No More Free Ferry at Mooringsport!

A letter by Charles Anderson, identified as being from Black Bayou, La. appears in The (Shreveport) Progress (newspaper) 13-Mar-1897 regarding Caddo Parish's continued spending of $600/year to provide the free ferry across Caddo Lake at Mooringsport. He opposes it, which he views as subsidizing that town and points out that the (Kansas City Southern) railroad (at the time only a couple of years old) runs close to most Ward 2 homes and it only costs a dime to ride from Ananias (now Oil City) to Mooringsport. He thinks citizens who wish to cross the lake otherwise should pay their own way. Also interesting is his observation of the decline of Mooringsport as a shipping point, as he cites more cotton is being shipped then from Vivian and Rodessa.

Ten cents in 1897 would be the equivalent of around $2.50 today. Despite Mr. Anderson's protest, the free ferry continued until it was replaced in 1914 by the Caddo Lake drawbridge; itself now replaced (though designated a historic landmark) by a modern structure.

One Small Survivor

In February 1869, the steamboat Mittie Stephens caught fire on Caddo Lake near the Louisiana/ Texas line while en route from New Orleans to Jefferson, Texas; killing 60-plus passengers and crew. Someday I may write about the incident but for now, Google the name and there are numerous websites that detail that tragedy. Notable locally, among the dead was prominent resident James Christian, a War-Of-1812 veteran, who had just boarded in Mooringsport.

Sad further in the aftermath is the case of this little boy, described as six or seven years old. Some accounts state the whole family perished, however Johnny D. Lewis was the lone survivor among a group that included his father James H. Lewis, his mother and two sisters. Reported to be in the care of Col. J. B. Thompson, neighbor J. W. York of Mooringsport has written a letter to the Memphis newspaper, seeking next-of-kin; as Johnny mentioned an Aunt Jane living in the area. I could find no additional information about Johnny's fate, however he's not listed with Col. Thompson or any neighboring residents in the 1870 census, so hopefully he was returned to family in Tennessee. 

Source: Memphis Daily Appeal 21-Mar-1869, Page 3

A couple of side notes: When viewing the 1870 census records, among the neighbors was J. P. (Joshua Payne) Elder, an ancestor of mine, who owned land at the time near Longwood. But most notable, listed a few names below James W. York is eight year-old Robert Ledbetter. As an adult, "Uncle Bob" Ledbetter, born a slave and uncle of famous songster Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter, achieved a level of immortality exceeding all the others in that his singing and spoken words were recorded and are preserved in the Library of Congress..

Somerville Manufacturing Company (AKA, "the garment factory")

Somerville Manufacturing Company. When's the last time, or have you ever heard/thought of that name? Reading the obituaries of two area persons recently passed brought to mind this Tennessee-based enterprise; known to most as simply "the garment factory," that operated in Vivian from 1967-1981. Among the details about Mrs. Chelious Marie Paulette, mother of a schoolmate Jay, was that she had been a seamstress at Somerville. Earl G. Williamson, Jr. was president of the Vivian Industrial Development Corporation that was instrumental in bringing the clothing manufacturer to the area.

The plant provided semi-skilled jobs, employing approximately 350 persons who made men's dress slacks. During its tenure it increased the standard of living for a number of local families, as women entered the workforce (some for the first time) to supplement their husband's income. Many had a friend or family member who worked there including this writer, whose mother and grandmother were employed for several years.

The VIDC, which is still in existence, has attracted other employers over the years including Ritz-Craft Southern, Inc.; mobile home manufacturer (1965) and Olympic Fastening Systems, Inc. (1979).

Here is a timeline of Somerville's area operations:

1966

Salant & Salant, Inc., a New York-based corporation that operates textile plants in the southern United States, and parent company of Somerville Manufacturing Company, announces a clothing manufacturing plant to be opened in Vivian. Instrumental to this is land provided by the Vivian Industrial Development Corporation, whose president at the time was Earl G. Williamson, Jr. 

Baton Rouge State Times 14-Oct-1966, Page 9-A

1967

The State Board of Commerce and Industry approves contract between Somerville and the town of Vivian. Stated to be a shirt plant, when implemented, the plant produced men's dress slacks.

Lake Charles American Press 20-Jan-1967, Page 2

The plant, which employed approximately 350 persons, many of them women entering the workforce for the first time, began as a pilot operation in a former United Gas Pipeline building in Myrtis to get an initial core of workers skilled in the required tasks before eventually moving into the 20.000 square foot building on Camp Road on the south side of Vivian. When formally opened with much fanfare in September 1967, approximately 2,000 persons attended ceremonies to hear speeches by dignitaries including then Louisiana Governor John J. McKeithen.

Shreveport Times 21-Sep-1967, 17-A

A later article about the opening provided more details of the plant and its anticipated impact on the local economy.

New Orleans Times-Picayune 28-Jan-1968, Page 150  (8-16)

1980

Ad for a sewing machine mechanic ran in the Dallas newspaper just a few months before its closing.

Dallas Morning News 09-Mar-1980, Page 154  (91-D)

Even in 1980, globalization was having an impact on manufacturing jobs, such as those at Somerville, as domestic companies found it difficult to compete with foreign producers, whose employees worked for much less. An announcement came to close the plant in mid-January 1981.

Baton Rouge Morning Advocate 18-Dec-1980, Page 44  (6-D)

The property as it looks today.

Google Street View - May 2016