84. Interview with former Poet Laureate Darrell Bourque

84.  We interview poet Darrell Bourque, the former poet laureate of Louisiana.  He served as an English professor and department head at ULL and found time to write several books of poetry.  Since his time as poet laureate, he has traveled the state of Louisiana as a public intellectual, reading his own poems and supporting the work of other poets as well.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 28 1862 (Old) State Capitol burned by Union Soldier.
2. This week in New Orleans history. The Esplanade Avenue streetacar ran from June 1, 1861 until December 27, 1934.  It was the first streetcar line to traverse the "back-of-town" section of New Orleans, running all the way out Esplanade Ave. to Bayou St. John in its original routing. From 1901–1934 the Canal and Esplanade lines operated in a loop as the Canal-Esplanade Belt, until Esplanade Ave. went to buses in 1934.
   
3. This week in Louisiana. New Year's Eve Kids' Countdown Make a noisemaker and paper bag party hat to wear for the countdown to noon, culminating in a balloon release and confetti toss. Admission: 2014 pricing TBA. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St, New Orleans 504.523.1357.
   
4. Battle of New Orleans  December 29, 1814. NOS. XXVI-XXVII.
   I lament that I have not the means of carrying on more offensive operations. The Kentucky troops have not arrived, and my effective force at this point, does not exceed three thousand. Theirs must be at least double; both prisoners and deserters agreeing in the statement that seven thousand landed from their boats.

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83. O. Henry's "Whistlin' Dick's Christmas Stocking"

83.  Bruce and Stephen talk about O. Henry's short story, "Whistlin' Dick's Christmas Stocking."  In this story set in the early 20th centrury, Henry takes us down the levee from New Orleans to a hobo jungle, where Boston Harry and his gang of tramps are plotting, like the Grinch, to steal Christmas.  Will Whistlin' Dick be able to foil their evil scheme?  Tune in to find out!

1. This week in Louisiana history. Dec. 20 1803 United States Commissioners W.C.C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson formally receive possession of Louisiana for the United States for $15,000,000.
2. This week in New Orleans history.  Governor James Albert Noe, born on December 21, 1890, served in World War I as a first lieutenant of the 369th Infantry in France. He was active in the Democratic party and served in the state senate from the 29th Senatorial District (Ouachita and Jackson parishes).  In 1932 he was the floor leader for Huey Long's administration and was appointed lieutenant governor in 1934. He became the Governor of Louisiana, serving from January through May 1936, following the death of Gov. O. K. Allen. He later returned to the senate until 1940. Noe made unsuccessful runs for governor in 1940 and 1959. He was active in the oil and gas industry, with operations in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, both as producer and overriding royalty owner. He owned and operated farms in Indiana and Ouachita and Tensas parishes, most notably, the Whitehall Plantation in Monroe. In 1936 Noe founded WNOE-AM and FM radio stations in New Orleans, established Monroes KNOE-AM and FM radio stations in 1944, and KNOE-TV in 1953.  In 1971 he was awarded an honorary LL. D. degree from Northeast Louisiana University.  He died died in Houston on October 18, 1976.
   
3. This week in Louisiana. 
4. Battle of New Orleans  December 28, 1814.  NOS. XXVI-XXVII.
   
   Copy of a letter from captain Henley, commanding late United States’ schooner Carolina, to commodore Patterson, dated
   New Orleans, December 28, 1814.
   Sir,
        At daylight, on the morning of the 27th, the enemy opened upon the Carolina a battery of five guns, from which they threw shells and hot shot; returned their fire with the long twelve-pounder, the only gun on board which could reach across the river, the remainder of her battery being light twelve-pound carronades.
        The air being light aid at north, rendered it impossible to get under way; the second shot fired by the enemy lodged in the schooner’s main-hold urder her cables, and in such a situation as not to be come at, and fired her, which rapidly progressed; finding that hot shot were passing through her cabin and filling room, which contained a considerable quantity of powder; her bulwarks all knocked down by the enemy’s shot, the vessel in a sinking situation, and the fire increasing, and expecting every moment that she would blow up, at a little after sunrise I reluctantly gave orders for the crew to abandon her, which was effected, with the loss of one killed and six wounded; a short time after I had succeeded in getting the crew on shore, I had the extreme mortification of seeing her blow up.

