The Monroe News-Star
Friday, October 1, 1909
Page 1 & 4, Column 3 & 3
J. Wash Wiggins Died in Penitentiary
Led Reconstruction Fight in Grant Parish
Was Captain of a Company of whites During the Colfax Riot- Given
Christian Burial by Officials.
Baton Rouge, Oct. 1.-Yesterday morning at 5:07 o'clock, J. Wash Wiggins
died in the penitentiary, aged sixty-six years. Mr. Wiggins was
sentenced from Harrisburg, Catahoula parish, and was received here March
28, 1898, eleven years, six months and one day ago on a twenty-year
sentence for manslaughter. In some respects Mr. Wiggins was perhaps the
most noted character that has died in these walls for a number of years.
He served in the war for the Confederacy under General John McGrath in
the Eleventh Louisiana regiment. After the war he was prominent in
politics of his section and represented his parish in the legislature
for one term. He was also distinguished as a a reconstructionist and
was a captain in the famous Colfax riot on Easter Sunday, 1872, wherein
the negro government of the newly created parish of Grant was put to
rout. In this he was assisted by the late captains W.S. Peck and C.C.
Nash.
Here in the walls, Mr. Wiggins was a model prisoner. Being in bad
health he was never put at any kind of work and for the last several
years he has almost continually kept his bed.
Being a veteran, Captain B.L. Barrow, in charge of the walls, arranged
for his burial in the soldiers' burial ground in Magnolia cemetery,
raising the funds by private subscription. Mr. Wiggins served in the
war with Captain Barrow's father. Gen. John McGrath and Major Moore
gave permission for the site of the grave in the soldiers' plot in
Magnolia cemetery.
Several days before his death Mr. Wiggins asked the chaplain to publish
a statement to the world after his death. He said that he was at peace
with God, and had been treated well by all the prison authorities and
had nothing against a single person in the whole world. He was told by
the chaplain that his body would be interred in Magnolia cemetery and
not in the potters' field, and this appeared to please him very much.
His funeral was held this afternoon from the walls, the prisoners,
Captain Barrow the chaplain and wife, also Mrs. Richard Selzer, Mrs.
C.C. Devall and Mr. Mondow, the factory guard, being present. Mrs.
Devall officiated at the organ, and Mrs. Selzer sang and the chaplain
said the service. After the services the captain, chaplain and the
ladies mentioned went to the cemetry (sic), where the last service for
the dead was read at the grave.
Mr. Wiggins leaves a wife, son and daughter, all residing at
Jonesville, Catahoula Parish.

The News-Star
Friday, October 1, 1909
Page 5, Column 3
Dr. M. M. Marcus Dead.
Dr. M.M. Marcus, an aged citizen of our town, died at his home last
Friday night, after about two weeks confinement to his bed. We do not
know of any particular disease that took him off, but like an old wagon
without grease, his life gradually but peacefully wore itself out. He
spent more than four score years in the walks of life; he was a devout
member of the Baptist church and his beautiful christian character
spread a halo of light among those with whom he was associated. At all
times, under all circumstances he walked in the well beaten path of
righteousness and when fully conscious that he was nearing the last of
earth, he appeared to be fully impressed with the idea that at the end
of time eternity began and that the bright faith which sustained him
many years would only grow brighter and brighter as he journeyed toward
the infinite, and the final gloom of death be dispelled by the radiance
of God's love. Could all live the just upright life Dr. Marcus lived,
and die in his trusting faith, death could no longer be called "The King
of Terrors" for he inspired no terror there. To the sorrowing wife who
has so faithfully stood by him so long, sharing his grief and pains as
well as the pleasures of this life, we offer our deepest sympathy, in
this the darkest hour of her life. Junction City Democrat.

