Representative Pierre Bossier: A Farewell to the First from the Fourth

Here is  another story of our parish’s namesake, General Pierre Evariste Jean Baptiste Bossier.  Our last jaunt into the past with General Bossier (8/28/2024), the story ended with his fabled death in 1844. With the Day of the Dead just around the corner, this story takes up from there. 

In 1842, General Pierre Evariste Bossier, a Jacksonian Democrat of Natchitoches, became the first legislator elected to represent Louisiana’s brand-new Fourth Congressional District. He began his term in March 4, 1843 and barely more than a year later he died in-office of an unspecified illness on April 24, 1844. Stories later circulated that Bossier’s death was a suicide, prompted by the angst perpetuated by a deadly duel with his political opponent (yet childhood friend) Gen. François Gaiennie. Political acrimony was truly at an all-time high,  but pre-modern medicine, in actual swampland, Bossier was the tenth member of the 28th US Congress to die just four months into the session. Tuberculosis is just one example of a common, yet potentially deadly,  illness that could have sounded Bossier’s death knell. 

Reports by legislative correspondents for newspapers around the country of the elaborate funeral service for General Bossier make it plain that Congress was practiced in holding grand state funerals. Also notable in these reports is that the congressional witnesses were not practiced in observing Catholic rites, and their commentary runs the gamut from curiosity to awe to xenophobic disgust.  

These reports began with the information that on April 25, 1844, Bossier’s fellow representative from Louisiana, Mr. Slidell, rose and announced the death of his colleague, Pierre Bossier, who died at his Washington “lodging” early that morning. Mr. Bossier had been confined to his room during the greater part of the session, and that he departed “peacefully,” according to the Hartford (CT) Courant. The Charleston (SC) Mercury reported that “Madame Bossier,” Bossier’s wife Mathilda Blair Bossier, was with him and “consoled him in his long affliction.” The Courant continued about General Bossier, “He was identified with the French population of the State of Louisiana where he was born [on March 22, 1797] and was of a type of people wholly devoted to our free institutions.” This paper also pointed out that Mr. Slidell referenced the brutal political division of the day by “express[ing] the hope that the occurrence serves to soften the asperities of debate and to put an end to all recrimination among members hereafter.”

The funeral was held the following day at noon. Members of the House of Representatives took their places and opened their session. At a quarter past 12’o’clock, the President of the Senate entered the Hall of the House, now Statuary Hall, in the US Capitol followed by the Senators in a body. The President of the Senate took a seat on the rostrum beside the Speaker of the House of the Representatives. Both wore white sashes, as did the officers of the House and members of the committee for the arrangements seated below them. Next came several Catholic priests in their bright vestments followed by the bier supporting the body of General Bossier, which was placed in front of the Speaker’s seat. The scent of incense filled the air. Also present were the President of the United States, John Tyler, and members of the Cabinet. 

Rev. Dr. James Ryder, Jesuit priest and president of the Georgetown College (now University) ascended the rostrum, and delivered his sermon without notes. Enthused a correspondent of the Journal of Commerce, “His [Rev. Ryder’s] exordium (beginning words) was beautiful, and as he went on to speak of the uncertainty of life and the fleeting nature of all worldly honors and advantages, every one within his hearing, felt the ground slipping from under him.” 

A reporter for the National Anit-Slavery Standard of New York stated similarly, in the May 9,1844, issue, that they found Fr. Ryder’s sermon impressive, though within a coarser context, the strident political discourse of the day. (The dramatic presidential nominating conventions held in the days and weeks following General Bossier’s 1844 death culminated in the closest presidential election in US history). The Standard said Rev. Ryder’s sermon “was an eloquent performance, but too much in the spirit of propaganda for such as occasion. One thing I was glad to hear, and that was a faithful rebuke for the House for the scandalous disorders and outrages committed so frequently on its floor.“ 

The Standard’s editorial comments also betrayed their anti-Catholic prejudices: “I was disgusted, as I have often been before by the mummeries of the Catholic rites, but I must do homage to the superior moral grandeur of this intrepid and truthful testimony.”  Regrettably, this prejudice was not limited to the page. As Fr. Ryder left the ceremonies, he was pelted with stones by anti-Catholic protestors, called the “Know-Nothings.”   

