church which was used for many years for holding the annual camp meetings. Small houses were built on all sides of the arbor for camping. A two story school building was erected on this campus. The lower story was used for teaching school. The upper story served as a "Masonic Hall", it also housed ministers during camp meetings. Just east of this church a well was dug, eight feet in diameter, by John Robnet and William S. Akin. In 1895 the membership decided to build a new church building. After many difficulties the church was finished, everything paid in full, and on Christmas Day, 1895, the first service was held by Rev. R. P. Howel, the pastor. The leading carpenters for this building were Rev. R. P. Howel, the pastor, and James Henry Harper, Some of the financial agents were J. M. Andrews, A. C. Harper, G. W. Harper, J. T. Roach, A. J. Roach, T. K. Phillips, T. W. Bailey, J. C. Bailey, W. M. Ferguson, Billie Johnson, J. W. Jones, W. D. St. John, B. W. St. John, J. C. Fonst, J. H. Ozley, W. B. Lowrey, C. W. Enis, H. J. Tanner, W. H. Tanner, J. M. Akin, J. M. Butler, Billie McCrumb, F. M. Greer, W. B. Greer, J. A. Roach, R. W. Welch, W. H. Shielks, J. H. Harper.

Some families have had representatives in the ministry for more than one hundred years. Rev. John Akin, Rev. W. E. Akin, Rev. Roy Akin, have a combined service of over one hundred years. Rev. J. D. Harper and Rev. R. H. Harper have a combined service of ninety or more years. Rev. T. W. St. John, Rev. Jack Harper, Rev. Joe Wise, a Miss Harper, who went as a missionary to Mexico, all went from this church.

It was a heaven below when these valiant soldiers of the Cross would sing and shout and pray, and when we meet in that Celestial City and the general roll is called and the saints come marching in, there will be many in that Great Procession from Alabama Church.

(Historical data supplied by Harriet L. Akin Beville; sponsored by the Alabama Sunday School, 1945; written by Hattie Aycock Akin.)

THE STORY OF COUNT LEON

By Rudolph Fiehler

Editor's Note. Until 1871 the present parish of Webster was part of the parish of Claiborne. The settlement of Germantown, prior to that date, has a proper place in Claiborne Parish history.

During the summer of 1961, at the University of Tuebingen in Germany, I needed a subject for a term paper for a course I was taking at a summer institute for advanced students of German. Because of my interest in the history of the Germantown colony near Minden, I chose to write about the leader of that settlement effort, Count Maximilian Leon. The following is a translation of the paper which I submitted.

At the edge of Minden, in Webster Parish, Louisiana, one may see a historical marker directing one to Germantown, where a hundred years ago a communal settlement existed from about 1840 until about 1870.

The Germantown road runs about seven miles northwesterly from the highway marker. It follows the old military road which in the early days linked the frontier military posts of Natchitoches and Fort Smith. Nowadays this historic trail is an ordinary farm road, and only those who are interested in local history know of its long story.

The site of Germantown itself is today just a farm owned by Mr. Chester Krouse, a somewhat reserved person, who, though well aware of the long tradition that surrounds the old place on which he lives, does not understand or speak the German language which was once the rule there. On his farm, behind the family dwelling, are a number of somewhat dilapidated log buildings, the only substantial remnants of the one-time flourishing colony.

Mr. Krouse has often thought of restoring the old buildings. It has even been suggested that a sort of museum might be established on the place. Influential persons in the vicinity, among them former governor Robert Kennon, have shown interest in such a project. But there has been a certain hesitancy about going ahead, for sources of historical information have not been readily available. Since the time of the first World War, when the German language lapsed into silence in this part of the country, there has been no one who would undertake to read the stacks of papers which Mr. Krouse still carefully preserves. Moreover, there seems to have been a general notion that the Germantown colonists were a most extraordinary group of people, with outlandish customs.

It is well known, of course, that the Germantown colonists came from Germany under the leadership of Count Leon, who led his followers first to Pennsylvania, then down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and finally up the Red River as far as Grand Ecore, now Natchitoches, where he died before he could establish the colony he dreamed of. His widow, however, a most energetic personality, who became known as the Countess, then took over the leadership of the distressed emigrants, and settled them in the remote sand hills along the old military road, where at that time the primeval pine forest was still practically untouched.

