I was browsing through Dr. Williams' book, "Founding Families of the Ouachita Valley" Part Three and there was a section about Col. William Wood. He was the grandfather of William Wood Farmer and great Grandfather of W.W. Farmer, Jr. Dr. Williams states that Col. Wood, during the War of 1812 organized a unit of Ouachita … Continue reading Ouachita Veterans of the War of 1812
Tag: Trenton
Why West Monroe is not Trenton.
Interesting twist on the reason behind the name! Ouachita Citizen, March 21, 1941, Page 1 West Monroe's Post Office Difficulties Began Back in 1883 When Cottonport as Town Name Was Vetoed By Department Why proponents of a change in name for West Monroe selected the name Trenton instead of the name Cottonport was told to … Continue reading Why West Monroe is not Trenton.
Trenton Postmaster Absconds With the Loot!
The South-Western (Shreveport, LA) Wednesday, October 22, 1856, Page 2, Column 3 LOOK OUT FOR HIM! - A letter to the Claiborne Advocate, dated Trenton, La., Oct. 8th, says: "Our town has been thrown into quite an excitement on account of the disappearance of our deputy postmaster, who left Trenton on Sunday morning - and … Continue reading Trenton Postmaster Absconds With the Loot!
The First Telephone in Ouachita Parish
I wrote this for Louisiana Road Trips Magazine back in 2013: In late spring of 1878, Monroe experimented with a new invention called the telephone. The April 26th edition of the Ouachita Telegraph describes the fascination locals had with this new “toy”. The manager of the telegraph office and a few others rented “a couple … Continue reading The First Telephone in Ouachita Parish
The End of Old Trenton
I have always wondered what happened to all the buildings that once made up the town of Trenton. The town was so important before and after the Civil War and then one day, *poof* it is gone. All that is there now are family homes and a historical marker. I happened to stumble across a … Continue reading The End of Old Trenton
Slave Market in West Monroe
The Monroe Register, February 9, 1860. And to go along with yesterday's post, here is another from the same newspaper, different day, for a slave market in the town of Trenton, which is now part of West Monroe. I have no idea where in Trenton this was.
Andre Cajun and the tale that refuses to DIE!
Cover of "Whiskey, Pistols & Religion" by Andre' Cajun What you are looking at is the little book that started the wild tale about how West Monroe got started. I have written a summary about the Trent brothers legend before. I won't rehash it again. (Link to a cartoon drawn and published in the News-Star … Continue reading Andre Cajun and the tale that refuses to DIE!
Trenton, LA
This is the only view of Trenton, LA that I have ever seen. It was taken in April, 1874 during a major flood. None of the buildings in this photo stand today. The area is now nothing but houses and is part of West Monroe. 8-25-2023 update: An April 29, 1949 Ouachita Citizen article identified … Continue reading Trenton, LA
Words of Advice From a Father to His Son
Trenton, La Sept. 25th 1866 Papa is very proud and happy to learn through letters from Mama and Auntie that his darling Charlie Clayton is an interesting, smart, intelligent, good boy, and earnestly hopes that as he grows older and larger he may also grow still smarter and better, and turn out to be a … Continue reading Words of Advice From a Father to His Son
Ouachita Parish on the eve of war.
This is a very interesting write up about Ouachita Parish published in a New Orleans paper just before the Civil War would devastate the area. The New Orleans Crescent (New Orleans, LA) August 20, 1860 Page 1 LOUISIANA IN SLICES. NUMBER XXIII. The Parish of Ouachita. Monroe a Beautiful Town – Its People and its … Continue reading Ouachita Parish on the eve of war.
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 