W hen-from the Teche News files
100 Years Ago January 9, 1926
Demonstration agent M. J. Voorhies informed us that representatives of the Southern Pacific railroad would be here in the near future to see about building a large shipping shed, in order to facilitate the handling and shipment of all kinds of crops, such as Irish and sweet potatoes, peppers and others that will be grown here the coming season, and has requested our business people and farmers meet the railroad officials and impress upon them, the need of this accommodation.
The Bank of St. Martinville introduced beautiful calendar which it is distributing to its customers and friends. It is beautiful because it has a picture of the Evangeline Oak on the banks of Bayou Teche in St Martinville. It is a very good calender because these days we are having lots of the Evangeline Memorial and we are glad that the bank was able to get such a good picture in order to boost our beautiful tree.
All voters must register anew in 1926 in order to be qualified to vote in the elections or transact other business which requires same. The old registration expired with the year 1925, hence every man or woman who has paid poll tax is urged to register anew as soon as possible.
We learned that hog disease, cholera is spreading in the neighborhood of Parks, and some farmers are using the vaccine.
Automobile license plates for 1926 went on sale at the new court office of the Louisiana Highway Commission, and car owners have been warned that promptness in obtaining the new tags will avert a great deal of inconvenience, if not actual trouble. New license tags must be secured before February 28.
50 Years Ago January 7, 1976
Tom Holleman, head football coach at St. Martinville Senior High, was named “Acadiana’s Coach of the Year” by the Lafayette Daily Advertiser. Players named to the All-Acadiana team included Jerry Champagne of Cecilia, first team defensive back; and Vance Lopez, St. Martinville, second team linebacker.
Dr. Florent Hardy Jr., a native of Cecilia, was the author of an article on the teacher retirement system in Louisiana, which appeared in the “Boardman,” official journal of the Louisiana School Board Association.
Patty Broussard of Breaux Bridge was named St. Martin Parish Cattlemen’s Queen.
Members of Breaux Bridge Cub Pack 397 who received Bobcat badges were Elliot Trosclair, Chris Heumann, Neil Dejean, Craig Gregory, Richard Lewis and Keith Lewis.
40 Years Ago January 8, 1986
The St. Martin Parish School Board was scheduled to consider the possibility of calling for the demolition of the old St. Martinville High School.
James D. Bernard of Breaux Bridge was awarded the “Beekeeper of the Year” plaque by the Progressive Beekeepers Association of Louisiana.
St. Martinville’s Clifford Champ was named Louisiana’s outstanding defensive player in Class AAAA football by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Also named to the All-State first team were SMSH seniors Dexter Harrison, defensive back; and Jimmy Poirier, defensive back and punter.
St. Martinville Senior High Coach Carroll Delahoussaye was named AAAA Coach of the Year.
25 Years Ago January 3, 2001
Parish President Scott Angelle requested that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development look into relocating La. 92/Smede Hwy, east of U.S. 90, to a path about 4,500 feet south of its current intersection so traffic could flow through the proposed industrial park in St. Martin Parish.
The combination of more usage and higher wholesale natural gas costs was pushing home and business gas bills to record highs.
In spite of wet weather during the September - January grinding season and a recent cold snap, Louisiana Sugar Cane Coop farmers were continuing to harvest sugar cane for processing at the mill at St. John near St. Martinville. Coop Manager Jackie Theriot said the long season should end by Jan. 10.
