Morgan S. Freeman: A Man of Courage and Honor - Part 1

Morgan Samuel Freeman was born on Jun. 11, 1915, in Ruston, La. to James and Elizabeth Freeman. He had two brothers and four sisters. In the early 1920s, the Freeman’s moved to Bossier City, where Freeman lived the rest of his life, which ended suddenly on “a beautiful, sunny January day,” according to Freeman’s son Morgan Earl Freeman. He died on Jan. 6, 1972, of a brain aneurysm while at the VA medical center when he was picking up a prescription.

Bossier High School 1932 graduating class.
Morgan S. Freeman is on the second row on the right.
Gaye Englad Colelction: 2018.034.005

Freeman graduated from Bossier High School in 1932, where fellow students voted him as the "wittiest boy" of his senior class. He was a member of the Bossier City Athletic Club, where he learned to box, training under Babe Kennedy. By the time he started college at LSU in Baton Rouge, his boxing skills were already well known in north Louisiana.

As a freshman at LSU, he earned the title as the champion of the featherweight fighters of the LSU freshman team and was declared “the best prospect” that Captain Brink, coach of the team, had ever had to that point. He completed three years at LSU, where he continued his boxing career and for at least the next few years afterward. After college, he worked in the oilfield in Rodessa, LA.

Staff Sgt. Morgan S. Freeman in his WWII uniform c. 1943
Morgan Earl Freeman Collection: 2019.061.001

On Jan. 22, 1942, Freeman enlisted in the U.S. Air Corps. After gunnery school, Freeman was offered a position as an instructor, but he declined this opportunity. Instead, he served on the 452nd Bomb Squadron, and in March of 1943, he was sent overseas to Rougham, Bury St. Edmunds, England, where he was an engineer/gunner for the 322nd Bomb Group commanded by Lt. Col. Robert M. Stillman.

Freeman was on the B-26 Marauder 41-17982 that was shot down on a low-level mission on May 17, 1943. The goal of the mission was to raid a Velsen power station in IJmuiden, Holland. The Marauder plane was hit by German flak and crashed into dunes west of Rozenburg, Holland killing three of the six crewmembers. The surviving crew members were Lt. Col. Robert Stillman, pilot; Sgt. Clyde D. Willis, radio operator/gunner tech.; and Staff Sgt. Morgan S. Freeman, engineer/gunner were pulled from the wreckage by Germans and placed in a prisoner of war camp.

In light of it being aviation history month, I feel it necessary to explain in greater detail what happened on May 17, 1943, as it served as a pivotal point in the history of the B-26 Marauder.
The B-26 Marauder that Freeman was on that day was only one of the 11 Marauders that went on this mission. All but one of these 11 Marauders were shot down by flak on that mission. The only plane not shot down that day experienced mechanical problems and turned back to base. There was a total of sixty airmen shot down in enemy territory, 22 survived as prisoners of war.

As a result of this ill-fated mission, tactics of how the military implemented the B-26 changed. The 322nd Bomb Group was stood down, and the B-26 Marauder program was put on
hold temporarily. Flying the B-26 at low-level was deemed suicidal and was only used at
medium levels from then on.

Be sure to pick up the Bossier Press-Tribune next week to read the second part of
Freeman’s ordeal. Remember, if you are researching veterans in your family tree that are from
Bossier Parish, be sure to visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center at 2206 Becket St.,
Bossier City.

By: Amy Robertson

America's Heroes

America, the great nation where within our borders live many different ethnic groups. Our nation permits individuals of all ethnicities the right to pursue the American dream: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These rights are often taken for granted, but if not for price that was paid by many men and women who fought to protect or inalienable rights we as a nation would not be a strong as we are today. Standing united our nation gives thanks for those men and women who fought so selfishly to ensure our citizens free rights. Today we stand together to give Thanks to our Veterans for their unwavering courage and honor for our great nation.

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. Speaking the following words he honored the men and women who fight and fought for our freedoms: To us in America the refection’s of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the Victory, both because of the thing which it had freed us and because of the opportunity it had given American to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name Armistice Day to Veterans Day. The Uniform Holiday Bill of 1971 passed by Congress moved the celebration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October, but do to the historical significance of Veterans Day President Gerald Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11, in 1975. It is on this date every year that America offers it Respect and Gratitude to those how have served our country,both past and present.

With World War II in full force it was essential that men and women of the United States take a stand to protect our great nation. One individual answering the call was Charlie W. Dieball. Volunteering for service Charlie Dieball enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on January 5, 1940. After completing basic training Pvt. Dieball was issued orders to participate in action against the enemy within the Asian-Pacific Theater. In July 1940, Pvt. Dieball began engaging the enemy in action. For over the coming year Pvt. Dieball continued in battle showing great courage, honor and faithfulness to the United States. In December of 1941 Pvt. Dieball participated in the Bataan, P.I., a battle that led to great loss for all who participated. May 6, 1942, Pvt. Dieball became a Prisoner of War. Arriving at the Hoten/Mukden Prisoner Of War Camp November 11, 1942, Pvt. Dieball remained imprisoned until August 20, 1945.

