Histories

"I do not know who these gentlemen are, they were in my grandmother's trunk in an old album. Her name was Dora E. Allgood Wallace. She and my grandfather, Richard Wallace, are buried in Springhill Cemetery in Schwartz, La." --Sandy Mcferren

Monroe Trolley ca1920s
Thomas James "Sing" MURRAY, Conductor
Submitted by John Kent Young

Pan Am station in Monroe
Contributed by Sandy Mcferren

Postcard sent 24 Aug 1937 from Elizabeth _?_ in Monroe LA to her mother, Mrs. E. S. Sheffield, Hotel Harper Crest, 54th and Harper Ave, Chicago, IL. Postcard is a picture of buildings at the Louisiana Training Institute (L.T.I.) at 4701 South Grand in Monroe. The building on the left is known as Magnolia Hall (Old Cottage E) and is still (2007) standing. The middle building was the Dining Hall and to the left is Cottage D. These two buildings were torn down in 1981.

Contributed 16 Oct 2007 by Mary Hamil

1812 Diary Entries for Trip from Georgia to Louisiana

"I am typing a diary of a trip from Georgia to Louisiana in 1812. It was probably written by an ancestor of mine, a 'Faulk,' or by the ancestor of Clarence Eugene Faulk's wife (Josie). The diary was possessed by Lena Grant Lunsford at Sibley, near Alabama Church. The diary beginning is in very poor condition and many of the words are simply unreadable. I am working from a typewritten copy, and where comments are handwritten in, I have included them in parentheses." --L. Norman Waddell, Jr., 2000

