Quality City 2016

A look back at the history, legacy and legends of Ruston

Ruston Daily Leader Sunday, March 27, 2016

Good Afternoon

www.rustonleader.com

City founders were visionaries RUSTON’S FOUNDERS

In the fall of 1883, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Russ, founders of the town of Ruston, donated 640 acres of land with the intention of it being a future township.

By Nancy Bergeron

nancy@rustonleader.com Hilda Taylor Perritt remembers children playing freely across acres of open pasture and neighbors considering each other kin, whether or not they really were related.

Pat Garrett remembers Friday night dates at the Manhattan Café — the town’s social hub — and singer Elvis Presley ducking into the local radio station for a nap.

Garrett, 77, and Perritt, 76, said the town in which they were born and in which they’ve spent most of their lives still bears the mark of the native Floridian who founded it: Robert Edwin

Russ.

“He was a visionary. He was an entrepreneur. When he saw that railroad coming east and west, he knew his land would be valuable,” Garrett, an English professor at Louisiana Tech University, said.

Russ arrived in Louisiana in 1852 when his stepfather decided to move the family westward from Mississippi.

In 1859, at age 25, Russ bought 680 acres from pioneer area landowner Wooten Richardson for $3,400.

The land was in what was then Jackson Parish, but became part of Lincoln Parish when it was created in 1873.

“The land he acquired

was nothing more than a wooded area which had as its closest link to society the Vienna-Vernon highway,” former Louisiana Tech University graduate student William Wayne Wilson wrote in a thesis about Russ’s influence on North Central Louisiana.

The forlornness of the property would change.

In 1880, the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad — later dubbed by some townsfolk as the “Very Slow and Pokey” — bought a 150foot right-of-way from Russ.

Though the details are not succinct, local history holds that Russ contracted with Col. F. P. Stubbs, the railroad’s attor ney and chief system engineer, to

give the V.S.&P. two-thirds interest in 640 acres of land, with the understanding that a town would be built there.

The location was south of Vienna, then the parish seat, and north of the first preliminary route the V.S.&P. considered.

In 1883, Russ had the railroad survey 80 acres of the land, dividing it into square, streets and lots. A year later, in 1884, Ruston was incorporated.

An area-wide barbeque was held when the trains began running in July. Settlers got free rides as guests of the railroad.

“The railroad is built, the town of Ruston springs

See PERRITT, page 5A

The birth of an institution:

The early years of the Ruston Leader

By Rick Hohlt

rick@rustonleader.com It was in a fledgling town, barely 10 years old, that a weekly newspaper made its first appearance. The date: Friday, March 16, 1894. The town: Ruston, Louisiana.

The announcement on the front page read: TO THE CITIZENS OF RUSTON AND LINCOLN PARISH: “We present you with the initial number of the RUSTON LEADER. “It was born today of humble parentage. It is a bright and likely child, and appeals to you for a home and support.”

Thus, the beginning of a newspaper that would become a fixture in the lives of the good people of north

central Louisiana, a newspaper that would be instrumental in the growth and development of Ruston and Lincoln Parish.

The first editor and proprietor of the Ruston Leader, Z. L. Everett, brought forth the first and staunchest Democratic publication in Lincoln Parish. It was, at the time, a struggling weekly newspaper that was published every Friday.

Shortly after the Leader published its first newspaper in 1894, new competition followed with the establishment of the Ruston Daily Times. The editor and manager of the new publication was J. P. Craig. There is no record today of the Daily Times or its fate.

The other competition of the Leader at that time was The Progressive Age. It was a weekly newspaper

that had been established several years before, in 1891. The publisher was Thomas J. Mangham, of Ruston.

The newspaper was dedicated to the twin principles of Populism and the farmer’s union movement, both burning issues of the day. The tenseness of that competition was evident from a paragraph that ironically appeared in the first edition of the Ruston Leader: “We have heard from round about sources,” the editor of the Age penned, “that a new newspaper, the Leader, we believe, will open in Ruston soon. It is said that they will send the Progressive Age to the cemetery quicker than you can say, “jack-rabbit.” If there is to be any funeral for newspapers in Lincoln Parish, we would like to point out that

Photo courtesy of IMAGES OF AMERICA RUSTON — JOHN GREEN DAVIS

Seen here in 1937 is the staff of the Ruston Daily Leader.

From left to right are Publisher Clarence Faulk, Editor Milton Kelly, women’s news Dorothy Lomax, Eunice Stuckey and Ads and Sales Representative Mr. Worthing.

See FAULK’S, page 2A

Answering the call: Police serve Ruston for more than 100 years

By Jessica Darden

jessica@rustonleader.com The longstanding history of law enforcement in Ruston has been one that most people know only in passing.

But with stories of Bonnie and Clyde, the assassination of a Ruston town marshall and how law enforcement has changed over

the past 100 years — just to name a few — there is no questioning the dedication of the men and women that serve the Ruston community.

Beginning in the early days of the city — around 1891 — United States Deputy Marshal John Tom Sisemore was sent to the city to help end a reign of terror that was orchestrated due

to liquor sales.

Sisemore had assisted Federal officials in raiding moonshiners in North Louisiana and was appointed as a Deputy Marshall.

It was reported that Sisemore “made it exceedingly risky for the moonshiner to run his business in North Louisiana.”

Sisemore was sworn in as a police officer in 1896 and

then as chief in 1989.

The Ruston Daily Leader reported that Sisemore “took charge of the office of Chief of Police the latter part of January and in his official duty undertook to stop the night shooting about the town, which at the time was practiced almost every night.”

Due to his go-get-em attitude, Sisemore had confron-

tations with T.F. Mullins, arresting him numerous times for liquor law violations.

On Feb. 26 1898, Sisemore and Mullins engaged in a shootout, where Mullins was injured and later died from those injuries.

It was speculated at the time that Mullins family would avenge his death.

In November 1898, Sisemore left his home on North

Trenton Street walking toward downtown Ruston.

Mrs. Sisemore recalled hearing two gunshots and shortly after John T. Sisemore was found lying in a ditch by Mayor F.W. Price.

The Ruston Daily Leader called the killing “the foulest and most horrible crime ever committed in Ruston.”

See POLICE, page 3A

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 2A

Ruston Daily Leader

Faulk’s remembered as community advocates, pacesetters

work in southwest Louisiana, Continued from page 1A the Age will be at it, not in it.” he has stood very high in the By the end of the decade, profession, and it is a foregone there was a funeral and the conclusion that the Leader will continue to maintain his Ruston Leader ‘sent flowers.’

Z. L. Everett was a news- reputation.”

In 1902, a stock company was paperman known throughout the state for his coura- formed in Ruston by Savory M. geous journalism as a former Lewis, to establish ownership editor of the Lake Charles of the Ruston Leader. Lewis was American in earlier years. elected president of Ruston Everett published the goals Leader Publishing Company, of the paper as pursuing an en- and when a sudden change in ergetic campaign for establish- management of the paper took ing better educational facilities place, he acquired full ownership and control. and for the general In Febr uary progress of Lincoln 1902, Lewis added a Parish and North t that time, daily newspaper to Central Louisiana. his company called The impending Ruston had the Ruston Daily birth of the Leader brought more fa- the distinction Leader. He operated it in conjuncvorable comments of being the tion with the new from other newssmallest city enterprise. At that papers around the time, Ruston had state. The Lak e in the state the distinction of Charles American with a daily. being the smallest remarked of the city in the state with Leader prior to its a daily newspaper. inauguration “the During his 29 years of pubfact that Mr. Z. L. Everett will be at the helm is assurance enough lishing the daily and weekly that the new candidate for favor newspapers, Lewis brought in the journalism field will be the two publications to a place one of the foremost journalist of prominence enjoyed by few in the state. Mr. Everett was publications at the time.

Lewis’ range of influence for several years editor of the American. And in that capacity, was wide through his position, earned an enviable reputation and although he worked sithroughout the state. His ener- lently and inconspicuously, he getic and effective fight upon accomplished many successes the Louisiana Lottery placed towards community progress.

He was an active member of his paper in the front rank of those opposed to that infamous the state press association and gambling scheme and at the served as its vice president and same time, won hundreds of ad- president.

During World War I, Lewis mirers himself. Throughout his connection with his newspaper worked as a member of the

A

Louisiana Council of Defense, was honorary vice president of the southern division of the Red Cross and received personal letters of recognition from the vice president of the United States and from other national officers for his editorial contributions through the newspaper. As recognition of this service, Gov. Ruffin G. Pleasant appointed Lewis as a member of the State Defense Council.

Lewis was married to Miss Kate Holstead, daughter of Judge and Mrs. J. B. Holstead, in his younger years. This union linked two of the states most prominent families. Judge Holstead was publisher of the Vienna Sentinel from 1876 until 1881, when the paper was moved to Ruston and renamed the Caligraph.

Lewis fell ill in February 1931. In the Feb. 12, 1931 edition of the Daily Leader, a small story appeared on the front page.

“EDITOR LEWIS IS LYING VERY LOW WITH PNEUMONIA” Editor S. M. Lewis of the Ruston Leader is critically ill at his home in this city, of pneumonia.

Messages from his bedside throughout the day have not been very encouraging.”

Savory Lewis died soon thereafter and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

Later in 1931, Clarence E. Faulk Jr., became owner and publisher and operated the daily–weekly newspapers for 30 plus years. His father, C. E. Faulk Sr., had been owner and

Photos courtesy of IMAGES OF AMERICA RUSTON — JOHN GREEN DAVIS

Two employees are working on Linotype machines, which used molten lead to set type. publisher of the Monroe News-Star for 35 years.

Faulk continued to modernize the Leader and expand its coverage. During his 31 years as publisher of the Leader, he served as president of Louisiana Press Association and of the Louisiana Daily Publishers.

His wife, Louise, worked alongside him at the Leader.

During her years at the newspaper, Louise Faulk was instrumental in organizing Louisiana Press Women and served a term as the group’s president.

Both Clarence and Louise Faulk were active in the community and helped solidify the Leader’s continuing role as a community advocate and pacesetter.

Until 1937 the Ruston Leader was produced in this two-story building, which had been converted from a blacksmith shop.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 3A

Ruston Daily Leader

Police provide years of dedicated service Continued from page 1A Fastforward almost 30 years, and the city has grown tremendously with the boom of the railroad and automobiles.

The first traffic accident occurred Dec. 12, 1929. The town’s first traffic lights had been installed and were set to operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The accident occurred when a car ran the red light at the intersection of Bonner and Arizona.

Budget for the Ruston Police Department in 1929 was $9,101.74. The budget was broken into three categories — Salaries $6,327.50; Supplies and Expenses $2,671.51; and Prisoner Care $102.73.

The 1930’s apparently brought serious crime to Ruston. Some of the most sensational events in the city’s history occurred during this decade, causing a concern among the public that has been unparalleled.

• 1933 Jake Mitchell was found brutally murdered at the Ruston Oil Mill, where he had been employed for 35 years as the night watchman.

Mitchell’s gun was missing, as was the homeless young man he had taken in to care for. When the young man was found he confessed to the murder.

• April 1933, proved to be one of the most dramatic and historic crimes investigated by the Ruston Police Department. The notorious killers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were expected to come to town to rob Ruston State Bank.

An attempt by the criminals to obtain a getaway car misfired and two Ruston residents were kidnapped in the process. The residents were released near Magnolia, Arkansas, and days later recognized their kidnappers as Bonnie Parker and Blanche Caldwell.

For several days Officer B.J. Taylor hid on the second floor of Ruston State Bank in case the robbery was attempted. Bonnie and Clyde never returned to Ruston.

• May 1934, the trail of

Photos courtesy of “Crimefighters: Centennial History of the Ruston Police Department 1884-1984”

by Wesley Harris

Pictured above is Kuro, the first K-9 the Ruston Police Department had. He joined the force in the 1951. murders and robberies ended for Bonnie and Clyde. They were killed seven miles south of Gibsland by four Texas Rangers and officers of the Bienville Parish Sheriff Office.

By the 1950s, the budget for the department has been upped to $33,476.82 in 1952.

The categories had grown from the original three to include oil and gas as well as traffic lights — salaries $26,286.56; prisoner care $347.88; supplies and expense 5,114.73; oil and gas $1,488.76; and traffic lights $238.65.

The salary of the chief was set at $300 a month and the salary of a police officer was $200 a month.

A new member to the police force was also added in the 1950s. A black Belgian Shepard named Kuro.

Kuro was born in Japan after World War II and was trained by his breeder for police work.

Since Kuro, the Ruston Police Department has had about three or four K-9s on the force, with two actively serving today — Bull and Bino.

In June 1956 shortly after Oliver Osbon was appointed as chief the city faced its first murder in nearly seven years.

Nearly 100 law enforcement officers, blood hounds

Chief Osbon disposing of confiscated weapons.

1979 version of the Ruston Police Department radio room. from Richland Parish and the Louisiana State Police airplane were brought in to assist in the search of the suspect.

After several hours of searching the suspect wandered out of a wooded area and surrendered himself.

The suspect was reportedly drunk and had been sleeping in the woods while the search was conducted.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that the first blacks were allowed on the force, which changed the dynamics of the department. Typically blacks only worked the black neighborhoods and whites worked the white neighborhoods.

It would take many years before the de par tment worked together as a whole to ensure the safety of all residents.

The upcoming decades were fairly slow in terms of booming headlines for police work. The main topic of discussion regarding local law enforcement was pay.

It appears that the department was losing many officers because the salary being paid was “hardly enough pay to ask a man to go out and risk his life to protect you,” according to the Ruston Record 1979.

In the coming months and years the department would raise the salary of its officers, but to this day the pay is still a concern for many officers.

In 1982 a Neighborhood Watch Program was initiated to enlist citizens in assisting in crime prevention.

Groups were formed in neighborhoods throughout Ruston and met monthly or semi-monthly for programs such as crime prevention and home security among other topics.

Wesley Harris was a sergeant in the 1980s, and was generous enough to compile

history of the department up until 1984. Since that time a number changes have happened.

Ranging from officers handwriting reports and

Did you know?

• 1897 A.T. Lott was selected by the Ruston Council for the position of “temporary police officer” in April. His salary was $50 a month.

• 1913 The first speeding arrest was made.

The speed limit in Ruston was 10 miles per hour, the unlucky motorist was cited at 15 miles per hour and fined $10.

• 1929 The first traffic accident occurred Dec. 12. The town’s first traffic lights had been installed and were set to operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The accident occurred when a car ran the red light at the intersection of Bonner and Arizona.

• 1929 Budget for the Ruston Police Department was $9,101.74. The budget was broken into three categories — Salaries $6,327.50; Supplies and Expenses $2,671.51; and Prisoner Care $102.73.

• 1972 More than 15,000 parking tickets were issued in downtown Ruston.

• 1973 Ambulances were turned over to the fire department because they interfered with normal police work duties.

• 1978 Ruston’s first bank robbery occurred Jan. 10. A lone white male entered the Trenton Street branch of Lincoln Bank and stated he had a bomb. Even though officers arrived within one minute, the suspect managed to escape with $30,000.

• 1983 The Ruston City Jail was closed in October and all inmates were transferred to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

dispatchers typing in carbon copy so there would be multiple files to having digital files on the Automated Fingerprint Identification System to compare prints from crimes scenes, according to Captain Eric Hanna, who came on the force in the mid-1980s. He is one of the longest serving officers

on the force today.

In 1884 when the city of Ruston first began at most there were only two men responsible for the protection of the residents in the community. Since that time, the Ruston Police Department has grown to have a total of 44 personnel protecting our community.

Editor’s Note: Portions of the law enforcement articles were taken from “Crimefighters: Centennial History of the Ruston Police Department 1884-1984” by Wesley Harris; personal accounts and information obtained from Lincoln Parish Sheriff Mike Stone.

First Female Hired 1966

The first female officer was Dixie Young. She started on the force in 1966 and spent three years writing parking tickets. She then moved to the office to handle parking ticket collections and accident reports. In 1982 at age 55, she spent two years on patrol before retiring. Officer Young is pictured above with Chief Osbon sorting parking meter money in 1973.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 4A

Ruston Daily Leader

RFD has long history of helping local community

By Jessica Darden

jessica@rustonleader.com The first piece of fire fighting equipment in Ruston was that of a twowheeled tank, with a hand pump.

There was no fire station and the two-wheeled tank was kept outside the mayor’s office.

When a fire occurred the tank was then pushed by the available manpower to the scene of the fire.

The Historic Fire Station, as Ruston residents know it now, was built in 1897 when the city was faced with growth and prosperity.

Fire protection at the turn of the century consisted of only volunteer firemen, horse drawn hose and ladder wagons.

When the department was first organized, the fire bell was an old plantation type that hung in a wooden tower behind Perkins Drug Store, located at 116 North Vienna St. Fires were reported by calling Mr. Perkins, who would then step out the backdoor of the store and ring the fire bell.

One of the earliest recorded major fires in Ruston happened on the night of Feb. 20, 1909.

Quoting records from the church session: “About five o’clock Saturday morning the Ruston Presbyterian

Church building was discovered to be on fire. Within a very short time the entire structure was consumed, including organ, furniture, and books of the church, Sunday school, and the pastor’s library. There had been no (heating) fire in the church for weeks and the origin of the fire is a mystery.

There was no insurance, rates being so high, because of exposures, as to make it prohibitive.”

After many years the mysterious fire was explained. A Ruston youth returned home after traveling in a northern state where he had met another young man that recalled the one time he was in Ruston.

