There was no settled policy as to the support of this institution. The first plan was to establish two lotteries, a method of raising funds that in our early history was sometimes used, not only for the maintenance of schools, but even for the building of churches. No appropriations were to be made by the Legislature, but a proportion of the lottery prizes was to be devoted to that great University of Orleans, in which the College of Orleans was embraced.* Luckily for the subsequent history of education in the State, tliis pernicious policy was not a success, and we find the Legislature, in a fitful way, coming to the aid of the college from
•The papers of that day contain, also, advertisements of a lottery for St. Mary's College, Baltimore, and another for a Medical College in the same city.
time to time with small appropriations. These sums being found inadequate to uphold the declining fortunes of the first college in the State, resort was had to the proceeds from the licenses granted to the gambling houses of New Orleans. In spite of these desperate remedies, the college would not prosper, and in 1826 it ceased to exist, "a central and two primary schools" being established in New Orleans as a substitute. To these schools the gamblers' fund was continued, and they were further aided by $3,000 annually from the licenses of the theaters of New Orleans. The population of the city, wMch in 1810 was 24,552, of whom 16,550 were white, had grown in 1825 to 45,300, of whom, perhaps, one-half were white. In spite of this rapid increase of population, the attendance at the college in 1823 was only forty-four boarding pupils and thirty-five day pupils, the smallness of the total amounting to a confession of failure. The most plausible explanation of the failure of the institution to meet the expectations of its founders is to be sought in the unwise policy of that day in regard to the terms of admission. Pupils whose parents were in good circumstances were required to pay tuition fees, while gratuitous instruction was given only to those whose parents were sho^vn to the satisfaction of the regents to be in destitution. "The sons of the latter," says Mr. Gayarre, "were always dubbed 'charity students,' and thus marked with the badge of poverty, they were treated as the plebs of the institution." It is not surprising, therefore, that the pride of the poorer classes was aroused, and that rather than subject their children to such indignity, they preferred to allow them to grow up in ignorance.
In 1808 an act of the Territorial Legislature had been passed to establish public schools throughout the Territory, but this seems to have been rendered nugatory the following year by a provision that the school tax should be collected only from those that were willing to pay it. When the State of Louisiana entered the Union in 1812, the first constitution made no provision for public education, it being probably intended that the whole matter should be left to legislative action.
According to the annual message of Governor Eoman of 1831, it was in 1818, just one hundred years after the founding of New Orleans, that the first effective law concerning a system of public schools was passed by the General Assembly. Comparatively liberal appropriations were nuide in the following years, the amount increasing from $13,000 in 1820 to $27,000 in 1824. Unfortunately it was not primary instruction that occupied the attention of the Legislature, but the establishment of a college or academy in every parish of the State, to which, as in the case of the College of Orleans, both paying and non-paying pupils were to be admitted. In the two primary schools of New Orleans, gratuitous instruction was given only
to pupils between the ages of seven and fourteen, with a preference shown to at least fifty pupils of the indigent classes.
Such distinctions would naturally result in injurj' to any system of public instruction, and we are hardly surprised to learn that one parish of the State refused to accept the money appropriated for schools. "In twelve years," says Governor Eonian, "the total expenditure in the State amounted to $354,000, and it was doubtful whether 354 indigent students had derived from the schools the advantages which the Legislature wished to extend to that class."
The governors of the State, wiser than the Legislatures, often recommended the establishment of wholly free schools, supported by taxation, but the idea was novel in Louisiana, and grew very slowly in public esteem. Moreover, there was a considerable number of the people who maintained that the education of tlie youth was a family matter, and that it did not concern the State to interfere.
Out of the large appropriations mentioned above, a considerable number of academies, or colleges, had been created in the country parishes to absorb the public funds and offer but scanty opportunities of instruction to the youth of the State. In New Orleans, the central and the two primary schools, poorly patronized, continued to lead a precarious existence until the year 1841, when they were absorbed in the new system. It is refreshing to turn to the legislative act of this year, and to see how the General Assembly had awakened to a sense of the errors of the past, and had determined to offer in New Orleans an enlightened example of what public education should be—an example that was soon to be followed throughout the State. Before taking up this second epoch in the educational history of New Orleans, it will be necessary for completeness to turn back and say a few words about the private institutions that in the early period supplemented the public instruction.
These institutions, though never of a high grade, seem to have been comparatively numerous, and were doubtless well patronized. Almost the only sources of information concerning them are tradition and the files of old newspapers in the archives of the City Hall. Among the latter. Professor Alcee Fortier, with a praiseworthy spirit of research, has delved, and from them has drawn forth some interesting notices of private schools which were established in New Orleans in the first quarter of this century. (See his "Louisiana Studies.") Some of the advertisements contain curious specimens of English solecisms that mark a period when the prevailing culture was French. Following in his footsteps, the present writer has brought to light some additional notices of private schools which may prove of
interest to the modern reader. The first, taken from the Louisiana Gazette of 1805, shows that a teacher of that day expected to bear as heavy a burden as at the present time. It runs as follows: "An English school is opened in Bienville street for the teaching of English pronunciation, reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, etc. The hours are from 8 to 12 forenoon and 2 to 5 afternoon. The price of tuition is three dollars a month. Also, an evening school, at which those young gentlemen who wish to devote a few hours in the evening to the attainment of useful knowledge may find rational entertainment. Private lessons upon reasonable terms. Francis Hacket, Teacher."
A more interesting one is to be found in the Louisiana Courier of January 13, 1813. It is in the form of an address to the inhabitants of New Orleans and of the State, and is signed "G. Dorfeuille." This gentleman declares that he had witnessed without alarm the establishment of the College of Orleans, and had flattered himself that the foundation of such an institution by inspiring all the citizens with the desire of procuring the precious advantages of education, would not only not destroy the secondary schools, but would encourage them. In this he had been bitterly disappointed, for the college had derogated from its plan and bad become a primary school. "How," he continues, "such elementary exercises can be reconciled with the functions of a college, I shall not try to decide. Such measures, however, tend to deprive teachers of their living, and leave them no resource except that of going back, if they can, to the place where they enjoyed the esteem of the community. Fully convinced, however, that each individual owes the exercise of his talents to all those who stand in need, I intend to establish a school for the education of colored children. Such an institution is entirely lacking in this portion of the country, and the enlightened persons who heretofore were desirous of having their children educated—I refer to the prudent colored people— were obliged to send them to the North. On them I depend for support. Eighteen or twenty pupils having been already promised, the school will be opened on Monday."
No further notice of this interesting experiment has been discovered. The address has been quoted in full, first, because it mentions the low grade that the recently established College of Orleans had adopted; and secondly, because M. Dorfeuille's school and that of the Ursulines were the only ones, as far as the present writer is informed, that ever made an attempt to educate the colored people before the time of the civil war. While there was probably no interference at this time with M. Dorfeuille's school, which was doubtless intended for free people of
color, it would have been suppressed seventeen years later, when the abolition agitation in the North led the South to believe that it was dangerous to allow the negro to learn the "mystery of the alphabet." In fact, the feeling on the subject grew so intense in Louisiana that in the jear 1830 not only was it forbidden by law to teach the slave to read, but free persons of color were required to withdraw from the State.
Karl Pijstl, who visited New Orleans in 1826 (see his "Tour in America"*) tells us that the institutions of tlie city at that time were inferior to those of other cities of less wealth and equal extent. After mentioning the College of Orleans and an "inferior institution conducted by the Catholic clergy," he states that the best school is kept by "Mr. Shute, rector of the Episcopal church, an enlightened and clever man." Universal history and the primary branches were taught by this gentleman in his rectory. With respect to the female sex, the Creoles were educated by the Ursulines; the Protestant young ladies by some boarding school mistresses, partly French, partly American, who came from the North. "The better class of Anglo-Americans," he adds, "prefer sending their daughters to Northern institutions, where they remain two years." Poydras Asylum was educating sixty girls, while a second asylum for boys had forty;
SECOND PERIOD.
Let us now turn to the public schools of the second period. It has been noted that this was the period of permanent establishment (1841-1860.) The educational necessities of the city had grown with the increase of population, which had been phenomenal. There were now (1840) 102,000 souls—more than double the number of a decade before. Of these, about 60,000 were white. For this portion of the population the Legislature of 1841 decreed that "the councils of the difierent municipalities of New Orleans (there were three) are authorized and required to establish within their respective limits one or more public schools for the free instruction of the children residing therein, to make such regulations as they judge proper for the organization, administration and discipline of the said schools, and to levy a tax for the maintenance of the same. Every white child residing in a municipality shall be admitted to and receive instruction in the schools established therein." The State treasurer was ordered to pay over annually a certain sum for the support of these schools, while we find the municipalities making provision in one way or another for the same purpose. For instance, the second municipality
♦This work was kindly lent me by Mr. Wm. Beer, Librarian of the Howard Library.
passed an ordinance to the effect that all excess of fees received by the harbor master over and above the salary allowed by law should be devoted to the support of public schools, adding that the only requisites for admission to the schools should be good behavior, regular attendance and cleanliness. Three years later one of the municipalities raised by taxation and other methods the sum of $11,000 for its schools.
At first the schools met with some opposition, but before two years had passed the pupils came crowding in to enjoy the advantages offered them. High schools were established to supplement the primary instruction. The number of pupils increased from 950 in 1842 to 6,385 in 1850, while the white population increased only about 31,000. Thus, after only a short period of probation, the public schools of New Orleans were established on the sound basis of perfect equality to all whites and of at least a partial dependence on local taxation. The advance in this latter direction was of special importance; for it is safe to say that no community ever failed to patronize schools supported even partly by self-imposed taxes.
The new constitution of 1845, taking its cue from the free public schools of New Orleans, established similar ones throughout the State, though dissimilar conditions in the country prevented them from meeting with similar success. Moreover, it provided for a new system of management. Up to this time the Secretary of State, in addition to other manifold duties, had been required to take charge of the educational affairs of the State; but from this time on we are to see a State Superintendent of Education devoting his time and energies to the establishment of an extensive system of schools and making regular reports to the General Assembly. The first man appointed to this high office was a ripe scholar, an experienced teacher, and a brilliant orator. The schools of New Orleans, as well as throughout Louisiana, soon began to feel the vivifying influence of Alexander Dimitry's strong personality, and the whole State has reason to revere the memory of this first superintendent.*
In his first report (1848), Mr. Dimitry gives an instructive account of the progress of education in New Orleans, as well as in the State at large. In the city, he states, the third municipality (between Esplanade and Lake Borgne) had not carried its public schools beyond the grade of sound primary instruction, but the
*Mr. Dimitry had been superintendent of the third municipality in the city. Among others prominent In the organization of the city schools, Prof. Fortler mentions S. J. Peters, Joshua Baldwin, Dr. Pieton, J. A. Maybin, Robt. McNair, Thos. Sloo and J. A. Shaw. The second municipality schools, under Shaw, were the most successful.
first municipality (Vieux Quartier) had maintained a course of instruction in the French and English languages, demanding respective teachers and duplicate textbooks for its schools. Moreover, high and intermediate schools for both sexes had been established, increasing the expense for teachers of higher qualifications and requiring text-books of greater cost. In the second municipality (American quarter) Mr. Dimitry calls attention to the ampleness of the school appliances, the organization of its high schools for boys and girls, the outlay for text-books and scientific apparatus procured at the public expense, and adds that these schools would not suffer by comparison with schools of a similar character in any part of the land. The three municipalities were then expending about $103,000 annually on their prosperous institutions. "Yet," says Mr. Dimitry, "when the schools were about to be established, the announcement was received by some with doubt, by others with ridicule, if not hostility. When the schools of the second municipality were opened in 1842, in spite of the fervor of directors, in spite of personal appeals and exhortations to parents, not more than thirteen pupils appeared on the benches, out of a minor population more than three thousand strong." In 1848 public sentiment had totally changed. "The thousands that now bless the existence of these schools will tell us what vigorous efforts and extended perseverance will do in behalf of a cause noble enough in itself to command friends that will not be balked."
Under Dimitry and his successors, the schools of New Orleans continued to prosper. As early as 1853. Superintendent Nicholas had recommended the establishment of a normal school, declaring that there was none in the United States and only one in Canada. Finally, in 1858, largely through the exertions of Hon. William 0. Rogers, then superintendent of the First district schools, now secretary of Tulane University, a normal school, the first in Louisiana, was opened in New Orleans. It continued to be an important element in our educational development until the civil war put an end to its usefulness. It may be well to mention here that in 1852 the three municipalities of the city were consolidated, but the three school districts, with separate boards and superintendents, were kept distinct, and in 1852 a fourtli, that of Lafayette, was added. This arrangement continued until the second year of the civil war.
PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.
While the public schools of the city were making rapid progress in niimbers and in efficiency, there seems to have been no dearth of private schools. When once the enthusiasm of the people for education is aroused, the private and the public institutions will enter into a generous rivalry, and will be of mutual benefit.
In 18-14 Mr. Lewis Elkin, proprietor of the Orleans High School, situated on Esplanade avenue, transferred this institution to Messieurs Mervoyer, Wyndham, and Everett, who had been professors in the defunct Jefferson College of St. James parish. These three gentlemen offered to the public all the branches of a liberal education. Besides the directors, who taught the classics, English and history, there were named in the prospectus Macmanus, professor of Mathematics; Fuentes, professor of Spanish and bookkeeping; S. Rouen, professor of French; Varney, professor of music; Jaume, professor of drawing; and Devoti, professor of dancing.
In October, 1853, one of the New Orleans journals announced that the College of Louisiana, wliich had been established on Dauphine street at great expense by M. Louis Dufau, had been removed to St. James parish, and had taken possession of the buildings of the ex-Jefferson College. The buildings vacated on Dauphine street, it was added, would be occupied by the Young Ladies' Academy of Mme. Deron. The same journal announced that an institution under the title of Audubon College, was about to be established by Professor Simon Rouen.
Professor Rouen was the most distinguished professor of French in New Orleans at this period. We have seen that he was professor of this language in the Orleans High School. He had also been principal of the Boys' High School in the Second district. In 1853 he opened his college, named in honor of the great Louisiana naturalist, at the corner of Dumaine and Burgundy streets. Here he taught for six years, when, on account of ill health, he transferred the institution to Professor Lavender. Audubon College was opened to pupils all the year around, there being only a brief vacation at the end of August. The institution was so popular that at one time it enrolled aa many as three hundred pupils, drawn from the best Creole families. The course of instruction was thorough in every respect, the principal being assisted by Professors Auchmuty in history, English and mathematics; Battier in mathematics, Durel in English and arithmetic, Darot in French, De Tornos in Spanish, Gittermann in German and Greek, Glynn in English, Gaunt in penmanship. The professor of drawing was the distinguished architect, J. N. De Pouilly.
