CEMETERIES
Take US Highway #371 south from US Interstate #20 at Minden for approx. 11.5 miles
to Franklin Road, turn right and go about .03 miles. The cemetery will be located on the left.
Compliments of Ann Mays Harlan
Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery is located on a one acre plot of ground
four miles west of Minden on U.S. Highway 80, donated by Mrs. Lizzie Stevens, grandmother
of Tully C. Franks. The Antioch Baptist Church was organized February 25, 1872.
The church first built a small house of worship in 1882. It was destroyed by fire.
See Antioch Baptist Church history.
Compliments of Ann Mays Harlan
One story I recalled.. a child from this school was buried near by.. but I could not remember all the story, no names would come to mind or what cemetery ...After finding this web-site I click onto cemeteries... Here's what I found...it was 2 students.. This would have been my Uncle Sid Miller relative on his Mom's side.. She was a Maddry... My Uncle Sid and Aunt Ethel Langheld Miller are buried in this cemetery along with my Langheld grandparents and a host of other relatives on my Dad's side..llk
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Bethlehem Cemetery
Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
Here's a couple of pictures of
the old church, that may be disbanded, of the cemetery across the road.
Bethlehem Cemetery
Bethlehem Church
Submitted by LeVerne Langheld Kidd
Bethlehem is the Cemetery where Jack Moreland was interred. Here is a
photo of his amd
jos Wade grandparents headstone.
Jack Wade Moreland -Mar 11, 1938 died Dec. 19, 1971
Overall View of the Moreland -Wade grave plots in the Bethlehem Cemetery
Edd Wade 1891-1965 and Ola Wade 1878-1975
'THE BLOOM PLOT
MATTHEW BLOOM
Matthew Bloom
Born in Germany
Died Oct. 15, 1847
Here I lay my burden down change the cross into the crown
There are three markers in this pasture, the grandfather and two grandsons. They are buried on the property line Leverne and Billy Kidd share with Richard and Stanley Sanders. The grandfather's photo was made in Sept of '94 compliments of LeVerne Kidd.
See the Bloom Home under residential.
The Bloom Markers have been submitted by LeVerne Langheld Kidd
Matthew L. Bloom and James Bloom sons of Sebastian Bloom
Look closely. You can see the tombstones in the picture.
The location of Matthew Bloom's grave is not what I would call a cemetery. If you'll look dead center, (no pun intended.. ha!), you'll see some light green bushes. To the left of these little bushes, look closely and you'll be able to see the little boys 2 grave markers. Now, over a little way to the right of the other very small green bush, still looking at the center of the picture, between a very tall skinny tree and a somewhat crooked tree, you should be able to make out just the upper white top of Grandpaw Matthew's marker. You have to look really close! These graves are on a small hill. The hill starts getting higher back toward the West where our house sits. You remember how the hills around here just roll one right after another. Our house sits atop one of these hills. The hill pitches off sharply toward our creek then rises right back up to Country Club Circle. The pasture you see in the other picture belongs to the Sanders and the creek in the pasture runs into Cooley Creek, not far away. This property has been our "Grand Kidds" heaven and haven. There are no close neighbors for them to bother. They pretty much have the run of 40 acres. Even the Sanders allow them to hunt on the 600 acres next to us. And they have LOVED it.
Compliments of LeVerne Langheld Kidd
Brushwood Cemetery - Dubberly,
Louisiana
CROWE CEMETERY
LOCATED INSIDE THE
LOUISIANA ARMY PLANT ORDINANCE PLANT
See Stories. Louisiana Ordinance Plant
for more pictures and history on this site
Compliments of B. D. "Doyle" Walker
Located in Doyline, Louisiana, Webster Parish on College Street from the Methodist Church. This Cemetery was established in 1885.
Fellowship Cemetery Tabernacle In Memory Of Jessie Price 1966
FELLOWSHIP CEMETERY, DUBBERLY, LA.
FULLER MEMORIAL SHRINE CEMETERY: Located on Gladney Street, Minden, Webster Parish, Louisiana. From Homer Road, turn onto Gladney (between Brookshire's and Hibernia.) Cemetery is on the right, across from Victory Park. The Cemetery was revised and edited for errors in 2003.
Located in the 800 block of Gladney Street in Minden, la.