The Ruston man’s acquaintance informed him that on a cold winter’s night he and another fellow sought refuge in a local church. They built a fire in one of the stoves and fell asleep.

When the two boys were awakened they found the church house had caught fire. Knowing they could not put the fire out, the boys put their attention toward escaping.

This fire destroyed the first Ruston Presbyterian Church, which was built in 1890 on Mississippi Avenue between the fire station and the Cargill home.

In 1915 the Ruston Vol-

unteer Fire Department purchased their first motorized fire wagon. It was a type 20 American La France combination wagon. The truck was chain driven and rolled on solid rubber tires.

1922 proved to be an interesting year for the department as the Ruston City Council accepted the resignation of all fire department personnel, except that of the truck driver.

There was no reason given for the resignations.

In the coming years the department saw that there was a possibility of having two fires in separate locations. At this time the city contracted with Seagraves Fire Engine Co. for a second pumper.

The total price was $6,500.

Shortly after the purchase of the second pumper, the city council authorized the construction of the fire station on the corner of Mississippi Avenue and Bonner Street.

In August 1930 the city council announced the starting salary of Kence Davis, the first appointed fire chief, as $125 per month.

At this time there were five regularly paid firemen, who made approximately $80 per month with the rotation of seven days on and one day off.

Between 1930 and 1940

The above photo was taken in 1931 in front of the old fire station on Mississippi Avenue. Firefighters from left are Thomas Taylor, V.C. Donals. Perry Kinard, Assistant Chief John H. Jones, Chief O.K. “Kence’ Davis Lane Rinehart, Jimmy Mabry, and David Cooper. Not shown is Albert Colvin a regular fireman. Below is the fire station as it currently stands, which was renovated in 2008.

Leader photo by JESSICA MERRITT

Photos courtesy of History of the Ruston Fire Department BY DONNIE WATSON

Butts, Uncle Charlie and Jack are pictured above. Uncle Charlie was one of the first black men to serve on the fire department. Butts and Jack were purchased in 1909 because the department needed larger, faster horses than the team of grays. both the city and the department progressed. The decade was also wrought with several major school fires in Lincoln Parish.

The first school fire of the decade was March 22, 1930, at Dubach High School.

The school was rebuilt, only to make headlines again in

1937 during Fire Prevention Week when it burned yet again. During the 1937 fire the department as able to save the grade school.

Pictured below is an ad from a 1930 edition of the Ruston Daily Leader.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 5A

Ruston Daily Leader

Perritt: Mr. Russ would be proud of city

Continued from page 1A up,” Russ wrote in his diary.

It did. Vienna residents and merchants began moving to the new town that, in 1899, took Vienna’s place as the parish seat.

But after an initial boom in both population and business, Ruston’s growth slowed.

In 1899, again with Russ’ help, a second rail line came to town — the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific.

By the 1930s, Ruston’s population had grown to 4,400.

“It’s tree-shaded streets are wide and straight, lined with comfortable homes surrounded by flower gardens and lawns that are green most of the year,” reads a description of Ruston in the Louisiana Works Progress Administration online collection at the Louisiana State Library.

“Especially noticeable is the absence of slum neighborhoods,” the LWPA document says. “The town’s neat and well-ordered air reflects the character of its founders … .”

It’s that character that Perritt remembers, one that revolved around faith, family and, in the Cooktown area where she was reared, farming.

“Everybody farmed,” Perritt said.

Perritt’s Ruston roots go back several generations; she lives in the house her grandfather built in 1920. It sits in the midst of family acreage Perritt still owns.

Farm families used to share expensive implements

Leader file photo

Morgan and Lindsey, a variety clothing store was, remembered as a hot spot

by Pat Garrett. Circa 1960. such as combines, she said.

Once a month, the community gathered for a neighborhood dinner-on-the-ground.

“You could count on 40 to sometimes 70 people. Those gatherings really kept us close,” Perritt, a retired high school English teacher who served as Ruston’s mayor from 1990-98, said.

“But the church was still the hub,” she said.

There were “singspirations” where youth would gather around the piano and sing after Sunday night services, and in the Cooktown community, Baptists and Presbyterians alternated

worshipping in the same building.

Community ties were strong.

“Everybody was ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’ whether you were kin or not,” Perritt said.

“Even though we weren’t blood kin, it was a close knit family.”

Garrett also remembers closeness among residents.

There was no visible hierarchy.

“It was all homogenous,” he said.

Like Perritt, Garrett’s local ties run deep. His greatgrandmother grew up in the Redwine Creek area, near

what’s now the LincolnJackson Parish line. His grandmother’s house in Ruston is still standing; his own boyhood home sits across the street from the Tech campus.

It’s within walking distance of downtown.

Ruston’s original central business district was laid out east to west along the railroad that today is the Kansas City Southern line. Sections of the town were set aside for a school, courthouse and cemetery.

Purchase of a downtown lot entitled the buyer to a free home site. The choice downtown lots were considered to

be those that face what’s now Railroad Park.

Storeowners agreeing to construct a brick building on Front Street — present day Park Avenue — drew slips of paper from a box to determine which lot they received.

Front Street became known as “Brick Row.” “If you bought something from Front Street, you had arrived. That was the Madison Avenue of Ruston,” said Garrett, who researched the history of Lincoln Parish place names for his master’s degree thesis, said.

Through the years, downtown Ruston has retained the straight streets and well-defined blocks that were drawn off by the V.S.&P.’s New York surveyor in 1883.

Garrett remembers walking to the Tech Theater downtown and paying a dime to watch a move.

“Morgan & Lindsey (a variety story located on North Trenton Street) was a hot spot,” he said.

The Manhattan Café, on North Vienna Street by the old Post Office, was the town’s social center, but it was at the barbershop where patrons got the inside scoop on all the happenings.

“The barber shops were always open on Saturday so the folks from the country could come in. That was the hub of information,” Garrett said.

It was in the barber shop that Garrett learned of the circumstance of his uncle Hal Posey’s death in 1940.

Posey, a town policeman,

was shot by his brother-inlaw, John W. Breedlove, during an investigation of a disturbance Breedlove caused in the Manhattan Café.

By the mid 1950s, a young singer named Elvis Presley had become a regular at the Louisiana Hayride country music show in Shreveport.

On his trips between Shreveport and his home in Memphis, Presley would occasionally stop in Ruston, sneak up to the KRUS radio studio on the second floor of as East Park Avenue building and catch a nap, Garrett said.

Presley also recorded at the studio.

Meanwhile Ruston continued to grow. Agriculture waned. Retail trade increased.

In the middle 1960s, Interstate 20 was built through Ruston. This coast-to-coast highway made the town more easily accessible, much as the railroad had done a century earlier.

Perritt remembers the Board of Aldermen’s lessthan-enthusiastic vote that jumpstarted what is now Graham Shopping Center on the north side of I-20.

“And look how that’s thrived for us,” she said.

Yet even with Ruston’s growth and changing demographics, it’s held on to its historic values, both Garrett and Perritt said.

“I think Mr. Russ would be proud,” Perritt said. “Our city is a cut above.”

“To us, it’s home,” Garrett said.

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 6A

Ruston Daily Leader

RUSS FOUNDS TOWN WITH RAILROAD DEAL

By Nancy Bergeron

nancy@rustonleader.com Little is known about Ruston namesake Robert Edwin Russ’s life before he arrived in Louisiana, purchased land, negotiated a deal with the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific Railroad and founded a town.

Most of what has survived in the 132 years since Ruston’s incorporation are diary entries cited in academic research about the man who would become an early elected Lincoln Parish’s sheriff, serve on the Police Jury, be elected justice of the peace and serve as parish supervisor of elections.

It was Russ’s habit to write his thoughts in Letters to the Editor of local newspapers and personal reflections.

The picture of Russ that emerges from those works is one of an outspoken community builder who carried on the tradition of his father and other relatives who helped settle territorial Florida.

Russ, a native Floridian born in 1830, records in his diary that he had been a “sickly boy.” His stepfather — Russ’s father died when Russ was 2 years old — sent Russ to school in Tennessee, partially to better his health.

“So I remained two years from my mother which seamed (sic) a lifetime for I never left her before,” Russ wrote in a passage cited in a Louisiana Tech Univer-

Robert E. Russ sity master’s degree thesis written in 1969 by the late William Wayne Wilson.

“When I returned home she did not recognize me, my health had improved so much I weighed one hundred and forty pounds,” Russ wrote.

Not long after coming to Louisiana in 1852 with his mother and stepfather, Russ married.

In 1859, he purchased the land that would become Ruston. History records when the new town was incorporated, Russ donated land for a parish courthouse, churches, a city cemetery and to the newly created Ruston College.

By trade, Russ was a f ar mer who evidently amassed vast holdings. During the 1870s and 1880s, he worked a number a former slaves, according to graduate school research done by Pat Garrett, of Ruston.

Former slaves who died

were buried in a cemetery in the vicinity of what is now North Vienna Street.

As the new town grew, so did the need for better transportation. Each family was responsible for upkeep of the portion of the ungraded dirt road in front of their home.

Russ pegged that “a nuisance and curse to the community at large.”

So, through a series of letter to the Vienna Sentinel newspaper, Russ suggested that family upkeep system be abolished and that upkeep of roads be let by contract as public property.

“I think this is the most feasible method of having good roads,” Russ wrote in on of the letters cited in Wilson’s work.

Russ called for a per capita tax, rather than a property tax, to raise money to pay for the work. The reason: “There are a class that has no property that are subject to road duty under the present sistem (sic) that would go scot free from road duty and taxation,” Russ wrote. “The question naturally arises if he has no property, how are you to collect the tax per capita?

“It can be done this way.

Compel the tax collector on the first day of January of each year, under a penalty, to furnish each road contractor a list of names of delinquent road tax payers and impower (sic) each contractor with authority

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Photo courtesy of the LOUISIANA STATE ARCHIVES

Louisiana State University Glee Club awaits a train on West Park Avenue in 1918. to force summarily each delinquent to work the road at a price that he can hire other hands at until his tax is settled and the said contractor to pay same into the Parish Treasury.”

But nothing came of Russ’s proposal.

Russ was a staunch advocate of prohibition, saying the alcohol ban “has added more to material, social and religious growth of Ruston than all other agencies put forward by its citizens.

“Money that once went to saloons, now goes to beautify and make happy homes. Wives and daughters

who once had sad faces, now carry smiles and contentment. Ruston is now the refuge for virtue, happiness and law-abiding citizens,” Russ wrote.

Russ, a conservative Democrat, was also interested in state politics and served as a lobbyist for the parish Farmer’s Union.

He did not support the Populist revolt of the 1890s, but seemed to favor some of the movement’s ideas into the Democrat platform.

“I see no just cause nor good reason for forming a new party at this time if it has for its object a divission

(sic) of Democratic ranks,” Russ wrote. “If anything is to be done, let it be done inside of the old scar worn party that has stood the storm of oppression.”

While Russ was one of two lay organizers of First Baptist Church, his religious beliefs apparently formed later in his adulthood.

In a letter recounting some of his experiences as justice of the peace, Russ wrote of officiating at a wedding that was followed by a dinner. Though no date was

Farmerville

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 7A

Ruston Daily Leader

FIRE DEPARTMENT GROWS WITH RUSTON

Continued from page 4A Old Main on the Louisiana Tech University campus caught fire in 1936.

Ruston Fire was called in for assistance from the Monroe Fire Department and Arcadia Fire Department, who then called the Gibsland Fire Department.

In March 1937 the department responded to Choudrant High School where the school was a total loss and completely destroyed by the fire.

Fire Station No. 2 was built in 1949 on the Shreveport U.S. Highway 80 and put into service on Nov. 5.

In 1956 the city received

a report from the Louisiana Rating and Fire Prevention Bureau, “ The fire department is a full-paid organization with the men working on a 24 hours on 24 hour off basis. The department has a total membership of 13, which includes 1 chief, 2 assistance chiefs, 4 captains, and 6 firefighters. One assistant chief, 2 captains and 3 firefighters are maintained on duty at all times: 1 captain and 2 firefighters at the central station and 1 captain and 1 firefighter at the sub station.

The assistance chief on duty maintains headquarters at the central station.”

In 1960 the department shifted to firemen working 24 hours on and 48 hours off so ensure no one worked over the prescribed amount of time each week.

In 1973 the responsibilities of the department grew to include that of the ambulance service. The police department had been operating the ambulance service since it was established in 1967.

The largest loss due to fire was reported in 1979, when a fire began in the showroom floor of RogersPorter Chevrolet dealership. Loss in the fire totaled $230,000 to the building and

$380,000 to the contents.

The first ladder truck was brought in Dec. 4, 1981.

The last reported call from the old school pull box came in on June 14, 1983, on box No. 326 located at Lincoln General Hospital.

It wouldn’t be until the early 1990s that the Lincoln Parish Fire District No. 1

would be formed. This was done so that the city fire department only served the city, which had grown tremendously over the last 100-plus years.

Prior to the creation of the fire district, Ruston Fire would send two men and one fire truck to calls throughout the entire parish.

The Ruston Volunteer Fire Department has come a long way to the incorporation of Ruston Fire Department. With more than 40 men and women serving the people of Ruston, the Ruston Fire Department has a long standing history of protecting the citizens of Ruston.

Photos courtesy of History of the Ruston Fire DepartmenT DONNIE WATSON

Above are firemen Davey Crawford and Bud Frasier at the Maxwell fire of Dec. 3, 1986. Former Chief Watson said you can distinctly tell the difference between the newer and older generations of firefighter Pictured at left is the first hazmat suit the Ruston Fire Department purchased. It is being displayed during the Louisiana Peach Festival by Jim Turner.

Donnie Watson is assisting.

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 8A

Ruston Daily Leader

RUSTON’S FIRST CHURCH THEN AND NOW

The Trinity Methodist Church, Ruston’s first place of worship, was built in 1884 at a cost of $2,500. T. C. Sandifer, W. A. J. Lewis and Lee Kidd were influential in the erection of this building.

Coming to Ruston St. Francis Medical Center is proud to begin work on its first Lincoln Parish Campus: St. Francis Medical Office Building – Ruston.

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 9A

Ruston Daily Leader

MODERN DAY ROUND UP

Photo courtesy of JAMES AND ANTINETTE ANDERSON

Elk escapes train in Ruston

According to stories passed down through the years, Jesse Riser, a former chief of police and sheriff, was responsible for pulling a few men together in the 1940s to hunt down an elk that escaped a circus or possibly a zoo train that was passing through. Riser is pictured center on the light colored horse.

Drug Task Forces Take a Hit

By Jessica Darden

jessica@rustonleader.com Narcotics haven’t become an issue just within this century.

According to the first narcotics officer in the area they’ve been here for years.

It was the 1970s and marijuana growers were all over the place, according to Jim Tuten, a former Lincoln Parish Sheriff Office deputy.

Tuten along with Robert Ellis were the first unofficial narcotics agents.

Tuten said they would stay after their shifts were over and hunt down criminals.

“There was no overtime back then. There was no real technology back then,” he said. “We just kind of drove around to known spots and looked for trails through the woods. We worked until the job was done.”

In 1971, Tuten said he remembers one of the first big busts in the area.

Tech students were busted with LSD and the students had been shipping to San Francisco.

“This is where the interest in having a drug force spurred up,” he said. “We started working with informants and kind of had to learn by the seat of their britches — there were no basic investigator schools back then.”

Current Sheriff Mike Stone said law enforcement has come a long way since the start of narcotics agents in Ruston and Lincoln Parish.

The original Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team was formed in 1979 with three officers Joey Davison, Randal Hermes and Jim Tuten.

“The Lincoln Parish Police Jury and District Attorney gave us some money to get started,” Tuten said.

“We bought the original bugs and cameras.”

About the same time, Metro Narcotics was formed in Monroe.

“Because of that, we worked together a lot,” Tuten said. “We were all trying to learn what to do, so they would come over here to help and we would go over there.”

From the three original LPNET officers, a string of men came and went.

In 1983 TedNet was formed. TedNet was comprised of the Third Judicial District, and while the departments did work together each mainly stayed in their

own jurisdiction.

One of Tuten’s most memorable cases came in the 1980s.

“Once you started cooking meth you couldn’t stop,” Tuten said. “I remember being undercover in the old Holiday Inn with a group of criminals who were cooking meth.

“As it turned out there was a girls’ athletics tournament of some sort over at Cedar Creek. Well the entire hotel was full of these young girls and their families.

All I could think of was we’re going to blow this place up with all of these girls in here.”

Tuten said a lot of illegal activity took place in hotels around the area due to the readily available ice machines, because some drugs had to be cooled and heated simultaneously.

Another instance Tuten recalled was when he was purchasing heroin by himself in the 1980s.

Tuten left narcotics and the sheriff ’s office in 1988.

After that time he said it just seemed things got a little out of hand.

“Crack cocaine changed the whole dynamic of drugs in the late 1980s,” Stone said. “We knew it was a problem. Where it used to cost someone $150 to get high it was now costing $10.”

The biggest notable change Stone and current LPNET Agent Stephen Williams said is the increase in meth and high-grade marijuana.

“Sure there were people growing marijuana all over the place when I came along,” Tuten said. “But the stuff they are growing now has much higher levels of THC.” Williams noted where Tuten could just drive around and make buy-busts all night long that unlike the old days today’s agents can’t do that.

