Chapter VI: Part 6

Mr. Kees has served as president of the Central Louisiana Council of Mayors and also the State Municipal Association of Mayors of Louisiana, thus bringing added prestige to our Natchitoches area. How true is this quotation by Mr. Kees: “The rocking chair is the worlds first tranquilizer.” Mr. Kees wed Helen Myrtle LeBlanc of Opelousas, La.

Mrs. W. M. Knott

Much of the credit for the establishment of the Fort Jesup Museum goes to Mrs. W. M. Knott of Many, Louisiana. The building was erected according to the plans of the officers quarters during the time of military occupancy. Mrs. Knott’s knowledge of landscaping is seen on the grounds which encompass this building. She is an excellent historian, and was a member of the Research Committee which set the markers for El Camino Real and the Old Natchitoches-to-Natchez Trace. The people of Sabine Parish can well be grateful that they have in their midst such a gifted personality.

Luddie Lavespere★

Luddie Lavespere, owner and operator of Lavespere’s Garage, Service Station, Grocery and Cafe on Highway 1 at Cloutierville, La. He is the son of Eugene Armours Lavespere and Carline Antee. There is one sister who wed Sullivan LeCaze. Henri Lavespere is listed as an agent of the Company of the West and in association with St. Denis at Natchitoches. Luddie Lavespere represents an 8th generation descendant in the Cloutierville-Natchitoches area.

Samuel LeCaze, Sr.★

Samuel LeCaze, Sr., Merchant, Planter, Stockman and Banker of Cloutierville, La. He wed Mazie Vercher. Their children are: Mildred who wed Kenneth David McCoy, their son Kenneth David Jr., Samuel LeCaze, Jr. wed Marie Anita De Louche.

The names LeCaze and Vercher date back to 1728 when these two French soldiers were sent to Post Du Rapides which was the French army post near present Alexandria, La.

Samuel LeCaze, Jr.★

Samuel LeCaze, Jr., owner of the LeCaze Estate General Store of Cloutierville, La. He is a successful Merchant, Planter and Stockman. At present he is President of the Natchitoches Parish Fair Association. In 1958 he was chosen Parish Farmer of the Year and placed third among the Louisiana farmers. He was the state’s Cattleman father of the year in 1960. Samuel, Jr. wed Marie Anita Delouche. Their children are: Linda Carol, Randall Steven and Tina Jeanine. Mrs. LeCaze is a descendant of Justine Delouche who came to the Cloutierville area in 1735. Samuel is a descendant of the French soldier, LaCaze, of Post Du Rapides of 1728.

Henry Howard Lemoine★

Henry Howard Lemoine, Planter and Stockman, Route 2 Natchitoches at Clarence, La., wed Iola Jackson of Coushatta, La. Their children are: Linda Gail and Henry Howard, Jr. Both attend St. Mary’s School at Natchitoches, La. The Lemoine Family of the Ark.-La.-Tex. area had its beginning with Francois Lemoine (LeMoyne)—the name being spelled both ways on very early Natchitoches records. This family is that of Iberville and Bienville who were brothers of the LeMoyne family. Francois Lemoine being a nephew, just as was Louis Juchereau De St. Denis whose mother was a LeMoyne or Lemoine. Francois Lemoine is listed as a soldier in Natchitoches in 1723. Thus Henry Howard Lemoine, Sr. represents a 9th generation descendant in our Natchitoches-El Camino Real area.

Henry Oscar Lestage, Jr.★

Henry Oscar Lestage, Jr., member of the law firm of Lestage & Arnette and City Judge of City Court of Jennings, La. Wed to Juliet Xavier Barfield. Their children are: (a) Henry Oscar III wed Anne Scates Warton—one child, Henry Oscar IV. (b) Daniel Barfield, medical student, LSU. (c) David Ramsey, JHS (d) Richard Butler 5th grade. Mr. Lestage’s maternal grandmother was Aimie Barberousse. This branch of the family tree dates back to 1713 in the Natchitoches area. A descendant of one of the two Barberousse brothers who were with St. Denis when the Post Des Jean Baptiste Des Natchitoches was founded in the spring of 1714.