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82. Interview with poet Thomas Parrie

82.  We interview poet Thomas Parrie.  Thomas writes about life in the Native American community around Toledo Bend.

1. This week in Louisiana history. Dec. 15 1802 Pres. Jefferson, worried of French takeover of La., seeks to purchase Isle of Orleans.
2. This week in New Orleans history.   Bonnet Carré Spillway is Dedicated December 13, 1935
        Airline Highway originally was a two-lane road that ran from Prairieville to Shrewsbury (now Metairie). The first section, running between Williams Boulevard in Kenner and Shrewsbury Road, opened in June 1927. It was begun by the Jefferson Parish Police Jury as a local road and incorporated into the plan for Airline Highway during construction.
        The remainder of the highway was built between 1928 and 1933 by the Louisiana Highway Commission with federal aid, as the road would carry US 61 upon completion. The section north of the spillway was officially opened on July 4, 1933, and the section on the south side followed three weeks later. (Various sections had been temporarily opened to traffic beginning in October 1931.) Completion of the bridge over the Bonnet Carré Spillway was delayed until 1935, necessitating a detour over the Jefferson Highway (River Road) via temporary gravel roads along the spillway guide levees. The eight-lane extension into Tulane Avenue (reached by a now-demolished six-lane bridge over the former New Basin Canal) was officially opened on August 26, 1940.
        The Bonnet Carre Spillway, as well as the spillway bridge on Airline Highway,  was dedicated on December 13, 1935 as  part of the Mississippi Flood Control Project at a cost of  more than $13 million. Its construction was prompted by the devastating floods of 1927.  The spillway flood-way would route 250,000 cubic feet of water per second from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain then Lake Borgne and into the Gulf of Mexico, thus sparing the Greater New Orleans area from high-water river flooding.
   
3. This week in Louisiana. 
4. Battle of New Orleans  Dec. 14 1814 First clash with British in War of 1812 on Lake Borgne
   December 27, 1814.  NO. XXV
   Major-general Jackson to the secretary of war.
   Head-quarters, 7th military district, camp below New Orleans, 27th December, A. M.
   Sir,
        The loss of our gun-boats near the pass of the Rigolets, having given the enemy command of lake Borgne, lie was enabled to choose his point of attack. It became therefore an object of importance to obstruct the numerous bayous and canals leading from that lake to the highlands op the Mississippi. This important service was committed, in the first instance, to a detachment from the 7th regiment, afterwards to colonel Delaronde of the Louisiana militia, and lastly, to make all sure, to major-general Villeré, commanding the district between the river and the lakes, and who, being a native of the country, was presumed to be best acquainted with all those passes. Unfortunately, however, a picquet which the general had estsblished at the mouth of the bayou Bienvenu, and which, notwithstanding my orders, had been left unobstructed, was completely surprised, and the enemy penetrated through a canal leading to his farm about two leagues below the city, and succeeded in cutting off a company of militia stationed there.

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81. Interview with O'Neil De Noux about Battle Kiss.

81. We talk to O’Neil De Noux again about his Battle of New Orleans historical novel, Battle Kiss.  Since O’Neil is also an expert about the Battle of New Orleans, we talk to him about that event as well.  In anticipation of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the bicentennial of The Battle of New Orleans in 2015, New Orleans writer O’Neil De Noux spent two years researching and writing an epic historical novel set during that titanic struggle. Battle Kiss is an intense, accurate depiction of the battle, of life in New Orleans in the days and nights preceding and following the monumental event. It is a saga of love and war, of battlefield heroes, of young men and young women in love – a tale of spies and privateers, ladies and rogues, patriots and traitors, sudden passion and sudden violence as the battle unfolds in stages until the cataclysm of January 8, 1815, when a rag-tag army of Creoles, free-men of color, pirates, American backwoodsmen, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Attakapas braves, fortified by a limited number of U.S. army regulars and marines and led by a general whose only experience was fighting insurgent Creeks, stands between New Orleans and a battle-hardened army of British soldiers, led by one of the Duke of Wellington’s finest field commanders and hero of the Peninsula War against Napoleon – Major General Sir Edward Pakenham.