“Technology has made it to where if we drive through somewhere and make a single buy-bust everyone is on their cell phones calling it in to everyone they know,” Williams said. “At that point everyone is laying low.

LPNET is now comprised of the Lincoln Parish Sheriff Office, Ruston Police Department, Grambling Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office.

To look at how far LPNET has come in the past decade in 2005 there were 488 total charges filed by the agency. In 2015 a total of 669 total charges were filed.

In the years in between, charges ranged from as many as 831 in 2013 due in part to Operation Pit Stop, to as few as 272 in 2006.

Leader photo

Louisiana Peach Festival

The Louisiana Peach Festival began in 1951 as a way to commemorate the fruit industry in Ruston.

Today, it is the longest running agricultural festival in the state.

Pictured above is the first poster for the festival, which was printed in 1983.

Since that time posters have been created by local artists and students in Louisiana Tech University’s art department. Several residents and businesses in Ruston have complete collections of the posters, this one came from Bill Elmore.

As with every poster, the stipulations behind the poster’s design is that it must include the theme of the year, the festival dates and the anniversary year. The Louisiana Peach Festival is held on the fourth weekend in June.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 10A

Ruston Daily Leader

THEN AND NOW: A LOOK AT RUSTON THROUGH THE YEARS LINCOLN PARISH LIBRARY

Photo courtesy of LOUISIANA STATE ARCHIVE and JESSICA MERRITT

At left, the Lincoln Parish Library is pictured in the 1940s. Today, the library is currently located on North Trenton Street. It was established as an official library in 1962.

RAILROAD DEPOTS OF THE 1970s

Photos courtesy of Louisiana State Archives

Two railways service Ruston

In 1978 there were two railroad depots in Ruston. Above, is the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Raidroad. Above right is the Illinois Central Railroad station.

YOU’VE GOT MAIL

Photo courtesy of IMAGES OF AMERICA RUSTON — EDWIN “RED” WOODWARD

Postmistress sends a letter

This picture taken in 1955 when Mrs. Lillian T. Pearce became the first postmistress of Ruston. She is shown here mailing a letter at the postal box in front of the post office.

Pictured below is an ad from a 1928 edition of the Daily Leader.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 11A

Ruston Daily Leader

RUSS DIARY PROVES TO BE INFORMATIVE READ Continued from page 6A given, other references seem to indicate the event took place around 1866.

“Here was the first time at such occasions that I was called on to ask a blessing, for I did not even do such a thing at home,” Russ wrote. “I couldn’t think of anything except one I use to

say for fun: ‘The Squirrel am a pretty bird And has a bushey tail.

We stole all my daddy’s corn And ate it on a rail.’ … I finally got out something and said, ‘Amen.’ The supper was in the positive degree and we did full jus-

tice to it.”

In 1867 Russ and his wife joined a Baptist church and were baptized. Russ would go on to help black residents establish and develop churches.

By 1896, financial losses had wiped Russ out.

“Adversity has taken everything from me in my

old age but my honor,” he wrote. “This is all that I now expect to leave my dear wife and children.

On Aug. 20, 1900, Russ wrote this to his son Julius: “… This is my birthday.

I am 70 years old today. I cannot hardly realize I am so old until I go back over the past. I have now reached

the allotted time of man.

The chances are very good that I may never live to see another birthday.

“God’s will be done, and (I) shall try to be reconciled to it. Only two men are living that were living here when I came here 48 years ago. All the others have passed away.

“Julius, it is a very serious thought to know that your time is near at hand but such is life with all mankind . … Love to all. Your Father, R. E. Russ.”

Robert Edwin Russ died Jan. 9, 1902. He was 71.

He’s buried in Greenwood Cemetery, on the land that he donated.

LPSO ANSWERS THE CALL BEFORE CITY’S INCORPORATION

By Jessica Darden

jessica@rustonleader.com While the city of Ruston has been protected by the men and women of the Ruston Police Department since the city’s incor poration in 1884, there was a force that supersedes RPD. The Lincoln Parish Sheriff ’s Office served as the first form of law enforcement in the area, which would one day become the city of Ruston.

A c c o rd i n g t o a p a per written by now Lincoln Parish Sheriff Mike Stone’s daughter Melanie, the first recorded sheriff was J.B. Ray in 1873.

Since Ray was elected to office there have been 20 total sheriffs serving the community.

Among those elected to the seat were R. E. Russ, Ruston’s founder, in 1879.

Fast forward to the

mid-20th century, Dan Durrett served as sheriff from 1948-1952.

Shortly after Sheriff Durrett was sworn into office the department was confronted with the case of Buster F. Williams, of Ruston, who was charged with attempted rape of a Ruston woman, Melanie Stone Binns records show.

He was sentenced to 45 years imprisonment.

Another case that was overseen by Durrett was that of Monroe Peters, who was charged with the attempted rape of a 14-year-old, white female.

“Within seven days, Peters was accused and received a sentence of 20 years and was taken to Angola Prison,” Stone Binns wrote.

Moving even further forward, Jesse J. Riser served as sheriff from 1956 to 1976.

Riser recalled the de-

par tment having only three squad cars, with two-way radio communication in them.

Starting salary for the sheriff was $200 a month and he was on-call 24 hours a day. However, Riser said when he became sheriff his salary went from $200 per month to $1,000 per month.

Standard pay for deputies was $600 per month.

The number of deputies on the force when Riser took office in 1956 was three, when he left office in 1976 there were 10 men on the force.

Sherwood Payne and Clifton Jackson were the first two black deputies hired in Lincoln Parish.

Serving the parish next George Simonton, followed by Wayne Houck who is the longest serving sheriff in the parish.

Current Sheriff Mike Stone followed Houck’s

Jesse Riser 1956 to 1972

Wayne Houck 1980 to 2004

Mike Stone 2004 to present

reign over Lincoln Parish.

“I was hired by Sheriff Riser,” Stone said. “I was the first official jailer that the parish had at the top of the courthouse.”

Back then, Stone said the sheriff ’s office and the Ruston Police Department had separate jails. “ Way n e H o u c k d e serves a lot of credit for

bringing the department to where we are at now,” he said. “Sheriff Riser never had more than eight deputies. I think when Houck became sheriff that is when law enforcement started to move into the modern era.

“With crack cocaine coming into our area and with the beginning of the

Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team, there had to be a lot of policy and procedure put into place because of the changing times,” he said.

“Riser was the epitome of the perfect sheriff for his day and was a steady rock for Lincoln Parish — Wayne moved us forward into a new era.”

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 12A

Ruston Daily Leader

A LINCOLN PARISH ORIGINAL SINCE 1912

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 1B

Ruston Daily Leader

SPORTS and EDUCATION in RUSTON

Ruston has a pro look for sports

By O.K. Davis

buddy@rustonleader.com Diamonds are a woman’s best friend.

Ditto for men, too, when you are talking about baseball.

And nowhere is that more clearly evident than in Ruston, where baseball stars have sparkled and reached the game’s ultimate stage.

As far as that matters, football reigns gloriously supreme in our city, too. As you will notice in the names below.

Here’s a list of some of Ruston athletes connected to professional sports

through the years and several, as is evident, linked to the fabric of the national pastime:

MICHAEL BROOKS An All-Stater at Ruston High, All-American at LSU and Pro Bowler in the NFL. Add, too, being a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

He also played in a Super Bowl and was regarded among the league’s most underrated linebackers.

GEORGE STONE The pride of Ruston

High, Class of 1964, is the only native of the city to reach the sport’s ultimate contest.

He was one of the ace pitchers on the New York Mets in 1973 to face the Oakland A’s in the World Series.

And he was among the key contributors, too, with a 12-3 record and sub-3.00 earned run average.

RALPH GARR The “Roadrunner” wasn’t known just on Ruston’s sports stage, but within the state and nationally as well.

He starred for the Atlanta Braves during the

Photo by Robert Summerlin

The three Bearcats who have gone on to win Super Bowl rings were honored in the final game of the 2015 home season by Ruston High School. RHS head coach Brad Laird, far left, is pictured with (from left to right) Fred Dean, Johnny See LOCAL, page 4B Robinson and Michael Brooks along with RHS principal Ricky Durrett.

‘Friendliest College in the South’ has humble beginnings

By Derek J. Amaya

derek@rustonleader.com

Arthur T. Prescott

Dubbed the “Friendliest College in the South,” Louisiana Tech University has been a major player in the history of Ruston.

From its beginning in 1894 to today with visions of expansion, progress and academic and sporting achievements, Tech has been instrumental in the progress of the city.

Louisiana Tech University was founded as the Industrial Institute of College

of Louisiana.

Following the Ruston College fire in 1893, the Lincoln Parish Police Jury held a special session to outline plans to secure a regional industrial school.

When Reconstruction of the South ended, Louisiana had only two notable universities — Tulane University and Louisiana State University.

Act 68 of the General Assembly called for a “firstclass” school to be located in Ruston designed to educate citizens in the arts and sci-

ences and in “the practical industries of the age.”

Following several special sessions calling for the institution, the state Legislature passed the act establishing the Industrial Institute and College of Louisiana in Ruston in 1894.

Located on 20 acres of land and in a single building, both donated by the city of Ruston, the school opened to 202 students, six faculty members and one president.

The first president of the institute was Arthur T. Prescott, a former com-

mandant of the student cadet organization at the University of Virginia.

Prescott would go on to lead the effort to build the first buildings on campus including the Old Main Building — the principal building built on campus.

Following the establishment of the Old Main Building, another building used for various mechanic classrooms was built and the completion of Hale Hall, a girls’ dormitory, came in 1898.

Prescott lead the insti-

tute for five years and saw of Tech’s first graduate Harry Howard, class of 1897. Howard would go on to direct the business department for 25 years.

Howard did not go through a formal graduation program, Prescott awarded the degree after his qualifications were examined.

The first graduation ceremony would not take place until the following year, 1898 at the Ruston Opera House.

See ORR, page 3B

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 2B

Ruston Daily Leader

For Love of the Game

Area High School Athletes Put in The Time, Effort

By T. Scott Boatright

scott@rustonleader.com

Ruston hasn’t been just a Quality City. For the past near 100 years, it could also be called Championship City when it comes to high school athletics.

Prep athletics titles are no stranger to Ruston, which has seen Ruston High School alone claim 33 state championships since 1925, beginning with that year’s football team.

RHS has been a team that has put together multiple mini-dynasties over the years, beginning with the Bearcats football teams that produced three state champion football teams from 1941-51.

After winning a 1956 basketball championship, it was the RHS Track and Field team’s time to shine as they took four straight state championships — 1956, ’57,’58 and ’59.

It was L.J. “Hoss” Garrett who was the leading force for RHS athletics in those days.

After coaching at Forest High and Arcadia High, he took over the Ruston High School job where he built the Bearcats football program

into a dynasty. He won 247 games at RHS, while earning 14 district titles and producing the state football championships in 1941, ’47 and ’51. He won 270 games during his career, setting a then-state record for most victories in a career.

W.A. “Dub” Jones was part of that 1941 championship squad before going on to stellar collegiate and professional careers. His son Bert would become a standout quarterback for the Bearcats in the late 1960s before becoming a collegiate at Louisiana State University and pro star himself.

One player from the 1951 championship team — senior Jimmy “Chick” Childress — would go on to follow Garrett as a RHS coaching legend in the 1980s.

Garrett also led RHS to four straight state track and field titles from 1956-60.

The Bearcats baseball team took state titles in 1966 and ’67 before another Ruston football dynasty began, this time under Childress’ guidance as he led the team to state football championships in 1980, ’82, ’86 and ’88.

Childress closed out his coaching career in typical

winning fashion. His 1990 team, 15-0, was his last. The Bearcats finished with a No. 1 nationally that season following a 52-10 win over Catholic of Baton Rouge in the state championship game. The 52 points his Bearcats put up that day remains a state class 4A state finals record.

Then quarterback and current RHS head coach Brad Laird and running back Ramon Malcolm are still reverently talked about today.

Former LSU and Denver Broncos standout linebacker Michael Brooks also played for Childress’ Bearcats in the 1980s.

“I really don’t know what I might be doing right now had it not been for him,” Brooks said of Childress after the coaching legend died in 2015. “He made a huge difference in my life.”

RHS has sent 16 Bearcats on to the NFL, with five earning All-Pro status at least one season, three earning Super Bowl wins and one — defensive lineman Fred Dean — being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

See BEARCATS, page 8B

Leader photo by T. SCOTT BOATRIGHT

This banner hanging in the Ruston High School boy’s gymnasium lists all the state championships the school’s athletics teams have won over the years.

HAVE A VOICE Gain a say in what happens in government though the Chamber advocacy efforts.

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Networking is powerful.

NETWORKING

Photo from RHS YEARBOOK

L.J. ‘Hoss’ Garrett

L.J. “Hoss” Garrett was the leading force behind Ruston High School athletics in the 1950s. He won 247 games at RHS, while earning 14 district titles and producing the state football championships in 1941, ’47 and ’51.

Dear Friends, As President a of Commerce nd CEO of the Ruston-Lin co fr working with om 1997 to 2004, I had th ln Chamber some of the fi e nest individu privilege of green earth, ri a ls g together we w ht here in our hometown. on God’s W ere able to ac complish man orking continue to re y so Though I cha nate within and shape ou goals that nged jobs, mo r community. ving to Edward years ago, the c fast; I continu haracter of the people I w Jones over 11 ork with held e we still have o to serve a superb, diverse cli ur eyes on lon quality. g-term goals w entele, and ith a focus on I would love to goals. Whethe talk to you concerning y our financial r you are alre a retirement, w ant to ensure dy retired or still saving fo r y afford a quali ty education, our child or grandchild ca n have concern what you hav sa e if your risk to worked so hard to build o bout protecting r ju le I can help. Ca rance matches your invest st want to see ment objectiv ll my office to e day to arrang appointment. e a confidenti s, al

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 3B

Ruston Daily Leader

Orr: It was a different time than it is now University continues to make strides

Continued from page 1B During the early 1900s, the institute installed four presidents — James Aswell being the only one to serve longer than two years.

The institute’s curriculum included two years of preparatory work and three years of college level courses.

Following the two years of preparatory work, students could select a general business course, mechanical course F. Jay or domestic science course.

When the school was first organized, young men that were at least 16 years of age could gain admission into their first year of schooling at the institute; young men who already had two years of schooling were admitted as young as age 15 and those young men fortunate to already have three years of higher education under their belt could be admitted to the school as young as 14, according to the institutes standards, the Board of Trustees of the Louisiana Industrial Institute.

Ladies were required to be at least 15 years old to enter the first year.

In 1904, enrollment hit more than 800.

By 1909, all men had to be at least 16 years old to gain admission.

College clubs, associations and societies began developing including the Young Men’s Christian Association and the King’s Daughters, which “contributed to the moral life of the institute.”

Athletic organizations became popular after an athletic field was purchased and an annual field day held each spring.

In the early 1900s, the students and faculty attended Taylor chapel before the start of each school day and every student was required to attend the Sunday service at the church of their choice.

Faculty members encouraged their students to attend one of the Sunday School services conducted by the institute’s faculty members at one of the local churches.

Starting in the late 1910s, the Louisiana Industrial Institute started to reorganize some of the degree programs, including its popular engineering program. As a result, bachelor’s degrees were offered in the fields of engineering, business administration, education and home economics.

In 1919, the curricula began granting standard baccalaureate degrees and the first bachelor’s degree,

Photo by DONNIE CROWE

Louisiana Tech Quadrangle is a getaway for students to do homework and enjoy the outdoors. Pictured above is a view of the quad looking at Keeny Hall, which was built in 1936. the Bachelor of Industry in General Engineering, was awarded.

During its first few decades, Tech saw many changes including new buildings, the first edition of “The Lagniappe,” the school’s yearbook, and a name change.

In 1921, the school’s name was changed to Louisiana Polytechnic Institute.

When the Old Main Building burned to the ground in 1936, the administration began building a new facility named Leche Hall in honor of then Gov. Richard Leche. The building was then renamed after the death of former university president J.E. Keeny and remains Keeny Hall.

During the early 1900s, the institute saw a building boom.

The Mechanical Arts Building, which was replaced by Bogard Hall, and the Ropp Center, the first president’s home, were constructed in 1911. The Ropp Center is currently the oldest building on campus.

Architect Edward Neild Jr. designed seven buildings that were built between 1939 and 1940.

Local resident and former Tech administrator Virgil Orr, class of 1944, said this was the time Tech really started to develop.

“It was a different time than it is now,” Orr said.

“The classrooms are bigger, there are more students and a lot has changed as far as buildings go.”

Girls’ dormitory Aswell Hall, junior and senior men’s dormitory Robinson Hall, dining building Tolliver Hall, engineering building Bogard Hall, S.J. Wages Power Plant, Reese Agriculture Hall — located on South Campus on Tech Farm — and Howard Auditorium were all built,

Orr said.

During World War II, the institute was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program, which offered students a path to becoming commissioned in the U.S. Navy.

Heading into the 60s, Foster Jay Taylor became the 12th president of the institute succeeding Ralph Ropp.

In his 25-year stint, Taylor oversaw many transformations including the name change to Louisiana Tech University in 1970. Enrollment grew from about 3,000 students to 12,000 student in 1987.

Most of the moder n buildings were built during the Taylor reign, including Joe Aillet Stadium, the Thomas Assembly Center, J.C. Love Field and the Lady Techster Softball Complex.

In addition to athletic facilities, the 16-story Wyly Tower — the tallest building in Ruston — the bookstore,

Nethken Hall, the current president’s home and the College of Business Building were built.

