Garland Landing

By Will E. Lambert

This is a true story about a young couple, Jim and Jenny Garland, dubbed as "River Gypsies", who traveled rivers in search of mussel shells for the Button Industry in the early 1900's.

They beached and settled on a sandbar in the Ouachita (Wash' a taw) River at Sterlington, Louisiana and lived there for thirty years.

The romance quickly blossomed into a houseboat full of interesting characters with unusual and funny stories.

Jerry Hobson, a grandson, returned to the original sandbar in 2000, bought all the land around it where he and his siblings started the community of Hobsonville, USA". The area has become a thriving settlement.

Famous people such as Huey P. Long, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Jimmy Swaggart have touched the lives of this Houseboat Family as mentioned in these stories.

Houseboat living during the Depression, WW II, and the changing times created strong character and independence which is rarely seen today. These stories reflect the way they survived by their faith, love, and humor during these hard times.

This story, a family saga, as much an heirloom for future generations, "Garland Landing" tells it all!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493188321

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Will E. Lambert.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014905444

ISBN:   Hardcover            978-1-4931-8833-8

            Softcover               978-1-4931-8834-5

            eBook                     978-1-4931-8832-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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.

Rev. date: 11/03/2014

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Preface

Chapter 1 The Landing

Chapter 2 Garland Beginnings

Chapter 3 J. T.

Chapter 4 Dark Days

Chapter 5 Bob

Chapter 6 Vivian

Chapter 7 Land Living

Chapter 8 Hobson Roots

Chapter 9 Nine Oaks

Chapter 10 Mary Francis And Lambert

Chapter 11 Lambert Legend

Chapter 12 Willie

Chapter 13 Dreams Fulfilled

Epilogue

Appendix A

Appendix B

End Note

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DEDICATION

We feel that this story of the legacy of the Garland landing on the sandbar in Sterlington nearly a hundred years ago should be dedicated to the two oldest playmates of that period: Vivian Eugene Garland Smith and Patricia Ann Hobson Slayton. Vivian is the last of the original Garland clan and Pat is the first born of the Garland/Hobson clan. They were two of the last few to imprint the sandbar with their little feet so long ago.

It is, also, essential that this work be dedicated to the one person whose grit and determination saw his vision and dream through to fruition. It is Bobby Gerald (Jerry) Hobson, whom we honor for this joy that we older folks and younger folks have, when we gather back to our original home place of the Garland clan. I’m sure I speak for all of us, when I say, Thanks, Jerry!

This dedication would not be complete without including the two who started it all: Mr. Jim and Miss Jenny Garland. They were the tap root to this now budding community. Because of their grandson, Jerry, and the old sandbar being restored, they are indelibly imprinted in our minds.

If you are a branch or stem of the original Garlands or Barnes, this work is, also, committed to you. We realize the Garland name may fade in time, but descendants without the name should know that: They, the Garlands, were a God fearing, fun loving, and good family that made the world a better place by having lived.

We are indeed honored and privileged to be a part of the legacy of the Garland Family.

These stories are only a few of those that have been passed down and that we can recall. If anyone believes a story to be wrong, incorrect, or a lie: It may be. I have told them to the best of my knowledge, or to the best that I remember them, or of being a part of them during my lifetime.

WEL

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Special thanks to Billy Bolton for his computer expertise and many hours donated in helping us through the process of creating this book.

Billy%20Bolton.jpg

Billy Bolton

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank the last surviving, original member of the Garland family: our very own Aunt Vivian Eugene Garland Smith, for all the information, stories, and the many pictures which she supplied. This project could never have been finished without her help.

Our deep appreciation to the first offspring of Mr. Jim and Miss Jenny: Patricia Ann Hobson Slayton, for the use of her picture albums and stories.

Super thanks and regards to Historian: Mr. Ronald Wayne, Director of GLHS, S. A. (Garland Landing Historical Society, S. A.) and his lovely assistant, Rose, for all the stories and input they provided.

Thanks to Diane, Gloria Dawn, Robin, and all who helped with stories, pictures or any kind of input for this project.

Also, special thanks to Billy Bolton for his expert computer work and many hours of time donated in helping us throughout the process.

My deepest appreciation must go to my darling wife, Rebecca. She, with untiring dedication and devotion has made this whole project possible. Her intellect, skills, and suggestions have been invaluable.

Without her, these stories and the biography of the Garland Clan could never have been launched.

And ‘Jerry’.

INTRODUCTION

Sometimes in our lives, we experience moments that we know must be captured and reminisced for a lifetime. Such was the recent event that took place at the Hobson Annual Independence Day Gathering in Hobsonville, USA. About four or five generations were present celebrating and enjoying the festivities. Pictures were being taken, old acquaintances and memories were being renewed. Lots of laughter and a few tears were shed, too, I am sure.

Willie (my husband and ‘Wordsmith’) was inspired and compelled to write about the legend of the Garland Landing, including many of the stories that have been passed down for generations. His grandparents (Mr. Jim and Miss Jenny Garland) ‘homesteaded’ and raised their entire family on a houseboat (built by Mr. Jim Garland) there on the Ouachita River, nearly one-hundred years ago.

Seeing his Aunt Vivian, the sole, living, original Garland make her surprise ‘guest appearance’ and experiencing the joy and delight that was shared on this jubilant occasion was an extraordinary event. Viewing the incredible accomplishments of Jerry and the whole Hobson family made him realize that the account of the Garland Landing and the heritage of their children should be written down and remembered for future generations.

THE GREAT SURPRISE UNFOLDS!

It was the Fourth of July, 2013. All of the Hobson Clan and many friends were gathered at Searcy and Patsy’s (oldest of the nine Hobson siblings) open-air pavilion, beneath their beautiful cypress lodge. (This is one of the many Hobson homes which have been built on the bank of the Ouachita River.) Their community is, also, known as The Nine Oaks Plantation in reference to the nine Hobson siblings.

Live entertainment was already on the stage and every kind of delicacy you could think of was spread out on the tables for the feast to take place later. It was a ‘Down-Home Southern Independence Day Celebration’ already in the making.

High anticipation was amongst those that were ‘in the know’, but especially to Jerry Hobson, the one whose lifetime dream was being fulfilled and continuing to unfold before his very eyes. It was the reality of his family and friends surrounding him in this beautiful setting. It was the perfect setting for the Grand Finale… a ‘surprise’ guest was to appear at any moment.

The word was out that a celebrity from Nashville might make an appearance, if all plans were accomplished… and her last name might be Smith.

Jerry’s cousin, Willie Lambert, had been appointed to provide the entertainment, since he had ‘connections’ with some country music stars about thirty years ago. Willie did call a Nashville agent and attempted to get a certain country singer he had met years ago while living in Nashville. But, she was booked up and that was when he got the bright idea to plan a really big surprise guest, unknown to Jerry. He led