Sunday, July 29, 2018
R & R with History: "The Great Influenza"
A discussion series on the book, "The Great Influenza" by John M. Barry that connects public health, disease, politics and history during the 1918-19 influenza pandemic. This unprecedented crisis, a.k.a. “the Spanish Flu,” infected an estimated one-third of the world’s population and caused 50 million deaths, about 675,000 in the U.S.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
PRE-CIVIL WAR "FOURTH OF JULY FISH FRY DESCRIBED"
“The Fourth of July Fish-Fry which came off on that renown day of ‘American integrity,’ at the Inabnett Bluff, near this place, passed off very pleasantly—only a too sudden visitation of the watery element somewhat checked the fun and frolic of the participants. Bossier’s beauties, a portion of them, gathered there with smiles and sunshine, sending for miles around the warmth of their affections for the love of –the Fourth! A friend who was present informed us that he couldn’t for the soul of him tell which was the best—the ‘Fourth’ or the ladies. Both we expect. We are sorry that we were not present ourself, to test the matter and bear witness to the beauty and patriotism of the [fairest] maidens. We would have given a sight draft of twenty-five cents, on the Police Jury to have been present on the occasion. But they got along very well without us—not even once missing our absence. Such is the envied fortune of an editor.”
“We understand that there was any amount of ‘gallantry’ displayed on the occasion, by the young gentlemen—they all stood off at distance, in sq[u]ads, and looked on—probably thinking that ‘distance leads enchantment to the view,’ particular when the ladies will insist upon wearing such large hoops!”
Read more issues of the pre-Civil War The Bossier Banner by visiting the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.
By: Ann Middleton
Monday, July 23, 2018
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
"BIG LAND DEAL IN 1928 INVOLVED A HUGE SUM"
In its January 26, 1928 issue The Bossier Banner reported on a very large acreage that sold for a very large amount of money in 1928 dollars.
“What is the largest land deal in many years was enumerated here last week when W. G. Burt of Benton sold to Jasper N. Smith, of El Dorado, Ark., 640 acres of river land on Kingston Plantation, five miles south of Benton, for $80,000. The property sold was the west half of section sixteen, and the south half of section seventeen, range thirteen.”
“Less than a year ago Mr. Burt sold to W. C. Hughes, of Hughes Spur, the western portion of Kingston, along with a store building fronting on the Bossier-Benton Road. The tract sold last week fronts on the Tidwell Road or eastern portion of the plantation, Mr. Burt reserving something like 320 acres between the two tracts for himself.”
“Mr. Burt in obtaining $125 an acre for this land, attributed his success to the development of roads near the property, the parish and state recently letting a paving project commencing at Bossier and extending 13 miles north to Benton. Mr. T. S. Clements, the successful contractor for the paving project, will commence the paving immediately.”
“Mr. Smith, who purchased the Kingston tract, will farm it this year, Mr. Burt stated. Hon. W. C. Hughes, who for many years has been located at Hughes Spur, has placed Mr. Sam McCall in charge of his store there and has ordered his Banner changed to Benton Route No. One, where he will spend the major portion of his time at his Kingston store.”
If we think that we have no privacy in 2016, it appears that there was little privacy in 1928 as well. At least today the price we pay for our property is not the subject of a newspaper article.
The property purchased by Jasper N. Smith in 1928 is today occupied by St. Jude Catholic Church and Kingston Plantation subdivision in Benton.
To find out more about property histories in Bossier Parish plan to visit the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center.
By: Ann Middleton
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
"THE EARLY HISTORY OF TWO BOSSIER PARISH TOWNS"
Written by Patsy Barnett for The Plain Dealing Progress, the following article appeared in the Progress’ July 7, 1949 issue.
“Just after the Civil War, a group of settlers came to the northwestern part of Bossier Parish. Among these were Wylie Barnett, Edmond Cochran, Coleman Kine, John Heifner, Mastin Brock and Grant Spruill.”
“This settlement was known as the Alabama Settlement for a while, but later became known as Chalybeate Springs. It was called this because the water there contains chalybeate, a Greek word meaning iron. The land there is flat but fertile, and the settlers grew cotton, cane and practically everything they ate.”
“They built the Baptist Church which is still being used. The first school had only one room and was called Heifner School in honor of John Heifner who owned the land where it stood. Some of the teachers who taught there were Eliza Bounds, Mrs. Willie DeMoss and Lillie Stampley. [When,] in 1824 [probably should be 1924] this school was torn down a two-room school was built. It was called Yellow School because of its color. The students would go to the tenth grade here and then go to Plain Dealing High School to graduate. Some of the teachers who taught here were Vera King, Mrs. Clifford Oglesby and Bertice Chamlee.”
“The only means of transportation these early settlers had was by wagons and buggies. Every fall these settlers went to Shreveport in wagons and spent the night. While they were down there they bought the things they needed.”
Nell Farrington, Ladell Shaver and Aline Huddleston, three eighth grade students, submitted the early history of Red Land to the same issue of The Plain Dealing Progress.
