Oil City, Mooringsport, Vivian, and surrounding oilfields were occupied by federal troops in 1917-18, due to a major strike encompassing Louisiana and Texas oilfields by unionized workers seeking better pay and working conditions. In response, military troops were called in to protect oil drilling and production operations as well as nonunion workers. Below is an excerpt from The Role of Federal Military Forces in Domestic Disorders, 1877-1945, c 1997, by Clayton D. Laurie and Ronald H. Cole:
"In Louisiana, Maj. Gen. William P. Duvall of the Southeastern Department ordered companies of the 1st Mississippi Infantry to Mansfield, Oil City, Crichton, Edgerly, and Vinton. They arrived without mishap, and all locations were reported as quiet.
The strike in Oil City, however, showed signs of violence - unconfirmed reports claimed that a laborer had been shot from ambush. The following day the commanding officer informed his superiors that the oil companies would attempt to operate the fields with nonunion labor and requested more troops to prevent anticipated bloodshed. The remaining members of the 1st Mississippi Infantry at Vicksburg were sent to Vivian, Lewis, and Mooringsport, Louisiana, to protect the oil fields and strikebreakers. The soldiers of the 155th Infantry replaced these Mississippi troops and. in turn, the 3d Battalion of the 43d Infantry replaced the 155th in Oil City, Mooringsport. Mansfield, Vinton, and Shreveport, Louisiana, on 18 January 1918.
By late November the Army had deployed 2,500 men in the oil fields of Texas and Louisiana."
A chronology of related activities as reported at the time follows.
Vicksburg (MS) Herald 02-Nov-1917, Page 5
Newly-arrived members of 155th Infantry Company B (from Natchez) joined the striking oil workers in helping to put out a major fire in downtown Oil City.
Paris (TX) Morning News 04-Nov-1917, Page 1
An AWOL soldier stationed at OC was arrested in Monroe, apparently on his way back to Mississippi.
Shreveport Times 19-Nov-1917, Page 8
Five companies of the 155th Infantry of the Mississippi National Guard depart for undisclosed locations in the Louisiana oilfields, under imminent threat of strike.
Vicksburg (MS) Herald 02-Nov-1917, Page 5
Paris (TX) Morning News 04-Nov-1917, Page 1
An AWOL soldier stationed at OC was arrested in Monroe, apparently on his way back to Mississippi.
Shreveport Times 19-Nov-1917, Page 8
More troops were later moved into the area.
One victim of the occupation was Oil City's notorious Reno Hill vice district.
Though not stated as the reason in the above article, this later one about the closing of Shreveport's "red light" district along Fannin Street mentions the shutting down of Oil City's notorious Reno Hill was by order of the U.S. War Department.
New Orleans Daily States 06-Nov-1917, Page 1
New Orleans Daily States 06-Nov-1917, Page 1
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New Orleans Item 17-Nov-1917, Page 4
Pvt. Vincent Lenaz (correct spelling), part of occupying 155th Infantry from Mississippi, was disclosed to have contracted tuberculosis. He died the day this article was published and later was buried in DeLisle Cemetery, Pass Christian, MS.
Rather than treated as an invading force, the soldiers were embraced by the areas in which they were located. Below, ladies of Vivian serve Thanksgiving dinner to Company M, assigned to the Trees area.
Ladies of the Shreveport Methodist Church wanted to invite soldiers into their homes for Thanksgiving dinner, which was not permitted by the commander. Instead they provided for the troops at the fairgrounds, their base of operations.
Mooringsport residents and school children also showed hospitality to troops quartered there by serving Thanksgiving dinner and a "bountiful fruit shower."
A community singing, attracting 1,500 attendees, was held at the fairgrounds; with music provided by the 155th regimental band.
Soldiers conducted a special service at Shreveport's First Baptist Church.
Sergeant Major Smith with Major O'Farrell are mentioned as assigned to Oil City.
Members of Company I of the 155th Infantry, based in Mooringsport, wrote a letter, published in the newspaper, giving thanks to the ladies of Shreveport, who had knitted mufflers and gloves for them. A small token of Christmas cheer for boys away from home.
At least two of these men, Sergeants Clarence Holloway and Joe Freeman (listed as Private here) went to Europe in Jun-1918 on board the USS Rijndam. Others may have as well, but couldn't be confirmed.
Below are the assigned locations of various companies: B in Oil City, I and K scattered around oil fields, with L and M in Trees.
Company B, stationed in Oil City, contributed cash for the Poor children's Christmas. Included are the names of Company members.
A recap of Christmas celebrations held around the area for members of the 155th Infantry, stationed in the oilfields and headquartered at the state fairgrounds. Locations mentioned include Vivian, Caddo (Oil City), Mooringsport, and Trees.
Lieutenant Joseph S. Burns, stationed at Oil City, and wife Bessie were entertained in Shreveport at a dinner given by Mrs. H. Van Dyke. At least some wives of officers accompanied their husbands during the occupation.
In January the 43rd Infantry of the regular army arrives to replace the 155th. Lieutenant J. D. led a unit based in Mooringsport, while Lt. W. Goodlette, said to be popular among his men, was in charge in Oil City.
Commander of the northwest Louisiana operations was Major Sylvester Chouteau Loring, a war veteran who had fought in Cuba and the Philippines.
Retired from the military in 1910 for health reasons, Major Loring returned to service in 1916, possibly to free another able-bodied officer for Europe.
Select U. S. Military Registers 1862-1985, Page 636
The wife of the commanding officer in Mooringsport developed appendicitis and was treated in Shreveport.
Shreveport Times 27-Feb-1918, Page 4
Their mission accomplished, soldiers of the 43rd were withdrawn from the oilfields in March.
Shreveport Times 11-Mar-1918, Page 3
One such soldier involved in the occupation was First Lieutenant Joe De Arozena, of Tuscon, AZ. Note in the newspaper article below, recognizing University of Arizona alumni serving in the military, Lt. De Arozena is listed with the aforementioned 43rd Infantry Regiment stationed in Oil City, LA.
This picture of Lt. De Arozena, whose civilian profession was mining engineer, is from a 1920 passport application.
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| Joe De Arozena Passport Photo (1920) |
Shreveport Times 06-Apr-1918, Page 7
The 43rd did not go overseas during World War I, instead remaining stateside as a unit, though individual soldiers participating in the oilfield occupation may have later seen duty abroad.