Fuller Cemetery is across the street from the Community House at Victory Park
GARDENS OF MEMORY
Gardens of Memory is Located on the
Lewisville Road, Highway 159, Minden, Louisiana
The Germantown Cemetery
is located about 7 miles NE
on Minden Parish Road 114
See the History of Germantown
Under Places on this Site.
Homer Cemetery Gate
Compliments of Herbert
"Pete" Browning
Here is the picture you wanted of the gate to the cemetery where Pat Garretts parents are buried. This is a very old cemetery, and is not kept up. I walked around and took three other pictures of the tall monuments. The Garrett graves are just to the right of this gate, and are close to the fence
Don't believe this cemetery is used too often. I did not see any new graves, the latest one was 1967. Of course I did not cover the whole cemetery, even though it is not too large, probably no more than two acres or maybe less. Herbert
I think that sometime ago I mentioned going to The Ford Museum in Homer, and discovered that Pat Garret's parents were buried there. Here is a picture of the monuments.
Pat Garrett, a Sheriff, that killed William Bonney, better known as Billy The Kid. If I remember correctly, the museum information said he was born in Alabama and grew up in the Antioch Community, which was a few miles from Homer on the road to Summerfield.
The Garrett's are buried in The Old Homer Cemetery in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.
John L Garrett, born Aug.13, 1822 died Feb. 5, 1868
Elizabeth A. Garrett, born Sept. 28, 1829, died March 25, 1867
This cemetery was also featured in a story in the Shreveport Times a few years ago. The reason was because of the size of some of the monuments. If I remember correctly, some of them are 11 feet tall.
Just in case anyone is interested in visiting the Old Homer Cemetery, here are the directions and location.
Coming from Minden, go 3/4 of the way around the square. Turn right, as if going to Haynesville. At the next traffic signal signal, turn left, go just past West 3rd. street to a small gravel road on your left. I think you will be able to see the cemetery as you top the little hill. The cemetery is small and just behind the residences on W. 3rd. st. The Garretts's are just to the right of the gate. where the fence has been pushed over.
I just sent an e-mail to The Times, inquiring about the article on this cemetery. If I have any success in obtaining a copy of it, I will send it on.
Compliments of Herbert Browninng
Pat Garrett, 1906, 2 years before he was murdered.
Compliments of Tommy White
Pat Garrett was the Sheriff that killed "Billy the
Kid" whose real name was William H Bonnie. Tommy White visited
Billy the Kids grave in Ft Sumner, NM which is about 50
miles west of Clovis, NM on Hwy 60. He learned Billy the Kid's
tombstone has been stolen so many times that it is now
enclosed in a jail-like cage of bars
Real Stuff on Pat Garrett
by Leon Metz
author of Pat Garrett - Story of a Western Lawman
JUNE 5, 1850 - Pat Garrett is born in Chambers County,
Alabama, one of seven children, the son of John Lumpkin
Garrett and Elizabeth Ann Jarvis Garrett, farmers. In
1853, John Garrett purchased a Louisiana plantation in
Claiborne Parish. Pat went to school and grew up there.
JANUARY 25,1869 - Pat Garrett leaves Louisiana to
become a buffalo hunter in Texas.
1878 - Garrett settles down in Fort Sumner, New Mexico,
after the slaughter of buffaloes became unprofitable,
where on January 18, 1880, he marries Apolinaria
Gutierrez. The couple had 9 children.
JULY 19, 1878 - The Lincoln County, New Mexico, War
draws to an end following the Five Days Battle at
Lincoln. Billy the Kid is one of many outlaws still
loose and running. While Pat Garrett likely knew Billy
the Kid, saying they were friends is an overstatement.
Neither had much in common, except both were expert
with guns. (Garrett was not in the Lincoln County War.)
NOVEMBER 2, 1880 - Pat Garrett, a Democrat, is elected
sheriff of Lincoln County. He vows to bring the current
reign of lawlessness to an end.
DECEMBER 15, 1880 - New Mexico Governor Lew Wallace,
through a newspaper notice, puts a $500 reward on the
head of Billy the Kid.