1. This week in Louisiana history. Dec. 6 1889 Confederate President Jefferson Davis died in New Orleans
2. This week in New Orleans history. Nearly three years after New Orleans police broke into Our Lady of Good Counsel Church to handcuff and evict parishioners trying to save it from closure, the 117-year-old church is being reopened on December 7, 2011.  The arcdiocese of New Orleans announced that the Center of Jesus the Lord, a community of charismatic Catholics, would move there from its home on North Rampart Street.
3. This week in Louisiana. Russ-Town Band
   December 12th, 2014 Dixie Center for the Arts
   212 North Vienna Street, Ruston, LA 71270
   318-255-1450
4. Battle of New Orleans  December 26, 1814. NO. XXV.   Copy of a letter from general Andrew Jackson to the secretary of war, dated
   Camp near New Orleans, 26th Decmber, 1814.
          The enemy having, by the capture of our gun-boats, obtained command of the lakes, were enabled to effect a passage to the Mississippi at a point on the side of New Orleans, and about nine miles below it. The moment I received the intelligence, I hastened to attack him in his first position. It was brought on in the night and resulted very honourably to our arms. The heavy smoke, occasioned by an excessive fire, rendered it necessary that I should draw off my troops, after a severe conflict of upwards of an hour.
          The attack was made on the night of the 23d. Since then both armies have remained near the battle-ground, making preparations for something more decisive.
          The enemy's force exceeded ours by double, and their loss was proportionably greater. The moment I can spare the time, I will forward you a detailed account. In the meantime I expect something far more important will take place. I hope to be able to sustain tho honour of our arms and to secure the safety of this country.

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80. Interview with writer Dixon Hearne.

80.  We interview writer Dixon Hearne, who teaches and writes in the American South. Much of his writing draws greatly from the rich images in his daily life growing up along the graceful river traces and bayous in West Monroe, Louisiana. After many years of university teaching and writing for research journals, his interests turned toward fiction and poetry—and the challenge of writing in a different voice. The Louisiana Anthology now has some of Dixon's stories for you to enjoy, and links to more.

