The Richland Beacon-News from Rayville, Louisiana • 1

SERVING RAYVILLE AND RICHLAND PARISH ONLY NEWSPAPER PRINTED IN HLAND PARISH LD3ERTAS ET NATALE SOLUM VOLUME LXXXIII. RAYVILLE, RICHLAND PARISH, LOUISIANA, SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th, 1952. NUMBER 50. THE NEW AND THE OLD iNew Courthouse Man Hangs Self In Maiignam Jail Father and Son Killed In Truck- agon Collision New Courthouse Symbol Of Richland's Progress In 83 Year History The modern Richland Parish Court House which looks east over the growing town of Rayville, and outward over the parish countryside stands as a reinforced concrete symbol of the progress made by Richland in its eighty-three year history. The space occupied by the accumulated records of the clerk of court, including the marriage records of parish citizenry, records of property changes, court proceedings, and all the documented history of the daily lives of countless -1 1 1 mi f.fiii, jas.

I Ml- Is Accepted By Parish Police Jury Building Virtually Complete; Total Cost Close To $550,000 Towering giant-like over Rayville's low skyline, with a clear view out into the countryside afforded from windows on the top floor, is new Richland Parish Court House, a five-story building of reinforced; concrete, approached by a broad expanse of steps, and rising majestically on the same site where Richland affairs have been conducted for the past eighty-odd years. This building actually has six levels of floorrpace, with ample facilities for the many parish offices and agencies included in the five Lfloors and the basement. A special meeting of the Richland Parish Police Jury was called on Thursday, December 20th, 1951, for inspection and acceptance of the new building. The building was accepted, with the stipulation that a number of unfinished details were to be completed. This building represents a total cost of about $550,000, and was constructed over a period of twenty-two months.

Contract on the plans and specifications made by architects Smith and Padgett of Monroe was let in March of 1950 to J. A. Harp- in the amount of $398,481. Numerous additions to the original specifications, including such things as an overall heating and cooling unit, completion of the basement on the north wing, and other details amounted to Addition of the architects fee of $31,024 and some essential new equipment brought the total figure for the new courthouse to approximately the exact sum of the two bond issues passed for its construction, which were to the amount of $550,000. Sam Brinson, operator of Rayville's first elevator, has been kpt busy this week as hordes of interested persons have toured the new building.

Already installed are occupants of the first floor which includes offices of the Clerk of Court, the Assessor, the Sheriff and State Police, and the Registrar of Voters. In process of moving into their new quarters are many other offices in town. On the second floor will be the P. M. A.

of fice, offices of the County and Home Demonstration Agents and their assistants, office of the Soil Conservation agent, and the Tensas Basin Levee Board. On the third floor is the large, two floor high court room with adjacent offices for the judge and dis trict attorney, witness rooms and office of the American Red Cross. The fourth floor houses the Police Jury meeting rom and secretary-treasurer's office and the Veterans Service office. The fifth floor is the jail floor with men's and women's separate quarters, living accommodations for the jailor, and a separate cell for in firmary. On the ground floor, or basement, will be found the Department "of Public Welfare, with entrance from outside south door, and on the north wing, when completed, will be found the F.

H. A. offices and office of the Selective Service. The building is equipped with regulation emergency exits, and there is an additional elevator in the building for entrance to the jail floor. This elevator opens from the sheriffs office, and has other stops onlyon the courtroom and jail floors.

It Is kept locked at all times, and is equipped with a sliding barred panel for use in conveying prisoners. The first bond issue for the new building was passed in February of 1945 to the amount of $350,000, with an additional $200,000 bond issue passed in November of 1949. The first bond issue was called under the following jurymen: W. H. Linton, president.

Ward Roy Snider, Ward Combs Copes, Ward D. E. McKnight and L. B. Ratcliff, Ward R.

S. Hardwick, Ward J. L. McDonald, Ward C. L.

Ellington, Ward Carl Earle, Ward R. E. Walters. Ward 7. Members of the Police Jury issuing the contract and accepting the building on December 20th were Carl Earle, president, Ward Combs Copes and Frank McEacharn, Ward W.