DECEMBER 20-21, 1880 - Pat Garrett and his posse trap
Billy the Kid and others in a one-room rock house at
Stinking Springs, near Fort Sumner. the posse
mistakenly kills Charlie Bowdre (one of Billy's
most
loyal friends). The Kid and the others surrender that
afternoon. Garrett takes the shackled prisoners by
buckboard into Las Vegas, where Garrett has to fight
off a mob at the train station before he can move on to
the state prison at Santa Fe. (The mob was after one of
the prisoners, Dave Rudabaugh).
APRIL 15, 1881 - At Mesilla, New Mexico, a judge turns
the Kid over to Sheriff Pat Garrett, after a trial, and
orders that he Kid be hanged in Lincoln on May 13.
APRIL l 28, 1881 - While Sheriff Pat Garrett is in
White Oaks, N.M., Billy the Kid escapes the Lincoln
jail after killing both his guards, James Bell and Bob
Olinger.
JULY 13-14, 1881 - At midnight, Sheriff Pat Garrett
shoots Billy the Kid dead at Fort Sumner, N.M., when
the Kid walks into Pete Maxwell's darkened bedroom.
Garrett was squatting alongside the mattress talking
with Maxwell as the Kid entered. the Kid saw
Garrett
but did not recognize him due to the darkness and the
fact that Garrett was sitting or stooped down. The Kid
cocked his revolver and hoarsely whispered "Quien
es?"
("Who is it?"). Garrett fires twice, one bullet
striking the Kid squarely in the heart. The other shot
goes wild. (Some believe that the Kid only carried a
knife into Maxwell's room.)
1882 - A book is published entitled "The Authentic Life
of Billy the Kid, the Noted Desperado of the
Southwest". Garrett's name is on the cover as author,
but Ash Upson, a close friend, newspaperman, and
notary, said he (Upson) wrote every word of it. The
book sold poorly, but it was also poorly written.
1890 - Garrett runs for sheriff of newly created Chaves
County, N.M. He is defeated and bitterly leaves New
Mexico and lives in Ulvalde Co., Texas for some
time.
1899 - Garrett purchases a ranch in the San Andres
Mountains, N.M.. His family lives there while Pat
works
in Las Cruces, Mesilla and Dona Ana, N.M.
DECEMBER 16, 1901 - President Theodore Roosevelt
nominates Pat Garrett as United States customs
collector at El Paso, Texas. He is a controversial
appointment.
DECEMBER 1905 - President Roosevelt refuses to
reappoint Pat Garrett as El Paso collector of customs,
there on the border with Old Mexico. Garrett and his
family return to their ranch in the San Andres
Mountains.
JANUARY 1908 - James P. Miller, a hired assassin now a
claiming he is a Mexican cattle buyer, offers to
purchase the Garrett ranch. However, Miller doesn't
want the goats, and Wayne Brazel, who has leased
Garrett's ranch, refuses to either move them or cancel
the five-year lease.
FEBRUARY 29, 1908 - Pat Garrett and Carl Adamson, a
brother-in-law of Miller, are in a buckboard and bound
from the Garrett ranch to Las Cruces for a con- ference
with Miller. Wayne Brazil rides alongside on horseback.
Within a few miles of town, they stop in the desert to
urinate. Garrett is shot and killed. Wayne Brazel
confesses to the slaying, is tried for murder and
acquitted.
The authority on Pat Garrett is Leon Metz of El Paso
(also an Outlaw Gang member), who wrote the definitive
book on Garrett, called "Pat Garrett: The Story of a
Western Lawman.
Garrett, an Alabama native, was killed in 1908 from ambush (while he was urinating on the trail) by a man or men who coveted his ranch land.
Garrett was buried in the Odd Fellow's Cemetery at Las Cruces. It
seemed like everyone in southern New Mexico had wanted to get a look
at Pat Garrett's body resting in its oversized casket. To
accommodate the large crowd of curious, and the few true mourners,
Garrett's body was publicly displayed at Strong's Undertaking
Parlor.
Pat
Garrett was an atheist or Free Thinker so there was no religious
ceremony at the grave site. Tom Powers, Garrett's controversial
gambler friend and owner of El Paso's Coney Island Saloon, used the
agnostic Robert Ingersoll's words as part of the old
manhunter's grave-side commemoration.
Another friend read a eulogy that William Jennings Bryan had written
for a friend and then Pat Garrett was left alone for his long sleep.
