Local Educator Fulfills Need for Adult Education

Minnie B. Walker and her father Jim Walker
High School Graduation Day 1935, McDade, LA.

Minnie B. Walker Payne was born in 1926 in the south Bossier Parish farming community of McDade, La on Tinsley McDade’s Plantation, where her father, Jim Walker, was a tenant farmer with five families that worked under him. The information shared in this article comes from an oral history interview of Payne conducted by Bossier Parish Library History Center’s archivist at that time, Nita Cole, in the summer of 2000. During the interview, Payne recalls picking cotton with her siblings growing up there, stating, “I used to pick 380 [pounds] a day.”

According to Payne, McDade, La was named for Tinsley “Tin” McDade. She describes McDade as a small crossroads community during the 1920s. It had the L.R. & N. railroad, which “it would switch at McDade, and he [Tin McDade] would send the wagon there to pick up the food to stock his commissary.” McDade also had a post-office, a store, and a gas station.

Minnie B. Walker age 4, and her mother
Louisa Hall Walker 1917, McDade, La.

When asked if education was important in her family, she replied, “Oh yes, ma’am. Mama saw that all of her children got an education.” In response to the question about her parent’s level of education, Payne stated, “Well at that time see, Mother married Daddy Sept. 8, 1888. It wasn’t too much education that people got other than what they would give themselves, you know. Now she could read and write. And then, when we were walking to New Zion School, she went right along with us every day, and the teacher taught her. She got as high as the seventh grade.”

After finishing the seventh grade, Payne went to C.H. Irion in Benton, where she lived in a dormitory while school was in session. During her time at C.H. Irion, R.V. Kerr was the superintendent, and Mrs. Hessie Player was the dean. Through observation, Mr. Kerr saw that Payne was “a real lady” and obeyed the rules, so he advised the board that she should be assigned as the Assistant Dean. One task assigned to her as the Assistant Dean was to keep the girls from hopping out of the windows at night to meet boys, reminding that they needed to finish their education. She was also in charge of taking the girls to church.

Upon graduation from C.H. Irion in 1935, Payne went to Grambling State University. Due to a shortage of teachers, “Mr. Kerr fixed it so we could go to summer school and get a third-grade certificate, and he would let us teach. And we would go to college on a Saturday or either at night.” “And when school closed, then we would go to summer school.” Payne started her teaching career “in Allentown, where the shell plant is now,” where she was the only teacher for grades 1-7 and made $26 per month. She also taught fifth grade at Butler Elementary School from 1953 until she retired in 1971.

Payne also taught adult education in the evenings, first at an adult education school for veterans only, located on “the Doyline Road” under the supervision of Frank Hughes. On Oct. 3, 1968, Payne purchased the old Redmond Spikes three-room, wood-frame schoolhouse from the Bossier Parish School Board for $273. She paid to have the building moved onto her father’s property in Haughton and to have electricity run to it.

She and her sister, Lula Walker Hardman, established the Jim Walker Adult Education School in honor of their father. The two sisters and Adeline Williams were the teachers in the beginning, and the school was open to any adult in the community that wished to earn their high school diploma. Payne recalls, “I had forty-nine old folk to get their high school diploma under me through Dr. Miles at Centenary College.”

When asked about paying for the building and moving it out to the family property to teach adults, Payne replied, “Yes. They wanted to...the old folks wanted a school to go to.” Payne recognized this need and how important it was for these adults to achieve the simple dream of finishing high school, something that is often taken for granted these days. Later, the adult education school was relocated to Saint James Lodge in Elm Grove.

Oral histories of Bossier Parish residents are one of the many sources that the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center offers. Oral histories provide a window into the past of not only the person interviewed but also into the community that they lived and worked. Often, times providing insights that cannot be found through any other source.

Another fascinating fact that I learned while reading the transcript of Payne’s oral history interview is that her father was the first African American man to vote in Bossier Parish sometime before 1920. To explore the history of Bossier Parish through our oral history collection, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center at 2206 Beckett St., Bossier City.

If you did not make it to Monday night’s R & R with history, it is not too late to register and join in the discussion. This reading and discussion series will focus on Jason Fagone's book, The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America's Enemies. Facilitating this R & R series is Mr. Rusty Beckham, a history teacher at Benton High School. Back by popular demand, Rusty has an M.A. in History from Villanova University. Call the History Center to register and reserve a book, (318) 746-7717. Monday nights, Feb. 3 through Mar. 2, 2020, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the History Center meeting
room.

