Bossier Parish History Month

April, throughout the years!

Happy Easter!

April 1,2018: (Article is from the Bossier Banner; Mar. 27, 1913): The youth of Pine Grove community enjoyed "Easter Egg Hunt" given by Vey Kendrick and Maude Thompson.

Bossier Banner: Mar. 27, 1913

 Easter Egg Hunt in North Bossier Parish in early 1900s.   

0000.001.088

    Red River Baptist Church Easter Egg Hunt...Carol Young collection

 1998.081.054

April 6, 1888: Mrs. Julia Rule the secretary of Mayor Currie of Shreveport became the first woman to help drive a golden spike for the Cotton Belt Railroad which marked the completion of this railroad . The celebrations were held in Bossier Parish and Shreveport. Mrs. Rule was also a pioneer for women's rights, and columnist for “The Pansy” published in “The Times”

April 6, 1888: The Daily Commonwealth (Topeka, Kansas)

Jan. 23, 1966 The Times

The Plain Dealing railroad depot was built in 1888

0000.006.012  

Passenger train crossing trestle at Plain Dealing, La.  North of Railroad depot.

 1997.062.037 Bryce Turnley

April 23, 1891: The Bossier Banner removed from Bellevue to Benton.

Bossier Banner: April 23, 1891

The Bossier Banner

0000.004.099    Scanland Collection

Scanland "washing down" the handset type forms of the Banner

0000.004.166   Scanland Collection

The Bossier Banner moved here from the old location.  HWY 3 near Bellevue St.

2010.011.095  William T. Packwood Collection

  

April's Second Sunday Showing

Come, enjoy some popcorn and a movie!

Our next installment of Second Sunday Screening will feature:

"Dunkirk: The Event That Shaped Our World" (PG-13)

Set in Dunkirk, France during WWII where 330,000 allied troops were evacuated from the beach during a fierce battle with the German Army.

THE CALL OF OLD BANKS’ CHAPEL

Old Bank's Chapel
Mary Catherine Coyle Collection; 2000.070.003A

The September 6, 1928 issue of the Bossier Banner carried a follow-up article about the destruction by fire of Banks’ Chapel on August 17th .

“To the Members and Friends of Banks’ Chapel and Cottage Grove Cemetery.”

“Dear Friends: As you know, our beloved church building was destroyed by fire August 17th, and leaves us with aching hearts. But the spirit of Banks’ Chapel is not consumed. Representatives of the congregation have met and resolved to rebuild, a memorial to Cottage Grove Cemetery. They have some definite plans to recommend:”

“The Session of the Church has met and hereby orders a congregational meeting on the site of Old Banks’ Chapel, to be held Sunday, September 9th, after the morning preaching service, to consider these plans and recommendations, decide on same, appoint a finance and building committee, and give such instructions touching the plan as may seem best.”

Program for the Day 

“Rev. H.C. Bell, D. D. Superintendent of Missions, will preach the sermon at eleven o’clock and preside at the business session. Rev. R.A. Dawson will have charge of the program and will assist in all matters. There will be expressions from friends of the church, and unanimous action will be taken toward the restoration of the historic church.”

Dinner on the Ground 

All are cordially invited

“1. All the members are urged to be present. 

2. All people of the community which the church serves and all former members, from far and wide, are invited to come.

3. The many friends of this dear old church are invited to come with us for the great day. By order of the Session.”

“R.A. Dawson, Moderator, N.W. Sentell, James Milling.”

“Others in conference: Rev. W.A. Zeigler, W.A. Thompson, John Milling and Abner C. Johnson. Cottage Grove, La. Sept. 2, 1928.”

 To learn more about the old churches of Bossier Parish visit the Bossier Parish Library History Center.

By: Ann Middleton

LUXURY TAX, SO CALLED

An editorial in the October 1, 1936 issue of the Bossier Banner expressed frustration with a new “luxury tax” in Louisiana.

“Merchants, consumers, and officials throughout Bossier Parish and the entire state have become more and more dubious and alarmed as today (Thursday) has approached, as they are fast coming to realize that the new so-called Luxury Tax is in reality no luxury tax at all, just a modified sales tax in a most unworkable and unenforceable form.”

“While we understand the necessity for raising state funds, presently facing Governor Leche and his administration, if they are to take care of the debts already piled upon our state and carry on a semblance of improvements and the social security program as well, we cannot see our way clear to champion any sales tax, whether it be denominated a luxury tax or nor.”

