William W. Booles

Former member of the State Senate, William W. Booles for over a quarter of a century has been actively identified with merchandising at Taylorsville, and the character he has exemplified in business and in public affairs undoubtedly makes him one of the strongest and best known citizens of Spencer County.

He was born in Monroe Parish, Louisiana, June 26, 1867. His father, Dr. James J. Booles, was a physician and surgeon of more than ordinary ability, and also a merchant and banker. Born near Griffin, Georgia, Doctor Booles married Sarah A. Edmonds, a native of the same state. Just before the Civil war they removed to Monroe Parish, Louisiana, where Doctor Booles had his home the rest of his life. He soon joined the Confederate Army as a surgeon, and with the close of the struggle resumed the private practice of his profession. In later years he was prominently identified with business and banking. His force of character, his keen intellect, pronounced integrity and congenial spirit combined to make his career one of prominence and success. He lived to the ripe old age of seventy-nine. He was a democrat, an ardent Baptist, and his widow, who survives him at the age of eighty, is of the same church faith.

William W. Booles, one of the five children of his parents, grew up in Louisiana and finished his education in Howard College Military School. Through his later service as captain of a Louisiana company of militia he derived the title by which he is always known among his associates and friends in Kentucky. As a youth he acquired a thorough experience in his father's store and banking house, and to commercial affairs he has given the best years and zeal of his mature manhood.

Captain Booles in 1892 married Miss Nannie Hough, daughter of Charles Hough, a veteran merchant of Taylorsville, Kentucky. In 1894 Captain Booles prominently identified himself with Taylorsville as a member of the dry goods firm of Charles Hough & Company. With that old house he has continued his services now for over a quarter of a century.

Captain Booles is one of the leaders in the democratic party in this section of the state. He was in the State Senate two terms, and while there did much to impress the soundness of his business judgment upon the work of that body. In 1916 he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at St. Louis, when Mr. Wilson was re-nominated. He has been a thorough admirer of both the administration and personal character of Mr. Wilson. Captain Booles for many years has been a faithful member of the Baptist Church, and is a Knight Templar Mason.

Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabbs Biography

Ouachita Parish  Monroe, Louisiana  1822 - 1890

 by Julia A. Scott Family Research November 10, 2008

  Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabbs July 23, 1822  -  February 22, 1890

Julia was the daughter of James Fort Muse (1776 Fairfield South Carolina - 1843 Bayou Lettsworth, La.) and Margaret Adelaide Bourgeat (1803 Point Coupee - New Roads, La.  - 1895 New Orleans, La.).  Paternal Grandparents were Thomas Muse and Elizabeth Fort of Fairfield County South Carolina.   Material Grandparents were Narcisse Bourgeat of Point Coupee, La. and Marie Barbe Filhiol daughter of Jean Baptiste (Don Juan) Fihiol of Ft. Miro, Louisiana. Born in Louisiana, Julia was educated by the Catholic Nuns in Kentucky near Bardstown.  Her confirmation papers were found in her family Bible showing confirmation in the Cathoic faith on Easter Sunday 1835 by the Rev'd Bishop Charbrat at Nazareth near Bardstown Kentucky.  Julia, her sisters (Theresa Ann Muse born 1825, Margaret Ellen born 1827, and Eliza Mary Bourgeat born 1821, and her brother George Washington Muse were all born in Louisiana.   James Fort Muse II was born in 1832 in Oldham, Kentucky. The family does not appear in the 1830 census for Louisiana. The 1840 Census for LaFouche Parish does contain James F. Muse with 1 male child and 4 female children.   

James Fort Muse married her mother, Margaret Adelaide Bourgeat on February 22, 1821, in Ouachita Parish, Monroe, Louisiana, with her Mother, Marie Barbe Filhiol, widow Bourgeat, her uncle Grammont Filhiol, and her Mother's 2nd husband, Conrad Linderman in attendance. James Fort Muse was a Sheriff in Fairfield County, South Carolina before moving to Louisiana.  He studied law in Louiaiana and practiced law in this state.   

Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse married  Dr. Christopher Dabbs Hunt and recorded her marriage in her Bible as follows:    "Married the 3rd March 1845 in the parish of Catahoula by the Hon S. G.Tallieferro of Catahoula Dr. C. H. Dabbs of Monroe, Ouachita to Miss Julia W. second daughter of James F. Muse Esq deceased of the Parish of Point Coupee La. Married over in the Catholic Faith 1851 by Rev. P. Canavan Missionary."    