By: Amy Robertson

Fire Destroys Plain Dealing High School

February 16, 1963 - Firefighters working to
extinguish the fire at Plain Dealing High School.
Beulah Findley Collection: 1997.054.058.059-2

February 16, 1963 - Plain Dealing High School fire.
Beulah Findley Collection: 1997.054.058.059

 In its 75th year, on February 16, 1963, Plain Dealing High School was destroyed by fire as a result of faulty wiring. The two-story brick building was built in 1928; opening its doors on September 17 to grades 8-11. The building was declared a total loss at an estimated $120,000, which was mostly covered by insurance.

The Plain Dealing fire department was alarmed at 12:40 pm when the fire was spotted burning on the second floor in the middle of the building. The fire spread quickly across the second floor and by 2:15 pm the roof collapsed. It was 4:00 pm before the firemen gained control, but not before the fire caved in part of the second floor and began to consume the first floor.

Altogether about 50 firemen battled the blazing fire as the Plain Dealing firefighters received assistance from firefighters from Bossier City, Springhill, and Benton. The acting Bossier City assistant fire chief, Bobby Roy, stated, “The building wouldn’t have burned up if there had been an adequate water supply. We could have stopped the fire a lot sooner if we had the water.”

Though the fire did not damage some of the classrooms on both sides of the first floor, they did suffer extensive water damage. Fortunately, the school’s records survived; however, they were the only thing saved. The building housed 13 classrooms including a science lab, home economics, a library, and the principal’s office.

According to the Bossier Parish Superintendent, Emmet Cope, “the big handicap will be the loss of the science and home economics departments. We will set up another science department as quickly as possible.” When asked about what the students will do about schoolbooks Cope replied, “We hope a lot of the kids have them at home.”

Nearly 200 students in grades 8-12 were displaced, sending the administration into high gear to set-up temporary classrooms. The students were given a couple of days off while administrators prepared make-shift classrooms in the auditorium, gymnasium, and in empty classrooms in the elementary and junior high school buildings.

Before the fire, voters approved a bond to renovate the old building; instead, these funds allowed the school’s reconstruction. The Bossier Parish School Board approved a $350,00 contract to rebuild the school which opened in time for the 1964-1965 school year.

1964 - The new Plain Dealing High School.
Thomas R. Merideth, architect and McInnis Bros., contractor.
Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

Bossier City architect, Thomas Merideth, designed the new Plain Dealing High School and McInnis
Bros constructed it. It was designed to provide improved lighting, more drinking fountains, more locker space, as well as airconditioned offices and library.

September 13, 1964 - Raising of the flag at the official opening
ceremony for the new Plain Dealing High School .
Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

The new Plain Dealing High School opened on August 31, 1964, and the cornerstone laying ceremony took place on September 13 during the open house and reception held from 3 to 5 pm. Friends, former students, and teachers for the past 75 years were honored guests at the formal opening of the school. The ceremony included a brief history of the school, refreshments, and an open house tour of the new school building.

September 13, 1964 - Pledge of allegiance during dedication ceremony of the new Plain
Dealing High School. Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

September 13, 1964 - Visitors at the official opening ceremony for the new Plain Dealing High School.
Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

To learn more about the history of schools in Bossier Parish, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City.

September 13, 1964 - Mayor Leon Sanders sharing the history of Plain Dealing High School during the dedication ceremony. Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

September 13, 1964 - Plain Dealing High School opening ceremony program participants: B. H. Hearn, Principal; S. M. Wise, School Board.; Mayor Leon Sanders; James Roberson, School Board.; Emmet Cope, Superintendent.; Dr. W. E. B. Lockridge, Reverend Bob Lawton. Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer)

September 13, 1964 - Plain Dealing High School Principal B. H. Hearn and Bossier Parish Schools Superintendent Emmet Cope at cornerstone laying ceremony. Linda Matlock Collection: 2004.017.013 (1965 Au Roarer).

By: Amy Robertson

Waller Elementary and a Lady Named Pearl

Pearl Taylor Waller (1874-1960)

Have you ever wondered how the names of streets and schools are chosen? Some are obvious, like Martin Luther King Drive, while others are not so obvious unless you dig into the history of the area. This week, I want to tell you about Pearl Taylor Waller, who Waller Elementary is named in honor of.

Pearl Taylor (Waller) was born on October 9, 1874, in Haynesville, La. On December 24, 1896, she married Judge Tarpley Waller of Haynesville where they lived until they moved to Bossier City in 1923. (By the way, Judge is his first name, not his role or title.) One year later Judge passed away. Judge had been a good businessman and he owned a lot of land, some of which he earned oil and gas royalties from.