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 28, 1729.  Natchez tribesmen in the Louisiana colony attack settlers and soldiers November 28, massacring more than 200 and taking several hundred women, children, and black slaves prisoner. The colonists had demanded that the Natchez give up their sacred burial ground.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Dixieland jazz pianist, clarinetist, and drummer Ollie "Dink" Johnson (October 28, 1892 – November 29, 1954) was a  was born in Biloxi, the younger brother of the bass player/bandleader William Manuel Johnson. He worked around Mississippi and New Orleans before moving out west in the early 1910s. He played in Nevada and California, often with his brother Bill. Most prominently he played with the Original Creole Orchestra (mostly on drums). He also played clarinet in Kid Ory's band. For many years he was based in Los Angeles where he led a band in the 1920s and later ran a bar called Dink's Place at 4429 Avalon Blvd. He was visited there in March 1946 by Bill Russell, who organised most of his piano and one man band recordings. Russell wrote in his diary that Dink had a room at the back for selling bootleg whisky, and kept a gun in a saucepan "because the police would never look there". He told Russell that he had "always lived outside the law." He made his first recordings in 1922 on clarinet with Kid Ory's Band. He made more recordings in the 1940s and 1950s, mostly on piano, although also doing some one-man band recordings, playing all three of his instruments through over dubbing.  Johnson's piano style was influenced by Jelly Roll Morton (his brother-in-law); his clarinet playing by Larry Shields. Johnson also wrote tunes, including "The Krooked Blues" (recorded by King Oliver) and "So Different Blues."
3. This week in Louisiana. Witches Brew Tours
   December 5th, 2012 - December 31st, 2014 Witches Brew Tours
   819 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70116
   504-413-3120
4. Battle of New Orleans  December 28, 1814.  NO. XXIII-XXIV.  Letter from commodore Patterson to the secretary of the navy.
    Letter from commodore Patterson to the hon. Secretary at War.
   U. S. ship Louisiana, December 28, 1814.
   Sir,
   I have the honour to inform you that on the 23d instant, while at the bayou St. John, examining the batteries erecting there by the navy, under the superintendance of captain Henley of the Carolina, I learnt that information had been received by general Jackson that the enemy had penetrated through bayou Bienvenu with a large force, and had effected a landing at general Villeré’s plantation on the banks of the Mississippi, which upon application to the general proved to be true. The alarm was immediately given in town, and the troops put in motion; I repaired on board the United States’ schooner Carolina, with captain Henley, and after ordering the Louisiana, commanded by lieutenant-commandant C. B. Thompson, to follow me, at 4 P. M. weighed, and it being calm, dropped down with the current; at about half past six I received a request from general Jackson, through Mr. Edward Livingston, his aid-de-camp, to anchor abreast of the enemy’s camp, which he pointed out, and open afire upon them.
   I have the honour to be, &c.
   D. T. Patterson. 

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79. Interview with Erin Greenwald about Company Man, Part 2.

79.  Interview with Erin Greenwald about the book she edited, Company Man, which is a book by  Marc-Antoine Caillot translated from a manuscript covering the early days of colonial New Orleans. We talk to Erin about the author's insights into life in the new colony.  "Yet with humor and insight, Caillot documents episodes major and minor-from the Natchez Massacre to New Orleans's earliest documented Carnival celebration to his own string of pranks and romantic escapades. His words speak with immediacy across the centuries, illuminating racial and ethnic politics, environmental concerns, and the birth of New Orleans's distinctive cultural mélange" (HNOC).

1. This week in Louisiana history. Nov. 22 1886. 30 Negros killed/100 wounded by vigilanties to stop canefield strike in Thibodeaux
2. This week in New Orleans history. John William Corrington (October 28, 1932 – November 24, 1988) was an American film and television writer, novelist, poet and lawyer. He received a B.A. degree from Centenary College, in 1956 and his M.A. from Rice University in 1960, the year he took on his first teaching position in the English Department at Louisiana State University. While on leave from LSU, Corrington obtained his D.Phil. in 1965, from the University of Sussex and then moved to Loyola University New Orleans in 1966, as an Associate Professor of English, where he also served as chair of the English Department. Corrington graduated from Tulane University Law School in 1975, joined a small New Orleans personal injury law firm, Plotkin and Bradley, and spent the next three years practicing law.  During this time Corrington published four books of poetry, Where We Are (1962), The Anatomy of Love (1964), Mr. Clean (1964) and Lines to the South (1965).
3. This week in Louisiana. November 24, 1813 W.C.C. Claiborne offers $500 reward for Jean Lafitte's capture.
4. Battle of New Orleans  December 18, 1814.  NO. XXII.  An act from the legislature of Louisiana to grant delays, &c
   AN ACT
   To grant a delay in the cases therein mentioned.
         Whereas the present crisis will oblige a great number of citizens to take up arms in defence of this state, and compel them to quit their homes, and thus leave their private affairs in a state of abandonment, which may expose them to great distress, if the legislature should not, by measures adapted to the circumstances, come to their relief,
        Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the state of Louisiana in general assembly convened, That no protest on any note or bill of exchange, payable to order or bearer, or on any note, bill of exchange, or obligation for the payment of money, shall or can be legally made, until one hundred and twenty days after the promulgation of the present act.
         Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That no property, either moveable or immoveable, belonging to successions or bankrupts, or any property seized by virtue of any execution issued by the courts of justice, or justices of the peace of this state, shall be sold within one hundred and twenty days after the promulgation of the present act; Provided however, that the delay aforesaid shall not prejudice the holders or proprietors of the said notes, bills, obligations, or judgments, from demanding the interests which they would or might have legally demanded, if the said delay did not exist.

