The Marksville Weekly News from Marksville, Louisiana • 8

Page 8, Section Thursday, March 21, 2013, THE MARKSVILLE EEKLY NEW Centerpoint Civil War veteran featured in 1949 "Life" magazine "'A A iif "'P ah IN 1V6rl ZJ At a recent lecture at LSU-A on the topic of Solomon Northup from the book "12 Years a Slave," shown on the front porch of the Epps House, from left, are: Scott Coco of Moreauville, Bonnie Mines of Centerpoint, director of LSU-A Libraries; Carlos Mayeux of Hamburg and Michelle Riggs, university archivist Avoyelles residents attend lecture on Solomon Northup at LSU-A who devoted much time and effort to document the story of Northup into publications, establishment of historic trails in Avoyelles and Rapides, exhibits, television productions and saving the Epps House. The interesting lecture was well attended followed by a reception and tours of the Epps House that was relocated from Bunkie to the LSU-A campus. Northup worked as a carpenter when the Epps House was being built. Among those noted in attendance from Avoyelles were: Carlos Mayeux of Hamburg, Randy Decuir of Marksville and Melba Simmons and Dot Smith, both of Bunkie. The Historical Association of Central Louisiana in conjunction with the Friends of the LSU-A Library recently co-sponsored a lecture at the Black Box Theater on the LSU-A campus as a presentation for the Elizabeth McLundie Bolton Series.

The subject of the lecture was More Than 12 Years a Slave: The Enduring Legacy of Solomon Northup." Northup was a free man of color living in New York who was kidnapped into slavery and worked in the Bunkie area before gaining his freedom after 12 years. Dr. Jerry Sanson, LSU-A professor, was presentor. He noted the research and work of the late Dr. Sue Eakin of Bunkie, of Ward One.

Stephen Dupuis had at least eight children in two marriages. Not long after the war, he was married to Catherine McNeal on 15 Nov. 1866 by M.LRyland, Justice of the Witnesses: Eugene C. Recoully, Harman Felsenthall, Laurant Dupuis. Hugh McNeal granted his permission for his daughter to marry.

The 1870 Census shows this family living between Timothy and Martha Nichols and John and Mary McCann, with one daughter, Emma Dupuis Nov. 1869. A second daughter, Mary Dupuis, was born about 1872. In 1873, Stephen married 2nd) Mary Ann Celina Nichols. They were married by M.

L. Ryland, Justice of the Peace. Witnesses: Laurant Dupuis, S. B. McCann and J.

L. Price. The 1880 Census shows this couple with four children at home. Mary and Emma were children from Stephen's first marriage, and Lafayette and Tildcn were children from this marriage. Living next door was John and Louise Scroggs.

Drausin and Laura Luneau were on the other side. The 1900 Census shows Stephen as a widower. It shows he had a total of six children and all were at home in Ward One. Children, all born at Centerpoint, Ward One, Avoyelles: 1. Lafayette 1875; 2.

Samuel Tildcn 1877; 3.DoraE.b: 1882; 4. Matha Marie Idomage 1886; 5. John Wickliffe 1889; and 6. Eunice I. Dupuis 1892.

Just a few months after his photo appeared in the national Life Magazine, Stephen died the 10th of July, 1949. His burial: Campbell-Ryland Family Cemetery, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Anyone who would like to submit a photo of a civil war veteran can do so by emailing newsavoyelles.com or stop by Avoyelles Publishing Company, 105 N. Main Street in Marksville with the photo and a biography on the individual pictured. Paragon Casino donates over $110,000 to local organizations Stephen Dupuis Stephen Dupuis of Centerpoint, Avoyelles was one of longest living Confederate veterans in the United States, and probably the last surviving veteran of the war who was a native of Avoyelles.

He was one of 38 Confederate and 30 Union Veterans still living, who were featured in the May 30, 1949 issue of Life Magazine. At the time he was 104 years old, living in Brownfield, Texas his name was spelled Dupree. According to his family, Steve would attend reunions of soldiers in New Orleans and stop by train in Morrow south of Bunkie, to visit relatives on his way back to Texas. There are four service records: Dupuy Stephens, roll of Benjamin's Co, LA Calvary Dupuy, Pvt. Co.

CreS. Regt. La. lnfty. En.

