Noble, Sabine Parish, Louisiana

Noble is a progressive little town on the Kansas City Southern railroad seventeen miles north of Many, between Bayou San Patricio and Bayou San Miguel. It is surrounded by a fertile farming country of the sandy and alluvial soils which are especially adapted to trucking as well as the production of the staple crops.

A goodly number of thrifty farmers have homes there and among them some of the best citizens of the parish. The settlement of this section dates back to the '30s, but among the oldest of the English-speaking pioneers were the following: C. P. and Robert McDonald, Andrew Aaron, H. Litton, R. A. Rembert, Rev. J. B. Moore, Alfred Lout, John Jacobs (who lived at Brown's Bluff), The main road through that section ran from Grand Ecore via Pleasant Hill to Myrick's Perry, on Sabine River. San Patricio was the first post office in this section and Rev. J. B. Moore organized the church (Baptist) there. The country was a wilderness, broken by a few farms, until the early '80s, when settlers began to come in, several hailing from DeSoto parish. At that time there were no schools, Rev. J. M. Franklin, a Methodist preacher, held services once a month, and preachers of other denominations, occasionally, at a place known as the Four Dogwoods, on the road running from L. Riddick's Store to Pleasant Hill. The meetings were held under a brush arbor. The four dogwoods were noted as a great deer stand. Hunters would go into the immense wildwoods between Bayous San Patricio and San Miguel with their dogs and would drive out the deer which would run across the ridge where stood four good sized dogwood trees.

Many of the settler here during the '80s purchased their lands from W. H. Jack, and secured a deed to land on which to build a church, and a small box house was constructed in which both the Baptist and Methodist denominations worshipped for several years. Talk of a railroad building through the country was first started in 1888, and created intense excitement. Some of the old citizens who had never seen a railway argued that it would be impossible to build such a road through the forests and hills of that locality. The early school was at Hicks' Camp, among the first teachers being B. Godfrey and A. Hubier.

The town of Noble was started in 1896, when the K. C. S. railroad was completed through the parish, and the people who thought the building of the road an impossibility have found it a great blessing. The timber industry has been developed by the Trigg and the Frost-Johnson Lumber companies, and Noble has developed into a thrifty little town, with a progressive, hospitable citizenship, and when more good farmers come there to help work the idle lands it will be one of the wealthiest sections of Sabine parish.

The town was chartered in March, 1905, when J. P. Youngblood was mayor. He was succeeded by John Trigg who served until 1907, when A, Dean was elected, In 1909 W. C. Lay was mayor and in 1911 C. C. Sulhivan, the present incumbent, was elected to the position. The following citizens have served as councilmen: O. A. Robinett, W. C. Lay, A. A. Rodgers, J. B. Bicklay, J. T, Ballard, A. bean, J. H. Adger, W. W. Wynne and F. McWilliams. The following have served as marshal: Joe Barkman, Bailey Lout, Gene Barr, Walter Forest, J. C Sullivan, I G. Brown, J. W. Robinette and F. M. Jacobs. C. W. Batton is the occupant of that position at this time.

The first postmaster was Newton Lewis, but the office was discontinued and was not re-established until 1899 when W. W. Wynne was appointed. Mr. Wynne came from Mansfield and bought twenty-two acres of land on which a large portion of the town is located and divided it into town lots. He still occupies the position of postmaster and has always taken an active interest in the development of the town.

The R. L. Trigg Lumber Co., began the erection of a mill here in 1899. The interests of this company were subsequently transferred to the Noble Lumber Co., who in turn sold to the Frost-Johnson Lumber Co. The latter company now operates a well equipped mill with a daily sawing capacity of 75,000 feet of lumber, and a planer with ample capacity to handle the output of the mill. The company also maintains a large general store which has a good patronage from the people of surrounding country as well as its employees. The efficient directors of the company's business are S. H. Adger, mill superintendent; W. L. Tomling, planer foreman, W. C, Lay, mill foreman; C. C. Hattaway, commissary manager; E. D. Trigg, bookkeeper.

