Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Friday of last week, Observations met with Robeline Mayor Gordon O’Con and Town Clerk Celeste O’Con and her husband, Wayne O’Con.  We met at their request to talk about the unsubstantiated charges that have been flying against the town administration by Council Member Rodney French and a 14-year critic of the Village’s operations, Terri Matthews.

We will have a detailed report in next week’s Observations about what we found.  Because of the July 4 holiday, there just wasn’t enough time this week to do it justice.

The Robeline Council met last Thursday night and unanimously approved the budget of $595,626.  French, who had said he would oppose the budget, voted in favor.

While we were at Village Hall, French passed by, saw vehicles parked outside the office and came in to see what was going on. 

He and Matthews have been saying they could not see the town records.  French made a Freedom of Information Act request for many records, and Ms. O’Con had all but two of the requested items printed and ready prior to the Council meeting last Thursday – over 200 pages of requested records, including bank statements.  She also included a letter in the materials that explained the delay of the final two items and promised to supply those as quickly as possible to him.  At the meeting time, Ms. O’Con said she told French the FOA request items were ready and let him know the cost would be $103 [the normal FOA rate of 0.50 per copy.]  But he did not pick the records up. 

While French was at the Municipal Office Friday morning when we visited, Ms. O’Con asked him in front of us if there were any records he wanted to see and if so, she offered to pull them up on the computer while he [and we] were there.  He did not respond.  As their interaction continued and we waited, Ms. O’Con again told French his records were ready and she gathered up the large sheath of papers to give him, but he did not take them from her.  He left again not picking up the FOA items he had requested, and she had copied for him.  Mind you, for several weeks he has said the Village would not let him see the records.  Now, they are ready and waiting, and he won’t pick them up.

French did tell the group that his alliance with Matthews was over, indicating that he had been misled.

Terri last week and this week burned up her Facebook page with detrimental remarks about the Village of Robeline and the O’Con family, going back to the late Tommy O’Con, who served a long time as Mayor.

In one of her Facebook posts, she stated:  “The past is over and I may never get the over $120,000 out of pocket, lost business or my reputation back this Village of Robeline has cost me.  I will have no problem meeting my maker and he gives me the desires to do what I do…six arrests in a little over a year with not one conviction because I spoke out against Corrupt Village 13 years ago…  [I] was put under a secret FISA warrant and surveillance on all my movements with no proof…put in a mental ward more than once against my will…walk my shoes before you judge me….”

We’ll have a full report next week concerning our visit.

Robeline had some fireworks July 4, and it was all unplanned.  Terri Matthews, who has been a long-time critic of the operations of Robeline Village government, was on it again.  In the past, she has not provided facts to back up her charges.  But that’s another story.

This time she was cavorting around topless.  That’s right, topless, and someone captured it on video.

Here’s what happened Tuesday morning, according to a report published on Facebook by Matthews’ daughter, Kathy Marie Bawden.

Ms. Bawden writes:  “This is the town NUTT JOB, [laugh out loud.]  Her air conditioning quit yesterday and instead of coming to me like an adult and asking for something that she needs, this is how she acts.  She wants to be the center of attention so bad.  Well, here you are, Terri Matthews, the fine Robeline citizen that you are.  You can be the center of attention and get your 15 minutes.”

According to earlier reports, Ms. Matthews once climbed up on top of her motor home early one morning naked and played her flute.

Her daughter continues, “The naked on the roof stunt is nothing compared to how she acted in front of her grandchild.  She has been obsessed with Robeline and the O’Cons going on 14 years now.  She needs help, so if anyone knows of a psychiatrist or know someone that might be able to help her, please leave in the comments section what you suggest.  My brother [Dillon Matthews] and I are both willing to have her committed.”

Continuing, she writes, “She screamed all night last night about my blonde hair.  So, guess it bothered her so bad she decided to come in my room this morning and pull my hair out while I was minding my own business and hanging a picture.  My room was a disaster when I moved in here [recently], and I painted and worked my butt off [on it.]  And guess what?  Now that I’m almost done, she wants my room now.  She is about to get what she wants because me and Dillon are leaving, and she will be alone with her obsession with Robeline and her obvious alcohol problem.  She kicked me and Dillon out this morning because her air conditioning went out.”

We have known Ms. Matthews for several years and feel sorry for her.  We hope she will get the help she needs.

Congratulations to Bruce and Carolyn Gandy on his sale of Vandegaer Insurance last Friday.  The new owner is Sabine Insurance Co., owned by Sabine State Bank and Trust Co.

Bruce started working there in 1982 and took over as manager when Garland Anthony retired two years later.  In 1988, he purchased the business.

