The Pennington~Roberts Wedding on March 10, 1869

(March 20th, 1869 newspaper)
In this village on the evening of the 10th inst., at the residence of the bride, by the Reverend M. DuBose, Colonel William F. Pennington and Mrs. Mattie Roberts. Colonel Pennington was a brave and gallant officer of the 4th Louisiana Infantry, and, as such, served with distinction in the cause of the Confederacy; and it is with peculiar pleasure that we tender our most sincere congratulations upon the consummation of his happiness. The editors of the Record were handsomely remembered. And as we raised the drinking glass, O'erflowed with the sparkling wave, We drank "long life to the happy pair, and a health to the fair and brave."
"When kindred hearts in rapture meet,
When e'en their plaintive sighs are sweet,
There dwells celestial bliss below,
Their flies all thought of care and woe."
The above lines suggested themselves to our mind on Wednesday evening while we gazed with unfeigned pleasure and satisfaction upon one of the most happy scenes it has been our privilege to witness for years. We refer to the marriage of our friends, Colonel Pennington and Mrs. Mattie D. Roberts. The bride looked truly magnificent in the splendor of her dress and person, while her gentle nature and goodness of heart shone out vividly in the lustre of her eyes; it has been many a day since we have seen so much to admire and approve as its the pair who stood up to exchange their marital vows. The Colonel looked fully self-possessed, and confident in the assurance of this future happiness. There was a "goodly company" in attendance who done ample justice to the good cheer which had been profusely provided; man a pleasant smile was provoked, and merry joke elicited among the joyous crowd. The bride and bridegroom were heartily toasted with all the good wishes that warm-hearted friends could conceive, in all of which we most earnestly joined, wishing them all the happiness this world can afford, be the vicissitudes what they may--
Closing with a cheery good night to the happy pair.

Steamer "David White" Blew Apart

February 26, 1867 (East Carroll Parish newspaper)
Steamer DAVID WHITE.
This boat was blown up a few days ago, about sixty miles above this point. We understand that the boat was completely separated bout the middle, and the ladies' cabin floated off down the river, thereby saving all the ladies on board, who were safely rescued at some distance below. The Captain, Engineer, Clerk, and one Pilot were lost, with some thirty-five or forty other persons, as we learn. We know of but one of the passengers who, and who got on the boat at this place. He was Dr. Bush, formerly, we believe, of New Orleans, late of Louisville.
We are not at all surprised at this catastrophe. This boat was utterly unfit to navigate the Mississippi. We traveled on her from Baton Rouge to this place last August; she was then almost a wreck, and seemed to be too old and crazy to hang together; we felt ourselves in constant danger.--by what authority this miserable concern has continued to run the river we know not. But doubtless official corruption has kept apparent life and motion in it, until the usual end and destruction of human life, which generally follow in all such cases, has been the fatal result.

The Ole Bruin, Killed by Billy Alexander

December 19, 1868 (from East Carroll newspaper)

Our friend Billy Alexander, who, by-the-way, is quite a Nimrod, and the acknowledged champion shot in the country, killed a very large fat bear last week in the swamp back of "Middlesex Plantation" in this county. It's gross weight was about 700 pounds. The net weight 465 pounds. One half of it sent to Vicksburg, sold for $72. Although Billy did not seem inclined to boast of his feat in overcoming this monster single-handed, it was nevertheless an adventure which displayed a great deal of genuine courage, and would have covered us all up with glory.--Billy says that when he first discover "Bruin" his lordship was industriously engaged in raking up acorns, and had about four bushels gathered, and had his head turned from the direction of attack. Our hunter walked up within fifteen steps and gave the unsuspecting brute a charge of buckshot into his rear, which however only caused him to kick up like a mule, until doubtless, from curiosity, he turned to see the author of this ungentlemanly assault, when Billy gave him the contents of the other barrel of shot-gun. This had the effect of stunning him for a moment; but recovering, he made a desperate lunge at his persecutor. Billy was prepared, and administered another dose of lead, which made him yell most hideously, and maddened with pain, seemed bent on revenge. The fourth shot however, laid him out. We are under obligations for that 'bar' oil, Billy.

The Robbery of Dr. Key; Ends in an Arrest

May 07, 1867
TO THE PATRON OF THE RECORD.
EDITOR OF THE RECORD;--
[Communicated; East Carroll Parish newspaper]
Dear Sir:--It will be remembered by many of the readers of your excellent paper, that in January last an old gentleman by the name of Dr. Key was robbed of all his money at Ashton Landing, in this parish. The Doctor and family had been refugees from Franklin Parish to Texas, and were on their return when this misfortune over-took them. Dr. key had been previous to the war, a planter of wealth as well as a successful and popular physician; but like many others, had in the waning fortunes of the Confederacy, disposed of his plantation for Confederate script, and joined the vast flood of emigration, which poured into Texas; and in the vicissitudes of an unsettled life, his means melted away and gradually evaporated--until $1150 in gold and silver with team and household effects, comprised all that was left of the worldly possessions of himself and family. A mournful example of the pranks which fortune plays with us poor humanity on this mundane sphere.
It was on the morning of the 17th of January, that your correspondent was called upon by a lad about twelve years old, -- who with tears rolling down his cheeks, stated that his father had that morning been robbed of all the money he had in the world--amounting to $1150 in specie. The little boy give me the particulars, as nearly as he could, and wished to know if I could not do something; for, said he, "Pa is nearly crazy about it." I immediately proceeded to Ashton Landing, and saw the Doctor, from whom I learned the following particulars: It appeared that the Doctor's wagon had got stalled the night previous in the vicinity of the new Ashton levee which was being built. A man giving his name as "Charley Cassidy," (a laborer on the levee), had offered his services to Dr. Key, in getting him out of the bog; for which service, the generous hearted old man had remunerated him with $1.25 in silver. The Doctor camped in the vicinity, and on the following morning, "Cassidy" returned and kindly offered to assist in reloading the wagon, preparatory to pursuing their journey. Cassidy, while apparently busy in his kind endeavors, was keenly scentuing each portion of the baggage for the location of the treasure; which his practiced metropolitan instinct had obtained a "sniff" of the night before. He was not long in ferreting out its whereabouts. Is weight had detected the coin in satchel, and e're the unsuspecting honest old man, or his family, were aware, their "devoted" but treacherous stranger friend had darted into a cane-brake a few yards from the camp, and "done gone."
This was the story of the old gentleman, told over and over again, as he rushed about frantic at his loss, beseeching me to "catch the d-m scoundrel." Assuring him of my sympathy, and that I would do all in my power, I immediately wrote to the Chief of Police at St. Louis, Memphis and Vicksburg, giving a full description of the villain, feeling confident that he would make his way to the river, at some point above, and be almost sure of detection from the large amount of silver. A reward of $100 was also offered at the request of the Doctor for the capture of the thief, and a return of the money.
On the following day our unfortunate friend passed on his way--receiving the sympathies and donations of our citizens. At Lake Providence, warm hearts gave forth needed contributions, and stout hands indignantly clenched at the recital of the robbery. Some of the more chivalric young men scoured the country in search of the perpetrator, and, had he been caught, it would probably not have cost the State anything in his prosecution. The following is the sequel and will explain itself: G. (Goffe)
From the communication of our friend "G." (Goffe) many of our readers will be glad to learn of the arrest of the scoundrel who robbed a Dr. Key, in the northern portion of our parish in January last. He will, we suppose, be brought to this parish for trial.
We cheerfully give a place in our paper, to the excellent contribution to the Record, from C. H. G. (Charles H. Goffe)- We have read before several elegant productions from the pen of our talented young friend, and welcome him as a contributor to our columns.

Urias Conn; Hunter, October 11, 1884

Banner Democrat Newspaper
Urias Conn is decidedly the best hunter in this country. He can not be excelled in many other sections. A few days since while hunting with his Winchester Rifle, he came on a flock of three deer and they dispersing in various directions, he killed them all three by several shots from his single gun. This was remarkable shooting, showing great coolness of judgment and precision of aim. These make up the number of fifty-two killed by him with this rifle.

Major Todd's Leg, July 8, 1875, Clipping & Transcription

Sketch by Sandy Guthrie Moore.
This story came out of the New Orleans Republican, and then on July 8, 1875 was placed in the Carroll Watchman, of Carroll Parish, La.

