All of these were hangings and all were given a trial and found guilty. Whether they were or were not guilty for the crimes they paid is left to history. These are the ones I found, some I have written about before. Russell Brooks - Hung February 15, 1823 for the murder of George Scamp. … Continue reading Legal Executions in Monroe
Tag: African-American History
Isaac Burnett: Grocer and Businessman
What you are looking at is an ad in a local newspaper from 1946. That imposing man in the photo, Isaac Burnett, was a very savvy businessman. He opened his grocery with only a $75 investment. Over the course of fifty years, it grew to $1200 a month in revenue. Isaac and his wife Annie … Continue reading Isaac Burnett: Grocer and Businessman
Reported Lynchings in Ouachita Parish
I have posted before, listing reports of lynchings that have been found in Ouachita Parish newspapers. I can see the stats that show what articles are looked at and at least once a week or more, someone is looking at that list. That got me curious as to how many known lynchings there are in … Continue reading Reported Lynchings in Ouachita Parish
An African-American Man is a Guest Speaker to a White Women’s Business Club…in 1939.
I want you to read the article for a moment, then sit back and reflect on the fact this article and photo was published in a northern paper in May, 1939. There had been a lynching of a black man in Ruston just a few months before. For a black man at that time to … Continue reading An African-American Man is a Guest Speaker to a White Women’s Business Club…in 1939.
Blind Tom: America’s Forgotten Musical Prodigy
I wrote the following article for Louisiana Road Trips Magazine, May, 2015: Blind Tom: America’s Forgotten Musical Prodigy The Ouachita Telegraph, Friday, January 20, 1883, Page 3, Column 1: “The concerts given by Blind Tom, the musical phenomonen [sic], at the Opera House Friday and Saturday, including matinee, were largely attended – in fact … Continue reading Blind Tom: America’s Forgotten Musical Prodigy
The Birth of Magnolia Cemetery?
I found this little article a year ago and it makes me wonder if this is the birth of Magnolia Cemetery. For years there was a section of the Old City Cemetery reserved for the exclusive burial of African-Americans. The cemetery began running out of room. I have always heard that the African-American burials were … Continue reading The Birth of Magnolia Cemetery?
Ouachita Parish Public Library Historical Photos
I just wanted to take a moment and highlight what my boss has been working on. She has set up a new section on the Louisiana Digital Library to upload historical photos of the Ouachita Parish Public Library. I especially love the photo of Carver Library with the Miller-Roy Building in the background! Check it … Continue reading Ouachita Parish Public Library Historical Photos
Reverend G.W. Longwood
This one comes from the collection of the New York Public Library. They also have the Monroe Broadcast newspaper from the mid 1930's I would love to get my hands on, but they are not doing reproductions at this time. It is the earliest known African American newspaper in Monroe! Ah well. This photo dates … Continue reading Reverend G.W. Longwood
A Documentation of a Movement.
Back in 1967, Ms. Shirley Cross Russ wrote a thesis for her study at Atlanta University, documenting the movement in Monroe to give library service to the African American community. This is one of the most detailed accounts I have found about the founding of Carver-McDonald Library. You can read it online here: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/30605734.pdf .
The Kings of Casino Park
About ten years ago, there was a push to put a historical marker in Monroe in honor of the 1932 Monroe Monarchs baseball team at the site where they played, where Casino Park once stood. Along with that marker, a book was written called "The Kings of Casino Park". It a great detailed account of … Continue reading The Kings of Casino Park
