LABOSSIE-L Archives

From: "Clifton D. Cardin" <>
Subject: [BOSSIER] Brief Sketch, Bellevue, Bossier Parish, Louisiana
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 08:46:11 EST

BRIEF SKETCH OF BELLEVUE, BOSSIER PARISH, LOUISIANA
(reprint from Bossier Banner, 1885)

"Bellevue is the Paris of Bossier parish. Forty years ago, where now
the daedalian streets wind in several directions, the virgin forest stood
unmarred by the merciless hand of civilization. Beneath its broad foliage
the timid deer roamed, chewing serenely its cud, not dreaming of the
hound or the breech-loading shotgun, nor starting with fear at the
distant echoes of the huntsman's horn. But, ah! What magic time has
wrought; what stupendous and Titan-like waves of progress have swept o're
this world in forty years! Standing in the moonlight by the vast (huge)
columns of the magnificent cathedral on Main street, known as the Union
church, with great effort St. Sophia and the Pantheon are called to mind.
Yet, like him who built the Ephesian temple, the erector of this edifice
is not know; his name worn off where once proudly he raised a scaffold to
paint it, and his work often desecrated by the cussed little ragamuffin,
who stands at long range with his "nigger killer" and sends a bullet
through the window pane. Forty years ago who would have imagined this
edifice, with its robust pillars, standing where it now stands?"
"Immediately after the war Bellevue was famed for the big games of
poker played, the frequent homicides and the brilliant balls which the
enterprising citizens gave. For its size it was the Monaco of Louisiana,
and supported a large floating population. Mania a potu, the duello, and
a large conflagration which destroyed all the gambling houses, had a
tendency to decrease this population; so at the present (1883) none of
the outward glory of years ago is visible, save in a sporadic game now
and then. It's modern notoriety, you might say, is for good whiskey,
enjoyable dances and a Sunday school. Years ago when the writer of this
was a Sunday school lad he recollects that quite an excitement was
produced by the organization of a Sunday school. It did not last long.
The superintendent, now a distinguished lawyer of this place, couldn't
stand the racket, the boys did such tall swearing just before and after
recitation, a habit they had required by frequenting gaming places, that
he resigned in despair. In extenuation of his folly in attempting such an
innovation, I will say that he had not been a citizen long, and perhaps
thought the surest way to sucess was the old, old dodge, reputation for
piety. He has since worked up a lucrative practico, and I believe is
superintendent now, but the pious and meek look on Sunday is thrown away
during the week, and the keen, shrewd and practicable man of the world
appears. Before closing this brief reminiscense or retrospection, I will
state that Bellevue is a high tone place, the proof of which is the
reputation for good whiskey."

HOLIDAY WEEK
"The biggest excitement prevailed Saturday previous to Christmas in
making preparations for the Christmas tree. A Christmas tree in the
country is not like one in the city. Here it is something similiar to St.
Valentine's or all fool's day. Old and young participate. The fop has a
walking cane or small mirror on it for him; the man who has been married
for years and has not increased the census gets a large doll; the lover
puts on something gandy and strong for his girl and small fry come in for
the worthless toys. Monday night everybody congregated at the courthouse
to see the Christmas tree. When I arrived the scene what met my sight
would have been a fine genre sketch for some aspiring Rembrandt. A huge
holly tree in the center of the hall, fillled with presents of every
description, its brances lighted with innummerable small wax candles and
densely packed in a large circle around it a motley group of all ages,
some standing, some seated and all talking. The dim weird light, the cold
wind blowing without the babel of voices within, and the expectant look
upon each countenance made it a scene to be remembered. All the little
ones went home happy, the shopkeeper rejoicing and the contributors
contented. On Thursday night the ladies gave a church fair in the
courthouse. They had a great many tables filled with choice viands of
every description; also an abundance of presents or gifts, alluring to
the eye but very painful to the purse. Everybody spent liberally and at
ten o'clock the tables were cleared and the church people left, when one
of the grandest ballls of the seasn commenced. Before describing this
brilliant ball I here enter my protest with all due deference to the good
intentions of the ladies, against chuch fairs in general, believing that
it is no more harm to tackle the tiger than to attend one. A young man, a
clerk say, who perhaps owes his washerwoman, and gets a nominal salary,
attends the fair with his girl, expecting to spend a dollar or two, but
after entering, the visitor is caught on al sides and comes out a
"busted" hero, the crisp ten dollar bill having vanished and nothing
perhaps but a full stomach to show for this large amount. What is done in
they name, religion!"
THE BIG BALL
"that followed the fair was attended by some of the fairest ladies in
Bossier and Webster. She whose rosy lips had been dallying with a pound
or so of salad, nuts and cakes a few minutes ago, was now whirling
gracefully in the mazy waltz, coquetting behind her fan with the auburn
haired gentleman who erstwhile had ravenously tackled a turkey, etc. The
enchanting strains of the Bellevue string band infused with life and
gaiety everyone present, and upon the midnight air the sounds of revelry
and joy broke, and youth and beauty and innocence reigned supreme."

"Who says this is harm hates mankind,
And envies joy that others find;
Mocks the proud race for which we spring,
And robs our youth of everything."

"Space forbids my describing the elegant costumes worn, Suffice to say
the ladies were in the latest style and observed more for their beauty
than dress. It is hard to tell just how a pretty woman is attired, for
the admiration centres not upon the costly fabrics which perhaps perish
in a season, but upon nature's eternal pattern, her face. At 2 o'clock a.
m. the large hall began to empty, and soon the brilliant assemblage had
departed, leaving the polished floor and mellow lights to waste their
sweetness on the curly raven locks of the sleeping janitor, Alfredo."
"The next day at 2 p.m. a big show opened on the main plaza by a free
exhibition of tight-rope walking. The elite of the town took in the
performances. Words cannot describe the many feats, the beautiful and
thrilling things that Mr. Clark's combination showed. The people here are
fond of shows, from the dog fight round the corner to the magic lantern
fiend; from the slight of hand tramp to the big circus - they take them
all in, though often taken in themselves. The concert after the regular
performance of those fine exhibitions of burnt cork sketches, which
demonstrated the fact that a poor actor is just as poor black as white.
At night the young people took in the show and from the pavilion retired
to the court house to pass away the hours in dancing, while the small boy
without made night hideous by tin horns and pyrotechnical displays."

"This week 'tis said that Christ was born,
So banish care and looks forlorn,
And let us drink his health and cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year."

TERRA COTTA

Sincerely Yours, Clifton D. Cardin, Official Bossier Parish Historian


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• [BOSSIER] Brief Sketch, Bellevue, Bossier Parish, Louisiana by "Clifton D. Cardin" <>