The record for their marriage license in Catahoula Parish shows  "Dobbs, Christopher H.  and Mose, Julia W."  Julia married two years after her father's death.  Julia married at 23 years of age and her husband Dr. Christopher Hunt Dabbs was 40 years old. Julia's family relocated to Monroe after her father's death. Her baby sister, Martha Fort Muse (born 12 August, 1842 - died 18 September, 1846) died in Monroe and her obituary was in a Monroe Newspaper.  

Julia and Dr. Dabbs had 4 children:  

 James Muse Dabbs  born 9 Dec 1845  died 15 Feb 1876 (30 years  2 months 6 days) In Monroe Louisiana.  Married Mary Collette 24 Feb 1867.  One Child  Julia Elizabeth Dabbs.    

Julia Adelaide Dabbs  born 17 June 1849   died  12 Sept 1868 (19 years 3 months 2 days)    

Augustine Bourgeat Dabbs  born 29 Jan 1848  died 19 April 1848  (2 months 22 days)    

Mary Elizabeth Dabbs  born 17 Feb 1853   died 29 November 1911 (57 years 10 months 29 days) in King County Washington.  Married James E. Behen St Matthews Catholic Church on 12 Jan 1876.  

 Dr. Christopher H. Dabbs was a prominent Ouachita Parish Physician, Politician, and Planter. He spent a number of years in Catahoula Parish before moving to Monroe (witness to 2 legal papers in the Sicily Island area of Catahoula Parish 1833 and 1835). He was City Administrator for Monroe in 1858 (Mayor) and in 1854 was Grand Master of the Western Star Lodge No.25 (Mason's) in 1858.  He won the election for Auditor in Union Parish 1865. History books tell us his Father was Richard Dabbs, Jr, born 1772  in Charlotte, Vir. and his Mother Elizabeth Mitchell Dabbs, born 1772 Charlotte, Virginia. Dr. Dabbs died in 1868 leaving his family in debt (which was not uncommon giving the conditions after the end of the Civil War). The Masons arranged his funeral but nothing found confirms the cemetery where he was buried.  His great granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Fitzgerald Orth (Seattle, Wa.), in a letter to Samuel Charles Scott III, tells of her memories of visiting the cemeteries on All Saints to place flowers and candles on the family graves.   She remembers visiting Dr. Dabbs grave in the Protestant Cemetery in Monroe and the grave of James Muse Dabbs in the Catholic Cemetery in Monroe.

 She also remembers going to the funeral of her great grandmother Julia Washington Dabbs at the age of 11  and her buried in St. Matthews Catholic Cemetery.  Mary Orth was the daughter of Julia Muse Dabbs' sister Mary Elizabeth Dabbs and James E. Behen. The only gravesite known for this family is St. Matthews Catholic Cemetery where Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabbs is buried but am waiting for the Catholic Church to verify that James Muse Dabbs and several of Julia's grandchildren are buried at St. Matthews.   Julia W. Dabbs is buried with her Granddaughter Julia Elizabeth Dabbs Scott and her family.    

Educated herself by the Nuns in Kentucky, Julia's daughters were in Catholic Boarding School in Natchitoches, Louisiana, when their father, Dr. Dabbs, died.  Many of the debts outstanding at the time of his death were for room and board and services for the two girls. One of the largest debts against the estate came  from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Natchitoches, La., for educational and boarding expenses for the two minor daughters of C. H. Dabbs. They attended that school in 1865.  The bill was for board, tuition, books, stationary, baths, music and the use of the piano. Louisiana Census 1870 for Natchitoches Parish show Julia W. Dabs (Dabbs) as a teacher in that parish. On the same census year her only remaining daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was listed on the St James parish census. The historic district of Convent, La. in St. James Parish has listed St Michael's Church which was formerly called St. Joseph's School. Those listed on this census with Mary Dabbs were girls of school age.  The historical marker for Convent, La. states the town was  settled in 1722-1739 as Baron now parish seat of St. James Parish. Present day  St. Michael’s Church (1809) was site of St. Michael’s Convent Order of the Sacred Heart 1825-1932. If Julia though Mary Elizabeth was going to be a nun, she was definitely wrong.  Six years later (1976) Mary Elizabeth married Joseph Behen in Monroe, Louisiana, and that same year Julia Dabbs lost her only son James Muse Dabbs at age 30.  The obituary in a Monroe Newspaper indicates Muse died at his Mother's home. Evidently Julia had returned to Monroe by that time.    The Behens left Monroe and were located in St. Louis in the 1900 Census.  The Behen Family later migrated to Seattle, Wa. where Mary Elizabeth died in 1911 at the age of 57.  Her daughter, Mary Elizabeth, married an Orth.  Mary Elizabeth Orth's letters to Samuel Charles Scott III were a great help in family research.  Mary Orth died 1970 in a Nursing Home in Seattle, Wa.  She addressed an envelope and made arrangements with the Funeral Home to mail notice of her death to her cousin Sam. She was 96 years old at the time of her death. She was another of the strong independent women in this family.    

Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabbs had two sons but only one survied to adulthood.   James Muse Dabbs was listed in Louisiana Civil War records as a Corpl. Co. O. Cons. Crescent Regt. La. Infty. On Roll of Prisoners of War, he was paroled at Natchitoches, La., June 6th, 1865. Res. Monroe, La. A copy of a Civil War Pass is on the LaGenweb Archives in the military section.  This picture is of the back side of the Pass with signatures and comments as he went through the line to his home. Hopefully, the front side of this Pass will be on same website soon.   In Jan 1867 James Muse Dabbs (who was called Muse by the family) married  Mary Olivia Collett.  They had  a daughter, Julia Elizabeth Dabbs in 1869 and a son James Christopher Dabbs born in 1872 who only lived 4 hours.      

Dr. Dabbs' oldest son, Christopher Hunt Dabbs, Jr. was sent to Georgetown College (documented in 1850 Census for Washington, D.C.) at age 15. An article in the Daily National Intelligencer dated June 4, 1851, lists Christopher H. Dabbs, Louisiana, 4th Congressional District, to report to Annapolis to report October 1, 1851, to be examined for admission. In Julia's letter to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, she indicates once in 1852 and again in 1853 that Dr. Dabbs has been in Washington where he probably visited his son at Georgetown. Very little is known about Christopher Dabbs.  He is not mentioned in the succession papers at the time of his father's death.   His  sister Selina is included but only as daughter by a previous marriage.    

Notre Dame Archives letters (listed below) illustrate Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabb's determination to establish a Catholic Church in Monroe.   Her  Uncle, Edmond Landry Grammont Filhiol, in 1851 donated the land on which the Catholic Church stands.  He and Dr. C. H. Dabbs were on the building committee. One of the Archive letters describes the plan for building the church. Julia's letters to Archbishop Anthony Blanc in New Orleans document her strength and purpose.  One of the earlier Priests Father Patrick Caravan married Julia Washington Muse and Dr. C. H. Dabbs in 1851 after a civil marriage in 1845 in Catahoula Parish. Father Julius J. O'Dougherty replaced Father Caravan in 1853.  To say that  Father O'Dougherty and Dr. Dabbs did not get along would be a understatement.  Letters indicate great animosity between the two.  In a letter to Archbishop Blanc (responding to charges made by Father O'Dougherty), Julia stressed her husbands support for the Catholic Church:    "Blanc) will perceive from their town paper that Dr. (C.H.) Dabbs is yet a zealous friend of the Church,  although not a Catholic. 22 pews are finished, more than half of which have been rented. The church  carpenters stopped the day before O'Doherty left Monroe saying $2.50 per day was not enough for warm weather. All the carpenters have used one of Dr. Dabbs's houses free. Dr. Dabbs has written to another carpenter in N(ew) O(rleans) to finish the church, agreeably with his intention to give it up to (Blanc).  O'Doher(ty) has found great fault with some parts of the church as being too expensive. The plan is the one adopted by Father (Patrick) Canavan, Mr. Filhiol and Dr. Dabbs, the building committee. Their pastor told his congregation that Dr. Dabbs was a drunkard not responsible for what he said and not a friend of the Church. And that he, O'D(oherty) would place church matters in other hands.  Dr. Dabbs does not feel that another person should have the credit of completing it. The Doctor is a  jovial person and too prone to laugh at the Irish. What remarks he made about O'Doherty, when a little tipsy, were too ridiculous to notice. Dr. Dabbs is a Free Mason and subscribed $100 toward building a lodge in Monroe. Julia's uncle, Mr. Filhiol, wishes Dr. Dabbs to have the church finished. The Protestant  subscribers, who are perhaps more than half, will pay no one but Dr. Dabbs. The Doctor is a Democrat which appears not to please their pastor who is a strong whig.  About Dr. Dabbs character (Blanc)is referred to Jos(eph) H. Moore, commissioner of N(ew) O(rleans), who is well known to Father Mullen of  St. Patrick's as a strict Catholic and the godfather of Julia's son. Her feelings are so hurt that Dr. Dabbs should be thought of as an enemy of the Catholic Church; he got every name on the subscription list except 3. If he is permitted to finish the church in peace, she does  not mention all the opposition among some of the Protestants, he will resign it to (Blanc) and not meddle   with it any more. The Doctor understood that O'Doherty said that her family drove Canavan from Monroe.  He was incorrectly informed for Canavan lived with them and wrote after he left expressing his gratitude.  They were almost the only persons who liked Canavan; their only objection was his brogue. O'D(oherty)'s  sermons please generally."  