On August 16th, 1945 the Hoten/Mukden POW Camp was liberated by an American six-man American OSS (Office of Strategic Services) team that parachuted into Mukden to liberate the camp. Soviet troops entered Mukden a few days later and helped the evacuation of POW's.

At the time of his release Pvt. Dieball had in his possession two small note pads, and a pencil worn to the numb, one he had used to log the daily life in camp. His entries depict life inside the camp and the atrocities the men were forced to endure. With the second notepad Pvt. Dieball recorded the names and addresses of the men he came into contact with. On some occasions there are recorded entries of death dates of fellow prisoners. These entries bring to life the conditions of which these brave men endured and their will to live. Pvt. Dieball’s detailed history of the work, clothing, and lack of food provided are a vivid reminder of the price men payed for freedom.

Prior to his discharge Pvt. Dieball was promoted to the rank of Corporal and honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps on the 15th January, 1946. The atrocities that Cpl. Dieball and thousand’s other endured in our fight for freedom bare reason that our great nation proudly celebrate Veterans Day.

The United States has stood proudly against its’ enemies with each passing century. New battles have risen but our nation’s brave military men and women continue to answer the call. The unwavering love of country, honor, selfishness, and commitment these individuals demonstrate stands tall in our nation today. America is secure in knowing that “we are secure” for our men and women in the military continue to stand for our freedoms. It is for these reasons that honoring our Veterans past and present is an honor and a privilege. Please join the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center in saying THANK YOU to our military personnel for continuing to stand between the United States and those who oppose us.

By: Ann Toellner

Bossier High Alumnus Becomes Country Star

Trade ad for David Houston's single "Livin' in a House Full of Love," Nov. 13, 1965.

Epic Records [Public Domain]; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_Houston_(1965).png

David Houston was an American country music artist, television performer, and actor who rose to fame in the 1960s. He was born on Dec. 9, 1935, in Bossier City to Ora Eugene “Gene” and Beatrice Lee Houston as Charles David Houston, and he was a descendant of Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas and Confederate General Robert E. Lee. His godfather was 1920s pop singer Gene Austin.

On a side note, Gene Austin’s daughter, actress Charlotte Austin, visited the Houston’s here in Bossier City during the summer of 1953 when she served as an honorary judge for the Miss Physical Culture contest at the Municipal Auditorium.

Before graduating from Bossier High School in 1953, Houston was already performing locally at benefits and programs. In Nov. of 1952, Houston performed at a talent show during the 13th annual Kiwanis Club benefit raising money to send underprivileged children to the Kiwanis summer camp on Caddo Lake.

After the performance, The Times published an article by Pericles Alexander, who wrote, “With no show complete without a fold artist, ‘Hits and Bits’ presented David Houston, who yodeled and sang two classics, ‘The Mailman Blues’ and ‘Anytime.’ This chap sings as though he’s headed for ‘Louisiana Hayride’ fame and that ain’t bad in these Ark-La-Tex.” Little did he know that, while still a teenager, Houston would become a regular on the Louisiana Hayride.

David Houston performing at the KWKH Louisiana Hayride c. 1957.

Houston rose to fame in 1963 when his first hit “Mountain of Love” was released and rose to the number two spot of the Billboard’s Hot Country Singles Chart. The song he is most famous for is “Almost Persuaded,” which was released in 1966 and quickly became the number one song on the Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and an international hit.

“Almost Persuaded” remained in the number one spot of the Billboards for nine straight weeks. Over the next forty years, no other song reached the top of the charts and stayed at the top for as long as “Almost Persuaded” did until Taylor Swift’s 2012 hit “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” which spent ten weeks in the number one spot.

Houston won two Grammys in 1967 for Best Country & Western Recording and Best Country & Western Performance, Male for “Almost Persuaded.” He was the first country artist to receive two Grammys in one year for the same song. From that time until 1973, Houston had a string of top-five singles, including six more number one hits, one of which was a duet with Tammy Wynette. He also performed duets with Barbara Mandrell on several of her early hits. His last Top 10 country hit came in 1974 with “Can You Feel It,” though he continued making records until 1989. Throughout his career, Houston released 27 albums and about 60 singles.

In 1971 Houston became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. His last appearance on the show was on Nov. 6, 1993. On Thanksgiving Day, he suffered a brain aneurysm and remained in a coma at the Bossier Medical Center where he died on Nov. 30, 1993. At the time of his death, Houston was under contract with the federal government to tour South Korea, entertaining U.S. troops.

Houston is buried in Bossier City in the Rose-Neath Cemetery, next to his wife Katherine
Jane Guillotte of Shreveport. A country singer and songwriter with the stage name of Kathie
Raye. His side of the headstone reads “Almost Persuaded,” and her side reads “Was Persuaded,”
with “The Greatest duet partners in life” on the rear of the headstone.

Visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City, to
learn more about David Houston or other famous people from Bossier Parish.

By: Amy Robertson

This Month in Bossier Parish History

November: Through the Years

Nov 2019: High School Basketball season begins!

*Please enjoy the photos of basketball teams from around our parish.

