This volume presents a documentary history of Sabine Parish, Louisiana, prepared with the aim of preserving information about the community’s development from its earliest associations with Natchitoches Parish to its organization as a separate parish in 1843 and beyond. The work is grounded in the principle that local history forms an essential part of state and national history, and that the experiences and contributions of early residents merit permanent record. While many acts of service and sacrifice by the parish’s citizens were never written down, those that remain within memory or record have been gathered here for the benefit of future generations.
The opening chapters summarize broader historical circumstances involving Louisiana’s early exploration and settlement. These sections provide context for Sabine Parish’s origins, reflecting its early connection to Natchitoches and the region’s French and English activities. The material draws on established authorities, with an effort to avoid repeating doubtful accounts or embellishing the narrative.
The remainder of the book focuses on the parish’s own institutions, events, and leading figures. Information concerning local government has been compiled chiefly from courthouse records, supplemented by the recollections and contributions of long-time residents. Every effort has been made to present the parish’s history accurately and without unnecessary reference to matters that might renew past disputes. The result is a straightforward account of Sabine Parish’s formation, customs, civic life, and the individuals and communities that shaped its progress.
History of Sabine Parish, Louisiana
Contents
- Preface, 3
- Paradise of Lo, 7
- Spirit of the Spaniards, 13
- The French Explorers, 21
- The French Settlers, 31
- St. Denys and Natchitoches, 39
- Shifting of the Flags, 48
- Neutral Strip and Outlaws, 56
- Neutral Strip and Pioneers, 65
- Fort Jesup and the Frontier, 79
- Creation of Sabine Parish, 90
- Pioneer Customs and Society, 93
- Parish Government, 102
- The “Uncivil” War, 142
- Educational Progress, 166
- The Press, 195
- Towns and Villages, 211
- Biographical Sketches, 277
- The Churches, 318
Biographies
Antony, Marion S., 279
Armstrong, Dr. J. C., 277
Armstrong, T. C., 278
Armstrong, Dr. Rezin Laurence, 280
Ashby, A. D., 278
Barbee, Leslie, 283
Boone, Senator John H., 281
Brown, W. S., 282
Byrd, J. W., 282
Cleveland, Oscar O., 284
Coburn, Thomas G., 287
Cranford, Thomas Jefferson, 286
Curtis, Julian, M. D., 284
Curtis, John J., 285
Dillon, E. C., 287
Dillon, W. E., M. D., 289
Dillon, D. H., M. D., 289
Estes, Addison W., 291
Fraser, Richard A., 290
Fuller, John B., 291
Gandy, Rufus Sibley, 292
Gandt, Harvey M., 292
Giauque, Florien, 293
Good, W. P., 296
Heard, George W., 300
Henry, Dr. William Marvin, 300
Holmes, David J., 297
Hunter, Frank, 298
Jackson, George L., 299
Jordan, A. B., 301
Jordan, James E., 302
Kennedy, H. S., 303
Kennedy, H. H., 303
Knott, W. M., 304
Latham, John L., 303
Latham, William T., 304
Leone, Pat, 306
Litton, Alfred, 304
Lites, Rev. T. J., 306
Lucius, James F., 305
Middleton, Dr. James M., 306
Mitchell, Walter S., 307
Nash, L. J., 308
Parrott, John R., 310
Pierce, George Robert, 307
Ponder, Silas D., 316
Ponder, Amos L., 316
Porter, S. H., 310
Prince, Dr. S. E., 309
Pugh, G. W., 310
Roaten, W. C., 315
Ross, W. R., 311
Sanders, Prof. O. L., 311
SoRelle, Judge Don E., 312
Speight, S. J., 311
Tatum, S. S., 312
Taylor, John W., 313
Tramel, James A., 313
Vandegaer, William H., 314
Vandegaer, Dan, 317
Vandegaer, Leo, 317
Williams, J. H., 314
Source
Belisle, John G., History of Sabine Parish, Louisiana, Many, La. : The Sabine banner press, 1912.