H. Linton, Jr, D. E. McKnight and C. S.

Simpson, Ward R. E. Hardwick, Ward E. E. Hill, Ward H.

G. Tillman, Ward J. U. Douciere, Ward Richard Downes, secretary-treasurer. Parish officials whose names are inscribed on the bronze plaque in the entry of the new courthouse are: C.

J. Ellis, Judge Fifth Judicial District Court; J. C. Boies, Clerk of Court; J. F.

Jones, Sheriff; W. M. Hallack, Assessor; H. N. Anders, District Attorney; W.

R. Coenen, Asst. Dist. Attorney; W. Sartis Bassett, Asst.

District Attorney. No date has been set for formal ceremonies opening the building, but there will be such an opening after all offices are moved in 'and straightened out, it was stated. Christmas Dinner Distributed Louisiana newspapers "deserve credit for the fact that the first printing of 25,000 copies of the "Voter's Guide to the 1952 Elections" was exhausted one week after publication, the PAR Reporter said in its December issue. The monthly newsletter, a publication of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, noted that "the response Louisiana's newspapers have given the guide has surpassed the news coverage given any previous PAR publication." The demand for the council's voters' guide did not decrease during the recent Christmas holiday rush, the council's public information office an- nounced this week During the week end just before Christmas, Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association ordered 8,500 copies of the guide for distribution to royalty owners. The Texas Company ordered 2,450 copies.

Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company ordered 1,000 copies, and the California Company, 500 copies. Individual requests for one, two or ten copies continue to come in. The total distribution of the booklet, less than a month after publication, nearly 50,000 copies. Mrs. Carrie Robinson Watson Delhi, Jan.

2. Mrs. Carrie Robinson Watson, 45, died at her residence in Delhi today Funeral services will be held at 3 p. m. Thursday at the residence of Mrs.

C. E. Wiggins, of Delhi, with the Rev. G. F.

Stinebaugh, Baptist officiating. Interment will be in the Delhi Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home of Delhi. Mrs. Watson was the owner and operator of the Hill Top Cottages in Delhi, having moved here from Monroe, where she was employed at Sil-verstein's for over 20 years. She is survived by her mother, Mrs.

E. B.Bryan; stepfather, Ernest Bryan; one brother, Clyde Robinson Bryan, loth of Baton Rouge; and four nephews. Pallbearers will be: Fred Black, William G. Robinson, Julius Rundell, Lorane Armstrong, Edward W. Robinson and Ezra Rundell E.

B. Cumpton E. B. Cumpton passed to his reward from his home at 2516 James street, Shreveport, Monday, December 17th, 1951. Mr.

Cumpton was a native of Ray- ville, the youngest of three sons born to the late G. L. and Mrs. Dora Potter Cumpton. The two brothers, F.

C. Cumpton and L. W. Cumpton, preced ed him to the grave. Boyd, as he was known by his friends, was born March 26th, 1892, into one of the oldest families of this section.

He moved to Shreveport 31 years ago. ne was a very successrui business man in that city and. was well liked by all who knewxhim. He has been in ill health for a number of years, but the worst came seventeen months ago when his health broke completely. He was a member of the First Methodist Church of Shreveport.

His Christian fortitude was a lesson to all who saw him in his months of affliction. Never a murmer against his fate did he utter. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Cora Cumpton; two sisters, Mrs. J.

W. Hor-ton and Mrs. Ann Ferguson, both of Rayville; a number of nieces, one nephew, one great nephew, and a niece of his wife's who knew no difference between him and her own relatives. The funeral was conducted in the Rose-Neath Chapel with Rev. Ira Peak of Queensborough Baptist Church, and Rev.

Quaid, associate pastor of First Methodist Church of Shreveport. Interment was in "Greenwood Burial Park, Shreveport. XXX TOWN COURT The following persons appeared with the following dispositions made at Mayor's Court this week: Letha Summerlin, charged with be ing drunk and disorderly, fined $17.50 or five days in the Rayville jail; Vel-ma Coon, drunk and disorderly, $17.50 or five days; Louis Turner, drunk and disorderly, $17.50 or ten days; C. E. Walker, drunk and disorderly, $17.50 or five days; B.