“We have always looked upon a sales tax with disfavor, for we know that the burden entailed falls on the shoulders of the man least able to pay—the poor people and the people of little means. After all, a sales tax is a levy on the consumers, even if it is disguised behind so high sounding a name as a luxury tax.”

“A Luxury Tax! Who ever heard of rolls, made from the same dough from which bread in loaves is made, being a luxury? Who ever heard of a 13-cent can of pork and beans being a luxury? While a 10-cent can is a necessity. Suppose a certain poor man has a very large family, will any kind of canned beans he can afford ever be a luxury? It will be unfortunate indeed for a man, simply because he has a large family, to be penalized when he goes to buy food for his brood.”

“Taxes on shoes, coats, suits and a hundred other items of clothing—luxuries indeed! Even the most humble farmer does not want to wear overalls and a jumper all the time. Yet, if he wants to buy a suit he must be sure to keep the cost below $3, else he will be purchasing a luxury.”

“These are but a few of the items, affected by the bill, which bear out our contention that it is in no sense of the word a luxury tax, but a sales tax that is limited in its application.”

“While some folks are saying that a general sales tax, because its collection will be much simpler and will entail less expense and worry to the retailer, is, in their judgement, more desirable than this limited sales levy or luxury tax, we cannot see eye to eye with them. A sales tax can never be a desirable tax. Of course, one may have to come, but unless conditions change, we’ll never support it.”

“As we see it, curtailment of state expenditures is in order, if sufficient funds are not available. If curtailment is impossible, then some other tax ought to be found. Don’t tax the people who can least afford to pay. A sales tax will do just that.”

By: Ann Middleton

LOUISIANA HAYRIDE 28 YEARS OLD

In its January 29, 1976 issue the Bossier Banner-Progress proclaimed that the “Louisiana Hayride” music show had been around for twenty-eight years and was still going strong.

BPLHC collection; 2016.001.001

“The internationally known country music show/broadcast, ‘Louisiana Hayride,’ a division of ‘Hayride U.S.A.’ is still going strong after twenty-eight years of good old, down home-style country entertainment. Known as the ‘Cradle of the Stars,’ the Hayride has its own auditorium and restaurant located six miles south of Benton.”

“Every Saturday night at 7:45 the fun begins with a two hour stage presentation, broadcast over Shreveport radio KWKH. It is heard throughout most of the nation and in many foreign countries. More than 700 people can enjoy the fine entertainment in the Hayride auditorium. Approximately 350 can be seated at tables with about the same number in the audience. The dance begins at 10:00 pm with a full bar available. On Fridays there is a dance which begins at 8:30.”

“Prices for the Saturday night show are $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for children under 12. The dance admission is $3.00 per person. If you want to see the show and dance, it’s $4.00.”

“A recent and welcomed addition to the Hayride complex is the ‘Hayride Kitchen.’ Operated by one of the nation’s largest and most experienced caterers, it is one of the finest and most attractive facilities in the Southwest. Over 250 people can enjoy the delicious country cooking served family style.”

“The National Star Search, another aspect of the ‘Louisiana Hayride,’ is conducting a perpetual talent hunt. In its many years of existence, the Hayride has sent on to superstardom such artists as Johnny Cash, David Houston, Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley, the Wilburn Brothers, Red Sovine, Farron Young and many others. The Hayride also engages in music publishing, professional recording, personal management of artists and talent booking.”

“Also, the Hayride auditorium is ideal for meetings and conventions. Entertainment and meals can be furnished to any specification. The walls of the auditorium are available for unique advertising space.”

“The complete ‘Louisiana Hayride’ show is available for out of town engagements on any other day than Saturday. Any organization wishing to sponsor an appearance of the show is invited to contact the Hayride.”

The primary run of Louisiana Hayride ended in 1960. KWKH continued packaged music tours under the Hayride name until 1969. A new Louisiana Hayride located at a dinner theatre facility in Bossier City was a syndicated radio show that ran until 1987. To learn more visit the Bossier
Parish Library History Center.

By: Ann Middleton

Second Sunday Screenings: Suffragette

Join us this Sunday at 1:30pm for our next installment of Second Sunday Screenings. Our film for March is Suffragette (PG-13). Enjoy the movie and some popcorn & drinks! 

