By the late by Emmett J. Lee, Jr. The GazetteCentennial Edition October, 1939 Carved from a virgin forest, Union Parish is one of the glories of Louisiana. With ox-cart and axe they carved a torturous path, those early followers of the sun. For West has always been the magic direction direction toward the setting sun … Continue reading Section Settled by Alabama/Georgia Immigrants
October 1939
Early Roads Were Among First Acts of Police Jury
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 One of the first things the organized government brought in this parish was good roads. This cry, incidentally, has not slackened during the rising century for bigger and better roads is just as lusty. But, improvement of roads was not the main trouble facing the first parish police juries. They had … Continue reading Early Roads Were Among First Acts of Police Jury
Marion State Bank Organized in 1907
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Organized in April, 1907, Marion State Bank, is one of Union Parish's strongest banking institutions. B. B. Thomas, father of the late L. E. Thomas, was the first president of the bank, and L. W. Landers was cashier following the organization. Mr. Landers was the farther of the present cashier, J. … Continue reading Marion State Bank Organized in 1907
Zion Hill Is One Of Oldest Churches
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Zion Hill Baptist church, located eight miles northwest of Farmerville, was organized September 4, 1841. It was organized and church services held in a split log school building one mile east of the present site of the building. This school building was used for church worship until the close of the … Continue reading Zion Hill Is One Of Oldest Churches
How Louisiana Got The Name ‘Parishes’
Names Indicate French and Spanish Influence The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 The State of Louisiana is peculiar in that it is the only one of the United States whose political subdivisions know as counties in the other 47 states are called "parishes". Louisiana at present has 64 parishes. The name Louisiana's parishes, especially in the case … Continue reading How Louisiana Got The Name ‘Parishes’
Parish Fair Great Asset to Parish Agriculture
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Although the Union Parish Fair is called an annual event, it is only since 1932 that the event has really been held annually. This year's fair is heralded as the twenty-second annual Fair, but it has only been since 1932 that a group of citizens organized the UNION PARISH FAIR ASSOCIATION, … Continue reading Parish Fair Great Asset to Parish Agriculture
Patent Issued to Wood
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 The United States Land Office issued a patent to Matthew Wood, President of the Union Parish Police Jury, on May 29, 1839, to the W 1/2 of SE 1/4 and E 1/2 of SW 1/4 of Section 30, Twp 21 N., R.1 East for the purpose of establishing the town site … Continue reading Patent Issued to Wood
State Officers From Union Parish Were Always On The Job
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Back in the "good old days" when Union Parish was furnishing Louisiana a state official occasionally, they had the reputation in Baton Rouge of staying on the job and giving their full time to the duties of their respective offices, giving efficient, honest service. As one old-timer remarked back in 1912 … Continue reading State Officers From Union Parish Were Always On The Job
Our Forefathers “Borrowed Fire” In Early Days
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 What a world of trouble our forefathers and foremothers must have had. And yet they were just as happy and got along about as well as we do. We of 1939 little conceive of the primitive ways and customs of a century ago. There was no a match in the whole … Continue reading Our Forefathers “Borrowed Fire” In Early Days
Only One Confederate Vet Left Here in Union Parish
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Gen. W. C. Stuart Is Commander of the La. Division of U. C. V. The Louisiana commander of the United Confederate Veterans sits bedside his radio these days, eagerly absorbing every word of the European war news. But the names Chamberlain, the Rhine, Poland, Hitler -- they mean little to this … Continue reading Only One Confederate Vet Left Here in Union Parish
Odom’s Grocery Thriving Business
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Odom's Grocery and Market, owned and operated by L. B. Odom, is a business of long standing and patronage in Farmerville. Mr. Odom carries a complete line of fancy and staple groceries and an excellent line of meats. His store is completely stocked with the finest quality foodstuffs. His delivery service … Continue reading Odom’s Grocery Thriving Business
Mt. Tabor Church Constituted in 1874
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Mt. Tabor church, which has a splendid background and history, was constituted November 29th, 1874. The presbytery was composed of Elders S. C. Lee, John Talbert, S. P. Leggett and W. P. Smith. The following were charter members: R. J. Tabor and wife, M. J. Tabor; B. F. Pleasant and wife, … Continue reading Mt. Tabor Church Constituted in 1874
Oakland Region Proves Fertile For Rearing Governors
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 The present village of Oakland is an old established community of Union Parish. Its name until after the Civil War was Union Cross Roads, and was said to have been named by Reverend George Everett, one of the first settlers. In the early days, both ante-bellum and post-bellum, the community was … Continue reading Oakland Region Proves Fertile For Rearing Governors
Schools, Churches Early Concerned First Immigrants
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 The establishment of schools and churches were among the first acts of the early settlers of this parish after they had carved their homes from the forests. Firm believers in worship and education, records show that they looked to the construction and provision of these institutes almost as soon as the … Continue reading Schools, Churches Early Concerned First Immigrants
Livestock Auctions Held Every Friday
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Green and Smith Commission Agents opened their livestock auction sales here early this year. The business is conducted on a service to the seller business, no charge being made for handling an animal that is not sold. Five per cent commission is charged on every animal sold. The auctions are held … Continue reading Livestock Auctions Held Every Friday
S. R. Nolan Has Preached 58 Years in Union Parish