Following the service, a procession from both Houses and others conveyed the coffin to the Congressional burying ground (the Congressional Cemetery). There Pierre Evariste Bossier was interred but only temporarily, until reburial was possible in the Catholic Cemetery in Natchitoches. A cenotaph, a marker for a normally empty gravesite, memorializes him in the Congressional Cemetery as the Anglicized “Peter Bossier.” 

To learn more about the beginnings of Bossier Parish, come visit us in the History Center, which is now within the new Bossier Parish Libraries Central Complex at 850 City Hall Drive, Bossier City, LA (across Beckett Street from the original History Center and “old” Central Library). We are open M-Th 9-8, Fri 9-6, and Sat 9-5. Our phone number is (318) 746-7717 and our email is history-center@bossierlibrary.org

For other fast facts, photos, and videos, be sure to follow us @BPLHistoryCenter on FB, @bplhistorycenter on TikTok, and check out our blog http://bpl-hc.blogspot.com/.

Images: 

• Pierre Bossier. Digital copy in History Center collection. Original in private collection in Baton Rouge. NOTE: Portrait used previously for Pierre Bossier, by John James Audubon, on further research appears to be of Pierre’s cousin, Jean-Baptiste Bossier.
• The House of Representatives by Samuel F.B. Morse, C.1820s. In the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Painting depicts the “Old House Chamber,” which was used by the House of Representatives for their assemblies until 1857. It now houses the Hall of Statues in the U.S. Capitol.
• Father James A. Ryder, S. J. From the Georgetown University Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
• Text of Cenotaph for Representative Pierre Evariste Jean-Baptiste Bossier in the Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.. His name has been Anglicized to Peter E. Bossier.

Article by: Pam Carlisle

Ford Makes First Presidential Visit Here

On April 2, 1976, Congressman Joe D. Waggonner of Plain Dealing announced that the United States President Gerald R. Ford accepted his invitation to visit the Shreveport-Bossier area on April 27th during the 28th annual Holiday in Dixie Festival. This visit from Ford was the first formal visit to Northwest Louisiana from any incumbent President. 

Lyndon B. Johnson, technically came to Barksdale AFB before Ford did. However, his stop was only a few minutes long as President Johnson and the First Lady, better known as Lady Bird, arrived by helicopter only to board the Presidential jet, which was being refueled at Barksdale AFB. They had just been to Texarkana for the funeral of Mrs. Wright Patman, wife of a Texas democratic congressman and then to Karnak, Tx, Lady Birds home town. For those that know of Johnson's deep disdain for Shreveport, it is no surprise that he was here for just those short few minutes and could hardly be considered a formal visit.

At the Bossier Parish Library History Center, we have the daily diary of President Gerald R. Ford for that day, in our collection, showing all the details of his very busy day, which started at 7:10 a.m. with breakfast. After many appointments and meetings, he traveled by helicopter to Andrew Air Force Base, where he boarded the "Spirit of 76" a.k.a. Air Force One and flew to Barksdale AFB, where he was greeted by Governor Edwin Edwards, along with other local and government elected officials, and an estimated crowd of well over 35,000.

President Gerald R. Ford addressing the crowd shortly after arrival to BAFB, April 27, 1976.
Source: www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov

Shortly after landing at Barksdale AFB, Ford addressed the crowd gathered for his visit, stating that he was "delighted to be here" and to participate in the Holiday in Dixie festivities that day. During his speech, he took the time to mention that Waggonner was "a very old and very dear friend," and he thanked him for his friendship. 

Ford also proclaimed that "Barksdale Air Force Base stands as a shining example of national security at its very best and as a tall, tall monument to the cooperative efforts of the citizens of this area and of the military." "As the home of the Strategic Air Command's 8th Air Force, Barksdale serves as one of the cornerstones of our defense system."