In order to house the increasing demands of the student body, Taylor saw the construction of original Graham, Kidd, Caruthers and Neilson residence halls.

The first doctorate degree was awarded in 1971 in chemical engineering.

Tech’s longest serving president Dan Reneau took over from Taylor in 1987 and remained in the position until 2013 In 1992, Tech became a selective admissions university. The university has increased their admissions criteria four times since then.

Tech continues to make strides in staying a top tier university.

With the new Tech Master Plan 2020, the university plans to expand to downtown Ruston, enhance student life and tear down Wyly Tower to build a new center for the university.

Old Main before and after the fire of 1936.

Leader file photo

The longest serving president of Louisiana Tech University was Dan Reneau, above. He served from July 1, 1987 to June 30, 2013.

During his tenure Reneau established the Louisiana Tech biomedical engineering department, only the fifth undergraduate program of its kind, and was named its head in 1972.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 4B

Ruston Daily Leader

Local Ballers Cover All Sports

Football, Baseball, Basketball legends call Ruston home Continued from page 1B same time frame as Stone and won a National League batting crown with that franchise.

A .306 lifetime hitter in the big leagues, ex-Lincoln High School standout Garr is a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

TOM HINTON It’s a huge honor for anyone to be included in any brand of Hall of Fame.

In Tom’s case, there are few shrines not included on his impressive resume.

The former Ruston High two-sport (football and track) star was an AllAmerican lineman at Tech before becoming one of the all-time greats in the Canadian League.

He was on a Grey Cup championship team with the British Columbia Lions.

And yes, he is a member of the CFL Hall of Fame.

As well as the Louisiana Sports and Tech shrines.

PATRICK RAMSEY Ramsey was one of Ruston High’s most accomplished two-sport athletes ever.

In track and field, he was a national-class javelin thrower who represented the U.S. on several international squads.

On the gridiron, he was a strong-armed quarterback who earned a scholarship to Tulane University and became a record-setter for the Green Wave.

His outstanding collegiate career earned him a first-round draft call from the Washington Redskins after his career with the Greenies.

FRED DEAN There have been many great linemen in Ruston High School history, but none more feared and respected than “Mean Fred.”

The nickname aptly described the tenacity that Dean brought on every play from his D-interior position.

He was an All-American at Tech before being an NFC Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champ with the San Francisco 49ers.

And the Bearcats’ first and only Pro Football Hall of Famer.

League, it would be the big guy (6-9) from Ruston Lincoln High.

He entered into Koufax’s ‘K Neigborhood’ with 300plus totals and a berth in the All-Star Game.

No telling what the No. 2 pick in the 1969 draft might’ve achieved had he not suffered a stroke with the Houston Astros during the prime of his career.

As it was, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer still stands tall as one of our state’s iconic athletes.

BERT JONES In 1976, there was no quarterback more efficient in the NFL than the “Ruston Rifle.”

Or for that matter, no offensive player.

He was the take-charge, absorb-a-nasty hit leader of the Baltimore Colts and his peers chose him as the league’s Most Valuable Player.

Only a severe neck injury in 1983 curtailed an eventual path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

After his Ruston High career, Jones was an AllAmerican at LSU. And in December, he will be inducted into the National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame.

DUB JONES One of Louisiana’s most famous and beloved figures in sports excelled on Ruston High’s gridiron before going on to stardom in the NFL. Jones was an All-Pro performer for the Cleveland Browns and remains etched in the NFL record book with six touchdowns in a single game.

He and Bert were the first-ever father-son duo inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

KYLE WILLIAMS Williams was an AllAmerican defensive linemen at Ruston High School and LSU before moving into the NFL as one of its elite pass rushers.

The former Ruston Junior High School star has

been a perennial Pro Bowl performer with the Buffalo Bills and ranked among the 50 best overall players in the league by the NFL Network.

BEN WILLIAMS One of the best catchers to come out of North Louisiana, having been an all-star at Lincoln High before earning All-Southwestern Athletic Conference accolades at Grambling State University.

He signed with the Cincinnati Reds following his Tigers’ career.

MIKE GREEN The former two-sport (football and track) at Ruston High enjoyed a lengthy career in the NFL despite being the very last pick in the 2000 draft.

He was one of the top defensive backs while playing for three different teams.

WAYNE CAGE The crafty southpaw was a lights out ace at Lincoln High before carrying his talents to Ruston High.

After an All-State stint with the Bearcats, he played professionally with the Cleveland Indians’ organization, where he had a brief stay in the big leagues.

KENNY WRIGHT One of Ruston High’s best athletes ever starred in track and football before going on to be a starting defensive back in the NFL. He was a national class triple jumper for the Bearcats.

STEVE ROGERS The Ruston Police Chief was another track/football standout at RHS who was a valuable running back at LSU before signing with the New Orleans Saints.

T.J. SOTO One of the most decorated athletes in the city’s history, first in the Ruston Dixie Youth Association before being an All-Stater at Ruston High and a record-setting home run slugger at Tech.

After his Bulldogs’ career, he played professionally in the Houston Astros’ system.

Former Ruston High, Tulane and LSU standout running back Dub Jones (40) went on to start for the Cleveland Browns on the professional level.

JACK HUNT One of Ruston High’s best ever running backs went on to a stellar college career in the LSU secondary.

And afterwards, the track-gridiron star for the Bearcats earned a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins.

SCOTTY THURMAN Yes, there’s a hoopsters on our list and he’s a good one.

The All-Stater at Ruston High progressed into one of the nation’s best collegians at Arkansas.

He played professionally with several teams in the European Pro League after his Razorbacks’ career

ANDY HAMILTON The go-to receiver for Bert Jones at RHS and LSU had NFL stops as a wideout with the Kansas City Chiefs and Saints.

Former Ruston High and LSU standout Bert Jones was a star quarterback for the Baltimore Colts and Los Angeles Rams in the NFL.

WAYNE CAUSEY The Ruston native was an infielder for four different Major League Baseball teams during a career that stretched from 1955 until 1968.

He suited up with the the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Atlanta Braves.

J.R. RICHARD If there was a right hander equal to southpaw ace Sandy Koufax in the modern era of the National

Leader file photos

A .306 lifetime hitter in the big leagues, ex-Lincoln High School standout Ralph Garr is a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Former Ruston High School, Louisiana Tech and MLB pitching standout George Stone is a yearly fixture at the Wilbert Ellis baseball camp, held every summer for the past eight years in Ruston.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 5B

Ruston Daily Leader

Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Elementary, High School receive state recognition

By Derek J. Amaya

derek@rustonleader.com Lincoln Parish is home to three schools that received an “A” letter grade this past year for their performance.

Of those three, two are located in Ruston: Ruston High School and A.E. Phillips Laboratory School.

Many Ruston citizens can trace their roots back to one of the top notch schools in the Ruston district.

There are elementary schools such as A.E. Phillips Laboratory School, Cypress Springs Elementary, Glen View Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary School and I.A. Lewis Elementary School.

Then there is Ruston Junior High, finished off with Ruston High School. Some may have even attended the city’s private schools, Cedar Creek School and Bethel Christian School Louisiana Tech University’s A.E. Phillips Laboratory School was established in 1916.

It was created by an act of the state legislature.

The kindergarten through eighth grade school is housed on the campus with Tech education majors observ-

ing and practicing teaching strategies.

Local resident Myrtis Orr was asked to start the kindergarten program at A.E. Phillips in the 1950s.

“A.E. Phillips is a top notch school that has some of the best educators in the business,” she said. “It’s always been like that and I was happy to get the program started.”

Ruston High School can trace its history back to the early 1900s.

In 1911, the school included only eight grades and was located on North Trenton Street.

J.G. Ray was the principal when the first school opened.

In 1916, a ninth grade class was added and students had the opportunity to enroll at Tech upon graduation.

Principal H.E. Townsend took over the school as principal and saw it become recognized as a four-year high school in 1921. That year, 12 students made up the first graduating class.

With increased enrollment, the school needed a second building to fill the needs of the students.

Where RHS currently sits, Ruston resident T.L. James donated the original 13 acres to

Photo from GREETINGS FROM RUSTON

Ruston High School 1914. The school was located on Trenton Street on the site of the current City Hall. build a new school and football stadium. In 1938, a 29-acre plot next to the donated land was purchased for $12,000.

That same year, $94,000 building was built along with a $35,000 home economics cottage.

In that same time period, RHS saw increased enrollment, new curriculum and additional departments, such as music, physical education and agriculture.

In 1951, the school received one of the state’s highest ratings and received honors and praise from state administration for their education

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Townsend retired that same year and R.G. Hanchey would takeover. Hanchey resigned after 12 years and James Napper took over in time to see a RHS building boom.

In his time as principal, Napper oversaw the building of an auditorium, band and choir rooms, a football stadium, tennis courts and baseball and softball fields.

In 1968, the north side of the building was completed with a cafeteria, gymnasium and coach’s office.

Unfortunately, in the late

’80s and early ’90s, two fires struck the school. The 1988 fire destroyed the home economics building. It was then converted into special education classrooms. In 1995, almost six years to the day, a second fire started in the school’s auditorium.

In recent years, the school has added an alternative curriculum and building called NewTech @ Ruston, that strives in its science, technology, engineering and mathematics research, while also including collaborative work.

The school’s current principal is Rickey Durrett.

Entering into the private school sector, there are two facilities in Ruston — Cedar Creek School and Bethel Christian School.

Cedar Creek School, an independent co-education college preparatory school, was founded in 1970.

The campus holds more than 700 students grades prekindergarten through 12th grade.

Locals Jack and Florine Martin founded Christian private school Bethel Christian in 1965.

See AREA, page 7B

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 6B

Ruston Daily Leader

Tech takes the Title with Athletics

Gridiron Glory Begins in 1901

By T. Scott Boatright

scott@rustonleader.com Ruston has long been a Quality City be it because of some of the tremendous athletes who grew up here as well as the fact the city is home to Louisiana Tech University and it’s outstanding athletics history.

There’s no question Tech athletics has been a big part of Ruston’s history.

Since Tech’s first football season in 1901, the Bulldogs have compiled an all-time record of 596 wins, 446 losses, and 39 ties. In 111 football seasons, the Bulldogs have won three Division II national championships, won 25 conference championships and played in 23 postseason games including eight major college bowl games.

From 1964 to 1972, four regional bowl games were played that led up to a wire service poll to determine the final champion of Division II's predecessor, the NCAA College Division. In 1972, Louisiana Tech beat Tennessee Tech 35-0 in the Grantland Rice Bowl to win the Mideast Regional Championship.

The Bulldogs finished the 1972 season undefeated at 12-0 and were subsequently named 1972 College Division National Champions by the National Football Foundation.

Despite not playing in a regional championship, Delaware was named 1972 NCAA College Division National Champions by the Associated Press and United Press International.

A playoff series was started in 1973 to determine the Division II champion. In the inaugural Division II football playoffs, Tech beat Western Illinois in the quarterfinals and Boise State in the Pioneer Bowl semifinals. Tech advanced to the championship game to beat Western Kentucky 34-0 and finished the season with a 12-1 record as 1973 NCAA Division II National Champions.

In 1974, the UPI did not recognize the winner of the playoffs, Central Michigan, as national champions.

Instead, the UPI presented the 1974 Division II national title to Louisiana Tech, who finished with an 11-1 record.

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Louisiana Tech’s Lady Techsters basketball team has long made Ruston a known commodity in women’s athletics.

The Lady Techsters have won three National Championships and have competed in 13 Final Fours, 23 Sweet Sixteens and 27 NCAA tournaments. The program boasts three Wade Trophy winners, five Olympic medalists, six members of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, including coaches Sonja Hogg and Leon Barmore, 16 AllAmericans and 21 WNBA players.

The Lady Techsters have an all-time record of 1043–264 with a .798 winning percentage, the third-best all-time winning percentage of any NCAA Division I program.

Louisiana Tech and Tennessee are the only women's basketball programs to win at least 1,000 games. The Lady Techsters have made 27 appearances in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament, which is the fourth most NCAA appearances in the nation.

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 7B

Ruston Daily Leader

Ruston Chautauqua Creates Serene Learning Environment for Educators Leader News Service The Chautauqua Society was founded in 1874 with a simple goal — to provide educational enrichment to all in a picturesque outdoor setting. One might say it was a sort of intellectual summer camp. The Chautauqua movement spread quickly throughout the United States and 45 states established nearly 200 local Chautauquas which offered lectured, music, readings and plays in rural and smalltown America. In 1891, the Louisiana Education Association founded the Louisiana Chautauqua on a 15-acre tract on the outskirts of Ruston.

Ruston was specifically selected for the state’s Chautauqua because of tits gently rolling hills, forest scenery and peaceful setting. Thomas D. Boyd, president of the Louisiana Educational Association noted in a circular letter in April 1891 that North Louisiana was “noted for its

healthfulness and pleasing rural scenery.”

Since the Chautauqua programs were held in the summer, Ruston offered escape from the oppressive South Louisiana heat. The Ruston site encompassed a number of mineral springs, offering visitors an opportunity to take in the “healing waters,” promoting the site as a place for retreat and renewal. A two-story hotel was erected along with cottages and an outdoor auditorium with a capacity of 2,000.

Later a railroad station was built near the property and visitors came in great numbers.

The popularity of the Louisiana Chautauqua spread quickly and people from outside the state attended its annual programs.

Many participants were said to have loved the “tonic effect of the pure pine air,” while they gathered under the many mature trees that covered the Chautauqua property. Three-time presidential candidate William

Jennings Bryan, the most popular of all Chautauqua speakers, lectured at the Louisiana Chautauqua.

Bryan spoke before a crowd of 400, which was considerably smaller than that of the Rev. Talmadge.

The Louisiana Chautauqua went bankrupt in 1905 and the buildings and grounds fell into disrepair.

“Only a sample of the Chautauqua’s efforts to provide universal education has been mentioned, but the ripple effect of the these examples went a long way in advancing education in Louisiana,” stated the 1993 winter edition of the North Louisiana Historical Association Journal.

Thomas L. James, a legendary business mogul, and his wife Maggie Hodges James acquired the land and purchased contiguous tracts to create an estate of 99 acres. The Jameses built a family retreat named Toma Lodge — Toma is an

See RUSTONITES, page 11B

Photo from GREETINGS FROM RUSTON

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Pictured is Bethel Christian Assistant Myra Griffin, left, and school co-founder Florine Martin, right, with the first class at Bethel Christian in 1965.

Area boasts both public and private schools Continued from page 5B The independent, college preparatory school has been a beacon for strong academics and Christian values in the North Central Louisiana area for more than 50 years.

The school began with just a pre-education class and raised those children to be the first graduating class in 1972.

Since that time, Bethel Christian has remained a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade school.

The school’s foundation is based of Christian values and draws many students from around the region due to academic excellence and low

teacher-student ratio.

The school currently holds 150 students and recently celebrated its 51st anniversary with a spring showcase hosted by students and teachers.

The school still sits on its current location at 2901 Winona Dr. and looks to continue to excel in academics while also sticking to its Christian values.

Lincoln Parish schools have continued to strive since its erection in 1894. Students form all over the city have gone to do incredible things and have credited the school systems and their work to make the school district a better place.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 8B

Ruston Daily Leader

Bearcats, Cougars Make a Name Playing field leveled for boys, girls athletics

Continued from page 2B But football wasn’t the last dynasty for Ruston High’s Athletics.

Under the leadership of Dave Anderson, Ruston’s track and field teams came to be a force of their own.

The RHS cross country teams took state titles in 1992, 1995, 1997 and 2000, while the track and field team captured state championships in 1992 and 2004 The RHS girls’ track team took state in 2005, while the girls’ cross country teams won state championships in 2006 and 2009.

Ruston’s lone state softball championship came in 2007 under coach Ricky Goulart.

RHS’s most recent dynasty is the Bearcats boy’s swim team, which has won four straight state titles — 2012, ’13, ’14 and ’15.

“This fourth state championship is tremendous,” said Ruston head coach Paulette Butterfield in December. “There were more than 250 swimmers from 24 schools competing and they know who Ruston is when we walk into the SPAR Aquatic Center.

Other schools expect us to be good and that adds some pressure on our swimmers to go out and perform well.”

The Bearcats won state basketball titles in 1956,

’61, ’62 and ’88 with Jack Thigpen as head coach and Scotty Thurman and Anthony “Bear” Dade as standouts.

Ruston’s Lincoln High School made eight football playoff appearances over the years, but it was on the baseball diamond that the Lions were most feared.

That was largely due to a dominating pitcher in the mid- to late-1960s by the name of James Rodney Richard.

By his senior year at Lincoln High, J.R. Richard was a giant among his schoolmates, standing at 6-8 and weighing 220 pounds. The overpowering right-handed pitcher did not allow any runs in his senior season, posting a 0.00 ERA. But he could swing a bat, too. In one game, he hit four consecutive home runs while pitching his team to a 48-0 win.

Upon graduation, Richard turned down numerous basketball scholarship offers to sign with the Houston Astros, a rising MLB team that had made him their first-round pick in the 1969 Summer draft.

Cedar Creek Founded in 1970, Cedar Creek School is also a part of Ruston’s high school championship history.

Photos courtesy of 1956 RHS YEARBOOK

Pictured above is the 1956 Louisiana State Championship Basketball Team from Ruston High School.