C. Copeland, drunk and disorderly, forfeited bond of $20; Clyde Garrison, drunk and disorderly, forfeited bond of $20; Moore Pitman, drunk and disorderly, forfeited bend of $20; J. B. Binton, running stop light, received warning at this, his first offense; Louis Turner, drunk and disorderly, $17.50 or five days; Mr. Silk, reckless driving and speeding, C.

F. Moncrief, speeding and reckless driving, Hugh Dopson, speeding, "Bud" Lewis, speeding, Isadore Holland, drunk and disorderly, $17.50 or five days; Charlie Wrote, purse snatching, $20; and Floyd Eubanks, disturbing the peace, $27.50 or 15 days. number 4496 in order to make reservations. First night of the tournament will be on Friday, January 11th, at 7:30 p. at the Catholic school.

Lots of Horses One thousand electric motors with a combined capacity of about horsepower, are used to power the Panama canal. Ferris Bennett, 28, Uses Belt To Take Own Life Town of Mangham law enforcement officers report that Ferris Bennett, 28, was found dead in a cell of the Mangham jail on the morning of Sunday, December 30th. He was hanging by his belt from bars of the cell and had been dead for some time when discovered. Dr. J.

C. Ellington, parish coroner, called to investigate the death, states that the man died from strangulation due to hanging, and held that the death was suicide. Bennett and his brother had been placed in jail Saturday by Mangham authorities after he and his brother, Ernest Bennett, had become embroiled in a heated argument and fight over possession of an old truck body. The deceased lived with his brother and mother in Mangham, but his mother was out of town at the The two brothers were put into separate cells of the Mangham jail. The jailor reported that Ferris Bennett was alive later that Saturday night when another man had been committed to jail, as Bennett had then asked that the new occupant be lodged in the cell with him.

The third man was put into the cell with the other Bennett brother, however, and it was not until morning that it was found that Ferris Bennett had at some time during the night taken his own life. FeTris Bennett had attended school in Rayville, and had served in the Coast Guard during World War II. It is reported that he was planning to leave Mangham for service in the Merchant Marine on the same Sunday that his death was discovered Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Rhymes Cemetery near Alto, with Rev. P. M.

Gaddis, assisted by Rev. Lael Jones, officiating. Military services were also held at the graveside by the American Legion Post No. 286 of Mangham. He is survived by his mother, Mrs.

Ida Mae Bennett; one sister, Mrs. R. L. Smith; and one brother, Ernest Bennett, all of Mangham. Mrs.

Evelyn Cochran Wins Essay Contest Mrs. Allen Frost, of Mangham, Is Second Place Winner Announcement made in the Monroe News-Star and Morning World on January 1st and 2nd listed winners of the News-Star-World MJO. Century Progress essay contest. The News-Star-World had asked for historical essays on sixteen parishes of this section the state, offering prizes to the two best essays from each parish. Essays were submitted by 'the middle of last October.

A later announcement stated that trfree essays had been received from Richland parish, but announcement of winners was not made until this week. The essays will be compiled in publishing of the big Mid-Century edition to be put out by the News-Star-World publishing corporation. First prize winner from Richland parish was Mrs. Evelyn Cochran, who, through her own personal efforts, has done an enormous amount of research into the history of this section. She has examined old documents, studied early record books of the parish, and has talked with numbers of the parish's oldest settlers Resulting from this research was her paper which was declared first prize winner, and which will appear in the special edition.

Mrs. Allen Frost of Mangham was announced as second prize winner, with the statementQssued by the paper that the essays submitted were splendid historical writings. The essayists were highly complimented on their wonderful pieces of work. First prize was a $50 bond, which Mrs. Cochran states will go to the Presbyterian Church building fund.

