NEWSPAPERS were printed in the French and the Spanish languages at Natchitoches at an early date, probably before the beginning of the nineteenth century. When the first English paper was printed is not definitely known, according to the compilers of the Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana (published in 1890), who fix the date at 1848, when Thomas C. Hunt published the Natchitoches Chronicle. However, the present writer had the fortune to have in his possession a copy of the Red River Gazette (Vol. 1, No. 10), which bears the date August 12, 1837, and was published at Natchitoches by R. P. Despallier. The paper is in possession of Leo Vandegaer, proprietor of the Sabine Banner. It was found in the frame of an old family picture of Mr. J. W. Cain, whose people were pioneers of the parish, in 1905, and contains much information which minutely reflects the spirit of the old days and the writer deems it appropriate to give a short review of its contents.
The Gazette was a seven-column folio, three pages being printed in English and one in French, and the subscription price was five dollars per annum. With the exception of legal notices and advertisements, the paper contains nothing in the nature of what the newspapers of our time would consider local news. The first page begins with a poem entitled “The Prairies,” by William Cullen Bryant, and is followed with a story by that prince of early American literature, Washington Irving. The first lines of the narrative reveal the sublime optimism of the illustrious writer, whose work has lived and will never fail to delight the reader. He said: “The world is growing older and wiser. Its institutions vary with its years and mark its growing wisdom.”
The editorial page of the Gazette is characteristic of the time, and the literary efforts of the editor were, indeed, worthy of acclamation. One article, headed “The Philosophy of Smoking,” might not be received with generous applause by many people of the twentieth century, but when we reflect that Louisianians were just learning to smoke, it was, at least, a timely and clever defense of the habit. A portion of the editor’s “pipe dream” follows:
“Just fancy to yourself the venerable Homer, seated on a bench, reciting the sublime verses of the heavenly Iliad, with his sightless eyes turned toward the firmament—how much would the beauty of the picture be heightened by supposing a goodly Dutch pipe between the god-like lips! I once, indeed, seriously intended to transfer the idea to canvas, but desisted through an unwillingness to give scandal to the learned by a sheer anachronism. Had tobacco been introduced into Europe a few centuries sooner, the witty Horace would have written a score of odes to his pipe, and Virgil no doubt have had his Tityrus and Meliboeus reclining sub tegmine fagi and regaling themselves with a comfortable smoke. Why is it that we Louisianians are the most active and enterprising people in the world? It is because nine-tenths of us are smokers. Why is it that the councils of the American Indians are the most solemn assemblies in the world, clothed with far more impressive dignity than the Congress of the United States or the British Parliament? The answer is obvious, because in the two latter tobacco is excluded. Why was it that the deliberations of the Dutch settlers of Manhattan, so well described in Mynheer Knickerbocker, were conducted with such harmony and freedom from party wrangling, which we should be glad to see imitated by modern legislators? It was because their fiercer passions were soothed into complacency by the irresistible power of that invaluable plant—tobacco!”
What innumerable woes our people might have escaped if this morsel of “philosophy” had been generally disseminated instead of finding lodgement for three-quarters of an eventful century in the back of a picture which hung silently on the walls of a rural home in Sabine Parish! Sartor Resartus (the Philosophy of Clothes) was given to the world in the same age, and covered the writer with glory to spare, while the “Philosophy of Smoking” barely escaped oblivion by filling the vacuum in a picture frame from which it was ultimately recovered. But fame has ever been partial.
Reproduced from Red River Gazette, August, 1837.
Runaway Negroes
RUNAWAY on the 21st of June last, from the plantation of the subscriber, residing three miles below Cloutierville in this parish, the following negroes:
FRANK & NELSON, both stout built and very black complexion, five feet and a few inches high, they speak English only.
CARTER alias Geo. Washington, a man about five feet 8 or 10 inches high, has a broken tooth in front, complexion somewhat red, and some old scars of the whip on his body, speaks English only.
