St. Landry-Up from Slavery Then Came the Fire!!

By Leona W. Smith

Note: This isn't another Mississippi Burning or another Roots!!
It's a true family legacy!!
(Find it on Goodreads.com)

From a child, Leona W. Smith was always intrigued by family stories told to her by her parents, grandparents, and close family friends. Birthed out of the intense desire of her mother (Shirley Mae LaVergne Williams) to discover more about her paternal roots, Leona set out on a journey to research her familys history and discovered some amazing truths about her ancestors. Told through family records and stories handed down through many generations and through the use of true to life accounts obtained from Federal Slave Narratives set in Louisiana, St. Landry Up From Slavery Then Came the Fire!! is an epic story deeply rooted in historical fact that spans over 300 years of the LaVergne and Williams families.

From the shores of Africa to the rice fields of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana and beyond, St. Landry Up From Slavery Then Came the Fire! explores the hardships, struggles, defeats and triumphs endued by the families through the cruel injustices of slavery, classism and racism. Most importantly, it also explores the families resolute faith in God and gives documented accounts and firsthand testimonies of the amazing, miraculous power of God at work in their lives down through the generations that has left a legacy of hope, courage, and success that still endures today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456760335

Leona W. Smith

The author, Leona W. Smith, is a lifelong resident of Louisiana and has been residing in New Orleans for over 30 years. She was born in Lafayette in the heart of Cajun country and reared in the small town of Lecompte in Central Louisiana. She graduated from Carter C. Raymond High School with honors and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an tAccounting major from Grambling State University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Leona is a lover of people and began her work in ministry at a young age. As a minister, she has been active in her home church, missionary work and in the care of the elderly. She has always been interested in history and storytelling. Thus, after 5 years of intricate research and interviews, she brings you the story of her ancestors – from Africa to the shores of Louisiana and beyond.

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© 2011 by Leona W. Smith. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 09/07/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-6032-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-6034-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-6033-5 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011905067

Printed in the United States of America

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

DEDICATIONS

INTRODUCTION

St. Landry Parish Photo Gallery of

Important Historical Figures

Governor Jacques Dupre

1830-1831

Legend of Jacques Dupre

Legendary Jim Bowie

Governor Pickney Benton Stewart Pinchback

CHARLES EDMUND NASH

State of Louisiana Map

(with Old St. Landry Parish Highlighted)

LOUISIANA—ST. LANDRY PARISH

EARLY HISTORY

Inventory of the Estate of John (Jean) Gradeniego Year 1809

St. Landry

Opelousas Slave Tax Law

Of 1849

Free People of Color in St. Landry Parish

Compared to Louisiana

The Price of a Human Being

10 Classes of Slaves in South Carolina

THE CIVIL RIGHTS TRIO

Out of Africa Map

HARRISON BERRY

Hypolite Bonin

Marie Therese Bonin (Bonot)

Joachim (Arsem Bonin) Bonom, Sr.

Isaac Briscoe

Dennis Burrohorn (part 1)

Daniel Lavine (Leavin),

Richard Lott

Harry McClain

Fred (McClain) McClelland

Africa Images

Charles Senegal

Francois Senegal

David Williams

Washington, Louisiana

Pierre Berry (Barry), Sr.

Jerry Berry

Joachim Bonom, Jr.

Joachim (Zowash) Bonom (III)

Dennis Burrohorn (Broron)-Part II

Lewis (Louis) Lavine, Sr.

Richard Lott, II

Jerry McClelland

Thomas Williams

Rial Williams, Sr.

Out of Lake Peigneur

A New Life Together

Through the Years

Founding of the Christ

Sanctified Holy Church

Acadia Parish Training School

A NEW ERA DAWNS

The Founding of St. Matthew Baptist

Church—Tazie’s Church

THE MIRACLE

From The Darkness into the Light

Another Visit from an Angel

The High Waters of 1940

The Great War

Back Home

Out of Spiritual Bondage

The Fire Fell

I Got the Lord’s Feeling!!

The Move

The Town of Lecompte

Founding of Lecompte

Church of God In Christ

Founding of Big Cane Church

of God in Church

Tragedy Strikes

World War II

Uncle Harvey’s Story—

The Great Depression Years

Another Wave of the Fire of the Holy Ghost

Called to the Ministry

God Had a Greater Purpose

A Funny Man Called to Preach

Near Thanksgiving of 1955

The Cajun Connection

The Northern Connection

The Central Connection

The Steps Of A Righteous Man

A Grand Induction into the Kingdom

Summer of 1958—Big Cane, La.

The Organization of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in Louisiana

Loss of a Family Patriarch

It Came Through My Window

I Want To Serve That Same Kind of God

GOD IS EVERYWHERE

Nothing can beat serving the Lord!

Miraculously Healed of Cancer and

Called Into the Ministry

Instantly Began to Walk

Mama, Rudy Got The Holy Ghost!

Died and Came Back to Tell It!

Sometimes God Gives Us a Glimpse

This World of Diversity

Bishop William Joseph Seymour

Bishop Charles Harrison Mason

Bishop Garfield Thomas Haywood

Superintendent Burley Lafleur

Superintendent A. C. Abram

Rev. John Dorris LaVergne

Elder John Henry Sanders and Elect Lady Lillie Mae S. Sanders

Pastor Beulah Johnson

Suffragan Bishop Jesse J. Brown, Sr.

District Elder Elise Stewart

District Elder James R. Tankerson

Elder Eugene Joseph Elam, Sr.

Apostle Emmett Nell Hardy, Jr.

