John Richard Griffin, extraordinary, special, intelligent, respectful, thoughtful, grateful, modest, determined, devoted, courageous, strong-willed, eternally optimistic – that’s how anyone who knew Richard would describe him.
The family often joked that going anywhere with “Pa” would take ‘ forever because he would stop and talk to everyone he saw. But that was part of Harry’s charm. A noted and gifted writer, Mr. Addison authored three great books, Write that Down for Me Daddy, RFD 3, and Mama Was a Con Man, Papa Was a Christian. He also spent many years traveling the south as a guest speaker. Hearing Harry speak was a treat; his humor and wit will go unmatched.
A letter from Lieutenant Clinton J. Greene, Chaplain with the American Expeditionary Forces in France, to Mr. Elbert Hill, of Archibald, telling how hi. brother, Private Matt Hill, gave his life for his country. Young Hill had made his home with his brother in this parish for the past five year and was universally loved just for the same virtues he displayed at the time of his great sacrifice.
This young Richland Parish patriot was killed in action in the Beaumont sector in France, being wounded on March 22nd, 1918, by German shell, and died in hospital on March 24th. 1918. His remains found temporary burial in the Sebastopol Barracks cemetery in France, and were returned to his native soil the other day to find final renting place in the great military cemetery which overlooks the Potomac across the river from Washing ton, D.C.
John L Brice, of Co. M. 163rd U. S. Infantry, was killed in action July 24, 1918. The young man enlisted from Bienville parish in 1916, going overseas on June 2nd, 1916, from Camp Beauregard. He also saw service on the border of Mexico.
From the Library of Congress, this map shows roads to Memphis, along with rail lines and transportation routes during the Civil War. To download the full map of Arkansas and Louisiana, visit… Read More
“All the front line soldiers live in bunkers, as you know, and these bunkers require periodic repairs because of the damage caused by heavy rains and the consequent soil erosion. John was working on the improvement of this bunker when enemy morter fire began falling on his company’s position. An enemy shell exploded very close to the bunker on which John was working, and he was killed instantly.” Mr. and Mrs. Livingston have received information that the body of their son is expected to be returned home about the middle of October.
What began as basic research into the name of a little known community in Richland Parish, Louisiana, led to the discovery of a man whose life story demonstrated great success; but ended shockingly different than I might ever have imagined. It is a story of much more than a place name, and one that I hope will now be around for a long time.