Second prize was a $25 bond. CARD OF THANKS We wish to offer our very sincere thanks to those whose true Christmas spirit contributed to the season's enjoyment by our father. Dr. Lane O'Neal, who received great pleasure from the Christmas thoughtfulness of his many friends. The greeting cards, gifts and thoughts of friendliness were very happily received, and it is with deepest appreciation that we Offer our MRS.

LOUISA BRANDON, MRS. H. O. PULLIG, MRS. FRANK SCHOOLER, CAREY SCOTT O'NEAL.

Police Jury members to keep the dreaded yellow fever out of Richland when the parish was quarantined against the entry of all persons coming from infected areas. It was also prohibited that the following merchandise be brought into the parish: cotton, woolen, linen and silk goods, bagging and twine. The $10,000 court house which was completed in 1882 underwent extensive remodeling in the thirties, but the volume of legal business increased, at such a rapid rate that every office housed in the old building was practically "bursting at the seams. The present building offers ample space for all the offices previously housed in the old building, plus space for many other parish offices and agencies which had been inadequately housed for some The solid construction of the new building, plus the abundance of floor space lead observers to feel that the new building will abundantly fill the parish needs for many future years. Driver of Truck Held Negligent Homicide For An accident occurring north of Holly Ridge at about 7:15 p.

m. Saturday, December 29th, resulted in the instant death of little six-year-old Errol L. Johnson, and the later death from injuries of his father, John Johnson, 28, both of near Holly Ridge. Funeral services for father and son were held Tuesday afternoon at the Church of God in Natchez, with Rev. Cooper officiating.

Errol Johnson is survived by his mother, Mrs. John Johnson; two sisters, Janice Faye and Valdine, and one brother, Billy Ray, all of near Holly Ridge. Also surviving are the pater nal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Will Johnson of Holly Ridge, and the maternal grandparents, Mr.

and Mrs. P. W. Freeman of Natchez. The elder Johnson is survived by his wife, two daughters and one son, his parents; five brothers, Quenton Johnson, with the U.

S. Army, Melvin Johnson, San Diego, Shelton, Paul and Louis Johnson, all of Holly Ridge; and four sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Reid of Rayville, and Misses Erlene, Betty, Annette and Delores Johnson, all of Holly Ridge. Trooper Greaves, who investigated the accident, reports that it occurred when a gasoline delivery truck, driven by Jake Foreman of Delhi, crashed into the rear of the wagon driven by Shelton J. Johnson.

Foreman was charged with negligent homicide in the fatal accident, as it is reported that he was found to be iunder the influence of alcohol at the time of investigation immediately following the accident. It is also reported, however, that the wagon had no lights, and Foreman states that he was blinded by lights of an oncoming vehicle and was unable to see the wagon in time to stop. Shelton Johnson, uncle and brother the two who were killed, admitted of the two who were killed, admitted having no lights on the wagon, and has been charged with having improper lights. Assistant Coroner J. E.

Ball, called to the scene of the accident, attributed the death of the youngster to head in juries, and said he had suffered in ternal and other injuries. John John son, the lad's father, was aken to tfaC Ball and Ellington Clinic for emergency treatment, but was then taken on to the Charity Hospital in Monroe. It5 was stated that he had suffered lacerations of the left eye and multiple contusions with a possible head injury. New Kiwanis President Outlinse Objectives The Kiwanis Club of Rayville commenced its work and activities for 1952 under the direction of newly-elected President Henry Blakeman at its regular weekly meeting Tuesday evening. President Blakeman gave a suggestion that group singing of favorite KI-wanian songs will not be -neglected during his term of office by having the Kiwanis song books placed at the tables and arranging to have Kiwan- ian Tommy Moseley at the piano.

Several numbers were sung enthusiastically by the group, under the direction of Noland Pipes. Sharing a spot on the program, past president Al Alford urged all committee chairmen to get in their reports to the secretary well before the 10th and to particularly bear in mind that the club's achievement report for 1951 must be prepared before January 25th. President Blakeman called attention to the mid-winter conference to be held at the Heidleberg Hotel, Jackson, Miss. on Monday, January 7th, and askelfor a show of hands of the members who planned to attend. Those indicating that they expected to attend this meeting were, in addition to PrJident Blakeman, vice-president CharlQS Griffis, secretary A.