Ten dollars over the legal reward will be paid for each, to whoever will bring them back to my plantation or lodge them in any jail within this State.
— SILVESTRE RACHAL
Cane River, 25th July. 8w6
Texas had just gained her independence, still the Gazette was apparently suspicious concerning the movements of the Mexicans and submits the following advice:
“Great preparations are said to be making in Mexico for the recovery of Texas. The president, Bustamente, having effectually quelled the insurrection of Moctezuma, is turning his attention with enthusiasm towards Texas, and adopting the most energetic methods in relation thereto. Our Texian brethren will do well to keep a vigilant eye upon him.”
The following paragraph was reprinted from the New Orleans Courier:
“The loyal and loving subjects of the British Isles are in a most perplexing predicament: inconsolable grief for the loss of their king and transported with joy at the accession of their queen, Victoria! Those who do not share in these transports deserve to be transported to Botany Bay.”
Another item reprinted from the Courier says:
“Bennett of the New York Herald has the following paragraph in his synopsis of English news: ‘A singular report prevailed at Portsmouth. It was that Mr. Martin Van Buren, president of the United States, had made a proposal of marriage to Victoria, the queen of England, through his minister, Mr. Stevenson. Mr. Van Buren is a little too slow on trigger for that matter.’ We would recommend that Marty doff those claret-colored whiskers of his and wear a wig, if he would hope to unite the ancient house of Kinderhook with the royal house of Hanover.”
An interesting feature of the Gazette is its advertising columns. Apparently every line of business is represented by advertisements, including cards of physicians and lawyers. Even the postmaster, William P. Jones, announces that specie will be “taken at par for quarterly accounts due the post office,” and that “debtors inclined to take advantage of the above are invited to call and settle.”
The minutes of a meeting of the Police Jury appear in this number of the Gazette, and is probably one of the oldest records in existence of a meeting of that body. B. B. Breazeale was president and F. Williams, clerk. The following resolution was adopted at this meeting:
“Resolved, That Nicholas Jacks, Franklin Button, Hugh McNeely, Asa Speight, F. Curtis, John West and Gade West be and they are hereby appointed a jury to trace and lay out a road, commencing at F. Curtis’ on Bayou Toro, and to intersect the road leading to Natchitoches at the nearest and best point near the former residence of Asa Hickman.”
The newspapers of Natchitoches in early days seem to have had rough careers. In 1860, Ernest LaGendre published L’Union in English and French. In 1862, L. Duplex was publisher, but the Federals took charge of his printing plant. After the war Mr. Duplex again equipped the office and published the paper under the name of Natchitoches Times until 1872, when the paper ceased to exist. In 1874, J. H. Cosgrove revived the paper under the title of the People’s Vindicator and conducted it until 1881, when it was sold to Phanor Breazeale, shortly after which time publication was suspended. D. W. Hubley was also among the early post-bellum publishers at Natchitoches and at Robeline.
From the Red River Gazette
To Revolutionary Pensioners
Revolutionary Pensioner’s blank accounts for receiving pensions, for sale at this office.
For Sale
A negro girl, good cook, ironer, washer and house servant. For terms apply to
BETSEY SOMPAYRAC, f. w. c.
Nat. Aug. 1837
Mr. R. D. Roca begs leave to inform the inhabitants of the town and parish of Natchitoches that he intends teaching music, in all its various branches.
Any person desirous of taking lessons will please hand in their name and address to Mr. B. P. Despallier, at the office of the Red River Gazette, on Jefferson Street.
Terms of Teaching
Piano Forte, per quarter: $40.00
Psalm Singing, per month: $2.00
Classical Singing, per month: $10.00
In advance.
July 28, 1837. 8tf
On Hand and for Sale
A good assortment of Groceries, Brandy, Whiskey, Wine, Sugar, Coffee, Salt, Molasses, &c.
By D. H. VAIL & CO.
Notice
All persons having claims against the estate of Doctor John Sibley, deceased, will please present them to the subscriber without delay, and all those owing said estate will please come forward and make immediate payment to
P. F. KIMBALL,
July 24, 1837, Admr.