One hears also of a Doctor Goentgen (a name which was sometimes anglicized to Jenkins), who worked together with Count Leon; further about a Doctor Krauss, a pharmacist from New Orleans who joined the colony some time after it had been established; also of a man named Bopp, who conducted the business affairs of the colony; and finally about a man named Stokowski, who in the more recent past carried on the only general merchandise store in Germantown.

But the most exciting stories are those which are told about the Countess. Until about 1870, for more than thirty years, she was looked up to for leadership in the colony. Only after her death was the communal organization of the colony dissolved and the property divided among the various individual members. She was said to have come from a prominent family in Frankfurt-am-Main, and the story is that although for many years she had no keyboard instrument to keep her musical accomplishments alive, she nevertheless devised a practice device out of pieces of wood, so that she could keep up her finger exercises. When in later years her business manager Bopp, having sold a crop of cotton in New Orleans, returned with a piano, she in her eagerness took possession of the instrument before it was quite unpacked, and played on it for hours without stopping.

The Countess had two daughters, the eldest of whom, Elizabeth, married a music teacher named Schardt, with whom she lived for many years in the city of Monroe. Anna, the youngest, married Jacob Stahl, Jr. Out of this marriage came an only daughter who is now living in Hot Springs, Arkansas at an advanced age. Sad to say, this granddaughter of the Countess has been taken seriously ill in the past year, and it is doubtful whether one would want to ask her to relive her memories of Germantown.

Local tradition has not much to tell about the personality of Count Leon himself, who died in Grand Ecore before the settlement was made. Several years ago Professor Karl J. Arndt, of Louisiana State University, published an account of the origins of Germantown in the Louisiana Historical Review. Therein he alluded to some extraordinary suppositions concerning the origins of the Count; for example, that he was supposed to be the illegitimate son of a German nobleman and that he had called the princes of Europe to account, among them Napoleon himself.

About four years ago I undertook my own investigation of the Germantown story. Mr. Krouse was at first somewhat reticent. He said, and probably with good reason, that already too many professors had dabbled in the matter, that important documents and historical evidence had been scattered, and that curious visitors had carried off all sorts of valuable curiosities as souvenirs.

But there was still something to be worked on. In one of the log buildings there was an important looking selection of books in an old chest, but these were in very poor condition. Evidently nobody had tried to read them for a long time - and no wonder, for most of them seemed to be in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. About this time Professor Arndt returned a large package of miscellaneous papers which had been in his possession, but these seemed to be mostly notations concerning business transactions, while others were written in such flighty handwriting that they were quite illegible.

The most impressive of the material which Mr. Krouse showed to me was a large photostated folio of about sixty pages: a reproduction of a book in which the constitution of the "New Philadelphian Congregation" was written down. It seems that the original of this book somehow disappeared from the Krouse homestead, but it was tracked down by Professor Arndt, who saw to it that it was placed in the Congressional Library in Washington. The constitution was written in a beautifully legible German script. In very formal style, it set forth the twelve basic laws according to which the life of the Germantown conununity was to be regulated. A discerning reader might see in them the pattern of the Ten Commandments of the Mosaic law, but to this basic structure were added all sorts of detailed regulations, the general intent of which seemed to be to bind the people to their "exalted leader" in every detail of their daily lives.

Along with this large photostated book, Mr. Krouse had other interesting papers to show. There was a long manuscript in the same handwriting as in the photocopies, which told of certain goings-on in Pennsylvania, where Count Leon and his followers had resided for a time in the Economy colony of Johann Georg Rapp before coming to Louisiana. Appended to this account was a shorter, and probably earlier, draft of the twelve basic laws of the "New Philadelphia Congregation." I also spotted another document which was of immediate interest to me: it carried the seal of the Archduke Ludwig of Hesse and gave a certain Bernhard Mueller permission to change his name to Maximilian Leon Proli.

That was as far as I carried my inquiry at the time, except that in the summer of 1957, when I happened to be in Worchester, Massachusetts, I called on Professor Arndt, who is now teaching at Clark University. I suggested to him that many people would be interested to know more about his researches into the history of Germantown, and he hinted that something might soon be forthcoming in print.