Julia Dabbs wanted her children educated in the Catholic faith and just before Dr. Dabbs' death  she began her campaign to provide Catholic education for the children of Monroe. The formation of St. Matthew's Parochial School began in 1863 when Julia W. Dabbs and Miss K. Moran conducted the first denominational school in Monroe.  In 1866 the the Daughters of the Cross from St. Vincents Convent in Shreveport, Louisiana, took charge of the Catholic School in Monroe and started St. Hyacinth's Academy. Father Gergaud, with the assistance of Mrs. Julia W. Dabbs and Miss K. Moran, worked to develop and to open a Catholic School.  It began with a student population of sixty pupils. Father Gergaud and Father Ludovic Enaut, a young French Priest just arrived from France, began a young boy's school on June 9, 1869, with a student population of thirty pupils. Father Ludovic Enaut performed the marriage ceremony for my Grandmother Julia Elizabeth Dabbs Scott and Samuel Charles Scott on 4 March 1889 in his parlor at St. Matthews Catholic Church.    At Dr. Dabbs' death his son James Muse on March 31, 1868, petitioned the courts stating that  Dr. Dabbs was survived by his widow, Julia W. Muse, himself,  2 minor sisters, Julia A. and Mary E. Dabbs (the issue of his father by Julia W. Dabbs) and M. Selina Dabbs, daughter by a previous marriage. No mention was made of his son Christopher H. Dabbs, Jr. thus indicating that Christopher was deceased. Very little is known about this previous marriage.  

 Tennessee Marriage Records indicate  C. H. Dabbs married S. S. Hunt in 1834 in Hardemon County.  A legal transaction in Dec 29, 1835, in Fayette County, Tennessee, transfers $1 and for love and affection for Christopher Hunt Dabbs, Jr., son of Doctor Christopher H. Dabbs, a Negro man slave named Dick Sorrell to Salley Hunt. Christopher Hunt Dabbs, Jr. was born in Tennessee 1835.  His sister M. Selina Dabbs was born in Louisiana in 1839.  Selina never married and died at age 75 in Bell County, Temple, Texas. Texas 1860 Census indicates Selina was living among her Mothers people, the Hunts. Selina returned to Louisiana for a while but returned to Texas and died there in Temple, Texas, Bell County, at 75 years of age.  Living in that city were Hunt relatives Thomas Green Hunt, his wife Sinia Cox Hunt and their son Bradford who was  born Oct 14, 1882, in Mississippi.    

After Dr. Dabbs death, the many acres of land he owned in Louisiana (Morehouse, Richland Caldwell and Carroll Parishes) were valued at 25 cents an acre and sold at public auction to pay debts of the estate. In Ouachita Parish a tract of land about 2 miles SE of Monroe containing 550 acres was appraised at  3 $ per acre for a total value of $1650. Julia Washington Bourgeat Muse Dabbs never married after the death of her husband. Dr. Dabbs died 29 March 1868 and Julia lost her eldest daughter Julia Adelaide Dabbs (age 19) in September the same year. Her son James Muse Dabbs had been quarantined in Shreveport in 1973 by the yellow fever epidemic.  This was his second time to be quarantined in Shreveport.  His health was damaged and he died at Julia's home on 15 Feb 1876.  Father Gerguad in 1869 baptized Julia's Granddaughter and namesake (Julia Elizabeth Dabbs daughter of James Muse Dabbs)   Father Gerguad died in 1873 in the yellow fever epidemic in Shreveport. A letter written by James Muse Dabbs in 1873 from Shreveport describes the horrors of his long quarantine in that city.    Julia died in Monroe 22 Feb 1890 and is burred there in St. Matthews Catholic Cemetery. Sadly her death is not recorded in her Family Bible. It is possible her death is recorded in the Point Coupee Muse Family Bible.