"Major Todd of our place, lost his right leg at the battle of Fredericksburg, and some time ago he purchased an artificial leg from a man in Wilmington. It contained a system of springs, which enabled the major to use it in such a natural manner that when he was walking along the street nobody would for a moment suppose that he had not both of his own legs.
One Sunday, while the major was on his way to church, he slipped upon the ice and gave the store leg a severe wrench: He must have dislocated some of the springs; for after reaching church and taking his seat, and while the clergymen was reading the Scriptures, the leg suddenly flew up and rested upon the back of the pew in front of him. The congregation looked at him in amazement, and he grew very red in the face. As soon as he took it down it jumped up again and wiggled about on the back of the pew, finally kicking Mrs. Thompson's bonnet to rags. Then the Major suppressed it again, and held it down, but it instantly began a convulsion movement in his own pew, during which it upset the stools, plunged around among the hymn books and hats, and hammered the board beneath the seat, until it made such a racket that the minister had to stop. The sexton came rushing in to find what was the matter, and the Major after explaining the difficulty in a whisper, asked the sexton to let him lean on him while he charged on the front door. As soon as the Major got into the aisle that dissolute leg kicked the sexton sixteen or seventeen times in a most insolent manner, varying the exercise by making eccentric swoops off at the side, during which it kicked right off the high hats at the pew doors into black silk chaos.
By the time the Major reached the vestibule the leg had become perfectly reckless. It flew up before and it flew up behind. It butted against the good leg, and darted on sideways, and described circles, and tried to insert its toes in the Major's coat tail pockets, and to whack him on the nose. When the sexton came with a hack and put the major in it, the leg banged through the window glass, and when the driver got down to see about it, the leg brandished it self in his face, and concluded the exercise by planting a powerful blow in his stomach. The Major told the driver that he would give him $10 to take that leg off; and the driver accepted the offer. For several minutes it eluded all his efforts to catch it as it danced about, but finally he got hold of it, and hung on, while the Major tried to unbuckle the straps. Then it came off and rolled the driver in the mud. He got up to watch it. It writhed and kicked, and jumped and throbbed and hopped; and whenever it would make a dash to one side or the other, the crowd would scatter in order to give it full play. Finally Ben Woolley set his dog on it, and a most exciting contest ensued, the leg two or three times running off with the dog, and as it seemed likely that the dog would be whipped, Mr. Woolley got a crowbar and aimed a blow at the leg, with the intent to smash it; but he missed it and nearly killed the dog. As soon as the dog retired Mr. Woolley whacked at it again and burst in into flinders, and then there was peace. The Major drove home and got his crutches, and since then he has confined himself to the use of a wooden leg which has no springs. He tells the story himself with much animation, but he thinks it a little harsh that the deacons tried to expel him from that church for indulging in profane levity during services."--[N. O. Republican]

Tornado Destroys Monticello, Louisiana

February 09, 1867 (East Carroll Parish newspaper)
A portion of our parish was visited by a very severe hurricane (tornado) on Friday evening, the 1st inst. It came from the west, passing directly east, and following almost immediately the Goodrich Landing, Monticello, and Monroe Road, and crossed the Mississippi River at the Wilton Plantation. We are informed that it tore everything to pieces in its track. The town of Monticello was almost completely demolished, and almost every plantation along the road was injured by the blowing away of houses, cabins, stables, &c., and on some places it did not leave a house of any description standing. Several persons were badly injured. We also learn that it did considerable damage in Mississippi, but have heard no particulars. It was from a quarter to a half mile in width, and extended across the whole of our parish from west to east.

Good Invention - Or What???

December 19, 1868 (at the newspaper office)
An old Irishman came into our office a few weeks ago, with an invention he wished to have patented. It consisted of a fine long steel blade of a pen knife and whose handle terminated in a lead pencil.
“Yes”, we said, “it’s a good pencil, but what’s the blade at the other end intended for?” “Oh”, replied he, “that’s where the merit lies. Don’t ye see, it’s to sharpen the lead pencil with, when it gets dull.”
We directed him to the patent office, for such an inventive brain ought to receive its just reward.

The Monticello Rifles

Banner Democrat Newspaper

Saturday, July 22, 1899
FROM AN OLD CONFEDERATE
Canton, Ky., July 4, 1899. Mr. Editor: -- My object in writing you is to find out if some of my old comrades are yet in the land of the living. I went out with Company II, 3rd La. Volunteers, and our company was known as the Monticello Rifles, J. S. Richards, Captain; D. Hardeman, 1st Lieut.; C. A. Hedrick, 2nd Lieut.; William Corbin, 3rd Lieut. I have forgotten our orderly sergeant, but he was a good old man, and I think was discharged during the first year of the war. Then H. B. Briggs was made orderly, and served in that capacity until we stacked arms at Vicksburg, thirty-nine years ago to-day. Mr. Briggs was a native of the State of New York, and was as good a soldier as ever fired a gun; but I think our company was made up of as good material as could be found anywhere; officers and men were brave and fearless. I would be glad to hear from some of them. I am an old man now; will be sixty-four years old on the 11th of August, if I should live to that time. It has been so long since I lived in your parish that I have forgotten the names of a great many persons. I am a native of Kentucky, and went to Floyd in 1858, and did business in that place with my brother-in-law, G.M. Langford, and knew a great many people. If I could I would pay dear old Carroll a visit before I die. I had but one sister, and she sleeps on a mound two miles below Floyd, on what was then known as the Creed Motley place, but I will never be able to visit the spot. I know everybody would be strangers now; but if I could see the Lotts, the DeFrance's, the Cheatham's, Draughn, the Montgomery's, the Wyly's Roberts, Delony, Darden, Hanagan's, and a host of other good people, it would be a very great pleasure to me in my old age. Hoping this will be the means of finding some of my old friends,
I am respectfully, J.A. HUMPHRIES.

Murders & Outrages of Carroll Parish, La.

Assistant Commissioner for the State of Louisiana
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865 - 1869.
National Archives Microfilm M1027 Roll 34 Records Relating to Murders and Outrages
Mar. 1867 - Nov. 1868
May 26th, 1866 - Lieut. G. W. Rollins, Lake Providence, reports a freedman insulted the wife of W. R. C. Lyons (owner of a leased plantation) during his absence from home. On his return, Lyons gave the freedman 30 lashes. The overseer of the place, Hopkins (employed by the lessee), told Lyons he would protect the freed people. Lyons then went to Lake Providence and returning to the plantation with his crowd, knocked Hopkins down with a pistol, gave him 300 lashes with a cowhide, brought him to the river, put him on a steamboat and sent him down the river. An infantry force was sent to Lake Providence and remained there for some time but were unable to arrest any of the accused who absconded for the time.
May 27th, 1866 - Lieut. Rollins, Lake Providence, reports that about 10 o'clock on Sunday morning in the town of Lake Providence, Martin Day, freedman, for answering a white boy quickly was knocked down by Mr. Kingsly (white), taken through the town facing the East and there stopped and terribly beaten with rawhides by Kingsly and some 6 or 7 other men, who put a rope around his neck, nearly choked him, jumped upon him &c. Civil Authorities took no notice of the affair and on arrival of the Military the parties left the Parish.

1886 Keller's School Examinations

JULY 3, 1886

~ KELLER'S SCHOOL ~
Miss M. C. Keller's school closed on 11th of June, and she gives an exact report of those who passed the highest examination, also those who won prizes.
Arithmetic-- Charlie Beard, James Beard, and Mary Beard; from United States money to Ratio; 197 examples were given them, worked all.
Charles Ikerd, and Dollie Kennedy; 297 examples were given them in U.S. money, fractions, denominate numbers, denominate fractions to ration; worked all.
John Kennedy, Maggie Crowly, Mande Williams and Olander Hamilton; 197 from beginning to the end of Arithmetic, worked all.
Albert Taylor, Ikie Cohn; worked all.
Suzett Maguire, Phenie Cohn, Morgan Larche; fractions, ratio, interest,Partial payments, partnerships, insurance, denominate fractions, profit and loss, commission and analysis; 319 were given them, failed on two.
Francise McBarron; 197 given her, worked all.
Ollie Keller, Pauline Larche, worked all of the 319
Nimo White, primary arithmetic, 48, worked all.
Ollie Cohn, Louie Martin, and William Taylor; 46 examples given, worked all.
ALGEBRA-- 100 examples were given worked all.
Mamie Therrel, 197 given her, worked all.
GRAMMAR-- Charlie Beard, James Beard, Mary Beard, Dollie Kennedy, Maggie Crowley, and Maud Williams, Olander Hamilton out of 299 questions answered all.
John Kennedy, Ikie Cohn, Francise McBarron out of 299 failed on 3.
Albert Taylor out of 299 failed on 2.
Suzett Maguire, Morgan Larche, and Phenie Cohn out of 489 questions false syntax answered all.

~ PRIZE LIST ~
Pauline Ammons, Jake Purdy, Bessie Rhodes, Morgan Larche,
Nannie Rhodes, Moreau Purdy, Mamie Therrel, John Kennedy,
Dollie Kennedy, Morgan Hamilton, Mattie Hamilton,
Charles N. Ikerd, Pauline DeLauny, O. Hamilton, Francis McBarron,
Ollie Cohn, Hattie Blunt(Blount?), Suzet Maguire, Pollie Williams,
Ikie Cohn, Lizzie Therrel, Nimo White, Annie Belden, John Jenkins,
Maggie Crowley, Jason Hamilton, Annie Cassino, Lonie Martin,
Phenie Cohn, Lucien Killkist, Mary Brock, Bob Williams,
William Taylor, and Albert Taylor
Enrolled 61 children.

PRIZES-- Poems by Longfellow and Tennyson. Histories by Abbot, Story and picture books, Life of Cleveland, George Eliot and other poetry by Rose Cleveland.