Mother Clementine Goudeau Slaughter

Mother Marguerite Mondy Montrel

Evang. Lena Mae Peterman

Mother Pearl Gant Leach

Pastor Una Mae Weathers

Mother Annie Ruth Phillips Evans

History of St. Charles Borromeo

Catholic Church

History of Good Hope Baptist Church

GHBC PASTORS

Zion Traveler’s Baptist Church

The History of Springbluff Baptist Church

History of the Rayne Temple

Church of God in Christ

Greater Pentecostal Temple

Christ Temple Pentecostal Church

Lively Stone Pentecostal Church

The Pentecostals of Alexandria

History of the New Testament United Pentecostal Church of the Lord Jesus Christ

SOME LOUISIANA CIVIL WAR STATISTICS

FAMILY TIME LINE OF RELATIVE EVENTS—1699-2009

References

PATERNAL NAMES

(MAIN NAMES ARE HIGHLIGHTED;

some variations of names appear also)

Adams    Buron    Garner    Perkins    Taylor

Alexander    Canes    Gibson    Peter    Thompson

Allen    Chainey    Gillam    Peterson    Todd

Ambulance    Cheney    Hall    Pierson    Trent

Anderson    Chenier    Harper    Pitre    Turner

Arbury    Chenavale    Harrison    Plaiter    Tyson

Arnold    Christmas    Havard    Pleasant    Veal

Asberry    Cobb    Jackson    Price    Victoria

Banks    Covington    Johnson    Randall    Walton

Basey    Curtis(s)    Jones    Randle    Washington

Bass    Dejean    Jourdin    Ratcliff    Webb

Bazille    Dennis    Leday    Rice    Williams

Berry    Edwards    Lister    Robinson    Wilson

Bonton    Ellis    Lott    Rosser    Wiltz

Brannon    Feast    Manley    Royster    Winn

Briscoe    Fiest    Mcknight    Scott    Trainor

Broron    Fils    Mosby    Slaughter    Barry

Brown    Fontenot    Moseley    Smith    Pauls

Buchanan    Ford    Ned    Stafford

Burohorn    Foster    Parker    Sumlin

Burhorn    Gains    Perkins    Tanner

MATERNAL NAMES

(MAIN NAMES ARE HIGHLIGHTED;

some variations of names appear also)

Alex    Coleman    Guidry    Mayfield    Stewart

Alexander    Coman    Guilbeau    Mcclain    Stuard

Allain    Comeaux    Guillam    Mcclean    Stuart

Allen    Conner    Guillory    McClelland    Talley

Arceneaux    Cook    Guy    Mclin    Thomas

Augustin    Coriolan    Hamilton    Melton    Trahan

Auzenne    Cormier    Hardy    Meyers    Valerie

Babineaux    Creighton    Harmon    Miles    Victor

Bailey    Cross    Harris    Minick    Walker

Balque    Daigle    Hebert    Minique    Watkins

Balquit    Davenport    Henry    Minor    Whiley

Baptiste    Davis    Hillsberry    Monroe    White

Bazille    Deculit    Isadore    Montgomery    Williams

Belizaire    Derouen    Jackson    Mouton    Wilridge

Bellard    Dominque    Jean    Nelson    Woolridge

Bellonie   Duralde   Jennings   Nickerson   Wilson

Bernard   Durale   Johnson   Nixon   Yocum

Bessa   Eagland   Joiner   Oneal   Young

Beverly   Egland   Jolivette   Opelousas   Bonhomme

Bolden   Eldredge   Jones   Perry

Bonin   Eldridge   Jordan   Pitt

Bonom   Emanuel   Julian   Plowden

Bonum   England   Julien   Prevost

Booze   Ernest   Kerry   Provost

Boudreaux   Etchine   Key   Rene

Breaux   Eustis   King   Reubin

Brisco   Evans   Landry   Richard

Briscoe   Fields   Laster   Roberts

Broussard   Figaro   Lauds   Robertson

Bushnell   Foreman   LaVergne   Mercier

Butler   Francis   Lavine   Roy

Cage   Frank   Levine   Rubit

Carrie   Freeman   Levy   Rubite

Carter   Fuselier   Lewis   Sam

Castille   Gaddison   Linden   Senegal

Celestine   Gant   Lindon   Senegale

Chaisson   Gary   Linten   Sennette

Chapman   Gath(e)   Logan   Sias

Chargois   Gatte   Lucas   Sinegale

Charles   George   Maclin   Smith

Chatman   Glase   Macklin   Sonnier

Chavis   Goodman   Malbrue   Spencer

Citizen   Goodwill   Malveault    St. Andrews

Clay   Goodwin   Martin   St. Julien

Cogay   Goodwyn   Marveaux   Stanton

Cola   Green   Matthews   Steward

DEDICATIONS

This book is dedicated to the many loving people in my life and those who are mentioned in pages of this book.

It is especially dedicated to the loving memory of my late mother, Sis. Shirley Mae LaVergne Williams, and my father, Pastor Cilton Williams, Sr., without whom this book would not have been possible. It was from my mother’s desire to know more about her ancestry that this book was first inspired and from the prompting of the Holy Spirit, when and how to do it. I am indeed thankful to God for the values they instilled in me from childhood.

The introduction of this book was written at the end of 2006 not knowing that God would bless this great country to elect, on November 4, 2008, our first Black President of the United States of America. I salute our President Barack Hussein Obama II and First Lady Michelle Obama and First family. Sworn in as 44th. President of the United States on January 20, 2009—now Nobel Peace Prize Winner.