[Page 1] ... and traviled 17 miles and campt in Georgia
10th I traviled 10 miles to Washington
on 11th I traviled (not legible)
[Page 2] ... and 17 cents for whiskey and got feridge across River at Wm. Williamson's Mill-75 cents.
One dollar for corn and 20 cents meal
12th, I started at 10 oclock. We traveled 14 miles in the snow and ...
one dollar 25 cents for Brandy and lent Wm. Coats 25 cents.
I walked through Warren County and through Hancock County.
[Page 3] on the 13th, I started at 8 oclock and went through Sparty and traveled 15 miles and campt near Towns Creek. I spent 3 dollars and 50 cents fork corn and 1 dollar [Page 4] and 75 cents for pork and 75 cents for fodder
on 15th, I started at 9 oclock spent 37 1/2 cents to Black Smith and gave Wm. O Cohn? at Barr Ferry 75 cents 2 dollars for peppermint.
Traveled through Miledge Mill (Milledgeville) in Baldwin County went, 16 miles and campt.
[Page 5] On the 16th, I started at 8 oclock and crossed Mishoness Creek at Major Peter Thomas, as I stopt and washed. Laid in corn and provition to travel through the wilderness I spent 10 dollars traveled 9 miles and campt and Jas Roaddin paid 12 1/2 for nie on the 17th, I set out at 3 oclock Evening and Wm. Pat Roadden paid 75 cents for fodder and 3 dollars [Page 6] for whiskey and Wm. Pat Roadden paid dollar & 50 cents 13 3/4 cents for mugg 25 cents for Brandy traveled six miles and campt.
On the 18 I started at seven oclock and went through Fort Hanson(?) and cross oakmulson(?)ds near Ft. Hanson.
Spent [Page 7] 2 dollar 12 1/2 cents for forage and traveled 13 miles and campt in the wilderness.
Ont the 19th U started at 7 oclock and traveled 14 miles and the hardest rain and thunder I ever saw for about 6 hours togther with wind and campt.
On the 20th I started at 7 oclock and it snowed. I traveled 12 miles and crossed Flint River at Col. Hawkins in the [Page 8] Wilderness. Spent 2 dollars for foridge and campt.
On 21st I started at 11 oclock and traveled 15 miles and campt in the wilderness.
On the 22nd I started at 9 oclock and traveled 18 miles spent 1 dollar 31 1/1 cents and campt in the wilderness.
On the 23th I started at 9 oclock traveled 14 miles and campt in the wilderness.
[Page 9] On the 24th I started at 1/2 after seven oclock traveled 12 miles to Catchahueha River, paid $4-50 cents for feridge and 60 cents for Venasam hams and fodder. Traveled 15 miles and campt wilderness.
[Page 10] On the 26th I started at 8 oclock in the, and campt in the wilderness.
On the 27th I started at 9 oclock and traveled 12 miles and camp in wilderness. It rained two days and three nights and much worse roads, I never saw for 20 miles.
[Page 11] On the 28th I started at 7 1/2 oclock. Spent 2 dollalrs 37 1/2 cents, and traveled 6 miles and was warter bound and that night Mima smothered her boy Loyd.
On 29th I lay by all day Warter Bound.
On the 30th I lay by all day Warter bound and it cleared off spent 25 cents
On the 31st I started at one oclock swoom one creek and bridged another [Page 12] Traveled 2 miles and campt in the wilderness. Spent 37 1/2 cents for peas and chicken
February 1812
The first I started at eight oclock $4 spent for corn and hams and pinders.
Traveled six miles and campt in a large SW Warter Bound in the wilderness.
[Page 13] On 2nd I lay Warter bound and spent on Dollar for corn.
On the 3rd I spent 50 cents fork potators 37 1/2 cents for potators-Lay Warter Bound
On the 4th Lay Water Bound al day and spent 25 cents for ham.
On the 5th Started early I spent 2 Dollars for [Page 14] crossing a small horse bridge
25 cents for turkey 4 Dollars 25 cents for corn.
Traveled two miles and was Warter Bound and lay Bye that day
On the 6th I lay Bye All day and night and spent nothing.
[Page 15] On the 7th I started very early and hired a small craft to cross the Tuckafaw. Carred all over buy waggon and horses. Then I swoom and had to lite raft my waggon on the oner paid 2 Dollars 25 cents for Board-
Spent one Dollar for fodder and 92 1/2 cents for corn 25 cents for ham
25 cents for meal. Traveled [Page 16] 4 miles and campt in the wilderness cross a small creek
On the 8th I started at 7 oclock 2 miles a branch, 4 miles forwards to the Catoma. 7 miles and then Warter Bound Traveled 13 miles campt in the wilderness built a fleat and spent 50 cents for corn, 25 cents for meal 75 cents fodder, and 56 1/2 cents for rum.
[Page 17] On the 9th I cross the Catoma spent 50 cents for Braking and Organ?
Traveled 5 miles and campt in the prearors? firearors?
On the 10th I started at 8 oclock, come 1 mile a creek bridge 3 miles a creek bridge 4 miles a creek bridge 6 miles 2 creeks Traveled 14 miles
Spent 5 Dollars for meal and campt in the wilderness. I mended on buggy
[Page 18] On the 11th I started at 1/2 past 8 oclock came 2 miles cross two creeks and a large swamp.
Came 5 miles cross reek bridge near Wm. Rotherfords half Broad? and then fokr several miles very bad road and several branches
Traveled 16 miles spent 25 cents for fox farr? and campt in Wilderness.
[Page 19] On the 12th I started at 8 oclock I spent 2 Dollars for Borr of brine? and give Jase Coats a terrable whipping
Several springs and wet weather branches
Traveled 18 miles and campt in the wilderness.
Went a dier hunting killed a small Doe.
On the 13th I started at 8 oclock came 7 miles two creeks 2 miles, across spent 25 cents for whiskey.
[Page 20] 6 miles a creek and 2 springs came 19 miles and campt in the wilderness and it rained very hard.
On the 14th I started at 8 oclock came to the fork of the road I took the Left hand came 10 miles, the road forks I took the right cross one branch and half mile crossed 2 creeks came 5 miles cross a creek came 2 miles cross a creek spent 756 for meal one Dollar 50 cents for
Traveled 20 miles and campt in the wilderness
On the 15th I started at 7 oclock Traveled 10 miles Despat rough road and spent one Dollar fokr corn and [Page 21] campt near to Maggests and it rained all night
On the 16th I started at 9 oclock in the Rain cross two creeks and the Alabama River. Spent 1 Dollar for meal 3 Dollars for corn and 4 Dollars for firdges and traveled 3 miles and campt on the Branch of the Allabamma
[Page 22] On the 17th I started at 7 oclock Traveled 3 miles came to Basset creek and tied two coonoons together Give a man [Page 23] one Dollar to hellp us over
Spent one Dollar for meal one Dollar for corn
Traveled one mile from the creek Lent one Dollar and 12 1/2 cents to Wm Coats
Spent 25 cents for wiskey
On the19th I started at eight oclock came one mile and crossed Rabit Creek two [Page 24] oclock
Traveled 4 miles Spent one Dollar 50 cents for corn and campt
On 20th I started at 9 oclock Traveled 2 miles to Tom Bigbes at Capt Stringers ferry paid 2 Dollars 50 cents for feridge came six miles and campt
Lent Wm. 25 cents.
[Page 25] Lent Jim Roadden 50 cents
On the 21st I started at 1 oclock Evening Spent 7 Dollars for corn and campt.
The Roads fork took Left "Brandon M" Cross a branch
[Page 26] On 22nd I started at 1/2 after seven came 8 miles-a creek-Traviled 17 miles and campt I took the first left and the second Right and the third Right to Hall's ferry Chickasa Whay
On the 24th I started 1/2 after six came 3 miles and cross Chickasawhay
[Page 27] Came six miles a brach one mile a creek Traviled 11 miles and campt
On the 25th I started at 7 oclock came two miles a creek cross 3 branches the roads forked took the left to Gray's ferry on Leaf River Wait County Missilppa Territory Traviled [Page 28] 12 miles and campt. I had to Digg down the banks of both the creeks before mentioned. When I first got out of the wilderness I cross Bassets Creek at Walkers and then 2 miles and Rabit Creek Then came to a Little Town call the Pine Flatt. Then Tombigga Balden County
[Page 29] On the 26th It started at before sun up came 4 miles to Leaf River Grays ferry paid one Dollar for feridge 12 1/2 cents for whiskey 5 Dollars and 50 cents for corn Traviled 5 miles and campt
On the 27th I started at 7 oclock cross three branches Traviled 12 [Page 30] miles and campt I broke my coach howns and that night made new ones
On the 28th I started at 7 oclock Traviled and bridge across a creek
two miles cross Black Creek paid one Dollar for feridge at Dearmans
Traviled 11 miles to a long Bridge across the Bever Dams I had to load [Page 31] my waggon and carry her over by hand on account of it being to narrow I cross some branches and campt.
March 1st 1812
I started very Early cross a number of Branches with old rotting crawsways about six feet wide I trailed 13 miles and campt. Cale
the post road the road forked. Yesterday I took the [Page 32] right hand leadlilng to Fords ferry on Pearl River
45 miles from Dearmans
20 miles from Leaf River
25 miles from Chickasawhay
65 miles from Tombigba
30 miles from Alabama
On the 2nd I started very Early had a Tolerable good Road cross two Creeks
Traviled 14 miles and go through Green County and campt.
[Page 33] On the 3rd I started about 8 oclock cross two creeks in 9 miles and came to Purl Cross at Ford's Ferry paid 1.50 cents for pork.
Traviled 11 miles and campt in the swamp
On 4th I started early and spent 2 Dollats for corn and sent to mill [Page 34] and could not get untill next Day.
We Traviled 3 miles and lay by until next day.
On the 5th I started at nine oclock and had to send back to the River for corn. Spent 2 Dollars for the same.
Traviled 16 miles and campt
I spent [Page 35] 25 cents for whiskepy and 2 Dollars 25 cents to William Coats
On the 6th I started very early Traviled across Bigg Creek and Cross Boage Chitta.
Spent 1.50 cents for corn Traviled 27 miles
Forded Boage Chitta at Loue's Ford
On the7th I started before sun up
[Page 36] I spent $1.50 cents for corn and 50 cents for peas
crossed one creek came through two Harrik ones and cross two branches.
Traviled 18 miles and campt near John Buckalus
On the 8th I started at 9 oclock cross a creek and cross Tansapchoe [Page 37] at Golmans and cross a number of Branches. And cross the Amit at channel on Eson
Traviled 17 miles and campt.
Spent $1.50 cents for corn.
On the 9th I started 7 oclock Traviled 8 miles Livirtville
Spent 12 1/2 cents for cider the cart wheel Brak Lay by half the [Page 38] day
spent 64 cents Blacks Mill
We was campt near the court house and came Run away I went after him
On the 10th the waggon started 8 oclock
Traviled 17 miles
Spent 75 cents for Wheat mash and corn and campt - it Rain Very hard
[Page 39] On the 11th I started I started and traviled the Auchita
Spent 1.50 cents for feridge and one Dollar for meal and one Dollar Corn and campt
On the 12th I started and traviled Ecceading bad road for six miles and came to James MdCown's
[Page 40] Spent 2 Dollars for corn Traviled 16 miles and spent 75 cents for corn and 25 cents for cider and campt near to Natches
On the 14th I traviled 11 miles and past natches and came to Wm Rains
[Page 41] Spent 75 cents for corn and 50 cents for Brandy and cider and campt.
On the 15th I turned out and got a house and moved to ir and then laid in provisions for my family. Staid one week and then I started on to morrow with my hands to Washataw to make a crop a pack horse
First right 2 miles where there is a rive fall (dead pine) across the road--
about 200 yards take the left after you pass the lick keep over the hill till you come to the back warter keep up the creek til you come to the cain.

1830 Murder of Ferdinand Morgan

From the Boston Commercial Gazette, 13 Oct 1830.

