Bayous, Booze & Bearhouses
Downtown; The People, The Places and The Faces
by
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If you leave Ferriday going north (Hwy. 65 intersects Hwy 15) it will eventually take you to the city of
There is a historical description that I like best to describe early Ferriday. In its earliest years, Ferriday was known as an “
The town streets and establishments were the scenes of many “Fights” “Stabbings” “Killings.” This was partially due to the open gambling but free flowing”Bootleg Whiskey” as also a factor. There was another pleasure that was “Wide Spread” in Ferriday: “Prostitution Thrived.” Ferriday had some of the “Better” and “Larger” houses of Prostitution. Ferriday has always been a party town; where people came to have a”Good time” and to escpase the long arm of the law. There were many lounges, bars, and social clubs to make sure that people could come together and have a good time. And the business men made sure that “Law Enforcement” remained “Friendly” and looked the other way for many of these activities could continue with little interference or pressure from the law. These businesses generated huge sums of money; the “Bootleg Whiskey” the “Gambling Houses” and “Prostitution
made many people wealthy and these Financial resources somehow always manage to get to the “Right Places in the”Right Positions” and this meant the Party would continue as long as the public had “Desires” and “Needs” to be “Satisfied” there would “Somebody” to supply their needs. While many feel that the Ferriday of the past is gone and that these things no longer exists many of the bars, lounges, and dance halls are gone and the wide spread shootings and killings no longer take place: ( Bootleg) whiskey can now be purchased in any store. However there are others who say the”The Ghosts of the Past are still “Lingering Today” seeking to meet the “Desires and Habits” of a public that Still like to “Party and Let the Good times Roll.” And that the forces of Corruption and Illegal activity still remains strong even until today; they maintain there are understandings and clandestine agreements to make sure the public gets what they want and what they are willing to pay for. To what degree this is true? It maybe too difficult to really know. The Forces that are committed to moving forward and progress ing will always find there are those that are committed to stagnation and the Status Quo. Which of these Forces will Prevail? The Past and the Present always seem to find each other. (Illegal activity and Corruption) What they do when come together can often determine what kind of future we have. The Political and Social climate can often determine how long this marriage will last?
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About the Book
"Bayous, Booze and Bearhouses" is a story of Personal Memoirs on the experiences, reflections and the relationships of a family, a town and many of the people that have had an influence and made an impact on our lives and our perceptions as we were living and growing up in a small town.The Author has tried to share the experiences and valves of a small town environment that enhances a support system for the people in the community. Many times in order to provide support and care for those in need a network of collective efforts are done without rehearsal or special ceremony. These are the some of the things observed and done as a means of not letting one person bear his personal burdens alone. "Somebody" was coming to see about you and check on you and your family. In one small town this was a way of life: The concern and care of each family and each child.This town is a small place but some of the people there had big ideals and big dreams. Part of those big dreams was to "Party Big*' and have a good time. Downtown Ferriday provided "Fourth Street" and the lounges, bars and "Bearhouses" to let the good times roll. Some of the major players in the this entertainment were: "Haney's Big House" "Sam Brocato's" "James Watkins Lounge, Grocery & Cleaners" "The Pool Hall" "Haney's Motel and Washateria" "Big George's Lounge" "The Gambling Shacks" "Motel Rooms" for personal entertainment. "Downtown and Fourth Street" provided a large part of the Social, Commercial and Cultural life for the people living in this area and also at "Night Time" or "Evening Hours" many uptown people found it to be a very interesting yet entertaining place to be.In many ways the "Community" was a village: The Home, The School and The Church made a network in an effort to keep young people heading in the right direction. The Spiritual, Social and Cultural growth was depended heavily on the Church and the School. The Social Bonds between the School and the community was strong and firm. The Church provided “Spiritual Healing” and “Spiritual Care” especially in times of Personal tragedy and Personal Loss. The Church also provided training for many of the Social, Cultural and Political Skills needed to survive and to prosper. The Author considers himself to be an expert in this field that he writes about for many reasons; however his main reason is that he is writing about his life, his family and his community. Most the events, people and places written about in this book were shared by the author or his family. Many of the people in this book were people that he had a personal relationship with and a personal knowledge. The places he talks about were places he shared with his friends and family. He had a sense of the people and a feel for this town and the hopes and aspirations that many shared of what this town could be. There were many people in this “Small” town had “Big” Dreams but Dreams can still come “True”.
About the Author
The author of "Bayous, Booze and Bearhouses" is currently residing in Southwest, La, Hehas been employed in the Oil Industry and now looks forward to retirement within several years. He stayed in the town of
On the encouragement and recommendation of his daughter: Danielle, he decided to write his personal memoirs about his family, his gowning up, and the changes that the town of Ferriday was struggling to deal with and come to grips with in the 1960''s and what those changes and challenges meant to this town, his family and the people caught up in conflict, change and confrontation.
There is a lot about his personal family and the people that he felt made Ferriday a Unique and interesting place to live and to visit These people had come to a place that time and progress take us all. We have to go on.
He has placed a great deal of emphasis on the "Fourth Street Experience", the Role of the Family, the Church and the School played in making the "Safety Net" to see that "No One Got Left Behind" made our community a village of people networking to help and support each other.
This Writing of "Bayous, Booze and Bearhouses" is a three part series that will be printed in three editions: (a.) Bayous,Booze and Bearhouses/ Downtown: The People, The Places and The Faces(sub-title) (b.) Bayous, Booze and Bearhouses: Family, Fun, Fears and Tears(sub~tMe) (c.)Bayous, Booze and Bearhouses: Conflict, Confrontation and Change(sub-title)