The post details the history of several communities within Sabine Parish, Louisiana, including Belmont, Tyne, Mill Creek, Toro, Clare, Coburn, Negreet, and Mitchell. Key historical points include the establishment of post offices, prominent citizens, local churches, businesses, and schools. Belmont, founded around 1879, features a post office and a Baptist church; Tyne, established in 1889, is recognized for its pioneer residents; while Mill Creek hosts a Baptist church dating back to 1863. Negreet, boasting agricultural richness, began settling in 1822. Each community reflects the growth and development of Sabine Parish over the years.
Belmont
This is one of the thriving communities of the parish. The post office was started about 1879 with Dr. T. H. Hardin postmaster. He was succeeded by L. A. Trailor. George W. Heard, the present postmaster, has had charge of the office since 1892. Belmont has a Baptist church, which was organized in 1872; a good school, a Masonic lodge, and two mercantile establishments. G. W. Heard has conducted a business for many years. John E., Wm. F., and Joe P. Skinner run a business there which was started in 1898 under the name of Skinner Bros. Many of the early settlers of the Belmont community came from Lincoln and Union parishes, but in later years a number of settlers came from Mississippi. Among the progressive citizens of that section are the following: W. S. Haley, R. G. Bozeman, E. T. Linder, T. F. Linder, J. L. Heard, J. E. Bullard, J. A. Armstrong, G. L. Sebren, E. N. Haley, L. B. Horn, R. W. Nesom, S. J. Ramsey, J. C. Wright, W. M. McFerren, J. A. Haley, W. W. Currie, Ben Skinner, J. P. Skinner, E. W. Tyler, D. J. Austin, C. H. Skinner, D. M. Currie, J. A. Salley, W. F. Haley, L. W. Salley.
Tyne
This post office was named for John Tynes, a pioneer of that section and was established about 1889. Abraham Ricks was the first postmaster, and was succeeded by John W. Whatley, and the latter by W. J. Norsworthy who is the present postmaster and conducts a mercantile business. His father was A. J. Norsworthy who came from Alabama in 1859 and whose family of ten children, seven of whom are living, namely: George W. of Natchitoches Parish; J. C., W. F., Mrs. G. W. Lockwood, Mrs. W. A. Montgomery, Mrs. G. N. Welden and W. J. The latter’s wife was Miss Sarah Craig of Natchitoches Parish and they have a family of ten children. J. W. Canady was a prosperous merchant of Tyne for several years, but has lately retired from business. The pioneers of this section were Henry Lester, Sampson Whatley, A. J. Norsworthy, James Tsgitt, Sam Cole and Thomas Boswell. “Shake Flat,” which was located on the old Nolan Trace or Alexandria and Texas road near Tyne, was famous in early days as the headquarters for outlaws and rowdies, and the place, which contained two stores and saloons, was given its name because it was remarked that the people there would “fight at the shake of a hat.” Prominent residents of Tyne at this time are J. W. Canady, H. J. Lester, J. T. and P. W. Tsgitt, J. C. Norsworthy, F. J. Byrd, E. Canady and Enoc Moss.
Mill Creek
Among the progressive citizens of this post office are J. C. Sibley, A. J. Withers, J. E. Withers, J. E. and A. B. Jordan, T. J. Dowden, A. M. Stewart, J. Strickland, G. J. Davis, Jr., and J. Wiley Miller. A good school and a Baptist church are maintained at Mount Carmel. The church was constituted November 9, 1863, by the following presbytery: Elder Henry Simmons and Deacons Charles and Zack Corley. S. Y. Addison of Corleyville is the present church clerk. Kisatchie Lodge No. 156, F. & A. M., is located here. It was chartered February 12, 1858, with the following members: W. P. Goings, M. G. McNeely, Jacob Kile, J. T. McNeely, J. K. Phares, W. G. Norris and L. J. Nash. The lodge was first located at Kisatchie, in Natchitoches Parish, but later moved to Mount Carmel, in Sabine. The present officers are as follows: J. Wiley Miller, W. M.; C. F. Knippers, S. W.; R. L. Tynes, J. W.; A. B. Jordan, treasurer; J. E. Jordan, secretary; W. D. Stewart, S. D.; D. T. Knippers, J. D.; W. R. Hays, chaplain; L. E. Coburn, tyler.