Front row Dupey Cobb, Jerry Dyson, Bobby James, Jack Woods and Charles Smith. Back row: Coach Garner, James Upchurch, Henry Lewis, Bobby Hinton, James Pusser and Ragan Burt Madden.

The Cougars golf team captured their fifth consecutive state championship in Division IV of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association in 2013 with a 33-stroke (648-681) advantage over runner-up Ascension Episcopal. That was part of a run in which Cedar Creek took eight state titles over nine years.

Cedar Creek doubled up in 2014 with the Cougars taking the Class 1A baseball

HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES

championship a month after the Lady Cougars took the Class 1A softball title.

Cedar Creek also won a softball championship in 1994 and a state baseball title in 2014.

“It really is remarkable when you think about it,” Cedar Creek Athletics

Director/ Head Baseball Coach Ben Haddox said of those dual championships in 2014. “Just winning one state championship in a year is something to remember. But to win two?

I’m just so proud of both our softball and baseball teams and that I have the

opportunity to be a part of all of this.”

New Living Word And New Living Word has become a state powerhouse in recent years, reaching the past four state championships and taking titles in 2014 and 2015 under head coach Jerry Baldwin.

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 9B

Ruston Produces Winning Teams, Athletes Baseball, Track, Football titles across the field

Pat Garrett won an individual state sprint championship as a member of Ruston High School’s 1956 state championship track team.

J.R. Richard played high school baseball at Lincoln High School in the mid- to late-1960s. He turned down several collegiate offers to sign with the Houston Astros. He is pictured above pitching in a game.

Pictured is the 1956 Ruston High School state track champions squad.

Pictured is the 1947 Ruston High School state championship football team.

Bearcats head football coach Chick Childress is carried off the field following Ruston High School’s 1982 state championship.

Photos courtesy of the 1956 RHS YEARBOOK

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 10B

Ruston Daily Leader

Under the arch of protection Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home created in 1902

By Heather Small Hawley

the local high school students were from the orphanage. However, it was noted that those students had In December 1902, the Rev. C.C. received 75 percent of the prizes Wier, resolved that “the Methodist at the school for proficiency and scholarship. church was the only Each new month large denomination n brought another the state that did have child to the door of (an orphanage) or any the orphanage, it interest in one.” seemed to a visitor He then introin July 1914. duced a resolution “A little boy of sinned by 19 ministers some six or seven which stated “that it is years of age was the sense of the Louiput off the train at siana Conference that Gibsland. He went we as a body establish crying into a resan orphanage to be taurant. The boy maintained and opersaid his name was ated under superviCharles Wier John Lewis Jones, sion. That we request that both mother Bishop Keyto appoint an Orphan’s Home Board that shall and father were dead. He had only be empowered to receive donations 10 cents in his pocket with a note and to locate a site for the domicile stating: ‘In care of conductor. Send to Orphan’s Home.’ Thank God we of said orphanage.”

Thus, the Louisiana Methodist have a place of shelter for him and can care for him.”

Orphanage was established.

During the influenza epidemic However, it wouldn’t be until 1906 — after the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1918, women from around Ruston — that a temporary home would be made their way to the orphanage erected in Bunkie for $3,250. Laura P. to aid in the care of more than 150 Traynahan was appointed Matron. sick children.

An infirmary was added to the In that same year, a group of citizens from Ruston offered to deed the orphanage afterwards.

In 1919, The Orphanage School orphanage 40 acres of land within began to meet the needs of the the corporate limits of the city. younger children.

The property was accepted.

According to Linda E. Sabin’s The orphanage became a part of the community as “work days” — an book “A Charge to Keep: Louisiana event which residents would donate Methodist Children’s Home,” the school was needed because there one day’s wages to the home. were too many children for the parEven the smaller residents of Ruston were invested in helping the ish school system.”

The first school sessions were orphanage grow, as evidenced by “a young child named Dabney Hull lay held in the playroom, the chapel and dying at home when he asked his a large dormitory room in the Old mother to send his two dollars he Main Building.

In 1919, the Cottage Plan for Care had saved to the orphans.”

In 1909, 13 children moved to the Giving — in which children were raised in different, smaller homes nearly completed home in Ruston.

As time went on, more and on the campus — began.

Two new cottages were commore children were introduced to pleted in 1924, and were opened in the home until about 10 percent of

heather@rustonleader.com

Photo courtsesy of LOUISIANA STATE ARCHIVES

Pictured above is the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home circa 1930.

1925 to accommodate the continuously growing number of children housed at the orphanage.

In the first 20 years of operation, “535 orphans had been sheltered and nurtured in the Home,” according to an annual report by the Rev. R.W. Vaughan.

Several more cottages were constructed with the help of the boys at the home.

In 1938, according to Sabine, “a profile of jobs done by the children in the Home depicted the girls working in the laundry… and the boys working in the gardens and in the fields daily.

“The children were described as happy to have a place in the scheme of the Home and a role to play.”

In 1942, several men and women who were either raised at the Home, or were still residing there, joined the war effort in World War II. In 1943, the Rev. C.B. White, financial agent for the orphanage, reported that “all of the larger boys had been drafted into service and that many of them wrote back to the Home.”

However, some of those boys did not return, and were memorialized in a special report to the board.

Extensive building plans were discussed and established in 1947, as the end of the war brought more children to the orphanage.

The Home secured a surplus Army Chapel from Camp Livingston, and it was shipped to Ruston to serve the children of the Home.

A dormitory for girls — the T.L. James Jr. Memorial Building — was dedicated in March 1948.

May of 1951 brought the completion of an infirmary and recreation center for the children who resided at the Home.

In 1960, the board of directors voted to cease the farm and dairy operation at the Home.

On Feb. 12, 1978, the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding, and established a Emergency/Evaluation Care program which was designed to serve children in crisis.

An Independent Living education program was conducted in the fall of 1987, and consisted of 10 weeks of independent living classes.

These classes were conducted to help those who had lived at the home, and gotten an education feel more comfortable with moving on in life.

In 1996, an annual report stated that 247 children had received a variety of residential services, and the Family Development Center had care for 793 persons coping with divorce, family violence and other crises.

The story of an institution is always a tale of people and how

they change, according to an annual report given in 1986.

“This ministry began as a vision among Christians who saw a need among their communities. Children were orphaned because of illness and disability in their families.

They needed a safe have to grow into Christian adulthood,” it read.

“A group of men and women have nurtured those simple beginnings into what is today — a strategic agency — meeting the needs of children in the region.”

Terrell DeVille, the leader of ministry in 1986, summed up the essence of the story, according to the report.

“I am reminded that the numbers do not always tell the whole story.

Success does not rest in numbers alone. Instead, the success rests in the quality of care provided for children, youth and their families through all of our programs,” DeVille said.

“The success lies in the loving, redemptive Christian principles that this institution was founded upon, in the lives touched, and in the opportunity for a fresh beginning given to each person we encounter. We are offering this because our Lord God has commanded us to do so.”

Right: In the late 1950s the older boys worked in the Home’s Dairy.

Below: Girls living at the Home handled the laundry.

Photos courtesy of A CHARGE TO KEEP: LOUISIANA METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME

Photo courtesy of the 1977 RHS YEARBOOK

School Days at Ruston High

Ruston High School teacher Jackie Whitlock poses with students in 1977. Whitlock was a teacher of history and fine arts at Ruston High School. She sponsored cheerleading and yearbook staff.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 11B

Ruston Daily Leader

Big Names, Tech Sports Cross Paths

Leader file photo/2015

Two of Louisiana Tech’s starting quarterbacks in the late-1960s — Terry Bradshaw, left, and “The Duck Commander” Phil Robertson, who started behind center for the Bulldogs before Bradshaw took over.

Continued from page 6B Tech’s men’s basketball program has appeared in five NCAA tournaments with a combined record of 4-5 and has produced standouts like Hall of Famer Karl Malone, Randy White, P.J. Brown and Paul Millsap, who led the country in rebounds for three straight seasons as a Bulldog.

And Louisiana Tech’s baseball team saw much success under coaches Berry Hinton and Pat Patterson, with Patterson leading his Bulldogs to Southland Conference titles in 1974, ’75, ’78, ’80, ’86 and ’87.

While some quality ath-

letes from Ruston, like Fred Dean, played collegiately for Tech, other Rustonians have gone elsewhere to start on the collegiate level.

“Dub” Jones was a standout at Ruston High School before moving on to college at both Tulane and LSU, and then pro football stardom with the Cleveland Browns.

His son Bert also was a standout for the Bearcats before moving on to stardom at LSU and for the Baltimore Colts and Los Angeles Rams in the NFL. In December, Bert Jones is set to become the fourth person with Ruston ties to be inducted into the College

Football Hall of Fame as he’ll join a three of former Louisiana Tech standouts — Terry Bradshaw, who was inducted in 1996, fellow RHS standout Dean (2009) and Willie Roaf (2014).

Bert Jones was one of the state's top prep quarterbacks (and javelin throwers) with the Bearcats before going on to state and nationwide attention at LSU. During the 1972 season, he completed 110 of 228 passes for 1,536 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He ranked No. 1 in the SEC for those departments, as well as for pass efficiency

rating (124.4) and total yards (1,573).

"What made playing in college so special was that, for all four of my years and at some point at LSU, there was a former Ruston High teammate in the backfield with me," he said. "Allen Shorey, Andy Hamilton, Ben Jones and Steve Rogers."

Jones was chosen as the national Player of the Year by the Sporting News and Cleveland Touchdown Club, as well as being a first team All-American. He finished No. 4 in the Heisman Trophy balloting as a senior.

Terry Bradshaw put up similar numbers to Jones as Louisiana Tech’s quarterback in the late 1960s.

As a junior, Bradshaw amassed 2,890 total yards, ranking No. 1 in the NCAA, and led his team to a 9–2 record and a 33–13 win over Akron in the Rice Bowl. In his senior season, he gained 2,314 yards, ranking third in the NCAA, and led his team to an 8–2 record. His decrease in production was mainly because his team played only 10 games that year, and he was taken out of several games in the second half because his team had built up a huge lead.

Dean excelled as an All-Southland Conference defensive tackle during his collegiate football career at Louisiana Tech, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to three national championships in 1972, ’73 and ’74,

where only the 1973 title was won outright in a game, before moving on to NFL stardom.

Nicknamed “The Mailman” as a Tech student by Teddy Allen, Karl Malone helped the Dunkin’ Dogs to their first-ever NCAA basketball tour nament appearance in 1984 and a Southland Conference title (and subsequent NCAA tourney appearance) in 1986.

In each of his three

seasons with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Malone was an All-Southland selection and averaged 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game as a junior.

And as we move forward with the new Davison Athletics Complex at Joe Aillet Stadium as well as recent upgrades to the Louisiana Tech’s baseball and softball fields, the school is set to keep making athletics history as they continue their march into the 21st Century.

Rustonites sneak into lodge Continued from page 7B integration of Thomas and Maggie — and Maggie set about designing and planting extensive gardens and arbors, as well as barns, greenhouses, and a muscadine grape arbor. A staff of seven full-time gardeners maintained the family retreat, which included a magnificent rose garden and pool. It was Tom and Maggie’s favorite place in the world.

Following the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. James, the T.L. James Company took over the management and maintenance of the estate in 1964. James family members continued to spend summer afternoons enjoying the pool and the grounds were open to public viewing during the day. Over the years, many Rustonites were guilty of sneaking into Toma Lodge at night to enjoy the pool. Eventually the grounds slowly returned to an untamed appearance as use and maintenance declined.

Trott Hunt, great grandson of James, bought Toma Lodge in 2000 and developed the property into an upscale residential neighborhood.

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Ruston Daily Leader

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 1C

Ruston Daily Leader

Current Season 2015-16

Abby Pace in Annie

The cast of The Sound of Music

Linnea Allen in Annie Get Your Gun

✴ Providing quality theatrical experiences for the Ruston community for nearly 40 years.

✴ Proud to call the Dixie “home”

Anna Alexander in The King and I

Ginger Johnson and Tracy Calloway in To Kill a Mockingbird

July 14-17

And… introducing this Summer:

since its renovation in 2006.

✴ Open auditions - no acting

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experience needed!

✴ Season memberships available.

Website: www.rctruston.org

April 21-24

Emma Crawford and Jace Casio on the Bye Bye Birdie Peach Festival Parade float.

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RustonCommunityTheatre

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 2C

Ruston Daily Leader

PERFORMANCE OF A LIFETIME

The Dixie’s journey to be the ‘heart and home of the arts’

By Heather Small Hawley heather@rustonleader.com

In November 1928, the New Astor Theater was constructed at the cost of $100,000, and incorporated as a vaudeville house and silent theater.

A few months later, New Astor opened on Dec. 11, 1928 with E.M. Millar playing the “Mighty Wicks Pipe Organ.”

William Baskerville was the manager, and the theater was equipped for silent films only — sound equipment was added later.

On its first anniversary, the New Astor charged patrons 10 cents, 35 cents and 50 cents for matinees.

In 1930, the theater was sold to T.L. James, and on January 13, 1931, New Astor closed.

In 1932, the theatre reopened as the Rialto and an elaborate chandelier — a symbolic Ruston Theatre Landmark — was placed in the building where it remains today.

Early on Jan. 17, 1933, a fire alarm rang out, and the fire chief seemed to think that the flames started near the left corner of a recently erected vent for a new cooling system installed the past

summer.

The fire destroyed the stage, fixtures, part of the sound apparatus and par tof the seats in the balcony.

Drapery, curtains and wings of the stage were destroyed, and the landmark chandelier was damaged by smoke.

Seats in the balcony and front rows downstairs were severely scorched and blistered with damage set at $5,000.

By the end of the month, work had begun on repairing the fire damage to the theatre with the purpose of reopening the theater as soon as possible, according to then manager W.R. Lewis.

To do this, the interior of the theater will be completely reline with sound materials to further augment perfect sound control and assure the best acoustic properties.

At 7 p.m. on March 2, 1933, the Rialto reopened with “The Son-Daughter” with Helen Hayes and Ramon Novarro.

The interior was completely redecorated, having a new ceiling, curtains, draperies, rugs and wall treatments.

A new, larger screen was

installed as well as improved sound equipment.

In October 1933, the theater was the home for all MGM and Paramount pictures, and its advertisements dubbed the Rialto “North Louisiana’s most magnificent show house.”

In 1937, active control and management of the Rialto went to the Dixie Theater Corporation of New Orleans where A.H. Higginbotham was president and general manager.

Instantly, the remodeling of the theater began which included the redesign of the front and the lobby, moving the box office to the street side, and the installation of a confectionery shop and separate entrance for African-Americans.

A ladies lounge was also installed in the north side of the building front.

On Sunday, March 6, 1937, the Rialto officially became the Dixie with a formal opening following one week later.

“The Buccaneer” was the first feature film to be shown under the new theater name, and “Nothing Sacred” was played for the grand opening.

See DIXIE, page 6C Photo courtesy of LINDA GRAHAM

The Rialto Theatre opened in 1932. It is pictured at right with Rustonites waiting to get inside for a show.

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 3C

Ruston Daily Leader

‘New start for the arts’

Community comes together to form North Central Louisiana Arts Council

By Heather Small Hawley heather@rustonleader.com

In 1986, a small group of artists and arts-enthusiasts came together with the goal of developing a regional arts center and a gallery where local artists could display and sell their work.

The North Central Louisiana Arts Council had its beginnings with a December 1986 meeting of Piney Hills Country — a tourism promotional group.

During the meeting, Kent Follette spoke on the advan-

tages of marketing art for tourism purposes.

Following that meeting, a group of interested people decided that Piney Hills should form an artists’ subsidiary group to organize area artists and especially to develop outlets for sales of regionally produced arts and crafts.

The 1987 annual report written by Susan Roach, interim president for NCLAC, stated that on March 17 more than 30 people gathered to discuss the creation of an organization that could support regional arts and crafts.

It was decided by the group that the council would be a not-for-profit-business run by a board of directors made up of 15 to 35 people elected by members. The first interim board, made up of business and community leaders, as well as artists from North Louisiana, was appointed.

An early goal of the council was to work closely with arts organizations, artists and performers to enhance oppor tunities

See NCLAC, page 4C

Photo courtesy of SUSAN ROACH

Bill Lockheart, nationally known kite maker, and Charlotte Bailey, of Jonesboro, help with a kite making workshop in 1991.

Theatre Lovers form Ruston Community Theatre

By Heather Small Hawley heather@rustonleader.com

Ruston Community Theater was formed Dec. 19, 1977 by a group of local citizens who loved theater and wanted to create an opportunity for the people of Ruston to direct, act and attend local community productions.

Their website, rctruston.org, named several incorporators — Helen M. Thompson, Gladys Moore and Jane Sheppard — as well as a long list of charter members.

However, without a facility the group preformed in various places around the city of Ruston, according to their site.

“There was a need for this type of entertainment, and RCT continued to grow over the years,” the website reads.

“With the renovations of the Dixie Theater, RCT found its permanent home.”

RCT believes that live theater can be an enhancement to all individuals, and is an essential part of any thriving community, their site stated.

“We seek to involve the local community in all aspects of theater production and to provide accessibility to audiences in Ruston, and its surrounding communities,” it read. “We believe that live theater lifts the spirit and provides a social and educational outlet for our community.

The organization works with other creative entities around the city to give residents the art they deserve, the site said.