The Bernard Hempkin Dinkgrave Story

submitted by: Julia A. Scott                  

Bernard (Ben or Benny) Hempkin Dinkgrave September 29, 1844 – August 31, 1876  

Ben was the son of William and Dorcus Dinkgrave.  Old Marriages recorded in conveyance records for Ouachita Parish indicate William H. Dinkgrave  was born February 22.1816 and died December 27, 1862.  William  married Dorcus Maddox (Born  August 13, 1820 – Died February 17, 1894) on February 18, 1839.  These records also show that  Bernard H. Dinkgrave married Marie Antoinett Waite on June 29, 1871.  William, Docus and Ben are buried in St. Matthews Catholic Cemetery along with a son Frederick (Born September 20, 1846 – Died September 30, 1847),  Infant Dinkgrave (no dates), and Willie H. (Born May 4, 1854 – Died December 10, 1900).  His brother Stephen H. Dinkgrave married Clara T. Bry on September 22, 1861 per Ouachita Parish Marriage Records. Stephen Dinkgrave died October 2, 1874 at the home of his father-in-law Major Bry of yellow fever at the age of 30.  He was survived by his wife Clara and one child

 The 1850 Census  in the Town of Monroe on 1st of November 1850 shows William Henry Dinkgrave age 34  Sheriff and his wife Dorcas 28.  Children listed on this census are Jane Elizabeth 11, Francis Virginia 9, Stephen Harrison 7 and Bernard Hempkin 5.    The 1860 census lists the following children for Henry and Dorcas:  J. E. (Jane Elizabeth) 20, Francis 18, S. H (Stephen) 17,  B. H (Benny) 15, W. H. (William)   5,  L. E. (Leontine)  4.   This census also list  H Hempkin female 25 and V. Ludeling female 49.  Land Grant records show that Dorcas Dinkgrave filed for 39.6 acres of land in Ouachita Parish in 1820.  In the 1880 Census  Dorcas Dinkgrave, a 56 year old widow, was  living in the city of Monroe and had her children Jane, William H. and Leontine living with her  

Like his father, Benny was a sheriff  in Monroe. His nephew John H. Dinkgrave was  Deputy United States Marshall in Monroe and with Benny  worked to guarantee the rights of the people of the area to vote their choice.   Benny and John  supported the Republican cause and were both involved in organizing the party in 1867.   Benny's activity in support of the Republican party resulted in his murder and almost caused race riots in the Monroe area.   The blacks felt the Democrats had Benny murdered to create an atmosphere of intimidation and force them to vote Democrat  Ben served in the Civil War (CSA) and Boothe's Index has the following listings for him  Dinkgrave,  Bernard Hempki Sep 29, 184 Aug 31, 187 LA-KK-1 Served in Watkins Battalion, Louisiana Reserve Corps LA-KK-16 is the cemetery symbol in Ouachita Parish for St. Matthews Cemetery - Washington St. in Monroe, LA   Dinkgrove, B. H., Pvt. Conscript _ La. On Rolls of Prisoners of War, Paroled Alexandria, La., June 3rd, 1865. Res. Ouachita Par., La. Also on Rolls of Co. C. Watkins Battn. Reserve Corps, Paroled Monroe, La., June 10th, 1865. Res. Ouachita Par., La  It appears that Ben  was parolled in Alexandria on June 3rd, 1865 and returned to Monroe to enlist in Watkins Battn. And again paroled on June 10th, 1865. I have a letter dated April 16, 1865, written to my Great Grandfather James Muse Dabbs from Ben H.Dinkgrave, General Hospital, Outside Alexandria, Louisiana.  A translation of this letter will be shown after this biography  There are few references to Ben Dinkgrave that indicate he was a Doctor.   The Obituary of Dr. John Calderwood, Sr.  in the Louisiana Intelligencer on July 1, 1868, has signatures of local Doctors at the bottom and one of the entries is  Dr. B. H. Dinkgrave    Signed T.B. RICHARDSON, M.D R.C. STROTHER, M.D J.H. McCORMICK, M.D E.H. ROANE, M.D B. H. Dinkgrave, M.D