Submitted by Billy Hathorn
Minden Cemetery, page 72 - John Lamar Garrett and Helen Burleigh Garrett
John Lamar Garrett is descended from the same family as John Lumpkin Garrett
in the Old Homer Cemetery. Helen Burleigh Garrett is Catherine Spitzfaden's
sister (p. 113) and Judy Spitzfaden's aunt.
Gardens of Memory, page 50 - Felix Garrett is the son of John Lamar & Helen
Burleigh Garrett, and he is Judy Spitzfaden's first cousin.
Per phone conversation with Judy Spitzfaden Craton this morning.
Ann Mays Harlan
RE: Pat Garrett. He lived just over the Organ Mountains from us here.
John had to drive over the Organ Pass when he worked at White Sands
Missile Range, and could see the old ranch site of Pat Garrett's at one
time. Pat was ambushed just this side of the Pass. There used to be a
marker showing about where he was killed.
La Mesilla, about six miles from my house, has a number of historic
buildings involving Billy the Kid. La Posta is a well known restaurant
that used to be a stagecoach stop. Both men could have possibly eaten
there.
Note of interest: The Odd Fellows Cemetery in Las Cruces, NM was just
behind the house we once lived in. The family plot was limited by a
concrete curbing. Later Pat was moved across the street to the Masonic
Cemetery where more of the family could be laid to rest together.
Dottie Adcock
Las Cruces, NM
Feb. 20, 2008... just read a short article in our local paper stating that this year is the 100th anniversary of the killing of Pat Garrett in the Alameda Arroyo leading into Las Cruces
from the Organ Mountain Pass.
Dottie Day Adcock
.............................................................................................................
LANE MEMORIAL CEMETERY
Lane Memorial Cemetery is in Sibley, Webster Parish, Louisiana
:Located in Sibley, Louisiana. Take US Hwy. #371 south from I-20 exit #47 for 3 ˝ miles. The cemetery will be on the east side of the highway.
BARNEY MAXEY
GRAVESIDE CEREMONY
COMING HOME TO SIBLEY
MAXEY, BARNEY, PVT. CO. H. 28th. (Gray’) La Inf En Monroe, La. May 8, 1862 Roll July and August 1863, Present On Roll of Prisoners of War of furloughed and detailed men, C. S. A. , Paroled Shreveport, Louisiana, June 13, 1865. On Roll of Prisoners of War, C. S. A., Paroled Monroe, Louisiana June 16, 1865. Resident of Bienville Parish, Louisiana
Graveside Ceremony held June 21, 2008 at 1p.m. at Lane Cemetery in Sibley, Louisiana
Submitted by Melba Newsom Bair, Class of 1956
Parents of Mrs. Larry (Gladys) Hunter
..................................................
EMMALINE LANGHELD CEMETERY
There is only one grave in this cemetery. Read the story
under Journey of A Wheel
.............................................................................
MINDEN CITY CEMETERY
This Cemetery is located along Bayou Ave. & Goodwill St. near Minden.
Below is the grave for Sarah Emily Pennal. She died when she was only nine months old on 13 September 1843.
The oldest grave is unmarked. Mary A. Smith died on or about 22 April 1840.
The third oldest grave is for Sam Harper born 24 May 1796 and died 5 Dec. 1853.
The older part cemetery is located on the south side of Bayou Ave.
These are the Shuttleworth graves & this the tree Sarah Pennal is buried under.
BURIALS REPORTED IN MINDEN SIGNAL-TRIBUNE IN THE MINDEN CEMETERY
BUT NOT LOCATED IN THE CEMETERY
Louis Davis, Blanchard, died 21 January 1931 in a Shreveport hospital and was buried at the Minden City Cemetery. He was the son of Laura Davis and brother of T. C. Davis.
Fred Crestman, 68, died in the Minden Sanitorium 5 January 1930. No relatives were located, and he was buried in the City Cemetery.
10/6/1929: Opal Marie Kellebe, age 2 years, infant daughter of M/M J E Kellebe, died Friday morning, 4 Oct 1929 after an illness of 3 weeks. She was buried at the City Cemetery.
5/1/1930: Mrs. A. C. Ulmer was buried in the local cemetery after a funeral at Will Aycock’s home. Mrs. Ulmer is remembered as Mrs. Jasper Taylor, nee Miss Emma Aycock.
