Erin AntleyAugust 9, 2013 Within the gates of the Spearsville cemetery lies the grave of John Wadell Cherry. Born 05/13/1845 and murdered in front of his own farm on 04/16/1884 by father and son, Perry and William Melton. The Melton’s apparently had a verbal argument on the morning of April 16. Cherry, a former Rebel … Continue reading The Murder of John Wadell Cherry
Gene Barron
Dr. Varner Edward Dudley
Written by Gene Barron On June 20, 1900, Edward Varner and Emily Caroline Boles Dudley bought 120 acres of land from S. J. Berry Abbett in Sec. 16 just south of Spearsville. Edward was the son of William and Rachel Varner Ewing Dudley. Edward and Emily had eight children, Susan R., Ida E., Sarah Frances, … Continue reading Dr. Varner Edward Dudley
Bootlegging in Spearsville
On January 16, 1920, Prohibition went into effect throughout the United States. Many in the Spearsville area began to rely on what became know as bootlegging for a living. The name derived from the practice, adopted by the distillers of the illegal hooch, of stuffing a bottle into their boots for easy access when a … Continue reading Bootlegging in Spearsville
Farmerville Bank Robbery
On September 22, 1930, Hunt Boyd Watson (alias Jimmie Yarrell alias B. B. Gathright alias Hunt Ward), A.P. Burton (alias George Clark Edwards), and Mike Eskew casually walked into the Farmerville Bank, unmasked, and forced William Wesley Porter, cashier, and Mrs. Edward Everett, the bank president’s wife, to throw up their hands. Eskew, standing lookout … Continue reading Farmerville Bank Robbery
Dr. Charles Sidney McDonald
Dr. Charles Sidney McDonald Dr. Charles Sidney McDonald and his wife, Martha "Mattie" Nicklas McDonald, the daughter of Joseph and Dorathy Hayes Nicklas, came to Spearsville in 1905. They lived in a home about a quarter mile south of the stores of Spearsville on the old McDonald home place. (Located where the Drusey Mae Senn … Continue reading Dr. Charles Sidney McDonald
The Summit Lumber Company
Randolph, Union Parish, Louisiana Although construction of the first railroad into northeastern Louisiana from Vicksburg to Monroe was completed in January 1861, the iron horse tracks by-passed Union Parish until 1898. The rail line was first laid from the north down to to Junction City (the northwestern corner of the parish). Union Parish saw mill … Continue reading The Summit Lumber Company
Ike Futch – Professional Baseball Player
Written by W. Gene Barron Ike Futch Professional Baseball Player Ike Jerry Futch was born on January 31, 1941, the fifth of nine children, six boys and three girls, born to Joe Reed “Bouy” and Martha Marie Smith Futch. Most of his brothers were named after New York Yankee greats. All nine children were … Continue reading Ike Futch – Professional Baseball Player
A Shootout on the Streets of Bernice
Written by Gene Barron On April 20, 1908 Sheriff John W. Taylor and his Chief Deputy, James M. Underwood were called to Bernice in response to a shootout. The shooting occurred when Charles J. Morton, along with his wife, Anna, and their son, Charles Hester Morton, stepped from the coach of the northbound Rock Island … Continue reading A Shootout on the Streets of Bernice
The Destruction of Spencer 1921
Written by W. Gene Barron Just past midnight on Saturday, December 24, 1921, a devastating storm originating in Crittendon County, Arkansas tore through the village of Spencer, virtually destroying the entire town. The Missouri Pacific Depot, a store and five homes were destroyed. It was reported that not a tree nor a fence was left … Continue reading The Destruction of Spencer 1921
Public Servant George Miller Edwards
Written by Gene Barron Public Servant George Miller Edwards March 1, 1887 - June 12, 1964 George Miller Edwards was the second child born to George W. and Bettie Miller Edwards of Marion. His career in law enforcement began when he became deputy sheriff under F. W. "Pat" Murphy in 1924. Sheriff Murphy was … Continue reading Public Servant George Miller Edwards
The Murder of Junction City Town Marshall Dan Wiley
Written by Gene Barron One of the most sensational criminal cases to come before court in Union Parish in several years was the case of Taylor Cullins being tried for the murder of Junction City Town Marshall, Dan Wiley, on February 2, 1929. Cullins, who had been drinking was causing a disturbance in front of … Continue reading The Murder of Junction City Town Marshall Dan Wiley
The Murder of Union Parish Deputy Sheriff Robert V. Taylor
Written by Gene Barron In the 1970's it was common practice of the Union Parish Sheriff's department to make arrests on Saturday nights. Their reason was that the perpetrator would be subjected to spending two nights in jail before they would be able to get out of jail on bond until Monday morning. When attorney … Continue reading The Murder of Union Parish Deputy Sheriff Robert V. Taylor
The Killing of John Jackson (Former Bernice Town Marshall)
Written by Gene Barron John T. Jackson was born about 1875 in Alabama. On May 25, 1893 he married Harriett Ponder of Union Parish. In about 1910 Harriett died leaving John with 6 children. Due to his dire circumstances, the children were placed in the Methodist Children Home in Ruston, Louisiana. In about 1916 John … Continue reading The Killing of John Jackson (Former Bernice Town Marshall)
A Genuine Shootout
Written by Gene Barron On July 16, 1894 Joseph David Platt was killed in a shootout in the Tiger Bend Community behind the home of Mr. Huey Green. The shootout had been brewing for several days since a rumor had come to light concerning a local young lady. The girl's father demanded an investigation to … Continue reading A Genuine Shootout
Bonnie and Clyde in Union Parish
Written by Gene Barron Due to the new version of the story of the outlaws Bonnie and Clyde released for television numerous articles concerning the couple have appeared lately - however none recalls the duo's stint in Union Parish. In 1971 Mrs. Carolyn Carver published an article in the North Louisiana Historical Association's Journal about … Continue reading Bonnie and Clyde in Union Parish