The News-Star
Saturday, October 2, 1909
Page 4, Column 2
JOHN M. LEE, JR., DEAD
Former Well Known Citizen of Monroe Dies in New Orleans
Mr. John M. Lee, Jr., for many years a resident of this city, died at
his home in New Orleans this morning at 4 o'clock. He was in his
fifty-ninth year. During his residence here, Mr. Lee was general land
agent of the (?). S.& P. railroad, later accepting a similar position
with the Southern Pacific Company, when he moved his residence to New
Orleans. Mr. Lee was considered one of the best posted men on railroad
matters in the State and his services were invaluable to the railroad
companies he represented. Mr. Lee was a native of Union parish where he
had many relatives and numbered his friends by his acquaintances, as was
the case wherever he was known. He was a man of a genial disposition
and spread sunshine wherever he went. Mr. Lee was a frequent visitor to
Monroe up to the time of his confinement several months ago when he was
forced to undergo an operation, and he always seemed to regard Monroe as
his home.
Mr. Lee is survived by his wife and three children, Mrs. H.R. Speed
and Mrs. J. (?) Wooten of this city, and Mr. Burch Lee of Minden, Capt.
Wood Lee, his older son, died during the Spanish-American War while in
command of the Pelican Rifles of Baton Rouge.
The funeral services will be held in this city at the residence of Mr.
H.R. Speed at 3:30 o'clock tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. The remains
will arrive tomorrow morning from New Orleans accompanied by a Masonic
escort. A committee from Western Star Lodge, of which he was a member,
will meet the remains at Alexandria and escort them to Monroe. The
funeral services will be conducted by Rev. J. (?) H. Wharton of the
Baptist church of which Mr. Lee was a devout member. Following the
church services the remains will be turned over to Western Star Lodge to
be interred with Masonic honors. Stonewall Lodge Knights of Pythias
will also attend the funeral in a body.
The members of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges are requested
to meet at their respective lodge halls at 2:30 Sunday afternoon.

The News-Star
Monday, October 4, 1909
Page 2, Column 3
The Funeral of Mr. J.M. Lee, Jr.
On yesterday morning the remains of Mr. J.M. Lee, Jr., of New Orleans,
accompanied by the bereaved family and friends under a special Masonic
escort from New Orleans, and one from Monroe who joined the party at
Alexandria arrived in the city on a private car at 9:30 o'clock.
At the depot, the remains were met by a large number of friends, and a
committee from the Western Star Lodge No. 24 and escorted to the home of
Mr. And Mrs. H.R. Speed, where the services were held on yesterday
afternoon. At 3:30, the hour appointed for the funeral, the home of Mr.
H.R. Speed was banked with floral offerings and filled to overflowing
with friends of the deceased, not only from Monroe, but from Vicksburg,
Farmerville and the nearby towns, where Mr. Lee was loved, honored and
respected. Rev. J.U.H. Wharton, pastor of the Baptist church and
intimate friend of Mr. Lee, conducted the services, during which was
most feelingly and expressively sung the beautiful hymns, "Lead Kindly
Light", and "Nearer My God to Thee". In his remarks over his cherished
friend, Mr. Wharton referred to a long
(NEWSPAPER IS TORN AT THIS POINT) -ing which time he knew him, as a
public spirited gentleman, ever ready to promote the progress and
upbuilding of the town or community in which he lived. As a devoted
husband thoughtful and affectionate, as a father, kind, generous, and
watchful, as a friend, true and sincere, as a Christian character,
steady and firm, ready to answer the summons, which came as a gentle
sleep, for the beating heart was softly touched by the finger of God and
all was gently stilled. By a strange working of Providence, Mr. Wharton
conducted the burial services over Mr. Lee's father and wrote the
obituary, though to a different State, to the memory of his mother, and
while stated Mr. Wharton, though this was a most trying occasion, if it
was God's will, he was flad to be able to make this testimony, sacred to
the memory of Mr. Lee.
At the conclusion of Rev. Mr. Wharton's remarks, the Masonic order took
charge, the services being conducted in part at the residence. The
remains were carried through a beautiful passage way of flowers,
tributes of love and friendship, by the Masonic pall bearers to the
hearse. Messrs. F. P. Stubbs, D.A. Breard, G.M. Crook, R.B. Frizzel,
G.P. Stubbs, J.W. Hyams of New Orleans, acting in that capacity. The
honorary pall bearers were Messrs. W. Millsaps, J.T. Cole, Jno. E.
Morris, R.M. McClendon, R.L. Rinehart, H.L. Gregg of West Monroe, Dr.
W.L. Jones and Mr. R.P. Webb of Monroe, and Mr. St. Martin of New
Orleans.
The remains were followed to the Monroe Cemetery by a large concorse of
friends and laid to rest with Masonic honors. Hon. Frederick Speed of
Vicksburg, Past Grand Master of the State of Mississippi paid a fitting
tribute to the memory of his friend and fraternal brother, Mr. Lee.
() friends to accompany the () from New Orleans and to re() with them
on the special this evening are: Mr. W. Moss, Past Grand Master of the
State and member of Jefferson Lodge No. 191, Mr. Aaron Steeg, editor of
the Square and Compass, Mr. Jos. Hyams, ex-speaker of the House of
Representitives at Baton Rouge, Mr. St. Martin, sheriff of Jefferson
parish, Messrs. Lynton Stubbs, J.M. Lee, Mrs. Hacket and Mrs. T.O. Lowry
of New Orleans.
Mr. Lee leaves a widow, two daughters, Madames J.R. Wooten and H.R.
Speed of Monroe, and one son, Mr. W.B. Lee of Minden, to whom in their
sas bereavement the News-Star offers sincerest sympathies.

