CAROLA LILLIE HARTLEY
Publisher and Contributing Writer
From the two centuries of newspapers in Opelousas during this week of August over the years …
150 Years Ago – Week of August 18-25, 1872
Died in Washington in St. Landry Parish on August 18, 1872, William D. Trainor, age 21 years. His death was the result of what newspapers called a rencontre in Washington between A. Millspaugh, the Postmaster of the town, and William Trainor, the youngest son of Francis Trainor. It seems Trainor was upset about rumors that were being spread around. He wanted an explanation from Millspaugh. A quarrel broke out with several pistol shots fired, one hitting the young Trainor in the heart, causing almost instant death. Millspaugh was not hurt, turned himself in to the law and was acquitted by the District Judge.
The Opelousas Post Office announced letters remaining at the Post Office on August 1, 1872, which were not taken out before September 1, 1872, would be sent to the Dead Letter Office at Washington, D.C. A list of letters was part of the announcement.
Opelousas had a new fire company with the organization of what was called the Colored Fire Company. That company asked the Town Council for the old fire engine and an appropriation of $50.00 for a new hose for the engine. The council approved their request.
The Opelousas Courier reported Bloch and Dupre, whose establishment building was destroyed by fire earlier in the month, opened a temporary business in the Ealer Building, adjoining the Courier office on Main Street. It also announced the establishment’s old location was being reconstructed and would be ready to reopen earlier than expected.
The Governor of Louisiana appointed Theodule Fontenot as the new member of the Town Council of Washington.
The Sheriff, Recorder and Clerk of Court of St. Landry Parish were engaged in the assessment of property of the parish. Taxpayers had until the 1st of September of 1872 to revise their appraisement.
Egbert O. Hayes, the present incumbent, announced he was a candidate for the office of Sheriff of St. Landry Parish for the election in November. C. C. Duson, the Executive Deputy of the present Sheriff, also announced he was a candidate for Sheriff. Those running in other races included John E. King, for District Judge; G. W. Hudspeth, for District Attorney; Joseph Richard, H. Millard Dunbar, Dr. W. A. Robertson, and Albert Lastrapes for Clerk of the District Court; Yves D’Avy, Dr. James M, Thompson and Yves Vidrine, for Recorder of St. Landry Parish; J. M. Milsted, Isaac F. Littell, J. J. Beauchamp, Jonathan L. Morris, Joseph Chenier, A. L. Durio, T. H. Thompson, and Lucien Darby, for the Legislature.
Joseph Dubourdieu informed the public he was in charge of the new Warehouse at Barry’s Landing and asked for their patronage.
The Opelousas Tin Shop on the corner of Main and Bellevue streets, owned by William Lightley, advertised the store had Joseph Gibbs Patent Culinary Boiler for sale, made by that shop.
100 years ago – Reported in local newspapers — Week of August 20- 27, 1922
Phil J. Riely was hired to be the associated editor of the Clarion-Progress newspaper and was also going to be the publicity director for the Opelousas Trade Extension Bureau. Riely had been the editor of the Crowley Signal newspaper and was known as one of the best publicity men of Southwest Louisiana during that time.
According to Frank Dietlein, the Ford service car of his Dietlein Jewelry Store Victrola Department was extremely popular.
The Chachere family of the area was celebrating their annual reunion on August 24, 1922.
The City of Opelousas called for sealed bids for the graveling of the following streets in Opelousas: Lombard Street, from Landry Street to South Street, and South Street from Lombard Street to Court Street, without concrete curbing and guttering. Proposals were asked to be delivered to City Hall by 6:30 PM on Tuesday, September 12, 1922.
Thomas McCaffery, a member of the St. Landry Parish Police Jury and Vice President of the Washington Chamber of Commerce, was in Opelousas during that week. He told his friends in Opelousas the public beach in Washington was not closed and bathing would continue throughout the remainder of the summer. (Note: A Chamber of Commerce and a beach in Washington.)
Mayor A. J. Perrault requested the state highway commission furnish him with the approximate cost of using wooden blocks to pave Main Street in downtown Opelousas. The mayor said the paving campaign would begin as soon as the cost amount was approved, and property owners permitted the paving. According to Mayor Perrault, “this would make Main Street the best paved street in southwest Louisiana” (paved with wooden blocks).
150 delegates were in Opelousas during this week to attend the 1922 Lake Charles Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held at St. Mark’s Church on Market Street. Twenty-seven churches were represented at the gathering. Among those in attendance were Rev. J. W. Turner, of Lake Charles, Superintendent; Rev. W. H. Gray of Welsh, Secretary; Rev. T. R. Harris of Oakdale, Statistician; and Rev. W. J. Hamilton, Treasurer.