HUGHES HOUSE LANDSCAPED IN 1968

Hughes House after restoration.
Bossier Parish Library Historical Collection, 1997.002.011

The Bossier Banner-Progress, in its March 14, 1968 issue, announced that the Hughes House would soon have landscaping. In 1968 the Hughes House had not been moved to Benton from its original location in Rocky Mount.

“Preparations are being made to landscape the Civil War village at Rocky Mount, President Webb H. Martin told the members of the Bossier Parish Restoration Foundation at their meeting Thursday night in the Town Hall at Benton.”

“The board of directors was told that [the] 10-acre tract given to the foundation by heirs of the original settler has recently been mapped by the Dorcheat Soil and Water Conservation District in preparation for the landscaping.”

“The directors set Saturday, April 20 as the annual dinner-on-the-ground date for their membership meeting, which will be on the site in Rocky Mount, where citizens on November 26, 1860, met to discuss the critical times facing them when Lincoln had been elected President. They decided to secede from the Union, declare the war and organize the Bossier Volunteers.”

“Entertainment will be provided the tourists and other visitors by sports that were in vogue before the War Between the States. An old-fashioned muzzle-loading, turkey-shooting contest is being planned, as well as the pitching of horseshoes and other outdoor games.”

“The foundation, a non-profit organization, will have its annual membership meeting following the dinner, at which time officers will be elected and plans made to complete the restoration work there, Martin stated.”

Today the location of the Hughes House in Benton is known as Heritage Village. The Village
tours include the following features: Hughes House, c. 1845, Thomas Heath log cabin, c. 1884,
Scanland Plantation moveable kitchen, a Blacksmith shop, Bradford Plantation corn crib and a
one-room schoolhouse. The address for Heritage Village is 414 Sibley Street, Benton, LA. Tour
information can be obtained by calling (318) 716-1504 or (318) 965-9253.

By: Ann Middleton

Pages Past: An American History Book Club

Stop by the History Center to check out a copy of our April book - The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan.

(Rescheduled) The Bossier Parish Library Historical Center presents a talk: “Andre Cailloux—Free Person of Color, Civil War Captain”

In honor of Black History Month and its 2018 theme, “African Americans in Times of War,” the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center presents a talk:  “Andre Cailloux—Free Person of Color, Civil War Captain” by Ann Middleton, Historical Center Director. Ms. Middleton’s talk on Andre Cailloux will be presented as a case study of a long-term genealogy project she began while a genealogy and special collections librarian at the Historic New Orleans Collection.

Andre Cailloux, the first black military hero of the Civil War was a French Creole free person of color in New Orleans and an officer in the first black regiment officially mustered into the US Army as well as the first black regiment involved in a significant battle. Cailloux’ brave death in this battle, the Battle of Port Hudson, inspired not only people of African descent in New Orleans where he received an unprecedented military funeral procession on July 29, 1863 (pictured in this woodcut that was published in Harper’s Bazaar) but among African Americans and their white radical allies nationally. As a “culture hero’, according to historian and author Stephen Ochs, Andre Cailloux’ story became elevated “to a near-mythic status.”  Ann Middleton will illustrate for patrons the genealogical research process that can bring his story back to the realm of an authentic human life.

Illustration: Funeral of the Late Captain Cailloux, First Louisiana Volunteers (Colored) from the August 29, 1863 edition of Harpers Weekly.

Bossier Parish History Month

March, throughout the years!

March 7, 1838: The Red river was cleared of the Great Log Raft by Captain H.M. Shreve.

                          March 1, 1873 , the Great Raft was cleared again. 

Steam Boats on the Red River Circa 1900's
0000.001.063 - Bossier Parish Library Collection

March 1862: The Bossier Cavalry was organized.

John M. Arnold was a member of the Bossier Cavalry.
1998.067.020 - Dale Jennings Collection

March 1870: Benton's first Post Office opened.

March 1895: The Nathaniel F. Dortch (built in 1889) sank in 5 feet of water, several newspaper articles have a pin-point location, which indicates around Ninock Lake. This would make the second wreckage in the same year, first was Jan,1895, and was back in operational condition after being raised and repaired.  

Replica of the Steamer, Nathaniel F. Dortch
1999.053.047.048 - Scott Brandt Collection

Ninock Lake
1999.053.060 - Scott Brandt Collection

March 27, 1919: Wooden plank sidewalks were being replace with grave.

The Bossier Banner

 Wooden plank sidewalks can been seen a long the side of  the Bank of Benton, circa 1900's
0000.004.001.051 - Scanland Collection