About a year ago I received a letter from Mrs. Prescott Krouse of Minden, who had been collecting the remaining bits of tradition concerning Germantown before they would be entirely forgotten. Coming originally from Michigan, she had married a nephew of Mr. Chester Krouse about fifteen years ago. Since then, though occupied with household duties and with the rearing of her two children, along with occasional employment as nurse in the Minden hospital, she had done a good deal in gathering the facts and tales which have to do with the old colony.

Mrs. Krouse's letter renewed my interest in Germantown, and and my own interest probably stimulated her to keep up with the task she has set for herself. She now has written a manuscript entitled Germantown: The Fragments of a Dream, which I hope some day may be published. An important part of the history, however, remains to be searched out. This is the story of Count Leon before he came to America.

In the library of the University of Tuebingen I was able to locate five titles which made mention of Count Leon. Of these, three mentioned him only casually in connection with the story of Father Rapp's Harmony settlement in Pennsylvania. The other two sources, which dealt with Count Leon at some length, were: "Der Herzog von Jerusalem," in Gartenlaube magazine, 1867. The Harmony Society at Economy, Pennsylvania, By Aaron Williams, (Pittsburg, 1866).

A critical comparison of these two sources showed that they must have been independently derived from a single earlier source; for while they agreed in the main, each had details which were not found in the other. Both sources agreed in setting forth as undisputed fact the story of Leon's unacknowledged descent from the German nobility. It was further told that Leon was educated for the priesthood, and that he made a pilgrimage to Rome; also, that he lived for a time in the city of Cork in Ireland, where he became acquainted with a certain wealthy Miss H--, who supplied him with the means to carry out his dreams for the betterment of mankind.

Returning from Ireland, Leon was said first to have gone to Hamburg, then to Stuttgart, and finally to Offenbach, not far from Frankfurt-am-Main. There a number of devoted followers clustered about him, among them the family of the wealthy Frankfurt merchant Heuser. It was the oldest daughter of this merchant, Elizabeth Heuser, who became his wife, the Countess of the Germantown tradition.

Legal difficulties began to plague Leon's group in Offenbach, and though he enjoyed the favor of the Archduke of Hesse, he felt impelled to turn the communal property of his followers into cash and to emigrate with them to America. The emigrants sailed from Bremen to New York, then up the Hudson to Albany, by canal to Buffalo, and on the lake to Erie, Pennsylvania. There they received an invitation to join the prosperous colony of the eighty-year-old Johann Georg Rapp at Economy. This colony, incidentally was very famous in Europe: Lord Byron devoted several stanzas to it in his poem "Childe Harold."

Dissension soon afterwards arose in Rapp's colony, probably as a result of the presence of Leon and his followers, who with some of Rapp's former adherents now withdrew to Phillipsburg, not far away, where they acquired property for a new colony. But here again troubles developed, and Count Leon, with those who remained faithful to him, traveled westward to Louisiana, where they hoped to found a colony in the lattitude of Jerusalem. Leon's death seemed to be the end of the story. None of the European accounts told anything of what became of his followers.

In an effort to find the original printed source of the strange stories which had been circulated about Count Leon, I made a trip about the middle of August to Frankfurt-am-Main, where I inquired at the once-famous city and university library. I felt both frustrated and saddened when, upon visiting the unpretentious building which now houses the Frankfurt library, I was told that all of the valuable - and in fact priceless - historical treasures which had still existed before World War II had been completely destroyed in the aerial bombardments.

I was not yet ready to give up the search, however, and so I caught a street-car to the neighboring town of Offenbach. It seemed at first as though my luck would be no better there. The bombings which had destroyed the Frankfurt library had also ruined the more important municipal buildings in Offenbach. But in one corner of what remained of the city hall, a small new library had been started, and from that place I was referred to the city archivist, who told me the "tales of Hoffman."