Horrible Murder. - We have been favored with the following letter from Monroe, Louisiana, dated 11th ult., to a gentleman in this city. Gen. Morgan, referred to by the writer, was formerly a resident of this city, in which he served an honorable apprenticeship. Like many other young men of New England, he emigrated to the western states some years since, where his enterprizing [sic] efforts were crowned with success.

"It becomes my most painful and melancholy duty to inform you that your brother, Ferdinand Morgan, was on the 7th inst. murdered by a base and infamous assassin. The circumstances are these: - On the 6th September he had some words with a man by the name of Hemken. H. immediately sent him a challenge by one Col. Morehouse, register of the land office in this place, which he refused to receive. The following morning he had business with a gentleman; in going to see him he had to pass the office of Morehouse. Not finding the gentleman in he went to see, he returned, and on passing the register office again, Morhouse called to him, and in the street presented him with the same challenge again. Your brother refused to receive any communication from him or his principal, and turned and walked off, ten paces perhaps, when Morehouse observed, You are a ___ coward. Your brother wheeled instantly, and advanced towards Morehouse, with a sword cane in his hand. Morehouse presented a pistol and snapped it, and missed fire. Morehouse then struck at him with the pistol, and then threw it at him and struck him on the head, which brought him very near the ground, say more than half bent. At the same instant Robt. H. Sterling, brother-in-law to M., was in the office, concealed behind the door. He saw an opportunity at the instant above, and shot your brother from inside the door. The ball entered about 2 1/2 inches to the left of the left of the back bone, and came out between the nipple and the breast bone on the same side. He fell and expired instantly. A more base outrage could not be committed. The grand point of difference between your brother and Morehouse was, that at the election for senator your brother beat him, and was elected for the next four years. Stirling is now in jail and in chains, where he will have to await his trial in November. If there is justice, I hope the poor miserable wretch will receive that punishment which is due to all murderers. I shall write you again shortly and more fully, for at this moment there is great excitement. General Morgan was very popular among all classes of people."

Notes:

--Contributed 12 Sep 2006 by Lora Peppers, extracted from National Gazette and Literary Register, Philadelphia October 19, 1830, Vol. XI, No. 1505, Page 1, Column 5

1849 "Newsy" Letters

Written by Nancy (WAFER) MILLER, wife of William Hill MILLER, of Ouachita Parish, LA

Union Parish, La. June 30th, 1849
My dear and long lost sister,
Tell Wesley that I am glad that he thought enough of me to write to me one more. we are all well except Mr. Miller and Thos. Mrs. Pettet departed this life the 13 May. Petet took the children off to Ark to his parents immediately. I received a letter a few days ago from Minerva D. Madden she said her sister Sina was dead and her sister Sarah was in the last stages of consumption. She had a babe in Feb last and Minerva had to keep it and Martha Madden had ran away with John Brice and got married. I suppose you have heard long since of the death of James mother. Eddings is our preacher this year. I saw Eliz the other day she said to tell the girls to write to Mary Ann. Her and Collier get along badly. remember me to Brother Friend. Tell him Mr. Miller has written to him often and he never received a line from him. Brother Hughes brother in Lawlines on the Walker place and Hughes and his mother lives with them. I suppose the old lady is at least eighty-three years old.
Your own faithful sister
Nancy W. Miller

Union Parish, La. Sept 13, 1849
Dear Sister,
We are alive Mr. Miller and Thos had more or less fever all the summer and Mr. Miller is weakly. Thos health is improving. Wm is quite unwell at this time. It is likely Bro Friend wishes to know how the new comers fared. As regards health they had a good deal of sickness. they were all from Alabama except one or two families that came from Ga. now Sarah Tarkington is deal I beleive I told you of Sinias death they say that Sarah died triumphantly. Ben Lewis located last year and settle in Farmersville for the pirpuse of educating their children. They are all well. sister L has a boy running about and calls him George Lawrence. Brother Eddings is our circuit preacher this year. Last winter he bought the old Britt Plantation. a short time since he went up to Claiborne and married Minerva McLeroy they went on home the other day and John Burnham was with them. He called on us and said that Tatum Wafers wife departed this life on the 24 Aug after three or four week severe illness he did not say what her disease was. he says Wm. P. Robinson lost a grown daughter latterly. Doct Ridgway had a sister that lived with him Doct Ridgway James Wafer and her was engaged to be married and James had asked for her and she died also.
Sept 26.
Although we have but two children I find more to do than I can do I done up Thomas trunk and bedding and sent him off ten miles from home to study medicine with a physician. Thos education did not go to suit me I had rather much rather he would have stayed at college long and he would of been willing if his Pa had of been as persistent as me but he found that his pa could be persuaded my family with the exception of Wm consists of Owenses Mary John and Wm Owens the son of old James Owens he was in all the Mexican War he went from the military institution in Kentucky in the on holding office of a cadet and from some act during the war was promoted to 1st lt. and after the war he went on a Man or War I believe I told you Jame Owens had run off. Mary is called the handsomest young lady in all the country especially as far as figure is concerned. the Alabamans some of them that are religious respectable and wealthy and one brother Jameses old acquainances have come and offered themselves to Mary and if could of been pleased I should of and her uncle was more than willing. Little Bill as old Mrs. Clady used to call him says he is very glad that she is so careless about getting married. Louisiana and Louisa must write to me. Mary Ann Scriber corresponds with me from Bastrop where she is going to school. a horse trampt on Elizas foot last May and she has scarcely walked ever since. from all accounts Eliza and Colier lives a miserable life. You no Mrs. Cillam Eliza Troy married Burl Jones she had a son the same age of my Wm all the living child she had he died very suddenly not long since and she lies very low with chronic diareer George Caldwell the Steam Boat Capt died from disipation on 18th
and now my dear sister,
Nancy W. Miller
PS I have received a letter from Margaret Wafer she says her father has been verry sick and has got well but weak and he is going to Taxes for his health and is going to take his son Thos with him. Mr. Miller went out to Farmersville yesterday he went with Mr. Bartlette as a family meeting for Mr. B. to administer of Capt Caldwells estate. He took dinner with sister Lewis they were all well. She said when I wrote to remember her to you
NWM

1865 Murder of Lt. William H. Sanders

The following death notice was penned by Captain McCranie, the former captain of Company M, 12th Louisiana Infantry Regiment. The victim was McCranie's subordinate during the war, his lieutenant William H. Sanders.

HORRIBLE MURDER -- PASS HIM AROUND

Never in a journalistic experience of several years have we discharged a more unwelcome, melancholy task than that now about to devolve upon us. Death in any form and with even the aged for its victim is an unpleasant theme. When the young die, we are more than usually sad; when they die suddenly, our grief is still greater. But when a young man, full of promise and hope, the object of a father's and mother's love and a kind sister's devotion is hurried into eternity by the bloodied hand of an assassin, for no cause whatever, humanity shudders, society weeps, and men stare each other in the face for want of language to express their emotion.