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78. Interview with Erin Greenwald about Company Man, Part 1.

78.  Interview with Erin Greenwald about the book she edited, Company Man, which is a book by  Marc-Antoine Caillot translated from a manuscript covering the early days of colonial New Orleans. We talk to Erin about the author's insights into life in the new colony.  "Yet with humor and insight, Caillot documents episodes major and minor-from the Natchez Massacre to New Orleans's earliest documented Carnival celebration to his own string of pranks and romantic escapades. His words speak with immediacy across the centuries, illuminating racial and ethnic politics, environmental concerns, and the birth of New Orleans's distinctive cultural mélange" (HNOC).

1. This week in Louisiana history. Nov. 15 1730 Gov. Perier and French defeated the Natchez Indians
2. This week in New Orleans history. The Kick Heard 'Round the World
   Saint Tom Dempsey Breaks Record.  November 8, 1970 Any New Orleanian who heard the radio broadcast of the Detroit Lions vs the Saints game on November 8, 1970 still remembers the kick.  One local sage wrote that many more people claimed to have been there that day than could possibly have fit into Tulane Stadium.  Many fans who had actually gone to the game left early, thinking that the Saints could not possibly catch up the Lions.  But in the final seconds, Tom Dempsey set a still-unbroken NFL-record 63 yard field goal to give the New Orleans Saints a 19-17 victory over the Detroit Lions at our home field.
3. This week in Louisiana. November 16, 1972
       Southern University students killed by police
       Two black students at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (one of the country's largest all-black colleges), were killed during a confrontation between black students and law enforcement officers. After the incident, police officials denied that their men had fired the fatal shots. Some suggested that the gunfire might have been accidental, but spokespersons for the students charged that the police had fired on purpose.
        The Louisiana state government put together a biracial committee consisting of police officers, university administrators, students, elected officials, and private citizens to investigate the shootings. Some blacks did not trust the official committee, however. They promised to assemble a group of their own to look into the incident.
4. Battle of New Orleans  December 15, 1814.  NO. XXI. MARTIAL LAW
   The following spirited order gives a sufficient account of the motives which induced general Jackson to resort to the measure of proclaiming martial law. At the same time that it served to convince the emissaries, whom the enemy might have sent among us, of the inutility of their mission, it convinced also the people of Louisiana, that the man who had come to take command of the forces, was decidedly determined to save the country, and to make use of all the means in his power to obtain that desirable end.
   New Orleans, December 15, 1814.
   To The Citizens Of New Orleans,
   The major-general commanding, has, with astonishment and regret, learned that great consternation and alarm pervade your city. It is true the enemy is on our coast and threatens an invasion of our territory, but it is equally true, with union, energy, and the approbation of Heaven, we will beat him at every point his temerity may induce him to set foot upon our soil. The general, with still greater astonishment, has heard that British emissaries have been permitted to propagate seditious reports among you, that the threatened invasion is with a view of restoring the country to Spain, from a supposition that some of you would be willing to return to your ancient government. Believe not such incredible tales — your government is at peace with Spain — it is the vital enemy of your country, the common enemy of mankind, the highway robber of the world that threatens you, and has sent his hirelings amongst you with this false report, to put you off your guard, that you may fall an easy prey to him; — then look to your liberties, your property, the chastity of your wives and daughters — take a retrospect of the conduct of the British army at Hampton and other places, where it has entered our country, and every bosom which glows with patriotism and virtue, will be inspired with indignation, and pant for the arrival of the hour when we shall meet and revenge those outrages against the laws of civilization and humanity.

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