“We collaborate with artists and theatrical organizations

in an effort to facilitate mutual support, recognition, and the exchanging of ideas,” the site stated. “We work to encourage a thriving community of artists and appreciation of theater within Ruston and surrounding areas. We facilitate workshops, performances, and exhibits in an effort to enrich the lives of all citizens of Ruston.

“The Ruston Community Theatre strives to unleash the artistic potential of every community member.”

When the Dixie Center for

the Arts opened its doors in 2006, RCT moved in as a priority partner with a mission statement which summed up their hopes for the future.

“Ruston Community Theatre, believing that live theater can be an enhancement to all individuals, seeks to involve the local community in producing and providing accessibility to audiences in Ruston, Louisiana, and its surrounding communities.”

Today, four plays are presented each season at the Dixie.

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Ruston Daily Leader

NCLAC Brings in Mississippi craftsman as consultant Continued from page 2C for arts activities within North Central Louisiana.

Thus, they began to contact individuals and groups to begin scheduling galleries, performances and programs with the hope of publishing a public art calendar for residents.

Official officers of the board were elected and the search for state funding began.

At the end of their first year, the council had 35 paid members, and received several donations — bringing their total treasury balance to $4,006.45.

To close the year, Roach said, the arts in North Central Louisiana needed a new life, and NCLAC could give that to it.

“With the growing awareness of the need for economic diversity and the importance of the arts in upgrading the quality of life, the time has come for a new start for the arts in the North Central Louisiana area,” she said.

“To encourage this start, a new nonprofit corporation, the North Central Louisiana Arts Council will serve to enhance and promote the arts and humanities in our region.”

With each new year, NCLAC increased its membership, gained further recognition in the community and undertook several major projects.

Each year afterwards, NCLAC grew within the communities of the five parishes they served, and strived to further the arts.

To do this, they implemented several programs, events and one gallery that would feature thousands of artists over the years.

However, they the needed assistance of a full-time executive director to aid them in the continuation of their goals, so in 1990, the organization had received enough grant money to hire their first full-time executive director, Scott Hutcheson.

“With his assistance, we have implemented a number of new procedures and programs which have increased the effectiveness of the council,” Roach stated in an annual report, adding that due to his being hired, he was able to help further several different projects.

In 1998, in its continuing search for a location to maintain a regional arts center,

Photo courtesy of SUSAN ROACH

Kenny Stinson’s band plays NCLAC Art Affair at the Ruston Country Club in 1991.

NCLAC partnered with the newly formed nonprofit Dixie Center for the Arts to acquire and restore Ruston’s historic Dixie Theater, where NCLAC‘s office and Gallery currently reside.

NCLAC continues today to operate with the other arts-non-profits located in the Dixie Center with the goal of championing the arts in north central Louisiana.

Through the years, NCLAC has seen eight executive directors including the current director, Jessica Slaughter.

Today, their mission, stated on their website, nclarts.org, echoes the original sentiment in their own words, “The North Central Louisiana Arts council, believing that the visual, performing and literary arts are a necessary enhancement for all individuals, seeks to enrich the region by fostering opportunities for creative expression; to establish a strong presence of the arts wherein the artists, arts organizations and community

can thrive; and to share our diverse cultural heritage, celebrating not just who we are, but what we can become.”

The Piney Hills Gallery In 1989, NCLAC opened their Piney Hills Gallery, located in the Harris Hotel building, officially completing its first major goal — the opening of a sales gallery for area artists.

In the annual report, Roach explained that with the donated rental of the downstairs building space and donated renovations by board member Carol Hudson and with considerable volunteer effort and funds raised by the membership and others, the council was able to open this gallery on December 10.

The council spent only $1,043.26 and the grand opening and ribbon-cutting was held on Jan. 27, 1989.

Hutcheson, whose office was located in the space, oversaw the daily operations of the gallery, beginning in 1991.

In 1997, more than 100 artists have been juried into the Piney Hill Gallery since its inception.

Each year, new artists are juried into the gallery.

Arts Center The building committee and other council members met with Kirby Pecot, of Lafayette, an architect familiar with this type of renovation, to discuss the three sites selected as potential arts centers, the Harris Hotel building, West Park Avenue, the old J. C. Penney building on the corner of North Trenton Street and West Alabama Avenue and the former Ruston Hardware building, located on West Mississippi Avenue.

In March 1992, a contract was signed with Community Trust Bank to purchase the Ruston Hardware building for $16,631.50.

“Ger O’Sullivan, a Tech graduate student donated his talents for the eye-catching temporary front for the building,” the report said.

In order to make the most of their proposed building, an Architectural Charrette was held with three architects experienced in developing public arts spaces.

A feasibility study was still ongoing for a proposed regional arts center at 207 W. Mississippi Ave. in Ruston.

At the Aug. 9, 1994 board of directors meeting, the board voted to turn the old Ruston Hardware Building back over to Community Trust Bank due to evidence “that the national trend has shown that the expense of maintenance of an arts facility has closed down many such centers … arts agencies are encouraged to borrow or lease space for programs.” The second reason was listed in the annual report as the need for NCLAC to have a consistent source of operating funds. Until then, the financial burden of a building was not feasible.

Piney Hills Kites ‘N Art Festival The first annual festival — taken over from the Ruston State Bank Kite Day — was held on March 18, 1989 at the Tech Farm.

See ARTS, page 7C

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Ruston Daily Leader

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 6C

Ruston Daily Leader

Dixie Center for the Arts moves into the Future

draperies.

Continued from page 2C At that time, the box Ira J. Olroyd, of Morgan City, was named the office for the theater was moved from the sidewalk new manager.

I n D e c e m b e r 1 9 4 0 , to inside the theater.

Seats loresidents celcated on the ebrated the 12th bottom floor anniversary of of the theater t’s just anthe Dixie Thetaken out ater. other of the were and moved to O n Au g u s t 10, 1956, the Di- many miracles t h e b a l c o n y with new seats xie closed for surrounding going into the remodeling. lower floor At 8 p.m. on this ‘dream area only.

Aug. 22, Eddie 1 9 7 6 Duchin Story with a broom’ brought the re o p e n e d t h e since that is closing of the Dixie with a Dixie. The last new front de- all we had movie that was sign and the for quite a shown was star added to “The Return of the top of the few years. a Man Called marquee.

—­ Linda H o r s e ” w i t h The theater was air condiGraham 85 patrons attending. tioned for the Two years first time, and 500 “Comet” chairs were later, The Dixie Theater installed along with a started to lease out its space to the Wildwood Exn ew f ro n t c u r t a i n o f gold, walls covered with press band which played acoustical cloth, and a every Saturday evening, new green sidewalk at the but no regular films were played. front entrance.

In 1980, the theater Manager Bob Dufour said the remodeling cost bu i l d i n g w a s s o l d t o J a m e s C . H ow a r d o f was set at $80,000.

Almost a decade later, Ruston for $100,000, and the Dixie was sold for he created the Dixie Jamboree which lasted until $81,250. “ Pe e We e ” E dw a r d s 1994.

Rather than allow the was named city manager of the Dixie, Tech and theater fall into stagnation at the end of that era, Ruston theaters.

In 1968, again the Dixie Mary Margaret van Diest was remodeled with new wrote in her 2006 article, seats, new lobby and wall the first meeting for the

I

Dixie Center for the Arts took place.

In 1997, the DCA and the other supporters were instrumental in garnering the efforts of State Sen. Randy Ewing and State Rep. Jay McCallum in requesting a Rural Development Grant for the restoration and revitalization of the theatre, Van Diest wrote.

Good news came in 1999 when then Louisiana Gover nor Mike Foster signed a capital outlay bill that included $1.25 million for the restoration of the Dixie.

However, as local fundraising events began, the state’s fire marshal closed the Dixie and designated it for office use only.

In 2004, with the final fundraising money gained and the capital outlay bill funds secured, the contract was signed with Lincoln Builders for the necessary renovations and reconstruction began.

The 10-year pilgrimage for the Dixie Center for the Arts would conclude in 2006 with it’s grand reopening.

With long anticipation the Dixie reopened its doors to the public with a Grand Opening Gala held at 7 p.m. Jan. 6, 2006.

Several other events occurred that week that was celebrated by the wh o l e o f Ru s t o n a n d Lincoln Parish including

a ribbon-cutting, talent search and several shows.

One resident said she was grateful for the reopening of the Dixie.

“I feel grateful,” Linda Graham, a resident who worked to help raise funds to reopen the Dixie, said. “Its just another of the many miracles surrounding this ‘dream with a broom’ since that is all we had for quite a few years.”

While there may have been some dark days with the project, Graham said, the people of Ruston never truly gave up hope.

“The fire marshal shut us down and interest waned at time, but never was there a doubt that this old theatre held a char ming history that touched the hearts of hundreds of residents when prodded for their memories,” she said. “We opened up the opportunities to contribute to every possible situation, person and place, which was followed by (several) fundraising events.”

While her words were uttered more a decade ago, they still ring true today what the Dixie

stands for and what Ruston residents feel in their hearts, Graham said.

“The Dixie Center for the Arts will represent the love and respect that this community has for its history,” she said in 2006. “A memory of a time that provided a movie screen to bring the world to you — long before television existed —and this restoration will provide for generations the opportunity to experience the arts, in music, dance drama and concerts that will hold no barriers, but will be available to all.”

Photo Courtesy of LINDA GRAHAM

Pictured above is the Dixie Center for the Arts when Mario Lanza performed.

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 7C

Ruston Daily Leader

Arts growth in Ruston is astonishing

Photo courtesy of SUSAN ROACH

Butch Lomax paints at Celebrity Paint Off at Art Affair.

Continued from page 4C Ruston State Bank’s funding of $3,000 underwrote the activity. Funds were used to rent equipment and purchase 1000 free kites, festival T-shirts for re-sale and awards for the kite-making contest. Several community civic groups sponsored food booths and other activities.

Festive children’s stage performances included puppetry by Temple Baptist Church, clowns by Cook Baptist Church, Charlie Lewis

Band, Bruce Gay Juggling Troupe, storytelling by Joyce Clark and Barbara Moore, Tech Opera workshop and Jazz by Keli Ferrier and Dee Alexander.

Stunt kite flyers from New Orleans and Texas also participated in the festival.

The festival continued through 1991.

Louisiana Peach Festival Art Exhibit In 1990, the council voted to take over the annual Peach Festival Art Exhibition that

had been held the previous year because the Ruston Art Association had ceased to exist, according to the 1990-91 annual report.

The exhibition ran June 16-24 at the Louisiana Tech University Art Gallery with the opening reception being held June 17. Area Artist were judged in four categories, including opaque painting — oils, acrylic and mixed media, transparent painting — batik and water media, miscellaneous two-dimension work — drawing, photography and printmaking — and original crafts — sculpture, pottery, glass, wood, metal or fiber.

Arts Chautauqua The Arts Chautauqua — NCLAC’s arts accessibility program which began in 1990 —expanded in 1994 to include art workshops for adults and performance presentations.

The Chautauqua was considered NCLAC’s arts accessibility program and it was tailored to fulfill needs of different segments of the population that have been identified through cultural assessment efforts.

Arts Chautauqua began with Summer Camp for Kids in 1990, and expanded to include art workshops for adults, and performance presentations.

In February 1994, NCLAC became a performance presenting organization.

Through collaboration with the Shreveport Symphony and the Kennedy Center, NCLAC presented the Pekarsky/Frank Duo from the National Symphony

Orchestra on Feb. 18, 1994 as the first project of the Arts Chautauqua performances.

Drama Warehouse Drama Warehouse was an ongoing theatrical performance program for north central Louisiana youth, grades seventh through twelve.

Adopted in September 1993 by the NCLAC board of directors as part of their programming, and funded with $250 in seed money from Sarah Albrittton of Sarah’s Kitchen, the project officially began on Jan. 29, 1994 with auditions for Cinderella, the first production.

“Drama Warehouse of-

fers teenaged participants hands-on experience with costuming, set construction, and lighting and sound, as well as acting,” according to the annual report.

“Local citizens, including many who have never been involved in NCLAC activities before, have volunteered to sew, provide snacks, run lines, chaperone, paint sets, etc. The community is reinforcing our belief that art for teens in our area is long overdue.”

Parents and teachers have noticed that Drama Warehouse participants have stronger performance in their schoolwork, blossom-

ing imagination, greater rapport with teachers and classmates, appreciation and empathy for people different from themselves, and increased harmony with family members, according to the annual report.

“North Central Louisiana school systems offer little arts education,” the annual report said. “Being part of a theatre company teaches teens appreciation for all aspects of the performing arts, from the inside out. Community support for this program has been overwhelmingly strong; merchants have contributed electrical supplies, paint, fabrics for costumes, etc.”

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Ruston Daily Leader

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Ruston Daily Leader

Business Thrives In Ruston Establishments Celebrate Years of Commitment to Community Staff Report

eighth banking office in Monroe.

Business and good people are the staple to any great community, and Ruston is no different.

The businesses that have stood the test of time have become household names to many residents.

Below is a list of businesses that have been in operation for 70 or more years.

Bank of Ruston —1905

RUSTON BRICK — 1894 Ruston Brick Works was established 1894, and in 1946 the business was purchased

by Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Beasley.

After Mr. Beasley’s death in 1972, Sallie Beasley continued to operate the business until her retirement at age 90.

The Beasleys’ two sons Bill and Don entered the business in 1964.

Bill’s son, Troy Beasley, joined the company about 1981.

After Mrs. Beasley’s retirement in 2001, Don and Troy continued to operate the business.

In Se ptember 2001, Don’s son-in-law, Jason Jones, joined the business as sales manager.

Ruston Brick Works began to distribute brick made by other manufacturers in 1968, while continuing to manufacture brick in Ruston until 1978.

Due to the clay starting to run out, the need for building costly new kilns, and labor costs increasing, in 1978 the manufacturing process was halted and the business was continued as a distributor for other manufacturers.

Ruston Brick, LLC now distributes for seven brick manufacturers.

In addition to newly manufactured brick, the company also sells Old Chicago used brick, Old St. Louis used brick, and quality used brick from all over the South.

Other products offered

by Ruston Brick include fireplaces, gas logs and inserts — and their installation and service — concrete

Submitted photo

Ruston Brick is one of the oldest business in Ruston. The owners are pictured above in an original location. block and brick, pavers, natural stone of all types and six brands of manmade stone, mortar mix, brick cleaner, dampers, flue tile, angle iron, mortar coloring, keystones, address blocks, foundation vents, masonry tools, wall ties, firebrick and fireproof mortar.

The sales and delivery area for Ruston Brick covers northern Louisiana and extends into southern Arkansas.

The office and stockyard moved to 2304 Woodward Ave. in 2008, and is still being managed by Jason and Laura Jones and Troy Beasley.

Ruston Leader — 1894 1894 marked the beginning of a newspaper that would become a fixture in the lives of the good people of north central Louisiana, a newspaper that would be instrumental in the growth and development of Ruston and Lincoln Parish.

The first editor and proprietor of the Ruston Leader,

Z. L. Everett, brought forth the first and staunchest Democratic publication in Lincoln Parish. It was, at the time, a struggling weekly newspaper that was published every Friday.

Since its humble beginnings the Ruston Daily Leader has become recognized across the state for its dedication to the people of Ruston.

National Bank expanded offices to include locations in Farmerville, West Monroe and three offices right here in Ruston.

The bank is a full service institution that is

dedicated to promoting economic vitality of the region they serve while advancing into modern day banking.

The bank continues to grow after opening up its

See BANKING, page 3D

318.224.7005 502 E. California

First National Bank — 1905 Neighborhood friendly First National Bank is one of the oldest known businesses in the North Central Louisiana area.

For 111 years, First National Bank has been the Uncommon Bank or the bank committed to Main Street and not Wall Street.

First National Bank started in Arcadia in 1905.

The locally owned and operated bank survived many generations including the Depression era and a hold-up by famous criminals Bonnie and Clyde.

Starting in 2000, First

The Bank of Ruston opened its doors in 1905 as Ruston Building and Loan.

As Ruston Building and Loan, the company purchased buildings at 115 W. Mississippi Ave. in 1943, now First National Bank, and 114 Trenton St. in 1958.

In May 2000, Ruston Building and Loan moved to their current location at 505 N. Vienna St. In 2005, Ruston Building and Loan changed its name to the current Bank of Ruston.

The bank opened a second branch on Farmerville Highway and converted from a mutual bank to a stock owned bank in 2009.

The local bank views c o m m u n i t y r e i nv e s t ment as good business and serves Lincoln and Ouachita Parishes and their contiguous parishes.

In the near future, the bank will have a full service facility in Monroe on Tower Drive and continue to expand.

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 3D

Ruston Daily Leader

Banking Institutions Revel in 100+ years Continued from page 2D

Origin Bank — 1912 For more than a century, the Louisiana-charted Origin Bank has been a staple in the Lincoln Parish community.

Origin Bank started in 1912 as the Bank of Choudrant.

Since then, the bank has gone through two name changes.

The Bank of Choudrant changed its name the first

time in 1987 after being acquired by the Bank of Bernice. The company decided on renaming Bank of Choudrant to Community Trust Bank.

The company then saw its second name change to Origin Bank in October 2015.

Since it’s opening in 1912, Origin Bank has spread to locations in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas with assets of more than $3.8 billion.

It has significantly grown in size due to its relationship-based service

and wide range of financial services.

The future looks bright for Origin Bank as it continues to grow and expand into new ventures.

built a five-story brick office building with an interior of stucco and marble to serve as its home office. The building still dominates the Ruston downtown area.