1866 Police Jury Meeting

BELOW IS THE FIRST POLICE JURY PROCEEDINGS OF CARROLL PARISH THAT IS PRINTED IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS RIGHT AFTER THE CIVIL WAR ENDED. IT APPEARED IN THE CARROLL RECORD ON JULY 21ST, 1866. I BELIEVE THAT ALL OTHER NEWSPAPERS HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY FIRE.

July 21st, 1866
The Police Jury of the Parish of Carroll met on Monday last in obedience to the call of the President of the late Board. The following members were present; Isham Beard, Ward No. 1; John J. Wilson, Ward No. 5; Henry M. Shaw, Ward No. 6; and William M. Pugh, Ward No. 7. Wards No. 2, 3, and 4 were unrepresented.
The Board organized by electing Henry M. Shaw President, John L. Cheatham Clerk, James W. Draughon, Treasurer, Field F. Montgomery, Esq., Parish Attorney, Wm. W. Collins Parish Tax Collector, and the Carroll Record the official journal of the Parish. (more of story)

POLICE JURY PROCEEDINGS -
(Floyd, Carroll Parish, July 09, 1866)
In pursuance of an order of his honor, E. D. Hannegan, President of the Police Jury in and for said parish and State, ordering a special term of said body, and the various members having been duly notified, the following gentlemen recently elected as members of said body, appeared at the Court House, in the town of Floyd, on this 9th day of July , 1866, A. D.
I. B. Beard, from Ward No. 1, John J. Willson, Ward No. 5; H. M. Shaw, Ward No. 6; W. T. S. Pugh, Ward No. 7.
There being a quorum present, the Board was called to order after taking the oath of office, and on motion of Mr. Beard and seconded, the Police Jury went into an election form President. Henry M. Shaw was nominated, and there being no opposition , he was declared unanimously elected President of the Police Jury.
The members of the Police Jury then drew for long and short terms: H. M. Shaw drew a short term, J. J. Willson a short term, and Messrs. Beard and Pugh both drew long terms.
Two petitions were presented and read signed by the citizens of Ward No. 7, in regard to the establishing of a public ferry at Delhi, which were ordered to be laid on the table.
The Police Jury then adjourned until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.
TUESDAY MORNING, JULY 10, 1866
The Police Jury met pursuant to adjournment; present as on last evening.
Be it ordained by the Police Jury, that hereafter the School Districts and the lines and bounds thereof in and for the parish of Carroll, be and are hereby established to be the same as the Police Jury Wards in and for said parish; District Number 1 to be bound the same as Ward Number 1, and the other districts to be bound the same as the other Wards; and that the following gentlemen be and they are hereby appointed School Directors in and for said parish, to wit; District No. 1, Henry Goodrich, William Craig, and Mark Valentine, Sr.; District 2, S. P. Bernard, G. W. McCarrell, and Ed. F. Newman; District No. 3, William Coleman, Aaron Goza, and Will S. Owen; District No. 4, F. D. Galloway, Samuel Templeton, and S. L. Chambliss; District No. 5, J. W. Bell, P. W. Longmire, and J. A. Mercer; District No. 6, William Keller, J. W. Dunn, and E. D. Hannegan; District No. 7, D. M. Pugh, H. W. McLemore, and Warren M. Scott.
Be it ordained, that D. S. Travis, W. M. Scott, Robert Reed, W. Tarbutton, and Robert Hennington be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to review and mark out a road, commencing on Bayou Macon at our near Robert Reed's and terminating at the Delhi road at the nearest and best point, and make a report of the same at the next meeting of the Police Jury.
Be it ordained, that G. M. Brumby, John Bishop, Oliver Heffner, and W. Tarbutton be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to confer with commissioners to be appointed by the Police Jury of Madison Parish, to review and mark out a road leading from Delhi to Bayou Macon to intersect a road leading from Colonel N. D. Coleman's to Bayou Macon on the nearest and best route, and report at the next meeting of the Police Jury.
Be it ordained, that C. A. DeFrance, E. J. Delony, and W. G. Wyly be and they are hereby appointed a Board of Examiners in and for the Parish of Carroll, whose duty it shall be to examine all applicants for situations as teachers of public schools in and for said parish, n pursuance of sec. 17, school laws of Louisiana, passed March 15, 1855.
Be it ordained, that W. C. Jackson be and he is hereby employed to construct on the road from Goodrich's Landing to Jackson's Ferry good and substantial log bridges over Joe's Bayou and Tensas out of overcut oak or other timber or logs that will not float off by water (permanent log bridges), and that Charles Atkins, J. W. Montgomery, and W. G. Wyly be appointed commissioners to examine, inspect and receive the said bridges when completed, and that said commissioners be and are hereby authorized to certify the value of said service and fix the amount thereof, provided the total price does not exceed two hundred and fifty dollars, and that upon the presentation of said certificate to the President of the Police Jury that a parish warrant issue to the amount specified in said certificate to said Jackson.
Be it ordained, that the license on all retail liquor houses or houses that retail liquor by the drink be one hundred dollars per annum, and all former laws regarding the same on the aforesaid houses be and the same are hereby repealed.
Be it ordained, that J. W. Draughon, Ezekiel Graves, and F. F. Montgomery be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to let out and superintend the repairing of the Court House and Jail in the town of Floyd. That upon their certificate that the same has been completed according to contract, that the President of the Police Jury issue a warrant for the payment of the same.
Be it ordained, that E. D. Hannegan, J. W. Draughon, and F. F. Montgomery be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to have a good plank fence erected around the Court House Square, in the town of Floyd, with three gates, one in the center of each side except the north side, and that said gates be built so as to latch themselves, the posts of said fence to be good and durable timber. That they let out the contract for building the same to the lowest bidder, and when said work is completed the said commissioners, if they receive the same, shall be and are hereby authorized to pay for the same by a warrant drawn by them in favor of the contractor on the Parish Treasurer (E. R. Kent), and report the result of their acts at the next meeting of the Police Jury.
Be it ordained, that the Parish Treasurer (E. R. Kent) be and he is hereby authorized and instructed to pay the warrant of said commissioners out of any money n the parish Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Be it further ordained, that said commissioners at the same time let out to the lowest bidder the stopping of the washing of the ditches bounding the Court House Square with the old Clerk and Recorder's offices and earth necessary to stop the washing aforesaid, and that the same be paid for as aforesaid.
The Police Jury then went into an election for parish Tax Collector, whereupon W. W. Collins was suggested, and there being no opposition, he was declared duly elected.
The Carroll Record was duly elected as the official paper of the parish.
Be it ordained, that hereafter the parish Tax Collector (W. W. Collins) be allowed five cents on all monies collected by him as parish dues. All ordinances in conflict with the foregoing be and are hereby repealed.
Be it ordained, that the Sheriff (W. W. Collins) of the Parish of Carroll be allowed three hundred dollars per annum for all of his services to be rendered to the parish as ex officio services and for his services in criminal matters, and four hundred dollars per annum for as jailor.
Be it further ordained, that the (J. L. Cheatham) Clerk of the District Court of Carroll Parish be allowed two hundred dollars per annum for all his services rendered the parish, including his fees in criminal matters.
Be it further ordained, that hereafter the Parish Printer be allowed four hundred dollars per annum. And all ordinances or parts of ordinances on conflict with the foregoing be and the same is hereby repealed.
E. R. Kent, Parish Treasurer, presented his account and report, which was examined and found correct, and on motion and seconded, the Parish Recorder is authorized to cancel his official bond as such.
The Police Jury then resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole upon Claims, when the following claims were allowed and ordered to be paid, to wit:
CLAIMS.
A. G. Lane, Sheriff, $552.75
William Fields, for furniture, $16.00
G. W. Spurlin, locks $40.00
W. J. Williamson, witness (criminal pros.), $6.50
J. A. Bennett, witness (criminal pros.), $6.50
Elijah Evans, jury claim, $4.00
J. M. Stafford, $10.00
J. L. Cheatham, record books, etc., $53.85
J. W. Dunn, furniture, $20.00
J. W. Draughon, record books, etc., $55.00
L. P. Lawton, coroner inquest, $15.00
W. W. Collins, Sheriff, $181.25
E. J. Delony, (criminal pros.), $10.00
G. M. Langford, Jailor, $199.50
W. T. C. Anderson, Sheriff, $130.00
Doctor J. S. Herring, post mortem, $15.00
Estimate of the probable expenses of the parish of Carroll for the year 1866: To be paid Assessor for making out rolls, $125.; to be paid Recorder for extending rolls, $125.; to be paid Clerk Police Jury, $300.; to be paid Parish Printer, $400.; to be paid Sheriff ex officio services, etc., $300.; to be paid Jailor, $400.; to be paid Clerk of Court, $200.; to be paid members of Police Jury, $600.; to be paid grand and petit juries, $2000.; to be paid justices and constables (criminal pros.), $500.; to be paid witness (criminal pros.), $1000.; to be paid for fuel and stationary for the courts. $100.; to be paid for record books for offices, $600.; to be paid for public buildings, square, etc. $1000. Total $9,700.
Be it ordained by the Police Jury, that the foregoing be and the same is hereby fixed as an estimate of the probable expenses of the parish of Carroll for the current year. (To be continued in next week's issue.)
MELON-CHOLY.--Mr. J. K. Holly writes us that a few days ago he measured a watermelon raised on Doctor Weston's place, which was twenty-five inches in length by twenty-eight in circumference, and weighed 30 lbs. He wants to know who can beat it. So do we, and wouldn't object to testing the quality also.
PARISH DIRECTORY:
Hon. E. D. Farrar, Judge Thirteenth District Court.
W. J. Duncan, District Attorney.
Hon. H. R. Lott, State Senator
Hon. F. F. Montgomery, Representative.
H. M. Shaw, President Police Jury.
J. L. Cheatham, Clerk Dist. Court
T. D. McCandlass, Recorder.
W. W. Collins, Sheriff and Parish Tax Collector.
C. A. Hedrick, Assessor.
G. M. Langford, Coroner.
F. F. Montgomery, Parish Attorney.
J. W. Draughon, Parish Treasurer.
July 28, 1866
- POLICE JURY PROCEEDINGS -
Tuesday Morning, July 10, 1866
(CONTINUED)
The election of Parish Prison Physician was gone into, whereupon Dr. John S. Herring was nominated, and there being no opposition he was declared unanimously elected.
The election of Parish Attorney was gone into, whereupon G. W. Daugharty, E. J. Deloney and F. F. Montgomery wee put in nomination, and upon receiving an counting the votes it was ascertained that G. W. Daugharty received one vote, E. J. Delony one, and F. F. Montgomery two votes, therefore F. F. Montgomery was declared duly elected.
The communication of Mrs. M. C. Lane in regard to the ferry across Bayou Macon on the Ashton Road, was laid over.
Be it ordained by the police Jury of the Parish of Carroll, that James Mercer, Samuel Coleman, and David R. Herrin, of Ward No. 5, be and are hereby appointed commissioners to let out to the lowest bidder, after public advertisement in three public places in said Ward, the bridge on the Arkansas road, known as the "Coleman Bridge" requiring bond and security for the faithful performance of their contract, and after the same is completed and received by them, to draft on the President of the Police Jury, who is hereby authorized to issue a warrant for the payment of the same.
Be it ordained by the Police Jury of the Parish of Carroll, that Ephraim R. Kent, George W. Spurlin, and Levi C. Massengill, of Ward No. 6, be and are hereby appointed commissioners to let out to the lowest and best bidder, after public advertisement in three public place in said Ward, the bridge on the Arkansas road leading via Floyd known as the "Millikin Bridge", requiring bond and security for faithful performance of the contract, and after the same is completed and received by them, to draft on the President of the Police Jury, who will be authorized to issue a warrant for the same. Be it ordained by the Police Jury of the Parish of Carroll, that John W. Eppes, William T. Stewart, and Samuel Templeton be and they are hereby authorized and empowered to act as commissioners of elections at the town of Monticello and the Monticello precinct in and for the Ward No. 4, and conduct all elections at said precinct this year.
State of Louisiana, Parish of Carroll.--A vacancy in representation form Ward No. 4 being suggested, it is hereby ordered that an election be held according to law, at the town of Monticello, in said Ward, on Wednesday, 25th day of July, 1866, to fill the vacancy of representation of said Ward No. 4 in the Police Jury of the Parish of Carroll. It is also ordered that an election be held at the same time and place for Justice of the Peace and Constable for said Ward. Read an signed in open session of Police Jury this 10th July, 1866. H. M. Shaw - President Police Jury.
The Police Jury then adjourned until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.
- POLICE JURY PROCEEDINGS -
Wednesday Morning, July 11, 1866
Police Jury met pursuant to adjournment. Present as on yesterday.
ROAD LAWS.
