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. 

Listen in iTunes.           

Listen in Stitcher.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.

 

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.

Listen in iTunes.           

Listen in Stitcher.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.

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.

Listen in iTunes.           

Listen in Stitcher.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.

77. Interview with Dayne Sherman about his novel, Zion.

77. Interview with Dayne Sherman about the release of his new novel, Zion. It is "a gothic treatment of the American South: a hard-charging depiction of religion, family, friendship, deception, and evil. Zion is a mystery set in the rural South, the story of a war fought over the killing of hardwoods in Baxter Parish, Louisiana. The tale begins in 1964 and ends a decade later, but the Hardin family, faithful members of Little Zion Methodist Church, will carry the scars for life." Dayne is a professor of library science at Southeastern Louisiana University, and he lives with his wife and son. 
Dayne Sherman's online links:
Web & Social Media: http://daynesherman.com/
Talk About the South Blog: http://daynesherman.blogspot.com/
Tweet the South - Twitter: http://twitter.com/TweettheSouth/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/daynesherman

1. This week in Louisiana history. Nov. 8 1893 First LSU v. Tulane football game (held in N.O.)
2. This week in New Orleans history. Preservation Hall Receives the National Medal of Arts
   November 9, 2006
   The Preservation Hall Jazz Band was awarded the 2006 National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence. The award was presented to creative director of Preservation Hall, Benjamin Jaffe and co-founder of Preservation Hall, Sandra Jaffe, who accepted the award from President and Mrs. Laura Bush in an Oval Office ceremony on November 9, 2006. The citation reads: “With enormous talent and pride, this ageless ensemble has toured the world displaying the unbreakable spirit of New Orleans and sharing the joy of New Orleans jazz with us all". Established in 1961 with the purpose "to preserve, perpetuate, and protect traditional New Orleans Jazz", its musicians have done so for more than half a century in one of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter, and around the world.   
   
3. This week in Louisiana.     Treme Creole Gumbo Festival A who's who of New Orleans brass bands, plus a large arts market, gumbo vendors, second lines, a dance contest, and a vegan gumbo contest. Admission: Free. Louis Armstrong Park, 801 N Rampart St, New Orleans, 504.558.6100.
4. Battle of New Orleans  December 18, 1814.  NO. XX..
   On Sunday, the 18th December, general Jackson reviewed the militia of the cily, the battalion commanded by major Plauche, and a part of the regiment of men of colour. Being drawn up on their respective parades, the following addresses were read to them by Mr. Livingston, one of his aids:
   TO THE EMBODIED MILITIA.
   Fellow citizens and soldiers!
   The general commanding in chief would not do justice to the noble ardour that has animated you in the hour of danger, he would not do justice to his own feeling, if he suffered the example you have shown to pass without public notice. Inhabitants of an opulent and commercial town, you have, by a spontaneous effort, shaken off the habits which are created by wealth, and shown that you are resolved to deserve the blessings of fortune by bravely defending them. Long strangers to the perils of war, you have embodied yourselves to face them with the cool countenance of veterans — and with motives of disunion that might operate on weak minds, you have forgotten the difference of language and the prejudices of national pride, and united with a cordiality that does honour to your understandings as well as to your patriotism. Natives of the United States! They are the oppressors of your infant political existence, with whom you are to contend — they are the men your fathers conquered whom you are to oppose. Descendants of Frenchmen! natives of France! they are English, the hereditary, the eternal enemies of your ancient country, the invaders of that you have adopted, who are your foes. Spaniards! remember the conduct of your allies at St. Sebastians, and recently at Pensacola, and rejoice that you have an opportunity of avenging the brutal injuries inflicted by men who dishonour the human race.

Listen in iTunes.           

Listen in Stitcher.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.