During and after the civil war. Professor Eouen continued to teach French in other institutions of the city.
At this time one of the best institutions for young ladies was kept by Miss Hull. To this excellent school many of the elderly ladies of New Orleans still look back with tender recollections. During the same period the Library and Lyceum Association, established largely by the efforts of Mr. N. R. Jennings, was an important factor in educational development.
THIRD PERIOD.
In 1862 New Orleans fell into the hands of the Federals, and when General Butler took command of the city, he consolidated the four school districts then existing and brought all the schools under one management. Under the new conditions this was doubtless a wise provision, for different text-books were used in the various districts; the French language was used as the medium of instruction in some of the schools below Canal street, and there was much confusion when parents moved from one district to another. From this time on we find a general uniformity in methods and management.
Moreover, the slaves within Federal lines were all freed January 1, 1863, and it was necessary to make provision for their education. The first public schools for negroes were established in 1863 under General Banks, then in command of the Department of the Gulf. In 1864 he issued General Order No. 38, which constituted a board of education "for the rudimental education of the freedmen in his department, so as to place ^vithin their reach the elements of knowledge." In 1865 the Freedman's Bureau was created. Besides other e.xtraordinarj' powers, this board was to cooperate with the military authorities, and free transportation was furnished to teachers, books, and school furniture. Under this Bureau large sums, it is not known how large, were expended for schools in New Orleans.
The first superintendent of the public schools of New Orleans under the consolidated system was J. B. Carter, a Union man, who served until 1865. In this year Mr. William 0. Rogers succeeded to the office, and held it for five years. The first report of Mr. Rogers (186?) shows that he had many difficulties to contend with, but that he labored diligently to increase the number of school buildings and to bring order and system out of the existing chaotic conditions. White and colored pupils were duly provided for, and the number of the latter alone rose in 1868 to 4,403, with fifty-two teachers. During the latter part of Mr. Rogers' administration, however, the "carpet-bag" adventurers came into power, and extreme reconstruction measures were put into force. One of these measures was Rule No. 39, passed by the Board of Education April 8, 1870, admitting colored pupils to the white schools, in accordance with a law of the "carpet-bag" Legislature. This rule aroused the bitterest feelings of opposition in New Orleans, and in spite of the exertions of State Superintendent Conway, who rendered himself obnoxious by his ill-advised efforts, it was found impossible to enforce it. The agitation did not cease until some years later, when separate schools were provided for the two races. Mr. Rogers, however, witlulrcw, and became the founder of a new system of parochial
schools for whites, in connectiou with the Sylvester-Lamed Institute for giris. This venture, which was supported by the Presbyterian churches of the city, proved a success.
His successor as superintendent of the Xew Orleans schools was Mr. J. B. Carter, who in this second incumbency, served from 1870 until 1873, when he was superseded by Captain C. W. Boothby, who is now (1900) the superintendent of the United States branch mint in New Orleans.
This was a period of storm and stress. Superintendent Boothby was personally opposed to mixed schools, and tried in every way to tide over the troubles that arose under the law permitting this unfortunate condition of affairs. Under Captain Boothby's administration the number of colored pupils rose to 7,000, and the school accommodations were taxed to such an extent that he urged the use of the McDonogh fund for the erection of new buildings. The school board at this time was composed of the Hon. Michael Hahn, Albert Shaw and others. Acting on the suggestion of Captain Boothby, the board erected six McDonogh buildings, having together a seating capacity of 3,600 pupils. This enabled the city to dispense with a number of inferior school houses, for which a high rent had been paid. The superintendent, while exerting himself for this extension of facilities, received efficient aid from Professor J. V. Calhoun, the present State Superintendent of Education, whom he appointed assistant superintendent; and from Professor Warren Easton, whom he appointed principal of one of the important schools under his care. At the close of his term in 1877, Superintendent Boothby left 26,000 pupils in the schools, under 450 teachers.
In 1877 "the Carpet Bag" government ceased to exist in Louisiana. It is needless to repeat here the record of high taxes, enormous debts, and general pillage that marked its career in Louisiana. Under the new Democratic administration we may point with pride to one of the first acts of the General Assembly. It was as follows:
"The education of all classes of the people being essential to the preservation of free institutions, we do declare our solemn purpose to maintain a system of public schools by an equal and uniform taxation upon property, as provided in the Constitution of the State; which shall secure the education of the white and the colored citizens with equal advantages.
"Louis Bush, Speaker.
"L. A. WiLTz, Lieutenant Governor.
"Francis T. Nicholls, Governor."
In New Orleans William 0. Rogers was once more called to the office of City Superintendent. He continued to render valuable services to the schools until 1884, when he resigned to accept a position in Tulane University. The records of that day show that Mr. Rogers received from the School Board the highest praise for his long and faithful services in behalf of the schools of New Orleans. He was succeeded by Professor Ulric Bettison, now professor of mathematics in the Sophie Newcomb College, who labored zealously for the advancement of the public schools. In 1887 the present incumbent, Hon. Warren Easton became superintendent. The record of the city schools during the past thirteen years is a witness to the wisdom of his management.
The Constitution of 1879 made but scanty provision for the support of public education; but the present Constitution made a most satisfactory change for the better by allowing local taxation to supplement the general tax. This change, which was demanded by the people of the State, insures the future prosperity of the public school system.
The present condition of the schools of Now Orleans is better than at any previous time in the history of the city. Much praise is due to the efforts of the School Board under the presidency of the Hon. E. B. Kruittscnitt, who has during many years shown himself the devoted friend of public education.
McDonogh High School* No. 1, for boys, under the charge of Principal F. W. Gregory, offers an excellent course of preparation for Tulane and other colleges; while the two High Schools for girls, under Mrs. Lusher and Miss Suydam, respectively, are doing valuable work. The Normal School, under Miss Marion Brown, has a band of nearly one hundred young women, who are being trained as teachers.
The total enrollment of the public schools in October, 1899, was 23,886, of whom 20,257 were white. Since the beginning of the scholastic year the attendance has largely increased.
•The schools of New Orleans owe a debt of gratitude to John McDonogh, an eccentric old bachelor, who died in 1850, leaving a large amount of property to the cities of Baltimore and New Orleans for free schools. Most of the handsome school buildings that adorn our city have been built from the proceeds of this fund. The history of the donor and of the fund which he bequeathed forms one of the most interesting episodes in the history of Louisiana.
Among the benefactions to education in New Orleans mention should also be made of the Howard and Fisk Libraries, which render invaluable aid to the pupils of public and private schools.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.
Under Period II of the Public School System, some mention was made of the various private schools and academies that flourished before the Civil War. The existing institutions of New Orleans are now to be described, and as some of them trace their origin back to ante-bellum days, they will serve further to illustrate the educational advantages of that period.
The College of the Immaculate Conception. —This institution was established in 1847 by the Jesuit Fathers, soon after they returned to New Orleans at the invitation of Archbishop Blanc. The College opened in 1849 with ten professors and one hundred pupils. Up to the Civil War the number of pupils averaged about two hundred and fifty. Some years ago the fine building at the corner of Baronne and Common streets was erected, and at the present time (1900) a handsome building is rising on the north side of Jesuit Church from funds donated to the Fathers by a prominent Catholic family.
The course of study includes the primary, the high school, the college, and the post-graduate department. There is also a preparatory department, to which are admitted pupils that can spell and read, and are familiar with the elements of arithmetic. The Catholic religion alone is taught, but non-Catholics are received, and "their religious feelings carefully respected." The officers of the institution in 1900 were as follows: Rev. John Brislan, S. J., President; Rev. S. F. Bertels, S. J., Vice-President; Rev. Claude Roch, S. J., Secretary; Rev. N. Davis, S. J., Treasurer; Rev. A. Curioz, S. J., Chaplain. There are also sixteen professors of the different branches taught. The College numbers among its graduates a large number of the distinguished Catholic citizens of New Orleans.
The Soule Commercial and Literary Institute. —This institution was established by its present President in 1856, and the course of instruction was at first designed to give only a commercial training. Up to the Civil War the school prospered, but at that period the principal entered the Confederate army, and served till the close of the conflict. In 1865 Colonel Soule reopened his school. In 1870 a department of English studies was added. Since then the institution has expanded until at present it includes: (1) A preparatory or intermediate school for pupils of 8 to 13. (2) A higher English school for older pupils. (3). An academic school preparing pupils for Tulane. (4) A full high grade commercial school. (5) A school of shorthand and typewriting. In 1884 the school became co-educational. The average attendance is four hundred and seventy-five
annually. There are eleven professors, two of whom are the sons of the president, Albert Lee and Edward E. Soule, both graduates of Cornell. The institution has grown with the needs of the community, and offers a practical education to the young.
Spencer's Business College and Institute of Shorthand. —This school, whicli occupies a portion of the Y. M. C. A. building, was established in 1897 by Prof. L. C. Spencer. At first there were but eleven pupils, but the attendance grew so rapidly that at present there are about one hundred and fifty. Though this school is essentially a business college, covering the various branches necessary to a commercial education, there is a preparatory department for the training of those not qualified to enter upon more advanced work. In the commercial course the pupils learn to deal with business papers precisely as in the actual business world. Instruction is also given in shorthand and typewriting. In the Summer of 1899 Professor Spencer adopted a plan of giving free instruction during a portion of the Summer months to as many pupils as he can accommodate.
The New Orleans College of Dentistry. —This college, at the corner of Caron-delet and Lafayette streets, was opened November the sixth, 1899, and is the first institution of its kind in the Gulf States. It is incorporated, and is authorized to confer degrees. The Dean is Jules J. Sarrazin, D. D. S., who is assisted by an able faculty.
The Home Institute. —This institution, which is situated at 1446 Camp street, was established in 1883 by Miss Sophie B. Wright. From a very humble beginning the school has grown until it now has an attendance of one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five young ladies. It has a day and a boarding department. The institute is designed to give to young women the benefits of higher education. Much stress is laid upon the development of character, while the physical and the social sides of education are carefully looked after. Among the various studies Music and French are taught with special thoroughness.
Miss Wright began a noble work in New Orleans when, in 1887, she opened a night school for boys and men. In this department free instruction is given to those who are self-supporting, but who are unable to attend any day school. This charitable undertaking, supported wholly by Miss Wright and some of her friends, has proved a great success. It is the largest free night school in New Orleans, and twelve hundred men and boys are now enrolled. Only seven hundred and fifty can be accommodated at a time, but by alternating, all are taught a certain number of evenings in each week. One of the most interesting scenes in
New Orleans is presented by this band of earnest students, when they assemble in the evening to enjoy the advantages of instruction under the skilful management of Miss Wright and her corps of assistants.
The University School, No. 1923 Coliseum street, is conducted by Professor T. W. Dyer. It was established in 1883-. Employing excellent methods of instruction, Professor Dyer has been very successful, and his school is the largest private school for boys in the city. The course of instruction includes a thorough preparation for Tulane University and other similar institutions. To the regular school curriculum is added a military drill.
Ferrell's School for Boys, at 2717 Coliseum street, was established by Professor L. C. Terrell in 1890. The curriculum includes Mathematics, English, physical sciences, French, Latin and Greek. The boys "are forced to study Latin, and persuaded to study Greek." About ninety per cent of the graduates of this school attend Tiilane University and other higher institutions of learning. The school is popular and successful.
Rugby Academy, situated at 5419 St. Charles avenue, was established in 1894 by Professors J. H. Eapp and W. Edward Walls, two graduates of Tulane University. It was first known as Rugby School, but in 1897 it assumed its present title. In the same year a military department was introduced. In 1898 Professor Eapp withdrew, and the administration of the Academy was reconstructed with Professors Jones and Walls as associate principals, and Professor Guy S. Raymond as Registrar, all three being equal partners. There are three departments, primary, grammar and academic, each requiring three years' study. Mrs. J. Oscar Nixon is principal of the primary department, and Captain J. C. Daspit is instructor in French and military tactics. The graduates of this academy stand well at Tulane and other institutions of like grade.
Among other schools may be mentioned Professor H. S. Chenet's school for boys, established in 1892; the Chapman-Blake institute for young women; the school for girls and young women, conducted by the Misses Prentiss; Mrs. Seaman's school; the Holy Cross College for Boys, of which the Reverend D. J. Spillard is President; the Academy of the Sacred Heart, conducted by Catholic Sisters; and the Ursuline School, which is completing the one hundred and seventy-third year of its existence.
The Free Kindergartens. —New Orleans is much interested in the free Kindergarten movement that is sweeping over the country. For a number of years there have been Kindergarten features in the lower grades of some of the public
schools, in the Jewish Orphans" Home, and other institutions. Moreover, excellent private Kindergartens have been conducted by Mrs. Kate Seaman and Miss Waldo. But within the last few years several of these institutions have been established by private subscription in the poorest districts of the city, where they can draw pupils from homes that need the uplifting influences of such schools. They stand between the private and the public schools, in that they are supported by private funds and yet are open to all.
Children are admitted even at the tender age of three, before they could enter the public schools; for it has been found that at this impressionable age much can be done in training the head, the heart and the hand. Wonderful results have been accomplished in other cities, and New Orleans has been aroused to the importance of saving from the effects of evil surroundings the little children of this great city, and trying to lead them to a higher life. The parents of the children are drawn into the movement by their visits to the schools where their children are taught, homes are made happier, and the benign influence of noble teachers is spread through districts which neither the public nor private schools could ever reach.
The schools already established are the Jurgens Free Kindergarten, the Michel Heymann Free Kindergarten, the Sophie C. Hart Free Kindergarten, the Diocesan Free Kindergarten (under the auspices of Christ's Church), the Palmer Free Kindergarten (under the auspices of the First Presbyterian Church) and the Mission Colored Kindergarten.
Among those who were most prominent in beginning this work should be mentioned J. Watts Kearny, Clarence F. Low, George MeC. Derby, Michel Heymann, Mrs. J. L. Harris, Mrs. Bessie L. Kidder, Mrs. Ashton Phelps, and Mrs. H. D. Forsyth.