(more of story - Story takes up where names are mentioned)
Ward No., 1 -- Be it ordained by the Police Jury of the Parish of Carroll, that A. C. Rhoton be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the road from the parish line up to G. R. Newman's upper line, and to control for road purposes the hands on the W. H. Harris place, William Henderson's place, and G. R. Newman's place for road purposes.
That James Irwin be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the road from G. R. Newman's upper line, to Mrs. M. Galloway's lower line, and to control for road purposes the hands on the Bell place and the Rolla place.
That C. M. McCleod be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the road from Mrs. Galloway's lower line to Goodrich's Store; and to control for road purposes the hands on Mrs. Savage's place and the hands on the Galloway place.
That James Thompson be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the road from Goodrich's Store to Tensas Bayou, and to control for road purposes the hands on the Doctor Davis' place otherwise appropriated.
That Charles McAllister be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the road from the north side of the "Outpost Plantation" south to the parish line, and to control for road purposes the hands adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
That James Thompson be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the road from the "Stamboul Plantation" to the lower line of the Benjamin place to control for road purposes the hands near said road not otherwise appropriated.
That David Hall be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the road from the Benjamin place to the upper line of Ward No. 1, and to control for road purposes the hands nears said road not otherwise appropriated.
Ward No., 2 -- Be it ordained by the Police Jury of the Parish of Carroll, that J. L. Chambliss be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the road beginning at Corbin's ferry, on Bayou Macon, and terminating at the head of Hood's Lane, on Lake Providence, and to control for road purposes the hands on the Bosworth old places, and all others adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
No., 5 -- Be it ordained by the Police Jury of the Parish of Carroll, that G. W. Shillings be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the State road from Rashee's ferry to the intersection of the turnpike road, and to control for road purposes the following hands: J. N. Williamson, Thomas Knight, Albert Williamson, W. A. Russell, John Raven, J. McGaughey, Benjamin Blackman, and sons, and all others near said road not otherwise appropriated.
That T. J. Henry be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the State Road from Green's Schoolhouse, and to control for road purposes the following hands: W. F. Benner (Bonner?), K. Robertson, ----- Meeks, Everson Fair, all the hands of J. W. Bell, Ernest Trumper, and all the hands on the Seller's place, William Mangum, John Green, W. B. Wilson and son, and all others not otherwise appropriated.
That W. J. Corley be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the State Road from Green's Schoolhouse to Lane's Ferry, and to control for road purposes the following hands: Henry R. Johnson, and all the hands of the Benton place, F. Bronson, T. N. Pully, and all the hands on the Settoon's place, Marshall Dixon, and hands at T. B. Reneau's place, and all others not otherwise appropriated.
That Joseph Furguson be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the road from the turnpike to Oak Grove, and to control for road purposes the following hands: A. A. Lester, W. W. Bradley, George Bradley, and hands of Mr. Hutchinson, A. J. Lester, M. N. Skinner, J. R. Coyle, C. A. Lehman, Charley Coyle, John Ridings, William Shorock, (Shrock?) Thomas Bains, John Crow, A. Humphreys, Robert Hurley, S. Phares, and hands, and all others adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
That Andrew Jackson be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the Arkansas Road from Oak Grove to the Coleman bridge, and to control for road purposes the following hands: Rueben Rice, Mr. Stuart, John Tillery, F. Ross, D. Herrin, and hands, West Herrin, Mr. Counts, James Houston, and hands, E. W. Farrier, and hands, at Mr. Shaw's, P. W. S. Longmire, and hands, S. A. Gould, Eugene Davis and hands, and all others adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
That Thomas Griffith be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the Macedonia and Ashton Road from Boeuff River to the Five Points, and to control all the hands northwest of Tiger Bayou not otherwise appropriated to some other road.
That John D. Herrin be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Boeuff River and Tiger Bayou Road from Hash's Ferry to the Coleman bridge, and to control for road purposes the following hands: J. A. Bennett, J. B. Drake, Willis Hootsell, James Furguson, F. Hash, W. J. Williamson, R. Bardwell, George Ravan, Mr. Linesely (Lindsey?), Mr. Cooper, Thomas Woods, Sam Hurley, McHerly, R. Rorax, John S. Talley's hands, William Cook, and all others adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
That William J. Kilbourne be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the road from Mrs. Harvey's gin-house through by the Gayden place to the State line, and all others not otherwise appropriated.
Ward No., 6 -- Be it ordained by the Police Jury of the Parish of Carroll, that W. H. Corbin be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the turnpike road from the hills to the Bayou Mason, and to control his own hands for road purposes.
That H. R. Wade be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Arkansas Road from the Ward Line up to the intersection of the Floyd Road west of H. R. Lott's, and control for road purposes the following road hands; W. B. Hardison, and Z. T. Hardison, and hands, James Noland, James Rollins, B. F. Sorrells, William Dickerson, and hands. Albert Lusk and hands, and all others adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
That G. W. Spurlin be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Arkansas Road from intersection of the Floyd road west of H. R. Lott's to Spurlin's shop, and control for road purposes the following hands; G. W. Clark, Perry Keller, Mrs. Morris's hands, those on the Walcott's old place, his own, and any others said not otherwise appropriated.
That John M. Bullen be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Arkansas Road from Spurlin's shop to the Ward line at Turnpike Road, and to control for road purposes the following hands: West McWilliams, and hands, W. J. Bragg, R. S. Gerald, John Tharp, Nat Buller, and hands, L. E. Eddins, and hands, John A. Sanderson, and hands, all the hands on the Carraway place, Mrs. McCandless' hands, Mr. Samuel Aron, William Keller's hands, H. J. Bullock, T. M. Mann and hands, Mr. Ward, his own hands, and others which may be situated near said road not other wise appropriated.
That T. J. Maben be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Arkansas Road from Jackson's ferry to Floyd, and control for road purposes the following hands; Wade Jackson, James McCain, Robert McCain's hand, (if he has any), B. J. Kiger's hands, C. T. Motley's hands, William Motley, J. W. Montgomery's hands, Vail Montgomery's hands, Mr. Matthews, T. F. Montgomery, and his own hands, and any others said not otherwise appropriated.
That E. D. Hannegan be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the road from road from the corporation of Floyd to John W. Hays’ tan-yard, and to control for road purposes the following hands; H. R. Lott's hands, Daniel Whitaker, James Whitaker, and hands, W. W. Collin's hands, U. C. Ward's hands, Joseph Dempsey, J. L. Cawthon, and all hands at the Steam Mill, Daniel Sherman, James McKee, and Arch. McKee, George Guier, and hands, John W. Hays, and hands, H. D. Briggs, and his own hands, and any others said not otherwise appropriated.
That John McIntyre be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the road from Colewa to John W. Hays, and to control for road purpose the following hands; J. L. McBride and hands, James Cummins, and hands, the two McIntyres, and hands, Ed Oliver, and hands, Mrs. Archey's hands, and any others said not otherwise appropriated.
That Alfred J. Cook, Sr. be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the from D. J. Montgomery's up to Colewa, and to use D. J. Montgomery and hands. A. J. Cook, Jr., Mr. Davidson, and all others adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
That Moses Looney be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Pine Creek from road, commencing at the Arkansas Road, near the Phelan's old field, and terminating at Mrs. Boyce's, and control for road purposes the following hands; Frank Looney, Simeon Looney, W. A. Page, and hands, J. A. Young and hands, E. O. Ross, and hands, W. J. P. Vinson, and hands, T. Brock, H. Childs, James Boyce, John Hannegan, and Matt Hannegan, and any others said not otherwise appropriated.
That Green J. Underwood be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Pine Creek from road, commencing at the Spurlin's shop and terminating at Captain Dunn's shop in Floyd, and control for road purposes the following hands; Draughon, Langford's hands and Willson's place, W. D. Davis and hands, Eugene Gillers, Mrs. Hawkins, hands, Peter LaWeiss, and J. S. Crow and William Crow, Thomas Hays, and sons, John Asrons, his own hands, and any others said not otherwise appropriated.
That E. R. Kent be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the road commencing at Hurricane Creek and terminating at the Arkansas road just above Spurlin's, and control for road purposes the following hands; L. C. Massingill, and hands, Hamilton McWilliams, and hands, William McWilliams, all the hands at "Hendersonville," his own hands, and any others said not otherwise appropriated
That F. C. Cheatham be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the turnpike road from the front of the hills west to D. G. Bullen's and to control for road purposes the following hands; Simeon Jackson, J. H. Chesney, Mr. Lea, James McPhail, G. S. Dorsey, and hands, all the hands on the "Hargrove place", D. G. Bullen, and his own, and any others said not otherwise appropriated.
That George M. Langford be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the streets and roads in the town of Floyd, and to control Wright & Gingery's hands, W. T. C. Anderson, and hands, J. W. Dunn, and hands, and all others in or about the town of Floyd subject to such duty. And that W. T. C. Anderson, J. W. Draughon, and J. W. Dunn be and they are hereby appointed commissioners of roads and streets is said town of Floyd, whose duty it shall be to lay out the work most needed to be done, and under whose supervision and direction said G. M. Langford shall have said work done.
Ward No., 7 -- Be it ordained by the Police Jury of the Parish of Carroll, that J. J. Slade be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the Delhi and Arkansas road from the Monroe road to Blount's place, and to control for road purposes his own hands.
That J. D. Holley be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Delhi and Arkansas road from Blount place to Cypress Bayou, and control for road purposes the following hands adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
That L. J. Land be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Delhi and Arkansas road from the Cypress Bayou up to the Ward line, and to control for road purposes the following hands adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated. That U. E. Travis be and he is hereby appointed overseer of the Delhi and Arkansas road from Purvis's own to the parish line, and control for road purposes the following hands adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
That Charles Carpenter be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Monroe road from the Floyd and Delhi road to Little Creek, and control for road purposes the following hands adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
That James Gwinn be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Monroe road from Little Creek to the parish line, and control for road purposes the following hands adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
That J. A. Leggitt be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the road from Lester ferry to Little Creek, and control for road purposes the following hands adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
That J. R. Kelly be and he is hereby appointed overseer on the Monroe road from Little Creek to Owen's ferry, on Boeuff River, and to control for road purposes the following hands adjacent to said road not otherwise appropriated.
Be it ordained, that James S. Millikin be and he is hereby appointed beneficiary student from this parish to the State Military Seminary of Learning at Alexandria.
Be it ordained by the Police Jury, that the ferry across Bayou Macon, known as Corbin's ferry, which was moved down near the Loftin place, and leased to R. S. A. McIntyre, be and the same is hereby removed back and re-established at the Corbin place, to take effect when said McIntyre's lease expires.
Be it ordained by the Police Jury of the parish of Carroll, that there shall hereafter be annually collected by the parish tax collector the sum of twenty-five dollars upon every stallion or stable horse in this parish, which shall receive any compensation from any other purpose than for the use of the owner, and who shall receive any compensation from any other person for the use of the same as a stock breeder; and on failure of any such owner to pay said tax, then the same to be collected before any justice of the peace of this parish.
The Police Jury then adjourned the 11th day of July, A. D. 1866
Attest; J. L. Cheatham, Clerk Police Jury.

