Bossier Parish to Celebrate Birthday

As the 175th birthday of Bossier Parish approaches in 2018, the Bossier Banner-Progress reported on the history of the parish and how the 110th birthday would be celebrated.

“The one hundred and tenth anniversary of the founding of Bossier Parish will be observed at Benton next Tuesday, February 24. Two ceremonies marking the event will be held. The Benton Lions Club will have a special talk on the history of the parish given by Rupert Peyton, associate editor of the Banner-Progress, at the Court House Café at noon.”

“At 2:30 p. m. a ceremony will be held at the Benton High School auditorium to which the general public, civic and patriotic groups and the North Louisiana Historical Association will be especially invited.”

“Mrs. Mamie Edwards McKnight of Benton has been named chairman of the program at the school auditorium which will also be highlighted by a review of the history of the parish by Peyton.”

“Special invitations are extended to former residents of Bossier to attend the ceremony. The use of the auditorium was extended by S. Hudson Johnston, principal of the school.”

“Bossier Parish was created by Act 33 of 1843 of the Louisiana Legislature and was named for Gen. Pierre Baptiste Bossier, then Congressman for this district. When Louisiana was admitted to statehood Bossier was a part of Natchitoches Parish. In 1828 it became part of Claiborne and in 1843 it was carved out of Claiborne and its eastern boundary extended to Dorcheat Bayou. In 1873 Webster Parish was created out of portions of Bossier, Claiborne and Bienville Parishes and its eastern boundary was moved to Bodcau.”

“The first parish seat was Bellevue and it was moved to Benton in 1888.”

You can learn a lot more about Bossier Parish history at the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center. The Historical Center will also be planning and coordinating programs for the 2018 175th birthday of Bossier Parish so watch for announcements of the activities and plan to attend.

By: Ann Middleton

MEMORIES OF ELIZABETH MATLOCK WISE

Elizabeth Parthenia Matlock (left) Martin Hlnes Matlock (right)

In a column that appeared regularly in the Bossier Banner-Progress during the 1970s Elizabeth Matlock Wise shared her memories of growing up in Bossier Parish.

In the January 1, 1976 issue of the paper, she wrote “My sisters have warned me not to air the family skeletons supposedly locked in the closets. I am not aware of any that would startle anyone. I’ll admit that I have been told my great grandfather Matlock owned a home in Montgomery, Alabama and that he killed a man and left in the night time, left valuable property behind and carried only his family. As I don’t even remember him, he probably died before I was born. It is possible, anyone only had to cross from one state to another and the law could not bother them at that time.”

“There [have] been more changes in the world, the way people live and rear children, in this 19th Century; it seems like a different country from what I was born and reared in. I was taught to respect and obey my parents, and certainly to work. Most children of today, their parents obey them, and it’s an insult to ask them to do anything pertaining to manual labor.”

“My parents have been gone for many, many years, but I love and honor their memory. I am glad they were my parents, though they left no marble statues and their names are not inscribed in any halls of fame. [I have] hope my children can say the same of me after my passing.”

“What is wrong with our country or Government? We read in history how Abe Lincoln, our 16th President, was so poor he worked arithmetic problems with charcoal on the back of a shovel and would walk miles for a book to read. Why does it take thousands of dollars for anyone to run for office now? A poor man could not possible be president now. Why does the government tell us what we can plant and what we can’t?”

“Still they say this United States of ours is the best country in the world, that we have more freedom here, but it seems to me we are losing our freedoms very fast and if the Federal Government doesn’t stop going in debt, we will soon lose the country itself.”

“I remember when 25 pounds of corn meal cost 25 cents. I paid $1.15 for 5 pounds last week. I also remember when we shelled our corn and carried it to a grist mill and had our own meal ground [by] Mr. Sam Goodwin, who lived at Red Land and had the last grist mill I know about.”

“I remember when it was a treat for my family to Plain Dealing and latter to Springhill and see a picture show every week or so, and how much we appreciated our first television set.”

“I also remember when we could send a letter anywhere in the United States for 2 cents.”

 “I remember my daddy’s old Model T Ford car in which we first began to make trips to Shreveport. It was cranked by hand and it kicked like a mule sometimes, and had to be continuously supplied with water. That must have been about 1915.”

“The world is full of turmoil now, with rotten politics, air pollution, inflation, high prices, etc.”

“But we have always had problems. I remember when my husband sold cotton for 3 cents per pound and could hardly find anyone to buy it at that price back in the depression years.”

“We are beginning a new year and regardless of all the problems, let’s hope for a year of health and happiness for everyone.”

Born in 1899, Elizabeth Matlock Wise died in 1981, probably not realizing that more than 4 decades later, many of the same problems would still plague the United States. To find out more, visit the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center.

By: Ann Middleton

This Day in Bossier Parish History

By: Laurie Dyche

M. LEVY COMPANY CELEBRATES 91ST BIRTHDAY

The November 11, 1948 issue of The Bossier Banner proclaimed the 91st birthday of M. Levy
Company with a brief history of the popular store.

“M. Levy Company, leading Shreveport clothing store located at Texas and Edwards Streets,
today is observing the 91st anniversary of its founding.”

“The store, begun in 1857 by Morris Levy, is now owned jointly by Marx Levy and Nathan
Bernstein. Slogan of the store is ‘Shreveport’s traditional headquarters for fine wearing apparel
since 1857.”

“Ninety-one years ago when the store was established, Shreveport was a thriving river town of
about 2,000 persons. Among the travelers, traders, and planters attracted to the bustling
settlement was Morris Levy, who came from Marshall, Texas, where he had been in the clothing
business.”