There is also a Free Kindergarten Association, of which Professor J. H. Dillard is president. This association has a training school for Kindergarteners, under Miss Katharine Hardy, which offers a two years' course of training to those wishing to undertake this important branch of work. Many of its graduates are already "abroad." While accomplisliing splendid results in the slums of the city, tlie Free Kindergartens will tend to improve the methods employed in similar grades of the public schools.
Institution for the Colored. —There are in New Orleans four universities, or more properly, colleges, for the education of the colored youth.
Leland University. —This institution is situated at the corner of St. Charles
avenue and Audubon street. It possesses ten acres of land, on which two large brick buildings have been erected. It was founded in 1870 by Holbrook Chamberlain, of Brooklyn, New York, a retired shoe merchant. Mr. Chamberlain came to New Orleans in 1870, purchased the property, erected the buildings, and gave his attention to the financial affairs of the institution for twelve years. In this work he received considerable aid from the Freedman's Bureau and the American Baptist Home Mission Society. At liis death, in 1883, it was found that he had bequeathed his property, amounting to $95,000, as a fund for the continuation of the good work. Other contributions to its support have been made, and in May,
1899, Mr. Charles M. Pratt, of New York, gave to the endowment fund the sum of $25,000.
The course of instruction is cliiefly collegiate and normal, with an English preparatory department. All instruction is free, except for instrumental music; but a small fee is charged to the day students for fuel and the care of the rooms. About ten years ago the number of pupils from the country increased so rapidly, that the accommodations were found insufficient, and it was decided to raise the standard of admission, and to establish "a system of auxiliary schools in the country for preparatory work." The schools already admitted to this relationship have an attendance of about 600, and others are forming.
The control of the University is in the hands of a Board of Trustees, residing in New Orleans and New York, and to an executive committee, consisting of the president and several prominent citizens of New Orleans. Eeverend E. C. Mitchell, who had been president of the institution for thirteen years, died February 2Gth,
1900, and Principal G. H. Felton is now the acting president.
Straight University. —This institution was established in 1869 under the auspices of the American Missionary Association. Among its early benefactors was Seymour Straight, a produce merchant of New Orleans, in whose honor the University was named. The first college building was erected, in 1870, on Esplanade avenue, corner of Burgundy, and when this building was destroyed by fire, the University was moved to its present location, corner of Canal and Tonti. Tliis school, established only a few years after the general emancipation of the slaves, at first attracted pupils by the thousand. They all came hoping to receive some benefit—they knew not what. Many of them remained only a few days, but gradually regular attendance was established.
In 1881, Mrs. V. S. Stone, of Massachusetts, gave the institution $25,000. Other donations followed, and handsome buildings arose to fill the needs of the
University. la 1886 an industrial department, aided largely by the Slater fund, was established, and from 1876 to 1886 a law school was successfully conducted. From the latter were graduated in all seventy-four young men, some of whom were white. It was finally decided to close this department, and there is now no law school for colored youth nearer than Washington, D. C.
In 1890 a theological department was established under the direction of Reverend Geo. W. Henderson. The other dejiartmeuts arc the college, the college preparatory, the normal, the grammar, the industrial, and the Daniel Hand preparatory. Since 1890 the president has been Professor Oscar Atwood, who has labored diligently for the advancement of the University. The whole number of graduates has been 119, and the total attendance for 1898-9 was 509.
New Orleans University. This institution, which was chartered by Act of the General Assembly in 1873, is really an outgrowth of the Union Normal School, established in 1869 by the Freedman's Bureau. A board of trustees was appointed, and it was provided that not less than two-thirds of the board should be members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The University was at first situated on the corner of Camp and Eace streets, but in 1884 the present location on St. Charles avenue was chosen, and a five story brick building was erected. The present president of the Board of Trustees is the Rev. S. Duncan, and the president of the Faculty since 1887 is the Reverend L. G. Adkinson.
In 1889 a Medical Department was added, and in the following year a Medical Building was erected at the corner of Canal and Robertson streets, which is open to both races and both sexes. The other departments are the preparatory, the primary, the grammar, the normal, the collegiate, and the theological (Methodist). The total number of students in 1899 was 365.
Southern University (State Institution). In the Constitution of 1879
provision was made for the establishment in New Orleans of a University for the
higher education of the colored youth. The first Board of Trustees was appointed
in 1881. The first two presidents of the University were colored men, and during
their terms of office, only primary instruction was given, and the institution was
far from successful. In 1883, Reverend J. H. Harrison, white, a graduate of
Vandcrl>ilt, was elected President, and tlie scliool made progress. Still greater
progress has been made under Professor H. A. Hill, who has been president since
1887.
Until 1890, the University was supported entirely by appropriations from
the State treasury, but in that year an Agricultural and Mechanical Department
was added, and in this way some assistance was obtained from the United States Government. Moreover, a farm of one hundred acres, fronting on the Mississippi River, is now cultivated under the management of the University. The other departments are the grammar school, the high school, the normal school, the music department, and the college. It is expected that a law and medical department will be added as soon as the funds of the University permit. The total attendance in 1899 was 414. The buildings of the institution are situated on handsome grounds at the corner of Magazine and Soniat streets.
TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA.
It seems fitting that this chapter on the history of education in New Orleans should end with a sketch of the Tulane University of Louisiana; for this institution of learning not only connects the Past with the Present, but is generally regarded as representing the highest expression that the educational development of tlie city and the State has thus far reached.
The oldest department of what is now Tulane University is the Medical College. Its organization dates back to the year 1834; it was chartered in the following year, and has the honor of being the iirst Medical College in Louisiana or in the Southwest to confer degrees. As we trace its long and illustrious career in Louisiana, we find that it has numbered in its Faculty many of the most distinguished doctors of the State. Its first faculty included the names of Thomas Hunt, Charles A. Luzenburg, J. Monro Mackie, A. H. Cenas, E. H. Darton, Thos. R. Ingalls, John H. Harrison, and Warren Stone. Among their successors were Drs. T. 6. Eichardson, Sam Logan, Albert B. Miles, James Jones, J. L. Riddell and Joseph Jones. The present faculty consists of the following professors, aided by fifteen lecturers, demonstrators, etc.: Stanford E. Chaille, M. D., Dean, Professor of Physiology, Hygiene and Pathological Anatomy; Ernest S. Lewis, M. D., Professor of General and Clinical Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children; John B. Elliott, M. D., Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine and Clinical Medicine; Edmond Souchon, M. D., Professor of Anatomy and Clinical Surgery; Louis F. Eeynaud, M. D., Professor of Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Clinical Medicine; Rudolph Matas, M. D., Professor of General and Clinical Surgery; A. L. Metz, M. Ph., M. D., Professor of Chemistry and Medical Jurisprudence. The total number of its enrolled students down to the year 1899 was 12,753. This department of the University ofFers unusual advantages to its students through its connection with the great Charity Hospital and
the Milliken Memorial for children. Here the students have unrivaled facilities for studying the practical side of the healing art.
In 1893, through the generosity of Mrs. T. G. Eichardson, the Medical Department came into possession of a splendidly equipped modern building on Canal street, and in this its lectures are now given. The faculty, though nominally forming a part of the University faculty, is practically autonomous.
The Law Department. The Law Department begins its history somewhat later than the Medical. Though it was not organized until 1847, it has had an honorable career, and has numbered in its faculty many of the most eminent lawyers of the Louisiana bar. As the course of instruction must lay special stress on the civil law, which is peculiar to Louisiana, this department has not been able to draw students from other States, and the attendance has never been very large. Nevertheless its graduates up to the present time have been more than nine hundred in number.
Among the professors of this department in the past we find the following names: Professor of Constitutional Law, Commercial Law, and the Law of Evidence, Randell Hunt, LL. D., emeritus rector (1847); Professors of Civil Law, Henry Adams Bullard (1847), Christian Eoselius, LL. D. (1850), Thomas Jefferson Semmes (1873), Carleton Hunt, LL. D. (1879), James B. Eustis (1883), Henry Denis (1884); Professors of Common Law and Equity Jurisprudence, Richard Henry Wilde (1847), Thomas Benton Monroe (1847), Sydney L. Johnson (1852), Alfred Hennen (1855), Thomas Allen Clarke, LL. D. (1870), William Francis Mellen, LL. D., dean (1878) ; Lecturer on Common Law and Equity Jurisprudence, Daniel Mayes (1851) ; Professors of Admiralty and International Law, Theodore Howard McCaleb, LL. D. (1847), Alfred Philips, LL. B. (1865), Carleton Hunt, LL. B. (1869), Charles E. Schmidt (1879), Henry Carleton Miller (1882).
The present faculty is composed of Henry Denis, Professor of Civil Law and Lecturer on the Land Laws of the United States; Thomas C. W. Ellis, Professor of Admiralty and International Law; Frank Adair Monroe, Professor of Commercial Law and the Law of Corporations; Harry Hinckley Hall, Dean, and Professor of Criminal Law, the Law of Evidence, and of Practice under the Code of Practice of Louisiana; Eugene L. Saunders, Professor of Constitutional Law, Common Law and Equity.
Academic Department. This department was opened in 1846 in a building which stood at the corner of Common street and University place, and which was
afterwards the home of the hivv department. Although some distinguished scholars were elected to the various chairs, the Academic Department was poorly supported, and had a precarious and unsuccessful career down to the time of the Civil War. Its many vicissitudes during this period form a sad story, which it is not possible to record in this chapter. The war and the trials of the Eeconstruction period prevented any attempt at a revival of this department. In 1877, however, wiion the government of the State had been restored to the Democrats, Governor Nicholls appointed a board of administrators for the University, with Judge John H. Ken-nard as president. This board reopened the Academic Department in 1878, with R. H. Jesse as Dean, and a faculty composed of J. L. Cross, M. P. Julian, and R. B. Montgomery. To this faculty, later on, were added some of the present professors of Tulane University.
The Constitution of 1879 recognized the University of Louisiana in its three departments of law, medical, and academic; and declared that the General Assembly should make appropriations for the maintenance and support of the same, but that the amount appropriated should not exceed $10,000 a year.
A high school was established as a feeder to the College, and of this department the first principal was Alcee Forticr; the second was L. C. Reed, with whom J. R. Ficklen served later as associate principal. Under the energetic management of the Board of Administrators and Dean R. H. Jesse, the academic department enjoyed a considerable measures of success. As, however, it received only a moderate sum from the State, and had to depend upon tuition fees for further support, it often found itself much cramped for means.
In 1883 a wider field was opened to the old university through the benefieence of Paul Tulane, of Princeton, N. J. Mr. Tulane had spent more than fifty years of his life in New Orleans, and had acquired there a large fortune. In 1881 he sent for Senator R. L. Gibson, of Louisiana, and offered him a considerable amount of property to be used for the education of the white youth of Louisiana. Senator Gibson accepted the trust, and later on became the president pf the first Board of Administrators.
By act of the Legislature of the year 1884, the University of Louisiana was transferred to and merged in the Tulane University of Louisiana. Of this institution, an accomplished scholar and knightly gentleman. Colonel William Preston Johnston, became president, organizing it on a very different basis from that of the old university, and presiding over it with wisdom and ability until his death in 1899. Retaining the professors of the former institution, President Johnston
called others to his aid, and soon began to broaden the scope of the Academic Department. He organized a University Department of Philosophy and Science, a Collegiate Department, and a High School, "as a temporary adjunct." The last department was now placed under the control of Headmaster A. D. Hurt, who conducted it with marked success until its abolition in 1894. In the same year Tulane College was divided into a College of Arts and Sciences and a College of Technology, each presided over by a dean. To these subdivisions were added at a later period an art department and a department for the higher education of teachers. On the 27th of January, 1894, the corner-stone of the present home of the Academic Department was laid on the extensive grounds purchased for the purpose just opposite to Audubon Park.
When the University of Louisiana was merged into Tulane, the State cut off the appropriation of $10,000, which for five years it had given to that institution. The present university, therefore, receives no direct aid from the State, but it is aided indirectly by a constitutional exemption from taxation on all its property. In return for this important privilege, the Academic Department offers to the white youth of the State 226 tree scholarships, the equivalent in tuition fees of $24,150, far more than the amount of the exemption. Moreover, to graduates, both male and female, and to teachers in the Teachers' Department the courses of the university are offered free of charge.
The line of demarcation is sharply drawn between College and University work. In the former only the baccalaureate degrees are given; in the latter the higher degrees of A. M., C. E., and Ph. D. are conferred.
The government of the Academic Department has one feature worthy of special remark. Each of the four classes in the college elects a president, a vice-president, and a secretary. These twelve students form what is called the Academic Board. To this Board, of which the president of the Senior class is ex-officio president, is largely intrusted the discipline of the College. To it are referred all questions touching the honor of the College or the violation of rules and regulations (except absences and neglect of work, which are cared for by the deans). Its decisions are sent to the president of the University, who approves them or sends them to the faculty for review. The student affected may also appeal from the decision to the faculty. Very seldom does the faculty find it necessary to do more than advise a reconsideration by the board. This method of self-government, instituted by President Johnston, has met with remarkable success. As an effect of this system and other causes the students of Tulane bear an enviable reputation for good order and gentlemanly conduct.
One of the greatest needs of the university has been a large library. The present one contains about 15,000 volumes—a number far below the necessities of the students and the professors. Among the benefactors of this department mention should be made of Mrs. Charles Conrad, who has presented the law library of her husband, the late Charles Conrad; and Mrs. Caroline Tilton, who has recently (1900) given the Administrators the sum of $50,000 to erect a library building in memory of her husband.
The administrators of the University* and the faculty of the Academic Department are as follows: Board of Administrators—Charles Erasmus Fenner, President; James McConnell, First Vice President; Robert Miller Walmsley, Second Vice President; Edgar Howard Parrar, Benjamin M. Palmer, D. D. LL. D., Walter Robinson StaufEer, Cartwright Eustis, Henry Ginder, Joseph C. Morris, George Quintard Whitney, John B. Levert, Walter C. Flower, Ashton Phelps, Charles Janvier, Walker Brainerd Spencer, Beverley Warner, D. D., and Walter D. Denegre. Ex-OfScio—W. W. Hurd, Governor of Louisiana; Paul Capdevielle, Mayor of New Orleans, and Joseph V. Calhoun, State Superintendent of Public Education. Officers—E. A. Alderman, LL. D., President; Joseph A. Hincks, Secretary and Treasurer of Board; William 0. Rogers, LL. D., Secretary of the University ; Richard K. Bruff, Assistant Secretary, and Miss Minnie Bell, Librarian.