 The homicide of John C. Wimberly as written in The Ouachita Telegraph on Saturday, April 2, 1870 can only be told by including the copy of this newspaper article  “'The Ouachita Telegrap Saturday, April 2, 187 Page 3, Column Homicide of John C. Wimberly Mrs. Catherine Liles has been very sick for some time, and Dr. John Calderwood, her physician, was requested by her on last Wednesday to writ her will.  He proceeded at her dictation until he reached the name of Alic Wimberly, Mr. Jno Wimberly's wife and Mrs. Liles sister.  Wimberly came forward and directed that his wife should not be one of the heirs.  Dr Calderwood told Mr. W. that if he wrote at all it must be as Mrs. Lile dictated.  Dr. C. left the table, Mrs. Liles having consented at the request of Mrs. Alice Wimberly to leave her name out, Dr. C. resumed the will.  Mr W. then directed that the reasons he would dictate why his wife's name was left out and should be written in it.  Dr. C. informed him again that he would not write any thing but what Mrs. L. dictated.  Mr. W. threatened that if i was not done he would tear it up, &c.  Dr. C. rose declaring, he would no do any thing more with it — walked out in the yard.  He heard some voice behind him and returned towards the house.  Dr. Dinkgrave and Mr. Wimberl were 15 or 20 feet from the gallery.  Wimberly made some charges which Dr D. denied — Mr. W. repeated several times "you, did sir." "You did sir," the denial being persisted in, Mr. W. said you are a d--d liar — dealing Dr D.  a heavy blow over the left eye with a pistol or a brass nuckle.  Dr. D fired two shots.  Mr. W. supported by Dr. C. and Mr. Hill, walked to th steps.  He lived about an hour.  Dr. D. surrendered himself the next day — gave bond on the sum of $3000 t appear to day for a preliminary examination.  

 The death of Benny Dinkgrave achieved National attention and the following is a portion of Electorial Count of 1877 by United States Electorial Commission, United States Congress During the months of July and August the evidence shows that the white people of Ouachita Parish were organized into clubs, mounted clubs, and they did better than the instructions of the chair man of the democratic central committee. They not only mounted the clubs, but they armed them. The republican party was also or organized into clubs, not mounted and not armed, such political clubs as are organized all over the country. So in that way during the mouth of August the organization of both parties was completed.

On the 30th of August an event took place in that parish which gave a moral coloring to the election in that parish. On the 30th of August Bernard H. Dinkgrave, a white man, a cultivated man, a native Louisianian, a man against whose character no one has breathed a word except that the chairman of the democratic committee for Ouachita parish said that he was a violent partisan Bernard H. Dink-grave was shot down, about four o'clock in the afternoon, going from his office in Monroe to his house just outside of the town. It is said that that was not done for political effect. It has been suggested that the death grew out of a difficulty he had in 1870 with a man by the name of Wibble, or it grew out of an arrest that he made two years before when ho was sheriff of Ouachita Parish of a man by file name of Allen.

Upon that single point a great deal of evidence was taken. I must content myself with saying that, weighing the evidence as carefully as I could, I have no more doubt that Bernard H.  Dinkgrave was killed for political effect than I have that he was killed at all. But no matter whether he was killed for political effect or not, it had a political effect. The people of Ouachita Parish, the colored people at all events, believed that he was killed for political effect. Republican effort was paralyzed at once. Another republican meeting was not held in the parish until some time in October, and after troops had been stationed at Monroe ; and no meeting I think was held by the republican party anywhere where the troops of the United States were not near the place of meeting. I ought to have preceded this allusion to the death of Dinkgrave by giving an idea of the state of the canvass on the 19th of August. I read from the Vienna Sentinel a letter directed to that newspaper by the editor, written from Monroe, of this parish of Ouachita : Politics in Ouachita are gaining more attention than at any previous election since 1860. In fact, every man, woman, and child seems to have his or her whol soul in the contest.

