Erin AntleyOctober 2, 2020 The Hatfields and McCoy’s are probably the most famous family feud of all time but they hardly have the market cornered on feudin’. In fact, in the late 1800’s, there commenced a spat between two families in Marion that spilled blood into the dirt streets and went on for several years. … Continue reading Family Feud
Other Contributors
The Murder Of John Cherry and The Tragedy of Billy Melton, Spearsville, LA
Erin Antley - For The Love of HistoryOctober 28, 2018 Those who have followed me in the past have heard tell of this dark convoluted tale of Union Parish past. I can honestly say that I have studied up one side and down the other and I have no real good explanation for why the … Continue reading The Murder Of John Cherry and The Tragedy of Billy Melton, Spearsville, LA
The Murder of John Wadell Cherry
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
Native American Tribes & the Indian History in Farmerville, Louisiana
Ahote Cooper Native Americans of Louisiana January 10, 2019 Long before the terms Native American or Indian were created, the tribes were spread all over the Americas. Before any white man set foot on this territory, it was settled by the forefathers of bands we now call Sioux, or Cherokee, or Iroquois. For thousands of … Continue reading Native American Tribes & the Indian History in Farmerville, Louisiana
Cannons Sound Off at Shiloh
Brenda Roberts - Banner NewsJune 9, 2011 This past Saturday the echo of cannon fire and muskets was heard in the Shiloh community as The Lt. Elijah H. Ward Camp #1971 held a Dedication and Memorial service for Moses Green, Company F, 2nd Louisiana Cavalry Regiment and James Know Polk Fomby, Company A. 10th Confederate … Continue reading Cannons Sound Off at Shiloh
Bernice Medical History
Dr. W. C. ReevesJune, 2010 I have been asked to and will try to review the history of medicine in the town of Bernice. A portion of the history is based on my personal memory but much of the early history is based on a review of information on record in the Bernice Depot Museum. … Continue reading Bernice Medical History
The Death of Armon Smith
Written by Lyle SmithContributed by Ike Futch July 5, 1887 -- Tuesday, October 31, 1933 Age Forty Six Years, Three Months and 25 Days Armon Smith was born July 5, 1887, at Lapile, Union County, Arkansas, a twin brother of Harmon Smith. They were the sons of Woody K. Smith and Mahalia Elizabeth Head. Woody … Continue reading The Death of Armon Smith
Little Chicago
T. L. BowenJune 1971 It is not mentioned in any official report of Central Louisiana State Hospital, yet is was an interesting part of the institution’s past and developed early in the hospital’s history. “Little Chicago” was the name of a special area of the hospital, the trash dump, the name deriving from the fact … Continue reading Little Chicago
He’s a Cat n’ a Half!
Mary K. HamnerPiney Woods Journal Correspondent I knew something was up when the old woman brought me inside the house for my breakfast. Snert and his family had cleaned out my feeding dish overnight and I wondered if she thought I might need protection as I dined. Course the coons don't worry me none and … Continue reading He’s a Cat n’ a Half!
Earl Long Saga Ended After Victory Nobody Thought He Could Pull Off, But He Did
Jack M. WillisPiney Woods Journal Correspondent By 1959, after serving a fraction of a term, plus two full terms at the helm of state government, Earl Kemp Long probably knew more about how to run the State of Louisiana that any other governor who had ever lived, including his brother Huey. But Long's governmental work … Continue reading Earl Long Saga Ended After Victory Nobody Thought He Could Pull Off, But He Did
Experience Says ‘Don’t Trash Your History!’
Mary K. HamnerPiney Woods Journal Correspondent Local history is a great avenue for learning. Digging through family stories/genealogy and church history is encouragement for extending knowledge as you travel back through the ages to learn about the local folk. Their stories speak of a different time, an age that causes us to laugh and sometimes … Continue reading Experience Says ‘Don’t Trash Your History!’
Unknown ‘Mother’s Son’ Gets Gravestone
Mary K. HamnerPiney Woods Journal Correspondent This is a story passed down and cemented in by the grave. Daddy always took particular care of the 'robber's grave' back when the family, once a year, scraped off residue, and then mounded up the family graves at Old Castor Cemetery. The guy got shot, after he had … Continue reading Unknown ‘Mother’s Son’ Gets Gravestone
Alberta Founded Around Sawmill In The 1890’s
Mary K. HamnerPiney Woods Journal Correspondent Alberta was located a mile south of Castor on the former Louisiana & Arkansas Railroad. E. M. Werkheiser of Arcadia had moved his sawmill from Arcadia to this new location in 1899 and he named the settlement that developed there for his daughter. As time moved on, Bienville Lumber … Continue reading Alberta Founded Around Sawmill In The 1890’s
Good Advice Came After Cranking The Dodge
Mary K. HamnerPiney Woods Journal Correspondent The four children were scrubbed and combed and cajoled into their Sunday best. Ranging in age from the terrible twos to twelve, they presented quite a challenge for a young couple on their way to church. While one gets dressed, the others get dirty but a determined Mother met … Continue reading Good Advice Came After Cranking The Dodge
At Age 100 – Louisa Remembers Alberta
Mary K. Hamner Piney Woods Journal Correspondent Louise Cooke Townsend Louise Cooke Townsend has lived a life packed full of adventure. She was born in Alberta, Louisiana around the turn of the century, (June 22, 1913), and recalls the now nonexistent saw mill town as if were, just yesterday. Alberta was located about a mile south … Continue reading At Age 100 – Louisa Remembers Alberta
Louisiana ‘Maneuvers’ Bought ‘War’ to Region