1892 Term; 8th District Court

From the Carroll Banner Newspaper, Oct. 24, 1891

VENIRE.--FOR THE PARISH OF EAST CARROLL, LOUISIANA.
List of jurors drawn for the special criminal term of the Hon. 8th Ditrict Court.,

to be held in the parish of E. Carroll,

commeding on Moday the 7th day of December, 1891.
~For the 1st Week.~
Albert Johnson, E. W. Constant, Osee Wolf, J. J. Ross, Green White,

C. Langham, Joe Venable, J. G. Pittman, P. B. Wood, H. L. Newcomb,

William Crutchfield, F. B. Davis, Zach Hopkins, C. M. Whittington,

James Harris, Sr., W. A. Newman, Ruben Turner, Robert Gilliard,

Ned Edwards, Cyrus Meadow, J. G. Oldfield,

Jake Sweeny, Robert Davis, Sr., Shed Buckner,

Les Howard, Joe Galgen, Dan Pope, Nat Murfee, G. A. Barham,

William Hurd, Richard Pete, Ed Messenger, John W. Cooke,

Morgan Cornelius, John Hamilton, Jr., Elijah Hawkins, H. C. McGuire,

Zeke Reynolds, George Hill, Wesley Bankers, Preston Roberts,

George W. Buckner, P. D. Quays, Hole Pichard, Sanders Ford,

John Adams, Jr., R. H. Hamlin, Pete Hubbard, Gentry Jones,

and Z. Goldenburg.
~For the 2nd Week.~
Mr. DuBard, A. Burger, Henry Lee, John Q. Hamilton,

William Murchison, Henry Franklin, William Rose, J. P. Alexander,

Scott Sargent, J. W. Pittman, Henry Louis, Jerry Mitchell,

Walker Mathews, T. J. Saunders, Henry Kroninger, Nance Williams,

Vincent Garagro, Andrews Chambers, Spencer Lee, Israel King,

Henry Page, S. H Mobberly, Willis Bell, C. P. Harrison, Frank Tyson,

Jerry James, Johnson Whiting, George S. Owen,

C. P. Ruple, and Dick Davis.
~For the 3rd Week.~
Robert Petf, Dan Bankers, Chris Duffy, Hugh Rowell, Jim Humphreys,

J. C. Pittman, Dion Stewart, Taylor Bates, Ed King, Archie White,

Frank Wallace, Heskiah Young, T. L. VanFossen, J. R. Keller,

C. F. Davis, Mat King, L. Aschaffenburg, George Carter,

Alex Holbert, Clay Anderson, Peyton Bryant, Buck Prentis, Tom Anderson,

W. B. Smith, Walter Goodwin, Charles Atkins, E. J. Delony, Jr.,

James Johnson, John Blansfield, and Ed Cordilius.
A true extract from the original process verbal of jury drawing on file to my office, in the town of Providence, this the 15th day of October, 1891. J. D. Tompkins, Clerk of said Court.