The News-Star
Wednesday, October 6, 1909
Page 6, Column 4
SON ACCIDENTALLY KILED MOTHER
MRS. TAYLOR OF MYRTIS, DIES FROM WOUND
Little Fellow Was Playing With Shot Gun When Mother Entered Room and
Weapon Was Discharged.
Vivian, Oct. 5.-This entire section is shocked and grieved over the
accidental killing of Mrs. W.G. Taylor, of Mrytis, yesterday at 10:30
a.m.
Mrs. Taylor had occasion to enter a room in which her husband's shot
gun was kept. As she entered she saw her eight-year-old son pointing
the gun toward her. She commanded the little fellow to put the weapon
down, and in his effort to obey he pulled the trigger, discharging the
entire load of shot into one of her lower limbs, almost tearing it away
at the knee. Friends hurried to her side and summoned medical aid, but
she never recovered from the shock, death ending at 8 o'clock last
night.
At the time of the accident, Mr. Taylor, her husband, was at
Cleveland's Spur, near Boyce, where he has a position with a lumber
company. He came to Shreveport last night and caught the first train
out.

The News-Star
Tuesday, October 19, 1909
Page 8, Column 2
MARSHALL STANDFORD KILLED.
Struck by Train Near Calhoun Last Night.
Marshall Sanford, who lives five miles west of Calhoun, was run over by
V. S. & P. passenger train No. 10, due here at 9:45 last night from the
west. Sanford was in Monroe yesterday and was drinking more or less all
day. He left here at 7:30 last night for his home and got off the train
at Calhoun, he sat down on the ends of the cross ties and evidently went
to sleep there. The accident happened just before 9 o'clock. His body
was knocked to one side of the track and was badly bruised. Death
resulted in a few minutes after he was struck. The wheels did not pass
over his body.
Sanford was accompanied by his nephew, Clay Sanford who is said to have
been asleep near the track when the accident occurred. Sanford was
about 45 years old.

The News-Star
Friday, October 22, 1909
Page 4, Column 4
Action of Stonewall Lodge No. 8,
Concerning the Death of Broth-
er John Martin Lee
Brother John Martin Lee having answered the last summons and passed to
the Grand Lodge on high, Stonewall Lodge No. 8, Knights of Pythias, does
hereby place on record its great sorrow at his death and its feelings of
sympathy and coompassion for the loved ones left to mourn.
Brother Lee was born in Farmerville, Union parish, January 28, 1851,
and died in New Orleans, October 2, 1909. His father was John M. Le,
Sr., who was sheriff of Union parish for years. His mother was the
daughter of Judge Taylor, the first district judge of Union Parish. He
was educated in the public schools, such as they were in those days, but
secured most of his education through his own personal efforts and
determination. He was essentially a self-made man. He was a deputy
sheriff of Union for a number of years, and after that served as tax
assessor. Later he became a clerk in the State Senate, and this was his
first taste of public life. After that he became the land agent of the
Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific railroad and established his
headquarters in Monroe. His last service was as general agent of the
Southern Pacific and in this capacity he was known in the railroad world
far and wide.
Brother Lee was married in 1872 to Miss Vada Burch of West Point,
Georgia, and she with one son, Burch, of Minden, and two daughters, Mrs.
H.R. Speed and Mrs. J.E. Wooten, of Monroe, survive him.
As showing the character of our brother, we quote the remark of a
prominent railroad man who had been closely associated with him:
"One of the great secrets of Mr. Lee's success was that he never lost
his temper. I never saw John Lee angry. He never bore malice. He was
forgiving. I have seen men abuse him, but the next time Mr. Lee met
them he was just as if nothing had happened. His great heart and
towering nature made them feel so little that they could never do enough
for him. That is the way he won those who at times may have tried to
be ugly. His nature would not let people fall out with him."
We commend to the members of our order the splendid facts stated above
nd urge them to seek the emulation of treaits so helpful.
Resolved, That this action of the lodge be communicated to the family
and that they be assured of our sincerest sympathy in their sorrow; that
the proper engrossing be made in the records of the lodge; and that the
usual publication be made.
GEO. D. BOOTH,
Chairman.
J.L. KALISKI,
ROBT. W. FAULK.

Monroe News-Star
Wednesday, October 27, 1909
Page 5, Column 2
OLD CITIZEN DIES.
Mr. J. W. Mitchell of West Monroe Passes Awaya (sic) at Simboro.
Mr. J.W. Mitchell, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of
West Monroe, died in Simboro this morning where he has been visiting for
some time. He was seventy-five years of age. Mr. Mitchell until a few
months ago when feeble health forced him to retire, had been actively
engaged in business in old Trenton and in West Monroe for a long term of
years. In all his business career he had held the highest esteem of
those who cam in contact with him. His character and reputation as a
true Christian gentleman has never been questioned.
The funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at the Presbyterian
church immediately after the arrival of the 9:25 V.S.&P. train from the
west. Interment will be in the Monroe cemetery.