This is encouraging, and a good sign of state of hoping the democratic mind is that there are, or rather were, numerous candidates for parish offices. I say were, because they are now reduced to one candidate for each of Bee, the democrats having hold their parish nominating convention on Saturday last. If the democrats are hopeful in this parish, they have good cause to be so. While they present an unbroken front and an admirable organization, the radicals are wavering, disheartened, and scared. There a few bold, empty-headed orators among the latter who either have not sense enough to appreciate the situation or are willing to draw us on to any extremes in order that their elevation may be se cured. It is human nature to admire boldness, but when boldness is united to rascality it is Louisiana s nature to deal summarily with it. These inflammatory spouters, demagogues in the truest sense of the word, are using their best effort a to instill bad principles into the minds of the colored people, and seem to be anxious to precipitate a violent conflict between the two races. Nothing could be further removed from the wishes of the whites of this community ; but if anything of the kind should come about, there is a stern resolve that the foolish cat's-paw, the negro, shall not be the only sufferer. The, promoters of these murderous principles are well known and well watched, and the halter for their necks is already greased. That was written on the 8th of August, and it appeared in the Sentinel on the 19th. It appeared in Monroe on the 21st. A witness swore that up to this time only three republicans had taken part in the canvas in that parish. One was this Bernard H. Dinkgrave; one was his nephew, John H. Dinkgrave ; one was George B. Hamilton, a colored man and sheriff of the parish. On the 30th of August following this publication in this newspaper, Dinkgrave, one of the three, was  assassinated; Hamilton fled to New Orleans; and no further attempts were made to organize or to rally the republican party in that parish until in October . . . . . . . . A witness swore that up to this time only three Republicans had taken part in the canvass of in the parish -  Bernard H. Dinkgrave, his nephew John H. Dinkgrave and George B. Hamlet a colored man and Sheriff of the parish. 

 On the 30th of August following publication of this article  Benny Dinkgrave was assassinated and Hamlet fled to New Orleans  John H. Dinkgrave, Benny's nephew mentioned in the article above, died in 188 The following are obituaries for both John and his wife Rosa  (again a special Thank Yo to Lora Peppers of the Ouachita Parish Library Genealogy Department for making thes obituaries available to us).  The 1880 Ouachita Parish Monroe Census shows  John H. Dinkgrave (in error) born 1853 27 years old lawyer by profession and his wife Rosa J.  with two children Ethel A. and Theodore J.  Evidently a third child was born after 1880 since the obituary for John indicates he leaves three children who reside with their aunt  John H. Dinkgrave, Deputy United States Marshall, in The Ouachita Telegraph Article on November 3, 1867, was criticized by Captain Clayton Hall US 16th Infantry located in Monroe for not responding to the shooting and murder of two black men outside the city. 

 After the murder of his Uncle Benny Dinkgrave for his support of the black community and the Republican party it is not surprising that John, who had a wife and three children, chose not to respond.   None of the  Doctors of the area responded when called for medical aid.  The environment in this town at that time was volatile and, based on recent deaths, responding could have cost them their lives   The Monroe Bulleti Wednesday, July 27, 188 Page 3, Column John H. Dinkgrave a native of Monroe, died suddenly Sunday evening i Topeka, Kansas.  He took an active part as a Republican in several memorabl Louisiana campaigns and was widely known throughout the Ouachita country Mr. Dinkgrave leaves three children, who reside in this city with his sister Mrs. Jennie White The Monroe Bulletin, Wednesday, December 5, 188 Page 3 Mrs. Rosa Floyd Dinkgrave, wife of John H. Dinkgrave, died yesterday evening of pneumonia.  She was a young and estimable lady and her death will be regretted by all who knew her.  Mrs. Dinkgrave leaves three children, the youngest only a few weeks old Accounts in books at the Ouachita Parish Library –   Genealogical Department tell of the killing of Benny Dinkgrave, Sheriff and Doctor. 

A tall, dark stranger came to Monroe and asked around town about Dinkgrave.   When no one would tell him anything, he  lay in wait for Benny.   Coming home from out of the town, Benny saw the stranger on his horse at the end of Louisville Street at the Ouachita River bank.  He circled around the city and with a friend came upon the stranger who was on foot  and waiting for him.   The assassin told Benny's friend to step aside as he had no quarrel with him.   When he moved aside the stranger opened fire on Benny killing first his horse and then him. The stranger then got on his horse and left town never to be apprehended and punished for his crime When you pass  that   corner of Louisville and Riverside where Ben Dinkgrave was killed,  wonder if, at the time, Benny knew who the killer was or why the killer came after him.  From a comment in Benny's letter to  James Muse Dabbs in 1865,  Benny had many conflicting feelings about the war though he served in the Confederate Army. 