INTRODUCTION

Come! Take a stroll with me through the portals of time and space!! Let your imaginations soar!! Let us look over the plains and fields of time past and never forget what should never happen again to any people and let us explore the healing that God can bring to all nations! Let me introduce you to my ancestors.

We often wonder how people can trace their ancestry back to the Mayflower and even further back to England and other countries. They can tell us with calculated certainty the places and dates of many of their forefather’s origins. I too have sometimes wondered in the night where I really came from. I wonder what their religious beliefs were: whether or not they were Hindus, Muslims or Jews or some other faith. I wonder what their occupations were also; whether they were people of status. I even wondered what they really liked to do for recreation. I would love to know just how many relatives, if any, we still have in that Dark Continent called Africa—our proud homeland.

We know that it was evidently in the will of God for us to be a part of the building of this great nation these United States of America. God in His infinite wisdom foresees the big picture while we only see that which He enables us to. But I wonder why it had to be with the blood, sweat and tears of our forefathers. I know that we are taught not to question God’s divine will. We must never forget it—the struggle of the Black man.

Historians have taught us that there were nearly 400,000 African men, women, and children brought to America as slaves on slave ships between 1500 and 1870 alone. It has been said by historians that Louisiana, the state of my birth, first brought in Africans as slaves in the very early 1700’s (approximately 2,000 in number). We have been told of stories that were passed down by our ancestors how they were lured into slavery. The traders came and gave them nice things; some were hunted down like animals and taken away from all that they were familiar with. They were placed in

chains and locked down in ships in close quarters like sheep where they couldn’t even turn over. The mortality rates on those ships were extremely high because of the extreme conditions they were forced to live in.

Despite the trials and tribulations, we are a people determined. We have come through many hard trials and tribulations, but we have made it. We have come through slavery and landed upon a higher spiritual plane as a result of it and there is more to come for those who have not yet discovered the fullness of the awesome love of God. I am privileged to say that I am an African American and my people survived that I might have the privileges I have today.

This book is dedicated to my forefathers that I have been able to find and those I have no way of locating or identifying because so far I have been unable to locate the records. Some ancestry, regardless of the records we might find in the United States, will not be traced due to loss of contact with our African brothers. But in this book I write what I have imagined their lives on the plantations were (with the help of Federal records) and what I know of them from family accounts. We salute them and the many who have crossed the paths of time.

Not unlike our Jewish brothers, we have been a people oppressed; a people enslaved. The bible records that the Israelites were enslaved for over 400 years under the hands of The Pharaohs but God delivered them in his own time. This same Jewish race lost millions under the hand of Adolph Hitler, who tried to annihilate an entire race and God yet stretched forth his hand of mercy to free them. Like them, the Africans have survived and flourished as the flower that blooms in the desert. We, who have been oppressed and downtrodden, have multiplied in this great nation (see Exodus 1).

God worked through one man Moses to free them and he worked through Abraham Lincoln and a host of people including the Union army to set us free. We also must never forget the efforts of such African Americans like Harriet Tubman, called Moses, and the many white abolitionists who ran the underground railroad from the Southern states into the Northern states and Canada to liberate many enslaved families.

This book wasn’t written as an insult to any side of the struggle for emancipation of those days because we realize that there were good people on both sides as you will see in pages of this book.

There is an old adage that says . . . Rome wasn’t built in a day is true. When our Emancipation was declared we yet had fetters upon us. It took a Civil war, but yet it took another century to break even more fetters. The chains remained although physical ones were removed long ago.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. put it so plainly, So, I would like to mention a growing honesty which characterizes the Negro today. There was a time that the Negro used duplicity, deception to or rather as a survival technique. Although he didn’t particularly like conditions, he said he liked them because he felt that the boss wanted to hear that. Now from the housetops, from the kitchen, from the classroom, and from the pulpits the Negro says in no uncertain terms he doesn’t like the way he is being treated.

We are proud of this great statesman who was cut-off in the prime of his life to stand as a black man, a preacher, a pastor and a well educated man. He made his people proud as one of the greatest orators of his day. It was this great black man who became the youngest man ever to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at the age of 35. It is to his credit that we are able to voice our opinions even before great forums. We have now been given the same rights as any other man in this country. By God’s grace we have overcome great hurdles in life and to God be the glory for all that He has done. However, we find that prejudices still exist. We can still see its handiwork today.

Here are a few lines from the poem To You by Langston Hughes,

To dream of dreams made whole,

Unfettered free—help me!

All you who are dreamers, too,

Help me make our world anew

I reach out my hands to you.

Dr. King called upon the very moral fibers of the citizenry of the United States of America to take a stand for the right that wrong might take a seat.

1h1.jpg

HARRIET TUBMAN

(about1820-1913)

Born Arminta Harriet Ross and later married

John Tubman called MOSES

Conductor for the Underground Railroad rescuing over 300 slaves worked as nurse, scout, and spy for the Union army during the Civil War Founder of the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged Negroes. A woman who strongly believed in God.

St. Landry Parish Photo Gallery of

Important Historical Figures

1h2.jpg

Governor Pickney Benton Stewart Pinchback (image courtesy of the Library of Congress) On upper left

Governor Jacques Dupre (image courtesy of the City of Opelousas—Jim Bowie Museum) On upper right

Jim Bowie (Image courtesy of the City of Opelousas—Jim Bowie Museum) On lower left

U. S. Representative Charles Edmund Nash (image courtesy of the Library of Congress) On lower right

Governor Jacques Dupre

1830-1831

BORN: February 12, 1773 in New Orleans

Political Affiliation: Whig (Anti-Jacksonian)

Religious Affiliation: Catholic

Education: Limited

Career Prior to Term: Major in 16th Regiment of the Louisiana Militia; Louisiana House of Representatives; Louisiana Senate

How He Became Governor: Elected President of the Senate and completed remaining portion of Derbigny’s term.