The James company gradually entered the construction world with larger and larger contracts. In 1929 a paving unit went to Texas for a ten-mile stretch

of roadway, but while there received several more contracts and did not return to Ruston for two years.

See BUSINESSES, page 4D

T.L. JAMES — 1926 T.L. James & Company was organized in March 1926, with a capital stock of $200,000. The man who gave his name to the firm served as president, and his son, T.L. James Jr., as treasurer.

In the same year that the firm was established, it

Photo courtesy of FIRST NATIONAL BANK

Photo courtesy of ORIGIN BANK

First National Bank and Bank of Ruston are the two oldest banks in operaStill in operation today from the turn of the century is Origin Bank, origition today. First National Bank began in Arcadia in 1905. Pictured above is nally known as the Bank of Choudrant. Pictured above is the original Bank of one of their locations circa 1926.

Choudrant vault.

THE HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE IN THE 3RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT The 3rd Judicial District is comprised of Lincoln and Union Parishes.

The mission of the District Attorney’s Office is to uphold justice in an honest and ethical manner as well as be an advocate for the victims of crime and to protect public safety.

The past District Attorneys who served the 3rd Judicial District include: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Fred Preaus (1900 - 1908) C.B. Roberts (1908 - 1912) Howard B. Warren (1912 - 1920) S.L. Digby (1920 - 1923) H.G. Fields (1923 - Filled unexpired term) William J. Hammons (1925 - 1930) W.E. McBride (1930 - 1936) T.C. Begeron (1936 - 1942 - Filled unexpired term) Truet L. Scarborough (1939 - 1948 - Filled unexpired term), Regan Madden (1948 - 1978) Tommy J. Adkins (1978 - 1990) Robert Levy (1990 - 2014)

Courthouse photos courtesy of Kevin Hawkins Photography. All Rights Reserved

John Belton officially became the 3rd Judicial District’s new District Attorney on Friday, January 9, 2015, at ceremonies in Ruston and Farmerville.

He took his oath of office in Union Parish and signed the paperwork that legally installed him as District Attorney in Lincoln Parish.

In his first year in office, Belton made administrative changes that balanced the budget and statistics show that there were 2,329 convictions district-wide including 932 felony convictions, the most in the past 24 years.

The DA’s Office has partnered with the Lincoln and Union Parish School Boards on a truancy program and with Teach One to Lead One on a mentoring program. In partnership with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, a free Citizen’s Academy is being offered to members of the community who have an interest in the criminal justice system and law enforcement. The DA’s Office is currently working with Sheriff Gates on a Union Parish Citizen’s Academy.

Belton and his wife, Alana (a former prosecutor) have been married for 24 years and have served as Christian marriage counselors. They are the parents of two children, Alexis and Jon Randall. They share a strong commitment to their faith, family and service to the community.

Paid for by the John Belton Campaign

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 4D

Ruston Daily Leader

Businesses Tout Long-Standing Traditions

Submitted photo

Above is a rendering of Paul Davison along with locations for his business and trucks through the years.

Continued from page 3D In 1930 the company won the contracts for two underpasses at Rosenburg, Texas, and another for a storm sewer at Port Arthur.

From 1931 through 1933, T.L. James & Company, Inc., owned and operated two complete paving outfits, two dirt outfits, several bridge crews, one city paving company and financed two other

Submitted photo

T.L. James is pictured signing documents in the 1930s. Seated left to right Bill James, T.L. James, and Floyd James. Standing at left Donn Piatt and right Vanda Davidson.

paving outfits along three asphalt surfacing companies and at all times-these organizations were kept busy.

In 1932 the capital stock was raised from $200,000 to $400,000.

Because of ill health, T.L. James Jr., retired from the business in the 1930s.

Since those early years the company has enjoyed continuous

growth, and has earned a reputation as a servant of Ruston.

Davison TrANSPORT— 1930s When Paul Davison hauled his first load of fuel oil in the mid1930s, his goal was simply to help his family survive hard times. Now, 80 years later what first became Da-

vison Transport is now the trucking operation for Genesis Energy.

Through the 1950s, Davison operated his business from behind his home, located then on North Trenton Street, with a fleet of three tanker trucks.

“Then I went to college in the 1950s so I wouldn’t have to be in the trucking business,” Davison’s son James, said.

But the elder Davison persuaded his son to stay with the business. In 1960, the growing company bought four new diesel trucks and moved to a new location on Farmerville Highway, across the street and several blocks north of its current location at 2000 Farmerville Hwy.

See LUMBER, page 5D

Bodie’s Furniture opened in September of 1972, and is known for the large selection of furniture in stock and available are Brand Names we Custom Order. Their inventory range from beginning price for the highest quality made. The Store has a complete bedding department featuring Sealy Innerspring Mattresses and Optima Memory Foam. La-Z-Boy recliners are a big part of Bodie’s furniture, selling around four hundred recliners each year.

Over the 44 years in business - Bodie’s has developed dealerships with most of the Top Brand names like: Hooker-Herman-Lexington-Century-Fairfield-BESTSherrill-Massoud-King Hickory-Craftmaster-La-Z-Boy - Universal- American Drew.

Our Sales Staff is trained to assist with knowledge of the product and never any High Pressure. Bodie’s discounts are very competitive and we Deliver Everywhere.

1140 S. VIENNA • Ruston, LA (167 South) • (318) 255-4815

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 5D

Ruston Daily Leader

Lumber creates consistent business

ALBRITTON SERVICE COMPANY

Family Owned & Operated since 1982

Jason Albritton and family

Photo courtesy of Pearce Lumber

Pearce Lumber has been in business in Ruston since 1936.

Continued from page 4D “That’s the first time we had what you’d call 18-wheelers,” James Davison said.

Under James Davison’s leadership, the company continued to grow and diversify.

“We weren’t just trucking.

We were actually marketers,” James Davison said.

The company bought and sold fuel oil and other petroleum products.

When it merged with Genesis in 2007, Davison had up to 400 trucks and employed more than 500 people.

The local operation is now involved in trucks, barges and terminals primarily for transportation and supply of fuel oil, asphalt, diesel and gasoline to customers in wholesale markets, paper mills and utilities.

Pearce Lumber — 1936 For almost 80 years, Pearce Lumber Company has been located at 408 West California Avenue and is now in the process of creating a new home just off the corner of Burgessville Road and Highway 33.

In 1926, T. J. Pearce moved his wife and six children to Ruston so the children could attend college at Louisiana Tech University.

He ran a sawmill on the south side of West California Avenue until 1936 when he decided to open a retail lumberyard after minimum wage went into effect.

He felt you could no longer run a sawmill paying such high wages. His new business was located across the street on the property that had the

old city mule barn on it. This provided storage for his lumberyard.

The old barn’s beams and columns are still in place and make up the general structure of Pearce Lumber today.

Reeves and Jacob, his sons, worked in the business as teenagers and college students.

After they had graduated from Louisiana Tech and served their country in World War II, they both returned to Ruston to work at the lumberyard.

In the 50’s Pearce Lumber was incorporated as T. J. Pearce & Co., Inc., and Reeves and Jacob took control of the business.

In 1981, Jim Pearce, Reeves’ son, and Cary Alsup, Jacob’s son-in-law, began working fulltime in the business.

In 1986, they sold the business to Jim and Cary.

Reeves and Jacob continued to work part time at the lumberyard where they enjoyed helping many customers with their projects.

Jim grew up working at the lumberyard, is a graduate of Tech and is married to Sherri Barr Pearce. Cary, a native of Pineville, attended Tech and is married to Marty Pearce Alsup.

Pearce Lumber is in its third generation of family ownership and has the fourth generation active in management. Many family members have worked and continue to work in the business.

Daniel Alsup, also a Tech alumnus, heads up Contractor Sales.

Timothy Alsup and Ben Alsup are also active in the business. Jim’s wife, Sherri, is the bookkeeper and has been

for the past 28 years.

Pearce Lumber has and is still today truly a local family business.

Pearce Lumber will be opening at their new location in June 2016. They are excited about the opportunity this provides them with to better serve their customers. With a larger showroom and warehouse, they will be expanding their builders hardware and tools, and showcasing the latest trends in doors, windows and building products. Pearce has carried Benjamin Moore Paint for over 75 years and will continue to provide their high quality products.

T. J. Pearce started the business with the philosophy to give the customer a good product at a fair price, provide good service and to treat everyone fairly and honestly. It is this same philosophy that we strive to serve our customers with each and every day.

The entire Albritton family would like to say thanks to the Ruston, Lincoln Parish and North LA areas, for letting Albritton Service Company serve you for the last 34 years.

Hunt Forest Products — 1938 Hunt, Guillott and Associates may be what people know the Hunt name for today, but their beginnings go back to the late 1930s.

In 1938 the organization of a $50,000 lumber-manufacturing firm with a mill located in Ruston was announced by the Hodge-Hunt Lumber Manufacturing Corporation.

The plant was located south of the city limits on the Rock Island railroad, on 12 acres of land recently

See PEACHES, page 6D

Efficient Solutions from Knowledgable Experts

HVAC Electrical AC & Heating Generators 318-251-0885 Photo courtesy of HUNT FOREST PRODUCTS

Beginning in the early 1900s the lumber industry took off. Pictured above is circa 1903 a train transporting logs for Hunt Forest Products.

1009 East Georgia Ruston, LA 71270 www.albrittonservice.com

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 6D

Ruston Daily Leader

Peaches help put Ruston on the map Continued from page 5D purchased by the Hodge-Hunt Lumber Manufacturing Corporation from Madison Hall.

Approximately 100 men were employed with $6,000 set aside for pay.

Officers in the new corporation were Alex T. Hunt, president; Edwin W. Hodge, vice-president; and Allen Barksdale, treasurer.

All were Ruston citizens, who had resided here for many years, and have many years of lumber experience behind them, gathered from their association with the old Hodge-Hunt lumber company at Hodge, which was operated by the fathers of Mr. Hodge and Hunt.

“The step announced here today by Mr. Hodge marks the greatest single industrial stride taken in Ruston in the past quarter century, it is believed,” an article from the Ruston Daily Leader 1938 edition stated.

“The plant’s payroll will probably be much above that of any industrial payroll in the city, and second only to the faculty and operating payroll at Louisiana Tech.”

In discussions of constructing the plant in July 1938, it was stated that workmen were beginning immediately upon foundations and clearings, and that the new mill would probably be in operation within the next 30 days.

Fast forward almost a decade and the incorporation of the Hunt Lumber Company would take place. In the years since the Ruston Saw Mill was

Mr. Mitcham is pictured here in the early 1980s outside the Peach Store, which is still in operation today. opened, the Hunt family has proved time and time again that their investment in Ruston is one that will continue to grow and change along with the city.

Mitcham’s Orchard — 1946 In 1946, J.E. Mitcham Sr. planted the first peach orchard in Ruston, and to this day Mitcham Farms, LLC still operates the largest peach orchard in the state of Louisiana.

Over the years the orchard grew from just a few trees to 34,000 spread over 340 acres.

Now, Mitcham’s has approximately 130 acres of peach trees. The Mitchams have always been dedicated to producing only the highest quality fruit, a tradition that is now carried on by his son,

Joe E. Mitcham Jr. In 1999, Joe Mitcham partnered with some of the very best local processing companies, to create additional peach products in an attempt to utilize the over-ripe peaches.

They have succeeded in creating some very interesting and very tasty products using the sweet Mitcham’s peaches.

Mitcham’s peaches are available May through August and those interested may purchase fresh picked peaches at the processing shed.

All of Mitcham’s peaches are hand picked and graded, and if interested parties’ drive on out to the orchard they can enjoy watching the processing and packaging first hand.

J.E. Mitcham worked in the fields until the age of 87 in 2005.

“He loved to train the young trees to get them ready to start producing peaches,” Joe Mitcham Jr. said.

Photos courtesy of MITCHAM’s PEACH ORCHARD

Joe Mitcham Sr. is pictured, left, in 1947 with his right-hand man John Albert, who worked on the orchard for 30-plus years.

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Research tools and assistance are available in the library or online.

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Call 318-251-5030 for more information

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 7D

Ruston Daily Leader

Downtown Ruston sees Growth, Change

Photo courtesy of IMAGES OF AMERICA RUSTON — COLONEL LOUIS FULLER MARBURY

In the 1890s cotton was brought to the railroad in wagons to be shipped out. Here two cotton farmers are comparing their cotton. They are standing on Trenton Street in front of where Rogers Furniture Store was located.

Photo courtesy of GREETING FROM RUSTON

Looking up Trenton Street from the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific Railroad in 1911.

Photo courtesy of IMAGES OF AMERICA RUSTON — EDWIN “RED” WOODWARD Leader photo by JESSICA MERRITT

Pictured above is the present day view of Trenton Street.

This view of Trenton Street looking north in 1954. The railroad platforms can be seen on either side of the street.

Lincoln Parish Schools Est. 1874

Leon Barmore Louisiana Tech Women’s Basketball Coach Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame

James Davison, Sr. Energy-related Transportation Entrepreneur

Class of 1955

Class of 1962

Mike Stone

Fred Dean

Lincoln Parish Sheriff

NFL Hall Of Fame Defensive End

Class of 1970

Class of 1971

Robert E. Shadoin Louisiana State Representative 12th District

Class of 1971

Laura Mitcham, M.D. Obstetrics & Gynecology Physician

Class of 2000

For more than 140 years we have been equipping students to become leaders.

“A Quality Education for a Quality Life”

Ruston Daily Leader

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 8D

A look back at the past in the pages of the Ruston Daily Leader Editor’s Note:

The following pages represent stories of Ruston’s past as published in the Ruston Daily Leader. Most of these stories of Ruston’s history come directly from the Ruston Daily Leader’s Mid-Century Edition published in 1950.

Ruston Daily Leader Big Issue Made of Ruston Railroad When the Ruston voters chose to float a bond issue to finance a north-south railroad’s plan to pass through town, the Monroe newspapers had their say, pro and con. Here are two excerpts from November 1897 editions of the Monroe Bulletin and Monroe News: Ruston is a fine town. We love her people, and are proud of what she has done to build up education, music and morality. Therefore we rejoice in the signing of the contract that secures the extension of the Arkansas Southern Railway from

255-3424

2304 W. Woodward Ave www.rustonbrick.com

Junction City through Ruston. We believe this road will help Ruston, because the Houston Central road helped Monroe so much. We have enough confidence in the sagacity of Ruston’s merchants to believe that they know what is good for them and the price they have offered for this road proves the great value they place upon it.

Over smaller towns that spring up along the new road, Ruston will have the advantage of being on two lines of road. — Bulletin.

Conductor — “Tickets please.”

Passenger — “Punch me to Chautauqua.”

This sort of punching is very nice to think about Brother, but look out that you are not punched and sandbagged too heavily. Before you get through with the Arkansas Southern, you may be punched not only to the Chautauqua, but to Hico, and down into the backwoods of Jackson and bogged down in the slough of despond and the mire of bankruptcy. But it may be best to jubilate now. So while “you’re still in the land of the living, ‘here’s a bumper’ — beautiful little Ruston that has more pretty girls and white sand to the square inch than any other village in the state. — News.

Building Solid Foundations Since 18

94

Brick, Brick Accessory Products, Fireplaces, Manufactured Stone, Natural Stone, Glass Block, Masonry Cement, Pavers and More

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 2E

Ruston Daily Leader

Two Ruston Doctors Were Of Weaker Sex

One of the earlier women in the medical profession in Ruston was Dr. Amanda Taylor, wife of a president of Louisiana Tech University then known as the Louisiana Industrial Institute.

Not a pretty woman, she resembled a farm woman more than a doctor. However she was kind and would care for all comers.

She had one daughter, but adopted a baby boy whom she named Worth Ransom because she thought that he was worth ransoming.

She owned the first car in Ruston.

While she did not believe in too much medicine, she did have some famous pink pills to prescribe. She also had her patients drink the water from the Chautauqua

wells. Children were urged to wade in the springs to cure the sores on their feet.

The story was handed down that once Mr. Taylor took home a bottle of castor oil, and when she severely reprimanded him for having it, he told her that it was to be used on his shoes.

Another well-known women physician was Dr. Willie Perry Simpson, an osteopath, who came from Illinois to Ruston about the turn of the century. She was an intelligent women, wellread, and perhaps one of the best students of the Bible in Lincoln Parish. She had a son and daughter, Perry and Eleanor, who married and moved away, but Dr. Simpson continued her work until her death in Ruston.

Services Held at Three Churches in 19th Century Ruston In 1892 church services were held in Ruston at Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches.

At the Baptist church there were services on the first and third Sundays of each month at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Prayer meetings were held on Thursday at 8 p.m. and Sunday school was held each week at 9:30 a.m.

The Methodist services were held on the first, second and fourth Sundays of each month, at the same hours the Baptists met.

Sunday school met at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday.

Like the others, the Presbyterians met at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. but only met on the second Sunday. Occasionally they would hold an evening service on the third Sunday.

The W. C. T. U. met every Monday at 5 p.m., alternating between the churches.

The Women’s Associate Anti-Lottery League met regularly on the second Saturday in each month at the Baptist church.

Parish Lines Were No Barrier To Docs In Pioneer Days

In the early days, parish lines were no barriers and doctors traveled miles in all directions to answer the call of the suffering. Among these was Dr. C. T. Hines, of Downsville, who had as many patients in Lincoln as in Union. He was in 1877, living in the Douglas Community where he was rated as an outstanding physician.