A page from one of my books....

This is one of the pages out of my book "Murder, Mayhem, & Misc. of East Carroll Parish, La., Book IV." Book IV covers E. C. Parish newspapers which dates are from 1892 - 1894.

April 23, 1892

The big river is booming now.

It (water) is up against the levees almost everywhere.

The Monticello box is the banner McEnery box of the parish, giving our man 55 solid ballots.

There are over 2,600 voters in the parish, only 1,396 voted last Tuesday.

Mr. Jim Shelton came up last Wednesday with the returns from the Monticello box. Everybody was glad to see Jim again, and we wish he could stay with us.

Mr. Dan O’Sullivan is now representing the Ice Company. He has been securing orders in Mississippi this week, and so far has done admirably well.

Mr. C. P. Malone and daughter, and Mrs. S. W. Davis have moved into town. Mrs. Davis and Miss Daisy are at Mrs. Goodrich’s on Levee Street, where they will remain for a week or ten days when they expect to go North.

Rev. William Hart left in the early part of the week for New Orleans to attend the meeting of the Annual Council of the Episcopal Church. The Reverend gentleman told us before leaving that it was doubtful whether the would return or not. We have heard a general hope expressed that he would return.

Mr. E. J. Hamley has made an order for six or eight refrigerators. Any one can get a large one for very little money as the purchaser is allowed from thirty to forty percent discount. (picture of E. J. Hamley on left, but pic is not included in my book)

In this issue appears the medical card of Drs. Artaud and Richard. Dr. Richard is a graduate of the Touro Infirmary, and Tulane University, of New Orleans. He was employed in the Guenard Drug Store last year, and all who met him can testify to the many excellent traits he possesses. He came up last Saturday to take charge of the practice of Dr. Artaud during his confinement; but, upon arriving here the Doctor decided to retain him permanently with him. We take pleasure in the introducing the young M. D. to the people of the community and of the parish, besides giving him a cordial welcome among us. After taking a thorough course in the Tulane University, he was then appointed Resident Student of the Turo Infirmary.
Here he had every opportunity to master his profession, and he comes among us thoroughly prepared to engage in practice. The Banner congratulates Dr. Richard upon his distinctions he has already won, and hopes he will be successful in the practice of his profession all through life.

Mrs. Finney, of Tennessee, sister of the late John D. Imboden, is here on business.

The Providence Spelling Bee

This story is told by a man whose name was Horace Thomas. The newspaper tells the story the way Horace pronounced his words and his version of the Providence Spelling Bee.

April 15, 1875

Newspaper: "The Carroll Watchman"
For several months past the good people of the most prominent cities in the North and West have been viewing with each other as to which were the best spellers.
Providence not to be behind hand in the march of improvement, has thrown down the gauntlet and asks to be recognized as a first class contestant.
One the first of this month - there were present in full force at the Court House two full classes of spellers--at least so we learn--through our intelligent country man Horace Thomas.
Meeting him on the street the other day, our reporter remarked, “Horace, we have been looking for you for a long spell.”
“Umph,” replied Horace, “you don’t catch me any more for along spell or a short spell, I had enough spelling in mine that night at the Court House.”
By assuring him that we were a stranger in these parts-being a reporter for the “Inter-Ocean”, and not the WATCHMAN, he consented to unbosom himself, and told us the following story:
“You see Mr. Inter. Most all de big folkes in town went to de courthouse to do some spellin—and one of my yung frens ax me go long widem, but I tole him I could’nt spell very much, and he said you won’t have to spell but only one word, and you can pic out any word you plese; so I tel ‘im alright, I pic out de word “Katie,” case dat was my wife’s name and I know’d how to spell dat.
Well, ater we all got up dare, dey picked out two captains—one to run each side, and the judge he sat up in front of us, to see dat everyting was dun on de Square.”

“Who was de judge, Horris?”

“Ah! He was a good man, it was Judge Mossy. Well, he was settin up dare a little larger dan life, and den de two classes were stretched out in line, one class under command of Mr. Galbreth, and the other wid Captin Donnelly at de head; and it so happened dat dare was in Mr. Galbraith’s class, Mr. Gla, Mr. Fulgum, Mr. N. Burton, Wash Stuart, and me Horris Thomas. Den in Captin Donnelly’s class, dare was Mr. Geo. Benham, Maj. Oliver, Mr. Jo Leddy, Mr. Jim McGuire, and a whole string of oder fellers. So just a fore de spellin commenced de judge got up to say a few words—and dat was dat whenever anybody missed spellin he was obliged to take a back seat—and just as he said dat he stuck dat small foot o’ his right through dat big cane-seated rush bottom chair, and rushed de bottom out’n it.”
“Well, then, I ‘spose”, said the reporter “there is no bottom in the chair.”
“Oh, Yes,” Horris says ‘dare’s always a calf skin bottom in it whenever de judge sets dar.”
“Well de fust man dat was called up to spell was De Hon. Mr. Gla. Captin Donnelly ax him to spell Madison. De word was no more dan said, afore it was spelled correct.
“Den Mr. Galbraith ax Judge Benham to spell Carroll; well, he spell Carroll all right.
Den Captin Donnelly ax Mr. Gla to spell Richland. Gla mis-spelled it in less dan a minit.
Den Judge Moss; who was sitting way back, and had a very bad cole, he ax Judge Benham to spell Morehouse; but de Judge, he didn’t understand de word very well, and he spelled it –SOLD OUT. So wit dat de folks begun to laff and clap de hands—and I clapped my hands on my pants’ pocket to see if my pocket book was dar. It war all right.

Den de Judge said de two fist scholars could set down a spell, and he would give dem a little advice. Den he advised Judge Gla to go to Represent hisself for the people of Carroll in de State House in New Orleans, and den he tole Judge Benham to go too Longwood for a spell, and take a spellin book along with him. Den both of de gentlemin took dar leavin de most polite manner—leaving de rest of us chaps to spell only one word.
Fulgum was next called up.”
(continued in our next issue)

April 22, 1875 "The Carroll Watchman"; Newspaper (continues from last week)
“Well, just a fore Fullgum commenced to spell I stole up to Galbraith and tole him not to forget that my word was “Katie” for I didn’t know any other. Galbraith said alright, and I stole back to my place, and de spell went on. Fulgrum’s word was “enjoin”, but Fulgrum being one of de volunteer fire department, spell it just like any odder Providence No. 1, would spelled it; all de judges shook der heads, dat was to let Fulgum know he missed. So Major Oliver he see Fullgum make a mistake—he was up in a minute wid one hand stretched way up over his head making two of his fingers go for all de world like a pair of small scizzors, de teacher see dis, so he tell de maj. to ‘perceed.’ Well, you see de major he’s ole at de business, and he spell it right de fust time, so he took Fulgum’s place, and Fulgum stuck his lidde foot under his arm and walked off on his left wheelhouse.
De next to step forward was uncle Nick Burton, he was ready to tackle any word dey give to him, for he was studying up a good while; well, his word was “claims”, --de ole man was prepared for it, as I said afore, he was studying up his claims, so when without much tinking he spelled c-l-a-i-m-s, it was allowed by Mr. Galbriath, but dats all de good it done de ole man; he can put his claims in a picture frame I tink, and keep it dar for his children to look at when dey are grown.
Den Mr. Jo. Leddy was called up to spell his word, after him Wash, and dan me, Horace. Captin Donnelly ax Mr. Leddy to spell Nash.”
Reporter—“Nash, why that’s easy to spell, ain’t it?”
Horace—“You never tried to spell him did you? Well, he can out spell anybody except Bob Anderson, and Wall Benham, and dey can out spell the world.”
Reporter—“Nash, why that’s only a man’s name, ain’t it?”
Horace—“Yes, one of de “ole maid” men of our times.”
Reporter—“You mean “self-made men?”
“Yeh, dat’s it. Well, Mr. Leddy commenced to spell K-n-a-s-h, den you ought to see de folks yell and laff and de judge said sit down sir, that’ll do for you---you’ve spelled Nash wid a venegence; and Captin Donnelly spoke up and said “I never did know a barkeeper that knowed anything—there’s none of em smart; I’ve seen Jo Leddy myself try to make ---- spell drinks.”
“Now, dar was only Wash to spell his word, and mine next—dat just suited to a Knat’s heel, but just ‘bout dat time Nat Murfree came to de door and called Wash (Stuart) to do to de wharf-boat for freight, and Wash left, so it was “Katie, Bar de door wid me”; I tell you I wish Nat’s heel was in de bottom of de river, I didn’t know what word Wash was goin to spell and I didn’t know how to spell it if I did, and I kept winking at Galbraith to let him know Wash was gone, but he could’nt take de hint, besides he had Wash’s word out of his mouth afore I could get out de room, so he give de word out to me, and dar I waz wid de whole congreation staring me in de face and a word to spell I never heard of afore, it was C-h-i-l-l-y. To spell Chilli - I never could, but a chilly spell came over me, and I commenced to shake, fust my feet would’nt stan still, den my legs commenced a spell, and I foamed at de mouth, and I shook a spell until I shook de courthouse so much dat I shook all de folks out of it; and I fel in a fainting fit, and shook an shook an shook, and Dr. Davis, who happened to be dar, tole me I better be quick an take something right off, so I reached round to my vest pocket where I kept my disolver, and took out a pint flask and swallowed half was in it afore de Doctor could take hold of it and examine it to see if dar was a label on it, he saw dar was none and he axed me if I thought dar was any efficacy in it, and I tole him “no, dar was nothing by Jesse Lightning in it, some of Jim Leddy’s worst, “ so he carried me to de window of de courthouse, so I could get air, and I happened to look out and dar was all de school teachers, judge and everybody else over on Harney’s Gallery, where I shook dem I suppose, when I had dat “Chilli spell.”