William H. Sanders, 1st Lieutenant, Co. M, 12th Louisiana regiment, late C. S. A. was the soul of generosity, courage and magnanimity. For nearly four years we served with him side by side in the late war, and during that whole period, as his superior officer we never once had an occasion to complain of a single derelict on of duty on his part. He was uncommonly kind and forbearing; temperate in all his views and prudent in all his acts. With an extraordinary mild disposition, he combined great refinement of feeling, so that one had but to know him well to prize as invaluable his sterling worth and cherish his many noble qualities of heart, as possessions rarely to be met with in one young and inexperienced as himself.

It is of the cold-blooded murder of this young man we have now to speak, and by one who was his play-fellow, his school mate, and afterwards his comrade in arms - by one who never exhibited a single manly virtue, who ___manenerd his career in vice and immorality, who to theft added desertion and to desertion assassination. This felon's name is W. H. Calcote, a young man of some 21 years of age and singularly blood-thirsty for one so young.

Calcote with his brother John, younger by two or three years than himself, attended a militia drill at Woodville, Jackson Parish, on the 23rd ult. Mr. Sanders was also present. Several times during the day these brothers were heard to threaten Sander's life, of which fact he was horified. Acting upon the information, he prudently avoided a collision until late in the afternoon he was returning from a tan yard near town, whither he had gone on some business, when he met the Calcotes in the road, that being their route home. Reining his horse to one side of the road, he sought to pass around them and thus avoid a difficulty. But his good intentions were wholly thrown away and probably served only to invite the trouble he wished to avoid. The Calcotes advanced towards him with pistols drawn and one of them seizing the reins of his horse's bridle informed him that they intended to have satisfaction, or words to that effect. A colloquy then ensued, which wound up by young Sanders remarking, "Well, I will sell my life as dearly as I can;"and reaching back he drew a pistol but was prevented from using it by the younger Calcote catching his hand. While in this position Harrison Calcote fired at sanders, the bullet taking effect in his head. Brains oozed from the wound which was inflicted with a revolver, and so near as to be powder burnt.

Mr. Sanders expired in great agony at 9 o'clock, p.m., having been wounded at 4 p.m. His tragic death and many sterling virtues and a deep-felt sympathy for his loss brought a large number of people together to pay the last sad rites to his memory.

Immediately after committing the damnable deed the elder Calcote mounted his horse and fled, the younger by threats and acts intimidating two young men who were present from pursuing until he was out of reach; whereupon, mounting himself he followed in pursuit of his brother.

A posse of citizens speedily organized a search for the assassins. John Calcote was apprehended; has since been tried, refused bail and committed to jail at Bienville parish, that in Jackson Parish being insecure. Being less hardened in crime a disposition has been manifested to palliate his complicity in the bloody deed. If it be true as we have heard, that he vauntingly asserted after mature reflection he was one of the men who committed the crime, we have no hesitancy in saying he deserves the extreme penalty of the law.

Harrison Calcote, so far, has made good his escape, despite of every effort to procure his arrest. Whilst fleeing the scene of his bloody work he passed some parties, to whom he said, "I have just committed a cold-blooded murder" and hurried on in his flight. We know this young villain well - defended him when his life was in peril for the crime of desertion; heard his solemn vows for reformation and witnessed his apparent contrition for his crime. Convinced now, as we expected then of his utter depravity we can but hope that all good men will keep a good watch out for him, and if seen, arrest or kill him on the spot.

Background information about the military records of the above three men from Booth's Index

--Contributed Apr 2004 by Timothy D. Hudson, extracted from the Ouachita Telegraph, 4 Jan 1866. page two, columns 3 and 4. Note: Captain George W. McCranie founded the 'Weekly Telegraph' in Monroe, Ouachita Parish beginning in September 1865. In December, he decided to change the name to the 'Ouachita Telegraph.'

1883 Monroe Telephone Exchange Directory

Allen, Lewis D., Jr., Residence - 12
Boatner & Boatner, Office - 28
Bank of Monroe - 4
Burgin, Mrs. S., Store - 34
Dabney, F. Y., Residence - 21
Endom, F., Livery Stable - 27
Gerson, Leon, Store - 2
Gumby, D. B. Store - 26
Kuhn, Sam, Store - 7
Meyer, Joans, Store - 20
Moore, John A., Drug - 33
Moore, John A, Residence - 35
Monroe Bulletin - 32
McCormick, Dr. F. M., Drug - 6
McCormick, Dr. F. M., Residence - 15
Nelson, Robt. J., Store - 8
Nelson, Robt. J., Residence - 16
Sublett Brothers, Store - 31
Saunders, S. W., Store - 3
Sholars, Dr. A. B., Drug Store - 11
Stillman, Talbot, Office - 5
Sandel, Dr. Wm., Residence - 29
Stubbs and Millsaps, Office - 1
Singer, G. A., Residence - 13
V. S. & P.R.R. General Office - 9
V. S. & P.R.R. Machine Shops - 10
Weil, M. & Bro., Store - 30
W. U. Telegraph Office - 14

Ashley, Wm. F., Residence - 24 1/2
Burgess, N., Store - 23 1/2
Cryer, E. B., Residence - 25
Lemie & Simon, Store - 32
Miller & Meredity, Wharf Boat - 22
Standifer, T.C., Store - 24

INSTRUCTIONS: To call the Exchange, turn the crank briskly, making four or five revolutions, and when the bell rings in response, take the Telephone off the hook and place close to your ear. Upon hearing the Operator's voice, tell him the name or number of the subscriber with whom you wish to communicate; then hang up the Telephone, and when your bell again rings replace the Telephone closely to your ear and proceed with conversation.

When a subscriber wishes to communicate with you, the Operator will ring your bell and connect the wires. Answer promptly with a ring; then place the Telephone to your ear and proceed with conversation.

When through talking, hang up your Telephone and give one ring as a signal to disconnect. Do not speak too loud--a moderate, clear tone is much better. Please notify the Manager of any faults in line or instrument. Do not fail to give the connecting signal when through talking. Communication through the Telephone Exchange is for the use of subscribers and their employees.

Contributed Feb 2004 by Anonymous, extracted from The Semi-Weekly Bulletin, Volume 1, No. 28, printed December 7, 1883

1888 Men of Note

Hon. J. B. Boatner of Catahoula is the youngest member of the State Senate. He is 34. Ouachita's Senator, John B. Boatner is one of the handsomest member of that body. He is a candidate for Circuit Judge and aspires to the seat of Judge Clinton, whose successor will be elected by the present legislature.

Joseph W. Hyums, editor of the East Baton Rouge Sugar Planter, is the youngest member of the legislature, being only 23 years old.

