12 28 1907

Editor of Union Herald Bernice Louisiana after losing all his Newspaper Outfit comes to New Mexico

G G Crichet, former editor of the "Union Herald" of Bernice is in the city of on his way to the Mesilla Valley with his wife who comes to New Mexico to spend the winter here for her health. Mr. Crichet says he was compelled to leave Bernice after enemies there had set fire to his Newspaper plant which was entirely consumed. This the editor says followed a persistent effort of certain persons in the community to "freeze him out" on account of controversy in which he engaged with a prominent minister on matters of religion.  They made it uncomfortable for me as a Yankee interloper for three years said Mr. Crichet yesterday. But I managed to hold my own until incendiaries burnt me out when I decided it was time to leave. Mr. Crichet is an old friend of Hiram Hadley of Las Cruces former superintendent of the New Mexico Schools.

Spectator falls dead when prominent men exchange shots and man on train fatally wounded.

Bernice La Apr 20, 1908

One spectator was killed and five others wounded today during a street duel here. Both duelists were wounded but not seriously.  The fight was between C J Morton and W F Barham, both prominent in this section. The cause of their quarrel is not known. Morton was just stepping of a Arkansas Southern Passenger train accompanied by his wife and seven year old son when Barham appeared  armed. Morton was carrying a repeating shotgun. Both men opened fire and Morton's little boy fell probably fatally wounded. T Q Clark was instantly killed and Thomas Rives was wounded in the thigh. Conductor Alford of the train, and a male  passenger, name not learned,  were painfully wounded. Morton was hit twice by his adversary's bullet and Barham was struck once. A J Blanche of Covington, La was possibly wounded, while seated in a smoking car. Clem Barham assisted his father in the shooting.

When the books are opened, and the record of the recording angel is made manifest, many will rise up to call him blessed, and methinks I can hear the master say, 'In as much as ye did unto the least of these, My Brethern, ye did it unto me." His gain is a great loss to this section of the state, where ministrations as a skillful physician and sympathtic friend endeared him to us. May his mantle fall upon three daughters and four sons. His was a life well spent." Dr. J. M. Hamilton was the son of William Henry Hamilton, Sutton Hamilton. He was born at Old Shiloh, Union Parish, and spent more than 50 of his 81 years ministering to the sick. counseling he well, and contributing to the welfare of his chosen community, Downsville. Coming to that somewhat isolated but not backward community at the age of 28. and only shortly after obtaining his medial degree from the College of Mobile, Alabama, he started without funds but not without friends. This courageous young physician would ride his plough horse over the field and plough steadily until a call came from some farm house. Thus he helped out a limited medical practice with a  good crop. He soon made for himself a lace of security, and his services were sought "far and wide." It required two of the best horses in a day when good horses were demand, to stand the strain of practice that frequently covered 0 miles per day. As the busy years rolled by, Dr. Hamilton, accumulated' large holdings. Many men can make money for themselves, but Dr. Hamilton made money for others. His whole life was characterized by boundless energy, rigid honesty, steadfastness of purpose and a courage that was dauntless and challenging."

In the early days, parish lines were no barriers and doctors traveled miles in all directions to. answer the call of the suffering. Among these was Dr. C. T. Hines of Downsville, who had as many patients in Lincoln as in Union He was; in 1877, living in the Douglas Community where he was rated as an outstanding physician.  Dr. Hines was a prominent Mason, and a state lecturer until his death. Dr. Richardson was a partner of Dr. Hines, and like .Dr. Hines had a practice in both Lincoln and Union parishes. He died while enroute to visit a seriously patient. -A limb was blown from a tree and fell on him. He left a wife and four small children. Another well-known  figure from Douglas was Dr. J. T. Mc- Dowell, who died in the early. 1870's. He married Emma Wilson, sister of Carrie Wilson Smith and Joel H. Wilson.  Dr. McDowell was the father of Mrs. Daisy Faught and Mrs. J. H. Murphy. Dr. and Mrs. McDowell were buried, at Douglas. In the same community was a Dr. Martin Smith, who later moved to Ruston. Dr. Smith was famous for his long curly hair which fell to his shoulders—and he had a curl across the top of his head. (Rumor had it that Dr. Smith's wife rolled his hair for him each night ) A son, Hugh, was also a doctor.

---------------------------------------------------------------

The news of the marriage of Miss Doris Honeycutt has come as a surprise to Ruston friends. Miss Honeycutt was married last Sunday to Mr. Everett Rogers, of Rocky Branch, Union Parish, where she is teaching in the Rocky Branch school. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Laura Honeycutt of Ruston