Breaking Barriers

Each year, since 1987, March is designated as Women's History Month by Presidential proclamation to honor women's contributions to history, culture, and society. This year's theme is a continuation of 2020s, recognizing the battle for women's suffrage. For almost 100 years, women fought for the right to vote. But the right to vote is not the only thing women have had to fight for. While women continue to fight for the Equal Rights Amendment, they also continue to break barriers in many areas such as sports, politics, the military, and the workplace.

The women of Bossier Parish are no exception as we have a very long list of women who have and continue to break barriers set before them. There are so many that it is not possible to list them all here now. The following are a few of the Bossier Parish women that have broken barriers making their contributions to history, culture, and society.

Rebecca LaBorde holds the distinction of being the first female firefighter for Bossier City, joining the department in 1984. She was the fifth woman to attempt to join the department but the first to pass all of the tests, including the agility test. She passed the test because she trained hard, running and weight training to meet the requirements. The agility test had applicants set up a ladder, climb up and down it, then dismantle it, carry two different types of hoses, and finish by carrying 100 pounds up two flights of stairs, all within a time limit.

Marshall Esther P. Watkins

Esther Parker Watkins became the first Bossier City Marshall when Judge Louis Lyons appointed her in 1965. Her appointment came after her husband O.L. "Slim" Watkins' sudden death. She served as his deputy during his sixteen years as City Marshall, making her the perfect fit. He was the first Marshall elected when the Bossier City/Ward two court was established in 1950. When election time came in 1966, she was elected by the people running against T. R. Kay and Arthur C. Townsend.

Bossier Parish women have also made their mark in the armed forces. Haughton native Glenda Rhodes-Hood enlisted in the Navy in 1973. There she became a lithographer, and in 1984 she became the Navy's first female chief lithographer. A lithographer is one who prints from a flat stone or metal plate, parts of which are treated to repel ink. They were the Navy's version of a Print Designer, running print shops and producing printed material used by the Navy, such as magazines, newspapers, forms, and training materials. This job no longer exists in the Navy.

Brig. Gen. Fred W. Borum presents
the Air Medal to Lt. Elsie Ott

In 1943 army nurse 2nd Lt. Elsie S. Ott, formerly of Barksdale Field, was the first woman to be awarded the Air Medal, awarded to members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard for meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight. Ott nursed five seriously ill officers and men on the first intercontinental air evacuation flight. A 10,000-mile, six-day flight from India to Walter Reed Hospital. During that flight, she had only one corpsman to assist her. She prepared food for the entire crew, sleeping only a few moments between caring for the men and preparing the meals. Ott had never flown in an airplane before and received air evacuation training after her achievement.

In 1979, Airman Patricia K. Langham earned the distinct honor of being the first boom operator with the 913th Air Refueling Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base. Not only was she the first boom operator at Barksdale, but she was among the first within the Strategic Air Command and the Air Force. It was not long before she was promoted to Senior Airman, and in 1981, she made the honor roll as a distinguished graduate of the non-commissioned officer course.

Here at the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center, we have many ongoing projects, including a list of first Bossier Parish females to ___. To learn more about these firsts, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center, 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City. Can't come in, call 318-746-7717 or email history-center@bossierlibrary.org with your inquiry.

By: Amy Robertson

Bossier Gets First Smith-Hughes Teacher

Many believe that teaching agriculture in public schools began with the passing of the Smith-Hughes Act in 1917. However, this act's passage was the culmination of work started in 1893 by Alfred C. True, Director of the Office of Experimental Stations. The OES was established in 1888 as a special branch of the Department of Agriculture.

When True became the OES Director, his first report concluded that "the farm boy or girl in the rural high school should be taught...the theory and practices of agriculture." He believed that doing so would result in "more contented and prosperous rural communities." He continued to advocate the need for, development of, or progress in agricultural education in public schools.

In 1901, True hired Dick Crosby as his special assistant to carry out work related to agricultural education. "With the addition of Crosby to the staff and the awakening demands for a more relevant education from progressives, agricultural education in public schools started to become a reality." The OES established a division of agricultural education in 1906 to promote and support agricultural education through consultations, research, curriculum guides, and instructional materials.

At that time, states began establishing agricultural education programs, and by 1916 agriculture was being taught in over 4,000 high schools. The passage of the Smith-Hughes act in 1917 provided federal funds to states to support the teaching of vocational agriculture, home economics, and trade and industrial education. With access to funding, more schools could afford to hire vocational teachers, often referred to at that time as Smith-Hughes teachers. Ten years after the act passed, approximately 90,000 public schools were teaching agriculture.