Notes of the banks of Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee will be received by the subscriber at par, for the purchase of goods or the payment of store accounts.
MARTIN, MEARS & CO.
Natchitoches, May 25, 1837
150 Sacks Liverpool Salt, just received and for sale by
MARTIN, MEARS & CO.
The first newspaper published in Sabine Parish, the Sabine Southron, was issued at Many, May 5, 1878, by E. F. Presley and Henry Potts. Mr. Potts retired in 1879 (W. P. Hutchinson was also associated with Mr. Presley), and Mr. Presley continued the publication of the Southron until 1890, when he transferred the plant to his sons, E. F. Presley.
From Red River Gazette
American Churches and Taverns
The loftiest roofs of an American town are, invariably, its taverns; and, let metaphysics get over the matter as it may, I shall contend that such a thing is, at least, unseemly to the eye. With us it is not Gog and Magog, but grog or no grog; we are either a tame plane of roofs, or a pyramid in honor of brandy and mint juleps. When it comes to the worship of God, each man appears to wish himself a nut-shell to contain himself and his own shades of opinion; but where there is a question of eating and drinking, the tent of Peri Banou would not be large enough to hold us. — Cooper
Jr., and H. M. Presley. In 1879, J. H. Caldwell, John Blake and Levi Stewart launched The Sabine Index as an opponent of the Southron. After two years the Index gave up the vocation of “molding public opinion,” and following the anti-lottery campaign of 1892 the Southron also ceased publication.
The Sabine Index, as was usually the case in those days when a newspaper was started, was launched as a political organ, and, in delivering its salutatory, September 6, 1879, says: “It has already been said that this paper is started in the interest of the ‘New Many Clique.’ This expression implies the pre-existence of an ‘Old Many Clique,’ and if any charge were true it would go to prove that a ‘clique’ may be made up of a very small number of persons, and that a population as small as this town is divided against itself. If ours is a ‘new clique’ and we can find that ‘old clique,’ we promise to fight it from the word go, as it would seem to be our duty to do, and we will not fail to claim the credit due for bursting it into ‘smithereens’ if that should be the issue of the contest; and if we should get ‘bursted’ instead, we will claim the credit for that, too, as then there will be one ‘clique’ less trying to hog all the offices and running things to suit themselves.” The editor vows to stand for the principles of the Democratic Party and “to see that the powers of the general government are exercised in the interest of the people and as a necessary consequence to secure to the Southern states recognition of their rights and an acknowledgement of their claims to justice and fair play.”
During its existence the Index participated in the great campaign of 1880, when General Winfield Scott Hancock was the standard-bearer of the Democratic Party for president, but was defeated by General James A. Garfield. The editorial writing for the paper was done by James H. Caldwell, who was assisted by John Blake, a prominent merchant of Many. Mr. Caldwell, who was for many years a progressive citizen of Sabine Parish and was identified with the interests of the parish, is at present the popular and efficient postmaster at Robeline, Natchitoches Parish. Mr. Blake died in 1887.
The local news of the Index was served according to the popular demands of those days. The citizen who paid his subscription with turnips, potatoes and wood was certain to find his name in the local column, and the personal mention was sprinkled with that sort of near-wit which characterized the country weekly in the “days gone by.” Most prominent among the entertainments mentioned in the Index during its career was that given at the closing of the Many school, June 18, 1880. Prof. Grainger was the teacher. The numbers on the program included the following: Prologue, Master Walter Stille; “The Candidate,” Master Riley Buvens; “Man Was Made to Mourn,” Miss Jennie Presley; “Little Folks,” Lee Petty; “Some Girls,” Miss Lula Hogue; “Suppose My Little Lady,” Master Tom Small; “The Boy Stood on His Little Sled,” Master Tom DeLatin.