B. Smith, Noland Pipes, W. D. Cotton, Hugh Stodghi; and Rev. Emmerich.

The new president urged the members to turn in suggestions for making the Kiwanis program the best possible in 1952. He stated that he hoped to measure up to the job he had been entrusted vith and that he easnestly i sought th cooperation and fce of every number in meeting the chaM lenge imposM upon this club, as well as the othfVlubs in the International organization; by the high objectives set for 1952.. He stated these objectives as follows: 1. Strengthen our moral fiber through home, church and school. 2.

Build a strong national defense. 3. Fight inflation and demand economy in government. 4. Champion our free capitalistic system.

5. Elect and support efficient, trustworthy public officials. 6. Intensify all services to youth: 7. Combat the narcotic traffic.

8. Conserve and replenish our natural resources. 9. Promote the Canada-United States pattern of international relations. 10.

Develop Kiwanis manpower for increased service. At the close of the meeting, Willie Sims exteuied to all members an invitation to attend the open house being held at the First Baptist Church next Sunday afternoon during the hours from two to five o'clock which is the da when the beautiful newly-completed church building will be used for the first time. Kollowing adjournment, the regular monthly meeting of the board of di- I citizens, these papers alone now take up a great deal more space than that I required for all legal proceedings in the new parish over eighty years ago. By act of the Louisiana General Assembly in November of 1868 the new parish of Richland was created, locating the parish seat at the village of Rayville. Organization of parish governing bodies did not take place until 18C9, and it was not until 1871 that we find mention in old Police Jury minute books of the building of a court room and office rooms on the court house square.

I. E. Lewis was paid the sum of $700 for construction of the small frame building which constituted Richland's first courthouse. Later in that same year H. F.

Vickers was paid $500 for addition of two office rooms onto the building, which was described as being constructed of sound cypress timbers, and roofed with the best cypress shingles. Members of the first Police Jury of the parish, authorizing building of this first courthouse, were Elijah Scott, president. Ward James Gwin, Ward C. P. Balfour, Ward I.

E. Sims, Ward J. S. Thomason, Ward J. Newt Pitts, Police Jury Clerk; and Geo.

C. Purvis, Parish Treasurer. Apparently the parish at that time was an increasingly populous one, for soon we see that the requirement for space to accomplish legal actions had outgrown the small building. However, all was not clear sailing, for there was a mighty0 dispute raging through 1878 and '79 as to the location of the parish seat. It seems that the thriving river town of Girard felt that the parishseat should be located there on ttle hanks of the busy Boeuf river, Finally, in 1880, we see that the Police Jury called for petitions to be signed by all desiring a change in location of the parish seat, publishing in the Richland Beacon the statement that if over one-third of the qualified voters signed a petition for moving, a general election would then be called to determine the will of the people.

There is no record of an election's being called; so it is presumed that there was. a failure of the required number or petitioners to sign. That -'matter settled, parish' citizens then turned to the problem of obtaining a larger and more permanently constructed court house. In April of 1881 the parish voters gathered at the polls to vote for or against a proposition that a property tax of 10 mills be levied for the purpose of constructing a new court house building. The proposition for the new court house was passed by 254 for to 142 against.

By authorization of the Richland Police Jury an advertisement was then inserted in the Richland Beacon and the New Orleans Democrat offering a reward of $75 for the best plan and specifications for the new courthouse building, with the stipulation that the entire cost of the structure not lex-ceed $10,000, and with the tentative agreement that the one submitting the Dest plan ana specmcauons woum De accepted as contractor for the building. The plan of William Staunton was accepted in June of 1881 and contractors Staunton and Livingston were hired and work begun in September, 1881. By authorization of the Police Jury, H. F. Vickers, C.

H. Moore and R. McLemore were appointed members of the building committee. The building which stood on the court house square until 1950 was completed in 1882 when the following mem were 'serving on the Police Jury: Elijah Scott, president, Ward C. H.