The following is his letter written on April 16, 1865   1)Letter from Ben H. Dinkgrave to Muse Dabbs written April 16, 1865,  from General Hospita near Alexandria, La.    

Friend Dabbs,   Your favor of the 14th just came to hand this morning while I was taking snooze and was handed to me by one of the Hospital rats after I awoke.  I was a first puzeled to know where it came from it having no post mark but I soon was enlightened by opening it and found it from my friend Dabbs.  I was not long i learning its contents and in remembrance of the days of yore I immediately got u and took a drink of good old rum which I had hid away for special purposes an drank to the health of you and your intended. I had hoped to see you here when arrived having heard that a portion of your Regiment was on Post Duty at Alexandria.   I would like very much for you to be near here.  I think we could have some fun together with the women of the city of Pineville as you say they are of Easy Virtue most of them.   Such things your humble serv't enjoys above all others.   I am still having quite an easy time but sometimes feel a little lonely and wish for some of my old friends to be near to converse on the topics of home and bygone days.   You may think me homesick but such is not the case.  I am a happy as a King could possibly be under the conflicting circumstances and ho _______ know  what leaving the fun beauties of the Ouachita behind.   By the By Dabbs I saw your intended a few days before leaving Monro and must say it was altogether accidental on my part but I had intended going t see her before leaving. I am very much obliged to you for your kin consideration and making me not only a guest at your wedding but the idea of being groomsman for my friends is really a pleasure I had not anticipated an of course I get the first kiss  you know.  You speak threateningly old fellow because I told you I had pressed her hand in friendship.  I was fully aware of your claims  but you had better be a good boy and not even  drink  or I will inform on you.  You speak of having a gay  time on your trip at Shreveport drinking whiskey. I also had quite a splendid time a portion of the trip I made. After passing  the mouth of the Red River we met up with steamer Gene Hodge had music and whiskey to drink and I don't think there was a sober man on board of our  little ship Judge Fletcher that night.  If there was I did not see him.  Perhap you think that I was not a fit judge the time.  Myself I don't know whether I was or  not for I had partook often and largely and went to bed at 3 o'clock that morning very sleepy indeed.  I have had plenty to drink since I have been here Egg Nogs every day   Plenty of everything except that important article and I will leave it to your sagacity to guess what that is   So it ticked Bob to learn that you were going to be married.  Maybe he don't believe it   Its getting late and I must soon go to my grub so I must close      Hoping to hear from you soon. I Remain Truly yr friend Ben H. Dinkgrav  P. S.  Remember me to his honor R. J. Nelson.

Note:  Sagacity gave some trouble  so had to look it up.  Sagacity The quality of being discerning, sound in judgment, and farsighted; wisdom  

Ben Dinkgrave was a friend of  Great Great Grandfather Dabbs and evidently the Dabbs and Dinkgrave families lived near each other in Monroe.   The Family kept this letter for 144 years and it now is in the safety of Ouachita Parish Library.  When Muse Dabb's sister Mary Elizabeth married Joseph E. Behen in January of 1876, William H. Dinkgrave, Jr.  was a witness at their wedding. An incident involving a dispute between Dr. C. H. Dabbs and the Catholic Priest  Father O'Dougherty resulted from O'Dougherty “saving a young lady”  staying  in the house of Dr. Dabbs from evil.  The girl involved was a Dinkgrave.  Her first name was never mentioned. However, Benny had  two older sisters – Jane Elizabeth and Francis Virginia.  Dr. Christopher Hunt Dabbs was the father of Benny's friend  James Muse Dabbs.  This incident occurred sometime in the year 1853 when Jane Elizabeth would have been 14  and Francis Virginia 12.    Ben Dinkgrave lived a short 32 years but in those years he was Dorcas Dinkgrave's son a soldier in the cause of the Confederate States of America, a treasured friend of James Muse Dabbs, a Doctor, a Sheriff, a husband to Marie Antoinette Waite, possibly a father, and a marty to the Republican political cause.  He was murdered on Louisiville at the Ouachita River by an assassin who was never identified or punished.   May God Rest Ben Dinkgrave's soul.

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