“Destined to be one of the leading figures in the building of the city, Levy immediately opened a
general merchandise store in the 200 block of Texas Street.”

“The store rapidly became one of the most popular gathering places in North Louisiana. When
planters, hunters and traders came in from their plantations flung along the rich banks of Red
River and when captains docked their boats here, they all met at Levy’s store.”

“During the lean years of the Civil War, Levy’s store remained open. But in 1865 when the
carpetbaggers invaded the South, Levy moved to New York to give his children the benefit of an
eastern education. In 1869 he returned to Shreveport and opened a new store in the 200 block of
Milam Street. Levy, who had given generously to the cause of the South during the war, devoted
his energy and resources to helping rebuild the land as well as his store.”

“When Levy died in 1898, his sons continued to operate the store.”

“In 1903 the store was moved to 303-305 Texas Street. There it remained until 1916 when it
was moved to its present location in the Levy building at Texas and Edwards streets.”

“In 1920 the Levy brothers retired and the store became the property of Marx Levy and Nathan
Bernstein.”

“Both Marx Levy and Nathan Bernstein have lived in Shreveport all their lives, and both began
their careers in the store while they were in their teens.”

“Since that time the business has grown rapidly. The present store has a floor space of 10,000
square feet. Forty-five employees are kept busy in the store serving the public.”

“From all section of the Ark-La-Tex persons come to the store of M. Levy to buy wearing
apparel for all members of the family. Many of them are from families that have traded there for
generations.”

“The 91st anniversary of the store is being observed by the executives of the company with pride
in the realization that the traditions and service of the founder of the store are being upheld
today.”

The final listing for M. Levy Company was in the 1978 Polk’s City Directory.

To learn more about the history of local businesses visit the Bossier Parish Library Historical
Center.

By: Ann Middleton

This Day in Bossier Parish History

By: Laurie Dyche

TRIBUTE TO A FAMOUS JOCKEY INSPIRES MEMORY OF KNIGHTHOOD IN PLAIN DEALING

Plain Dealing racetrack and grandstand, Circa 1910's. Beulah Findley collection, 1997.054.045 

When death claimed Robert Leonard McLeish the Bossier Banner- Progress recalled how he became a famous jockey in its December, 1955 issue.

“When Robert Leonard McLeish answered the call to his last ‘roundup’ on last Monday morning at his Collinsburg home, there passed from the scene of action one of Northwest Louisiana’s most famous jockeys, a daring horseman who won his first spurs when a lad of 12 at the colorful lists or tournaments, held around Plain Dealing in the mid-nineties.”

“While there is no definite evidence at hand to establish the fact, it is probable that at old Collinsburg, Red Land and Plain Dealing, the last days of ‘Knighthood in Flower’ were ushered into final oblivion. Old copies of The Bossier Banner give accounts of some of these tournaments when Mrs. W.E. Swindle, formerly Miss Davis, a relatively near cousin of Jefferson Davis, and daughter of Dr. Davis, Plain Dealing’s first physician, and Mrs. W.F. Bell, formerly Miss Maude Moses of Oxford, Miss., were crowned queens of the royal courts by some gallant knight of that day who, wearing the favor of the ‘fairest’, proved the conquering hero at the lists. At these lists prominently mentioned were Dr. W.F. Bell, Bobbie Doles, N.W. Sintel and Jim Walker, the latter, chairman at various times. Yes, Mrs. Mollie Banks Gray was one of the belles of those famous games.”

“Since our friend, Ardis Manry, is particularly interested in local lore and historic data, it is here suggested that he check on the significance of these games, not of personal combat, but centered about equestrian skill.”

“Reverting to our jockey hero, his role was that of dare devil riding and totally abandoned racing. He, from time to time, would recall the days when riding old ‘Salem’, ‘Lost John’, ‘Superintendent’ and other equally famous mounts, he won innumerable races, first at the lists, later at the parish and state fairs. His last victory was in the mid-thirties when riding ‘Lost John’ he was winner in one of the last parish fairs held in Plain Dealing. He was then over fifty. A winner over a period of forty years is certainly a record seldom, if ever, equaled.”

“Yes, while at the lists or fairs, Leonard McLeish may not have worn ‘my lady’s favor’, nonetheless he thrilled the hearts of thousands of true horsemanship and now, shall we say, figuratively, he has gone to his reunion with ‘Old Salem,’ ‘Lost John’ and ‘Superintendent’.”

“Leonard’s average weight thru life was about 110 pounds.” Robert Leonard McLeish, 69, a Collinsburg community farmer, died Monday, November 28, 1955, at his home.

To find out more and to read Mr. Dale Jennings’ article about the knighthood tournaments in Cottage Grove in the 1880s and 1890s pay a visit to the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center.

By: Ann Middleton, Director

This Day in Bossier Parish History

By: Laurie Dyche

The Health Train Comes to Bossier

The Health Train toured LA in 1910 (1911 in Bossier) in a two-car train with health exhibits and 10 health inspectors. The inspectors would inspect public buildings and all food production establishments, and then bluntly tell the townspeople the results. The Health Exhibit also showed films on sanitation and health.
See: Rudolph Matas'  History of Medicine in Louisiana, Vol II  pp 483-485 for more information.

The Invention of Basketball

In December of 1891 James Naismith, a Canadian-American Physical education   teacher, invented the game of basketball. He invented the game in order to provide an indoor sport to help athletes keep in shape during the cold winter months. By 1904 the game had become so popular that it served as a demonstration sport at the Summer Olympics. Becoming an official sport at the Summer Olympics in 1936.

Princeton High School; Walter H. Martin Collection; 2004.003.016.