Career after Term: State Senator

Died: September 14, 1846; interred in St. Landry Roman Catholic Church, Opelousas.

Jacques Dupre was elected President of the Senate, an office left vacant after Arnaud Beauvais assumed the duties of Governor when Pierre Derbigny died in office. Upon-his election as Senate President, Dupre then became Acting Governor because Beauvais had resigned. This complicated series of successions later caused a political crisis in Louisiana.

Dupre’s short term featured continued improvements in the young state’s infrastructure. The legislature incorporated a railroad company, a canal company and other companies to improve navigation on state waters. A Merchant’s Insurance Company begun in New Orleans protected the assets of that growing segment of society. A new company instituted to refine sugar by a new process began operating as well.

To deal with what they saw as a serious social problem, the legislature passed strict slave codes at this time in response to the work of northern abolitionists and southern slave insurrectionists.

Legend of Jacques Dupre

Where the live oaks grow in beauty

And the Spanish moss swings low,

Where the red birds fly in the twilight

When the sun has swung below.

There is told a witching story,

Where the sun and shadows play,

When a chief of the Opelousas

Dreamed a dream with Jacques Dupre.

For an Opelousas custom

In the Indian mind has stilled,

When a dream comes to the sleeper,

By the gods it is fulfilled.

Now the Chieftain walked one morning

In a thotful mood and slow,

And he saw a rider coming

On a horse as white as snow,

And the Indian felt a longing

So he spoke to Jacques Dupre;

"I dreamed last night I owned your horse,

For you gave your horse away."

It was then a sorrowed moment

For the rider Jacques Dupre,

But he swung out from the saddle,

And he gave his horse away,

And the mocking bird was singing

As the Chieftain rode away,

On the gallant white Caballo

That had carried Jacques Dupre.

And the song seemed only sorrow

To the saddened Jacques Dupre;

He was walking in a shadow

As the Chieftain rode away.

But another day came dawning

And the Indian rode with pride

Just to greet the kindly Frenchman

As he walked the trail beside,

I dreamed, good Chief, a dream last night,

Said the jovial Jacques Dupre.

"And you had given me your land

For a galloped day each way."

Now the Indian felt a sorrow,

But he harkened to his God

And he gave to wiley Jacques Dupre

All his birthright in the sod.

And a parchment bore the boundary

In a legal way to say

All the land he saw in dreaming

Was the land of Jacques Dupre.

Then the Chieftain spoke with meaning

For he knew his Indian lore,

"I have your horse, you have my land,

We will dream our dreams no more."

There was peace and trusting friendship

With the Chieftain and Dupre

And the trading made in dreaming

As a covenant stands today.

Given to the Acadian House Museum by Attorney J. Dean Butler, Oregan City, Oregan

as published in the 150th. Anniversary edition of the Daily World

Legendary Jim Bowie

One of the most famous among the very colorful characters of St. Landry parish was James Bowie (Jim Bowie) who became a legend at the age of 33. He and his family moved to Louisiana in 1 802 at the age of 7. After a short period of time on Bayou Teche near Opelousas in St. Landry parish, he and his brothers later built a saw mill in 1813 on Bayou Boeuf in Rapides parish.

The boys were later known for slave running which proved to be a very lucrative business for them. They bought slaves in Galveston and sold them mainly in St. Landry and Rapides parishes. According to John N. Harper, They bought slaves at the rate of $1.00 per pound, an average price of $140.00 per slave.

According to historian C. L. Douglas in James Bowie—Life of a Bravo, James Bowie who had been born in Cumberland County, Tennessee around 1794-1795, was the sixth of ten children born to Rezin and Elve Bowie died at the Alamo on his sick bed as he directed the fighting, his pneumonia-ridden body was found stabbed by Mexican bayonets.

He became known for his Bowie knife.

Governor Pickney Benton Stewart Pinchback

Born: May 10, 1837 in Macon, Georgia

Political Affiliation: Republican

Religious Affiliation: African Methodist Episcopal

Education: Gilmore School (Cincinnati); studied law at Straight University (New Orleans)

Career Prior to Term: Union Army Officer, Lt. Governor

How He Became Governor: Became acting Lt. Governor upon death of Dunn; became Governor upon suspension of Warmouth and then became the first African American to serve as a governor of a state of the United States

Career after Term: State Board of Education, Internal Revenue Agent, member of Southern University Board of Trustees

Died: December 21, 1921 in Washington, DC

He was the son of William Pinchback, a planter and Eliza Stewart, an emancipated slave. His mother had her children educated in Cincinnati, Ohio. He married Nina Hawthorne in 1860.

Pickney Benton Stewart Pinchback, the son of a Mississippi white planter and a freed slave, became active in Republican Party politics in Louisiana as a delegate in the Republican state convention of 1867 and to the Constitutional Convention of 1868.

Pinchback became Lieutenant Governor under Henry Clay Warmoth when Oscar Dunn died. After Warmoth was impeached, Pinchback became Governor. He held office for only 35 days, but ten acts of the Legislature became law during that time.

After William Pitt Kellogg took office as a result of the controversial election of 1872, Pinchback continued his career, holding various offices including a seat on the State Board of Education, Internal Revenue agent and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Southern University. Pinchback helped established Southern University when, in the Constitutional Convention of 1879, he pushed for the creation of a college for blacks in Louisiana.