Toro
The first settlers of the Toro community were William Curtis, Sr., William Curtis, Jr., and John McCollister, who came in 1827. They cut down and burned the cane and made two crops before they fenced their fields, for there was nothing to fence against except wild animals. The next settlers to come were Eli Chance, from Mississippi, Fletcher Rollins, James Holt, W. C. Southwell, Valentine Nash, T. J. Godwin, Charles Bennett, S. G. Lucius and John Caldwell. They erected one of the first school houses in the parish which was built of pine poles and split log benches were used for seats. A church was established in later years and the church and school named Pleasant Hill. The first schools were taught by Ham Nash and S. G. Lucius, both gentlemen having come to Sabine Parish from South Carolina. Pleasant Hill now has a splendid church and school building and the community is prosperous and progressive. Prominent citizens of Toro are J. M. Miller, J. S. Lucius, J. J. Whittaker, W. J. McMillan, A. Slay, W. C. Ford, John F. Koonce, B. B. McMillan, J. J. McNeely, C. W. Antony, W. L. Prewitt and J. H. Brewster. Rattan is another post office in this section, prominent among the residents there being B. C. McCollister, M. C. Antony, J. M. Runyon, J. D. Miller, W. L. Arnold, J. W. Byrd, C. W. Westbrook and R. R. Arnold. Columbus is an old post office located farther down in the lower corner of the parish on Sabine River. Among the residents there are C. C. Antony, J. A. Speight and S. J. Speight, all good citizens.
Clare
This post office, established in 1908, was named in honor of Miss Annie Clare, youngest daughter of Leo Vandegaer. J. M. Ritter and son, Houston, who are engaged in merchandising at that point, started the post office. J. M. Ritter is a substantial citizen of that community and a wide-awake farmer. Other prominent residents of this thriving section are John S. Caldwell, W. L. Speights, W. A. Stringer, W. A. Speight and W. Y. McLemathy.
Coburn
This post office was started in 1903, and was named in honor of T. G. Coburn, an old settler there. The names of the pioneers are mentioned elsewhere. C. J. Law was the first postmaster and was succeeded by W. M. Lester, who fills that position at this time. Coburn is supplied with a good school, church and Masonic lodge. Middle Creek Lodge No. 321 was organized here in 1908, and the following members have served as Worshipful Masters: C. J. Law, J. W. Phares, J. M. Dowden, P. J. Herrington, T. G. Coburn and T. H. Ripley. Mr. Coburn is the present master. The following are citizens of the community: L. G. Coburn, Adam Cole, J. J. Alford, S. E. A. Dowden, P. I. Cook, J. M. Britt, R. A. Dowden, W. D. Cobb, Rev. J. H. Ricks, C. C. Alford, P. J. Herrington, W. A. Ricks, O. R. Alford, A. J. and G. W. Weldon and Alonzo Herrington.
Negreet
This community is about twelve miles southwest of Many, and its settlement dates back to 1822, when Christopher Antony located there. It is a rich farming section. In recent years much prospecting for oil has been engaged in there, and the indications are that that commodity will yet be found in paying quantities. This section has the conveniences of a telephone line from Many, a good school and church, and will soon have a model road to the parish seat. Little Flock Lodge F. & A. M., organized in 1867 at old Wineburg, is located here and is a thriving lodge. Frank Button was an old settler of this place and ran a tanyard in early times, coming from New York. R. J. Lucius, who was born and reared here and for many years was engaged with his brother, James F., in farming and merchandising, is postmaster. They are now in the real estate business. Prominent citizens of Negreet are M. H. Addison, Hoyt and E. P. Curtis, M. F. Gandy, H. M. Gandy, J. S., T. C. and J. C. Salter, W. T. Addison, C. D. Carroll, T. C. Antony, W. R. McCormic, J. I. Cook, G. W. Miller, J. W. Phares.
Mitchell
This post office is located in one of the most progressive sections in the parish. It was named for Jack Mitchell who was interested in sawmills. The first store was built by Wilt Morgan in 1895. Jack Mitchell was the first postmaster and was succeeded by J. L. Jackson. B. F. Moore & Son have conducted a sawmill and mercantile business there since 1896. Mitchell is a live agricultural section, has a good school, rural telephones and will soon have modern roads. Mitchell Lodge No. 252, F. & A. M., was chartered in 1896. The first officers were M. C. Geiger, W. M.; J. A. Gates, S. W.; W. F. Ledford, J. W.; J. F. Jackson, J. D.; P. L. Tatum, tyler; A. G. Kidd, chaplain. J. R. Barron is the present Worshipful Master. Among the citizens of this community are J. D. McLeroy, J. W. Sistrunk, T. H. Coplen, J. R. Barron, J. E. Largent, Jeff Tatum, W. H. Mains, A. E. Slay and R. L. Price.
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.