Denver Brennan, 20, was killed 16 July 1931 when his head struck the side of a concrete bridge. He had asked for a ride and, the car being full, asked to ride on the car’s running board. His hip and leg hit the bridge first. He was instantly swept off and hit his head, dashing his brains out. He was buried in the Minden City Cemetery.
Helen Biles, d/o Johnnie Biles, 13 months old. (No death date noted/ failed to record paper date)
Thomas L. Malloy, 223 Pine St., contractor, fell unconscious and died near the L&A depot. He died while being carried to the Minden sanitorium, and was buried at Minden Cemetery. Mr. Malloy, husband of Emma Cook Malloy, died of a heart attack. No date noted.
Arthur Tinnell, 46 years old, died 5 May 1935. He was the Paint Shop foreman for the L&A Railway. Born in Gorman, TN, he came to Minden in 1924 from Stamps, AR, married Cora McKesic, and had a daughter, Mary Donna, aged 6.
Corrie Lena Barnes, 66, died Saturday, 16 Nov 1935, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. L. Williamson. She was born in Homer to M/M S D Spann, now deceased. She was the widow of H. A. Barnes. She was buried in the Minden Cemetery. (Husband, Hugh A. Barnes, and daughter, Corrie Lena, are listed on page 7. She is probably buried here, also. Her parents, Sumpter D & Mary E. Spann are also listed on page 7.)
11/5/1937: L. H. Howell, was killed in an automobile accident. His funeral was held 2 Nov 1937, and he was buried in the Minden Cemetery. No death date listed. (I believe this is Lee D. Howell, Jr., listed on pg 100; died in 1937)
The gate is on Goodwill Street in the newer section of the cemetery between E & H.
Mardi Gras by Juanita Agan , published in the Minden Press-Herald
The Shreveport Times has carried a description of the terms associated with Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is a French phrase meaning "Fat Tuesday," and this is the day before Ash Wednesday which is the day Lent begins. When the French founded Louisiana in the early 1700s this celebration became a part of our culture. In the last few years have seen a renewed interest in celebrating Mardi Gras in this part of the state, especially in Shreveport. Perhaps you did not know that Mardi Gras was a big celebration in Minden during the first quarter of this century. As far back as Friday, February 14, 1902, the Webster Signal carried the following account: "Tuesday was Mardi Gras day and the very spirit of carnival gaieties extended far and near.
The street pageants were more gorgeous than ever and the balls were brilliant social events.
In 1917 on Friday, February 16, the Webster Signal carried the following: "Mardi Gras will be celebrated next Tuesday beginning with a grand parade at 2:30. Everybody is invited to take part and join in the parade. The Civic Clubs offer two prizes of $2.50 each for the best decorated automobile and vehicle consisting of carriage, buggy, wagon, etc."
"An evening entertainment will be given at the picture show consisting of crowning the queen and several very enjoyable numbers of home talent as well as a choice 4-reel picture will be presented.
The entertainment will begin at 7:30 - 35 cents for grown-ups and 15 cents for children. The parade is to be formed near the compress.
Everybody cordially invited to join in the parade and don't forget the evening's entertainment at 7:30 at the picture show."
Thursday, February 10, 1921, the Webster Signal announced: "the high school has combined Mardi Gras queen with Valentine queen to be held February l4th at Minden High School."
Also in 1921 the following account appeared in the Webster Signal: "Mardi Gras has always been an occasion of much festivities in Minden, but seldom has more enthusiasm and true enjoyment been exhibited than on this year The old and young alike took part in the masking, making the afternoon and evening affairs much more spectacular. Never before has there been such a variety of costumes for knights and ladies and natives of every country were there in plenty. Little children of every size and age contributed to the spirit of the day and were extremely happy in their bright colored effective costumes. The afternoon from 3 to 5 o'clock was their time.
On account of the rain it was impossible to have the parade. However, the crowd gathered in the American Legion Hall where an excellent program was rendered. It was there that the lovely little Queen and her chosen King were crowned with all due to honor and dignity. The throne was most attractive indeed, in all the regal tapestry and canopy. It was there that Mary Lewis Fort, as the most popular little girl, was crowned Queen of the younger set and Elliot Howe was crowned King.