Faculty of the Academic Department—E. A. Alderman, LL. D., President of the University; William 0. Rogers, LL. D., Secretary of the University; J. Hanno Deiler, Professor of German; Alcee Fortier, D. Lt., Professor of Romance Languages; Brown Ayres, B. Sc, Ph. D., Professor of Physics; Robert Sharp, M. A., Ph. D., Professor of English; William Woodward, Professor of Drawing and Architecture; John R. Ficklen, B. Let., Professor of History and Political Science; John W. Caldwell, A. M., M. D., Professor of Chemistry and Geology; Brandt V. B. Dixon, A. M., LL. D., Professor of Psychology and Philosophy; G. E. Beyer, Acting Professor of Biology; J. H. Dillard, M. A., D. Lt., Professor of Latin; William Benjamin Smith, A. M., Ph. D., Professor of Mathematics; W. H. P. Creighton, U. S. N., Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Levi W. Wilkinson, M. Sc, Professor of Sugar Chemistry; Thomas Carter, A. B., B. D., Professor of Greek; Douglas S. Anderson, A- M., Associate Professor of Physics; John E.
* Much of the history of Tulane University has been taken from an article by the late President Wm. Preston Johnston, published in Fay's "History of Education in Louisiana." For the description of the present institutions of New Orleans, the writer is largely indebted to data furnished by the publishers of this work.
Lombard, M. E., Assistant Professor of Mathematics; George E. Beyer, Assistant Professor of Natural History; William P. Brown, A. M., Assistant Professor of English and Latin; B. P. Caldwell, A. B. Ch. E., Assistant Professor of Chemistry; W. B. Gregory, M. E., Assistant Professor of Engineering and Mechanism; and H. F. Rugan, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Arts.
THE H. SOPHIE NEWCOMB MEMORIAL COLLEGE.
t I
In 1886, there was added to Tulane University a new department. This is the H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College for Young Women, established by Mrs. Josephine Louise Newcomb, in memory of her daughter. It occupies a square of ground on Washington avenue. Here spacious and artistic buildings have been erected for its use. The course of instruction includes the preparatory, the college, and the normal art. Physical education, also, forms a part of the college course. Its graduates are admitted to Tulane University on the same terms as its own graduates. Under the direction of the Board of Administrators and the admirable management of its president, Brandt V. B. Dixon, this college has won for itself an honored name in Louisiana.
Its faculty for 1898-9 is as follows: The President of the University; Brandt V. B. Dixon, A. M., LL. D., President of College, and Professor of Philosophy; John M. Ordway, A. M., Professor of Biology; Ulric Bettison, Professor of Mathematics; Jennie C. Nixon, Professor of English and Rhetoric; Evelyn W. Ordway, B. S., Professor of Chemistry and Physics; Marie J. Augustin, Professor of French; Mary L. Harkness, A. M., Professor of Latin; Ellsworth Woodward, Professor of Drawing and Painting, and Director of Art Instruction; Gertrude R. Smith, Assistant Professor of Drawing and Painting; Frederick Wespy, Ph. D., Professor of Greek and German; Clara G. Baer, Professor of Physical Education; Mary C. Spencer, M. S., Professor of Physics; Mary G. Sheerer, Assistant Professor in Art Department; Francis Devereux Jones, Instructor of Drawing; Katherine Kopman, Instructor of Drawing; L. J. Catlett, Principal of High School; Julia C. Logan, Instructor of English; Mattie M. Austin, Instructor of English; Kate A. Atkinson, Instructor of Latin; Clarisse Cenas, Instructor of French; Alice Burt Sandidge, Instructor of Greek; Frank H. Simms, Director of Music; Leonora M. Cage, Secretary; Emma P. Randolph, Librarian; and Alice Bowman, Lady in Charge of Josephine Louise House.
Students in all departments, 1899-1900: University Department for Graduate work, 24; College of Arts and Sciences, 91; College of Technology, 87; Art De-
partment, including Evening class, 80; Department for Teachers, 152; Newcomb, including High School and Art Department, 259; Law Department, 76; Medical Department, including 31 Pharmacy Students, 422. Total, 1,129.
It is generally conceded that from the higher institutions of learning tlie secondary schools catch their inspiration, and that their progress depends upon the standard set by such institutions for success in their own courses of study. Tulane University feels this responsibility, and in all its departments, it is striving as rapidly as possible to raise the ideal of preparation throughout the city and country schools.
Moreover, as its graduates pass out into the world, it appeals through them to the people of the State to recognize the benefits conferred upon the young citizens by the pursuit of the higher learning. It may be safely maintained that not only has the ability of the professional men of New Orleans been greatly developed by the labors of the university, but the city has found the presence of the university in its midst to be an important factor in improving the general tone of society.
Authorities—Marie-Madeleine Hachard's Letters; Mother Mary Austin Carroll's Essays; B. F. French's Collections No. 3; Gayarre's History of Louisiana; Martin's History of Louisiana; R. M. Lusher's Sketch of Public Schools in Louisiana Journal of Education; "Origin and Development of the Public School System in Louisiana," by J. R. Ficklen (in U. S. Report of Education, 1894-5) ; Alcee Fortier's "Louisiana Studies;" Archives of the City Hall, Reports of the State Superintendents, and other educational documents in the Howard and Fisk libraries.
CHAPTER X.
OLD BURIAL PLACES.
BY A. G. DURNO.
AS HAS been repeatedly indicated elsewhere. New Orleans is situated in a marsh. Its greatest natural elevation above the sea level is 10 feet 8 inches, which is artificially increased to 15 feet by the levee on the river bank. Half a mile back from the river the elevation is but little above the sea-level, so that, especially during high stages of the river, a large part of the city is below the natural water line. Strangers are always struck by the singular phenomenon of water running in the gutters away from the river, instead of towards it, as would seem natural. And not only is it necessary to fence out the water that flows past our doors, but the ground upon which we tread is not yet fully redeemed from the dominion of that element, it being impossible to dig three feet without striking water. Under these circumstances it is readily seen that burial, as understood in more elevated localities, is out of the question in New Orleans. The method of interment adopted, therefore, is that of tombs built upon the surface, consisting usually of two vaults, with a lower vault for the reception of bones when it is desired to use the upper chambers a second time. These tombs are built of brick, covered with stucco, of stone, iron or marble. The tombs belonging to societies and benevolent orders are mausoleums of imposing proportions, and often beautified with statues and other ornamental sculptures. The older cemeteries, within the limits of the thickly built portions of the city are enclosed by thick walls, which are honeycombed with vaults called "ovens," each provided with a small arched opening closed with cement and a memorial tablet. These vaults, as well as those built upon the ground, are private property, and are handed down from generation to generation in the same family. The first cemetery in New Orleans, utilized during the days of Bienville, was situated beyond the fortifications to the north of the city, near what is now the corner of Bourbon and Esplanade. Bodies were there buried in the ground.
The oldest of the walled cemeteries is known as the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1,
and is the property of the Saint Louis Cathedral, having been acquired by that corporation by a French concession made in 174-t. This cemetery is thickly crowded with tombs which are huddled together without any attempt at orderly arrangement. The meager lots are separated only by narrow alleys, and no space has been spared to the ornamental plots of grass, shrubbery and flowers with which it is usual to surround the habitations of the dead. Many of the tombs are empty and falling to pieces, the tablets gone, or so worn by winter's storms and summer's heats that the inscriptions are no longer legible. Some of them, and these the oldest, appear never to have been furnished with tablets, their place being supplied by a small cross of wrought iron, upon which are rudely cut the name, age, and date of death. Even these are unexpectedly modern, the earliest date decipherable being 1800. This date occurs on two crosses, on one
of which can be indistinctly traced the words: "Nanette de P. Bailly,
Decedee le 24—1800." A slab laid upon the top of this tomb at a later date repeats the inscription, and fills up the hiatuses, at the same time commemorating the two children of "Nanette," who died in 1812. The lady was, according to the revised inscription: "Annette Cadin, femme de Pierre Bailly," and died, "Octobre 24, 1800, agee de 45 ans." Two other crosses whose inscriptions are still legible bear the dates respectively of 1805, and 1811. On the others, two or three in number, the lettering is no longer visible.
A small brick tomb, still in a fairly good state of preservation, bears the name of Jean Etienne Bore, noted in the industrial history of Louisiana as the first planter who succeeded in making sugar from cane grown in the colony. The tablet is at the base of the tomb, the upper chamber of which is occupied by the remains of his daughter and son-in-law, the mother and father of Charles Gayerr6, and the lower part of it is so sunken in the earth as to completely hide the record of his death. The upper part bears the inscription:
Ici Repose
Jean Etienne Bore
Ne le 27 Decembre, 1741.
Marie le 20 9bre, 1771.
In this cemetery also is the Tomb of Daniel Clark, an Irishman who, coming to Louisiana early in the century, became a naturalized citizen of the United States, and, besides acquiring a large fortune, represented the State in Congress, and held other influential positions. But Clark's name is principally remembered as that of the reputed father of the famous Myra Clark Gaines, whose suit, as
claimant of Clark's estate, is one of the "causes celebres" of the century. A long Latin inscription on the handsome slab that covers the tomb, which was erected by Richard Relf, friend and executor of the deceased, celebrates the virtues of Clark, and a tablet at the foot reiterates the claim of the redoubtable Myra, maintained by her before hundreds of judges, throughout forty-eight years of litigation, that she was the daughter of Daniel Clark and Zuleme Carriere, his lawful wife. Not far from the tomb of Clark and the woman who spent the best part of her life in trying to prove herself his daughter, sleeps Stephen Zacharie, founder of the first bank in the Mississippi Valley. The handsomest tomb in the cemetery is that of the Italian Society, a really magnificent structure built of white marble, in the form of a Maltese cross. A sculptured figure leaning upon a cross, symbolic of Religion, surmounts the mausoleum, and other life-size statues representing Italia and her famous children, occupy niches about the walls. This tomb cost $50,000, and is really a work of art, but its situation among the crowding vaults and narrow alleys prevents its beauty from being properly appreciated.
The Layton family own the most spacious and well-kept plot of ground belonging to any one family within the walls, and divided from it by a rough board fence is what the sexton calls "the American part." Evidently the "American" families who once buried their dead here have either become extinct, or have ceased to cherish the memory of their remote ancestors whose names are carved on the ruinous tombs. One of the most interesting tombs of this section is a square stone structure, mounted on a pediment and bearing on one face in low relief a sculptured scene, representing a mother and child reclining on a canopied couch, evidently in the article of death. At the foot of the couch kneels the grieving husband and father, and over the group hovers an angel with a palm branch, while below is graven the legend: "For the virtuous there is a better and a happier world." The face of the lady is entirely featureless, time having destroyed all the finer lines of the chisel. On the side to the right of this is a crumbling inscription of which nothing can be distinguished except the lower lines: "wife of
W m C. C. Claiborne, Governor General of Louisiana, who died at New
Orleans on the 27th of September, 1804, in the 21st year of her age." On the left face is graven: "Also of Cornelia Tenessee (sic) Claiborne, the only child of Eliza W. Claiborne, who died on the same day, aged three years," and on that opposite the sculpture: "Here also rests the body of Micajah Green Lewis, brother of Eliza W. Claiborne, and private secretary to Governor Claiborne, who fell in a duel, Feb'ry 14th, 1805, in the 25th year of his age." Young Lewis, it may be
remarked here, died in his brother-in-law's quarrel, a political one. It is evident that nobody any longer cares for the tenants of this tomb, which shows every sign of neglect—its ornamental corners broken, its seams gaping, its inscriptions partially obliterated. Quite near stands another and more pretentious tomb, of monumental proportions, and well kept up, which, after once more assuring the visitor that "for the virtuous there is a better and a happier world," asserts itself as being "In memory of Clarice Duralde Claiborne, the youngest daughter of Martin Duralde of Mackupas, and wife of William C. C. Claiborne, Governor of the Territory of Orleans, who died in New Orleans on the 29th of November, 1809, in the 21st year of her age." The Governor seems to have been unfortunate with his youthful wives. It is to be hoped that in his next matrimonial venture he was prudent enough to select a lady who had passed the 21st anniversary of her birth.
In one corner of this same "American" section among heaps of indistinguishable wreckage, overgrown with wild blackberry vines and other vagrant herbage, are two empty and ruined vaults, whose fallen slabs revive memories of Great Britain's futile attempt upon New Orleans. One of these was the last resting place of William P. Canby, a native of Norfolk, Va., and a midshipman in the U. S. Navy, who "fell in the unequal contest between the U. S. Gunboat Squadron, and the British Flotilla, on Lake Borgne, Dec. 14th, 1814," at the age of eighteen. The other was erected to the memory of Oliver Parmlee, a New England youth who "was killed in the defense of New Orleans in the battle with the British Army, Dec. 23d, 1814. ^t. 29." It seems a little ungracious on the part of the city that the very names of these two young strangers who left their homes to come and lay down their lives in her defense should be allowed to perish in the obscurity of a deserted cemetery.
Another of the defenders who is among this silent congregation has been more fortunate, his name at least having been preserved in the annals of the city, though probably more on account of its picturesque effect than of any sentiment of gratitude for his services. This is Dominique You, one of the captains of Lafitte appointed by Jackson to the command of a battery on the day of the decisive battle. You was commended in general orders for gallantry and for the faithful performance of his pledge, and became thereafter a peaceful and law-abiding citizen. When Jackson visited New Orleans seven years after the victory. You entertained him at a breakfast, which the old hero pronounced the most enjoyable incident of his visit. He lived to an advanced age, and at his death was buried with much
pomp and circumstance, the procession which escorted him to the tomb being cited as the standard for such demonstrations for many years afterward. Upon his memorial tablet is carved, by way of epitaph the following quatrain from Voltaire's "La Henriade":
Intrepide guerrier, sur la terre et sur I'onde U sut, dans cent combats, signaler sa valeur, Et ce nouveau Bayard sans reproche et sans peur Aiirait pu, sans trembler, voir s'ecrouler le monde.
