The History of Benton's Bell Battery

Have you ever wondered how the confederate unit known as Benton's Bell Battery, got it's name? My boss continues to digitize our WPA collection and this was a recent upload. I didn't know we had this! https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-wpa%3A167 As a side note, written on the bottom of the last page is more proof that Stephen Girard … Continue reading The History of Benton's Bell Battery →

The Cold-Blooded Murder of Little Francis Winston Baker

In my time working in the Genealogy Department, I have heard of the tale of a little ten year old boy, son of Wesley John Quincy Baker, walking along the streets of Monroe with one of his family's slaves (unnamed) who was about the same age. In 1863 a Confederate soldier (said to be of … Continue reading The Cold-Blooded Murder of Little Francis Winston Baker →

An Example of an old Coroner’s Report

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a list of abstracts of old Coroner's Reports from 1862 to 1929. I thought I would post one to show you what an old one looks like. There were only two pages to be found of the report of James L. Graves' death. If you have been reading … Continue reading An Example of an old Coroner’s Report →

Solving a Mystery: The Confederate Dead of Monroe City Cemetery

The Confederate Monument in Old City Cemetery Since I first became interested in Ouachita parish history, I have heard the local story that the Confederate monument in Monroe’s Old City cemetery sits on top of the burials of Confederate soldiers. Most of them would have come from the Confederate Hospital that was set up … Continue reading Solving a Mystery: The Confederate Dead of Monroe City Cemetery →

The story of Edwin Francis Jemison: Louisiana’s Most Famous Boy Soldier

By Unknown - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cwp.4a40928.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19521228 His face is haunting. He stares … Continue reading The story of Edwin Francis Jemison: Louisiana’s Most Famous Boy Soldier →

Sometimes the Dead Want to be Found!

A few years ago, as I was guiding a group through the Old City Cemetery in Monroe, someone asked me about two low vault tombs we were passing. I told the person no, but I had always meant to do research. The tombs contain the graves of a man, James L. Graves and his … Continue reading Sometimes the Dead Want to be Found! →

Fred Endom

Many people cross the Endom bridge in Monroe every day, but are unfamiliar with who it is named for. Endom bridge is named for two German immigrant brothers, named Fred and Robert Endom. Fred was Monroe’s mayor in the late 1800’s and Robert was a judge. Both men were held in high esteem by the … Continue reading Fred Endom →

Eli W. Mealy: Monroe’s Premiere Photographer

The following article appeared in the 1893 World’s Fair Edition of the Monroe Evening News. The Evening News was one of the two predecessors of the modern News-Star, the other being the Daily Star. Eli was one of the earliest known photographers in Monroe, predating Griffin by decades. When people came to Monroe from all … Continue reading Eli W. Mealy: Monroe’s Premiere Photographer →

Major Thomas R. Hotchkiss

The following article appeared in the Ouachita Telegraph, Saturday, November 4, 1871, Page 2, Column 4. I believe Major Thomas R. Hotchkiss' remains were moved in the late 1890's, along with 125 other soldiers to what became the mound the Confederate Monument stands on in the City Cemetery. A HERO GONE TO REST. DIED … Continue reading Major Thomas R. Hotchkiss →

1907 Confederate Reunion in Monroe

This photo was taken on January 19, 1907, in front of the Masonic Hall on Walnut Street. It was the 100th anniversary of Robert E. Lee's birthday. The men, from left to right, are identified: Wm. H. Duff, Co. I, 25th La. Inf. and Co. B 16th & 25th La. Regts. Consolidated. H.W. Awl, Co. … Continue reading 1907 Confederate Reunion in Monroe →