This was a follow up in the following paper, April 29, 1875 "The Carroll Watchman":

Mister Editor:----"Gentlemen, I say! You muss not print dat proceedings of de school board any long, case I iz not satisfy with dat company U fine me sociatin with round the courthouse. Umph! It is “Kitty bar de door”, and bar all you folks what goes rona reporting and tellin me you is an “Inter Ocean” man. I wish dat reporter was inter de ocean, shore nuff, an a big whale (one like the one what Jonas rode on his back) had swallowed him.
It wood have give you a chill to a seed them long legged fellers like de judge Moss, an Fullgum an Donnelle, all glomerated together.
Then to have spelling words popped out at you by such as Gall’s breath, I jes tell you Horris had no breath left in him.
Now, mister editer, please don’t; don’t you mix me up in dat crowd no more. “Katie", is it? I’d a spelled dat name with a vengence.
Mister Editer—you’ve hered of ‘Katie Dids’. Well, now I could’nt tell you all that ‘Katie did’, for me; you’d a guessed if you’d a seen me, dat far time I riz up out of that ditch, what she knocked me, ker slap, and the mud was making a picter on my face wors’ en the picter of death riden on a white horse, which it war black.
Now, mister editur, this is not the sibility of the understandin. Which Horris don’t rise to make a speech, but spaciates, and rites to you what he wants you to quit that spellin business. Respectively,
HORRIS (Horace)

Emile & Honore' Morancy

from both books: "A Place to Remember", by Pinkston, and "Between the Rivers", by McKoin

Emile, Honore, and Victoria Morancy had escaped with their parents to Santo Domingo during the French Revolution. They were members of the illustrious Montmorancy family, parents who descended from French nobility. Their parents were slain by a mob during 1791 during the revolution in that country (Santo Domingo). The children were saved by a nurse, who hid them in a hogshead (a barrel) and rolled them aboard a ship owned by Stephen Girard, bound for Philadelphia. Through his kindness the children were placed with Girard's influential associates. After reaching the city of brotherly love, Emile was adopted by Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the great statesman, philosopher, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Honore was taken in by a French abbot. Both boys were educated, Emile to be a *doctor, Honore' a teacher.

Later the two brothers migrated to Millikin's Bend, where they came to be cotton planters and policticians. This location is now in Madison Parish, but was first a part of Ouachita, and for a while a part of Carroll. Most of therse early settlers had money when they came to the new land. With hard labor the slaves cleared the land with axe and saw, built canals, and cultivated the crops. Settlers purchased large tracts of land and began to live the good life they had been used to elsewhere.Dr. Emilus Morancy, trustee of public school funds in Ward 1, and his brother Honore' Perigny Morancy gave 320 acres to Reverend William H. Elder of Natchez, a Catholic Bishop. Honore' and his wife, Eliza Jane (Lowry), purchased 135 shares in the Union Bank of Louisiana created and incorporated by an act of the Legislature and approved on April 21, 1832.

Honore' Morancy, State Senator and resident of Millikin' Bend, elected to the state legislature to the present Ouachita Parish in the late 1820s. Soon afterwards, he introduced a bill to divide Ouachita Parish, which was passed in 1832. The new parish was named Carroll in honor of Emile's foster father, Lake Providence became the seat of government.

In Lake Providence Misses Mary and Carrie Jackson, late residents, whose home was at the corner of Brown and 1st Streets, were granddaughters of Honore' Morancy. Mrs. Ella Noland Bell, another resident, and her family, were descendants of Emile Morancy.

*NOTE: IN THE BOOK "A PLACE TO REMEMBER", HEALTH CHAPTER, LISTS EMILIUS MORANCY AS BEING A PHYSICIAN IN CARROLL PARISH IN 1834, WHEN HE WAS FIRST MENTIONED IN THE NEWSPAPERS.

The Pirates of Stack Island (Lake Providence, La.)

Stories from the book "A Place to Remember", by Georgia Pinkston

After the Governor's proclamation had been issued Mason and his gang were closely hunted by the whites and Indians and, having made some narrow escapes, they crossed the Mississippi to somewhere about Lake Providence in the then Spanish territory. Whether at L. P. (Spanish side of the river) or on the nearby Stack Island (in the river), Mason was in a position to flee easily into that part of the great Spanish wilderness which today is northern Louisiana and the southern part of Arkansas. There he could not only conceal himself more effectually, but also live with some confidence that the Spanish authorities would not attempt to capture him. According to some folks Mason crossed the Mississippi River and went westward to the highlands of northwest of Vicksburg, which are known to this day as Mason (Macon) Hills, and there hid some booty money, and to the present day, continues this chronicle, many people believe that rich treasures lie buried out in the Mason Hills.
Mason spent much time at Palmyra and on Stack Island. Palmyra then, as now, was a very small settlement on the Mississippi, about 20 miles from Vicksburg. Stack Island (also known as Crow's Nest or Island No. 94) was washed away shortly after Mason's day. * It was on Stack Island, near the mouth of L. P., about 45 miles from Vicksburg, that we first hear of Mason, after organized bands began to search for him. At Stack Island laid his hand upon fate. The band robbed a traveler and found among his effects a copy of Governor Claiborne's proclamation.
Stack not long since was famed for a band of counterfeiters, horse theirves, robbers, murderers, etc., who made this part of the Mississippi a place of manufacture and deposit. From hence they would sally forth, stop boats, buy horses, flour, whiskey, etc., and pay for all in fine, new notes of the 'first water'. Their villanies (after many severe losses sustained by innocent, good men, unsuspecting the cheat) became notorious and after several years' search and pursuits of the civil law, and in some cases the "Club Law" against this band of monsters, they have at length disappeared. Dates of Mason's robbers were around 1800-1802.
Bunch, like other pirates (or criminals) flourished on the Ohio and preyed upon primitive commerce and traveled between Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and the lower Mississippi. A look-out could detect boats long before boatmen--and many travelers were thus simply and easily delivered into the hands of the banditti. The earliest travelers on Mississippi floated or propelled themselves with paddles and oars in small clumsy crafts.
The Bunch's Bend area got it's name from the pirate, where he had his headquarters in the early 1800's. These flat boats would travel downstream to New Orleans with goods, and he and his men would lay in wait to rob them. The pirates boarded the boats, killed the crewmen and took their boats and goods. If a crew was fortunate enough to get safely past the pirates to the trading post at the lake below, they thanked Providence for sparing them. Thus the lake and the settlement acquired the name Providence. Eventually a croup of Kentucky flatboat crews tited their boats together and floated past the Bend. When Bunch and his men boarded, the well-armend crews met them and slaughtered every pirate, making the river safe.
*NOTE: In 1818 Stack Island/Crow's Nest was sunk by an earthquake, or swept by the floods.

Our 1st Public Schools

By Sarah "Sallie" Benton Powell. Out of the book "A Place to Remember", by Pinkston
"As stated before, I was at school in Kentucky during the Civil War. When we returned home, the negro who had been liberated was dominant in politics, being upheld by the power of the Federal government.

A former slave called Judge Clay was among those in power, and held the place of superintendent of schools. My sister, who had married Major Garner, a handsome and gallant soldier of the Confederacy who had died of the wounds received at the seige of Vicksubrg, was left a widow with 1 little boy; she went to Clay and asked for a school for the white children. He replied that no one had asked for a white scholl and there was no appropriation for housing the school, and no teacher. She told him she would provide both house and teacher, which she did in the house now occupied by Mr. Roy Powell (later the home of the Marron Family), which was her home as well as school. The school was very small, gradually growing in numbers as the white people became more reconciled to their children attending "charity" schools, as it was then thought of, no one dreaming of the development of our great public school system as we have it today. This 1st school was started in 1876 or 1877, as nearly as I can remember. As the children grew, the older pupils helped by teaching the younger, as the ages of the children ranged from 6 to 20, and the teacher could not manage all, for there were very few who studied the same books. In 1878, and Episcopal minister was given charge of the public school, with my siser, Mrs. Garner, as assistant. The school grew so rapidly, by that time the School Board employed another assistant. In 1879, we had school in the old Fireman's Hall, taught by that elegant gentleman and scholar, Mr. Henry Goodrich (Harvard, "77, Phi Beta Kappa), while the new school house was *re-built. That winter we moved into the new school house where it remained until our elegant new school was built."
*NOTE: The 1st new school was blown away by a cyclone. I stood on my back gallery and saw it carried in pieces across the lake," said Sarah Benton Powell.

