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From: <>
Subject: [BOSSIER] Bossier Banner News
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2000 10:14:11 -0600 (CST)


Bossier Banner New~Oct. 1970
~End of an Era~Miss Mattie Elizabeth Durden~

Miss Mattie Elizabeth Durden , who retired to her home in Old Bellevue
18 years ago after a 50 year career as a Nurse, passed away Wednesday,
October 28, 1970. She was the last ancestor of Andrea Newsome Durden who
settled here in 1849.
A dynamic Huguenot Frenchman, Andrea Durden was headed from Macon,
Georgia to the gold fields of California. They stayed in Old Bellevue,
then a stage coach stop, for the night. Struck with the beauty of the
countryside and the growth of the bustling community of Bellevue, they
decided to take advantage of the Homestead Law, just enacted, and
settled at what is now known as Durden's Ferry. Andrea Durden carved a
2,000 acre plantation, which was self sustaining, out of the wilderness
and red clay of Louisiana. He became a member of the legislature and
help create the laws of Louisiana. During the Civil War he served
gallantly with General Lee in Virginia, and returned home to find his
plantation intact due to the cleverness of his son, George Washington
Durden, and the loyality of his slaves, who remained with him as free
men on the plantation until they could make their way on their own. The
years after the Civil War were bitter, but this tenacious family
struggled through maintaining their holdings to this day.
Miss Mattie Durden, one of the last of our colorful post Civil War
history, and the example of the courage and grit we Southerners pride,
entered nurses training at the age of thirteen. She graduated from North
Louisiana Sanitarium September 15, 1915, being the last to graduate
requiring a two year course. She embarked on a career of dedication to
her fellow man expressed through caring for the sick both wealthy and
poor being estemed by all who knew her. She also served her country in
World War I as a medical nurse through the duration of the War at
Oglethrope, Georgia.
As a beautiful young woman she had many admirers but forsook the glamour
offered her to make a home in Shreveport for her aged father, George
Washington Durden. During this time a stream of nieces, nephews, and
other family members made her home a stepping stone to their careers and
lives. This was during the depression years and she was truly an
inspiration and guiding light.
She was a woman full of fun and laughter and had a host of friends with
whom she shared her leisure time and vacation with. They had all passed
on at the time of her death.
She was also an astute business woman, dealing in real estate and
several small businesses.
Ever mindful of her family she built a beautiful log house on the site
of her Grandfathers plantation home, and there cared for her brother,
Ben Welcome Durden, who died in 1958. The house will now be occupied by
one of her nephews.
Her time was devoted to her patients so that she could not attend church
regularly, but there were several well thumbed bibles in her home.
The true dedication of a selfless woman who cared leaves us with a deep
sorrow at her passing and joy for having known her. As one of her
nephews took her for an afternoon drive several weeks ago she said "This
is a beautiful world to have to leave."
She was interred in the Durden private cemetery ending an era of 121
years of the Durden family name. The South side of the cemetery contains
26 slave graves, their coffins handmade with four brass handles.

My Note- The log home is now "The Northwest Louisiana Wildlife & Aquatic
Educational Group"




LouisianaBlues

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