I found Herr Georg Hoffman esconced on the fourth floor of the city warehouse. His historical treasures, which had survived the war, lined three of the four walls of his little office. When I mentioned the name of Count Maximilian Leon, he knew immediately what I was looking for. Two books which he produced without hesitation were

Der Wundermann des 19. Jahrhunders, oder Leben Abenteuer, und Meinungen des beruechtigen Propheten B. Mueller, genannt Proli (Hanau, 1833)

Maximilian Leon Proli, der Prophet von Offenback. By Fritz Herrman (Darmstadt, 1920)

There was no doubt in my mind that the book with the long title, dated 1833, was the original source which had supplied material for the two important sources, dated about thirty years later, which I had found in the Tuebingen library, for here was a longer, and even more fanciful account of that strange journey to Ireland and of the generous Miss H--.

There was no doubt in my mind either that the former city archivist Fritz Herrmann whose book was published in 1920, had done a thorough and scholarly job of collecting, examining, and evaluating all the historical evidences which yet remained of Count Leon. There was no reason to look further, for if there were any further loose ends to the story, it appeared that they would be beyond the reach of any person who had only a limited amount of time to spend in his search.

Herr Hoffman was most helpful. After I explained my problem, he allowed me to borrow the two books on my promise to return them within a week, so that I could have them reproduced on microfilm at the University of Tuebingen. Everything worked out as planned - the originals are in the Offenbach archives, but microfilm copies will be available in the library of Louisiana Polytechnic Institute for anybody who cares to take the time to study them.

It is from Fritz Herrmann's book that the story of Count Leon will have to be retold. Translation of the important materials and presentation in readable form will perhaps take a little time, but it is hoped that this retelling can be made available in due time, perhaps as an appendix to Mrs. Prescott Krause's book.

SHOTGUN AND DOGTROT

By Ted-Larry Pebworth

Illustrations by Lillian Bellizio

Reprinted with permission of the publishers and the author from Ford Times, January 1957

The so-called "Shotgun," a long, narrow house of small proportions, is a familiar sight in northwest Louisiana, as it is in other sections of the South. It is built for economy and coolness, its one-room width and doors in a straight line, front to back, providing a channel for the infrequent summer breezes.

The shotgun, sometimes called "gunbarrel," house is usually built of rough, local sawmill pine, the large cracks between the vertical planks covered with small wooden strips.. When glass and screening are unavailable, the windows are closed with rough wooden shutters. On cold or wet days the shuttered rooms are pitch black, and the kerosene lamps can help little in dispelling the gloom.. A fire in the stick-and-mud fireplace is an additional means of light as well as heat. Local clay with twigs and pine straw serve as the building materials for the fireplaces and their chimneys, which must be repaired after every rainy season. These chimneys are often the cause of fire.

The houses are set two or three feet off the ground on unmortared piles of native rock, so saturated in low grade iron ore as to leave rust marks on anything touching them.

On the front porch, between two posts, is a shelf with a water bucket and dipper. Soap, washbasin, and a native vine in a pot hanging from the porch roof on a rusty wire usually complete the furnishings of the shelf. Behind it are home-made rocking chairs that complain when rocked in, and cane and hide-bottomed straight chairs.

Metal locks with glass knobs have replaced the rope and wooden latch on the door, and lard buckets have replaced the wooden kegs as flower pots, but little else has changed in a hundred years.

The big brother of this house, the "dogtrot," is a combination of two shotguns set side by side under the same roof with a wide hall, the dogtrot, between.

Often the kitchen is a separate building, sometimes connected to the main house by a tin-roofed shed, but often as not, by nothing more than a path. This was an early attempt at fire insurance. At a time when matches were uncommon and expensive in this part of the country, the kitchen fireplace contained a fire constantly, either burning logs or banked coals. To leave the house for any length of time was dangerous, so the best solution was to separate the house and kitchen. From this practice comes the expression still used by the old people when they finish a meal, "Let's go into the house."

Also to prevent fire, the yards of most rural houses were, and still are, scraped clean of grass. This is a wise precaution in an area where brush and grass fires are frequent. Accordingly, the hoe and yardbroom are common implements.

The furnishings of the porches of these houses differ little from those of the shotguns. The big difference is in the dogtrot itself. Pegs on the wall hold family firearms; ancient antlers may hold hats, coats, and home-made walking canes. The family dogs sleep in the shade of these halls, giving them their name, and chickens wander at will from front porch to back, until they are shooed away.

Both the shotgun and the dogtrot are early attempts at natural air-conditioning, and in the days before artificial cooling, these were the best that architecture had to offer.