Young Lewis was not the only man laid here who gave up his life as a sacrifice to the demands of the "code." At the very gate, on the left as one enters, in the lowest tier of "ovens"' so that it is necessary to stoop low in order to read, is this: "Ci git J. Pent Berten. Ne a Bordeaux. Mort Victime de I'honneur. Age de 26 ans;" and the legend, "Victime de I'honneur," or "Mort sur le champ d'hon-neur," is repeated on many tablets. Another which tells a still sadder story is "Poor Charlie, X. S." "
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 comprises a single square, bounded by Si. Louis, Conti, Basin and Liberty streets. At the time of its opening this was just beyond the fortifications, and was doubtless thought very much out of the way. In 1823 it had already become so crowded as to render necessary the opening of new ground. The City Council therefore donated to the Church Wardens three squares bounded by Customhouse, St. Louis, Eobertson and Claiborne streets, which are known as St. Louis Cemetery No. 2. They are separated by the intervening streets—Bienville and Conti—running parallel with Customhouse and St. Louis, and each square has its own encircling wall, but the three form but one cemetery, though they are often spoken of as Nos. 2, 3 and 4. Here some attempt has been made toward symmetry of arrangement, and a broad central avenue traverses the entire length of the triple enclosure, the tombs being ranged on either side with narrow alleys between, but with a more generous allotment of ground. The tombs are often surrounded by neat iron railings, and some of them have pretty little "door-yards," with a bit of lawn bordered with box or some low growing shrub, and set off with a rose-bush, or a cape jessamine. As All-Saints day approaches, these quiet precincts take on an aspect of unwonted activity. The marble tombs are washed white and clean, those of stucco whitewashed, inscriptions are re-gilded or touched up with black paint, brick walks are "reddened," grass-plots re-sodded, and everything made ready for the yearly festival of the dead. For weeks before the event the windows of certain shops have been filled with wreaths of immortelles,
of beads, minute shells and various otlier materials, the florists have been hurrying forward their chrysanthemums and other autumn blooming plants, and on the morning of the iirst day of November every cemetery seems to have been suddenly transformed into a garden. The whole population of the city appears to be afoot, and the streets and cars are thronged with flower-laden women and children, hastening to lay the crowning offering upon the tomb of some dear departed one. All day long the throngs pour through the avenues and alleys of the cemeteries, laughing, talking, exchanging notes and comments on the decorations of the tombs they have visited, while at every gate, under the charge of a "Sister," sits a group of pink clad, pink bonneted orphans, making clamorous appeal for charity by beating incessantly with a silver coin upon a metal contribution plate.
In connection with these old cemeteries some interest attaches to the history of the San Antoine Mortuary Chapel. This chapel, now St. Anthony's Italian Church, is situated only a short square distant from the oldest of the cemeteries, at the corner of Eampart and Conti streets. About the same time that the council donated the ground for the new cemetery on Claiborne street, complaints began tc^ be made of the frequency of the performance of funeral ceremonies at the Cathedral, which were no doubt a great interruption to business, the Cathedral being at that time still in the center of the city. In deference to these well-grounded complaints the city granted to the wardens of the Cathedral a piece of ground at the location named above, upon condition of their erecting there a chapel to which the dead might be brought for the last rites of the Church. In compliance with this provision, on the 10th of October, 1826, a cross was set up to mark the site of the altar, and the following morning work was begun on the chapel, which was completed within the year at a cost of $16,000. It was dedicated to the most holy Saint Anthony of Padua, and here for many years were performed the funeral rites of all persons dying in the faith of the Koman Catholic Church. The chapel was included in the list of the property belonging to the Cathedral made at the time the church and all its possessions were transferred to the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
The Cathedral is also the proprietor of a cemotory on Esplanade avenue, the ground for which was acquired by purchase in lS-19, and which is known as St. Louis Cemetery No. 3. This cemetery is less crowded than the older ones, and is beautified with trees and flowers. Its acquisition for burial purposes gave rise to a lawsuit, the proprietor of a neighboring piece of land objecting to the opening of a graveyard so near his residence. An injunction was sued out to forbid the continuance of interments, and the case being appealed to the Supreme Court, the judges
decided that, «o far from being "neccssarih' f?hocking or offensive to the senses," a cemetery, under proper police superintendence, "may be rendered one of the most attractive ornaments of a city," and that, in the court's opinion, "such is the case with those of New Orleans."' The injunction was therefore dissolved, and judgment rendered for defendants, with costs in both courts.
A curious little burial ground, with the odd personality of a former sexton clinging to it, is the Louisa Street Cemetery. Pepe Lula, a Spanish swordsman and an expert pistol shot, was sexton here for a great many years, and the fact having become known that he had killed a number of men, the people came to believe that he had estahlished the cemetery for the purpose of burying his victims, and thereafter called the place Pepe Lula's Cemetery, which title still clings to it in the popular mind.
The oldest of the "up town" cemeteries is known as Lafayette No. 1, and is situated on Washington avenue, between Coliseum and Prytania streets. This is now in the very heart of the choicest residence portion of the city, called the "garden district," from the universal practice of surrounding the dwellings with shade trees, lawns and parterres of flowers; but in 1834, when the square was appropriated as'a burial place, it was a thinly populated suburb, a mile or more distant from the upper limit of the corporation, which was then Delord street. For many years up to 1852, in fact, this suburb was known as Lafayette, and was governed by its own mayor and council.
This cemetery resembles those of the lower district already noticed in all essential features, though an improvement upon them in the matter of arrangement, being laid out in regular avenues, and planted with trees. The central avenue is especially noticeable from the double line of magnolia trees from which it takes its appellation —Magnolia avenue.
Lafayette Cemetery No. 2 is also on Washington avenue, much farther out in the direction of the lake, between Saratoga and South Franklin streets. Its area is about equally divided between white and colored people, the tombs of many of the burial societies and benevolent associations of this latter class being located there. Among its most conspicuous monuments are those of the French Society of Jefferson, and of the Butchers' Association.
The Girod Cemetery has the appearance of age, but whether from lapse of time or from neglect cannot be ascertained. It is located in the first district, between South Liberty, Perrillat, Cypress and Magnolia streets. It contains some interesting tombs, notwithstanding its dilapidated appearance, among them that of Colonel
W. W. S. Bliss, General Taylor's son-in-law, and chief of staff during the Mexican war. Colonel Bliss survived all his battles, and sleeps peacefully beneath a monument erected to his memory by his friends at West Point. This cemetery also contains the monument of the Marine Association and the splendid temple of the New Lusitanos, as well as several well constructed tombs belonging to various colored societies.
Perhaps the most picturesque cemetery of New Orleans is the Campo Santo of the Church of the Holy Trinity, situated in the Third district, and bounded by Washington avenue, Solidelle, Prosper and Music streets. The cemetery is small, and is only partially filled with graves and tombs, but it possesses several features of peculiar interest. The tomb of the Sisters of the Perpetual Adoration occupies one corner of the enclosure, and in the rear is a frescoed mortuary chapel, the work of the Carmelite monks. It is also the only cemetery in which the devout pilgrim can make "the way of the cross" in the open air, with only the blue vault of the sky for roof. The fourteen stations are carved in low relief on wood instead of being painted, as in the churches, and here at almost any hour of the day may be seen penitent suppliants following the "Via Dolorosa," the road to Calvary, trodden by the Great Martyr nearly two thousand years ago.
The supreme attraction of this little place of graves, however, is the chapel dedicated to Saint Roch, the patron of the sick, and more especially of those strickeu by the plague. Saint Roch, according to the Roman breviary, was a native of Mont-pellier, France, said to have been born with the mark of the red cross upon his person, a sign interpreted as signifying future eminence. At the age of twelve he began to practice strict asceticism, and on the death of his parents when he was twenty, he gave all his substance to the poor and joined the Franciscan Tertiaries. Happening to be in Italy during the prevalence of the plague, he devoted himself to ministering to the sick in the public hospitals, and, falling ill himself at Piacenza, would have died in the forest had not the dog of a certain nobleman daily brought him a piece of bread. He died in prison at his native place, having been arrested as a spy on his return from Italy. Before his death he obtained from God the promise that persons stricken with the plague who invoked him should be healed. He is represented as a pilgrim in the garb of a cavalier of the period, staff in hand, and a dog by his side.
The chapel is a wooden structure, Gothic in style, and so overgrown with ivy as to completely cover its walls. The side walls are formed by tiers of vaults belonging to the societies of Saint Anne and Saint Joseph. Above each of these is a
stained glass window inscribed to the patron saint. Its shrine is a favorite place of pilgrimage for the performance of novenas, the nine days' prayer vowed to some particular saint for the attainment of some desired good. The orthodox method of performing a no vena is to walk (barefooted, according to the strictest rule) from one's home to the shrine of the saint, bearing a lighted taper, and without having broken fast. This must be done nine days in succession, the same prayer or invocation being many times repeated each day. It is said that this is sometimes done even now, and at Saint Eoch's, but the more usual practice is to light the taper at the gate, and walking with it up the central avenue, place it at the foot of the shrine, at the same time naming the desired favor. The following invocation to Saint Roch is then recited:
0 great Saint Roch, deliver us, we beseech thee, from the scourges of God. Through thy intercessions preserve our bodies from contagious diseases, and our souls from the contagion of sin. Obtain for us salubrious air; but, above all, purity of heart. Assist us to make good use of health, to bear suffering with patience, and, after thy example, to live in the practice of penance and charity, that we may one day enjoy the happiness which thou hast merited by thy virtues.
Saint Roch, pray for us (repeat three times).
Alms are then deposited in the box placed for their reception, and the suppliant "makes the way of the cross," repeating the prayers prescribed for the various stations, and adding that for the special object of the novena.
It is said that the young girls of the vicinity, and in fact throughout the city, who are anxious to exchange the single state for that of wedlock, are accustomed to pray every evening at St. Eoch's shrine for a husband, but such prayers should be, and probably are, addressed to Saint Joseph, the patron of marriages, who has also a shrine in the chapel, and whose images are for sale at the gate by the sexton or janitor.
The Metairie Cemetery is the very newest of the thirty-one burial places of New Orleans, but as it is also the most beautiful, it cannot be passed over without a word of notice. Metairie Ridge is a ridge of land midway between river and lake, formed many years before the settlement of Louisiana by the meting of the waters at that point in the great inundations. It was formerly used as a race-course, and was the scene of many famous races, notably that of the contests between Lexington and Lecompte in 1855. In 1873 it was determined to convert the old course into a cemetery, and an association was formed for the purpose of raising funds and considering plans for the carrying out of the design. One hundred and eight acres of ground were purchased at a cost of $175,000, and $171,000 more were expended in the laying out of walks, carriage roads, the digging of artitieial lakes, building of
bridges and planting of trots, siirubbery, fiowcrs-bcds, etc. The plan adopted was furnished by Mr. Harrod, and retains the old race-course as the main drive. In this cemeterj' are many beautiful and interesting monuments, conspicuous among them being the tomb of the Army of Northern Virginia, surmounted by a column bearing a statue of Stonewall Jackson; the tomb of the Washington Artillery, crowned by the statue of their old commander. Colonel J. B. Walton ; and the Gothic vault of the Army of Tennessee, upon whose grassy summit is posed a bronze equestrian statue of Albert Sidney Johnston.
The other cemeteries located on or near the Metairie Ridge are:
Hebrew Cemetery.-—"Dispersed of Judah;"' Canal street, between Anthony street and Metairie Ridge; size 250 feet square.
Polish Hebrew Cemetery.—Canal street, opposite above. Sometimes called "Jewish Rest."
Odd Fellows Cemetery.—Canal street and Metairie road; size 360 feet square.
Charity Hospital Cemeteries, Nos. 1 and 2.—Canal street, between Anthony and Metairie road; and Metairie road, between Bienville and Canal. E.Kclusively for burials from Charity Hospital.
Masonic Cemetery.—Bienville street, between Metairie Ridge and Anthony street; size three squares.
St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1.—Canal street, between Anthony street and Metairie Ridge; size -100 by 1,500 feet.
St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2.—Canal, between Anthony and Metairie road, opposite above; size one square.
St. Patrick Cemetery No. 3.—Metairie road, between Canal and Bienville; size two squares.
Firemen's Cemeteries.—Known as Cypress Grove Xos. 1 and 2, and Greenwood. Metairie Ridge and Canal street.
In addition to these there are:
Valence Street Cemetery.—Si.xth district, size one square, bounded by Valence, Bordeau.x, Rampart and Dryades streets.
Carrollton Cemetery.—Seventh district, size four squares, bounded by Adams and Lower Line, Seventh and Eighth streets.
St. Joseph Cemetery.—Fourth district, size two squares, bounded by Washington avenue, St. David, South Liberty and Sixth streets.
St. Vincent Cemetery.—Si.xth district, size three squares, bounded by St. David, Green and St. Patrick streets.
Locust Grove Cemeteries, Nos. 1 and 2.—Fourth district, size one square each, bounded by Locust, Freret, Sixth and Seventh streets. Sometimes called "Potter's Field."
St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery.—Third district, size one square, bounded by Louisa, Piety, Villere and Urquhart streets.
Holt's Cemetery.—First district, size five to six acres.
Hebrew Cemetery.—Elysian Fields, near Gentilly road, size one square.
Hebrew Cemetery.—Sixth district, on Joseph street, known as "Hebrew Place of Prayer;" size one square.
German Hungarian Lutheran Cemetery.—Canal street, between Anthony and Bernadotte.
Chalmette Cemetery.—One mile below Barracks, on river. For Union soldiers.
Verret Cemetery.—Sixth district, corner Yerret and Market streets.
St. Bartholomew Cemetery.—Fifth district, bounded by De Armas, Lassey-rusee, Franklin and Hancock streets.
William Tell Cemetery.—Gretna, Tenth street, between Lavoisier and Nerota streets.
CHAPTER XL
THE PEESS. By J. M. Leveque.
IT IS an ancient saying that the press is the great mirror of the times. This is possibly true. It is certainly true here, with us, in America. In a country like
Russia, where the press is subject to a censorship, it is likely that neither the joys nor the sorrows of the people, neither the things which they love nor those which they hate, find a candid voice in the press. The press reflects there power— the power of the absolute monarchy which censors it. But here the monarch, being the people, in theory, and, to a pretty large extent, in fact, the press reflects that monarch with a fine degree of nicety and accuracy. Show any man of discrimination and of experience the press of a given city and let him study it, and he can accurately judge if it be a cultured or a rude city; what its chiefest business is; what is the temper of its mind. This inevitably must be. The press depends, in this country, for its success, not upon government subsidies, not upon the favoritism of this, that or the other rich patron, but upon its popularity with the people, and the people usually patronize that which they like.
