This Month In Bossier Parish History

 April: Through the years

Apr.6, 1888:  On this day, upon the completion of the Shreveport and Arkansas Railroad, a celebratory ceremony was held for the “Driving of the last spike”. 

In honor of this day we are sharing a photo of the golden spike being driven to mark the completion of the St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt) branch from Lewisville, AR to Shreveport. This photo was taken near the eastern approach to the Texas Street bridge in Bossier City (the bridge was not there yet). Mrs. Julia Rule Julia Rule (1851-1931) was the first woman to help drive a golden spike. Along with R. N. McKellar who at that time was the president of the Cotton Exchange, the last spike was driven on April 6, 1888. McKellar later become the mayor as well as street commissioner of Shreveport. Mrs. Julia Rule was the mayor's secretary at the time of this photo. She was a pioneer of local women's rights. She was one of Shreveport's earliest newspaper columnists and society editors. Rule wrote for The Shreveport Times under the pseudonym "Pansy." Therefore, nearly everyone that knew her called her "Miss Pansy." 

photo of the golden spike being driven to mark the completion of the St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt) branch from Lewisville, AR to Shreveport. This photo was taken near the eastern approach to the Texas Street bridge in Bossier City (the bridge was not there yet). Mrs. Julia Rule was the first woman to help drive a golden spike

Article 1: The Times 29 Apr 1931

Article 2: The Times-Democrat  08 Apr 1888

 

Apr 12, 1951: Bossier Bear Facts Newspaper

•   Newspaper staff working on next issue of Bossier Bear Facts.
•   1951 Bossier High’s Track Team has won four meets in a row.
•   BHS band scores 12th Straight Superior in the Northwest Music Festival.

Apr.23: National Picnic Day!  We’re a month into spring. It’s time to get outside! Luckily, National Picnic Day has arrived on April 23. 

*Please enjoy the newspaper clippings and photos relating to picnics

C.1900’s: Children (probably grandchildren) and 

older woman (Mrs. Julia Zachary) having a picnic.

1997.054.051   Findley Collection 

May be a dinner/picnic on the grounds or a

 Zachary family reunion.
1997.054.052  Findley Collection 

Apr.27, 1922: Weekly News From 100 Years Ago

• Elm Grove Oil Field was producing 2,000 barrels daily. 
• An interesting ball game was played between Plain Dealing and Alden Bridge.
• After a visit with his mother, W.H. Scanland Jr. returned to his house in Dallas. 

*Please enjoy the newspaper clippings from the Apr.27, 1922 issue of the Bossier Banner and relating photos.