--Contributed 21 May 1999 by Annette Carpenter Womack, extracted from The Ouachita Telegraph, Monroe La, May 19, 1888, Page 2, 4th col.

1889 Drugstore Accident

Wednesday morning a terrible accident happened at Baille & Brewer's drug store, by which a stranger, R.T. Wortham, hailing from Temple, Tex., was dangerously and probably fatally injured, and Messrs. B.A. Trousdale and Farrell Buckingham were also painfully, but not seriously hurt. Wortham had just had a mixture of nitric acid and mercury compounded by Mr. Buckingham, who cautioned him to be careful in handling it, when he replied that he had handled it before, and gave the bottle a shake. An explosion of the bottle instantly followed and its contents shot up in a flame into his face, burning him horribly, and spattering over Messrs. Buckingham and Trousdale, who stood near by. Mr. Buckingham escaped almost entirely, but Mr. Trousdale was not so fortunate, being severely burned about the face. Dr. T.O. Brewer, who is attending Wortham, says that his face is now so badly swollen that it is impossible to ascertain whether or not he will lose his eyes, if he recovers, of which there is some doubt. The right eye is probably ruined and the left is badly damaged if not lost also. The unfortunate man had a hemorrhage of the bowels Thursday morning, but we learn that he was somewhat better yesterday.

--Contributed 2 Aug 2007 by Lora Peppers, extracted from Ouachita Telegraph, April 20, 1889, Page 3, Column 2

1892 History of Ouachita Parish

Ouachita parish comprises but a small portion of the original "County of Ouachita," which when set apart in 1805 comprehended "all that country commonly known and called by the name of the Ouachita settlements." Settlements were formed in the region of the Ouachita river immediately after the Natchez massacre (1682-85), and the site of the city of Monroe was one of the first occupied. Don Juan Filhiol was commandant of the district of Ouachita in 1783. He made his permanent settlement at Prairie des Canots, where Monroe now stands, and gave it the name of Ouachita post. This old fort was located between the present courthouse square and the then river bank, and was built of white oak or cypress posts twelve feet long and nine inches in size. These posts were placed three feet in the ground, giving the stockade a height of nine feet. The population of the parish in 1810 was 1,077; in 1890 the aggregate was 17, 843.

Some of the early residents of Ouachita parish were Judge Henry Bry and his son Henry M. Bry, as early as 1807; Oliver Morgan, who became parish judge in 1813; Jonathan Morgan; Thomas C. Lewis, who was parish judge in 1810; Thomas Barlow; Lloyd Posey; Gen. John Hughes; John R. Dewitt; John T. Faulk; Granmont Filhiol; Charles Betin; D.A. Bread; Alexander Lozare; Hypolite Pargoud; J. M. A. Hamlin; R.D. Richardson, father of Judge Richardson; J.C. Drew. Of these all are dead save J. C. Drew. The site for the parish building was donated by Don Juan Filhiol. The parish has erected at different periods four courthouses. The present courthouse, a handsome building, was erected in 1883. The officials of Ouachita are: R.W. Richardson, judge of Fifth district court; Austin Green, clerk of court; William T. Theobalds, sheriff; D.A. Bread, treasurer; John B. Garrettson, representative; Robert J. Wilson, clerk of supreme court at Monroe; John S. Boatner and Ivy Davis, senators Twenty-third district.

There is much valuable timber in Ouachita parish, cypress and pine being the principal varieties. There are immense quantities of hickory.A reliable estimate of the amount of timber annually brought down the river is about 20,000,000 feet. The soil in Ouachita is adapted to the cultivation of a large variety of field crops. The total area of the parish is 275,245 acres. Of this 45,738 acres were in cultivation in 1890 as follows: In cane, 75 acres; in cotton 28,456 acres; in corn, 15,674 acres; oats, 682 acres; hay, 503 acres; potatoes, 261 acres; sorghum, 87 acres. There are thirty-six public schools in Ouachita parish. A central or high school under the supervision of parish officers, though supported largely by city funds, is maintained. In addition to the public schools there are six private schools, employing fifteen teachers, having an attendance of 291 pupils.

In the summer of 1816 a town was platted, which was known as the town at Fort Miro. By this name the town was known until 1819, when it was changed to Monroe. The town of Monroe was incorporated by act of the legislature in 1855. The Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas railroad was finished as far as Monroe before the war. Trains ran into Monroe February 27, 1861. Aid was granted the Ouachita Valley Railroad company or any other company that would build a railroad north and south through Monroe, having its southern terminus at Alexandria, La., and its northern termnius at some point in Arkansas. The Missouri Pacific branch, now nearly completed, ws built under this aid. The Federal building, now in course of erection, for which an appropriation of $75,000 was made by congress, is located one square north of the courthouse.

The first newspaper established in Monroe, or in the parish, was the "New Moon," which was issued by William Neville. The "Ouachita Telegraph" was established in September, 1865. In January, 1890, "The Telegraph" was consolidated with "The Bulletin" under the name of "Telegraph Bulletin." "The Bulletin" was established in 1880 by W.T. Atkins and W. H. Gayle. "The Monroe Times" was established August 13, 1890, by J.A. Cason. "The Daily Docket" was established August 26, 1891, and is published by R.E. Crowrich. In 1852 a union church was erected by the joint efforts of all Protestant denominations. The Methodist church was established in Monroe about 1840. In 1877 a handsome brick church, costing $12,000, was erected, but was crushed by a heavy snow storm. In 1881 a modest structure was built at a cost of $2,700. A Presbyterian church was first organized in Monroe in 1850, by Rev. James Ekin. Father Canavan established a Catholic church in 1851. St. Matthew's Church Building association is collecting a fund to erect a new church. Monroe Baptist church was organized by Elder A.E. Clemmons and Elder John A. McGuire, November 5, 1854. Grace church, Protestant Episcopal, was regularly organized by Bishop Leonidas Polk in 1856. The Hebrew temple was finished and occupied in the fall of 1873. The oldest secret organization in Monroe is Western Star lodge No. 24, A. F. & A. M., which was organized April 24, 1823, with twenty-three charter members. Stonewall lodge, No. 8, Knights of Pythias of Louisiana, was organized by Col. Thomas O. Benton. It was instituted August 22. 1879, by Dr. Sheppard, of Shreveport, La., with a membership of twenty-seven.

In 1851 five large firms were doing business in Trenton, and handled annually 20,000 bales of cotton. The place attained a population of about 700. West Monroe is a new town which has sprung up since the building of the V. S. & P. Railroad. A town was first laid out on the west side of the river in 1839 and named Cottonport, but later was named West Monroe. The town grew rapidly and was incorporated in 1889. It has a population of nearly 500. The population of Ouachita parish in 1890 was 17,985.

--Contributed by Sherry Sanford, extracted from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana, Volume II; The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1892; pages 192-193.