William Tell (W.T.) Lestage★

William Tell (W.T.) Lestage, owner and manager of Lestage’s Hardware and Appliances, Campti, La. He represents a 9th generation descendant in the Campti-Natchitoches area. Mr. Lestage wed Mary Catheryn Marcelli of Campti. Their children are: Catheryn Ann, who wed John Edward O’Shea of Tullos, La.; William Tell, Jr., and Robert Frank. Guierlero is Spanish for William. Guierlero Lestage was listed as a Natchitoches soldier in 1746.

George Washington Lucius

George Washington Lucius, Planter and Cotton Gin owner, wed Milinda Youngblood. His children were: Mecie Lucius, who wed Tal C. Gibson—Mattie Lucius who wed J. Henry Cain—James W. Lucius who wed Sarah Pharis—Rupert L. Lucius who wed Laona Stone. Mr. Lucius was for many years Secretary and Treasurer of the Masonic Lodge at Fort Jesup, La. All of his children have added greatly to the economic welfare of Sabine Parish.

Christopher C. McCaa★

Christopher C. McCaa wed Eunice La Cour of Natchitoches. They own and operate McCaa’s Grocery at the junction of the Allen Road with Highway 6, one mile north of Robeline, La. This is just three tenths of a mile from the site of El Presidio Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Los Adais. Mrs. McCaa is always ready to assist visitors to the Los Adais area. This location was at one time a stage coach station on El Camino Real between Natchitoches and Fort Jesup.

Mrs. McCaa’s family name, La Cour, appears very early in Natchitoches history. La Cour one of the fourteen French soldiers sent by St. Denis in 1723 to establish “Post du Rapides” which was the beginning of Alexandria, Louisiana. This post was established at the request of D’Artagnan, who was a direct envoy of King Louis XV, to Louisiana, and who later became known in French folklore as one of the Three Musketeers.

Arthur R. McClery

Arthur R. McClery, owner and manager of the P&C Drug at 116-122 Tuline street in Natchitoches, La., wed Theresa Hawkins of Parksdale, Ark. Their children are: Barbara Joan who wed Moreland Book (their children are Tina and David McClery Book), Patrica and Charlotte McClery. According to Breutin’s map of 1722, the P&C Drug is located on the old original El Camino Real which entered Natchitoches on this street. This land was originally owned by Marichel and after the Louisiana Purchase the land was sold to Trudeau from whom Trudeau street is named. Mr. McClery has been one of the most successful men in Natchitoches, and has helped in the modern development of the Natchitoches-El Camino Real area.

Giles W. Millspaugh

Giles W. Millspaugh, owner of Millspaugh’s Drug at 576 Front St., wed to Ella Keener Charleville of Grosse Tete, La. Children are Giles W. Millspaugh, III, who wed Zora Lee Holloman, and Lelia Elizabeth who wed Floyd Allen Horton of Eunice, La. Mr. Millspaugh, a historian in his own right, has in one corner of his drug store, a history of Natchitoches in photographs and sketches. A must-stop for all who travel El Camino Real and who visit Natchitoches. Giles is Natchitoches’ Front street historian and coin stamp collector. Mrs. Millspaugh, III, is from Winnfield, La.

Carson Meade Nardini, Sr.★

Carson Meade Nardini, Sr. of Alexandria, La. wed Pauline Marie Rand of Alco, La. Their children are: Joseph Hall, Carson Meade, Jr. and Alice Nanette. C. M. Nardini on his paternal grandparent’s side is a descendant of Rouquier, Ballio, Chellettre, and Antoine Lassard who established Post Du Rapides. His is a descendant on his maternal grandparent’s side of Rachal and Chellettre. His children represent 9th generation descendants in the Natchitoches-Alexandria area from 1723 to the present day.