Oct. 8, 1862, Camp Pratt Roll for Nov. and Dec, 1862, Deserted Nov. 27. Dupuy, Stephen Pvt.

Co. Woods Regt. La. Cav. En.

Sept. 15, 1861, Memphis, Tenn. Present on roll to April 30, 1862. Dupuy, Stephen Pvt. Bondurant's Co.

15th Battn. (Harrison's) La. Cav. (This regiment was organized in the fall of 1863 by the addition of three independent companies to the 15th Cavalry Battalion. The regiment operated in iv- north Louisiana near the Mississippi River during the remainder of the war.) Stephen Henry Dupuis 1845-1949, farmer, Centerpoint, Ward One, was bom 9 March 1845 son of Laurent Dupuis, 1 and Marie Marcelline Fouquier business philosophy.

The objective is to provide financial and programmatic support to non-profit organizations to further enhance the quality of life in the community by focusing on the needs of Louisiana citizens. Local schools and organizations receiving donations include: Central LA 4-H FFA District Livestock Show, Rotary Club of Avoyelles, Marksville Chamber of Commerce, Ward One Community Foundation, Avoyellej High School, Plaucheville Elementary School, Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department, Fox Performing Arts Theater) Mansura Lions Club, Simmesport Volunteer Fire SL Mary's Assumption School and St. Anthony School. Louisiana non-profit organizations interested in learning more about the Paragon Casino Resort donation or sponsorship program should contact Mary Hooks, public relations managerial 800-946-1946, ext. 2035.

Officials from Paragon Casino Resort announced that over $1 lO.CXX) has been distributed to charitable organizations for community service projects in the first quarter of 2013. Over 40 non-profit organizations were the recipients of the allocation through the Paragon Casino Resort donation and sponsorship program. The Food Bank of Central Louisiana, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Acadiana, March of Dimes and many others received funds to support essential programs aiding Louisiana citizens. "The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and Paragon Casino Resort maintain a cooperative relationship with our local community," comments Peter Fordham, Paragon's General Manager. "Many local and regional not-for-profit organizations have requested and received assistance from the enterprise.

We look forward to growing these relationships for the benefit of the community." The donation program, designed to assist non-profit organizations, is a vital element in the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and Paragon Casino Resort A double dose of savings (y John Deere fm -ti-iim ii 'mss I isfc3if irfrv Si I A 5fY -1 I I rnim mSmmmm iwff 3h 0 For 60 months plus up to $1,500 cash off During Deere Season, take home the performance and comfort of a new John Deere 3E Series, or the power and utility of a 5D or SE Series and get financing PLUS up to $1 ,500 off with the purchase of two or more The photo above was taken during the Siege at Port Hudson in 1863. Over 100 soldiers from Avoyelles Parish were involved in the fight which lasted several weeks as the Union attempted to take control of the Mississippi River. Siege at Port Hudson to be reenacted for 150th anniversary March 23-24 John Deere or Frontier implements'. It's a double dose of savings during Deere Season. But hurry, offers end April 30, 2013.

So stop by or call today! a JohnOeere.comAg JlL EQUIPMENT 2551 HOSPITAL ROAD 625 NW MAIN STREET NEW ROADS, LA 70760 BUNKIE, LA 71 322 (225)638-4581 (318)346-7271 and its costs to the people of places like Avoyelles and other communities along waterways in Louisiana. This will be the 25th annual battle reenactmcnt at Port Hudson State Historic Site, Confederate and Federal units will be on site all weekend demonstrating everything from camplife to drills, skirmishes and Battles. Sutlers (merchants) will also be here to sell there wares to both reenactors and visitor alike. The reenactment is always held in March which provides better temperatures for actors and visitors. The actual siege of Port Hudson last from mid May to early July, 1863.

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The Siege last several weeks, as Confederate forces were surrounded by Union Troops, cut of from food and supplies. The Avoyelles men were part of the forces trying to prevent the Union from taking control of the Mississippi River. Port Hudson offered a high bluff overlooking a bend in the river, giving the Confederates a good vantage point to aim their cannons at enemy bdats in the river. One of the cannon units at Port Hudson 150 years ago was one called Boone's Battery, made up Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee men. The annual "Siege of Port Hudson Battle Reenactmcnt" will be held the weekend of March 23-24 from 9 a.m.

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