He also was delegate to the constitutional convention from Madison Parish. He also engaged in several businesses: a cotton factorage, a newspaper The New Orleans Louisianaian and the president of the Mississippi River Packet Company which is established to accommodate black passengers.

Pinchback and his family moved to Washington and then New York where he was a Federal Marshal. He later moved back to Washington to practice law in 1909 and died there in 1921. Pinchback is buried in the family tomb in Metairie with Eliza Stewart, his mother; Nina Pinchback Combs, his daughter; and Nina E. Pinchback, his wife.

CHARLES EDMUND NASH

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives

from Louisiana‘s 6th district

In office: March 4, 1875-March 3, 1877

Born: May 23, 1844 Opelousas, St. Landry parish, Louisiana

Died: June 21, 1913 New Orleans, Louisiana

Political party: Republican

Although Charles E. Nash commanded less national attention than some of his Louisiana contemporaries, his status as a wounded war hero vaulted him to the House of Representatives in the 44th Congress (March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1877). Louisiana would not elect another black Representative until the late 20th century. In the Democratically controlled House, Nash encountered great difficulty gaining even the right to speak before his colleagues on the House Floor.

Charles Edmund Nash was born to free parents, Richard and Masie Cecile Nash, in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, on May 23, 1844. Nash attended common (public) schools before becoming a bricklayer in New Orleans. He married Martha Ann Wycoff. Following her death in 1884, he married a French woman, Julia Lucy Montplaisir, in 1905. Union troops occupied New Orleans early in the Civil War, taking the strategic port city in 1862. In July 1863, Nash enlisted as a private in Company A of the 82nd Regiment, United States Volunteers. He was eventually promoted to sergeant major. In a battle at Fort Blakely, Alabama, Nash was severely wounded and lost part of his right leg on April 9, 1865.

Though the injury limited his mobility and affected his health for the rest of his life, Nash’s reputation as a hero impressed local Republicans after the war. The Republican Party was well organized and teaming with able men, most of them free mulattos who lived in New Orleans. In 1869, Nash was hired for a federal patronage position as a night inspector in the New Orleans Custom House.

His combat record made him an attractive candidate for a U.S. congressional seat in 1874 for the district surrounding Baton Rouge.

Louisiana Republicans faced a precarious situation after the state was re-admitted to the Union and federal military occupation ended. In 1870, black Lieutenant Governor Oscar Dunn split from white incumbent Governor Henry Warmoth at the Republican state convention. With Dunn seizing black support, both men laid claim to the executive office. Dueling state legislatures emerged, and the racially divided Republicans barely held sway over local politics, depending on support from the administration of President Ulysses S. Grant to fend off Democratic challengers. It was during this near-anarchy that Nash was nominated for a congressional seat. Only the presence of federal troops and the support of Louisiana blacks ensured that Nash’s election to Congress in 1874 was relatively smooth. He defeated Democrat Joseph B. Moore by a little more than 1,000 votes, taking 52 percent of the vote and becoming Louisiana’s first black Representative. His uneventful election contrasted sharply with that of his predecessor John Willis Menard, who was elected in 1868 but never seated, and that of P. B. S. Pinchback—one of Louisiana’s most prominent black politicians—who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House and Senate two years later.

Nash joined a record number of eight black Representatives—including Mississippi Republican Blanche K. Bruce in the Senate—in the 44th Congress. Upon his swearing in, the substantial Democratic majority limited him to a single assignment: the Committee on Education and Labor. Nash submitted few pieces of legislation but was eager to voice his views in the House Chamber for the public record. However, the Democrats, who controlled the House Floor, were determined to deny Nash that opportunity. For example, in late May 1876—following a two-hour speech by Louisiana Republican Frank Morey—Nash attempted to express his views on a disputed election in a district just north of his. Democratic Representative John House of Tennessee cut off debate before Nash could speak. When Nash protested, Speaker Michael Kerr of Indiana offered only to print his speech in the

Congressional Record Appendix. Nash rejected this offer. The presiding officer ignored Nash’s repeated request to speak but subsequently permitted New York Democrat George Beebe to make a lengthy speech on the same subject.

On the evening of June 7, Nash finally made a speech on the House Floor. He chastised the Democratic Party for undermining the status of freedmen and harassing whites who supported black civil rights. Nash also emphasized the importance of supporting public education, noting the discouraging condition of the common schools in the South and the ignorance of the masses. He then called for strict enforcement of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, warning a government which cannot protect its humblest citizens from outrage and injury is unworthy of the name and ought not to command the support of a free people. He ended on an optimistic note, reaffirming his faith that the United States could overcome its racial and political divisions. For we are not enemies, but brethren, he declared, America will not die. As the time demands them great men will appear, and by their combined efforts render liberty and happiness more secure. It was late at night when Nash finally finished his speech.

In 1876, Nash lost his seat to Democrat Edward Robertson, who won with 58 percent of the vote to Nash’s 42 percent. Nash’s campaign was overshadowed by the presidential electoral crisis: Louisiana and two other states sent two sets of certified electoral votes to Washington—one for Republican candidate Rutherford B. Hayes and the other for Democrat Samuel Tilden. As House Members discussed the crisis, Nash attempted to participate but once again was ignored. Abandoning his political career at the close of the 44th Congress, Nash returned to Louisiana to work as a bricklayer. After injuries and his age forced him to abandon the trade, he served briefly as postmaster in St. Landry Parish during the Chester A. Arthur administration, having served from only February 15 to May 1, 1882. Nash subsequently made his living as a cigar maker. He died in New Orleans, on June 21, 1913at the age of sixty-nine. He is interred there in St. Louis Cemetery No. 3.