Louis Raphael Nardini, Jr.★

Louis Raphael Nardini, Jr., U. S. Army, being a descendant on his great grandmother’s side of Possiot, is also a lineal descendant of Louis Badin. He represents an 8th generation descendant in the Natchitoches-El Camino Real area.

NATCHITOCHES BROADCASTING CO.
Norman Fletcher-Hillman Bailey, Jr.

Located on the second floor of the Prudhomme-Hughes building is the voice of the Cane River area, K. N. O. C., the Natchitoches Broadcasting Co., owned and managed by Norman Fletcher and Hillman Bailey, Jr. Mr. Fletcher was educated in the Natchitoches Parish School System and is a graduate of Northwestern State College in History and Journalism. He was selected as the Jaycee’s of Natchitoches Man of the Year in 1958 and the Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce’s Man of the Year in 1960. He is the first person to serve three consecutive years as President of the Chamber of Commerce in Natchitoches.

Mr. Hillman Bailey, Jr., President of the Natchitoches Broadcasting Co., a graduate of L.S.U. and a member of Delta Sigma Phi.

Mr. Bailey wed Terisa Zaunbrecher of Rayne, La. Their children are: Kathleen, Karl and David. Mr. Bailey is a descendant of Louis Chachere, an early settler of Opeolousas, La., and a descendant of the Bourbon family line.

Rollie Edwin Patrick

Rollie Edwin Patrick wed Miss Pearl Byrd of Florien, La. Their children are: Gerold E., who wed Bobbye Ruth Gregg of Charleston, S.C., Hubert Leroy who wed Marcie Ann Koch of Seattle, Wash.; Martha Ann, Periodical Librarian at McNeese College; Doris Lynelle, student at McNeese, and Betty Carolyn, Many High School student. Mr. Patrick’s Service Station at the corner of San Antonio St. and the Shreveport Highway is an information stop for all tourists.

The Perrier Family★

Of the union of Casimere Perrier and Marie Antoinette Rachal was Oscar Perrier, and of the union of Alexander Vercher and Natilie Gallion was Octavie Vercher who wed Oscar Perrier. Their children are: Oscar Joseph, Jr., James, Ruby John, Mable and Florence and Earney Grace, who wed James Mancheck of Nacogdoches, Tex. Their children are: Marlyn Ann, Janet Kay and Tammey Nell. The name “Perrier” is associated with Louisiana History as early as 1713—in the Illinois Country, at Natchez and New Orleans.

Elmer Lawrence Poche★

Elmer Lawrence Poche, Cloutierville, La. owns and manages Poche’s Garage and Service Station, Highway 1, at Cloutierville. He married Alice Brosset. Their children are: Elmer Lawrence, Jr., U.S.N.; Clara Calest who wed Donald Vercher (they have one child, Stephen Donald); Lynn Dale at N. S. College and Pauline Fay at Cloutierville High School. Mr. Poche is a descendant of the Lavespere family, and Mrs. Poche is a descendant of the Pierre Delouche family. They are 8th generation descendants in the Cloutierville-Natchitoches area.

William A. Ponder
in memoriam

Taken from the monument of William A. Ponder, Fort Jesup, La.

“An extract from the resolution passed by the Democratic Central Executive Committee of the Parish of Natchitoches April 7, 1890, to-wit:

Resolved, that, whether as Chairman of this Committee, Member of the Legislature or Constitutional Convention, soldier or citizen, he was true to every trust, zealous in every duty, honest in every conviction, and he has left the legacy of an honest name. Unsullied by even the breath of calumny. Conspicuous in council for wisdom and moderation, farseeing and sagacious in the shaping of policies, courageous in the defense of the right—knowing no fear except to do wrong—he was once a safe leader and a successful public man.

To these characteristics he added those of a model Christian gentleman, a steadfast friend, kind father, loving husband and a pure exemplary life.”