James Turner Manry in front
of his home garden.
Mary Wheeler Corley Collection:
2003.026.010h

You may be wondering what this has to do with local history. In 1926, James T. Manry of Plain Dealing took a trip to Georgia to see family and friends. He wrote about his journey for the Bossier Banner-Progress. His story included a visit to a Smith-Hughes school where he saw the community benefits of having an agricultural program in public schools. In the article, he asserts, "By all means Bossier Parish is entitled to at least two of these schools." Manry was sure that he would win his friends in Plain Dealing over to his way of thinking.

One month later, the remainder of his story about his trip to Georgia appeared in the newspaper. He mentions that a friend requested him to contact the State Agricultural Department for further information along that line, which he did. He also said, "The wonder is that every parish does not take advantage of the Government's offer and thus learn the young people to love the farm. The only reason that these schools might not be a success in every instance is in the selection of a teacher. In passing through sections where these schools are maintained one can't but help notice the improved appearance of the crops grown. With the right selection of teachers Bossier Parish can't afford to do without this aid is my humble opinion."

The first Smith-Hughes teacher in Bossier Parish was Shelby M. Jackson. He taught agriculture at Plain Dealing and Benton High Schools while also serving as the Smith-Hughes director of Bossier Parish. He got right to work and made it possible for local students to participate in the Smith-Hughes schools' district agricultural fair that first year. Winners were selected to attend the first national congress of vocational agricultural students for a national livestock judging contest at the American Royal Livestock and Horse Show in Kansas City.

Manry must have been satisfied with the Parish's selection of Jackson because the program was a success. Jackson not only instructed the school children, but he also taught the community through weekly articles that appeared in the Bossier Banner-Progress. In 1930, Jackson earned the distinction as the master vocational instructor for the State of Louisiana. He later became the State Supervisor of Vocational Agriculture and then State Superintendent of Education after that.

According to the Future Farmers of America website, "The advancement in agricultural education since the Smith-Hughes Act has bettered the quality of life not just for America's rural and farm families but for everyone across the globe who is fed and clothed by the American Farmer."

By: Amy Robertson

Plain Dealing High School's Forest

Future Farmers of America with Oren S. McFatter, vocational instructor.
Plain Dealing High School Collection: 2004.013.020

In 1946, Plain Dealing High School Principal Felix G. Phillips called a meeting to discuss the organization of a forestry program for the school. Phillips explained to his audience that "he had been thinking of and was interested in forestry and the improvement of agriculture in general for many years; and for the past five years had been planning a forestry program for the Plain Dealing High School and had now reached that point where he could put those plans into effect.

"He explained that his idea was to develop a forest project on the land belonging to the school and use it to enable boys and girls to become familiar with forest development and management. In doing this it will also influence farmers in this section as well as other schools to become interested. The school is fortunate in having for its site about 25 acres.

"Mr. Phillips further stated that Bossier Parish is especially suited for the production of forest and forest products and he wanted to do all he could to get the citizenry interested. He believes this can be done by working through the children."

The meeting included members of the State Forestry Commission, Soil Conservation Service, Bossier Parish School Board, fire prevention, Louisiana State Forestry Commission, farmers, and the Southern Craft Paper Mill, an International Paper division. Those in attendance favored the idea and formed committees to see the project through to completion. By the end of 1946, Phillips' vision for a school forestry program became a reality after a 10-acre plot was dedicated to the program.

The District Forester, D.Y. Smith, brought 2,500 saplings for the occasion. That year's freshman class planted the first 500. Students in the Future Farmers of America club lead by Oren S. McFatter, Plain Dealing High School's vocational agricultural teacher; 4-H clubbers lead by Enoch T. Nix and other interested high school students planted the remaining 2,000 saplings. Over the next two years, an additional 4,000 saplings were planted in the school's forest.

Principal Phillips with sign O.S. McFatter presented
to him dedicating the forest plot in his honor, 1948.

In 1948, O.S. McFatter presented a plaque with a dedicatory inscription naming the forest plot in honor of Principal Felix G. Phillips.

Nine years after the program started, John Webb, a representative from the Louisiana Forestry Commission, visited the Phillips Forestry Project to inspect Louisiana high schools' first forestry project. Tommy Kohara, the official photographer of the Louisiana Forestry Commission, took pictures. Six months later, in celebration of the forest's 10th anniversary, a three full-page article appeared in "Forests and People," the Louisiana Forestry Commissions magazine.