State of Louisiana Map

 (with Old St. Landry Parish Highlighted)

1h3.jpg

LOUISIANA—ST. LANDRY PARISH

EARLY HISTORY

The recorded history of Louisiana began in the year of 1519, when Alverez De Pineda explored the Gulf Coast and reported the discovery of a great river. In the Year of 1528 Avar Nunez Cabeza deVaca made a journey along the Gulf Coast. In 1541-2 Hernandez DeSoto explored the Northern part of this great state. On May 21, 1542 he was buried the river he was exploring which we call the Mississippi River near the mouth of the Red river. His expedition made it, through the leadership of Luis de Moscoso, down from the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico and became the first Europeans to descend to the mouth of the Mississippi. In the year of 1553 Marcos de Mena was shipwrecked of the Gulf Coast, and traveled through the state to Mexico.

Much later in the year of 1682, Robert Cavelier, Sieur de LaSalle descended the Mississippi from the mouth of the Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico, and at the mouth of the river he erected a cross and column, declaring claim to the territory in the name of Louis IV, for whom it is named Louisiana. Louisiana was virgin land; full of wonders and it filled everyone who came to explore it with excitement and wonder. Its possibilities were vast although its inhabitants (the Native American Indian tribes) posed a threat to the new settlers. According to history, from 1682 to 1812 it was claimed by France; in 1712 it was granted to Crozat and remained under his jurisdiction until 1717; it was next placed under the administration of the Western Company, until the surrender of their grant in 1732; from there it was under the direct authority of the King of France until the final delivery of the province of Spain in 1769 at the treaty of Paris. It was under the government of the treaty of Spain until the treaty of cession in 1803.

SLAVE LABOR

It is evident that Louisiana’s agriculture began as far back as the early 1700’s when the settlers first appeared; sugarcane and cotton both became prime crops. There was a need by most for both

extra and/or cheap labor to make a living. Land had to be cleared, planted and harvested without much economic consequence. According to Louisiana’s history, Black slaves were imported into Louisiana on ships in 1719. The Grand Duc du Maine and Aurora arrived in the summer where the Fort on the present site of Baton Rouge, Louisiana was built. However, in 1724, the Code Noir or Black code was enacted in Louisiana to keep control of the Negro; setting limitations upon him.

St. Landry-Some important facts from long ago

On April 10, 1805, St. Landry Parish was officially established by an act of legislature. In 1690 the first white man is believed to have settled in Opelousas, which is the parish seat, thus making Opelousas one of the oldest settlements in these United States. The name of the first settler has not come down to us, but he was undoubtedly a Frenchman.

The Attakapas Indians were here—this was their land. They had chosen for their camping grounds the site of the city of Opelousas, because of its location on high land above the flood level. From legends come the story of how Opelousas was named.

The Attakapas were a cannibalistic tribe, fierce and warlike, and they preyed upon the neighboring tribes who dwelled along the high bluff that we call the Grand Coteau ridge. There were three tribes—the Opelousas, the Choctaws, and the Alabamans. They held a counsel and decided to try and wipe out the Attakapas, who were constantly making war in driving them from their lands, destroying almost the entire tribe of Attakapas Indians. The few who escaped with their lives flew to the south, and made their camping-grounds in the regions of what is now St. Martin parish.

The three tribes then made a pact and gave the land of the Attakapas to the Opelousas Indians, and thereafter the territory was called Opelousas, as the land below it was called Attakapas.

For their main campsite the Opelousas tribe chose the high land on which the present city of Opelousas is located. The exact spot has by tradition been established as the grounds of the old Academy of the Immaculate Conception, on the north end of town. Some years past there was here a

small mound with a pine tree standing on it, and this was said to be the lookout post. Many arrowheads have been turned up on lands nearby, and also near this same spot are some very old springs.

The name Opelousas has been given many meanings, but the one most commonly accepted is Blackleg—possibly the tribe painted their legs a dark color. Other translations are Blackfoot, and Man with black leg. Still another translation is Salt Water, which alludes to the fact that from here south the land lowers to the Gulf of Mexico and saltwater.

The history of Opelousas has changed through the years with the successive changes of government.

According to St. Landry historians, it is unfortunate that the earliest settlers kept few records, and that there was no church in St. Landry parish until 1777. It is unknown, for instance, exactly where people were living there prior to 1700. (all of the above-see references Daily World 150th. Edition)

Parish is Large

St. Landry of the mid-1900’s contained 598,400 acres. It is well-defined in the difference of its land. On the west was open prairie, and running down from north of Washington to below Grand Coteau is a high or uplift of land known as the Grand Coteau ridge. East of this begins the great Atchafalaya swamp, many acres of low woodland, some of which has been originally divided and laid out in wards, some of which has been cleared and drained.

WHO WAS ST. LANDRY?

A contemporary of the do-nothing King Clovis II, Landry succeeded Audebert as Bishop of Paris in the year 650. He was so good-hearted that he could refuse nothing to the sick or poor.

During a time of famine he pawned his best furniture and some of the sacred vessels to feed the needy; therefore he is usually shown with a basket in his hand distributing bread to the starving.

Certain ancient traditions attribute to him the founding of the Hotel Dieu in Parish; his Statue formerly adorned it, as it still adorned the facade of St. Germain of Auxerre.