After the rally, Ford was escorted to the Barksdale Guest Quarters, where a sign, made especially for his visit, read "Welcome to the Louisiana White House" was hanging on the lawn of the guest quarters. After a short rest, the President attended two question and answer sessions. One with the press at the guest quarters and then another at Hanger 1-A auditorium, which was hosted by Bossier City Mayor James Cathey and Shreveport Mayor L. Calhoun Allen, Jr. for local elected officials from throughout Louisiana.

President Gerald R. Ford and Rep. Joe D. Waggonner
April 27, 1976, BAFB Guest House. Source: www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov

That evening Ford was honored at a VIP reception at the Ellerbe Road estate of Dalton Woods, the chairman of the Ambassadors Club, where he was made a Holiday in Dixie Ambassador and presented with an ambassador medallion. There were approximately 180 people in attendance, including the leadership of the Ambassadors' Club and local officials.After the VIP reception, the President attended a general reception on the lawn with nearly 1,000 guests.

The last stop during his visit, Ford attended the annual Holiday in Dixie Military Ball at the Shreveport Convention Hall. This ball is sponsored by the Louisiana National Guard Officers' Wives Club and is a salute to the military. Here, Ford addressed a crowd of about 1,000 people before leaving. He returned to Barksdale AFB, where he boarded the "Spirit of '76" at 9:45 p.m. for a flight to Texas to campaign ahead of the primaries.

To read Ford's daily diary for April 27, 1976, along with notes from his questions and answers events, and his speeches given that day while visiting the Shreveport Bossier area, visit the Bossier Parish Libraries History Center at 2206 Beckett Street, Bossier City, LA.

By: Amy Robertson

"ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM STATE LIBRARY AGENT"

Return slip from Louisiana Library Commission
Jeannine Pasini Beekman Collection 2009.044.050

The July 23, 1936 issue of The Planters’ Press had some very good news to share with its readers.

“In a tiny country schoolhouse in Louisiana 100 adults are struggling with the elements of ‘reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic’ that most children learn in grammar school.  Many of these students had never attended school until two years ago and they have an average of less than a seventh grade education.  Their eagerness to learn is pathetic.  Their teacher must be a combination of a walking encyclopedia and a patient Griselda to answer all the questions they ask.”

“They have ten books to share among them.  The more fortunate members of the class are given the books to read and report to the others but, when a book is taken home, the student usually cannot resist the temptation to share his treasure with his friends and family and so it is a long time before the report is made.”

“One of the ten books is a volume of popular poems and they are learning to know and love ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’, the Twenty-third Psalm, Tennyson, Longfellow and Whittier.  They are reading the story of Jean Valjean (from ‘Les Miserables’) and finding in his misfortunes some of the tragedy of their own lives.  They are reading ‘The Road Ahead’ and finding its criticism unjust because ‘it doesn’t tell the truth about America.’’’

“Their teacher walks four miles every night to and from the class and many of them walk much farther than that.  When the books come, they asked to come half an hour early every night so that they could have longer for the class.”

“There are many classes like this all over Louisiana, as reports of adult education teachers show.  In an effort to find out what books adult beginners could read, Columbia University asked the cooperation of the Louisiana Library Commission in distributing the books to the classes.  About 10 books were loaned to each class.”

“’ I believe a long step forward will be taken when our adult students are given books to read,’ wrote one teacher.  ‘We have accomplished but little when we teach a man to read if we give him nothing to read.  That, it seems to me, is like showing a hungry man food he cannot have.’”

“The Louisiana Library Commission hopes in the coming year to meet as far as possible, the needs for books for underprivileged adults.”

The Louisiana Library Commission, forerunner of the State Library of Louisiana, was created in 1920 by the Louisiana legislature.  In 1925 the Commission joined with the Carnegie Corporation to set up a network of libraries across the state.  Today all 64 parishes have a public library.  Visit the Bossier Parish Libraries to find out when Bossier Parish got its public library.

By: Ann Middleton