Dr. Hines was a prominent Mason, and a state lecturer until his death.

Dr. Richardson was a partner of Dr. Hines, and like Dr. Hines had a practice in both Lincoln and Union parishes.

He died while enroute to visit a seriously ill patient. A limb was blown from a tree and fell on him. He left a wife and four small children.

Another well-known figure from Douglas was Dr. J. T. McDowell, who died in the early 1870’s. He married Emma Wilson, sister of CarPictured above is a cartoon from a 1932 edition of the Ruston Daily Leader. rie Wilson Smith and Joel H. Wilson.

Dr. McDowell was the father of Mrs. Daisy Faught and Mrs. J. H. Murphy.

Dr. and Mrs, McDowell were buried ad Douglas.

The Dixie Theatre was formally opened old silent films. The company was composed In the same community to Ruston movie goers March 12, 1938. Oper- of Ruston businessmen headed by John B. was a Dr. Martin Smith, who ated prior to that as the Rialto Theatre, it Kendall. later moved to Ruston. Dr. was completely renovated and re-equipped Smith was famous for his prior to the 1938 opening. long curly hair which fell to The Dixie Theatres Corporation of New The year 1926 found Ruston in the midst his shoulders — and he had Orleans had purchased the movie house from a curl across the top of his T. L. James and Company, Inc. The Ruston of a street-paving spree. In a few months head. Rumor has it that Dr. company had acquired the movie theater in time West Mississippi Avenue, all of South Smith’s wife rolled his hair 1930 from the old Astor Theatre Corporation. Bonner Street and the square around the for him each night.

The Astor company built the structure in railroad station were paved. Soon to follow A son, Hugh, was also a 1928 — just as “talkies” were replacing the were Sparta, Cherry and Arizona streets. doctor.

Dixie Theatre Was Opened in 1938; Had Been The Old Rialto

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 3E

Ruston Daily Leader

Coca-Cola Company Here Organized By Mississippian In 1915 The constitution itself is no more distinctly American than CocaCola.

And, probably no industry in the country has done more for recreation and community life than have the independent companies which produce the nations favorite 5-cent drink.

But long before the park and recreation programs were started, and long before the product was sold in the familiar patented green bottle, Ruston had a Coca-Cola bottling company.

The company was in-

corporated here in 1915 with A. J. Crowe, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as president; A. E. Evans, of Columbia, Mississippi, as vice president; and T. H. Mills, of Ruston, as secretary.

At this time the plant was equipped with two old foot-powered bottling machines. Occasionally both machines were put in use, but most of the time only one of them was running.

C. L. Shadow bought into the company in 1919. Later he and Mills bought out all remaining stockholders and formed a partnership.

Lewis & Company Was Started in Trenton in 1865

The firm of Lewis and Co., Ruston’s largest clothing store, has an enviable record of 85 years of uninterrupted operation.

Older than Ruston itself, the firm was organized in old Trenton in 1865 under the name of Kidd and Lewis. Stockholders were W. A. J. Lewis, L. M. Kidd and M. B. Kidd.

There is probably no other firm in this area that has served its customers so well for so long.

The firm moved to Ruston at the town’s beginning in the fall of 1883, and business was interrupted only long enough for the trip to be made.

After the store was moved to Ruston, M. B. Kidd went into business for himself, leaving L. M. Kidd and Lewis the sole owners.

At its beginning, Lewis and Co. was a furnishing store, handling everything of a mercantile nature, catering naturally to farmer trade — since most of the people in this area were engaged in agriculture at the time. The store handled everything from stick candy to saddle blankets.

The history of the Kidd and Lewis families is an interesting one. Both were originally from Virginia, then both moved to Alabama, thence to Vernon, Louisiana, in 1858. Seven years later, three young men opened their store in Trenton.

All three were just back from service in the ranks of the Confederacy.

Stock was received by boat from St. Louis. Trenton, at that time, was a thriving little river port.

Customers were from as far away as Winnfield, Jonesboro, Homer, Vienna and Athens.

The firm thrived until the new railroad cutoff their business from the towns to the east and west.

Thus, the young entrepreneurs made their fatefull decision to re-establish their store in Ruston.

The families of the owners were linked by marriage a few years after the establishment of the firm. W. A. J. Lewis married Alice Kidd, sister of his partner. Soon after, L. M. Kidd married Arilla Lewis, sister of the other member of the firm.

After the death of Mr. Kidd in 1896, Mr. Lewis bought the shares of the firm held by the deceased and changed the name to “Lewis and Co.” About the turn of the century, the owner changed his firm from a mercantile establishment to a dry goods store. The railroads and the establishment of new towns had made a big inroad into his rural trade, so he felt that a store catering more to the urban folks would enjoy a greater degree of success.

The change was characteristic of the firm, which has always been ready to alter its business policies to meet the needs of a constantly changing society. The progress of the store over the last 50 years is a monument to Mr. Lewis, and his son, W. A. J. Lewis, whose death came as a shock and a loss to Ruston.

The young Mr. Lewis went to work with his father shortly after his graduation from Louisiana State University in 1896.

Both father and son held the title of “Captain” Lewis. The elder earned his as an officer in the Confederate forces and his son won his commission in the Spanish-American War. Death came in 1916 to the elder Mr. Lewis, then 84 years old. The younger, after building the firm into one of the leading establishments in this area, later passed away.

‘The Bull’s Eye’ Was Most Popular Column One of the most popular columns to ever appear in the Ruston Leader was part of an advertising campaign by the American Tobacco Company on behalf of Bull Durham tobacco.

Author of the column was not a suave advertising agency copy man. Nor was he an authority on tobacco — he didn’t even smoke.

But that column, called “The Bull’s Eye,” carried comment that made it probably the best-read ad series in the history of the Ruston Leader — and in the history of advertising, for that matter.

The author, you see, was the medium salary man.’ the late Will Rogers, Okla- I suppose if the World homa’s gift to philosophy. Court bill had been up, they would have been Here is one of his talking on ‘Shall commentaries on America park obCongress from the long or parallel.’

April 1926 issue of “Well then I the Leader: went over to the “I went to Senate. They had Washington the adjourned, so I other day. I visfelt that America ited ‘The House of was not having Representatives,’ such a bad day when they were at that. We were in session. What I only 50 percent mean by being in Will Rogers inefficient that session, the tax day.” bill was up for de“You know we all joke bate and they were arguing on ‘Better Golf courses for and kid about Congress, but

we can’t improve on them.

No matter who we elect, he is just as bad as the one we replaced. So with all their faults, we love ‘em. They are as good as the people who put the there, and they are 10 times better than the ones who didn’t vote at all. They are like ‘Bull’ Durham, they are not perfect, but they are the best in their line.”

In a later column, Rogers told his readers that he didn’t smoke, but if he smoked he would roll his own rather than be like the dapper sissies who insisted that their cigarettes be machine rolled.

Pictured below is an ad from a 1950 edition of the Ruston Daily Leader.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 4E

Ruston Daily Leader

Fitzpatrick bears most land deeds in Lincoln Parish

Culbertson Church Was Started in 1870 The Culbertson Baptist Church was organized about 1870 by the Rev. D. L. Hicks and R. M. Gill.

First church moderator was the first church clerk.

The Rev. W. Z. Lewis is pastor. It has a full

program of church activity, however, with frequent church socials for the young people.

A Sunday School was organized about 1930, and a graded Sunday School system was adopted in 1938.

It is said that the name of Benjamin Fitzpatrick Smith appears in more land deeds than the name of any other man in Lincoln Parish.

Mr. Smith was born in Texas in 1864, home of his mother during the War Between the States. He was reared nine miles from Ruston on a 300-acre farm that his grandfather had settled in 1840 after migrating from Georgia.

When the town of Ruston was started in 1884, he and his two brothers, Eugene and Howard, opened a general merchandise store but two years later he went into business for himself, buying a livery stable.

He would send his teams and drivers out with drummers and would often times be gone for three months covering a 300-mile radius.

When the automobile became popular about 1912, Mr. Smith sold his business and he and his brother, Rhode, started a feed and coal business. After a short while, they sold out and he turned his attention to farming and real estate.

St. Thomas Acquinas Catholic Church Was Founded Here in ’41 The St. Thomas Acquinas church of Ruston was dedicated Dec. 14, 1941, with the Most Rev. Daniel F. Demond, Bishop of Alexandria, officiating.

Dedication ceremonies marked with the solemn dignity and ritual of the Catholic persuasion, began early in the morning with

a procession of church officials from the rectory to the church entrance.

The dedication marked the completion of more than a year of work and planning by Ruston’s Roman Catholics. It was in November 1940 that plans for the church actually went into operation.

Mr. Benjamin Fitzpatrick Smith

Cargill’s served Ruston residents in early 20th Century

This is an early picture of Cargill’s mercantile business owned and operated for 30 years at the same location, by the late John L. Cargill.

Pictured below is an ad from a 1932 edition of the Ruston Daily Leader.

Mr. Cargill formerly operated his store in Vienna but in early 1907 he moved his business to Ruston.

At the same time many other Vienna residents were also moving to the parish seat.

Mr. Cargill operated a furnishing business for the pioneers in this are as well as a large plantation of his own. The store was closed following his death.

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 5E

Ruston Daily Leader

Ruston Leader

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Display of Recently Received Canning Equipment for Use in Lincoln Parish (1932) — Miss Sophie Stone, Lincoln Parish home demonstration agent, is seen above with the display of 44 pieces of canning equipment now being used under the direction of Miss Stone in the communities of the parish. The display was made in connection with a

demonstration put on by Miss Stone on Monday night when more than a hundred farm women of the parish attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting in Ruston and heard the story of the canning program inaugurated here last summer.

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 6E

Ruston Daily Leader

La. Tech Students Oppose Newspaper Practice On Name Protest in Editorial Against Appellation, ‘Ruston’ Tech

Students of Louisiana Tech University disagree with Shakespeare, or whoever it was that raised the question about “what’s in a name.”

At least they say there’s something in the name of Louisiana Tech University and that there’s not much in the name of “Ruston” Tech, the latter

appellation often being used by the newspaper headline writer seeking an easy way out of limited space.

Not only do the stu-

Pictured below is an ad from a 1932 edition of the Ruston Daily Leader.

dents “kick” about it, but several Tech faculty members and other local citizens have complained to those who send out news concerning the college. And the correspondents pass the “buck” by pointing out that “we don’t write the headlines.

We just write the news articles.”

Prompted by the disapproval of the ter m “Ruston” Tech, The Tech Talk, student newspaper of the institution, this week raises and editorial protest.

“If someone is heard talking of ‘G. S. T.,’” says the editorial, “would that mean anything to you?

Would you know that he was speaking of Georgia School of Technology?

Certainly not, unless you happened to be familiar with the name. Georgia Tech is always spoken of as Georgia Tech.”

After referring to newspapers that “writes headlines with ‘Ruston’ Tech in them somewhere,” the editorial writer insists that “there is no need for Louisiana Tech to be

known as ‘Ruston’ Tech.

Headline writers probably use the name because it is shorter and may fit better in the headline. By re-arranging the headline construction, however, it would not be difficult to call Tech by its proper name.

“Students, enter your protest to the papers who use the expression ‘Ruston’ Tech, L. P. I. or anything else but Louisiana Tech. Write a letter; see them in person and let the editors know that you are going to ‘Louisiana’

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Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 7E

Ruston Daily Leader

Pictured below is an ad from a 1930 edition of the Ruston Daily Leader.

Greenwood School in early Lincoln Parish

Schools have been improved considerably in Lincoln Parish since this picture was taken in the early 20th Century. It is of the old Greenwood school, typical of the early architecture of schools in the parish.

LOOK WHO’S COMING TO CALL! Thursday will be one of the vitally important days in the history of Ruston. This is because that day has been set aside for a canvass for three-year memberships for the chamber of commerce. The drive will be conducted by the following “teams:” W.J. Lewis and F.S. Price; T.H. Mills and L.O. Gahagan; E.D. McCallun and C.R. Heard; R.I. Reese and W.W. Durden; R.O. Stinson and Sanders Baskin; Claud Glasgow and Jack Ritchie; Louis Langford and J .S. Harris; Eddie Evans and A.E. Stinson.

Each team will begin its particular canvass promptly at eight o’clock Thursday morning, and will push right through to a finish. The several “teams” designated for this important task were selected after much careful thought. Every man on these teams has proven on many occasions, his willingness to serve this splendid community, not alone with his means, but what is even more valuable, his time. Also, everyone of the 16 workers in this big enterprise, when informed Monday night of the assignment made them by a special committee who has had the matter in hand now for the past two weeks, readily and cheerfully agreed to devote the necessary time to make the canvass Thursday.

Now, it would seem but reasonable and fair for those who are not call on to make this canvass, to meet the fellows who are making it with a glad hand, an engaging smile, a word or good cheer and an open purse. Remember, the canvassers are themselves investing as much money in the organization as those who are not asked to do

the soliciting; therefore, it would seem but the part of common courtesy and fairness, to ask that each and every citizen who loves the old town and who wants to see Ruston keep her rightful place at the head of the procession in this great State, to “glad-hand” these solicitors Thursday in a way that will make each of them glad that he was permitted to have a part in the work of refinancing the Chamber of Commerce.

The campaign begins at eight o’clock sharp, Thursday morning. It is to be “snappy” in the true sense of the word.

With a “long pull, as

Pictured below is an ad from a 1928 edition of the Ruston Daily Leader.

strong pull, a pull alltogether,” we can and will keep Ruston to the very forefront of Louisiana towns for the next three years.

— The Campaign Committee

Pictured below is an ad from a 1929 edition of the Ruston Daily Leader.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 • Page 8E

Ruston Daily Leader

T.L. James & Company, Ruston’s largest business, was organized in March 1926, with a capital stock of $200,000. The man who gave his name to the firm served as president, and his son, T.L. James Jr., as treasurer.

Add Thompson was vicepresident and B.H. Rainwater was secretary.

The men at the helm of the company brought increased prosperity to the organization by financing several local business enterprises such as the Ruston Steam Laundry, Rialto Theatre and gas lines in Rayville, Winnsboro, Many, Zwolle and Pleasant Hill.

In the same year that the firm was established, it built a five-story brick office building with an interior of stucco and marble to serve as its home office. The building still dominates the Ruston downtown area.

The second year of the company’s history found it entering the street paving business. During the next five years it received contracts for city paving in Dermott, Arkansas, Rayville, Bastrop, Monroe, Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Eunice, Jonesboro, Wisner, Marshall, Texas, and Nacagdoches, Texas. The year 1927 also found the company promoting and building a gas line to several towns east of Monroe.

The first concrete-road project to be secured was handled through a subsidiary known as the Ruston Paving

Company, with W.S. Moore as superintendent. The initial project was in Mississippi in 1928, but the same year the company was awarded similar contracts in Louisiana.

The James Company gradually entered the construction world with larger and larger contracts. In 1929 a paving unit went to Texas for a 10-mile stretch of roadway, but while there received several more contracts and did not return to Ruston for two years.

In 1930 the company won the contracts for two underpasses at Rosenburg, Texas, and another for a storm sewer at Port Arthur.

From 1931 through 1933, T.L. James & Company, Inc., owned and operated two complete paving outfits, two dirt outfits, several bridge crews, one city paving company and financed two other paving outfits along three asphalt surfacing companies and at all times-these organizations were kept busy.

In 1932 the capital stock was raised from $200,000 to $400,000.

Because of ill health, T.L. James Jr., retired from the business in the early 30s.

In 1933 T.L. James & Company, Inc., absorbed the Ruston Drilling Company which was organized in 1925 with T.L. James, president; O. E. Hodge, vice-president; A.E. Simonton, treasurer; and B.H. Rainwater, secretary.

When the consolidation took place all subsidiary

companies such as the Ruston Paving Company, P.C. Bradley Company, Gulf Coast Paving Company and the Engineering Construction Company were also brought into the organization. New officers were elected with James as president, G. William James, vice-president; F.B. James, secretary-treasurer; and V.A. Davidson, auditor. The capital stock was raised from $400,000 to $500,000.

It was in 1933 that death claimed T.L. James Jr. It was in that year also that the company financed a levee project for Guilliams Brothers. In the spring of the following year the two firms formed a partnership which eventually became one of the largest levee building organizations on the Mississippi River. They moved more than 5.5 million cubic yards of levee dirt during the first few months of the partnership.

The fall of 1933 found the firm entering the building business. The first project was a six-story office building at Longview, Texas, but other projects in Kilgore, Texas, Waco, Texas, and Montgomery, Alabama, soon followed.

In the summer of 1935 the Sabine Gas Company, of Many, and the Ruston Creamery, of Ruston, were taken over by the company.

Since those early years the company has enjoyed a continuous growth, and has earned a reputation as a servant of Ruston.

C

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T. L. James and Company, Largest Business In City, Began In 1926

(318) 255-3942

1526 N. Trenton St. 105 South Monroe St. www.thecleanersofruston.com

Since 1902

our focus has been building families and providing a continuum of in-home, outpatient and residential services across

Louisiana.

(318) 255-5020 904 DeVille Lane • Ruston, LA www.lmch.org

Louisiana Methodist ChiLdren’s hoMe

Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department Mike Stone, Sheriff

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Serving and Protecting Lincoln Parish since 1873

“Committed To Service” P.O. Box 2070 Ruston, LA 71273-2070 (318) 251-5111 Office(318) 251-5118 Fax