“Gideon Allen from Georgia was the first to settle Red Land in 1846. Some of the other early setters coming in 1852 from Tennessee were John Swindle, Martin Martin, Matilda Allen and Major Watch. This community got its name from the fact that the soil is a deep red.”
“The founder of the church was Moses McDonald. He settled the place where Ivor Barnett now lives. Salem Church was organized November 27, 1884. They had four members then. They were S. McDonald, his wife, Mahala, and Marguerite Covington. The early church list included people [from] east of the Mississippi River and south of the Ohio River except Florida. The Salem graveyard has existed since 1850.”
“Most people settled on a hill or built a house close to a spring so they wouldn’t have to dig wells.”
“People came in boats down the Ouachita River, the Red River and the Mississippi River.”
“The first post office in this area was called Plain View. The first post office started in [1905]. The first steam gin was operated by George Washington Phillips. He also operated a store. Most of the clothing was made at home and was woven on a loom.”
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| Salem Baptist Church 07/13/2008 The Oldest Baptist Church in Bossier Parish |
To find out more about early locations in Bossier Parish visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center.
By: Ann Middleton
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
"NEW BUSINESSES GOING IN AT PLAIN DEALING"
“The past week has been a very active one in Plain Dealing business circles and rumors are current of many other possible entries into the local commercial field.”
“Two pressing shops, two barber shops and two restaurants are either already doing business or will be soon according to reliable information.”
“Mr. Tennis is arranging to open an up-to-date café in the front part of the Progress building, while in the same building, Milo Castle is establishing a modern tailor and pressing shop.”
“On Cotton Belt Street Earl Cornish has also put in a first class tailor and pressing shop in the Lyon’s building. On the same street we are reliably informed that a business man from Cotton Valley is going to put in a large rooming house and restaurant just above Walker Bros. Drug Store.”
“F. D. McKellar and father are utilizing the space between the McKellar and Turnley building for a small brick structure, and as we understand Mr. Whisenant of Ida, is likely to establish himself also in the tonsorial business there.”
“Mr. Stanley of Oil City has just put in a three chair barber shop in Walker Bros. Building, and both Wheeler and Johnson, long established shops, have added a chair each.”
“Every day is expected to usher in activities of the Standard Oil Co. on the Boggs property, recently purchased by that company.”
“In a conversation with Mayor McKellar, we were pleased to learn that he has in view the building of some neat cottages in West Plain Dealing.”
“This is a most progressive ad wise step on his part and we only hope it may be the beginning of a building program, so essential to Plain Dealing’s real growth and development.”
If any readers have pictures of these businesses, we would love to make a copy to include in our
database.
Don’t forget that the Read & React to History programs will begin July 3, 2018. The series will center on the book Lighting the Fires of Freedom--African American Women in the Civil Rights Movement by Janet Dewart Bell. Dr. Rose Harris, Ralph Bunche Endowed Professor of Political Science at Grambling will facilitate the series. The programs will take place at the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center on 4 Tuesday evenings in July from 6:00-7:30. They are free but you do need to call to pre-register—318-746-7717. A light supper will be provided.
By: Ann Middleton
Sunday, July 1, 2018
This Month In Bossier Parish History
This Month In Bossier Parish History
July: Though out the years
July 1, 1859: Mr. William H. Scanland arrives in Bossier Parish and published the first issue of the Bossier Banner. He rented the paper's equipment form A.A. Abney, T.M. Fort and B.F. Fort.
Mr. William H. Scanland standing by his printing press
1999.136.034 Abney Dell Scanland -Flynn Collection
July 2, 1908: Bossier Banner. Heavy rains and overflow from the Red River causes widespread damage through out Bossier Parish.
c. 1900's J.P Keeth General store in Plain Dealing du
1997.062.013 Bryce Turnley Collection
c. 1900's North of Cotton Belt Rd. in Plain Dealing.
1997.062.045 Bryce Turnley Collection
July 4, 1895: A Fourth of July Baby girl, Mattie Belle, weighing 10 pounds was born to the proud parents of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Scanland.
c. 1890. William H. Scanland is standing on the porch of their home in Benton holding Mattie Belle, while an older son sits by the steps.
0000.001.001
July 4, 1912: Bossier Banner. Fourth of July celebration were held in the community of Alden Bridge with a barbecue an dance.
1997.054.119 Bryce Turnley Collection
c. 1910. Alden Bridge's Fourth of July dance.
1997.054.118 Beulah Findley Collection
July 26, 1967: The Times. Bossier Parish Community College initially started as a pilot program with 13th and 14th the grade levels at Airline High School. The purpose of the program was to determine the feasibility of a two year commuter college. The College held its first class in the fall of 1967 with 101 students, 5 full-time instructors and 3 part-time instructors.
As of 2016 - 2017 academic year the student population was 6,714.
Image: Bossier Post; April 7, 2004. The Bossier Parish Community College under construction at the new location off HWY. 80.
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