Today, the shotgun and dogtrot are obsolescent, but enough examples remain for the traveler to see these interesting house-forms. In Louisiana, shotguns and dogtrots can still be found on U. S. 80, between Shreveport and Arcadia; U. S. 79, between Homer and Minden; and State 9, near Athens.

{Also see "Page 93-Shotgun & Dogtrot" in the corresponding photo album located in the Claiborne Parish LA GenWeb Archives.}

SOME NEGRO SONGS HEARD ON THE HILLS OF NORTH LOUISIANA

Collected by Vallie Tinsley White

(Excerpts from a thesis submitted by the author at Louisiana State University, 1928; reprinted by permission of the author)

In my quest for spirituals I accompanied my colored friends to several churches, of which I remember the names, Pine Hill, Bethel, and Price's Freewill Macedonian Baptist. I found them all tucked off behind the hills and pine thickets at the ends of rough wagon roads.

On my first visit I was accompanied by Azzle, wearing a large red hat and a sleeveless red silk dress and carrying her shoes in her hand. When we arrived about nine o'clock, a low humming was rising from the rude church. There were as many Negroes on the outside of the church as inside, and I was impressed by the quietness of them all. They moved about like black spirits, veritable shades in Pluto's dark regions. I have heard them sing at the top of powerful lungs as they worked in the fields; I have heard Teather's mighty booming call three miles away in the middle of the night as he returned from his nocturnal prowls. So I was surprised at their subdued tones here.

I found the singing of two kinds. The first was like the song of soldiers where "each heart spoke a different name but all sang 'Annie Laurie'." In this case they were attempting to sing unfamiliar songs from "white folks' books;", and although they were all saying the same words, each had a different tune. After they had wailed in this way for a while, they all knelt, bent their backs, and tucked their black heads down until they completely disappeared behind the seats. They did not cease to sing, however, but lowered their voices to a hum that rose and fell like a distance-mellowed echo of the song itself. In a short time out of this humming a single voice became audible and grew louder, while the humming became fainter and gradually died away.

"O Lord, dear Father, guide us through the shiftin' scenes of life ... and finally take us somewhere, Lord, where there won't be no sickness an' sorrow, somewhere in the sweet Beulah Land, jest somewhere Lord," prayed the sweet voice of a woman, while the audience accompanied her with a perfectly rhythmic chorus of "amens" sung out at exactly regular intervals regardless of where she was in a sentence.

At my request the older Negroes sang some of those wonderful old spirituals - of which I am including a few in this book-, and the young ones joined in with embarrassed grins on their faces. When I asked a young girl if they sang the spirituals at her church, she smiled tolerantly and said, "Yes'm, sometimes de old foks raise dem old tunes..."

So it is that the younger Negroes are trying to get away from the songs that have come to them from the days of slavery, and collectors who would preserve them must work rapidly. With the dying of the old Negroes of the present day will die most of the old spirituals.

WHAT SHALL I DO?

This was a favorite of the Negroes, and they often sang it in the fields as they picked cotton together.

If I wuz you, I'd stop right here an' pray;

O, my Lord, O, my Lord, what shall I do?

O run, sinner, run, an' hunt you a hidin' place;

O run, sinner, run, an' hunt you & hidin' place;

O, my Lord, O, my Lord, what shall I do?

O what you gwinter do when death comes a-creepin' in de room?

O, my Lord, O, my Lord, what shall I do?

Chris' tol' Nicodemus dat he mus' be born agin;

O, my Lord, O, my Lord, what shall I do?

I DONE DONE

(From Pine Hill Church)

You tol' me to preach,

I done done,

You tol' me to preach,

An' I done done what you tol' me to do.

You tol' me to shout,

I done done,

You tol' me to shout,

I done done,

You toll me to shout,

An' I done done what you tol' me to do.

You tol' me to moan,

I done done,

You tol' me to moan,

I done done,

You tol' me to moan,

An' I done done what you tol' me to do.

I NEVER HEARD A MAN

(This is the most powerful and appealing spiritual I have ever heard sung. The little old Negro preacher sang the stanzas, and the congregation joined in the chorus)

King Jesus was a preacher;

He spoke in Palestine,

Proclaimed to all the nation

His power to redeem.

All de days of my life, ever since I been born,