The Early Women's Movement in North Caddo Parish

 Ladies, next time you go to the polls to vote, know that the fight for that right and others did not just take place in far away places. Over 100 years ago, local women were also involved in pressing for equality

In August 1915, Mooringsport was one of several area sites holding a rally in support of voting rights for women.

Shreveport Times 24-Aug-1915, Page 1


In 1922 the article below noted the establishment of a National Woman's Party chapter in Vivian, with intentions stated to form similar groups in Oil City and Mooringsport.

Lavinia Hartwell Egan and Mary (identified as Mrs. J. D.) Wilkinson of Shreveport were state-wide leaders for the party whose initial emphasis was universal suffrage, realized by ratification of the 19th  Amendment in 1920. Afterward, the two continued to traverse the state, organizing and pressing for additional rights for women. The national party continued as a political organization until 1997.

From Le Meschacébé (Lucy, LA) 15-Apr-1922, Page 2

For information about area women's support of organized labor, see Woman's International Union Label League

North Caddo Towns Along The KCS Rail Line - 1917

A brochure published by the Kansas City Southern Railway in 1917 profiles key stops along its route, including the north Caddo Parish communities Blanchard, Mooringsport, Oil City, Rodessa, and Vivian.

Source: West Louisiana, East Texas, And The Gulf Coast Along The Kansas City Southern Railway.

Below is a section of a larger map from the brochure showing north Caddo Parish stations. Interestingly, Oil City and Rodessa are profiled but not shown, while Myrtis is shown, but not profiled.

Below are the individual profiles, with information likely provided by the point-of-contact cited at the end of each.

Page 43

Page 46

Page 46

Page 47

Page 48


See also The "Flying Crow" and "Southern Belle.".

North Caddo High's First Football Season

The North Caddo Rebels had a successful inaugural season, compiling a 7-3 record. Home games were played at the old Vivian High stadium as the new concrete stadium located on campus was incomplete. (a)

Click on the photo below to see a larger version.

Shreveport Times 11-Dec-1955, Page 2-D

Here's a preseason preview of the team that appeared in the Shreveport Times.

Shreveport Times 28-Aug-1955, Page 4-D

Below is the team roster, as published in the Jefferson, TX newspaper before the game with that school.

Source: Jefferson (TX) Jimplecute Sep-1955, Page 7

NORTH CADDO 1955 FOOTBALL RESULTS:

02-Sep-1955 (H) NC 20 Natchitoches 0

Shreveport Times 03-Sep-1955 Page 10-A


Pictures from that first game.

Fred Parker's recollection of the school's first contest: I saw that game. Played at the old Vivian High School stadium as the current stadium wasn't finished at that time. Sammy Bruce scored the first touchdown, Roy Bridges scored the second and Sammy scored the third touchdown. We've always kidded Sammy about the first one. A run of maybe two feet.

Years ago, there was an old deflated football with faded lettering commemorating the event in the NC trophy case.

09-Sep-1955 (A) NC 6 Leesville 0

Shreveport Times 10-Sep-1955 Page 2-B

16-Sep-1955 (A) NC 13 Jefferson (TX) 0

Shreveport Times 17-Sep-1955, Page 7-A

23-Sep (H) - Carthage (TX) 13 NC 7

Shreveport Times 24-Sep-1955, Page 2-B

30-Sep-1955 (A) NC 13 Springhill 6 (b)

Shreveport Times 01-Oct-1955, Page 3-B

07-Oct-1955 (H) Minden 12 NC 7

Shreveport Times 08-Oct-1955 Page 1-B

14-Oct-1955 NC 35 Mansfield 7

Shreveport Times 15-Oct-1955, Page 1-B

28-Oct-1955 (A) NC 21 St. John's 6 (c)

Shreveport Times 28-Oct-1955, Page 5-B (NC over St Johns)

04-Nov-1955 NC 20 Bossier 6

Shreveport Times Nov-1955 Page 2-B (NC over Bossier)

11-Nov-1955 (A) Ferriday 43, NC 18

Monroe (LA) Morning World 12-Nov-1955, Page 10

Season Record: 7 wins, 3 losses

(H) Home, (A) Away

(a) Per Fred Parker, 1956 NCHS graduate

(b) Springhill has since been consolidated into North Webster High School.

(c) St. John's later was renamed Jesuit, and is now Loyola College Prep. Score is per Loyola-Jesuit-St. Johns football game by game results.

Despite a 3-1 District 1-AA record, tying them for first place with Bossier, the Rebels were ineligible in their first year. The Bearkats, a 20-6 loser to the Rebels, were awarded the district crown.

While no Rebels were named to the 1st or 2nd All-State teams, three players received honorable mention: backs Roy Bridges and Sammy Bruce, as well as center Buster Rushing.

Source: Monroe (LA) News Star (21-Dec-1955 Page 16

Team Members:

Managers:

1956 North Caddo Rebel (yearbook), courtesy of Ellen Stevens; some photos from 1957 Rebel provided by Noah Blizzard

Leading students and fans in support of the team were NC's first cheerleaders.

1956 North Caddo Rebel (yearbook), courtesy of Clarence Reece

First-year Louisiana State University head football coach Paul Dietzel spoke at the inaugural  football banquet.

LSU Head Football Coach Paul Dietzel

1956 LSU Gumbo (yearbook), Page 317

Shreveport Times 13-Dec-1955, Page 5-C


Return to North Caddo High School.