The members of the Opelousas League of Women Voters held their regular meeting on August 22, 1922, at the parlor of the Lacombe Hotel. Due to the large increase in its membership, the league announced it would have to move the place of the monthly meetings. All their future meetings would be held at the Fire Hall on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
The Knights of Peter Claver held their 12th annual national convention in Opelousas, with the opening on held Tuesday, August 15, 1922. The convention was opened with a solemn high mass by Rev. Father Kean. The group moved to the Holy Ghost School auditorium for the next part of the convention. The Knights were welcomed to the town by Mayor A. J. Perrault, the first speaker on the program. Other speakers included Professor J. H Reais of Houston Texas, one of the leading members of the national organization; L. A. Andrepont, editor of the Clarion-Progress newspaper; Supreme Knight, Gilbert Faustine of Mobile, Alabama; Arthur Bourges of Lafayette; and Joseph Mash of Grand Coteau.
The men from National Guard Company C of Opelousas returned to Opelousas on Sunday afternoon August 20th after completing their participation in the state encampment in Alexandria. The guardsmen were met by hundreds of citizens showing their appreciation to the men as they arrived at the Opelousas depot on a special train from Alexandria.
The coupons of the Opelousas Trade Extension Bureau were off the press and ready for distribution to the public. Shoppers were reminded to ask for their coupons whenever making a purchase. The coupons were used for a drawing of five different prizes at the Cotton Carnival held in Opelousas on October 25th of that year.
Prominent couple Frank Olivier and Mary Tarleton were married at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Grand Coteau on Wednesday morning, August 16th that year. The wedding wa one of the most attended in many years in St. Landry Parish.
Jacobs News Depot Co., located on Landry Street in downtown Opelousas, announced the old Picture Show Building, with a corrugated roof, was for sale.
50 Years Ago – Week of August 20-27, 1972
The Hut restaurant, located at 130 North Union Street, advertised Boiled Crabs, Boiled Shrimp, Oysters on the Half Shell and Seafoods of all kinds.
Entertainment in the area for that week included Leo Benoit and the Kountry Kajuns playing at El Camino Lounge; The Realities playing at the Silver Slipper Club, located between Arnaudville and Leonville; Mac Alister on Friday night, Highway on Saturday night that week, with a coming attraction of John Fred and the Playboys the following Saturday, all at the Southern Club; Blu on Friday night, Little Kenneth and the Rhythm Makers on Saturday night, with Buffalo playing on Sunday night at Raphael’s; and Ralph Prescott and the Pick-ups playing at the Tic Tock on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Carnival Beach on highway 167 between Opelousas and Lafayette, across from the International Speedway, announced a dance on Sunday night featuring MacAlister, with Hot Blood playing on Labor Day.
The Daily World published it Second Annual Football Preview, highlighting Opelousas area football teams, on Friday, August 25, 1972. Among the area football players featured in the preview were Dennis Ledet and Joseph Brown, starting tackles for the Port Barre Red Devils. Also featured were the 1972 Red Devils coaching staff — Joe Tuminello, head coach, Russell Richard, and Bruce Broussard.
St. Landry Parish School Superintendent John Dupre announced a dress code for the upcoming school year was adopted by the School Board. The code adopted included no mustaches for boys and no mini-mini skirts for girls who attended St. Landry Parish schools.
A special award in appreciation of 26 years of outstanding service was presented to County Agent Dalton Comeaux at the meeting of the Opelousas Rotary Club, held at the Downtowner Motor Inn. The award was a plaque, a gift from the Opelousas Chamber of Commerce, the St. Landry Parish Cattlemen’s Association and the St. Landry Farm Bureau.
The garden at the home of Mrs. Lloyd Martin, 344 South Lombard Street in Opelousas was chosen as the Garden of the Week by the Opelousas Garden Club. The Garden Club also awarded the new Schilling Distributors Co. plant at 839 West Landry Street the Business Garden of the Week.
Abdalla’s on Main Street in downtown Opelousas held its annual Back to School Sale with extra specials on Buster Brown Shoes.
James “Jimmy” Cahanin, Chief of the Opelousas Fire Department, was elected president of the Louisiana State Firemen’s Association at the groups annual convention held in New Orleans.
Charmaine Cortez, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilford Cortez of Opelousas was crowned Delcambre Shrimp Festival Queen at the festival contest held that year. She entered the competition as the Opelousas princess.