According to Webb's article, "Since the dedication, small landowners in the environs of the town have planted many plots to pine. Oren McFatter, vocational agricultural teacher at Plain Dealing High School, is teaching forestry to agricultural classes each year, using the demonstration plot to teach planting and management. He and Glenn H. Crawford, present principal of the high school, plan on expanding the forestry project when and if more land can be obtained."

(L to R) C.O. Holland, James A. Gayle, B.L. Snyder, T.L. Rhodes
Dedication of Haughton High School Forest, 1961. Source: Bossier Press

Three years later, the school dedicated an additional 40-acres just north of the Arkansas-Louisiana line. In 1961, the second Bossier Parish High School forest was dedicated at Haughton High School. A 40-acre tract located just north of Fillmore, where vocational agriculture students studied under Frank Staten. Profits from selling forest products produced by both schools were used to buy equipment for vocational agriculture.

By: Amy Robertson

Talking Telegraph Comes to Bossier Parish

Alexander Graham Bell is best known for inventing the telephone. The fact of the matter is that he was not the first to invent the telephone but the first to receive a U.S. patent on his design, which he applied for in 1876, therefore receiving credit as the inventor. According to the Library of Congress, “Antonio Meucci, an Italian immigrant, began developing the design of a talking telegraph or telephone in 1849. In 1871, he filed a caveat (an announcement of an invention) for his design of a talking telegraph. Due to hardships, Meucci could not renew his caveat.”

Alexander Graham Bell's telephone patent drawing
National Archives and Records Administration
National Archives Identifier (NAID) 302052
Public Domain, Source: commons.wikimedia.org

On the day that Bell’s lawyer filed his patent application for his telephone design, another lawyer filed a patent application for Elisha Gray’s design of the telephone. The patent was awarded to Bell because his application was filed first, being the fifth entry of the day, and Gray’s was 39th. As you can see, attributing the actual inventor or inventors to a specific invention can be tricky and often times quite controversial. Often the most practical or best working invention receives credit for the creation rather than the original inventor.

The same year the patent was issued on the telephone, Tivadar Puskás invented the telephone switchboard exchange. From there, developments in the telephone industry snowballed and expanded. It did not take long before telephone exchange services began popping up in larger towns across the nation. The Shreveport Telephone Exchange opened for business in the fall of 1881. Less than two years later, the exchange’s manager, Thomas Bresnahan, came to Bellevue to interview the citizens regarding constructing a telephone line between Shreveport and Bellevue.

Bellevue's citizens agreed that a telephone line connecting them to Shreveport would be an incalculable benefit. Within two weeks, plans were set in motion with hopes to have the telephone line completed within a month. As planned, Bresnahan completed the telephone line's installation from Shreveport to Bellevue around 1 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 29, 1883. Mr. John H. Lofton's store was the agreed-upon location of the telephone, and a five-minute conversation cost the user 25 cents, which is equivalent to $6.47 today.

Wooden wall mount telephone circa early 1900s
Arnold Family Collection: 2007.007.001

The following Saturday, Bresnahan called the Shreveport Daily Standard news office from Lofton's store as Bellevue celebrated its first telephone. The write-up in the paper stated, " The music by a string band at Bellevue was distinctly heard by all here who were put in connection, and the piano in Mr. Weaver's residence in the suburbs was as distinctly heard at Bellevue."

While the Bellevue telephone line was the first telephone line installed for public use, the first private telephone was installed in 1881, shortly after the Shreveport Telephone Exchange opened for business. The private line belonged to Samuel Jacob Zeigler, owner of the Shady Grove plantation in Vanceville. After the Shreveport Telephone Exchange company declined to run lines outside Shreveport's city limits, Zeigler built and maintained his line to Shreveport, crossing the river from the top of two tall cottonwood trees. His exchange number or telephone number was 50.

The Shreveport Times, Dec. 30, 1881

This month marks the 145th anniversary of the telephone's invention, since Bell was awarded the patent for the telephone on Mar. 7, 1876. But it was on Mar. 10, 1876, that Bell conducted a successful experiment with the telephone where he called his assistant, Thomas Watson, commanding, "Mr. Watson - come here - I want to see you." "That same day, an ebullient Bell wrote his father of his 'great success' and speculated that 'the day is coming when telegraph wires will be laid on to houses just like water and gas — and friends converse with each other without leaving home.'"

What do you want to know about Bossier Parish’s history? Visit, call, or email the Bossier Parish Library History Center for help with your research. We are at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City, 318-746-7717, history-center@bossierlibrary.org.

