The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1896-08-05
HISTORY OF ALEXANDRIA.

SH which our SupefSIrNCUureS St1nu,
Your strong right arm and willing
| hand,
Your earnest efforts still command
Our veneration."
Alexandria, the Parish capital
Of Rapides Parish, is in latitude
80 49, North and Longitude I5o
22' West. Eighty feet above sea
level. 1t is situated a few miles
from the geographical centre of
the State, on the West bank Of
Red River, near the mouth of
Bayou Rapides. BY river from
New Orleans it is three hundred
and sixty miles. BY rail one hun
dred and ninety six miles.
Alexander Fulton plated the
town in 1910. The first settlement
was made in 1885. At that time
Alexandria was a mere Indian
trading post. The whole sur
rounding country was a dense
cane,brake inhabited by wild ami
mails. Alexander Fulton made
his purchase (afterward confirmed
by the United States) from the
Choctaw, Pascagoula and Biloxi
Indians. They would come down
the Red liver in pirogues and
camp near the trading post and
hold high carnival for days.
The town is supposed to have
derived it's name from that of Alex
ander Fulton. The first settlers
were French, Spanish and a few
from the States.
Josiah s. Johnson, who settled
in Alexandria in 1905, was elected
representative to the first Terrific.
rial Legislature, where he sat un-
til 1912, when he was appointed
first District Judge. He took an
active part against the English
aud raised regiments to defend
New Orleans.
Caesar Archinard was command.
er of the post of Rapides in 1898.
Valentine Laysartl was Surveyor
and Military Commander in 1911.
Alexander Fult0n was the first
merchant in Alexandria, followed
by john Cason. In 1872 hartman
and Landeau opened their store
The first steam boat assembled
Red river in 1915, named "Beaver''
In 1918 Cason donated to what
was known in 1860 as District No.
I, square of land in the Casson
Addition to the town of Alexan.
dria. In 1920 brick building
was erected on the square, called
! the uallege Of R 81 ppiass. Twenty
thousand dollars were contributed
to it's erection. Iu 1860 it was a
ruin.
The Alexandria Library Society
was chartered in 1924 The first
saw mill was in operation in 1880.
John NJ. Jett Was Sheriff in 1881.
Geo Russell was constable in 1884,
The first Jail was made Of logs,
but in later years was destroyed
and the one now in use took it's
place. Thomas q. Scott was first
Parish Judge, in 1893, and was
succeeded by John Ii. Johnson.
The Alexandra Amateur Thes
plan Society played, "She Stoops
to Conquer" Nov. II, 1856. AIessrs
i Shepard, Gordon, Brown, Mackay
Dr. Crawford, Curtis, Brewer
Willmotll, G. Lcckie, Boniol,
Boulh, Bruce, Bringhurst and
Woods being the actors. The first
steam Ferry boat was in use in
1886, but did not remain in serv
ice long, as it was too large.
The Ralph Sluith Rail Road was
built in 1885 36, connecting Alex
} andria and Lecompte, about II
rifles distance and one of the first
lines in the United States. The
first Hotels were the Washington
Hotel and Fulton House. There
WAS an immigration of Belgians il
1886. three to four hundred il
number. They made their homes
in and around Alexandria. There
were three banks established here
in the second decade of the centu
ry-the Louisiana, Gas Light ant
Canal. The first trees China
were planted by Mr.. Jacob Irving
ST., oil the river bank from mouth
of Bayou Rapides to the Morgan
depot.
Alexandra was visited by Vel
, low Fever in 1887, 1889, lS47, 1858
1856 and 1867.
In 1866 the State Seminary wa
founded on grants of land made
by the State from 1906 to 1876 TO
Seminary purposes. The scboo
,opaued January, 1860, with Col
olel w. I. Sherman as Super
intendent. In 1861 Colone
Sherman resigned his position a
president IF the college and Col
W. Lay TOOK his place. DuriD!
the civil var The building was us
ed as Il Hospital. 1t was damag
ed by fire in 1864, but early il
Lees, was restored and reopenet
: in Oct. of that year. Iu 1869, tn
building was burned entalllng
loss of $4,000.
From the very beginning of TIN
settlement the people OF Rapids