LIVING LIBRARY

  Growing up in the mid-thirties in Crowley was rough times. Lots of people had milk cows and they had to be fed. Us boys job was to stake her out every day with a chain. North of the city was all vacant and I dreaded going to get the cow because she would jerk the chain out of your hand and run for the feed trough. After that was done you had to get in the garden and work around the tomatoes and whatever else that needed work.
  We always found time for touch football games after work.
  How about the old Dave Lyons Fair Grounds. We would wade through Bayou Blanc to sneak in and see rodeos and boxing matches. Kid Clarence was one of the fighters at that time. It has been said that Jack Dempsey put on an exhibition fight here.
  I have relived many times the old movie theater. Dave Lyons was the honcho and would sit at the head of the stairs and take your ticket, which was 10 cents. We earned 50 cents caddying at the old Acadia Golf Club. With 50 cents in your pocket you could see a cowboy movie, a cartoon, and a continue feature and after the show go get a hamburger and still have a few cents left. What can you get for 50 cents today?
  How many remember the flagman at the railroad crossing? I would sit with Mr. Jim Walsh in his little shack and watch him flag the cars to stop with his little whistle and stop sign. What fun times we had.
  I will see you next month in "Through the Eyes of a Living Library," from what Bill Williams used to call me, "The Butcher."

Crowley Post Signal • 602 North Parkerson Avenue • Crowley, LA
Ph: 337-783-3450 • Fax: 337-788-0949