Looking Back at January 1951

By: HEATHER
BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

This week, we take a look back at January 1951.
•Cazan Fontenot wrote area congressional leaders about the possibility of turning Chicot State Park into a military base. He was awaiting a response.
•Prof J.D. LaFleur was honored upon his retirement at a meeting of the Louisiana Teachers Retirement System. He had served on the board since 1936 and retired as chairman.
•The Ville Platte City Council scheduled a special meeting to discuss the paving of 900 feet of city streets in the area around the courthouse. This was done when the group could not agree during the regular monthly meeting, amidst concerns regarding the project. The project would be performed at a cost of $7,635, which would be paid for by the state highway department with no costs to the city.
•Sheriff A. Bruce Soileau was waiting for the FCC license for approval to use the two-way radio system purchased for the department. The Motorola radios, at a cost of $2,694, were received in November of 1950, however, they could not be used until the FCC license was approved. The department would house a radio room and three vehicles would be equipped with the portable sets.
•In an unsual case, William Clark filed suit against Gifford Hill and Company in the amount of $8,571, claiming he lost his fishing business due to the discharge of muddy water in Turkey Creek. The case was heard by Judge Ben Dawson in the western district court of Opelousas, and Clark was ultimately awarded $1,500 in the settlement.
•Sale items at G. Ardoin’s included family size bottle of Hadacol for $2.49, eight-pound pail of LouAna shortening for $2.98, five-pound bag of Irish red potatoes for 19 cents and picnic ham for 49 cents per pound. They also had deals on appliances, including an eight cubic feet Electrolux refrigerator with a cross-top freezer for $199.95.
•Movies showing in town included “Dial 1119,’ starring Marshall Thompson and Virginia Field, playing at the Jan Theatre; and “Border Treasure,” starring Tim Holt and Lenora “Jane” Nigh, playing at the Platte Theatre.
•Popular songs of January 1951 included “The Tennessee Waltz” by Patti Page, “If” by Perry Como, “Be My Love” by Mario Lanza, “Too Young” by Nat Kiing Cole, and “How High the Moon” by Les Paul and Mary Ford.