"Roy Miller ( Mrs. J. Lenwood Inabnett) and Nancy Belle Lee, ladies-in-waiting, escorted by the knights of the court - Minden Fitzgerald and Clarence Wiley (who later served as Webster Parish Clerk of Court for many years). Page was Wilbur Lowe, Crown-bearer was Ethel Moore. A dance by Gwendolyn Youngblood, Tom Glass was a clown, Connell Dupuy, James Reagan and Ben Wiley were a minstrel act.
Ivan Lowe and Zoulana Barnett came as Maggie and Jiggs, followed by a grand march and refreshments. Proceeds went to the Civic Clubs.
"Evening program was a combination program and a dance. Queen was Miss Beatrice Lee, Daughter of Mrs. J. B. Lee. (In later years, she married Eugene Houston and moved to Bossier City. Her son was the late country music star David Houston.) The King was Eddie Bryan (this is the Eddie Bryan who was the husband of Elsie Bryan and the father of Mrs. Jo Ann McKinney), son of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Bryan (he was chosen by the Queen). Their attendants were: Mabel Life and H. L. Bridges; Maurice Barnes and Julian Means; Katherine Lunsford and Louie Bryan. Little James Nelson sang 'Hail to the King and Queen.'
James Knighton served as Jester and Wilbur Lowe was the crown bearer."
The band was composed of J. N. Koch, Leland Mims (long-time Webster Parish Police Juror), Courtland Murph, and Earl Looney (who later gained international fame as an artist). Miss Esther Evans (later daughter-in-law of Congressman John N. Sandlin) gave readings entitled "Just a Wearying for You" and "French Doll." Miss Gladys Durham's dance pupils - Sybil Winn, Nina Wiley, Olive Roberts, Dorothy Goodwill, Treeby Miller and Maud Dickens performed interpretive dance. (Please notice the name Olive Roberts, that was the mother of Governor Mike Foster, and Treeby Miller is the mother of Thad Andress.) Mrs. Walter Webb, Jr., (Postmistress of Minden) who was dressed as an Irish Lassie and Attorney W. W. McDonald dressed as winter, won the best costumes. After expenses the Civic Club donated the proceeds to the starving children of Europe.
In 1922, Mardi Gras was observed on Tuesday February 28. Attendance in the 3 - 6 year section were: Miss Martha McDade, Queen; Mr. Harry McInnis, King; Knights were Aubrey Hough and Wilkins McDade; Rollin Williams, Jr. was Crown-Bearer; Thomas Crichton, Jr. and McVoy McIntyre were Train Bearers; Rolene Rathbun (later Mrs. Davidson Brown who taught English at Minden High School for many years) and Jane Goodwill were Maids; Horace Thomasson was Jester and Ernest Smith was the Herald.
The program was as following: Crowning of the Queen, and an Orchestra Selection; Dance by Louise Denmon. There was a balloon dance by: Rolene Rathbun, Mable Ruth Coombs, Jane Goodwill, and Jamie Garrison. The Blue Bird Dance was performed by Onie Stephens, Viginia Bullock, Virginia Miles, Nancy Belle Lee, Roy Miller (Mrs. Inabnett), Pauline Dickens, Ruth Reagan, Ida B. Mixon and Leila Sandefur.
There were sketches from childhood, with the artist Helen Nelson. Sight - Grace Virginia Rathbun; Touch - David Williams; Smell - Ann Howe; Taste - Jimmie Chaffe; Hearing - Sallie Hutton (later the wife of Dr. C. S. Sentell) A chorus was sung "Ain't We Got Fun." A dance ensued. That evening King James Davis and Queen Maude Dickens were crowned. Lords and Ladies were: Burgess White and Dorothy Goodwill and Earl Looney and Treeby Miller. Crown bearer was Robert Semmes Webb; Train bearers were Jack Connell (local dentist for many years) and Laura Harkness; Jester was Horace Thomasson; Herald was Ernest Smith. The program consisted of a selection by the "Beer Bottle Band" trained to play the bottle by Mrs. J. B. Snell (Ada Jack Carver) and led by Elliot Howe. The Gypsy Trail was a dance and song in costume by: Gladys Durham, Helen Brown, Jessie Mae Sullivan, Marjorie Ogden, Susanella Schoenbrodt (who taught elementary grades in Minden for over 30 years), Valrae Farrar (Mrs. N. C. Strange) Jacqueline Taylor (Mrs. Will Davis), Miriam Fuller and Ruth Mims.