After being approached about selling the land that Waller Elementary School is located, Pearl decided to donate a large section of land for the purpose of building schools and other such needs for the community. Her copious donation provided not only the land in which Waller Elementary sits on, but also that of Rusheon Middle, Kerr Elementary, Waller Baptist Church, and other Bossier City landmarks. According to her granddaughter, Barbara Gray, “she was interested in education and wanted to do what was right for the community.”

Waller Elementary School opened to 600 students spanning grades 1-6, on March 13, 1950. The school had 18 classrooms, an auditorium, a gymnasium, and a cafeteria and was under the administration of Principal Donald E. Shipp. Over half of the students were dependents from Barksdale Air Force Base.

By September of 1951, Waller Elementary became overpopulated due to a growth spurt in Bossier City; particularly around Waller Elementary, as that section of Bossier City became more developed attracting people to relocate to this part of town, and the number of children from Barksdale was higher than expected. The superintendent R. V. Kerr and the school board found it necessary to move  261 students to other schools to bring the average classroom size down to less than 40 per classroom. Thanks to a Federal School Aide Grant the Bossier Parish School Board was able to complete a 16 room addition by 1952.

In 1954, Waller Elementary began providing education to children in the 7th grade as well and had an enrollment of 1285 students. Then, in 1955, the Bossier Parish School Board ordered enough library books to make Waller Elementary School eligible to become accredited. Waller reported having the highest enrollment of any elementary school in the state with approximately 1400 students enrolled. According to state law, a school must have a minimum of five books per enrolled student to qualify for accreditation. This meant that Waller would require 7,000 library books to meet this qualification.

W. M. Waller, the nephew of Pearl and Judge Waller, served on the Bossier Parish School Board and was the one who made the motion to buy the required number of books and for the board to take the necessary action of transferring a few teachers in a move to acquire the school’s accreditation.

Don’t you know Pearl must have enjoyed watching the constant growth and improvement of not only the school named in her honor but also the growth of the community that she loved and generously gave to.

There are also streets that bear the names of the Wallers’ descendants in the area where they owned land, including Patricia Drive, the street that Waller Elementary is on. Yjean Street is also named after a Waller descendant, and Bobbie Street is named after Pearl and Judge Wallers’ granddaughter Barbara Gray who was lovingly called “Bob” by her family.

On Jan. 6, 1960, Pearl Taylor Waller died in a local hospital after a long illness, but she left an indelible mark on Bossier City with her thoughtful donations which helped the city to flourish.

To learn more about the history of Bossier Parish schools visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center, 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City, LA.

By: Amy Robertson

"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.”

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

"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RED LAND SEMINARY"

The August 26, 1859 issue of the Bossier Banner featured an article about the establishment of Red Land Seminary.

“Mr. Editor:--At a meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Red Land Seminary, held on yesterday, the following preamble and resolutions were read, adopted and ordered to be published in the Bossier Banner:”

“Whereas, we, the Trustees for Red Land Seminary, Bossier Parish La., have viewed with pleasure and perfect satisfaction, the examination of the students in their various branches of study, and being sensibly convinced that their progress has been very rapid through the past term, during which they have been under the care and guidance of Mr. T.W. Abney.”

“Resolved, that the thanks of this Board be tendered to Mr. Abney for the very able, judicious and indefatigable manner in which he has discharged his laborious duties during the term, and also for the thorough and practical course which he had adopted in system of education.”

“Resolved, that the very ready manner in which the students have acquitted themselves today, is a striking and significant testimonial of his capacity as teacher and his powers of impartation.”

“Resolved, that we heartily approve of his course as a teacher, and sincerely desire him to remain in connection with the school.”

“Resolved, that the thanks of the Board, be tendered to the managers of the barbecue, and especially to the fair ladies who contributed their quantities of sweet-meats.”

“Resolved, that this Academy, situated as it is in a high and healthy region of country, watered by never failing springs, surrounded by noble heart citizens, who are determined to and will have a school, and having large and comfortable buildings for the accommodation of students, we take pleasure in recommending it to the favorable consideration of all who feel an interest in the cause of home education.”

Signees were S.A. Boggs, Pres., R.E. Wyche, B.H. Nelson, J.J. Scott, Augustus Martin, Martin Martin, John Campbell and John G. Allen, Sec.

There’s more about the Red Land Seminary at the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center. Visit us soon to find out.

By: Ann Middleton