480. James 'Jed' Dobson

480. We talk to James 'Jed' Dobson on Samuel Clemens. Mark Twain wrote Life on the Mississippi, a memoir about his time as a cub river boat pilot. Twain's version of the Mississippi River has colored the way the nation looks at the river. Jed discusses the difference in the way Clemens looked at Mardi Gras when he was in his 20s versus the more negative account in Life on the Mississippi, when he was in his late 40s.

1. This week in Louisiana history. July 30, 1812. William Charles Cole Claiborne becomes the 1st American Governor of Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. On July 30, 1866 New Orleans descended into racial violence that, by the end of the day, would leave an estimated 38 individuals dead and dozens injured. Racial tensions, which were already high soon after the close of the Civil War, flared after African Americans were denied the right to vote. The enactment of the so-called “Black Codes” infuriated Republicans determined to secure citizenship rights for all Americans, and they ultimately reconvened the Louisiana Constitutional Convention in hopes of seizing control of the state government. During a break in the Convention, violence broke out between armed white supremacists and African Americans marching in support of suffrage—and the African Americans were not prepared for the fight. Unarmed African Americans were attacked and murdered, and many law enforcement officials perpetrated the crimes.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Chemin-A-Haut State Park
   14656 State Park Road
   Bastrop, LA 71220-7078
   318-283-0812
   1-888-677-2436
   cheminahaut@crt.la.gov
   Hours of Operation
   Site is open daily.
   6 am - 10 pm
   Entrance Station Hours:
   8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
   Admission/Entrance Fees
   $3 per person
   Free for seniors (62 & older)
   Free for children (3 & under)
   Discover incredible recreation opportunities at this northern State Park.
   Chemin-A-Haut is a park with a funny name and seriously fun recreational opportunities. The park takes its name from the French phrase meaning “high road,” which Native Americans once used on seasonal migrations through these north Louisiana woodlands. Families flock to Chemin-A-Haut for its many activities geared toward kids. Thirty-five picnic sites, equipped with grills and tables, welcome families looking to dine al fresco. Coursing through these picnic sites and nearby shelters is a hard-surfaced trail that rises to hills overlooking Bayou Bartholomew. Other trails include those designated for horseback riders, and two short paths that offer visitors a short round-trip trek to walk off dinner. The main attraction here is the bayou. Massive cypress trees crowd the waters flowing through them, making Bayou Bartholomew a photographer’s paradise. Anglers will find freshwater fish such as bream, redear sunfish and bluegill along the banks. After a day of fishing, photographing, hiking and biking, visitors are welcome to sleep in one of 15 cabins ranging from small-and-cozy to a single spacious group camp that accommodates up to 38 people. Primitive campsites are also available. Over in Monroe, visit the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge for more outdoor fun. Or, check out the Poverty Point World Heritage Site in Delhi, a collection of prehistoric Native American earthworks dating back over 3,000 years. Entrance fee: $3 per person; free for seniors age 62 and older, and children age 3 and younger.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Daywalkers.

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