James Woodrow Prudhomme★

James Woodrow Prudhomme, owner and manager of Sport-A-Pak on Highway 6 at the junction of the Grand Ecore-Campti, Highway. This business establishment dispenses all the necessary needs of the hunter or fisherman. Mr. Prudhomme is a 12th generation descendant of the Prudhomme listed on Breutin’s map of 1722 of the Natchitoches area. James Woodrow Prudhomme wed Beatrice Thadis Black of Natchitoches. Their children are: James Larry, who attends N.S.C., and Catherine Diane who attends St. Mary’s Academy.

Ray Joseph Raines

Ray Joseph Raines, owner and manager of Raines General Store at Marthaville, La. wed Lillie Mae McCartney. Mr. Raines is a great nephew of J. J. Raines who founded Marthaville, La. His maternal grand father was John Spicher, a mess officer of the 7th U. S. Inf. who established Fort Jesup. Mr. Raines spear-headed the drive which successfully resulted in the establishment of the Marthaville Hospital, a community project.

Stephen Clyde Rambin★

Stephen Clyde Rambin, owner and manager of Steves Texaco Service Station and Garage, Highway 1 at Powhattan, La. His father was Frank Louis Rambin and his mother Zelia Possiot. The family name, Rambin, is mentioned with St. Denis in 1713 and the Possiot name appears on Breutin’s map of 1722. Stephen represents the 10th generation of the Rambin-Possiot union in the Natchitoches-Powhattan area. The Rambin family is well represented in the entire Ark.-La.-Tex. section.

Mrs. Elaine R. Smith★

Mrs. Elaine R. Smith, neé Elaine Russell of Cypress, La., is Deputy Clerk of Court in Natchitoches, La. She is wed to Ellis Smith of Natchitoches, La. Mrs. Smith is a descendant of Thomas Vascoque, who is mentioned on another page. She is also a descendant of Armand who is mentioned in DeMezieres’ report of 1769 on the merchants in Natchitoches.

Riley John (R.J.) Stoker

Riley John (R.J.) Stoker, Principal of Pleasant Hill High School, wed to Bernice Williams of Fair View Alpha, La. They have one daughter, Revicca Ann who attends Louisiana Tech. Mr. Stoker is a fourth generation descendant of Henry Stoker who settled on land two miles from the present site of Fort Jesup in 1818. He gained extra land by trading ponies to the Indians. This Stoker, a leading member of the Citizens Committee, a vigilantes organization, assisted greatly in quelling the banditry of the Neutral Strip. He later supplied Fort Jesup with farm produce.

John Coleman Tarver★

John Coleman Tarver, honorable Mayor of Many, La. wed Thelma Mayer of Woodward, Oklahoma. Their children are: Joan Tarver, who wed Wayne Dew of Natchitoches, La.; and Mike Thayne, senior at Many High School. Mayor Tarver owns and manages Tarvers’ Grocery located on El Camino Real, which is Highway 6 east to Fort Jesup. Mr. Tarver is a descendant on his great grandmother’s side of A. Cole who is listed in the 1806 period as being a settler in the Neutral Strip. Cole is also listed as a participant in the Guitreez-McGee Expedition to Texas in 1812.

Thomas Lester Ward

Thomas Lester Ward, owner of Ward’s Esso Service Station and Garage at Robeline, La., wed Ellen E. Valentine of Jena, La. They have one son, Thermon Lester Ward who is an Electrical Engineer at Fort Worth, Texas. Mrs. Ward was an Elementary School Teacher at Jena and at Robeline. Ward’s Service Station and Garage is located on El Camino Real in the Town of Robeline, La.

Mrs. Kent Wardlow★

Margaret Veuleman wed Kent Wardlow, President of the Bank of Montgomery, a member of the F.D.I.C. Their children are: Mary Ellen and Jennifer Ann. Mrs. Wardlow is a descendant of F. Veuleman who bought land from the firm of Smith, Baar, Davenport and Murphy in 1821 and marks the first purchase of land in what is presently the town of Many, La.