C.1900’s: Alden Bridge Women's Team.  Girls are dressed in middy blouses

 and skirts, and carry pennants with "Alden Bridge" on them. The young man is the coach.

2000.070.005 Mary Coyle Collection

1932: Elm Grove High School Basketball Team

1st row L to R: James Durham, ?, ?, ?, Curtis Hutchins

2nd row L to R: Tandy Key, James Br___, Mr. Jacks (principal), Claude D___, Clarence D___.

1999.104.007 Rev. Glen Nelson Collection

Nov. 11  Veterans Day

Veterans Day, formerly known as  Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. ... With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Jun. 2, 1954: The Times

1916: William Hollis Bradford, trumpeter, Troop R. 6th Cavalry

2002.035.206McKim Collection

1918: Postcard of Allie Mattison "Bud" Merritt 1892-1964 in World War I uniform. Son of Lawson Taylor Merritt and Narcissa Roach. Message reads "Hello! Mary Belle, How are you. If crows are bothering watermelons just put this on the string."

2002.004.033  Johnette Parham Collection

Nov. 17, 1955: The announcement was made for the dedication of a new elementary school.  R.V. Kerr was dedicated in honor of Robert Vance Kerr on Nov. 10, 1955.  He retired in 1956 after serving 35 years as the Bossier Parish School's superintendent. 

R.V. (Robert Vance) Kerr: was a member of the Bossier Parish School Board as the superintendent for 35 years, retiring in 1956.  

He also served in the military during WWI and WWII.

Picture: R.V. Kerr dedication in the 1956 Bossier High School yearbook

Nov 17, 1955: Bossier Banner

Nov. 28, 1968: In memory of Michael D. Wood (Mike)

The Hauntings of Oakland Plantation

Oakland Plantation; Emma Pattillo Collection: 0000.011.018

Before the invention and everyday use of the television, people would gather around the radio for news and entertainment. Well, in 1938, KTBS-AM aired a series called “Can They Return?” every Tuesday at 8 pm. On March 1, 1938, the hauntings of the antebellum house of Oakland Plantation on Sligo Road was the subject of the show.

At the time of the broadcast, Grace Pettet; her mother, Mrs. H.B. Harris; her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hughes, and their two children were the occupants of the home. Two days after the broadcast, an article written by Freddie Kolstad ran in The Times, providing a written account of the transmission from Oakland Plantation. The following are excerpts from the article:

“Attempting to answer the oft-pondered question, “Can they return?” several members of the KTBS staff visited the 100-year-old house Tuesday night and used it as the scene of their broadcast. The short wave transmitter set was installed in the wide hall of Oakland, and members of the station’s staff, accompanied by the occupants at the house, made a thorough tour of the structure, from front porch to cellar.

"Their trip up and down the narrow flights of stairs and through each room was broadcast over the transmitter and was tied in with a station broadcast from the studio in Shreveport. At the studio the story of old Colonel Sutton, who had built his own coffin at Oakland and had slept in it nightly for years before he died, was told. Emphasis was placed on the eerie footsteps heard at night that many believe to be the colonel’s tread as he haunts his former home trying to find some one to whom he may reveal the spot where he buried gold which he hid from the Yankees shortly before the Civil war.”

Legends of supernatural activity at the more than 180-year-old antebellum home have been spread over the past century. As legends go, the details are subject to change over the years, but for the most part, they share the same general points. The story told the night of the broadcast is perhaps, the most common legend told; however, this is the first version of the story I have heard that identifies the ghost as being Colonel Sutton.

Many believe that the hauntings of Oakland Plantation are the ghost of Dr. Skannal, who called Oakland Plantation home from 1844 until his death in 1876. It has been told that Dr. Skannal purchased his coffin years before his death and placed it in the attic, where he reportedly took naps in it. Dr. Skannal, many believed, was a fun-loving jokester when alive, and after his death, he continued playing practical jokes by haunting his old home.

Other stories are that Dr. Skannal murdered his wife and kept her body in the coffin, and the body was discovered only after his death. And some think that these hauntings are the specters of the young Skannal children that died at Oakland. Phenomena reported over the years include people waking up to find their covers stripped off the bed and in the corner of the room. The thermostat is adjusted to freezing temperatures. And of glass milk jugs falling over, and the rocking chair rocking with no explanation.

There are tales of headless horsemen and horses trotting through the vast hallway. There are sounds of footsteps in the attic, and chains scraping the floor. The radio knobs have been seen moving on their own, and items have been seen falling off flat surfaces. Objects will vanish moments after setting it down only to reappear later.

Other eerie happenings reported over the years are sightings of a woman in white. One account tells of a cold draft of air that moved through the library and resulted in the fireplace
lighting by itself. And the sensation that someone or something is breathing on your neck. While
more recent accounts involve finding all the kitchen cabinet doors opened, and a photograph was
taken, which captured the image of a ghost baby.

To see a model of Oakland Plantation and learn more about its history, including oral
histories that share personal accounts of some of these hauntings, visit the Bossier Parish
Libraries History Center at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City.

By: Amy Robertson