1894 Newspaper Abstracts

The "Gazette" was founded in 1878 by Judge James E. Trimble (22 Feb 1834 – 19 Dec 1887). Although Judge Trimble founded the "Gazette" in 1878, only four individual issues are known to exist for the period 1878 - 1893. The issue of 7 March 1894 begins the contiguous issues of this paper. I have only abstracted Ouachita Parish notices and advertisements.

Issue of Wednesday, 4 April 1894, page 3, column 1

R. B. Dawkins, Esq., left the first part of this week for Monroe, where he goes to attend to professional business before the Federal court.

Mr. S. Marx has shipped all his merchandise to West Monroe where he will open a store. He will discontinue business at this place. He and his family will take their departure for their new home this week. Mr. Marx has been in business here for the last ten years and will be missed in commercial circles at this place very much.

Issue of Wednesday, 11 April 1894, page 3

Mrs. S. S. Thomas and Messrs. Elias George and J. K. Ramsey left Monday on steamer Helen Vaughan for Monroe.

Messrs. Abe Stein, J. D. Baughman, R. C. Webb, G. Hartman and ___ Haas are in Monroe this week [atte]nding the session of the United States court.

We learn from the Monroe papers of last week that Judge W. R. Roberts, who formerly practiced law in this parish, has moved with his family from Monroe to Vernon, in which place he will make his home in the future.

Mr. S. Marx and family took their departure Monday morning on the steamer Helen Vaughan for their new home in Monroe. Mr. Marx has been prominently connected with the commercial interest of this parish for a number of years, and he said while he will in the future be located at Monroe yet he intends to hold his trade in this section by offering special inducements to customers at his new place of business. Lookout for his new ad. in a few weeks.

Issue of Wednesday, 18 April 1894, page 2

Several citizens of this parish were arraigned before the United States District court in Monroe, last week for violations of the national revenue laws. Of one of the cases from this parish the Telegraph-Bulletin says: William Honeycutt, of Union parish, was fined $600 and sentenced to three months imprisonment for having in his possession and setting up a still without having obtained a license and registering same.

A Tragedy in Monroe.
The following, which we clip from the Monroe Evening News, may be of some interest to some of our readers: Two strangers, Henry Gulledge and J. O. Johnston, both of Lincoln parish, arrived in the city last evening and after nightfall started in to see the sights of the city. Later in the night they concluded to take in the town and going to the Ruby Bell house in the eastern portion were admitted. Hardly had they entered when Gulledge began cursing and raising a general racket. He then sent to the kitchen, demanded a cup of coffee from the cook, drew his pistol and threatened to shoot if it was not forthcoming. "Ruby" thereupon interfered when he turned his wrath on her, drew a pistol and leaving fired three shots from his pistol at her, one of which lodged in the wardrobe in Ruby's room. Ruby then telephoned for the police and policeman Haynie responded to the call, but on his arrival, they had left and getting on their trail he followed the men to Five Points, where Haynie was joined by policeman Hugh Biggar. The officers approached toward Gulledge and Johnston to arrest them, when the two started to run and Haynie called to them to halt. Instead of doing so Gulledge drew his pistol. Haynie told him to "drop the gun," when Gulledge replied: "I'll drop it" and opened first on Haynie then on Biggar and the fire was returned, Gulledge receiving two wounds, one through the heart and one in the abdomen. J. O. Johnston, of Downsville, was with Gulledge and when the shooting commenced he drew his pistol, fired one shot at the policemen and then ran off up Desiard street, but a telephone message preceded him and he was arrested in front of Garretson's Opera House a few minutes after the occurrence and is now in jail.
The following is the substance of Mr. Biggar's testimony. "I was in Johnsonville last night looking for a negro I wanted to arrest and as I came back through Five Points I was told that Mr. Haynie wanted me. I came on up town and locked the negro up and went back to Five Points. Two parties came along and went over to Henry Barnes, and at that time Mr. Haynie came up in Habeyan's buss [sic] and got out. We walked down the street to Faulk & Renaud's and met the two men, (Johnston and Gulledge) who began to run. Mr. Haynie called to them to "halt I want to see you" and this gentleman, (meaning Johnston,) fired one shot and then run and kept running, but the other one stopped in a dark place across the street and begin firing fast at Mr. Haynie and then at me. He leveled his pistol at me and I dropped to my knees and began firing at him."
Gulledge remarked "well gentlemen you got me," and Mr. Perry McCabe ran up and wrenched his pistol from him when he fell on his face. The testimony of numerous other witnesses corroborate with Mr. Biggar's.
The coroner's jury rendered a verdict to the following effect: That W. J. Haynie came to his death by a shot from a pistol in the hands of Henry Gulledge and J. O. Johnston, and that Henry Gulledge came to his death by shots from a pistol in the hands of W. J. Haynie and Hugh Biggar in the discharge of their duties. J. O. Johnston is now in the parish jail to await a preliminary trial.
The weapon used by Gulledge was a Smith & Wesson 38 calibre revolver. The weapon used by officer Haynie was of the same manufacture.
Henry Gulledge was a farmer living near Downsville, Lincoln parish, and leaves a wife and two children, who have been summoned here.

Issue of Wednesday, 25 April 1894, page 3

The steamer Helen Vaughan was at our landing Sunday morning and Mr. Sam Blum took passage on her for Monroe.

--Contributed 2006 by T. D. Hudson, extracted from the Gazette, Farmerville, Union Parish, LA, April 1894. The microfilm is available for interlibrary loan or purchase from the Hill Memorial Library on the main campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The microfilm is also available for viewing at the Union Parish Library, main branch, in Farmerville.

1897 Pat Paine Executed

Pat Paine, the wife-murderer, paid the penalty for his awful crime on the gallows at Monroe last Friday [8 Oct 1897]. His was the first legal execution that has taken place in Monroe in over twenty years.

--Contributed 11 Nov 2006 by Timothy D. Hudson, extracted from Farmerville Gazette, Wednesday 13 October 1897, page 3, col 12.