Jack Eazel Whitley

Jack Eazel Whitley, owner of Whitley’s General Store at Robeline, La. He married Ruby Alberta Nelson. There are these children: Ruby Marjorie who wed Stanley Ford Harvey of Shreveport, La. (they have one child, Stanley Ford, Jr.); Jack Eazel, Jr. wed Mary Alletta Coats of Marthaville, La. (their children are: Patricia Ann and David Van); Albert Jean, who wed Glenda Finell of Orange, Texas. (They have one child, Cynthia Jean); and Ruby Marjorie is a school teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Jack Eazel, Jr. is a dental technician in Shreveport, and Albert Jean is a chemist in Orange, Tex.

The father of Mr. Whitley, Sr., Andrew Jackson Whitley, owned the first butcher shop in the Robeline area.

Mr. Whitley Sr.’s second wife is Miss Ethyl Bates of Provencal, La. Mrs. Ethyl Bates Whitley taught school in Sabine Parish for a number of years.

Mrs. Irma Sompayrac Willard

Irma Sompayrac Willard, neé Irma Rosalind Sompayrac, married David Milne Willard, Jr. of New York.

Their son: Daniel D. M. Willard, Lt. Cdr. U.S.N., married Suzanne Johnson of Arlington, Va., and their children are: Alice Darby, David Milne III, and Richard Briand of Virginia Beach, Va.

Among forbears who served in the development of Natchitoches and of the state are Hon. Alexander E. Sompayrac who cast the deciding vote to abolish the Louisiana Lottery. His great-grandfather of Tarn, France, familiar with America through overseas trade and as a French naval officer, brought three sons to New Orleans via the West Indies. Ambrose married Desiree Josephine Briant, (daughter of a planter there and Colonel of a Regiment of French Dragoons, and Marie Mozard). Settling in Natchitoches about 1800, he bought new wireless telegraphy stock, using it in his cotton business. His place became a depot for trade with Mexico.

On the maternal side Alexandre Deblieux, dissenting from Napoleon, brought his sons from Provence and opened law and commission offices in New Orleans and Natchitoches where he planted cotton. One of his sons helped organize the first public parish school board. He married Euphrosine Tauzin of the Chamard family. His son married Julie, a daughter of Lestan Prudhomme, Sr. of the lines of Lambre, LeRoy, Philippe and Possiot. Mrs. Willard is the Supervisor of Art Education for the State of Louisiana.

Mrs. Lee Terry Williams

Mrs. Lee Terry Williams, neé Anna Louise Stille. Her home is located on the site of the John Baldwin Store of the 1826 period. On her father’s side, Mrs. Williams is a lineal descendant of Princess Pocahontas and John Rolfe of early Virginia history. Through the families of Rolfe, Bolling, Mactin, Dr. W. B. Smith, Joseph Denning Stille, Sr., and Joseph Denning Stille, Jr., who was the father of Mrs. Lee Terry Williams.

Dr. William Kenneth Wimberly

Dr. William Kenneth Wimberly, dentist of Campti, La., wed Miss Bell Russel of Peason, La. Their daughter, Lynnie Ruth who is at present attending Natchitoches High School, was selected and honored as the Sweetheart of the Aircraft Carrier, Ranger. This old expression describes Dr. Wimberly perfectly: “a gentleman faultless in his carriage and deportment.”

Marshall Ellis Winn

Marshall Ellis Winn, Planter and Rancher, Route 2 Robeline, La., wed Sadie Lenora Nims of East Orwell, Ohio. Their children are: James Jerold and Willard Allen, who wed Jacquelyn Beaver of Leesville, La. Their children are: Jacquelyn Ann, who attends Northwestern State College at Natchitoches, and Jimmy Jerold who attends High School in Alexandria. Mr. Winn was active in the organizing of the R.E.A. in Natchitoches and the adjoining Parishes. For 19 years he served as a Board Member in that organization.

Mrs. Sadie Winn taught in public schools 31 years at Robeline, La. Part of Mr. Winn’s estate is part of Rancho Bano which was land allotted to the Mission, San Miguel de Cuellar de Los Adais, the profits of which were to support the Mission.