1928 Letter from Sallie Benton Powell to School Children

This letter was written in 1928 by Sarah "Sallie" Benton Powell to the 6th grade class of Mrs. Margaret Newman.
"Dear Children of the 6th Grade:
Away back in the year 1853 there was born on a big plantation on the Mississippi River, 6 miles below Lake Providence, a baby girl who will be 75 years old on Dec. 25, so you see, this little girl was a Christmas gift. (Father Warren M. Benton, Mother Miss Royall) The plantation was called Woodstock, owned by Colonel Warren M. Benton, who was an early settler here in Louisiana; coming with his slaves from Virginia. My earliest recollection is of a big mansion house much on the order of Arlington, and a big yard whose back gate opened on a long street, with the houses of the slaves on either side, and the home of the overseer at the end. Right beside this house was the big plantation kitchen, presided over by Aunt Ailsy, one of the finest Christian characters I have ever known. She was to my childish mind the sum total of all goodness, and I never had reason to change my mind through many long years of acquaintance with her.
My mother died when I was only 9 months old, and I, with a sister 4 years older (Mary Louise Benton), fell to the care of our good and trusted slaves. My father bought a slave woman to care for me, and who gave me her entire services, and her memory is with me to this day. I gave her all my baby love, and called her "Mammy". When my sister was 6 and I only 2, we were sent to boarding school at Dr. Hagaman's Academy; a large 3 story brick house situated about where Hagaman's break now is; as small as I was, I remember sitting on a a little stool at Mrs. Hagaman's feet sucking my thumb because I had nothing else to do, I do not know just how long we stayed at the Hagaman School, but several years, I think. One weekend we were taken home as usual, when my black mammy took me in her arms crying and rocking to and fro, saying they are going to take my baby away from me, which I finally understood to mean that I was to have a new mother, which event came to pass shortly afterwards. My father had gone back to the land of his birth and married a lady from Lexington, Kentucky. It was the custom for the planter's families to go away for the summer, leaving the plantation in care of the overseer, and ours was no exception.
I distinctly remember the palatial steamboats stopping at the plantation landing, all all going aboard for our outing to some Springs, or to our old "Kentucky Home", where my grandmother still resided until she wasl 96 years old. I recall this was the time when hoopskirts were in vogue, and I, in common with all well dressed children, had one. I can see with my mind's eye 6 or 8 little tots skipping up and down the cabin of the boat flirting our hoops out behind.
Just before the beginning of the Civil War, my sister and I were placed in the Catholic Convent of Nazareth, Kentucky, where so many southern girls were educated, and where we remained, with the exception of summer vacations, until the Civil War was over. When we came back, what had been home, was now a place of desolation and despair. In the time of our absence, the enemy had destroyed my father's home, burning everything they could not take away, even to the gin, cabins and fences. My father was too old to serve in the army, and had taken his negroes to a place he owned in the hills (near what is now Oak Grove (then, Pin Oak)) but left a few trusted slaves to guard the plantation.
(See Mary Louise Benton's story "The Faithful Servant")
.... When we returned home, the negro who had been liberated was dominant in politics, being upheld by the power of the Federal government.
A former slave called Judge Clay was among those in power, and held the place of superintendent of schools. My sister, who had married Major Garner, a handsome and gallant soldier of the Confederacy who had died of the wounds received at the seige of Vicksubrg, was left a widow with 1 little boy; she went to Clay and asked for a school for the white children. He replied that no one had asked for a white scholl and there was no appropriation for housing the school, and no teacher. She told him she would provide both house and teacher, which she did in the house now occupied by Mr. Roy Powell (later the home of the Marron Family), which was her home as well as school. The school was very small, gradually growing in numbers as the white people became more reconciled to their children attending "charity" schools, as it was then thought of, no one dreaming of the development of our great public school system as we have it today. This 1st school was started in 1876 or 1877, as nearly as I can remember." ....
(see story "The 1st Public Schools", by Sallie Benton Powell)
....."Now in order show you how time has changed as to manners and customs in the long years that have intervened since the days of my youth, I will tell you of two circumstance that I recall as illustrating what I mean. The 1st public party that I was allowed to attend was given in town; I had a date, as you say, with a young man to ride into town in a buggy (if you know what that is). In those days no young lady went to public places without a chaperone. As I had no older person to go with me, my father attended me to the party, riding horseback behind the buggy, although at that time he was 75 years old, and afflicted with rheumatism. So you see how important it was thought to guard a young girl in everything she did.

Another time my sister and I were in the carriage about to start to town, my father came to the carriage and said, "my daughter, where are your gloves and veil, no lady appears in public without them"; so I had to go back to the house and adorn myself as become a lady of that time."
(s)Sallie Benton Powell
Lake Providence, La.
Dec. 7th, 1928

Matthew B. Sellers' Family at Oakland Plantation

Some information from the pages of "A Place to Remember", by Georgia Payne Pinkston

Matthew B. Sellers purchased Oakland Plantation from Wiley Taylor in 1832, "1,856 acres, cattle, farming utensils, 26 slaves, the crop and all appurtenances" for $20,000.

Matthew Sellers served as president of the Police Jury from 1854 to 1858. Mrs. Sellers, the former Elizabeth M. Cash of Philadelphia, PA., took great pride in the home-site which overlooked the calm and placid lake. There were trees of cypress, oak, pecan, and magnolia on the grounds.

Mrs. Matthew Sellers, the daughter of Thomas Cash, died in January, 1867, and was buried in Woodland Cemetery in her home town, It was after then that Matthew B. Sellers sold his beloved Oakland, probably moving to back to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A party held at Oakland in those days illustrates gracious living of the ante-bellum period. Guest from plantations and town were invited to attend a masque or character portrayal party. Mrs. Dr. Burwell was mistress of the parlor and dance room; Mrs. Frank Coleman was hostess of the supper room, Mrs. Sellers, Hostess of the home, graciously invited her guests to "freely partake of the bountiful supper..."

Some guest came dressed as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr. "Never have we had the pleasure of being present at a more elegant, sociable and pleasant costume ball", one guest was hear to remark.

Many social activities occurred at the elegant residence on Oakland Plantation in pre-Civil War days. The house was described as a mansion. Surrounding the home grounds was an iron fence across the feront, or near the public lake road, and high picket fences on the sides and rear.

The plantation was fronted on the north side by the lake, on the upper or western side by Bellaggio, below, or on the south, by Jefferson Ridge owned by John S. Chambliss."

Land Patents
SELLERS, M B 05/01/1827 74 LA0860__.053
SELLERS, MATTHEW B 04/02/1829 75 LA0860__.057

SELLARS, MATTHEW B 08/01/1838 330 LA0930__.026
SELLARS, MATTHEW B 08/01/1838 404 LA0930__.027
SELLERS, MATHEW B 06/20/1837 1441 LA0880__.175
SELLERS, MATHEW B 06/15/1837 279 LA0860__.287
SELLERS, MATTHEW B 08/21/1832 331 LA0860__.124
SELLERS, MATTHEW B 08/05/1837 3408 LA0910__.223

1840 CENSUS of Carroll Parish:

Mathew B. Sellars 0000001000000 0000010000000

(He was in his 40's, she was in her 30's)

1850 CENSUS of Carroll Parish:

462 Sellers, Mathew B. 50 m U.K. planter 59250
Elizabeth 40 f PA

The following is from the local newspaper "Carroll Record" in Floyd, Louisiana:

February 18, 1867
Died, in the city of Philadelphia, on Monday, 28th of January, 1867, Elizabeth M. wife of Matthew B. Sellers, of Lake Providence, Louisiana, and daughter of the late Thomas Cash. Funeral from the residence of her sister, No. 235 South 13th Street, on Thursday morning, 31st of same month. Interment at Woodland's Cemetery.

NOTE: After his wife Elizabeth died Mathew Bacon Sellers must have moved back toward Maryland. Matthew Bacon Sellers was born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 29, 1869. He was the first of four children born to Matthew B. Sellers, Sr., and Angelina Leathers (Lewis) Sellers, who was descended from families native to Kenton and Carter Counties, Kentucky.

Matthew B. Sellers, II, invent many remarkable things. He almost beat the Wright Brothers in flight, however, he did patent the 1st retractable landing gear. He died in 1932. If you want to find out more about Mathew B. Sellers II, you can visit the website:

http://www.matthewbsellers.com/index2.php

Barbara has put together a book about him that should be coming out in November of 'o9. You can find out about it on the same website.

THE CIVIL WAR
On February 5, 1863, Grant headquartered at Arlington Plantation while he inspected the work at Lake Providence. (Arlington was the home of General Edward Sparrow) Grant ordered other Federal troops in to help on the canals. Federal troops numbered 20,000.
General McPherson established his headquarters on Oakland Plantation on Feb. 24, 1863. (The plantation had been deserted by Dr. Matthew B. Sellers)