Tick-Tock is the sound of a large clock ticking or possibly the measure of time running out. I have just released my third book called “A Chime in Time” and can be purchased online. Click onto www.amazon.com/author/terrylindsey and enjoy my journey back in time from WWI, WWII, and the Space Race. What was their purpose and how did time measure their progress achieving that purpose?
My wife and I recently joined two other couples to travel byways of North Louisiana exploring the past. It was very enlightening especially after my recent book on history and why events shape our very existence. Enjoy the glimpse of nearby areas full of history from early part of this past century all the way back to 1800BC.
Our journey started traveling up to Central Louisiana on I 49 to near Alexandria where we turned West through a beautiful drive full of garden nurseries to the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Long Leaf, Louisiana. Long Leaf depot was built about 1906 to connect the railroad systems carrying passengers and raw material, mostly timber, to build our country. We explored the huge saw mill that is now a monument to the past expansion. That mill along with many around the area provided lumber to support housing construction and when needed, War efforts. Some of that lumber went to support the landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) known as the Higgins boat constructed during WWII in New Orleans. The Saw Mill walking and train tour along with the remnants of past wars in the museum make the trip well worth the drive.
We continued up I 49 through Shreveport and the next day drove some of the “Boom or Bust Byway” stopping at the Louisiana State Oil & Gas Museum in Oil City. Unfortunately, the museum was closed for repairs, but we did get a nice look at the outside displays. More about the bust byway later. Next stop was the Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum.
Imagine a young man arrested and being transformed from a schoolboy to a rattlesnake. That was the impression of one of Clyde Barrow’s inmate buddies at Eastham Camp 2 in 1930. This so-called camp was more of a hell hole. It was part of the Texas Prison System named as the worse in the nation at the time. Clyde was paroled in 1932 by the Texas Governor. The two years of hard prison time changed him forever. He could not get legitimate work because of his prison time so became increasingly bitter. He told his mother that they would have to kill him before he would ever go back to prison. Eventually, his own prophecy came true on a highway about 8 miles from Gibsland, Louisiana where he and Bonnie were ambushed by six Law Officers on May 23rd, 1934 at 9:15 a.m. Bonnie met Clyde in January 1930 and a deep intense love developed between the two. Two weeks later Clyde was in jail where Bonnie visited him often. While he was at McClelland County jail in Waco, Texas, she smuggled a gun to him. He and two others escaped. The rest of the story has been immortalized in film and pictures that you can see at the museum. Bonnie seemed to be prophetic as well leaving a number of clues in poems of their future demise.
Next stop for us was to view the journey of a German group of 300 immigrates escaping religious persecutions in 1831 led by Count Leon. They first tried to blend in with the Harmony Society in Economy, Pennsylvania, but decided to continue with some of the Harmony Society to form the New Philadelphia Society. That lasted until 1833 until they moved again this time way down South to Grand Ecore, Louisiana establishing the “new Jerusalem” society. The count died of Yellow Fever in 1934. Flood struck their settlement so the Countess Leon led her people to high ground up the Red River to settle in the hills near the modern day town of Minden. Their settlement called “Germantown” can be visited showing some of the buildings including the Countess’ cottage. From Germantown, we drove North of Minden to get back on the “Boom or Bust Byway” . We drove past Blackburn, Shongaloo, Sarepta, before stopping at Plain Dealing. Plain Dealing has a huge antique vendor’s store so we had to stop and shop before resting for the night. The next day was all about antiques and food at Jefferson, Texas. The town is full of history, but we spent most of our day seeing the old, mixed with not-so-old things, in this beautiful Texas town.
Our last stop in our journey of the past reveals an ancient past of a Hunter/Gatherer settlement dating back as far as 1800BC called “Poverty Point”. Apparently, the James Gang visited Poverty Point as well, but were not looking for a historical site rather a good hide out. Poverty Point is located near Epps, Louisiana just off I 20 between Monroe and Vicksburg. You can drive around to see the Indian mounds or hike for a few hours to see it all. Mound A can be walked up and is about 165 foot high and appears to be shaped like a bird in flight. Archeologists do not know for sure what it was. It appears to represent a status symbol to reinforce the social relationships with the community plus demonstrate power and wealth to outsiders. They think it was built after 1400BC and may have taken as little as 91 days to build. Must have been a huge dedicated work force!
This is a little glimpse of a five day trip into history in Louisiana. Imagine what else can be seen. An old clock is a mechanism to measure time one Tick-Tock at a time. A clock is made to last and may last beyond its maker. Unlike a clock, us humans are also made with precision, but cannot out last our maker. Our time is indeed limited on this earth to so many Tick-Tocks. Let us make the most of each precious moment in our lives until we become part of history. Peace to you. T