Mary K. Hamner Piney Woods Journal Correspondent She was just a little girl and she was scared! The old kerosene lamp didn't make much light and that light flickered and caused eerie shadows across the walls of the room. Why was her Mother putting quilts over the windows? Was it to keep something or someone … Continue reading Louisiana ‘Maneuvers’ Bought ‘War’ to Region
Murrell Family Pioneered in Claiborne Parish
Murphy J. Barr John Murrell was living in Carthage, Tennessee, with his wife and six children when he decided to seek a new area of the country in which to live and farm. He placed his household goods and tools on a flatboat and floated down the Tennessee River to Nashville. In Nashville he met … Continue reading Murrell Family Pioneered in Claiborne Parish
The Old Timer Knew – It Rains On 4th of July
Jack M. WillisPiney Woods Journal Correspondent Recently I had the occasion to visit a dealership which sells and services timber-harvesting equipment. In chatting with the receptionist, she related she was from the little hamlet of Gaars Mill in Winn Parish, Louisiana. Instantly, with the mention of that little community, my mind reverted to an incident … Continue reading The Old Timer Knew – It Rains On 4th of July
‘Who Killed The Kingfish’ Remains Unanswered
James Ronald Skains Piney Woods Journal Correspondent The only thing that everyone agrees about related to the assassination of Huey P. Long is that he was shot in the State Capitol on September 5, 1935 and died two days later in the near by Lady of the Lake Hospital. "The two most amazing things about … Continue reading ‘Who Killed The Kingfish’ Remains Unanswered
North Louisiana Pilot Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
The Richland Beacon-News2 October 1943Saturday This article was sent to me by my friend Luke J. Letlow. You can find him on RICHLAND ROOTS by Luke J. Letlow. When you are finished reading all about Union Parish go over there and check it out.
1885 Murder of William P. Mabry of Shiloh
Submitted by: Karen Mabry Rice Submitted to USGW Archives by: Karen Mabry Rice, T. D. Hudson, and Shawn Martin HOMICIDE NEAR SHILOH From the Farmerville "Home Advocate" Issue of 24 April 1885, Page 3 We learn that Mr. W. P. Mabry, an aged gentleman residing in the vicinity of Shiloh, was ruthlessly shot and killed … Continue reading 1885 Murder of William P. Mabry of Shiloh
The Little Blonde Head Girl
Ken Booth Peanuts character Charlie Brown never found his little red haired girl. I can sympathize. For 69 years I have often wondered what became of the little blonde haired girl in my first grade class at Barkdull Faulk School for whom I harbored a shy and suppressed sweetness. When my Dad bought a good-sized … Continue reading The Little Blonde Head Girl
Orion Buckley Lee and Susie McIntosh
Roy Austin August 5, 2018 On this day, 100 years ago, my maternal grandparents, Orion Buckley Lee and Susie McIntosh were married. They went to Bernice to elope, but one of Susie's uncles found out and called ahead to prevent them from getting married. Undeterred, they boarded a train and went to Jonesboro in Jackson … Continue reading Orion Buckley Lee and Susie McIntosh
The Moores, Cooks, Copelands, & Mabrys of Union Parish
Karen Mabry Rice Why am I the Archives Coordinator and the Listowner for Union Parish? I never lived there a day in my live. I visited there 3 times in my live - twice as a young kid, and once as a young adult. Those visits as a kid were wonderful. I visited with my … Continue reading The Moores, Cooks, Copelands, & Mabrys of Union Parish
Bayou Steamboats
Kelby Ouchley Bayou-Diversity July 8, 2018 Had you been sitting on the bank of Bayou Bartholomew several miles below Bastrop on the afternoon of December 13, 1857, you would have heard her piercing scream long before she came into view. Heavily laden with cotton bales, the steamboat W.W. Farmer eased cautiously along with the current. … Continue reading Bayou Steamboats
Robert Richard Cole
Susan Cole My Great Grandfather Robert Richard Cole (on the left) Robert Richard Cole was the son of Levi Jefferson Cole and Emily "Emma" Finch Cole. On 4 December 1867, Robert Richard Cole was born in Bastrop, Morehouse Parish, LA. Robert was raised in Bastrop, LA. Robert's father was a carpenter, and his father died … Continue reading Robert Richard Cole
Levi Jefferson Cole
Susan Cole My Grandfather's brother Levi Jefferson Cole Levi Jefferson Cole was the oldest child of Robert Richard Cole and Martha Ann Rebecca Smith Cole. On 29 July 1891, Levi was born in Huttig, Union County, Arkansas. He was named after his Grandfather Levi Jefferson Cole (b. ca. 1832 in NC d. before 1 June … Continue reading Levi Jefferson Cole
World War II
Purvis Christian The toughest experience of my life was when I was shot down during World War II, and held as a POW by the Germans for 11 months and 17 days. I was a waist gunner on a B-17, headed for Liege Belgium, on 11 May 1944. We had strayed 20 miles off course … Continue reading World War II
The Bernice Calaboose
James R. Harty A Brief History of Bernice, Louisiana On the east side of Louisiana Avenue and just north of the Old Mayor's Office is a squatty thick concrete walled building. Its only door (iron) is on the west side facing the street. One window is on the south side and one window on the … Continue reading The Bernice Calaboose
The Shooting Death of Albert A. Carroll
Written by Robert A. Carroll A few years ago I began searching for information regarding the shooting death of my great grandfather Albert A. Carroll (1857-1893) in Marion. My father (Robert Lee Carroll, 1920-1989) related to me a story told to him by his father (Robert Garland Carroll, 1885-1944) about the shooting. According to the story … Continue reading The Shooting Death of Albert A. Carroll
Shiloh to Canaan 
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