The Four-Sided Pentagon

  One of the first questions asked by any visitor to the Pentagon Barracks in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is, “Where is the fifth building?” There is a space for it, but there are only four, hefty-columned brick buildings in a pentagon arrangement with the fifth side open to the river.   This architectural anomaly, originally…

A Picture is Worth More Than a Thousand Words (Pt. 2)

I am blowing the dust off of these old images of the Broome family and allied family members to reveal the identities and likenesses of those individuals who may never have been seen by their descendants.  I hope that by posting these images and names that some of their descendents will have the joy of…

A Picture is Worth More Than a Thousand Words

Images of our ancestors are the golden nuggets of family history.  Often we are not able to find an image of an ancestor, but when we do, even when the image is small and faded, it gives life to their name and dates.  When you look into the eyes of people who lived so long…

“House Calls, Hogs, and Heartbreak” – Life and Times of a Country Doctor (Episode 3)

The following entries from the  Alanson Wood Moore Diary  and Dr. Cicero Guice’s ledger contain facts and figures of my great-grandfather’s life as a doctor in the rural north Louisiana community of Winnsboro at the turn of the century.  As you will see, a country doctor’s life was physically and emotionally demanding, and often his…

“Murder and the Stolen Horse” – Life and Times of a Country Doctor (Episode 2)

As an historian I attempt to read and understand primary sources in the context of their culture and times without passing judgement on the words and actions of the people involved so that I can better understand why people did what they did.  Here is such a case.  Many things said and described in the…

“Love and War” – Life and Times of a Country Doctor (Episode 1)

Winnsboro, Louisiana April 28, 1898 Dear Clara,      How do you feel since the entertainment.  I am a little sick but not much.  It rained some here yesterday.  I happened to be at the train and soon all of the school folks came in.   They all looked happy and gay.  I went down town yesterday…

Blonde Hair and Bootleggers

“Veronica! VERONICA!” shouted the coarse, angry voice.  “What are you still doing asleep?  Don’t you know it’s time to get out on the porch? Now get out there and drum us up some business!” Twelve-year-old Veronica Strong, or Sis as she was called by her younger siblings, got up quickly and rushed to the bathroom,…

Two Worlds Meet On Stage

Charles gazed into Louise’s eyes as he leaned towards her — “Cut!” yelled the director of the Pensacola resort’s stock theater company. Charles and Louise paused and turned toward him to listen for more stage direction.  They picked up the scene again where they left off and worked on it more before finishing for the…