Newspaper Data of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana A Bloody duel in Avoyelles. Aug 3, 1889, A Picayune Baton Rouge special says, Information has been received here of a bloody duel fought yesterday near Cotton Port, Avoyelles parish, between Parry Ducals and his son. New Orleans, La.. __________________________________ Entire block burns in Louisiana town.  Practically an entire city square in Simmesport, Avoyelles parish, was destroyed by fire Sunday with an estimated  loss of $75, 000. The fire originated on the roof of  S Carter's residence and soon spread to adjoining property. Four residences, the Masonic Lodge Hall, the Baptist Church, and the Magee Hotel, and one store were burned.  As there was no firefighting apparatus in the town the citizens carried the furnishings out of the houses in the threatened area. The blaze burned itself out when it reached the new levee in the town. Insurance was carried by some of its property holders. April 9, 1928 ___________________________________ Special to the news, Alexandria, Louisiana  Dec 27, 1908....The Catholic church at Moreauville, Avoyelles parish, which burned Christmas day, is the second church to burn there.  It was on Easter Sunday ten years ago when the same congregation lost their church by fire. This time the convent and priest's house were burned entailing a loss of $18,000, with only $9,000 insurance. _____________________________________ ©2007 Genealogy Trails