This is said by way of preface to the chronicling of the history of the press of New Orleans, from the infancy of this class of letters here to the present. It is considerably over a hundred years old, and what a marvelous revolution has taken place in that time! Yet, through all the lapse of years, it seems as if the saying concerning the press had been verified—as if that great organ had been indeed the reflex of popular life in this famous old city.
In the archives of the city are to be found to-day copies of the early papers printed here. As one looks over them, it seems strange that these publications then took the place of the present product of the Mergenthaler and the perfecting press, of weU-ordered counting-rooms, and of the perfect discipline of editorial and repor-torial staifs, of ability and ceaseless work. Yet doubtless if he compared the city of those days with the New Orleans of to-day, the parallel between the progress of the press and that of the city would be seen to be perfect.
The first impression—and, indeed, it is more than an impression; it is a direct lesson—the first lesson that these yellow, time-stained reminders of a by-gone time convey to one, is that, in those days, there was a fine degree of leisure in every walk of life here, and a fine desire to spend it leisurely, like a gentleman, sir, like a gentleman. To read the thoughts of others was a direct restraint upon the originality of our own thoughts, to say nothing of an encroachment upon our leisure. Consequently, the very earliest products of the printing press took the shape of the gazettes. As one looks over a copy of an early gazette, he is impressed that the hardest task ever connected with it must have devolved upon the salutatorian in the first number. To explain why it was born into the world must, indeed, have been a task. It was not a purveyor of news. It was not a disseminator of opinions. It contained such business in the shape of advertisements as was securable, and contented itself usually with slapping into type matter which it is as puzzling as the hieroglyphics of the Nile to discern why it ever found print. "A letter from abroad" was apparently a prize. It was usually obtained by the editor in the course of his rounds among the business men. A ship captain, discharging cargo in some foreign port, was usually an important correspondent. His letter was given leading place, even if it were two months old, and even though it told of nothing in the world but of cargoes and of shipping. There was a swaggering inclination, too, to pay flattering personal compliments to the advertisers whom the editor had successfully "interviewed." In those good old days there seemed little care on the editorial mind. The choice of subjects, the influencing of intelligent opinion on the most important topics of the day—such considerations as these never bothered the magnate at the helm of a gazette. "Local news" was manifestly scorned. Why give space to that wliich anyone could find out by a little inquiry; or rather, why take the time and the trouble to put it in type?
New Orleans was indebted to a San Domingan refugee for its very first paper. It was called Le Moniteur ile la Louisiane. It was issued in 1794. At that time the city was practically a French city and the French tongue was predominant. Le Moniteur was printed in French. The fate of Le Moniteur is lost in the obscurity of a past century. The historical accuracy of the fact that it did exist is attested by the copies of it now to be found in the archives of the city. It was a weekly.
With the dawn of the next century. New Orleans is found in the enjoyment of a semi-weekly, printed in English, showing the change that was even then taking place in the language of the city. This publication was known as The Louisiana Gazette, and its first issue appeared on July 27, 1804. It was a little, badly printed
folio of 10x16 inches. One John Mowry was its editor. As far as known, Editor Mowry had the honor of printing the first of many gazettes whose history is lost in the haze of the far past. His gazette, however, is a most interesting study. Samples of it are also preserved in the archives of the city, where the diligent historian may peruse them and learn many interesting things, possibly, for to the man who loves to rebuild, in his imagination, the conditions of the past, it is unquestionably interesting. The Gazette exhibits the characteristic disregard of "news." The colossus of war across the water, at that time disturbing all Europe, appears to have stirred up the native burgher as far away as New Orleans, however, for the Gazette is found bitterly inveighing against Napoleon. The subject is vastly more important than even matters concerning public men and measures at home, who receive only a casual share of attention. In this appears also the lingering French character of the city. The Louisiana Gazette appears to have had considerable staying qualities, for it continued to live for a number of years. It was domiciled at (old) No. 36 Bienville, the house of C. Norwood. That was in the neighborhood of the commercial center of the city in those days, and the city was by no means as large as it is to-day. The Gazette's motto was "American Commerce and Freedom," and it is not on record wliether the commerce and the freedom in mind was that so much affected by the renowned Lafitte. In subsequent years it repeatedly changed its domicile and it added a sub-heading, "Merchantile Advertiser." At different times it published at 21 Conti, 26 Conti, and, in the history-making year of 1812, its office was removed to 51 Chartres, at that time the leading commercial thoroughfare, as Eoyal was the leading residential street. In 1823 it removed again to 31 Customhouse, and still again the next year to 22 Bienville. It must not be too quickly surmised that heartless landlords were responsible for these changes, for there are evidences of a fairly prosperous business in The Gazette. Its prosperity was evidently on the increase, too, for on April 15, 1817, a concession was made to the French readers by the appearance of the paper in both French and English, and it was repeatedly enlarged, both that year and the next. Editor Mowry had made repeated attempts to establish the paper as a daily, but evidently the times were not ripe for it. His first endeavor was on April 3, 1810. There seems to have been, about this time, some awakening consciousness to the fact that news should be given by a newspaper, as Editor Mowry is found promising that he will endeavor to give "the latest intelligence" in his paper. The outcome of this endeavor as a daily was apparently not successful, for in 1814 the paper was issued tri-weekly. David McKeehan was then its proprietor, having bought it from Mr. Mowry. At
that time The Gazette began to change hands with great frequency, viewed from the modern standpoint. G. B. Gotten bought it, and, in 1816, he sold it to William Burner. Next year, Mr. Burner took as a partner Charles W. Duhy. Editor Duhy became sole proprietor in July, 1820, and there are evidences that he prospered, for he made it a daily, enlarging the size of it. Mr. Duhy, by the way, is possibly the most conspicuous newspaper man of his times. Four years later he sold it to R. D. Richardson, who in the same year, 18.^4, turned the paper over to James Mc-Karaher. In May of the following year, Mr. Richardson regained possession of the property, being joined in the venture by a Boston printer named A. P. Penniman. This firm purchased this paper and also the material of The Orleans Gazette, which had gone out of existence. When it is stated that these gentlemen advertised lour handprcsses as evidences of a very large job printing outfit, some idea may be gained of the proportions to which "the art preservative" had attained in that day.
In the meantime new candidates were in the field for journalistic honors. In 1820 The Louisiana Advertiser was being published, and in 1825 that sheet is found in the possession of one James Beerdslee, who was publishing it at No. 37 Bienville street. He sold it out five years later, in 1830, to John Penrice, from whom the paper in time passed into the hands of Stroud & Jones. James Beerdslee in 1824 had started a paper called The Weekly Advertiser. This was the organ which the distinguished John Gibson used to telling advantage to New Orleans journalism in the "thirties." He became the proprietor of The Weekly Advertiser in 1833, and two years later he changed its name to The True American, which lived into the forties. Gibson had manifestly some ideas of his own about the province of a newspaper, which, while trite now, were new in New Orleans then. He paid great attention to local news. He followed the history of local politics closely and faithfully and he succeeded in so revolutionizing the old gazette style of journalism that all the old papers died out one by one. He was the biggest figure in journalism of New Orleans up to his day, realizing that in nothing is a newspaper so strong as in being the faithful chronicler of passing events. On the success he upbuilded was created the condition in which it was possible for newspapers to thrive.
Gibson received the flattering sobriquet of "the faithful and bold." He was a man of conviction and courage. Unswervable, clear, daring and undauntable, his life was a forceful factor in shaping the destinies of the city in his time.
The True .American probably came to its end in 1842, when The Daily Tropic came into existence. Its proprietor was Alden S. Merrifield. This was, like The
True American, one of the best edited specimens of journalism in Xew Orleans to that date. It was a whig paper and a champion of Henrj' Clay. Among the notables of the time connected with it were P. Besangon and B. F. Flanders.
Another paper, the history of whose career is lost in the oblivion of the past, but which must have had its origin away back in the first years of the eighteen hundreds, being accounted a half centurj' old at the time of its demise. May 29, 1859, was The Courier, which had attained considerable prominence in the forties, being the exponent of the conservative democracy of the State. It seems to have been distanced by its more energetic rivals in the race, although it had been higlily esteemed by a very respectable element of the city.
Its greatest editor was J. C. DeRomes, who conducted its destinies for a period of thirty years, finally disposing of the property to Jerome Bayon, April 12, 18-13. Editor DeRomes was not in any sense brilliant, but he managed its finances so successfully as to retire in his old age comfortabl)', and he bequeathed to his successor the good will of a fine clientelle.
The oldest paper in the city to-day is The New Orleans Bee, and histor)' makes it evident that The Bee is as modest as a maiden on the shady side of thirty about its age. There are evidences that The Bee was published as far back as 1809. There is in existence to-day a copy of a paper called I'Ami des Lois et Journal du Soir, bearing date of September 2, 1816. This copy is marked Volume 7 and its number is 1281. It is reasonable to suppose that the first number of this tri-weekly could not have been published later than 1809. It was published in French and English. In 1822, on September 20, the name of the paper was changed to The Louisianian and Friend of the Laws. It was, during the period in question, under the management of Michel de Armas and J. B. Maurian, but on April 15, 1824, the paper made its final appearance under the caption it had hitherto borne. At that time, too, it was being published by Manuel Crozat. After four days of suspension, for it had become a daily, it reappeared under the name of The Argus. It is reasonable to suppose that as the paper was in type, make-up, even in advertising and style the same, it was the identical publication which had suspended. The Argus became The Whig on August 7, 1834. It was issued from No. 70 Chartres street. On March 1,1835, the name was changed to L'Abeille, or The Bee, and it has continued under that name ever since. It is thus seen that The Bee can justly claim to date back to about 1809, the oldest paper in Louisiana and one of the oldest in the United States. It continues to-day to be published on Chartres street, the visitor of every French household in the city and State, and, indeed, of many an English-
speaking household, who speak the language as fluently as the English. The courtly and popular Armand Capdevielle is its editor in chief. Possibly the most distinguished man who has ever been in the service of The Bee was the poet Canonge, whose reputation lives to-day in many a cherished scrap-book, as well as in the memory of the old-timer. He was a poet of conspicuous force and beauty of fancy, a man of great culture and a magnificent musician. Some of the finest criticism of music ever penned in this city, and, indeed, in this country, were written by him. He bore the reputation of being utterly honest in his utterance concerning the work of the musician; a man whose friendships never clouded his judgment or his perception of the functions of criticisms. He combined with his lofty ideal of the province of criticism an enthusiasm and wholesome spirit of encouragement which invariably acted as a spur, instead of as a discouragement, to the artist. To be praised by Canonge was regarded by the musician as the highest honor within the reach of any artist. The Bee to-day is a modern paper, in French. It handles the news, local and foreign, just as the English papers of the city, though in a more condensed form. The Associated Press service is used, translated in condensed form 60 as to present all the news.
Next in age to The Bee is The New Orleans Daily Picayune, which was founded in January of 1837 by Francis Asbury Lumsden and John Wilkins Kendall. Both these gentlemen were printers of ripened experience. Mr. Lumsden had been the foreman of a paper called The Standard, one of the many ephemeral dailies of the times. Mr. Kendall had been connected with The True American. That paper ran a job office, and of this he had been the foreman. The paper was born at (old) No. 38 Gravier street. The building in which it had its birth has been demolished long ago, and in its stead a more pretentious and commodious building has been reared. There, in one little room, the paper was born and first received the impetus of its early career. In subsequent years, as periods in its history gave reason for a rehearsal thereof. The Picayune was so fortunate as to obtain from one of the original men, who worked on it, an authentic account of its first equipment. The historian in question was H. L. Kelsey. The office was located on the ground floor. The room was some twelve or fourteen feet square. There was no opening on the sides or rear, so that at this time it was manifestly necessary for the editor to back any utterance he had to make, the fighting editor being placed in a most disadvantageous position. There were two door-windows, the upper part of these entrances being of glass and the bottom of wood. The paper's material consisted of part of a font of minion type, about 400 or 500 pounds. There were about five composing
sticks, three stands, five pair of cases, including italic, two or three fonts of display type with their cases, an imposing stone and a pair of chases, with their furniture. Eight or ten galleys, a pair of bellows, a wash-basin and a broom completed the outfit, with the exception of an editorial table whose size was in keeping with this modest beginning of the infant paper. There was no room for loafers or the editor's friendly advisor, as there were but two chairs in the place. The "special contributor," too. had no encouragement, for the only other table in the place was used for the books of the establishment. There was no press. The press work was done outside. These are matters of the personal recollection of one of the printers who set type on the very first number of the paper and who has been connected with it ever since.
Besides the proprietors, the men responsible for the appearance of the paper daily were, H. L. Kelsey, William H. Flood and William N. Birckhead. There was, of course, no pressman. The editors were not above the duty of putting their thoughts in type. By turns Mr. Lumsden and Mr. Kendall took a place at the cases. This gave the paper four printers. It will be observed that the paper had but three stands and it therefore becomes necessary to state that the fourth stand was an ingenious contrivance of necessity, constructed with a dry goods box.
It is thus seen that the entire paper was domiciled in one little room, which was counting-room, composing and editorial department in one. The press work of the first two numbers was done in a building at the corner of Camp and Common, where the Story building was subsequently erected. George Short conducted a job printing office at that place, and he was the printer of the first two numbers of The Picayune. The True American for several numbers after this printed The Picayune in its office on Natchez alley. Richard P. Giles and Theodore Dietz, who were pressmen for I'he True American, had the distinction of being the men directly concerned with the printing of The Picayune for a long while in its early history.
It is not a matter of record how long after its birth it was that The Picayune became the possessor of its own press. It met with such a success that it is assumed it was but a short time, and it is the impression of Mr. Kelsey that this first investment was a Washington hand-press. The paper also found opportunity in its prosperity to release its editors from service at the cases and the next printer who became attached to the mechanical department was M. C. Hull. The first pressman was Frank McKeon, of New York City. He printed the first papers turned out in The Picayune's own office, and Henry Roberts was the first roller boy.
Among its early contributors of wit was Henry J. Finn, an actor of the St.
