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| A Choctaw baby peeks out of a handwoven Choctaw rivercane pack basket at Lacombe, LA. The picture was taken in 1909, appeared in David Bushnell, Jr's article. "The Choctaw of Bayou Lacombe. " Photo courtesy Center for Regional Studies, SLU |
One of my favorite collections at Southeastern University Center for Louisiana Studies is the Irene Morris Collection. When I first moved to Kentwood, Louisiana I was told if you want to know any local history, go see Irene Ried Morris. I had the pleasure of sitting in her home and chatting about all the history and genealogies of the many families who lived on the North end of Tangipahoa Parish. Her weekly column in the Kentwood News called Local lore and legends was known for documenting local community news and family histories.
She talked about her collections but she quickly pointed out that there were still so many boxes with files inside her home. After talking with her, my next step was to make plans to go to Southeastern University to look in her collection. She recorded a lot of history about the local people as well as noted African American people on a national level.
One the folders I looked in, had an article she had written and published on the Choctaw Indians of Tangipahoa Parish. The first inhabitants of the Parish of Tangipaoha were the Choctaw Indians. A woman by the name of Mrs. Robert D. Hillis, who was well versed in local Indian lore spent countless hours researching the history and culture of the Choctaw Indians in Tangiphaoa Parish. Please let me point out women were identified by their husband's names back in those days and Mrs. Robert D. Hillis identified by her husband name.
Tangipahoa means corncob gatherers," or "corncob people." Tangipahoa Parish was formed in 1869, it was carved from Livington, St. Helena Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and Washington
Tangipahoa means corncob gatherers," or "corncob people." Tangipahoa Parish was formed in 1869, it was carved from Livington, St. Helena Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and Washington
Hillis made note that the Choctaws would gather the sassafras leaves to make gumbo filé. They made blowguns out of cane. She noted that their baskets were handmade out and colored with red oak and other natural resources.
After they went hunting for wild game they would bring their games into the local merchant in exchange for groceries. Hillis said the Choctaw Indians were peaceful folk. I know of a family that has Choctaw heritage. I learned of Malinda Lawson the daughter of Tom Swain also known as "Indian Tom," through my cousin Andre Richardson. Andre is the grandson of one of Esau and Malinda Lawson's daughters. In a community called Ried's community the descendants of Indian Tom can still be found today. I was told by Mark Conerly that there was a theater in the City of Amite, called the Choctaw theater. You won't find many people talking about the Choctaw Indians in the parish.
Over in Washington Parish in Bogalusa, there were the Choctaw Indian Village. In an article posted on Rootsweb, Choctaw-Southeaster-L Archives. Rumor was told of full-bloodied Indians who ended up being killed and buried in peoples backyards. The source had to be protected, it was a little old lady, who fathered committed such acts when she was a child.
A book entitled, "Pistols and Politics, the Dilemma of Democracy in the Florida Parishes. 1810-1899 was written by Samuel C. Hyde, Jr., This book documents the bloody history of this region in Louisiana. Dr. Samuel Hyde, Jr., is a Professor of History at Southeastern Louisiana University, and the Director of the Center of Southeast Louisiana Studies.
MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHIC RESOURCES
Please visit the Antoinette Harrell Collection