Also Miss Mabel Hickman (the following year, 1923, she lost her life in the fire at the Mardi Gras program) gave a reading. A minstrel comedy was performed by Charles Dutton, Wood Brown, Robert Watkins (later City Judge), John Fort (who ran the local newsstand for so many years), Mack Dunlap and H. L. Bridges (son of one of Minden's mayors). The Glow Worm Dance line included Lilla Stewart, Ruby McDonald, Eugenie Burt (she was another casualty of the fire the next year at the Mardi Gras program) Mary Em Phillips, Georgia Howe and Nell Gray. Piano selection by Mrs. L. H. Denmon and an Irish song and dance by Ruth Mims, along with History of the Dance by Mabel Winn and Dan Stewart (later a local lawyer). Miss Zenia Fuller and Lillian McCoy in gypsy costumes had a fortune telling tent. The Civic Club committee was composed of Mrs. R. A. Baker, Mrs. Donald Goodwill, Mrs. Felix Drake, Jr., Mrs. A. D. Turner, Mrs. Joe R. Miller, Mrs. W. B. Wiley and Mrs. P. A. Rathbun. The Civic Club received the proceeds from this event.
But the Mardi Gras event of 1923 was not the happy occasion it had been in prior years, rather it was the cause of sadness and mourning here in Minden for many years. The Bossier Banner (Minden papers for the period of time from November 1922 through May of 1923 were lost) of February 15, 1923, carried the following account of the tragedy. "Keenest regret is felt here in Benton because of a tragedy of the week occurring in Minden. Tuesday night eight young ladies of that place who were taking part in a Mardi Gras play, and a little girl of eight years who was behind the scenery on the stage, were severely burned and four of them have since died. The dead are Miss Dorothy Cheshire, a daughter of Mrs. Dolly Cheshire, a former resident of North Bossier, Miss Eugenie Burt, Miss Mabel Hickman, ranging in age from sixteen to seventeen years in age, and the little girl who was mentioned above, Eva Eleanor Lowe, whose clothes were ignited as the older girls ran by her. The names of the others burned are: Miss Ruth Reagan (we know her as Mrs. Ruth Reagan Baird who so many of us remember from her years of service in the Parish Library), Miss Vashti Bullock, Miss Vallye Watson, Miss Alma Sullivan and Miss Eloise Hough, aged from fifteen to seventeen years. The fire originated when the dress of Miss Alma Sullivan caught fire from a sparkler which was being used to enhance the effect of a snow scene in the culminating act of a snow scene of a Mardi Gras play. The other girls ran to the assistance of their companion and their dresses caught fire from the flames of her dress. The play was being held in the Minden High School auditorium under the auspices of Civic Clubs of Minden. The girls ran from a single exit trying to escape the flames. The wind, as they ran, fanned the flames. Their dresses were of flimsy material, bearing specks of cotton in imitation of snow. Young men ran after the girls and tried to extinguish the flames. However they were all badly burned and others are expected to die." Another girl later succumbed to burns received that night, bringing the dead to five from the fire.
Bill Luck was there that night as his sister, Miriam Luck Hutchison was to be crowned Queen. This was the high school building that was on the site of the present high school. He was about twelve and he saw the balls of fire out the window of the auditorium but did not know that was the girls with their dresses aflame. Bill later remembered that it was such a terrible tragedy. When he went downtown the next day people were in groups of two and three all along the streets, each group talking over the events that caused such a sadness in Minden. Mrs. Lenwood Inabnett was there that night, too.
She said that they had daubed the cotton with black shoe polish to make it look like ermine. That shoe polish made it even more volatile. Those who were burned but lived bore the terrible burn scars for the remainder of their lives. The memories are still vivid with those who were here at that time. I am indebted to my son, John, who researched this tragedy a number of years ago and loaned me his notes to write the article.
The picture accompanying this article belongs to Mrs. Cynthia Garrison Payne who said that this was made the year of the fire before the performance.............................................................................................................................................................................
OLD SAREPTA MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY
From Sarepta, go east On La. Hwy 2 for 1-1/4 miles and turn left on Parish Rd. The church and cemetery can be seen
from hwy. 2. The cemetery is located in Section 7, Twp. 22, Range 10 W.