Robert Calvert Murphy (11 Nov 1842 – 16 Feb 1936)
Written by Gene Barron Robert Calvert Murphy was born in Arkansas to George West and Mary Elizabeth Clardy Murphy on November 11, 1842, the first of ten children. The family came to Union Parish and settled in the Oakland Community in about 1855. During the Civil War Robert served as a Corporal in Company "C", … Continue reading Robert Calvert Murphy (11 Nov 1842 – 16 Feb 1936)
The Ramsey – Trimble Feud
Written by Gene Barron In December of 1887 a shootout occurred inside Daniel Stein's store in Farmerville. The events that lead up to the shootout are well documented; however the actual shooting is not. There are no surviving local newspaper accounts, although the event was reported by over 50 major newspapers. The only descriptions of … Continue reading The Ramsey – Trimble Feud
The Killing of Jim Green
Written by Gene Barron On Friday at about 5 o'clock in the evening of August 29, 1925 James Martin Green was stabbed and died instantly, while three other men, Caleb Marcus Green, Roe Thompson and G. E. Lindsey, were seriously cut in a fracas at the Bank of Bernice. It seems that Green had just … Continue reading The Killing of Jim Green
The Legend of Dick Holman
Written by Gene Barron In 1984 Charlie Wheeler related a story told to him by his father about a recluse named Dick Holman. It seems that Charlie, as a young lad, was hunting hogs with his dad when they came upon the remains of an old homestead. His dad told him that this was where … Continue reading The Legend of Dick Holman
Milton Cross Barron
Written by Gene Barron Some die-hard Southerners and hot heads in the area began joining a new organization called the KKK or Ku Klux Klan. An offshoot of the KKK that operated in Spearsville was called the Night-Riders. It is rumored that Milton Cross Barron was an active participant in the group. Milton was the … Continue reading Milton Cross Barron
Cecil Upshaw and Mr. Riser
Written by Gene Barron While attending Mt. Union School, Cecil Upshaw was punished by Mr. Riser, the principal, with a whipping for something Cecil had done. After the whipping Cecil told Mr. Riser that when he got big enough he'd whip him for giving him that whipping. Years later Cecil was at Arkie Pryor's station … Continue reading Cecil Upshaw and Mr. Riser
Coon Telford
Written by Gene Barron On August 11, 1865, Joseph and Mary Ann Carroll Telford had a son that they named Richmond. A young mulatto girl named Jennie aided in the birth. Joseph purchased this girl, along with another slave girl, in Natchez, Mississippi, for the sum of $700 each. Jennie had served the family as … Continue reading Coon Telford
Tyre Boone Trammell
Written by Gene Barron Tyre Boone Trammell came to Union Parish in about 1845. Boone settled on land described as SWNW, E1/2 SW, NWSE, SWSW and NWNW of Section 36, T23N, R3W in all some 240 acres. Family lore says that he came to Louisiana after getting into a fight and fearing that he had … Continue reading Tyre Boone Trammell
Spearsville Photo Albums
I got a message from Gene Barron this morning: We should be getting our Spearsville Photo Albums by next Friday. It contains copies of all of the over 400 historically significant photos that we have hanging in the gallery. If you are interested please send $23 to: Spearsville Photo Gallery 1462 Hwy 15 Spearsville, Louisiana … Continue reading Spearsville Photo Albums
John Thomas Heard
Written by Gene Barron Picture Provided by Gene Barron In 1883 the John Heard family lived in the Simp Ramsey house and John worked in the saloon a the Rabun store (the store had, by this time passed into the hands of R. F. Rabun's son, T. J. Rabun). After work one night John came … Continue reading John Thomas Heard
Camp Creek
Written by Gene Barron The Camp Creek Community established a Baptist church in the 1960s, and it continues to serve the community today. A community school was established there as well, in a separate building just south of the church building. Children walked as far as four miles to attend the school carrying their books … Continue reading Camp Creek
Randolph and the Summit Lumber Company
Written by Gene Barron When the Arkansas Southern extended its rail line from Junction City, Arkansas into Union Parish in 1899, it afforded sawmills in the area new markets for their lumber. The rail line also provided a more affordable method of transporting logs from the woods to the mill. Heretofore it was done with … Continue reading Randolph and the Summit Lumber Company
Steamboats Made History in Parish
Written by Gene Barron From the 1840s until the advent of the railroads in Union Parish, steamboats were the main method of transporting goods and travel into and from Union Parish. Although travel on the Bayous was hazardous and sporadic to say the least, these boats were the best mode of shipping cotton, stave bolts … Continue reading Steamboats Made History in Parish
The Murder of John W. Cherry
Written by Gene Barron John Waddell Cherry (13 May 1845-16 Apr 1884) was the fifth child of Judge William Powell and Elizabeth Travis Cherry. John served in Co. “I” of the 31st Infantry during the Civil War. He married Rebecca Giles in Union Parish in 1868 and they lived on a farm about 3 miles … Continue reading The Murder of John W. Cherry
A Shootout on the Streets of Bernice
Written by Gene Barron On April 20, 1908 Sheriff John W. Taylor and his Chief Deputy, James M. Underwood were called to Bernice in response to a shootout. The shooting occurred when Charles J. Morton, along with his wife, Anna, and their son, Charles Hester Morton, stepped from the coach of the southbound Rock Island … Continue reading A Shootout on the Streets of Bernice
Shiloh to Canaan 
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