By: Amy Robertson

Operation Skywatch

After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Army Air Forces organized the Ground Observer Corps (GOC), a civil defense program to protect the U.S. territory against air attacks. There were dangerous unavoidable limitations in the radar system during that time as it was largely ineffective for the area below 5,000 feet, known as the “dangerous mile.” During the Second World War, the GOC filter centers and observation posts were only in northern and coastal states.

Volunteer observers received intensive training on identifying enemy planes and properly reporting their observations to their assigned filter center, where plotters would mark the aircraft on a filter board – a large-scale map of the area. Overlooking the filter boards were tellers with direct communication with an Air Force Ground Control Interceptor base to report the observation. If an unauthorized aircraft was spotted, the Ground Control Interceptor base would put pursuit planes into the air to meet any enemy attacks.

The GOC was dissolved at the end of WWII but was reorganized during the Cold War in early 1950, about six months after the Soviet Union detonated its first nuclear bomb in 1949. First, they revived old GOC filter centers and observation posts in the northern and coastal sta
tes. By 1952, the GOC response was so strong that Operation Skywatch was initiated to integrate the program into the Air Defense system 24 hours a day.

The Air Force warned that Russia might launch an attack via the Gulf of Mexico and called the south “the soft underbelly of the United States.” Plans to expand Operation Skywatch to all 48 states began, and by the fall of 1954, plans to open GOC filter centers in New Orleans and Shreveport was underway. The Air Defense Command leased the building at 531 East Kings Highway to house the Shreveport Air Filter Center. The center’s open house and dedication took place on Dec. 7, 1955, the same day that Mayor Gardner, Shreveport, and Mayor Burgess E. McCranie, Bossier City, proclaimed as Ground Observer Corps day.

The Shreveport Filter Center was considered the second largest of the 73 filter centers throughout the United States. It maintained an area of responsibility of 160,000 square miles in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. There were 585 observation posts with approximately 7,000 civilian volunteers that reported to the Shreveport Filter Center. During its operation, the Shreveport Filter Center was highly praised and ranked as one of the most efficient in the Air Defense Command.

Volunteer opportunities were open to anyone sixteen or older, though historical records reveal that children as young as seven participated. Approximately 75 percent of the volunteers in the GOC were housewives. Many Bossier Parish residents in each community volunteered. In Benton, Mrs. Ford E. Stinson served as post supervisor, Mrs. D.E. Cummings was the chief observer, and Mrs. A.N. Knotts assisted in recruiting volunteers. Mrs. Vara Farrington was the chief observer for the Carterville area. In Plain Dealing, Leon Sanders was the post supervisor assisted by Mrs. Aus Barr and Mrs. Ardis Manry.

At the end of 1958, the announcement came that the Ground Observer Corps would disband on Jan. 31, 1959. Col. John T. Fitzwater, commander of the 33rd Air Division, told GOC members at a local awards banquet, “Deactivation of the Ground Observer Corps is not the end, but marks the beginning of a new national defense network. With emphasis on speed, machines can now process data faster and more efficiently that [sic] it can be done manually.”

The GOC disbanded because of a new network of air defense radar stations known as the Distant Early Warning Line or Dew line controlled by the new Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) computer system. The new radar system could detect an enemy air strike force before it ever reached the nation’s continental limits. Every volunteer who earned their GOC wings was presented with a wallet ID card and a certificate from the USAF recognizing them as an honorary life member of the Air Defense Team for voluntary and faithful service in the Ground Observer Corps.

Certificate issued to Mrs. Alford Farrington.
Bossier Parish Library Collection: 2019.021.026

By: Amy Robertson

This Month In Bossier Parish History

 March: Through the Years

Mar. 1, 1951:  Bear Facts!  Getting the inside scoop on Bossier High School students. 

Please enjoy some headlines from the Bossier High School's newspaper "Bear Facts" and photos from the 1950 Bossier High School Yearbook

 

                       

Bear Facts! Newspaper Staff

Top Photo = Editor-in-Chief: Franklin Fuller, Sports Editor: John Arnold, Advisor: Mrs. Billie  Nix,  Assistant Editor: Evelyn Baungardner

Bottom Photo = Group1: Mary Jane Ramsy, Ruth Pulwers, Jackie King, Gene Thomas, Jackie Bomar, Benny Ray White, Harold Hanson

Group 2: Donita Gothard, Franklin Fuller, Beverly Ratcliff (seated), Mary Louise Murphy

• Band picks Officers:  President, Harry Stephens; vice-president, Mary Jane Ramsey; secretary, Beverly Clark and band manager, Sammy Green

• Beverly Ratcliff and Eva Fullilove chosen models by Palais Royal

• Junior-Sophomore dance at City Hall was a big success

• The only seventh grader to make the “A” honor roll was: Jo Ann King

• Boys and Girls basketball teams making the school’s newspaper

 

Mar.16, 1972: The Bossier Parish School Board announced that Parkway and Airline High Schools were among the 34 high school around the nation to establish the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training (R.O.T.C.) program.  On Apr.27, 1972: with an unanimous vote form the Bossier Parish School Board, Bossier High School would also be awarded with the R.O.T.C program. 

