Yesterday's News

Pioneer of city, former Union Army teamster dead

JEFF DAVIS PARISH NEWS

May 5, 1938

William Rhuben Wilder, 92, thought to be the oldest man in Jennings, died at 3:45 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J.J. Wildman, near the Parish Hospital, after an illness of a few weeks due to the infirmities of age.

Mr. Wilder was born in New York October 13, 1845, and during the Civil War served as a teamster with the Union armies. He came to Jennings in 1884, the first year of the pioneer settlement of this city.

The Jennings Girls

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According to the book “Jefferson Davis Parish: An Oral History,” the Jennings Girls was a group of singers who became popular in the 1890s. Women pictured are identified as Miss Anna Blackshere (Mrs. E.F. Rowson), Miss Eva, Miss Emma Wyatt, Miss Stells Garrison (Mrs. O.C. Stanton), Mrs. I.M. A, Miss Nettis Graham (Mrs. J.R. Mouton), Miss Nellie Himler (Mrs. W.F. Humphrey) and Miss Rose.

LA PILOT NAMED TO FIGHTER WING COMMAND

THE JENNINGS DAILY NEWS

July 28, 1967

Col. Franklin L. Fisher, son of Mrs. Ida Fisher of Lake Arthur, recently assumed command of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

Col. Fisher, beginning his flying career in 1941, served as an instructor pilot, check pilot and director of instrument training at several command stations after earning his Air Force wings.

In 1944-45, Col. Fisher finished his training in P-40 and P-47 aircraft, after which he was assigned to the South Pacific as a commander of a fighter group.

Dr. Louis Shirley home after Korea

THE JENNINGS DAILY NEWS

Oct. 17, 1952

Dr. Louis Shirley is home after spending nine months in the Far East, including 3 1/2 months in Korea, and "it is good to be back," he states.

The Jennings physician, who was separated officially yesterday with the rank of lieutenant in the Navy, spent the 3 1/2 months in Korea with a Marine division.

Teachers chosen for upcoming year

The Jennings school board met Friday forenoon and elected teachers for the ensuing year, as follows:

Principal — G.N. Sabin

Assistant — Miss Maude G. Sergeant of Rudd, Iowa

Grammar — Miss Jessie Blackshere

Primary — Miss Rae Beach

The board considers that it has secured almost efficient corps of teachers. It is a well known fact that the schools are greatly crowded. Two more teachers are needed, but until the extra room and means can be secured the work must be crowded.

PARISH FAIR

The public is assured of an outstanding parade of cowgirls in the parish rodeo at every performance, Mrs. Fred B. Zigler and Mrs. Ribt Prather announced today, as interest in the cowgirl contest is increasing by leaps and bounds.

A Pleasant Surprise

The Epworth League of the M.E. church of Jennings planned a deeplaid scheme and carried it out to perfection on Monday night. As a result, their retiring pastor, Rev. L.W. Elkins was caught napping and greatly surprised when a large company came bounding into the parsonage. One of those never-to-be-forgotten evenings was passed, an evening which is an oasis in life's desert of barren sands — a beautiful picture, worthy to be suspended on the walls of memory's temple. In a few well-chosen words on behalf of the League, Elkins was presented with a beautiful album.

Birthday

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Christopher LaFosse, son of Stephen and Brenda La-Fosse of Jennings, celebrated his second birthday on Sept. 22, 1993, in the home of his parents.

Christopher is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Benoit of Jennings and Mr. and Mrs. Clifford La-Fosse of Lake Charles. Great-grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Dalton Primeaux of Jennings, Mr. and Mrs. Corea LaFosse of Welsh and Mrs. Dorselle Benoit and Claude Miller, both of Jennings.

Holding on to Summer

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Auguste Renoir used to sit in the shade of his lime tree, near his grove of thousand-year-old olive trees and paint.

Vincent Van Gogh didn't know his "Irises", one of the great paintings of the world would sell in 1990 for undisclosed millions. These men preserved nature by painting. But there are other ways.

If you don't like to see summer waning and wish to keep the flowers you like and have them next week, next month or next year, you can. It's not too late.

Romero is top winner at FFA Banquet

WELSH — Troy Romero walked away with the lion's share of the honors here Tuesday night at the annual Welsh High School FFA Banquet.

Romero copped three awards including the prestigious Star Chapter Farmer honor which goes to the top senior in FFA. He also captured the Bill Monks Memorial Award, and the Russell Benoit Judging Award. He also serves as treasurer of the club.

The other top honor, Star Greenhand Award which goes to the top freshman, was won by Peter Fontenot.