We wish him and Carolyn much happiness in his retirement.  Carolyn retired some years ago as a schoolteacher.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announced the arrest of Donnie Ray Downs, age 56, of Florien on Friday afternoon, June 23.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) had been investigating the illegal narcotic sales activity of Downs for the last few months. TNT Agent B. Jones was able to obtain an arrest warrant for Downs and a search warrant for Downs’ home and property at 426 Ash Pond Rd. off Plainview Rd. in Florien.

TNT Agents located and seized methamphetamine, marijuana, digital measuring scales, a grinder, and three firearms during the search.

Down’s three young children were also in the home at the time and have been exposed to his recent illegal drug activity. Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services was notified and came to the scene to investigate. The three children were given a safe place to stay with family members and friends.

Downs was arrested and booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for Possession of schedule I (Marijuana), Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth), Possession of drug paraphernalia, three counts of Possession of firearm in presence of CDS, three counts of Illegal use of CDS in presence of persons under age 17, Warrant for three counts of Distribution of schedule II (Meth), and Warrant for three counts of Illegal use of CDS in presence of persons under age 17.

As of press deadline, bond had not yet been set by the 11th Judicial District Court.

(Special thanks to Det. D. W. Seegers for the above information.)

The summer heat didn’t discourage some enthusiastic children who are participating in the Summer Reading Program at the Sabine Parish Library.

It all began when 21 children, ages 8 to 12 years, heard the story of “The Incredible Life of Balto” by Meghan McCarthy. Robbin Jordan, who is the children’s librarian and plans the popular summer reading programs for children at the library, read the story to them.

This true-life story was about Balto, a Siberian Husky dog, who became famous for leading a dogsled team through a blizzard in 1925 to deliver diphtheria serum to Nome, AK during a diphtheria epidemic. Balto, who once had been deemed unfit to be a sled dog, became the symbol of loyalty, courage, bravery, and teamwork. Sadly, Balto’s future life did not go so well. Years later, poor Balto was part of a traveling side show where he was badly abused.

When the public found out, school children and adults worked together to purchase him from the sideshow. They then found him a new home at the zoo in Cleveland, OH, and Balto lived happily ever after until he died in 1933. After hearing Balto’s story, the children at the Sabine Parish library wanted to do something to help animals in need.

The group of children of children decided to work together to support the animals at the Sabine Animal Shelter. Together, 21 children made more than 20 fleece blankets for the dogs that are housed at the shelter.

The children, with Mrs. Jordan and some dedicated mothers, traveled to the animal shelter on June 8. They delivered the carefully made blankets and were welcomed by Shelter Manager Lisa Butler and her staff.

Although the shelter dogs wouldn’t need the blankets in the summer heat, Mrs. Butler assured the children that they would be greatly appreciated later this year.

The happy children visited the large kennel area to say “hello” to the dogs and even give them some treats and lots of affectionate petting.

(Special thanks to Mary Brocato for the above report.)

After the renaming of Fort Polk to Fort Johnson recently, Observations received this note from local historian Rickey Robertson of Florien:

“We have always had a proud history here at Peason and Peason Ridge [of] hard-working mill workers and hard-working subsistence farmers. After the 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers, the army took the lands and Peason Ridge Artillery and Training Range was formed. The families who lived on Peason Ridge had begun settling there as early as 1818. Our history was almost lost until 2007 when General Daniel Bolger found out the history of the heritage Families of Peason Ridge and Camp Polk. The Heritage program was [developed and] working well. So many old home places were found, pictures found, and artifacts discovered. They gave up their lands for CAMP POLK/FORT POLK, not for Fort Johnson. Now to further destroy our heritage, if you visit https://home.army.mil/…/my-Fort…/fort-johnson-hunting, you will now find it is not Peason Ridge Wildlife Area anymore. It has been renamed Fort Johnson North. The woke generation is destroying our history and heritage. It saddens me greatly to know what has now happened to my ancestors’ old places.  I wonder just what type of American will destroy a heritage, history, and way of life.”

Further, Rickey Robertson shared with Observations that many names were submitted to the “Naming Committee” in Washington DC when it was decided Fort Polk would be renamed. He personally submitted the name of Sgt. Abraham “Abe” Lincoln Allen, a local WWI hero from Leesville. He reports that Sgt. Allen’s name did not receive any consideration at all from the committee.

An article about the life and service of Sgt. Abe Allen follows.

SGT. ABE ALLEN, WORLD WAR I HERO

by

RICKEY ROBERTSON

It is hard to believe but as of June 28, 2023, it has been 109 years since World War I began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand who was the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Little did people know at the time, but this assassination would spark a bloody, four-year war that involved nearly every nation in the world. The United States, however, did not enter the war until 1917. When the United States did enter the war, the army was filled quickly with draftees who began training to go and fight on the battlefields of Europe. My grandfather and many of my readers’ family members entered the U.S. Army to fight in this horrible war in Europe.