Submitted by Herbert Browning
Another gate to the Old Sarepta Cemetery.
PLEASANT VALLEY METHODIST CEMETERY
Hortman, Louisiana
Submitted by Ann Mays Harlan
Rev. Joe Hunter was the Preacher when Ann Visited the Church
The Church and Cemetery were organized in 1872. The cemetery is well kept
Located in Webster Parish, La. on Hwy. 7 about 7 miles north of Dixie Inn
SHADY GROVE CEMETERY
Reeves, John N., Maude, David, Woodrow, Alto (Marker donated by great-granddaughter
Mrs. J. E. Platt - Texas City, Tx.) A brass plaque for the Reeves family, all murdered on Christmas Eve, 1916.
Sikes Ferry Cemetery Gate and Overview of the Cemetery
BOUCHER GRAVES
AUGUSTUS M. BOUCHER 1850 - 1890
JENNIE COX BOUCHER 1958 - 1885
The first picture is of the complete marker, and the second is a close up of the headstone.
This a very small cemetery right by Dorcheat Bayou where Hwy 2. Crosses the bayou, about 5 miles from Sarepta.
The cemetery where the Bouchers are buried is Sikes Ferry Cemetery. If you still have the Webster
Cemetery brochure, it is No. 63. Years ago this cemetery was north of hwy.2.
Now, since they have erected a new bridge over Dorcheat Bayou, it is south of hwy.
TIMOTHY CEMETERY
Compliments of Jerry Frasier
Timothy Cemetery Gate
Compliments of Herbert "Pete" Browning
Overview of Timothy Cemetery
Photograph's Compliments of Herbert "Pete" Browning
David and Martha Frasier
compliments of Herbert "Pete" Browning
Photograph's of Frasier graves compliments of Herbert "Pete" Browning
David Frasier's monument is broken and is now in three pieces.
David and Martha Frasier
Compliments of Herbert "Pete" Browning.
The church and cemetery were formed in 1894.
It is West of Leton, but not on Hwy.2; It is actually between Hwy. 2 and Hwy.160.
Hwy. 2 goes from Sarepta thru Shongaloo to Homer.
Hwy. 160 goes from Cotton Valley to Homer, joining 2 at Leton.-----
To see pictures of Union Springs Church look under Towns, villages and streams also on this site.
THE WALKER CEMETERY
Entrance to the Walker Community Cemetery on Iron Bridge Road at the corner of Hwy 154 in Bienville Parish near Athens, La.
As Ann and Bill were driving away they noticed stairs leading to the tree trunk.
Do you think the pastor stands on the steps when he preaches the funerals? Union Grove
Baptist Church and Mr. Jim Lyons.
IN MEMORY OF JIM LYONS
Minden Press-Herald, Wednesday, July 30, 1986
The man who peddled hot tamales through the streets of Minden for decades and was an "institution" at Minden's Community House has died.
James "Jim" Lyons passed away Monday, July 28 at Minden Medical Center, where he had been hospitalized for several weeks. He was 85.
His services will be Friday, Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Union Grove Baptist Church. Rev. Billy Hawkins will officiate. Interment will be in the Wilson-Walker Cemetery under direction of Kennon & Sons Mortuary. The quiet hour will be observed Thursday from 7-8 p.m. with Masonic rites to be delivered by Banner Lodge No. 77.
Mr. Lyons served members of the Woman's Department Club at the Minden Community House for 34 years. He was a retired city employee and was a deacon in the Union Grove Baptist church. In 1968 he was the recipient of an award by the department club and in 1976 he was honored by the Minden Beautification Council for his work in the city's parks.
He is survived by his wife, Mattie Lyons; a sister, Carrie Morgan; a brother, Pat Lyons, Jr.; several nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Overview of Walker Cemetery
1900-1986
Here Lies Jim Lyons
Walker Community Cemetery is a very large and well maintained cemetery. Our thanks to Bill Funderburk and Ann Mays Harlan for the pictures of Mr. Lyons markers. Maybe someday someone will submit a picture of Mr. Lyons to go with his marker.
Walker Cemetery has this nice outhouse. It is kept very clean.
I wish all cemeteries had one like this.
Sherry Gritzbaugh, 4507 Verone St., Bellaire, TX77401