Landry ordered Marculp to prepare a register of those acts of the chancery by which, at that time, privileges were granted to the monasteries; this monk-dedicated his work to him, and it is apparently a register of Marculph’s which the Bishop used in 652 to exempt the new abbey of St. Denis from the Episcopal jurisdiction.

It seems that even after his death this saint did not like irreverence shown in the house of God. The bell-ringer of St. Germain of Auxerre, to while away the time, had played dice in the church. The following night Landry appeared to him a whip in his hand, and soundly beat the bell-ringer that his skin showed marks for a long time. (This was taken from—The Lives of the Saints by Omer Englebert.)

HISTORY OF FIRST RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS

The Catholic Church was the first church established in St. Landry. The first church was erected in Washington, Louisiana near Bayou Courtableau landing. A bridge was erected to build a bridge to permit the hauling of lumber in the year 1774. At that time Father Valentin became its first pastor, and he was followed by Father Louis Dubourg de St. Sepulchre, a Capuchin.

Father Valentin was a missionary who traveled over the entire territory while he was pastor at Natchitoches. He was also a Capuchin of the Champagne Province. He died in 1783, and for two years there was no resident pastor.

In 1785 a Capuchin Friar arrived from Spain, Father Jose de Arzena, but proved unpopular with the French-speaking settlers. He was followed by Father Pedre de Zamora, who was a determined and energetic man. Upon his arrival at the Poste he noted and critized many existing conditions, and it was he who pointed out that the growing Poste was a more suitable place for the church than Church Landing. In 1795 he petitioned Governor Carondelet for permission to make the change of location,

and his request was granted.

The church was later moved and rebuilt in Opelousas and named St. Landry’s Church. The new name of the parish—St. Landry was derived from the church’s name on April 10, 1805.

The First Negro Baptists

In the year of 1812, the first Baptist church was established west of the Mississippi was organized by Joseph Willis, Mulatto-minister. It was built at Bayou Chicot, in what was then St. Landry Parish, and was named the Bayou Chicot Calvary Church. When the historic church was organized, most of the Negroes were slaves. Joseph Willis was a free man of color, serving the people of his race during the early days of Louisiana’s history as a state.

The first Negro Baptist Church was established in the town of Opelousas was Little Zion Baptist, organized at a blacksmith shop near the present church. It was organized June 29, 1867. Baptisms were performed in the small bayou Bayou Prudhomme or Bayou Kennison.

The first Protestant minister in Opelousas was Elisha Bowman, Methodist, who came after a visit to New Orleans in 1805. He described the country after his arrival in Opelousas in 1806 in his letters…it is entirely level, and I suppose three-fourths prairie. The people are rich in cattle. They have from one or two or three thousand head of cattle to a farmer; and, notwithstanding their large stocks, you might with ease carry on your back all that’ you could find in many of their houses.

About eighty miles from here, I am informed, there is a considerable settlement of American people; but I cannot get to them at this time, as the swamps are swimming for miles; but as soon as the waters fall, I intend to visit them. I have great difficulties in this country, as there are no laws to suppress vice of any kind, so the Sabbath is spent in frolicking and gambling.

He describes the people, I find the people very much dissatisfied with the American Government, and we have a constant talk of war. The Spaniards are fortifying themselves all around the coast; and three-fourths of the people hope they will get this country again. This I hope will never be the case.

Three-fourths of the inhabitants of this country, I suppose, are French. The first Protestant church in Opelousas was built in 1825 and was non-sectarian. It was used by all Protestant denominations.

The first Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1845 on the site of the present building, by Warren Meginly and Hezekiah Hayes.

WHITE SCHOOLS

Private schools were the only means of instruction, except private tutoring, which was beyond the means of the general public. The Academy of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau was started in 1821 by Mother Eugenie Aude, who had come to this country with Blessed Philippine Duchesne, the pioneer foundress of many of the first schools in the United States.

The college of the sacred Heart was an extension of the academy, authorized in 1921 to give teachers’ certificates, and later (1937) BS and BA degrees after a regular four-year attendance for about sixty years, until it was demolished at the end of the century.

Many plantations had their own governesses and tutors in those days, and many children of the well-to-do planters were sent to colleges abroad. The University of New Orleans was incorporated by legislative act in 1873, several decades after its first opening.

Public schools did not come into existence until after the Civil War. It was not until 1893 that the first public high school graduation took place in the parish in the town of Opelousas.

In 1850, there were three schools in Opelousas. The Rev. Thos Rand, Jr., A.M., was principal of a school for boys, the Opelousas Academy. Mrs. Renaud (nee Traber) and Miss Barcier each conducted boarding and day-school for young ladies. Rates at both of latter were $10 for instruction per quarter, $18 additional for music, and $25 for boarding.

The Opelousas Female Institute was a well-known boarding school for girls and young ladies of the section. It also took day pupils from the town. Mrs. M. M. Hayes and its staff of teachers were instructors at the institute.

Aunt Mag was remembered affectionately by many in Opelousas and adjacent towns’ who attended her school. The lovely old brick structure stood on the corner of Court and South Streets, facing east. It was a two stories, galleried building, with shuttered windows, and a long wing at the rear. The residence of Alex Andrus, Jr. stood on the site of the institute.

Other professors gave private classes, and among these were Professor Cushman and Professor Autobridge. Professor Frazee was another noted educator and the latter held classes for many years in the old little residence, a landmark of the parish. Professor Bernard was another educator, who taught after the Civil War.

