Early days in Rapides Parish, LA, which includes the cities of Alexandria and Pineville, are recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this brand new 96-page 8.5" x 11" spiral-bound book. The full-color front cover is protected with a vinyl sheet.
The book includes excerpts from two hard-to-find vintage publications: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, originally published by the Southern Publishing Company in 1890, and Louisiana, a Guide to the State, compiled by Workers of the Writers' Program of the WPA in 1941.
The history part of the 1890 book includes Location, Topography, Geology. Settlers and Incidents, Wild Animals, Dueling, Actions of the Police Jury, Elections, Local Courts, Lawyers, Newspapers, Societies and Associations, Military Affairs -- fights with Indians, the Mexican War and the names of many units and officers in the Civil War and the burning of Alexandria in 1864, Cities, Towns and Villages, Schools, Churches, Notable Occurences, Lodges, Factories, Businesses, Early residents of note -- Alexander Fulton, Hypolite Beauboeuf, Thomas H. Hooper, Horatio S. Sprigg, Robert C. Hynson, David Martin, R. Legras, W.C. McGimsey, T.G. Compton, John Casson, Col. W.T. Sherman, and many others.
In addition to the many names mentioned in the history section, there are a number of fairly lengthy biographies of prominent citizens: James Andrews, Capt. C.E. Ball, Capt. C.J. Barstow, A.D. Battle, T.L. Bedsole, George W. Bennett, Wilbur Fisk Blackman, Carey E. Blanchard, G.W. Bolton, James Borron, Dr. Ira Bowman, Daniel Brewer, Dr. F.N. Brian, Robert Wilton Bringhurst, Capt. William J. Calvert, J.B. Carnal, Daniel C. Clark, C.C. Cleveland, A.G. Compton, J.L. Connella, Thomas Crawley, Dr. James A. Cruikshank, Judge Henry L. Daigre, Andrew David, P.V. David, George Dorman, Blakeley C. Duke, Ven. Herman Cope Duncan, M.L. Dunnam, Dr. M.R. Fisher, Joseph Fitzpatrick, James W. Garrett, Henry Stewart Gossens, Gen. G. Mason Graham, J.E. Grissom, Adolph Hartiens, Edwin Gardner Hunter, D.W. Hynson, Pin H. Hynson, R.H. Irvine, Jacob Irving, E.H. Kelsoe, D.R. Knight Jr., Joseph Levin, Julius Levin, Jacob Levin Jr., Harold W.S. Lund, Edgar Hammond McCormick, Col. N. L. McGinnis, Louis Victor Marye, Dr. S.F. Meeker, Joseph H. Meeker, Rev. Father L. Menard, Theus Norvelle Miles, Isaac Carol Miller, T.G. Morgan, Mat. C. Moseley, L.W. Murdock, Frank H. Neal, C.W. Owen, Major E.B. Pendleton, Col. William Polk, B. Pressburg, Benjamin H. Randolph, Christopher Lewis Ransdell, H.M. Rogers, Moses Rosenthal, Dr. Stephen Harris Rushing, Michael Ryan, W.L. Sanford, B.F. Scott, Major Frederick Seip, P.J. Sleet, Dr. Thomas W. So Relle, C.C. Swayze, Capt. Joseph W. Texada, Lewis M. Texada, Benjamin Turner, R.L. Walker, George R. Waters, Col. George Owen Watts, E.V. Weems, Simon Weil, Charles M. Wells, Gov. James Madison Wells, Ennemond M. Wells, Jefferson Wells, John Alexander Williams, W.W. Whittington Sr., Col J.C. Wise, and William White Wittington Jr. .
The WPA book gives a nostalgic glimpse from a 1941 vantage point, including interesting historical notes, especially as they relate to sightseeing possibilities. The excerpt consists of a map of the area, a special section on the sister cities of Alexandria and Pineville, including a map with 21 points of interest, and tours with stops at Inglewood Plantation House, Mooreland Community, Bayou Lamourie, Lecompte, Meeker, Cheneyville and other area locales.
Wouldn't this make a unique gift? |