1902 Bill Statement

"This is a copy of a 1900 bill for 1 year to M.H. Stevenson of Rayville from a Monroe Business. The second page of this statement was not copied here. His account was better in 1902 with him having a balance of $96.71. Evidently the way this is worded some type of work was exchanged for goods on a portion of this." -- Dot Golliher, great-granddaughter of M. H. Stevenson

Monroe, La.,April 24th.,1902
Mr. M.H. Stevenson
In Account With Barringer & Stubbs
FROM January 1st, 1900 to January 1st.,1901 --
To entire amount of money sent you as per your statement $1085.10
To bills for Groceries as follows:
Jan.3/00
1 Bbl.Flour.... $3.70
1 Bbl.Meal.... 1.80
100 lbs.Bacon @ 6-5/8.... 6.62
Freight prepaid.... .60
Jan.29/00
105# Bacon @ 6-7/8.... 7.22
25# Rice @ 4-1/2.... 1.23
25# Coffee @ 9-3/4 Sack 10 Cents.... 2.54
Feb.9/00
1Bbl.Flour.... 3.70
to prepay.... .30
22/00 112# Bacon@7-1/4.... 8.10
to prepay.... .25
___________
.... $36.06------------------36.06
By Credit salary for 1 year.... 300.00
By Credit all amounts paid for labor and all expenses as per your statement --- 647.00
$1121.16/$947.00
To Balance due us on 1900.... 173.51
$1121.16/1121.16

1909 History of Ouachita Parish

Ouachita Parish, established in 1807, is one of the 19 parishes into which Orleans parish was divided in that year. It was named for the Ouachita Indians, who held this part of the country when it was discovered and explored by the French. Its history is most interesting, as it was owned and ruled by savage, king and emperor, within a brief period. The parish of today comprises but a small portion of the original "District of Ouachita" during the French and Spanish regime, and of the "County of Ouachita" which, when set apart by the territorial council of Louisiana in 1805, comprehended "all that country commonly known and called by the name of Ouachita settlements," and which embraced within its original boundaries the parishes of Morehouse and Union and a part of Carroll. Ouachita is situated in the northern part of the state in the Ouachita valley and has an area of 646 square miles. As now constituted it is bounded on the north by Union and Morehouse parishes; on the east by Morehouse and Richland parishes, from which it is separated by Bayou Lafourche; on the south by Caldwell parish, and on the west by Jackson and Lincoln parishes.

The Ouachita river was explored by the French at an early day, and Penicaut, in his memoirs of Louisiana, states that "On the 19th of April (1719), the ships Marechal de Villars, Count de Toulouse, and the Phillip arrived. * * * Among the passengers were M. de Montplaisier, who came with 30 persons to establish a tobacco factory, and an Irish gentleman, who brought with him 60 men, to establish concessions on the Ouachita river, eight leagues above its mouth, in ascending from the Red river." These men were probably the first white men to settle in the region. The French established a post of which Stoddard writes, in his Historical Sketches of Louisiana, "The fort and settlement on the Washita are situated in north latitude, 32° 30', nearly.

The first settlement here was made by the French, which was destroyed by the Natchez Indians in 1729, and neither revived till the country passed into the hands of Spain. It now extends about 30 leagues above Fort Miro, and comprehends between five and six hundred souls." The old fort, called Fort Miro, was built where the city of Monroe now stands. After the Natchez were overcome, settlers began to come into the Ouachita valley. English, Scotch, and Scotch-Irish immigrants came from Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia, some from Tennessee and Kentucky, and a large number came from the Mississippi territory. The settlement had attained a population of about 1,000 when erected as a parish. Some of the early settlers were Judge Henry Bry, Thomas Lewis, who became judge in 1810, Thomas Morgan, who held the same office in 1813, Thomas Barlow, Lloyd Posey, John Dewitt, John Faulk, Charles Bettin, Alexander Lazare, Hypolite Pargoud and A. D. Richardson.

After the organization of the parish, Monroe was made the parish seat. The first courthouse was a rude structure, but was replaced by a better building, and in 1883 the 4th and present modern courthouse was built.

Ouachita parish is drained by the Ouachita river and Bayou Lafourche and their many tributaries, all of which are used in the extensive lumbering industry of the parish. Ouachita belongs to the "good upland" parishes and is an exceedingly rich farming region. About one-half of the parish consists of alluvial river bottoms, the remainder is undulating uplands, quite hilly in some places, interspersed with creek bottoms. Water is good and abundant, as there are springs and wells all through the upland section. Cotton is the great staple crop, for in the bottom lands of the Ouachita the greatest cotton producing soil in the world is found. The parish also produces corn, oats, hay, sugar-cane, sorghum and tobacco. Dairying, poultry raising and truck farming are all paying industries around Monroe and West Monroe, as the eastern and northern markets supply a growing demand for early vegetables and fruits. Originally the parish was heavily timbered with oak, gum, cottonwood, willow, cypress, beech, poplar, and hickory, hence for years lumbering has been one of the leading industries and a source of great wealth to the parish. As the forests have been cleared away stock raising has increased. It is a natural cattle country, as stock can range without much care nearly the entire year, and sheep, cattle, hogs and horses are raised in great numbers.

There are cotton compresses, cottonseed oil mills, numerous sawmills, canning factories and other industries in the parish, all attracted by the abundance of raw materials, cheap fuel, good water, and convenient transportation facilities furnished by the Ouachita river, the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific R. R., which traverses the central part of the parish east and west; the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern R. R., which enters the northeastern boundary near Wham, runs southwest to Monroe and thence directly south; a branch of the New Orleans & Northwestern R. R., which runs from Collinston in Morehouse parish to Monroe, and by the Little Rock & Monroe R. R., which runs northwest from Monroe.

The largest and most important city is Monroe, the parish seat, located at the intersection of all the railroads. It is the chief market and distributing point of the rich Ouachita valley, and the largest town in all northern Louisiana. Other important towns and villages in the parish are Bosco, Calhoun, Cheniere, Fouche, Swartz, West Monroe, Indian Village, Lapine, Logtown, Luna, Mill Haven, Okaloosa and Sterlington.

The following statistics are taken from the U. S. census for 1900: number of arms, 1,720; acreage, 181,920; acres under cultivation, 78,150; value of land and improvements exclusive of buildings, $1,323,510; value of farm buildings, $482,150; value of live stock, $426,366; value of all products not fed to live stock, $1,178,149; number of manufacturing establishments, 90; capital invested, $1,569,560; wages paid, $270.429; cost of materials used, $715,756; total value of products, $1, 239,012. The population of the parish in 1900 was 7,847 whites, 13,098 colored, a total of 20,947, an increase of 2,962 during the preceding decade. The estimated population for 1908 was over 22,000.

Contributed 03 Nov 2019 by Norma Hass, extracted from Louisiana; comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions, and persons, published in 1909, volume 2, pages 278-280.

1920 Paramount Theatre

The cast and crew of an unknown play performed at Paramount Theatre in downtown Monroe. The man on the far left is Johnnie E. Holmes of Monroe, formerly of Tennessee. Johnnie worked as a cook for L.W. Pailett. The others play participants are unknown. When he passed away in 1943, Johnnie left behind lots of theatre memorabilia to Hardy Blackstock, his best friend. He is buried in the Blackstock family plot (with Hardy, his wife Mattie, son Howard and his wife Florene) at Hasley Cemetery in West Monroe, Louisiana.