Charles theater, who appears to have made considerable reputation for himself and for The Picayune by his jokes.
It is not to be supposed that the paper in those days was in any sense a newspaper such as that word to-day signifies. It was years after this that the world began to realize that its chief function was the dissemination of news reliably and fully, and before newspaper proprietors began to realize that such an output is a standard commodity among men. The first pronounced step the paper took in the direction of this policy was at the time of the Mexican war, when it led the world in news of the events transpiring under General Taylor. The electric telegraph had not been developed to the enormous proportions of to-day, and the only line extended from Washington to Baltimore. The condition of the country in those times may be better appreciated when it is stated that the railroad had been constructed to a considerai)le extent in the Nortii, luit .south of Washington the mails were carried for the most part in stage coaches. The time of transmission of a letter from Washington to New Orleans was from fourteen to twenty days. When the Mexican war began to assume considerable importance, the northern papers, appreciating that it was necessary to get speedier returns from the seat of war than had heretofore been in vogue, established a system of "pony express." The Picayune originated the first venture. The Baltimore Sun taking an interest. The expenses of the service were also, in part, defrayed by the merchants, who did so for the reason that it afforded them speedier market reports and financial news. Through the "pony express" The Picayune executed what was considered marvelous pieces of enterprise in those days in getting returns from Taylor's operations in Mexico. Mr. Kendall went to Mexico for the paper, and when hostilities actually began he forwarded the first news of it to reach the United States. The Picayune, in short, scooped the world on the news. This news was immediately forwarded on north to the other papers of the "pony express" service, and frequently, during this war, the official reports were far behind the newspaper ones in reaching the world, as continues to be the case even unto to-day. It appears, too, that this characteristic of the press aroused as much official resentment in those days as now. When the treaty of peace was concluded with IMexico, the report and text of tjie treaty was placed on board the steamship New Orleans by the representative of The Picayune. The government report was placed on hoard of the Iris, the government boat. To prevent the newspapers anticipating the official news, the United States officer in Vera Cruz detained the New Orleans two days after the sailing of the government boat. The New Orleans put on all possible steam and overhauled the Iris, reaching
New Orleans before the Iris arrived at Mobile. The report was printed in The Picayune and forwarded by the pony express to the papers of the North, appearing in the papers of Baltimore before the official report reached Washington. Another unique enterprise of The Picayune was connected with the presentation of the president's messages. The paper sent corps of printers to Mobile by boat to meet the messages when they arrived there, and on the way home they put the document in type, so that it was ready to be printed on their arrival.
In 1837 The Picayune office was established at (old) No. 72 Camp street, where it remained until November 23, 1847, when it removed to its present office. On October 28, 1845, the paper had been enlarged to a seven-column paper. The building in which it is now domiciled and which it built, was erected in October, 1850. This enterprise was the result of a million dollar fire, which consumed almost the entire block on Camp street and the opposite side of the street. The publication of the paper was not interrupted, its editions being printed in other offices. The Picayune was the first New Orleans publication to erect its own building.
Fire and the exigencies of war had failed to interrupt the steady publication of the paper. It remained for the fake of a New York newspaper man to bring about the only interruption, the first and only in its long career. In 1864, at the time that General Banks was in military occupancy of the city, the paper was seized for an act very innocent on the part of The Picayune. Joe Howard, Sr., published in The New York World and Journal of Commerce a proclamation purporting to be a Thanksgiving proclamation, recommending fasting and prayer, and calling into service 400,000 men. The proclamation was copied in The (Cairo, 111.) News, and from this journal the editors of The Picayune copied it in The Picayune. As a result. General Banks ordered them arrested and the paper was seized and narrowly escaped confiscation. The Picayune's publication of the bogus proclamation was on May 23, 1864, and its publication was suspended until January, 1865, when it was permitted to resume. The editors of The World and The Journal of Commerce were also severelv punished. The manner in which this fake was originated and what nature of joke the perpetrator purposed are not manifest.
In January, 1872, the paper was sold to a company of merchants, which included some of the most prominent bankers and business men of New Orleans. One hundred thousand dollars was paid for the property. The combination was evidently not competent to conduct a newspaper, for they bankrupted it in twenty-six months, the property again passing into the hands of Mr. Holbrook. After Mr. Holbrook died, his widow married Mr. Nicholson, who had had charge of the business of the
paper for some time under the former chief. The two conducted it until their death, some three years ago. Mrs. Nicholson died a few days after her husband. Mr. Thomas G. Kapler, who had been the chief man of the paper for several years previous to the demise of the owners of the paper, continues to manage the property for the minor heirs of the Nicholsons.
The Times-Democrat acquired its hyphenated name on December 4, 1881. It resulted from a consolidation of the old Daily Times and of The Daily Democrat. The Times was born in 18C3. The Democrat was not so old, its first issue seeking public favor in 1875.
Thomas P. May & Co. were the first publishers of The Times, and they put out the first number of the paper on September 30, 1863. At that time it was a small four-page paper. Its first number announces its purpose as being "the furnishing of the news." It was the official paper. W. PI. C. King acquired the property in 1865. Mr. King made a notable record, and under his management The Times became the most influential paper in the city. He used the wires as a method of getting the news more extensively than they had ever been used previous to that time. It was during his management that a gradual change in the character of the New Orleans paper came about. Previously "newspaper" here had been more or less of a misnomer. It devoted a great deal more of its attention to editorials and literature than to news. He revolutionized this, giving the news primary importance. As a consequence of his policy the paper so waxed in popularity that it was greatly enlarged, being increased to eight and sixteen pages, with a twenty-four page Sunday edition. The price of the paper was then ten cents, and it enjoyed a heavy advertising patronage. The Times was a leading force in the political differences of the times, in the restoration of order and the revival of progress. The Times remained under the management of Mr. King until 1872. In that year it was the staunch champion of John McEnery for governor, opposing William Pitt Kellogg. It bitterly denounced the Kepublican Returning Board, and more especially Judge Du-rell's "midnight order," by virtue of which the statehouse and the State government was seized. As a consequence the enmity of the judge was drawn upon the paper and soon afterwards, in a civil suit, the paper was seized by the United States marshal. The paper passed out of the hands of Mr. King and afterwards through those of various persons, until its consolidation with The Democrat in 1881.
The New Orleans Democrat was born of the anti-republican sentiment of the times, on December 18, 1875. It represented the crystalization of the opposition to "republican rule at the point of the bayonet," and the tidal wave which subsequently
swept away all opposition and established again free government by the people. Robert Tyler, son of the ex-president, was its first editor. Its ownership and management underwent a succession of changes, until it finally passed into the hands of H. J. Hearsey & Co., the head of the firm being now the editorial chief of The States. It was established originally as a morning paper, but subsequently became an evening sheet, in May of 1876. The democratic party came into power in the State in 1877, and The Democrat was recognized as its leader and champion. It became the official journal of the State. In 1878 The Democrat was owned by a joint stock company, largely controlled by its employes, and on April 27, 1879, it came into the hands of Major E. A. Burke, who became its manager. Two years after, on December 4, 1881, The Times was purchased and consolidated with The Democrat. It thus became a partner in the Associated Press service, which it had not used before. The new paper was an actual consolidation. It retained the best workers of both staffs and the best features of each paper were continued. The consolidated paper has been continually abreast of the times. It has devoted itself consistently to many praiseworthy aims. It was a pioneer in the endeavor to work up reciprocal trade between this city and Central America, a work which has gradually progressed, keeping abreast with the progress of the civilization in our neighbor republics. It devoted itself with the greatest amount of enterprise to the cause of the levees, and has been conspicuous in relief work during overflows, accumulating a fund of $15,000 for the relief of the flood sufferers in 1882 and sending food and physicians to the unfortunate. It took a very prominent part in bringing about the great Cotton Centennial E.xposition in this city in 1884, subscribing $5,000 to the original fund.
Major Burke was succeeded by the present manager, Mr. Page M. Baker, one of the ablest journalists in the history of the New Orleans press. The policy of the paper was not changed in any of its important features by Mr. Baker, who has displayed the same high regard for the news that has characterized the paper for many years. The Mergenthaler type-setting machine was first purchased in this city by The Times-Democrat in 1891, and that has made the usual great improvement in the paper characteristic of vastly improved facilities.
New Orleanser Deutsche Zeitung, or in English, The New Orleans German Gazette, was founded by the late notary, Joseph Cohn, on August 1, 1848. Dr. Wiener, who recently celebrated his ninetieth birthday in Baltimore, Md., was its first editor. At the time of its founding, Mr. Cohn was conducting a German job printing office on Poydras and Tchoupitoulas street.
At the time of The Gazette's birth, and, indeed, to 185-1, New Orleans was the haven of a vast number of German citizens, who came here as immigrants on account of the German revohition of 1848. New Orleans received a great number of these valuable citizens, who added to its thrift and its cosmopolitanism, and a large number more, seeking the West, came through this port in winter time to avoid the rigors of the overland trip to the West.
Mr. Cohn, on March 1, 1853, sold his paper to a co-operative company, composed of several of his printers. Mr. Jacob Hassinger, who has been the sole proprietor of The German Gazette for many years, was among these printers. Mr. Hassinger became the sole proprietor in 1866. On May 1, 1899, a stock company purchased the paper, and Mr. Hassinger was made president of it.
In 1853, when the stock company had charge of the paper, Eduard von Gabain, a former German officer, became the editor-in-chief of the paper. The company was known as Peter PfeifEer & Co. He remained editor of the paper until 1858, in which year he died. He was regarded as one of the ablest men in the history of the paper.
The following year another editor of distinguished abilities succeeded him, George Foerster. A writer of force, his pro-Union sentiments, expressed with all the vigor of his unusual abilities, soon brought the Gazette against a fierce gale of counter-sentiment. He left the city in 1860 and went North, finally entering the Union army and rising to a captaincy. He worked on pro-Union papers in St. Louis and Chicago. In 1866 he returned to New Orleans and reassumed the chief editorship of The Gazette, which position he filled until his death in 1896. Mr. Foerster is regarded as another of the biggest influences in the history of The Gazette. He was a man of vast information, of most positive views and great popularity among his friends and following. For over twenty years he was assisted by Mr. M. Sibilski, as local editor, and Mr. Weichhardt, known as "Quicksilver" in print. The former died in 1888, and the latter in 1895.
Mr. Ferdinand Seineeke, formerly of The St. Louis Anzeiger des Westens, succeeded Mr. Sibilski, when the latter became too ill to work, and when Mr. Foerster died, the St. Louis man became his successor as editor-in-chief, which position he holds to date. In September, 1896, Mr. Hugo Moeller, who was at that time editor of The Texas Post, became a member of The Gazette staff, and Messrs. Bartels, of St. Louis, Kessel, of Milwaukee, and Wichers, of Chicago, are recent additions to the staff.
When the Moresque building fire happened on April 15, 1897, The Gazette
and The Evening Telegram were both consumed in the flames, which reached acrosE Camp street in spite of all the fire department could do. Among the irreparable losses of The Gazette was its files from 1865 to the date of the fire. The Gazette immediately resumed publication in another building on Camp street, near the corner of Poydras, occupying it jointly with The Telegram. The paper was burned out again by the St. Charles theater fire in its rear in the early morning of February 20, 1899. Mr. Jacob Hassinger, feeling the encroachments of age, desired to retire from the active conduct of the paper, and a company was formed on May 1, 1899^ with the following officers: Jacob Hassinger, president; Professor J. Hanno Deiler, of Tulane Universitj', vice-president; Mr. Georg Hassinger, secretary and treasurer. The board of directors is additionally composed by Hon. Charles F. Buck, Abe Heim and Val Merz.
The Gazette is the only German paper south of the Ohio. It is conducted on a high plane and is a paper of influence and power. It finds its way into the homes of a vast army of the best German citizenship of the South daily, and is a paper of recognized standing in the South.
The evening paper field is occupied by The Daily States, The Daily Item and The Daily Telegram. Of these, the oldest is The Daily Item-.
The States was established in 1880 by its present editor. Major H. J. Hearsey, a scholarly, erudite and trenchant writer of the old States' rights school, and widely known in reconstruction days as the editor of The Shreveport Times, the champion of the White League movement in Louisiana, and subsequently of The Netv Orleant Democrat, since merged into The Times-Democrat. It owes its existence to Major Hearsey's determined effort to destroy a political ring which had achieved a corrupting influence in the party and which grew in. intolerance as it grew in power. It started with little pretension to a newspaper, and when it made its bow to the public of New Orleans on January 3, 1880, its chief claim upon the attention of the public was the virility of its editorial page and the courage and resolution with which it approached its chosen task of reform. The first number was a small, six-column, four-page sheet, printed on an old-fashioned fiat-bed press, the motive power of which was furnished by an old and blind, but willing and muscular darkey. Editorial, reportorial, composing, press and business forces were crowded in small and dingy rooms. Salaries were small, and the labors which the scanty sta.fs were called upon to perform were prodigious: but the public soon began to realize that not only were the editorials of the paper vigorous, aggressive and fearless in tone, but that the principles it enunciated were the principles which had inspired the great
fathers of democracy; that its policy was for rigid economy, joined to capable and efficient administration in government, and that it was developing news pages that were bright and abreast of the times; and it was not long before the influence of the paper penetrated every circle of business and social life in the community. Its circulation grew rapidly, it became a leader in political and commercial movements, improvements in its mechanical appliances kept pace with its growth of power in the community, and it became finally not only the recognized newspaper head of the democracy in Louisiana, but one of the most substantial newspaper properties in the South.
The tone of the paper has never been subservient. It has never trimmed its sails to catch the popular breeze. Though the well-being of the sugar industry, so vital a factor in the prosperity of the State, has not unnaturally given birth here to a strong, but unreasoning, sentiment in favor of protection, and even of bounty, The States has strenuously and unfalteringly combated that policy, and has consistently urged the principle of a tariff for revenue only as affording the only true protection for the industry. It has, indeed, been a straight tariff reform paper from its birth, and though its policy has arrayed against it those of the sugar planting interests, who embrace the principle of protection as the foundation of their faith, these interests read it uninterruptedly and admire its rugged independence. It has been equally independent in its attitude toward the money question. It was one of the few great papers of the South which preached with ceaseless vigor the doctrine of "sound money." It supported Mr. Bryan during the subsequent campaign only because it believed, as between free silver on the one hand and the republican principles of protection and centralization on the other, the former presented the lesser evil.