Moore, Ward CP. Balfour, Ward H. F. Vickers, Ward J. J.

Adams, Ward G. A. Maes, Ward Frank Hatch, Ward and John S. Summer-lin. Clerk.

The old frame building of the first court house was sold to the highest bidder which was the Holly Grove Colored Baptist Church. The building was floated down Little Creekn the flood of 1882 until it came to rest at its present site where it is still in usg cAurcn Many other item3 of intere8t are ound recorda of the ish's progress as kept in beautiful, spidery handwritten manuscript of police jury minutes. In 1874 we see that the total parish tax was 12 mills on the property dollar which supplied all the parish needs. In 1875 we find C. H.

Moore, sheriff, authorized to employ a guard at the jail, with a stipulated allowance for said guard not to exceed 75c per day. Another interesting ordinance was that passed in 1876 regulating ferry rates across LaFourche. Rates set were as follows: 8 horse or ox wagon, loaded, $2, unloaded, 6 horse or ox wagon, loaded, 75c, unloaded, 50c; 4 horse or ox wagon, loaded or unloaded, 50c; 2 horse or ox wagon loaded or unloaded, 25c; 2 horse carriage or buggy, loaded or unloaded, 45c; one horse carriage loaded or unloaded, 25c; man on horse, 10c; single man, horse, hog, sheep, or keg over 20 cubic feet, 5c. In 1878 we find the following salaries listed: Sheriff, per year, Police Jury Clerk, per year, $400; District Attorney, pro tern, per year, $200. And in 1878 also, we see efforts by rectors was held at which committee chairmen reported on the objectives" of their respective committees for 1952.

NEW BUILDING OLD BUILDING Rayville Baptists Set Opening Services The First Baptist Church of Ray ville announces plans for opening services in their beautiful newly-completed building Sunday," January 6th. The building, which has Deen under construction for the past ten months, is Colonial in design, beautiful in its simplicity and crowned with an 86-foot spire. The tower contains a huge bell, a gift of the George H. Speight family. The interior of the building is also lovely in design and the beauty is enhanced by the handsome pews and pulpit furniture which blend perfectly and lend dignity and charm, as does the Steinway grand piano and Hammond organ.

The choir arrangement is very effective with seating capacity for thirty-nine. Peyton and Bosworth, Shreteport, were the architects. Lincoln Builders, Ruston, were the contractors. The total costfof the entire project, including the converting of the present building into a three-story educational building, the pews, furniture, amounted to one hundred sixty-five thousand dollars. The present enrollment of the Sunday School -is 523 and the Training Union 150.

The Womans Missionary Union has a membership of 90, and the church membership is 802. The Sunday School, Wm. L. Sims, superintendent, has set an attendance goal on this our "victory day" of 350, each department has accepted the quota assigned and are busily engaged in visiting their entire enrollment and are determined to "go over the top." The Training Union, Miss Barbara Gwin, director, have their sights set on a goal of 150 in attendance. For this auspicious occasion we will have two of our former pastors deliver the sermons.

Dr. John H. Hooks, pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, EI Dorado, who led this church progressively from 1936 through 1948, will deliver the morning sermon. Rev. E.

N. Weaver, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Elton, and who served this church faithfully through 1931-1936, will be with us for the evening service and deliver the sermon. Music will be under the capable leadership of our choir director, Mr. Tommy Moseley, and will feature the combined choirs of the church. Rayville Baptists areumbly and justly proud of their beautiful new house of worship and have designated this Sunday "Victory day" and will on this occasion express their gratitude and appreciation by bringing a special "love offering" to be used toward helping retire the indebtedness, each member, as well as friends of the church, will be given an opportunity to share in this offering, our goal is ten thousand dollars to be given on this "victory The building committee, composed of R.

1. Walters, chairman; J. C. Boies, W. G.

McKinney, Vernon Boles and W. L. Jarmon, deserve the heartfelt thanks of the entire church for a big job well done. The planning committee, Richard Downes, chai man, Mrs. J.

