By Mike Louviere

March 4 occurred on Sunday, 110 years ago. Things in the Gate City, as Orange was called in those days, moved a bit slower than they do now. Reporting the local news, state and national news was very different than the news of today.

The Daily Leader was an eight page edition on Sunday. The weekday papers usually ran six pages, at times only four.

Sunday March 4, the Leader led off with a story about a revival held the night before in the Orange Opera house. It was reported over 1,000 people who had attended. The revival was conducted by an evangelist, Dr. Walton. His first name and church affiliation were not given. Dr. Walton was assisted by Rev. E.T. Drake of the Presbyterian Church, Rev, Oder of the Christian Church, Rev. Theo Helsig of Eight Street Baptist Church, Rev. Arthur McFaul from Green Avenue Baptist Church, Rev. C.J. Oxley of the Methodist Church and Capt. Reed of the Salvation Army Corps.

This was not only the lead story; it was also the longest of the edition.

A somewhat amusing crime was reported; Constable Milo Stark had gone to Lafayette and returned to Orange with a prisoner, Groves Stinson. Stinson had come to Orange stating he was from Nashville and was seeking work as a grocery clerk. He made friends with Alex Myers. Myers allowed Stinson to stay with him while he was seeking work. Stinson stole several items of clothing from Myers. Myers, upon discovering the theft began to investigate and found Stinson had taken an eastbound train out of Orange. He then contacted Sheriff R.M. Johnson who wired New Orleans, Lake Charles, and Lafayette to be on the lookout for Stinson. Stinson was arrested in Lafayette and returned to Orange. The clothing he had stolen was found and returned to Myers.

A short article reported that a passenger ferry had overturned in St. Petersburg, Florida and 120 people had drowned.

There was a report that Cone Johnson had conceded the election of delegate to the National Democratic Convention to Senator Bailey. (If the name Cone Johnson seems familiar, it is the name of one of the Bolivar ferries)

In Jackson, Mississippi, a mass meeting of the ministers of that city started an action to rid the City of Jackson Mississippi of its “disorderly houses”. A resolution was sent to the city police requesting “immediate activity.”

Almost half of the page consisted of advertisements.

Cox and Myers, “The Old Reliable”, advertised that they provided first class tin shop work with “Second Class Mechanics”: “Give us a trial for first class work. New phone, 222.”

R.L. Manok and Company reported: “The dredge is here to fill in and make a greater Orange. Incidentally, have your sheet metal work done by a First Class Mechanic. New Phone, 206.”

Joe Lucas, “The Palace Jeweler” located in the Link Building on Fifth Street, advertised that in addition to his fine line of jewelry also had a line of fine optical goods. Lucas offered “Free exams by a graduate optician, ‘who knows his business and will examine your eyes free of charge.’”

Anderson Hardware Company said it was “Time to buy–gasoline stoves, lawn hose, lawn mowers, and ice cream freezers.” They also sold “Welded yard fence and other goods that last and give satisfaction.”

“Fifth Street Pharmacy has been transferred to Louis Sholars.” Sholars had bought the pharmacy located on the corner of Fifth and Front Streets from J.G. Faubion. Faubion had previously purchased the business from Robert Goree.

Sabine Supply Company offered “High Grade Tools”. Some of the brands offered included Lufkin Steel Tapes, Snell’s and Irwin bits, Bailey and Stanley planes, L & I.T. White’s adz and chisels, Simonds, Atkins, and Diston saws, and Germantown and Maydale hammers. (Most of these brands of hand tools are still available today.)

Just in case you had any money left, Orange National Bank stated: “You an increase your income by depositing part of your earnings in a bank account. You can open a bank account with as little as one dollar.”

Interesting that the big local news of the day was a revival and the only reported crime was the theft of clothing.

“And now you know”