Ouachita Parish Newspapers

Known Ouachita Parish newspapers begin with the Washita Gazette newspaper, May 25, 1825. There is an edition of an earlier newspaper from 1823 that is in a private collection. The Gazette collection ends with the November 29, 1825 edition. The next known surviving newspaper is the Monroe Register, December 1, 1859 - November 22, 1860. There are no newspapers from the Civil War period available, and the newspapers pick back up after the war with the Weekly Telegraph, September 18, 1865. During and after Reconstruction, there were several newspapers publishing, among them the Daily Telegraph, the Ouachita Telegraph, The Monroe Bulletin, and Louisiana Intelligencer. From 1890 to May, 1909 there are few surviving newspapers, maybe less than a dozen issues. Persons researching this time period are asked to check surrounding parish newspapers to see if they carried Monroe items. For example, issues of the Richland Beacon survive from this era. From June 1909 to the present, the Monroe News-Star still has some issues available.

1985 Cartoons by Bill Golliher

Printed in Monroe News Star

1998 Memories by George Riser

Mr. George Riser, 91, offers wealth of history and memories. Mr. George celebrated his 91st birthday in May of 1998. He and his wife Roy married 63 years ago in 1935 and each had 40 year careers with the local school system. Mr. George still drives, does the family grocery shopping and always has time for a warm greeting and some uplifting conversation. The head football coach at Ouachita High School in the mid-40s he was later an assistant principal at three schools, including Lee Junior High, where he spent the last 12 years of his career. He was a high school and college referee for more than 20 years. Mrs. Riser taught elementary school for 40 years. They both retired more than 25 years ago, but George has remained active in community affairs. He has been a member of the parish jury commission for the past 15 years, was regularly on committees at First Methodist Church and was on the city recreation board when most of the city recreation gyms were built. He also took a part time job four years ago, delivering home meals to the sick and elderly.
Here are items that Mr. George reflected on in his interview:
HIGH SCHOOL: "Back when I was in high school at Ruston in the 1920s there were no school buses. In fact I rode my horse Alice, to school. There would always be a few horses tied up outside our school."
ATHLETICS: "I can still remember when we went to play a baseball game at Winnsboro. We got on a train in Ruston, changed to another in Rayville and then went on to Winnsboro. After the game we spent the night with people there and came home on another train the next day."
"I also remember my first shoulder pads in football. I swiped one of our pillows at home, cut a hole through the middle of it and slipped it over my head. As I recall it didn't help much. All of our athletic games were played in the daytime. There were no lighted fields. And basketball was played outside on dirt courts because there were no gyms."
FIRST CAR: "I paid $65 for my first car and drove it for four years while I was in college. Did you know there was no such thing as a driver's license in Louisiana until the 1940s."
LONGEST FAMILY TRIP: "The longest was when we went to Jonesboro for a family get-together. We went in our wagon. It took all day. We spent the night and I came back on my horse."
TRANSPORTATION: "I guess some of the biggest changes in my lifetime have come from the way we travel."
"Did you know that back in the 1920s and 1930s there were streetcars in Monroe? They were housed at the mechanical shop in Forsythe Park, where the golf course is. The track from there went down by the river to DeSiard Street."
FLOODS: "I remember two major floods in Monroe. The first was in 1927 and the next in 1932. It was soon after the second flood that the levee was built on the Ouachita River."
RESIDENCE: "When we built our house on Forsythe in 1951, there was only two or three other houses on our side of the street. We had crop dusting planes flying over our house almost daily. spraying the crops behind us."
"Eighteenth Street was nothing but a trail and Louisville Avenue didn't go beyond Sixth Street."
A LASTING MEMORY: "I always loved to hunt, I still remember Dec. 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked. I was in Wham Brake hunting ducks.

Contributed by Dot Golliher, extracted from Monroe News Star, October 21, 1998, an interview by Keith Prince

Sheriffs of Ouachita Parish

William Thomas Theobalds: 1888-1892
Isiah Garrett: 1892-1896
David Johnston: 1896-1908
John "Jack" Parker: 1908-1915
Thomas Arthur Grant: 1916-1924
Milton Coverdale: 1924-1948
Bailey Grant: 1948-1980
Laymon Godwin: 1980-1996
Charles L. Cook: 1996-2000
Richard L. Fewell: 2000-2008
Royce Toney: 2008(Will take office January 2008)
Jay Russell: 2012 - present

--Courtesy of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office, Calvin Miyahira

	Did you know? According to a local legend among the early settlers, the waters of the Ouachita River made more things fruitful than just the crops. As Jean Filhiol, founder of the Fort Miro settlement once wrote while his wife was expecting, "The waters have an admirable virtue for propagation."
	Part of present day West Monroe was established by two brothers who were kicked out of Fort Miro due to their bad behavior! According to the local legend, Sebastain and John Trent were expelled from Fort Miro in 1793 because they refused to work. The brothers relocated on the west bank of the Ouachita River and established a gambling and dance hall business! The two eventually moved their operation four miles up the river and established the settlement of Trenton, which is now part of the northern section of West Monroe!
	It was on May 1, 1819, that the James Monroe, the first steamboat ever to come up the Ouachita River, docked at Fort Miro! There was a big celebration throughout the little settlement. During the festivities Judge Henry Bry suggested that Fort Miro's name be changed in honor of the occasion. The other citizens agreed, and so Fort Miro became Monroe!
	At the end of the Civil War, the Union set up a concentration camp in Monroe. Before being released the Confederate Soldiers were given two alternatives. Either take and oath of Allegiance to the United States or be HUNG!
	In 1882, the first industry came to Monroe, a steam powered Ice Factory! The ice was made from unfiltered water from the Ouachita River, which wasn't really clean even then. Tourists were even attracted to the area to see the miraculous new Ice Machine in operation!
	The current railroad bridge from Monroe to West Monroe, which was built in 1882, once served a dual purpose. When not in use the tracks were covered with wooden planks to allow the horse and buggy traffic to cross. The planks had to be removed and replaced each time a train came through!
	Back in 1889 the city of West Monroe added a law to the books that stated, "No hogs will be allowed on the streets ..." The law didn't mention what would happen to any wayward porkers. Maybe that's how the lawmakers intended to bring home the bacon!
	During World War I, Reverend R. H. Windsor, a local black minister, set a national record by having twelve sons in the military at the same time! The group included three sets of twins and one set of triplets! Towards the end of the war, Rev. Windsor was called to Washington D. C. where he met with President Woodrow Wilson! President Wilsom presented Rev. Windsor with a ring and a letter praising him for his patriotism and thanking him for furnishing so many soldiers! All twelve of the sons were engaged in some of the most severe battles on the eastern front, but they all made it through the war with no serious injuries!
	The first car to be driven down a Monroe street was traveling in REVERSE! It seems the car was delivered by train and the new owner, Captain G. B. Cooley, couldn't figure out how to unload the vehicle and get it home. It finally took George Zeigen, the owner of the Monroe Bicycle Shop, to get it cranked. The next problem was that he could only get the automobile to travel in reverse. Mr. Zeigen had to back the car off the train and drive it backwards down the street!

Pictures