Major Hearsey has at times shared the ownership of the paper with other gentlemen. In the early days of its existence he associated with him as partner Jlr. Minor Elmore and later, Mr. Erwin Craighead, both capable newspaper men. On their retirement, he admitted Captain J. Pinckney Smith into partnership, and Captain Smith remained connected with llie States to the day of his death, in 1899. In 1885 Mr. George W. Dupre became a part owner and one of the editors of the paper, and on his retirement in 1893, the paper was merged into a stock company. Many prominent newspaper men of this and other days in Louisiana have been associated with The States. Among its city editors have been Major W. M. Eobin-son, for many years city editor of 21ie Picayune, and one of the best newspaper men in the South; ^Ir. Henry Guy Carleton, the noted playwright; the late Captain John
Augustin, long connected with The Times-Democrat and clerk of the Supreme Court; the late Colonel Frank A. Bartletto, a distinguished Confederate soldier and clever writer; Mr. T. D. Wharton, until recently the able city editor of The Times-Democrat; Mr. W. M. Grant, now one of the accomplished editorial writers of The Times-Democrat; Mr. William E. Arms, night editor of the same paper, and Mr. John P. Coleman, widely known as a talented local newspaper man. Judge Alexander Walker, a vigorous and polished writer; the late Colonel William Seymour, an excellent newspaper man, and the late Edwin L. Jewell, a trained writer and the author of Jewell's Digest, have been among its brilliant editorial contributors. Major Hearsey continues in full editorial control of the paper to-day, with Colonel A. D. Battle and Mr. J. C. Aby, two well-informed and forceful writers, as his associates. Its city editor is Mr. J. Walker Boss, who has been one of the strongest forces in the success of the paper. Its commercial department, one of the features of the paper, is capably presided over by Mr. James J. Lea; Captain J. W. Bryant represents it as river editor, Mr. H. J. Romanski is its talented artist, and Mr. W. T. Little and Mr. Charles Lee lend their assistance in making its sporting page one of the best in the South. Its reportorial staff is made up of Messrs. Frank Reit-meyer, E. E. L. Edwards, J. H. Whyte, Wills J. Carter, William H. Murphy, J. J. McGinty and Fred J. Buisson. Mr. A. W. Brown and ]\Ir. H. C. Chaplain are its efficient advertising representatives, with an assistant in the person of Mr. Harry H. Patin.
With advance of age. The States has rapidly improved in every detail that goes to make up a first-class modern newspaper. It appears now as an eight, ten and twelve-page afternoon daily, and a sixteen and twenty-page Sunday paper; it is printed on a magnificent straight line three-deck Goss press, recently installed; its local staff is excellently trained and enterprising; it has correspondents in all the leading towns of Louisiana and surrounding States, and no Southern paper has a brighter future.
The States is under the business management of Mr. Robert Ewing, and much ef the recent financial success which it has met is due to his energy, his resourceful executive ability, his ready initiative and his quick grasp of those features which go to make a live afternoon paper attractive to the people among whom it circidates.
Tlie Daily Item was established in 1877. It was organized by the printers, who set out in the enterprise on a co-operative basis. It afterwards became the property of a joint stock company. After the printers had conducted the paper for a time, it was acquire 1 by Mr. J. W. Fairfax, and after him by Eric Talen. Among the
celebrities who worked at different times in the early historj' of the paper on its staff were J. D. Wilkinson, Lafcadio Hearn and Henry Guy Carleton. Mr. D. C. O'Mal-ley, its present owner and manager, came into possession of The Daily Item in July, 1894, and Mr. O'Malley may justly lay claim to having pushed it into the greatest prominence it has enjoj'ed since its founding. It is now making its history. It is more aggressive than any other paper in the city, very often to an apparent recklessness of consequences. Since its acquisition by its present manager and owner, it has gained very largely in circulation. It has, for the most part, supported the republican party—invariably in national campaigns and in the last gubernatorial contest in this State between Judge Pharr and Governor Foster.
The Evening Telegram, also, is among the later births of newspapers in New Orleans. It was founded by Peter J. Kernan on October 12, 1891. At that time it was known as 2'he Daily Truth. Its name was changed to The Telegram on January 1, 1894. It was formerly domiciled at No. 504 Camp, but was consumed in the Moresque building fire. Subsequently, with The German Gazette, it removed to 437 Camp, where it occupied a building with The German Gazette, which had also been destroyed by the same fire wliich had burned The Telegram. When the St. Charles hotel was consumed. The Telegram was burned out a second time, on February 20, 1899. It then removed to 516-517 Poydras street, where it is now domiciled, with new equipment throughout. Mr. Kernan, its editor, has been identified with many papers here. He started I'he Chronicle in 1883, The Daily News in 1888, selling out these ventures, which have subsequently ceased publication. His wife, Mrs. Bertha Miller Kernan, of Cincinnati, is associated with him in the active conduct of the paper.
A history of the press of New Orleans would be incomplete did it omit a cursory review^ of the forceful individualities which impress their stamp on the press' character. The chief of The Times-Democrat, Mr. Page M. Baker, is a man of the executive type of mind. He is quick in forming decisions and singularly clear of vision. He is emphatic in his convictions, and when he undertakes to champion a cause or fight an evil, he does it with uncompromising force. He is eminently progressive in disposition, witli a natural tendency to keep abreast of the times. He is a great admirer of good work, quick to appreciate a good man and make that man conscious of the fact, and equally frank and executive in dispensing with the bad workman. He is loved and admired cordially by his friends, and, as is always the case in journalism, hated with equal warmth by his enemies. In political fights and similar matters, he displays none of the trimmer's quality, fighting Vj porously for
tlie siJc that appeals to him, witliout regard to the chances of victory. For many years his chief of the local desk, Mr. T. I). Wharton, has answered tlie taxing demands of that position with great skill, and a hirge view of what constitutes the daily history of the city. Mr. Wharton is unquestionably one of the ablest city editors of the South and of the country. After years of service he recently resigned that post to go into business on his own account, the successor chosen being Mr. William Leppert, formerly of the local staff of The Times-Democrat. Mr. Leppert has been chiefly conspicuous in New Orleans journalism for his happiness of style in handling big stories. His most notable performance was during a celebrated bank-wreck trial here, the report of which he handled with such rare interest that his report was the talk of the entire city, and wherever the paper was read. The opportunity offered a chance for fine humor, which Mr. Leppert used with consummate skill. The scries of reports indeed are a striking chapter in the history of New Orleans Journalism. Two of the most unique and fascinating minds ever connected with The Times-Democrat are Mr. Henry Eightor and Mr. 0. H. Stein, the former now in the insurance business, being chief of a department of a big insurance concern, and the latter being still actively in the service. Both are essentially litterateurs, combining with this quality great utility as news men. Both are enormously prolific and eternally interesting. They are so interesting that in spite of their value as news-gatherers and reporters, they have always been of much greater service in the handling of such features as the "By the By" column and similar special work. The humor of both is e.x-haustless. Mr. Eightor is one of the finest writers of the grotesque, possibly, in the history of the New Orleans press. A singularly forceful character on the same paper is Mr. Carlton Pool, for many years Mr. Baker's immediate representative. It is impossible to fancy a mind more clear, executive and quick than that of the man who has so long held the night desk of that paper. Mr. Norman Walker, chief of the editorial staff, is also a splendid mind. He is a writer of great conviction, uncompromising in his opinions and an untamable fighter for them. His chief collaborators, Mr. William M. Grant and Mr. Ashton Phelps are both men of rare ability, students and forceful writers. In the reportorial ranks, Mr. Dudley Watson is conspicuous for his clear perception of what is news, his cleverness in getting it and his interest in relating it.
Mr. Thomas G. Eapier, chief of the Picai/unc. is a conservative man, imparting a tinge of charitableness and kindliness to the institution which only permits it to go on the war-path in times of great heat of controversy. It is only
rarely that The Picai/t/nc is aggressive. The central figure in the working ranks of the New Orleans Pirai/iine is Herman J. Seiferth. It is rare indeed that a city editor is better equipped with perceptiveness of news, resourcefulness in meeting difficult situations, thorough knowledge of men, a finer sort of prescience of what is about to happen. To his qualities of mind is added a fine physique and tremendous endurance and jiUiek. He has a genial kindliness of disposition and cntlnisiasni for news])aper work which (liU'uses itself over his workers, establishing more of a co-operative working reportorial room than one in which he is chief. William M. Steele is a splendid reporter, matter of fact in his narrative, accurate, faithful and a shrewd observer. He is a man of capacity and large abilities. Another force in the make-up of the sheet is Rushton Foster, whose abilities have been shifted from the editorial room to the counting room.
Major H. J. Hearsey, chief of the Daily States, is the most conspicuous editor of the State. He has made himself so by his singular genius of bitterness, sarcasm and ridicule in controversy. No one approaches him in invective and some of his editorials during heated political campaigns are remarkable pieces of work. Not in the history of the country possibly has there been a man with greater power of tierce sarcasm and ridicule. Single editorials have frequently been the talk—the sensation of the city. John Walker Ross, his city editor, is a recognized success and uses a local forcv to splendid advantage. He has a typical newspaper mind, clear, logical and executive. As a political reporter he has displayed always rare ability. Henry Romanski, of The States, is the finest newspaper artist of the city, his portrait work being conspicuously excellent.
The chief editor of The Daily Item, Lionel Adams, displays in his editorial work the same matchless force of logic that made him invincible at the bar for so long. Jhich of his work are as fine specimens of logic as one could desire to see. Mr. T. 0. Harris, The Item's city editor, is a newspaper man of fine ability.
Cienuinc dramatic criticism is rarely seen in the newspapers of New Orleans. The workers in this line of activity seem to suffer under a traditional restraint. Criticism is more of a report, tinged with partiality to the "show" than a candid expression on the virtues and vices of the performance and the work of the players.
Among literary writers for the local press, Mrs. Marion Baker, who writes for The Times-Democrat, ranks beyond any dispute among the very foremost of the country. Her literary editorial in Sunday's paper is frequently a superb exposition of critical analysis, forceful thought and graceful English. Mrs. Eliza-
beth M. Gilmer, of The Picayune, whose nom de plume is "Dorothy Dix," is also a newspaper woman of rare originality, fine fancy and grace of English.
It is of interest to mention some of the most noticeable characteristics of the Xew Orleans press. Conspicuous is its charity. It draws the veil of silence over many a matter which in other cities of the size of this are made merchantable news ware. Divorce cases never appear in Kew Orleans newspapers. So much is this the case that a prominent man of fiction, after sojourning here for a few weeks asked, "What! Have you no divorce courts here and no divorce cases ? I have not seen one mention of such in the press." A traditional veil is drawn over this class of human misfortune. Where the pnbUc welfare is not involved, it is easy to get a "good news item" sacrificed for the reputation of families. A humanity prevails in this respect which is unknown in many another city. There is little commercialism indulged, too, in sensationalism. The people do not expect it. The newspapers properly attach much more importance to a story of some industrial movement than to the raciest sensation, which is always handled soberly.
The average newspaper visitor is astonished at the internal workings of the newspaper shop here. He is struck by the great versatility required of the reporter. Every man is expected more or less to be a well-rounded newspaper man as capable of reporting a prize fight as a sermon; of taking charge of the city desk as of turning in a story on a little banquet. The most amazing feature is unquestionably the city desk. The man occupying that most arduous position not only makes out the schedule of assignments, but is the sole copy-reader of all the mass of reports his staff turn in. He reads three or four pages of matter every night, edits it and writes headings for it. He does his own newspaper reading, too, there being no assistant with carefully collated clippings of local news from the rival papers. On the afternoon papers the city editor also "makes up!" Altogether the city desk in New Orleans taxes capacity and endurance to an extent little appreciated. Its duties have grown out of all proportions to the traditional manner in which it is expected to be filled.*
"HARLEQUIN."
* The Harlequin was established June 28, 1899, by Joseph M. L^veque, who is the owner and editor and represents a new and original school of journalism in the South.
It is a weekly given to the discussion of matters pertaining to theatricals, art and literature and extending its columns to consideration of the widest and most diverse topics of the day. In addition to the brilliant and trenchant writings of its editor, the columns of the Harlequin have been illuminated by the pens not alone of the most famous writers of the South, but as well of men with national reputations, statesmen, jurists, philosophers, physicians and scientists. Though scarcely out of its swaddling clothes. Harlequin has already made for itself a reputation for bold and uncompromising
CHAPTER XII.
TKANSPORTATION.
By Ella Rigiitor.
Navigation.
Tntl arrival of the first steamboat in this city was a great event. It happened in 1812, when the New Orleans made the distance from Pittsburg to its namesake in 259 hours. The boat, built on one of Fulton's models, was 116 feet long, twenty feet wide, and cost $38,000. It carried as passengers Mr. Roosevelt, one of its owners, and liis wife. Its arrival was witnessed by many enthusiastic spectators, and New Orleans, always interested in navigation, determined to adopt the wonderful invention. Of course the advent of the steamboat was a great impetus to commerce along the river, and our city reaped many of its benefits.
On January 17, the boat made an excursion to English Turn and back, a distance of 15 leagues, leaving at 11 A. M. and returning at 4 P. M., the fare being $3.00, and on January 23, it went up the river, a feat which many pronounced impossible, until it had steamed up to Natchez (75 miles) in 21 hours. Fulton's first boat on the Hudson had made 145 miles in 3G hours.
On April 19, 1811, the Orleans Territorial Legislature passed what afterwards proved a very inconvenient act, granting to Robert Livingston and Robert Fulton, their heirs, administrators, etc., for 18 years the exclusive right of navigation on the waters of the territory, of vessels propelled by steam, this going into effect January 1, 1812, and giving as a condition the construction of a boat of 70 tons burthen, within three years to be propelled at the rate of four miles per lour in still water, and for every additional boat they were to have an extension
adherence to truth and principle and is proving a force of visible effect upon Southern letters in respect of its honesty and clearness of vision. Hardy, informed, erudite and efficient, Harlequin promises, unless all signs fail, to prove not only a factor of enduring vitality in the development of the tremendous potentialities of the country whose fondest interests it has undertaken to champion, but the organ of a school of writers whose names shall not fail to be conspicuous when the literary history of the JOth century comes to be written.—Ed.