L’Observateur / March 22, 2000

The following events were recorded in the pages of L’Observateur this week in the history of the River Parishes:

1913

A petition was being circulated in the parish to create a road district on the left bank.

Mr. Zephirin Perrilloux of New Orleans was the guest of Miss VivianCambre of Sunny Side Plantation.

Miss Bernadette Keller of Montz made a pleasure trip to Garyville during the week.

1923

The faculty and student body of Edgard High School extended to Mr. J.B.C.Graugnard their sincerest thanks and gratitude for his donation of electric lights to the school.

Mrs. Widow Firmin Berthelot, nee’ Clemence Vicknair, died at her homein Reserve following on an attack of pneumonia and was laid to rest in the St. Peter Cemetery. Deceased was 59 years old.A general meeting for truck farmers through the parishes of St. John andSt. James was planned at the Reserve Community Club.

1935

Posters were widely distributed announcing a Grand Dance at the new American Legion Home, located near the Leon Godchaux Grammar School at Reserve. Dancing with the best music in town – Lawrence Club PineOrchestra – all night for 50 cents.

The Leon Godchaux Future Farmers of America chapter won the track championship in the senior division of the Fifth District FFA track meet held in Hammond. Lutcher took first honors in the junior division.Public notice was given that skating and riding of bicycles was prohibited on the public sidewalks of this parish.

1945

A Red Cross Benefit Dance was planned on Easter Sunday at 6 p.m. at theReserve Community Club.

The Junior Red Cross of St. John Parish was commended for its energyand zeal in collecting items for the soldiers overseas.

Cpl. Ray Montz of Reserve was released from a British hospital afterconvalescing from wounds suffered in a battle in Emmerich, France.

Farmers were advised by the St. John county agent that present demandfor nitrate fertilizer far exceeds the commercial supply.

A special session of the St. John Police Jury declared a drainage state ofemergency due to the recent heavy rain fall.

1955

Despite a threatened strike, work continued as usual at the Godchaux Sugar Refinery in Reserve.

The state Department of Commerce and Industry predicted a large influx of industry into the River Parishes.

It was announced that C.J. Tassin, the manager of the E.J. Caire Store inEdgard, was retiring March 31 after 43 years at the store.

It was announced that cakes, pies, rolls, doughnuts, cookies and French bread were available fresh daily at the LaPlace Store in Airline Highway.

A millinery show emphasizing safety was presented by the Auxiliary to the Reserve American Legion, Post No. 159 in connection with Legion’s36th anniversary.

1965

The U.S. Bureau of Census reported that retail sales in St. John Parishincreased by 16 percent since 1958.

The St. Charles/St. John Parish Bridge and Ferry Authority reaffirmedits decision to locate the proposed Mississippi bridge in Luling.

Marcia Gendron of Edgard, an education major, was named the top-ranked student at LSU.

Twelve contestants from Edgard High School and Leon Godchaux High School won in the Ninth District Literary Rally held at Nicholls State in Thibodaux.

The Reserve Wildcats beat Hahnville 8-7 to win the Norco Athletic Club Championship.

1975

The committee members of the Pontchartrain Levee District approved a budget that would leave them in the red. Frank Renaudin anticipated extramoney to come in before the end of the year due to a 1 mill increase passed in 1974.

The Community Improvement Association of LaPlace was heading an anti-crime program, which lent engraving tools to residents in order to mark their belongings in case of theft.

St. John Parish Sheriff’s Department stated that it would stay out ofunion picketing disputes at Cargill, Inc. provided no bodily harm wassustained by any parties.

$1,444,000 million was reportedly spent on 3,260,000 million cigarettes in 1974 in St. John.

1985

LaPlace attorney Daniel Becnel Jr. announced his candidacy for thecongressional seat left vacant by the late Congressman Gillis Long.

Waterford 3 nuclear plant in Taft powered up and produced commercial electricity after receiving its federal license.

The Old South Art Guild stated that its First Annual Young Artist Competition was a success.

Convicted murder Willie Watson escaped the electric chair by a few hours as his appeal was granted. Watson was found guilty of murdering a25 year-old Tulane medical student in St. Charles Parish.Gov. Edwin Edwards proclaimed the Luling-Destrehan bridge as the “HaleBoggs Bridge.” Edwards also announced the bridge’s award as OutstandingCivil Engineering Achievement of 1984.

1995

The St. John Humane Society lost 15 dogs to Leptospirosis, a diseasecarried by rats.

St. Joan of Arc Ladies Altar Society sold its last bag of cookies fromit’s 25th Annual Cookie Project. The ladies shut down due to lack ofvolunteers.

Former St. John deputy Lester Marse was sentenced to 180 days for teargassing inmates. Marse was to serve his jail time on weekends.Reserve native Ratiford Lumar won first place and $25,000 in “Star Search.”150 volunteers in “Swamp Sweep” pulled out 300 cubic yard of trash from between LaPlace and Ponchatoula.

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