The News-Star
Saturday, October 30, 1909
Page 2, Column 3
Aged Widow of a Banker Dies Clasping Scrap of "Stars and Bars."
With a smile on her lips and a remnant of an old Confederate flag
clasped to her breast, Mrs. Anna Ertel the penniless widow of a New
Orleans banker died alone and unattended at 3 o'clock yesterday morning
in a ward of the county hospital. It was her 79th birthday anniversary,
and when the nurses went to dress her for a little party they had
arranged in her honor, they found her dead.
Mrs. Ertel three years ago became an inmate of the county institution.
Little by little the attendants there who became her friends gained from
her lips fragments of the story of her life.
She was a niece of General Putnam, a leader in the Confederate army and
was born in Mississippi. Her wealth and beauty made her a great belle.
Her marriage shortly after her debut in New Orleans to Banker Ertel of
that city was one of the social affairs in the decade preceding the
Civil War.
Her husband died shortly after the close of the Civil War leaving her
without means, his fortune having been wasted away during the conflict.
After her relatives passed away, leaving her no means of support, Mrs.
Ertel came to Los Angeles and supported herself several years as a
seamstress and cook. When her age made it impossible for her to
continue at these labors she was compelled to become the ward of the
county.
Unless friends or acquaintances or those who knew her family make
themselves known, the body will be interred in the potters' field. -Los
Angeles Examiner

The News-Star
Saturday, October 30, 1909
Page 4, Column 4
LOUIS KAPLAN DEAD
Well Known Jewish Citizen Dies After Short Illness
Mr. Louis Kaplan, one of Monroe's best known Jewish citizens, and for
some years prominent in business circles, died at his home on North
Fourth street at 10:30 o'clock last night after a short illness.
Surrounded by his wife and friends the end came peacefully after bidding
them good bye. Mr. Kaplan was in the prime of life being only
thirty-eight years old at the time of his untimely death. His business
prospects were the brightest. He was president and manager of the
Ouachita Furniture Company, Limited, a comparatively new concern, but
which under his management has been a big success. Mr. Kaplan also
owned considerable property. It has been said of him that in proportion
to his means he had done more to build up the town than any other man in
it.
Mr. Kaplan was born at Chernabele, Russia, where his mother now lives.
His father died thirty years ago and his oldest brother died only about
two months ago in Chicago. Mr. Kaplan is survived by his wife who was
Miss Esther Kohn, three bright little children, Lizzie, Freddie and Sara
Etta; his mother, two brothers, Mr. Sam Kaplan of this city and Mr. Max
Kaplan of Baxtrop, and one sister, Mrs. Derriah Kusin.
The funeral will take place Sunday morning at 10 o'clock at the
residence of North Fourth street proceeding from there to the Jewish
cemetery. The services will be conducted by Dr. Heinberg, Monroe Lodge
No. 454 B.P.O. Elks of which Mr. Kaplan was a member, will attend the
funeral in a body. The members are requested to meet at the lodge hall
at 9 o'clock.

The News-Star
Saturday, October 30, 1909
Page 2, Column 3
Aged Widow of a Banker Dies Clasping Scrap of "Stars and Bars."
With a smile on her lips and a remnant of an old Confederate flag
clasped to her breast, Mrs. Anna Ertel, the penniless widow of a New
Orleans banker died alone and unattended at 3 o'clock yesterday morning
in a ward of the county hospital. It was her 79th birthday anniversary,
and when the nurses went to dress her for a little party they had
arranged in her honor they found her dead.
Mrs. Ertel three years ago became an inmate of the county institution.
Little by little the attendants there who became her friends gained from
her lips fragments of the story of her life.
She was a niece of General Putnam, a leader in the Confederate army,
and was born in Mississippi. Her wealth and beauty made her a great
belle. Her marriage shortly after her debut in New Orleans to Banker
Ertel of that city was one of the social affairs in the decade preceding
the Civil War.
Her husband died shortly after the close of the Civil War, leaving her
without means, his fortune having been wasted away during the conflict.
After her relatives passed away, leaving her no means of support, Mrs.
Ertel came to Los Angeles and supported herself several years as a
seamstress and cook. When her age made it impossible for her to
continue at these labors she was compelled to become the ward of the
county.
Unless friends or acquaintances or those who knew her family make
themselves known, the body will be interred in the potters' field.-Los
Angeles Examiner.