NEGRO SCHOOL ESTABLISHED

Fathers Gilbert and Francis Raymond, the two priests, brothers, also pioneered in the educational field—the education of the Negroes. The first school was established in 1866, and was known as St. Joseph’s school. The Sisters of the Holy Family were called to teach their own race. Thus began the education of the Negroes in the parish.

In 1920 a separate church parish for Negroes was established, under the able direction of Father James A. Hyland, C.S.Sp. He established the Holy Ghost School, which was the first Catholic school for Negro people in the state to become accredited.

In May, 1875 the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Grand Coteau opened a school for Negroes. The name was St. Peter Claver Colored School; it was one of the pioneer high schools for Negroes in the parish, with high scholastic rating. History of public schools in the Parish began at this time.

THE FIRST NEWSPAPER

The first Opelousas newspaper was the Opelousas Gazette, begun in Sept. 1827, and continuing until 1852. The editors were George W. Addison and Joel Sandoz, Andre Meyuler founded the Opelousas Courier, which continued until 1910, except for the period of the Civil War. Later editors were William Spencer, Leonce and L. A. Sandoz.

OPELOUSAS RIOT OF 1867

The St. Landry Whig was established in 1844 with John E. King as editor, followed by E. North Cullom and E. D. Estilette. In 1855 the Whig was succeeded by the Opelousas Patriot, which ceased to publish at the outset of the war. It was established by Albert DeJean, Cyrus Thompson and Alfred Livingston. It was later owned by Charles N. Esler.

In 1867, a Republican paper was formed with Michel Vidal Casimier Edme Durand and Emerson Bentley as editors. Incendiary articles from this publication was said to have started a riot in St. Landry, and the press was destroyed by local citizens and thrown into Bayou Tesson.

After the war the Southern’ Sentinel was begun by T. G. Compton, with J. W. Jackson added to the staff later. Jackson also edited the Journal, which succeeded the Sentinel. In 1830 the Clarion was established, with Raymond Breaux as Editor. A. Andrepont followed Breaux.

The St. Landry Commoner was begun by John W. Lewis in 1910, and was published until 1919.

FIRST STEAMBOATS

The first steamboats that came into the parish were objects of awe and admiration, and by the third decade of the nineteenth century they were well established and continued until their decline at the turn of the century.

Waiting at the landing for steamboats was one of the occupations of the time, and many remarks have been made that playing poker and drinking Sarerac cocktails at Washington Landing to while away the long wait led to the downfall of many a youth of the parish.

The younger generation eagerly awaited the landing, for fresh oranges, grapes, and goods, silks and satins and fine brocades all made their way to the rich planters and merchants who had them on order.

The steamboat captain was beloved by all, standing on the bridge giving orders as he twirled his handsome mustache.

The plush interiors of the luxury steamers set a new trend in decoration, and a new style of architecture, Steamboat Gothic, was the result. Many of the present gingerbread houses were inspired by admiration of a passing steamer.

Gustave Loeillier of Opelousas took command of the line steamboat RED RIVER in December 1853. The Opelousas Courier reported, and was awaiting the first rise of the water to enter the Courtableau for his first voyage to Washington.

Bayou Courtableau was first called the Opelousas River, later taking its name from prominent plantation owners along its banks. In some sections it was called Bayou Grand Louis (after Grand Louis Fontenot) and again Bayou Courtableau after Jacques Courtableau. Bayou Carron was named for the Carron family. Bayou Teche was sometimes spelled Tash.

In 1826 there is recorded a legislative act granting certain privileges to the Opelousas Steamboat Company. The act gave the company Authority to establish, keep and maintain a steamboat and ferry from Bayou Plaquemine in the parish of Iberville through the usual route of the Grand River, Atchafalaya and the River Opelousas or Courtableau to the junction of the Bayous Crocodile and Boeuf.

Steamboats thus came as far inland as the junction of what we now call Cocodrie (Crocodile) and Boeuf, which flow together to make Courtableau.

At this last steamboat Landing, products were loaded on barges, and towed farther up the bayou. A great volume of business was carried on by this waterroute, and Washington soon developed into the chief shipping port in Southwestern Louisiana. Large warehouses were built all along the bayous, and when Washington was granted its town charter on March 31, 1895, it was a thriving town.

Unique among the towns of St. Landry, Washington has preserved its old homes and buildings to an astounding degree, and the greater part of the standing structures in the town is over 100 years d. Many historic buildings were destroyed by fire that raged through the Main Street of the town.

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES

One of the greatest problems of St. Landry Parish was said to have been the War Between the States. It was well noted that it was the blame for the general upheaval of economic, social, and political life in the Parish.

Camp Hamilton was established on what is the Boagni plantation, north of the overpass on the new Port Barre road. From the camp issued large-scale Confederate operations, near Chretian point. General Banks was at one time quartered around here, and used, several of the larger local homes for his officers and himself. One of these has since been demolished… the old Sandoz home, which had since been given to the church for use for a Negro school, a donation made by the widow J. B. Sandoz.

In Washington, a story is told of how some of the men slipped into town one night and tore all of the planks off the bridge, so that when the Union soldiers came to cross the bayou they had to rebuild it before they could cross. Some of the Union soldiers liked the locale so well that they stayed on after the war, and many of their descendants were still a part of the area in the 1950’s and even today.

OPELOUSAS WAS CAPITOL

During the War Between the States, Opelousas was for a short time the State Capitol when Federal forces captured Baton Rouge in 1863. The seat of government was moved to the old LaCombe Hotel, which stood between the present Lacombe building (housing the New Drug Store), and the Federal building and post office on Court St. opposite the court house square.

State records and officials were moved to the hotel, and Governor