News from Tensas Parish

During the past two centuries, many American communities have changed their names. One of the luckiest is St. Joseph, La., a warm and gracious community in Tensas Parish. History records the community was once known as "Lick Skillet", hardly a proper name for the picture postcard town. Obviously St. Joseph is a more dignified name. IRONICALLY, the place was named "Lick Skillet" by a Jesuit priest. Said historian Thompson L. Clarke: "The name was derived from the fact that when the Jesuit priests came to the area, they found a white trapper on the banks of the Mississippi with his 'cur' dog, which was permitted to lick the trapper's skillet before he washed it in the Mississippi River." It is not generally known how it is believed to have been renamed by another Catholic priest who happened to pass through the area. This particular priest — his name is not known — took great pleasure in naming pots after saints. "Apparently the same priest who named St. Joseph also named three lakes situated within 20 miles of the town," said Clarke. "The lakes are St. Joseph, St Peter and St. John."

WATERPROOF, Louisiana, has 177 drinking places out of 513 houses. The man who named the town was certainly inspired. Saturday, October 14, 1882 Atlanta, Constitution

THE WATERPROOF Riot A Terrible Day's Work~-Thirty five of the Rioters Killed. , " Special dispatch to The Constitution. ,' St. Louis, October 17. A dispatcher from Waterproof, Louisiana, to A. S.Yarner mayor of that town, who is here, say that about 2,500 negroes are engaged in a' outbreak there. The fighting began, today! Judge Cordell, J P. Harrison and Jeff Snyder are wounded. The burning of the buildings is also reported. THIRTY-SIX NEGROES KILLED. The following is derived from the officers' of the .steamer Natchez- A fight occurred with the negroes yesterday in -Goldman's field, four miles above .Waterproof, in which, it is said. 38 negroes were killed and the remainder dispersed. Some persons apprehend further trouble while the general impression is that the negroes will not again assemble. Assistance is pouring in , from all directions. Fifty more men left here, yesterday evening in answer to appeal yesterday morning from St. Joseph, Louisiana . No plantations have been burned. A communication just received' from a citizen of Waterproof stated all quiet and settled, ten negroes were killed yesterday New Orleans, October 18 —The city is full of wild rumors about the trouble in Tensas parish. Governor Nicholls reports that he has received information that a fight occurred at Waterproof, in which five negroes were killed, and a company of militia from Natchez arrived there. The parish authorities ask for state troops'. The governor ordered the Louisiana field artillery and Crescent City battalions to be in readiness to receive marching orders by 8 a. m. tomorrow. It stated that the steamer Parymond has been, chartered by the state to transport troops to the scene of disturbance. Thursday, October 17, 1878 Atlanta, Constitution

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