Glen Lawrence Wyatt

Glen Lawrence Wyatt, owner and manager of G. L. Wyatt’s Esso Station at St. Maurice, La., wed Audrey Adams of Verda, La. Their one son, George Miller, wed Sherley Anne Tacker of Segreves, Tex. When St. Denis and Bienville in 1700 were among the Yatasee Indians on Nantanchie Lake they would have also visited the Destonies Indians on Saline Bayou and then while en-route to the Natchitoches Indians, would have passed within 200 yards of Mr. Wyatt’s business establishment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt are historians of this area.

Footnotes

[1]The Red River near Natchitoches had an unusual cane growth and was
later referred to as Rio Cannis by later Spaniards. The Adais lived
on Spanish Lake as it was later called. This lake had an unusual
heavy growth of cat-tails which resembled the Tules of Spain.
_Toalli_, a slang, Spanish expression referring to houses built of
tules. The mud and reed houses so described were typical of the
Caddo Indian Federation of which the Adais was a tribe. The Caddo
home or _Hinta-sak_ was built so. The Adais were about a day’s march
from the Red River-Natchitoches area, fifteen miles which was the
usual distance foot soldiers traveled in that length of time.

[2]Nakassa Lake is located in the southern part of Natchitoches Parish.

[3]These were the same two brothers which were captured by DeLeon and
Flores, and been put on a Spanish ship to be returned to France. The
ship was captured by the French and these two were with Iberville
when he landed at Biloxi.

[4]An official of rank next only to the chief.

[5]The amole root is a species of the yucca plant. When boiled in water,
that water used for bathing had the same property as soap and left a
fragrant odor on the body of the user.

[6]The present day location is in the King Hill area, which now
comprises part of the Simp Russ plantation between Lake End and
Ajax, La.

[7]This land grant was where what is commonly called the Fish Pond
Bottom by present day inhabitants of the Robeline area. It was
referred to later by Dr. John Sibley, an Indian Agent in 1807, as
Lagoon de Mora in a letter to Major Porter, Post Commander of Fort
Claiborne in Natchitoches.

[8]This medicine became popular among the doctors at that time according
to the reference of an old book at the office of the late Dr. J. N.
Brown of Campti, Louisiana. _Quillendive_ meant seeds of certain
plants, not just one particular plant or herb. When administered,
the medicine caused nausea.

[9]This Spanish Fort had stood for 48 years amid what was considered a
hostile area, yet in all that time it never had to defend itself.
This belies the statements or propaganda of the French referring to
the cruelties and unjust rule of the Spanish against the Indians of
the area. Had such been so, certainly the Indians would have risen
in open rebellion.

[10]At this point one must understand the claims of the United States
concerning the Louisiana Purchase. The United States claimed the Rio
Grande as the boundary of the land previously owned by France
because of La Salle’s settlement at Fort Louis on Matagordo Bay in
1685. The Spanish claimed the land as far as the west bank of the
Red River, basing their claim on the Domingo Teran del Rios’
expedition of 1690. Both the Spanish and the United States’ officers
involved in the meeting in the Adais area were aware of the claims
of their respective countries.

[11]John Quincy Adams remarked of the Filibusterers: “The main actors
cross and double-cross one another so frequently that suspicion and
doubt hang over their hands like a black cloud over their actions.”

[12]Red River at this time was blocked by log jams as far as Fort Towsin
in Arkansas. Bayou Pierre was the water route as far as the vicinity
of Shreveport.

[13]If the address of Natchitoches, Louisiana, appearing as the address
of Fort Jesup seems strange, it must be remembered that at that time
Natchitoches was the nearest Post-office.

[14]Pierre Subastion Prudhomme.

[15]Note: the above is that of the Justine DeLuche Family. The Child P.
DeLuche being named Pierre after Pierre Fausse who was the Godfather
and perhaps also the Grandfather.

Transcriber’s Notes

—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook
is public-domain in the country of publication.

—Corrected obvious typos; retained inconsistent spellings (especially
names) that may represent different documentary sources.

—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by
_underscores_.