The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-05-30

now. A flQge, Of HoS -D"on, ~
eastward from Market Street for perhaps
two blocks. This left some of the build
ings in the air, like some of those still seen
a few blocks south of Texas Street. The
City Hotel, two-story frame, was on the
south side of Texas Street, about midway
between Market and Spring Streets. 1t
was kept by Thomas A. Nelson, father OF
Miss Kate P. Nelson and Chief OF Police,
William A. Nelson. This building was on
that ridge, and about eight feet from the
level of the street. 1t was later conducted
by J. S. Allwine. Here, on the gallery OF
the City Hotel, in 1866, the writer, then in
his thirteenth year, listened to the first
political speech he ever heard. which was
delivered by Robert Charles Wickliffe, the
Democratic nominee for Governor.
Milan Street was also cut down, and the
buildings on that street, on the same
parallel. were also in the air. The principal
hotels were those of Mr.. Nelson and one
on Milan Street, kept by Thos. J. Aston.
This building was on the south side and
near the center of the block. The Court
House was two-story frame building on
Crockett Street, about the rear of present S.
G. Dreyfus & Co. Stages run to Mansfield,
Marshall, and to Monroe, leaving 6hfeve-
port every second day. A steam ferry
boat (the Larkin Edwards) run by William
Thatcher, had superseded the flat-boat
which connected the town with the Bossier
/ side.
The town had been. "dry," very dry,
for several years, except "blind pig
here and there. Whisky could be sold only
by the gallon, and, in order to comply with
the law, and evade it at the same time,
regular drinkers had their jugs. There
was blind "pig," grown to the dimen-
sions of hog, near the corner of Texas
and Market Streets, where each patron had
box and jug, something like private
box in postoffice. When he felt thirsty
! he unlocked his box and drunk his fill.
U p-stairs was gambling room. Finally,
the town voted sswet,' and the first saloon
to open was in the frame building on the
northeast corner of Market and Texas
Streets, and was known as the Jewell. .
| It was kept by Mr.. Warren and Thomas A.
Sharp. In 1851 Sharp was elected Captain
of a Company of Confederate volunteers
in Shreveport, and was for short time a
Provost Marshal at Corinth, where he died.
Shortly, another saloon opened across
the street nearly diagonally opposite. 1t
was named the ''Smile'' Soon afterwards,
another saloon opened about block
further up on the same side, and was run
by Thomas Sawyer. About this time, the
game of ''Rondo' made its appearance.
1t is simple game, but cannot be beat.
Eight billiard balls are rolled from the head
of the table diagonally to pocket at the
lower end. An even number in the pocket
is 'srondo,' and if an odd number falls
into the pocket it is ''coolo." There must
be an equal amount of money on each
side, and the bank takes five per cent. from
the winner. In short time all the players
are broke, and the bank has all the money.
For several months this game was played
almost daily and nightly in the saloons, the
owners paying s25 fine each morning.
Finally the games were suppressed. The
Junior" roundly roasted the game. Sub
sequently another saloon was opened on
the first floor of a two story brick building
that stood on the northeast corner of Texas
Cfroof nou occup;od hx, Hoilpor;n Pondo
had passed out, and now the "tiger" had
made its appearance. In the upper part of
this building the !" Gaiety Theater" Com
pany gave performances. The season pre-
vious the Company gave performances in
the upper part of Robson & Kimball' s carri-
i age shop on the north side of Milan Street,
where the Ards residence now stands.
This was the first regular dramatic troupe
in the history of Shreveport, and the risk
of playing an entire season was doubtful,
but, the star, Miss Menkin, being very
popular, it was successful. j. S. Charles
was the leading man; Miss Adah Isaacs
Menken, was the star; Miss Josephine
Menken, danseuse; and the other members
, were: Thomas j. Herndon, Thomas Wilson,
G.. M. Ryder, Mrs. Lynn, Miss Lizzie
!, Lindsey. The season proving profitable,
, Mr. Charles returned next year with a
Company, the hall over this saloon having
| been built especially for theater. Miss
, Susan Denim was the star the second sea-
son. Miss Menken, the gifted star, was
not a monbor IF tho nou, oo,oron,, Me-,