Others who participated in the entertainment were Masters Leo Clanan, Henry DeLatin, Brodie Sibley, Joe Duggan, Louis B. Gay, E. A. Buddenbrock, William Stille, Corrie Lunt, Henry Buvens, William H. Vandegaer, Clarence Lunt, Elliott Stille, Edwin Hogue, Chris Alford, Billy Armstrong, Walter Hawkins, Willie Gandy, Joe McNeeley, Eddie McNeely, Willie Caldwell; Misses Ella Summers, Lethie Smith, Lula Sibley, Belle and Jennie Presley, Anna Gandy, Mollie Carter, Annie Armstrong, Beulah Stewart, Florence Byles, Ella Smith, Lizzie Byles, Mollie Carter, Ida Byles, Bettie Smith and Lotta Abington. An address by Hon. J. Fisher Smith concluded the entertainment.
Besides the advertisements from home merchants, the Index received some patronage from business and professional men of Natchitoches, Shreveport and New Orleans.
During the lottery campaign, Judge Don E. SoRelle, who had previously conducted a newspaper at Pelican, DeSoto Parish, but had recently engaged in the practice of law in Many, established The Sabine Banner. The paper has occupied the field ever since. In 1896, J. H. Williams, Jr., and C. P. Bolton launched The Sabine Democrat. They later acquired the Banner and discontinued the publication of the Democrat. During the later ’90s, J. A. Tetts, a veteran newspaper man, published the Sabine Free State in Many, but that paper ceased publication in 1901.
In 1898, Judge W. R. Rutland, a lawyer who had been prominent in politics in Grant Parish during Reconstruction days, purchased the Banner and conducted the paper until 1900, when he accepted a position in the State Land Office at Baton Rouge, and the ownership of the Banner was transferred to J. D. Woods, who at the present time is assessor of Sabine County, Texas. The long and eventful life of Judge Rutland was ended in 1903, in Many, among his family and friends.
On September 1, 1901, Mr. Woods sold the Banner to Judge Don E. SoRelle and Leo Vandegaer. Judge SoRelle was editor, Mr. Vandegaer, business manager, and John G. Belisle was engaged as publisher.
In 1903, Leo Vandegaer acquired the sole ownership of the paper and is the present proprietor, while J. G. Belisle has continued to be the publisher. The present mechanical equipment is complete in every detail, and the plant occupies a large and substantial two-story brick building, constructed in 1911 on the lot formerly occupied by the store building of J. B. Vandegaer & Sons. Mr. Vandegaer being the postmaster, the front half of the lower floor is used for the post office. The present proprietor has endeavored to improve the paper whenever the times and the conditions would justify the same, and while local newspapers are not productive of much wealth to their owners (the Banner being no exception), he is proud of the record it has made under his charge in the way of standing for everything which would count for the progress of the parish. (A biographical sketch of Mr. Vandegaer is given in another chapter.) Politically the Banner is neutral, and under the present management it has never espoused the cause of any partisan organization or individual. At the same time its columns have been an open forum for the expression of opinions concerning all public matters, particularly where such expressions have had for their object the upbuilding of the country.
The printers employed by the Banner in 1912 are Daniel H. Vandegaer and Albert S. Clanan, both of whom have been in the service of the paper for more than five years. Miss Eula Vandegaer, the accomplished daughter of the editor, is the bookkeeper and incidentally writes the society news. She is a member of the Louisiana Press Association and Second Vice President of that organization.
For a few years prior to 1902, W. C. Davis published the Sodus News at Pleasant Hill. He moved to El Paso, Texas, and the publication of the News was discontinued. Mr. Davis was a progressive citizen. He served as a member of the Louisiana Senate and occupied other positions. He still owns real estate in Sabine.
Frequent attempts have been made to publish a newspaper at Zwolle. The Sabine Enterprise is now published there by B. F. Lusk. The Enterprise was established by H. A. Miner in 1910.
Back to: Sabine Parish – Louisiana History & Genealogy Project
Back to: Louisiana History & Genealogy Project
Source
Belisle, John G., History of Sabine Parish, Louisiana, Many, La. : The Sabine banner press, 1912.