1973: Parkway High School's R.O.T.C.

Top left: CMSgt. Eldon W. Pentecost
Top right: Col. Thomas E. Sledge Jr.
Row 1: Cadet 1st Lt. Armour, Cadet Smith, Cadet 2nd Lt. Wimberly, Cadet 2nd Lt. Owens, Cadet 2nd Lt. Bazo, Cadet 2nd Lt. Horn
Row 2: Cadet 2nd Lt. Toloso, Cadet 2nd lt. Rogers, Cadet 2nd Lt. Watherall, Cadet 1st Sgt Witt.

1973 Parkway High School Yearbook  FIC 2017.004

 

1973: Airline High School's 

Top Left: Ernest McNair
Top Right: Robert Murphy
First Row: Squadron Commander, S. Schavrien; “A” Flight commander, R. Spooner; “B” Flight Commander, B. Lunsford; “C” Flight Commander, R. Owens; “D” Flight commander, S. Lamette; “E” Flight Commander, G. McNair.
Second Row: Information Officer, M. Markow, Guidon Bearer, S. Winner; Personnel Office, R. Patton; Information Specialist, M. Markow.
Third Row: Material Specialist, B. Crawford; Administration Officer, D. Camp; Finance Officer, M. Gottardi; Operations Officer, R. Carter.
Fourth Row: Deputy Commander, J. Watson; Finance Specialist, D. Arrington; First SGT., G. McAllister; Operation Specialist , S. Phillips; Personnel specialist, B. Myers.
1973: Airline High School Yearbook  2009.021.034     

 

1973: Bossier High School's R.O.T.C

1973 Bossier High School R.O.T.C:  Flight B
Top Left: Col. William J. Cook
Top Right: CMSGT James W. Chewning
Row 1: Joe Heidecker, John Franklin.
Row 2: David Fontaine, Don Ryder, Darrell Thamisee, Johnny Jacobs, Carolyn Monroe
Row 3: Carter Watson, Jerry Robinson, Mitchell Goins, Franklin Strickland, Willie Walker
1973 Bossier High School Yearbook    2006.007.002   

Mar. 31, 1921: Weekly news from 100 years ago

· The school children enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt

Red River Baptist Church Easter Egg Hunt.   (Older children/back row  L to R): Steve Maynor, Jim Oliver, Harriet Culbertson, Betty Vos, John Richard Vos, Billy Culbertson, Christine Crouch, Hazel Hamilton, Carol Jones, Audrey Jones, Betty Jean Oliver, Sue Scouze, Billy Lou Oliver, Evelyn Merritt. (Younger children/front row)  Pam Hollier, Babs Hollier, Martha Tyler, Judy Voss ? , ?, Johnny Sconze, Laverne Jones (turned around), Glenda Jones, Shelby Jones, Pee Wee Oliver,  the baby in front is probably Jo Ann Brighaupt.        1998.081.054 Young Collection

· The Gleason & Gleason store was broke into securing a supply of chewing and smoking tobacco 

1943: Gleason family—Peggy at age 23,  

Milton at age 26, Betty at age 3 and 

M.A. at age 1,  standing in

 front of white frame house

1999.163.002  Davis Collection

· W.E. Coyle cuts hand with an ax while chopping  wood

C.1910’s: Flint Morgan and W.E. Coyle Sr., in baseball uniforms with "B H" (Buckhouse) on them.     1998.059.003 Collins Collection

· A Rook Party was given by Mrs. J.S. Gray , Mrs. T.M. [Fannie Swindle] Gatlin won a box of Easter candy.

1916:: Fannie Swindle Gatlin in a bathing suit. 

Probably taken while on her honeymoon

1998.073.019  McLelland Collection 

· Mrs. J.T. [Eliza] Manry, stumbled and fell against the out-house breaking her arm 

J.T. Manry wife Eliza Banks Manry and three of their grandchildren- W.D., Jack, and Polly.      2018.0101.041 Corley Collection