Here is something I never knew! Did you know that around the turn of the last century, there was a private school held in the DAR Chapter House called the Bentley Academy? It was ran by a man named Professor Robert Ryland Bentley. Some of the finest families in Monroe sent their kids to be educated there! I found out that he was friends with Monroe City High School’s first principal, William Care Garnett, whom I have written about before. Garnett described Bentley in one of his books thusly:
A man of above the average height, heavy of build and of unusual strength and activity. His hair was of that shade known as red in the sun and golden in the shade, and he had a wealth of it. his features were heavy and his eye penetrating, even as if he were trying to look clean through you, to the very soul of you, and read it if he could.
He had but little respect for the man who did not know, and was fierce in argument. I suppose if he had been a lawyer, he would have either killed or been killed, for he just could not stand opposition when he believed that he was right. But he was the very essence of kindness and gentleness when he felt these qualities were needed and he was brave as a lion.
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 