The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-09-10
THE PIONEERS OF RAPlDES PAR
RSR.
THOMAS II. HOOPER.

IN tnab ClTCie WHICH Ill ny Sonc
times reckoned among their number
many choice spirits, there was none
more distinguished for their warm
friendships, genial and compaDiona.
BILE qualities, than the subject Of this
sketch.
Thomas II. Hooper was born near
Nashville, Tennessee, in the year
1888. In early manhood he came
South, and lived for a few years near
Woodville, Mississippi. About the
year 1910 Colonel Hooper removed to
this Parish, where he continued to
reside until his death. He soon en-.
gagged in planting, and for many
years owned the plantation adjoining
this Town, now known as the ''Kel
so" place. When Louisiana was in.
vaded by the English in 1915, Colo
mel Hooper was one of a number OF
volunteers who enlisted in the CON-
pany raised by Captain Smith W.
Gordon, in this Parish, and which
went to New Orleans, where they
served for sometime under General
jackson.
A few years after he had made his
home here, he married the widow of
Alexander Fulton, from whom Alex
andria takes it's name, and a daugh-
ter of Levi Wells, who was one OF
the very first settlers in this section,
and from whom is descended the nu-
merous posterity Of that name now
residing in the Parish. Two chill.
dren, a son and daughter, were the
fruit of this marriage. The daugh.
ter, Lavinia Hooper, afterwards mar
ried Alexander Mason, a young law
yer of great promise, who lived less
than year after his marriage, and
whose tragic death was shrouded in
mystery. He occupied an Office not
very distant from his residence, and
on the day Of his death, had just re
turned there from dinner, when the
report Of pistol alarmed the neigh.
bors, who on hurrying to the scene,
found young Mason corpse; wheth-
er the result of accident, or the work
of an assassin, has never been known.
The young widow was left with on
infant ssus who grew to manhood,
and who. On the breaking out of the
war, entered the Confederate army,
For gallant service he was promoted
to the rank of Major, and he won
much distinction both for his abili'
ties as an officer, and for bis great
personal courage. After the wa,
Major Mason removed to California,
in which Estate he still resides
At the TIM ofthe first settlement Of
the alluyial lands, and during the
time that tie first considerable clear
ings were being made, malarial and
swamp fevers prevailed TO an alarm
ing extent, and there were few plan.
tiers who spent the summer in the
lowlands. On account of their salu.
brity, the Pine bills on the North
side of Red River became the sum-
mer abode of nearly all, and in this
way, numerous little communities
were formed in various localities,
which the peculiar surroundings rem,
dered attractive. The unsurpassed
trout fishing in Big Creek attracted
hither number of those who found
enjoyment in that favorite sport, and
who, at other times, found more en-
livening amusement in the chase
Colonel Hooper was the first one who
appreciated this delightful resort,
which in after years became so pop.
ular, and which has since maintained
its superior claims. He built sum-
mer residence there in the year 1921,
and continued to spend his summers
there until the year 1S40. In tina,
year he erected spacious residence
which enabled him to dispense tina,
generous hospitality for which be
was ever distinguished, and in q
style BETTING bis tastes. Colonel
Hooper continued from this time Ia
reside permanently at Big Creek
Among his neigbors in the early
days we might mention Judge Henry
Billiard, Judge Thomas F. Scott and
Pleasant H. Hunter.
At a later period this little com
munity received many accessions,
and for many years was noted for its
gaieties, and the social refinementa
which distinguished it. Colonel
Hooper was always regarded as the
central figure in the group which had
gathered around him, and soon afte,
Ls. l>>aL. a.ak 81 o.as-L> 4