C. Boies, Mrs. N. C. Woods, Mrs.

B. D. White, Miss Claire Aycock, Mrs. E. A.

Cox, Mrs. Richard Downes, Louie Fike and J. R. Aycock, are also to be commended. Our present pastor, Rev.

Charles Heine, accepted the call of our church as pastor, July 15th, 1949. He came to us from successful pastorate with the Victoria Baptist Church of Baton Rouge! The church wishes to take this opportunity to invite all of our friends from all of the churches of the community and parish to visit us, especially for open house which will be observed from two until five, at which time all who call will be shown through the entire plant and served delicious refreshments. Ibbp' i JUST COMPLETED ERECTED IN 1882 Seed Warehouse Burns At Holly Ridge A fire on the night of December 21st started in a seed warehouse belonging to the firm of Franklin and Son at Holly Ridge. It was reported that the blaze had got out of control before it was noticed, and that the fire fighting equipment Franklin and Son was quickly put into use to extinguish the fire, with fire fighting units called in from Rayville and Delhi, but the warehouse and seed stored there were practically totally destroyed. The estimated loss "Was not stated in exact figures, but it is known to have been a considerable financial loss.

Town and Country Club Party Members of the Rayville Town and Country Club were hostesses to their husbands and escorts on the evening of Friday, December 28th, when they entertained with a dinner party at the Lotus Club in Monroe. Guests at this affair gathered at about eight in the evening in the sumptuous reception room of the Lotus Club where they engaged in a few minutes of pleasant conversation before dinner was announced. The dinner guests were seated at a beautifully appointed banquet table, attractively decorated in the spirit of the holiday season, which was set in one of the private dining rooms of the Lotus Club. Those enjoying the evening and the delicious dinner included Messrs. and Mesdames J.

N. Beam, H. A. Buie, H. G.

Cochran, W. R. Coenen, C. J. Ellis, W.

M. Green, C. B. Griffis, L. E.

Ineichen, Lasley Richardson, Bernard Waite, J. F. Jones, Dr. and Mrs. J.

E. Ball, Miss Gladys Diamond and Mr. Raymond Bolton, Miss Helen Morgan and Mr. Jesse Stodghill, and Mrs. Lula McMahon and Mr.

Bob Watt ST. DAVID'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH "FAITHFUL SERVICE SINCE 1871" Morning services will be held at the St. David's Episcopal Church, Sunday, January 6th, at 11 o'clock. Father C. S.

Haywood, of Monroe, will conduct the services. Bridge Tournament Planned Rayville's many excellent bridge players will be pleased to learn that a real bridge tournament is planned for this month. Sponsored by the Town and Country Club, the first night of the tournament will be on Friday, January 11th. There will be three different tournament nights, with scores totalled over the three nights to determine the winning couple. Tournament, players enter as a team, keeping the same partners throughout the tournament.

There will be small prizes for high-scoring couples on each of the nights played, with a grand prize going to the couple having the highest score for the three nights. An entry fee will be charged each couple entering which will take care of the full tournament. Mrs. W. R.

Coenen, member of the tournament committee of the Town and Country. Club, states that real tournament, or duplicate bridge will be played, and that Mrs. A. L. Harrington of Monroe will be here on the first night to explain the rules, and to help get the game started.

Duplicate bridge is played just like the usual kind of bridge, explained, except that all players play the same hands, thus making the game more a contest of skill than luck. AH bridge players interested in entering this tournament are asked to call Mrs. W. R. Coenen at telephone A big and very delightful Christmas dinner was given in the home of Mr.

and Mrs. II. D. Ballard on Christmas day. Present were: Mr.

and Mrs. C. H. Vanderslice, Mr. and Mrs.

Joe Green, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lambert, Mr. and Mrs. P.

F. Green and family, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Smith and family, Mr. and Mrs.

Huey Hutchinson and family, all of Rayville; C. D. Dulaney and Rickie Lynn Brock, of Monroe; Mr. and Mrs. Melton Ballard, of Akron, Ohio.

Everyone had a real nice time..