The Bank of Noble was organized October 6, 1909, with a capital of $10,000. The officers and directors were as follows: Dr. S. E. Prince, president J. E. Graham, vice president; E. D. Trig, cashier; W. H. Vandegaer, Frank Hunter, J. G. Long, S. M. Lord, John R. Parrott, Perry Castle, Dr. T. J. Tribble, A. J. Burkett and G. R. Aaron. Several months after the organization of the bank Mr. Trigg resigned and J. G. Long served as cashier until 1912, when D. B. Wardlow assumed the position. This bank' is one of the most prosperous financial institutions in the parish. It has paid in dividends 50 per cent of the amount of its capital stock and has surplus and undivided profits amounting to $3,500. The officers are courteous gentlemen who have great faith in the future of that section and are always ready to lend encouragement to worthy enterprises and their patrons and friends.

J. E. Graham conducts a large mercantile business here, and has been identified with the business life of Noble nearly from its beginning. He has always taken a vital interest in the industrial progress of that section, and made special efforts to encourage truck farming. He has handled the farmers' Irish potato crop for several years, 36 cars being shipped from Noble in a single season. He is a courteous merchant and good citizen. Bell & Payne are prosperous merchants here, The firm is composed of Leo Bell and R. V. Payne who have been in business four years, succeeding R. P. Bell (father of Leo) who opened the first mercantile house in Noble. Both are young men of splendid business ability, carry an immense stock of goods and enjoy a fine trade.

S. L. Bison is another young merchant of Noble, beginning business here in 1906. His parents were Joe and Mary Bison, old settlers of this section. He is courteous to his customers, and while his stock is not large, he has a good patronage.

Other mercantile establishments are conducted by E, E. Latham and Mc Williams & Malloy. Bell Bros, are the accommodating proprietors of the livery barn. The cotton gin is owned by Pugh & Lord, and the fact that 1500 bales of cotton has come to Noble in a season is sufficient evidence that they do good business. They also have a mill for grinding corn meal.

J. A. Raimond is the efficient justice of the peace and a notary here. He is also proprietor of the Raimond Hotel, which caters to the needs of the traveling public, and is also the owner of an up-to-date barber shop. Mr. Raimond was born and reared in this community, his father being W. J. Raimond, an old settler. He spent his life on a farm. He also served several years as deputy sheriff. He is a progressive citizen and is a booster for the Noble community all the time.

F. M. Jacobs, proprietor of the Jacobs Hotel, was born and reared in this section of the parish. His father, John Jacobs, was a well-known pioneer, and his wife was Miss Aaron, daughter of A. J. Aaron, who was also an old settler. Besides the hotel business, he owns a good farm on San Miguel.

Noble has a splendid graded school, Prof. G. A. Odom, an educator of splendid ability, being the present principal. The progressive people have provided a large building which is located in one of the prettiest sections of the town. A splendid corps of teachers have charge of the school and students are assured the best instruction that it is possible to give.

The Masonic Lodge at Noble was organized in 1907. The following have served as Worshipful Masters: James R. Robinett, A Dean, Dr. S. E. Prince and Charles Robinett, C. C. Hathaway is the present master.

Elm Camp No. 112, Woodmen of the World, is also a prosperous fraternal society here. The Baptist and Methodist denominations have houses of worship at Noble. Rev. J, C. Rousseaux is pastor of the Methodist church, while Rev. J, G. Mason is pastor of the Baptist congregation.

A favorite resort of this section is the well of hot salt water just west of town. This well was developed by the Long-Bell Lumber Co while prospecting for oil. A bath house has been provided at the well and many visitors go there, as the water is reputed to possess splendid medicinal value.

Some of the prominent farmers of the Noble community:

Sabine Parish | AHGP Louisiana

Source: History of Sabine Parish, Louisiana, by John G. Belisle, Sabine Banner Press, 1913.