When the American Expeditionary Force, commanded by General John J. “Blackjack” Pershing arrived in France, they immediately entered the fight against the Germans. One unit that arrived was the 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One” due to the shoulder insignia that they wore on their uniforms.  Assigned to Company B 28th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Division was a young corporal from Louisiana named Abraham “Abe” Lincoln Allen.  Abe Allen, as he was known, had been born in Nona, TX but had lived most of his life in and around Walnut Hill and Leesville in Vernon Parish. He had enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 16, 1917, at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans.

In the early spring of 1918, the German Army made an almost overwhelming attack toward Paris, France. If the Germans could have captured the French capital, they could have possibly knocked France completely from the war and could then have possibly signed treaties with the other nations so that they could hold onto all the territories they had captured. So, the Germans thought victory was in their grasp. But they underestimated the fighting American troops blocking their route.  Abe Allen and his buddies were about to be in a fight for their lives.

As the German Army neared Cantigny, they came face to face with the American 1st Infantry Division. The Germans unleashed a heavy and horrific artillery barrage against the whole American line of fortifications. Sgt. Allen’s position received a heavy bombardment on it, with Sgt. Allen being severely wounded by shrapnel. Two of Sgt. Allen’s comrades were wounded and buried alive when the position collapsed upon them. Despite his own severe wounds, Sgt. Allen dug his wounded comrades out with his bare hands. Once he had dug his comrades out and saw they were severely wounded also, he carried his two comrades through another bombardment of artillery shells and heavy machine gun fire to safety. Only after getting his friends medical attention did Sgt. Allen let medical personnel treat his wounds. And his American comrades also held the line against the German onslaught. By this assault toward Paris being stopped by the American, British, and French armies, the Germans shortly surrendered.

Due to his heroism in battle, Corporal Allen was promoted to Sergeant, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Medal. He also was awarded a Silver Star to be affixed to the World War I Victory Medal presented to him. He was also further honored. General John J. Pershing at the end World War I looked over all the heroic actions performed by American servicemen during the war. A total of 100 heroes were honored by General Pershing. These heroes became known as General John Pershing’s “One Hundred Heroes.”  And due to his heroic actions, Sgt. Abe L. Allen was the only soldier from Louisiana in World War I to be honored as one of Pershing’s “One Hundred Heroes.”

After the war, Abe Allen returned to Leesville where he and his wife Hazel resided. Abe became a Louisiana State Trooper and worked in the Vernon Parish area. But his war wounds always affected him and sadly on February 1, 1941, the World War I hero passed away due to heart disease and complications of his war wounds which included being gassed by poison.

Traveling north on U.S. Hwy 171 at Leesville, near the Leesville Cemetery, there is a historical marker right by the roadway. The historical marker honors Sgt. Abe L. Allen. Those who pull over and get out and read this historical marker will notice a concrete walkway named the “Abe Allen Walkway.”  Following this path into the cemetery takes a visitor straight to the burial site of Abe Allen, his wife and daughter. This hero’s grave is marked with a U.S. Veteran foot marker along with a tall American Legion monument that was dedicated in the bi-centennial year of 1976. Here lies a true local hero of a war long forgotten by so many.  Honor this hero by stopping and visiting his grave site and paying respect to him for his heroic actions so many years ago.

Sadly, all the World War I veterans from all the countries involved in the “Great War” have passed away. The last American World War I “Doughboy” was Frank Buckles who passed away at the age of 110 years of age in February 2011. He was a corporal and drove an ambulance in France during the war, and then during WWII as a ship captain, he was captured by the Japanese in the Philippine Islands and was a POW for over 3 years.  

The men who served in World War I came marching back home to their homes and families and helped build America into the great nation it is. Over four million men served in the American armed forces during the 19 months America was in World War I. And to give insight into the horror of the war, over 116,000 Americans were killed in action and 204,000 were wounded and crippled for life. But all the boys who came marching home have now joined ranks again and are marching down the golden streets of Heaven with their comrades. Let us never forget the men who fought in the “war to end all wars” and the sacrifice that was made by them. And always remember the song that the American doughboys heard as they marched in victory parades throughout the United States.

When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah, Hurrah,

We’ll give him a hearty welcome then, Hurrah, Hurrah;

The men will cheer, the boys will shout,

The ladies, they will all turn out,

And we’ll all feel gay,

When Johnny comes marching home.

(Special thanks to Rickey Robertson for sharing the above history of Sgt. Allen.)

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