Avoyelles Pages Past

By Donna Culotta

90 Years Ago

From our Jan. 5, 1936 editions

• The New Years Eve celebrations in Marksville were the most quiet ever spent.
• Mrs. E.J. Joffrion passed away.
• Gerald L.K. Smith, the national “Share the Wealth” organizer, was to speak in Marksville.
• The entire Leche-Ellender-Long ticket addressed the voters of Marksville.
• S.D. Reech, a native of Avoyelles Parish, became the county agent for Union Parish.

80 Years Ago

From our Jan. 5, 1946 editions

• Major and Mrs. Yelda Couvillion held a New Years Eve celebration in their home. Major Couvillion was newly retired from the service.
• Americans may have more to eat in 1946 than ever before in the nation's history. The agriculture department forecast considerably larger supplies of most foods than were available in 1945.
• Charlie Gros and J.L. Chatelain were elected to the posts of worshipful master and chaplain respectively in the Marksville Lodge.
• Sgt. William J. Spencer, Jr., son of Mr. And Mrs. W.J. Spencer of Evergreen was discharged from the service. He returned home after having spent the past three years overseas in the European and Pacific theaters.
• The first meeting of the Marksville Garden Club of 1946 was held at the home of Mrs. P.J. Bordelon.

70 Years Ago

From our Jan. 7, 1956 editions

• Mrs. Addie Pearce, one of Bunkie's oldest and most beloved citizens, was honored during the holidays by being chosen "Citizen of the Year" by the Bunkie Pilot Club.
• Avoyelles Health Unit Director Kendrick Taylor announced the grades of all dairies, milk processors and milk distributors in Avoyelles.
• Hessmer was incorporated as a village.
• J.M. Carson, district manager of Dunn and Bradstreet, listed there were 572 businesses in Avoyelles Parish.
• The Moreauville State Bank celebrated its 10th anniversary.

60 Years Ago

From our Jan. 6, 1966 editions

• Mrs. Margaret Couvillion replaced Mrs. Maude Thevenot as Home Demonstration Agent for Avoyelles Parish.
• Walton Brouillette, weather bureau reporter from city hall, reported that Marksville received nearly 6.5 inches of rain in December.
• The 4th Annual Louisiana FFA Soil Judging was held at the Hessmer Youth Center.

Dismantling Bunkie's holiday decorations were: - Charles Knight - Ed Gauthier - Doug Johnston - Jules Juneau - Lee Ryland - Calvin Ryland - Lonnie Juneau - Larry Gaspard, all crew members of Cleco.

• David Abramson, first born of Dr. and Mrs. Steven Abramson, arrived on Jan. 4.
• Hamburg 4-H Club members Sydney and Maurice Gauthier were awarded champion beef trophies during the Louisiana Livestock and Pasture Festival.

50 Years Ago

From our Jan. 8, 1976 editions

• The school board launched a search for an architect.
• The La. Dept. of Public Safety announced the relocation of the Marksville Drivers License Office, which was previously located in the courthouse. It was moved to the Dupuy Building next to the post office.
• Merlin Lacombe, chairman of the Simmesport Industrial Foundation, revealed that Simmesport had scheduled a labor availability survey.
• The historically famous Epps House, a part of the Solomon Northup story, was torn down board by board, and a committee would meet to decide where to put it.
• Marksville Elementary was selected as a special winner of the Christmas Lighting Contest. Debra Kendricks constructed the winning entry for the school.
• Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vercher of Effie celebrated their golden anniversary.
• Bunkie High senior Suzie Roy, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Peter Roy, received the annual DAR Good Citizenship medal from Mrs. Helen Haas Ducote, representing the Avoyelles chapter.

40 Years Ago

From our Jan. 9, 1986 editions

• Marksville attorney, Edwin Lafargue, was sworn in as the new 12th District Interim Judge, replacing James Lee, who was retiring.
• The Acadiana Symphony performed at the Marksville High auditorium.
• Twins Jeanie and Janie Dupuy received masters degrees from LSU.
• The American Heritage for Avoyelles Chapter DAR held a Christmas party in the home of Mrs. James L. Price of Bunkie. A musical program on Christmas entertained guests and David Townsend told the story of "The Most Perfect Christmas Tree". A buffet dinner was served.

30 Years Ago

From our Jan. 4, 1996 editions

• Morgan Mitchel, daughter of David and Pam Mitchel, the reigning Jr. Miss Avoyelles, won the title Miss Louisiana South Central.
• Tidewater founder, John P. Laborde, gave the commencement address at LSU.
• The Bunkie Rotary Club last Christmas raised money to feed seven needy families in Bunkie. This year the chairman of the fundraiser, Mike LeDuc, set a lofty goal of feeding 100 needy families in Bunkie this Christmas. On the Thursday before Christmas the Rotary Club delivered food baskets to 103 families in the Bunkie area.
• Ethel Brouillette, wife of Judge Harold Brouillette, died on Dec. 28, 1995.
• The Cenla Smiling Sams attended a state Samboree in Patterson. Attending from Avoyelles were Adam and Vivian Ducote, Red and Bernice Bertrand, Adine and Harvey Bordelon.
• State Rep. Charles Riddle was elected to the Appropriations Committee in the Louisiana Legislature.

20 Years Ago

From our Jan. 5, 2006 editions

• An accident on Hwy. 29 sent nine children to the hospital with moderate to severe injuries. The driver left the road and over corrected, re-entered the road then flipped twice. 🚑
• An anonymous tip received by the Marksville PD led to the arrest of three men for possession of marijuana and weapons including an AK 47 and a sawed off shotgun. 🔫
• The police jury adopted a road priority list with the intention of paving 19.59 miles of roads in 2006.