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 One of Union Parish's oldest preachers, the Rev. S. R. Nolan of Antioch community, recently celebrated 58 years of preaching in Union Parish. This unusual record was achieved by Rev. Nolan on the fourth Saturday in August. He began his preaching career on the fourth Saturday in August, 1881, when he … Continue reading S. R. Nolan Has Preached 58 Years in Union Parish
First Court House Ordered Built At Police Jury Meet Sept., 1839
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Parish Jail Construction Was Given Much Consideration; Was Referred to As "Goal" At the meeting of the parish police jury on September 2, 1839, at the home of William C. Carr, the body voted approval for the first parish court house. The plans as adopted called for the building to be … Continue reading First Court House Ordered Built At Police Jury Meet Sept., 1839
Liberty Church History Traced Back 102 Years
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 It is difficult to ascertain the history of old Liberty church, near Linville, which is said to be the oldest church in Union Parish. From the information secured by those who know, the records were burned many years ago and these records contained the writings of the founders of the church. … Continue reading Liberty Church History Traced Back 102 Years
Police Jury Records Tell Of Progress
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Body's Proceedings of First Meetings Show How Parish Started Nothing can tell the history of a parish better than the records of that parish's governing body the police jury. Fortunate is Union Parish in having an almost continuous record of the minutes of its police jury from the time of the … Continue reading Police Jury Records Tell Of Progress
Bernice Schools Were First Held In Vacant House
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 The first school in Bernice was housed in a vacant house, located near the center of the firsts block east of the railroad, where Seba Booles now resides. Miss Callie Jones was the first teacher. A year or so after this, a school house was built. It was a frame building … Continue reading Bernice Schools Were First Held In Vacant House
School Building in Downsville Started in Late 1880’s
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 In the late 80's the first indication of the present day school system in Downsville made it s appearance with the erection of a building east of the Baptist church. This building was an eight-room two-story structure and the second story was used as an auditorium and lodge hall. Early teachers … Continue reading School Building in Downsville Started in Late 1880’s
Pan-Am Products Handled Locally
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 The Green and Rabun Service Station, dealers in Pan-Am gasoline and products, located on the court square in Farmerville is one of the most attractive service stations in this area. They offer a modern efficient service to their patrons including guaranteed lubrication. They handle the finest in oil and accessories. Their … Continue reading Pan-Am Products Handled Locally
Louisiana French Money Gave The South the Name of “Dixie”
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Louisiana and the City of New Orleans gave to the South the name of DIXIE -- and today the whole Southland in the eyes of persons the world over is Dixie. It all began way back in 1833, a half dozen years before Farmerville and Union Parish were born. In that … Continue reading Louisiana French Money Gave The South the Name of “Dixie”
James Roan Was One Of the First Parish Assessors
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Was in the War of 1812; Died in Tenn. James Roane, one of the very first tax assessors and for a long time prominent in the early history of Union Parish, was born in North Carolina on December 15, 1794. He moved to Tennessee when he was eight years old and … Continue reading James Roan Was One Of the First Parish Assessors
Meridian Church Founded in 1856
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 The Meridian Baptist Church was organized October 1, 1856, however the church did not elect any officers until the first Sunday in March 1857, with the Rev. J. P. Everett named as its first pastor. J. W. Hopkins was elected as the first clerk and John Anders, deacon. Other deacons were … Continue reading Meridian Church Founded in 1856
Downsville Got Her Name From General Downs
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Like the majority of the other Union Parish settlement, Downsville was settled in the early 1840's by immigrants from Alabama and Georgia. This community is in the south-eastern part of Union Parish near the Lincoln Parish line. In 1850 Philoman Willhite settled there, but other families had settled there as early … Continue reading Downsville Got Her Name From General Downs
Steamboat Days Here
Walter HitesmanThe GazetteOctober 5, 1939 Interesting Story About Steamboat Days Here Is Told By Old-Timer The heyday of the steamboat era in Farmerville, the day when cotton ruled and the Bayous D'Arbonne and Cornie flowed southward with river steamers riding upon their crests, the days when a constant commerce of cotton streamed through Farmerville on … Continue reading Steamboat Days Here
Kemps 5-10c Store Has Complete Line
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 The Farmerville 5 and 10c store which is owned and operated by D. J. Kemp, is the only store of its kind in this vicinity and offers a complete stock of merchandise. Mr. Kemp bought the business from Duke Selig, Jr. in January 1938. It had been in operation for about … Continue reading Kemps 5-10c Store Has Complete Line
Bethel Church Is Nearing The Century Mark
The GazetteOctober 5, 1939 In the extreme western part of Union Parish, near the Claiborne Parish line, stands Bethel Church, organized in 1840 by a group of Missionary Baptists. The question is still unsettled as to whether this is the oldest church in Union Parish, many believing that it is positively the oldest. The following … Continue reading Bethel Church Is Nearing The Century Mark
Green Dealer in Chevrolet Since ’34
The Gazette October 5, 1939 The Green Motor Co. handlers of Chevrolet, owned and operated by J. Y. Green, has been in operation in Farmerville since 1934. Mr. Green himself has been a Chevrolet dealer since 1921, moving here from Junction City. They offer a complete line of Chevrolet parts and accessories. They are equipped … Continue reading Green Dealer in Chevrolet Since ’34
Shiloh to Canaan 
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