In its very first issue of 1959 (January 1st) The Bossier Banner published a glowing article about Plain Dealing.
“Plain Dealing, the simplest name for Golden Rule, passed on from Gilmer’s plantation to the incorporated village in 1888, has continuously been the guiding motto in the minds of her citizenry since that day.”
“Today, January 1, 1959, we see that same municipality, a fast growing town, featuring that principle in the greatest trade expansion in its history. There seems to be a real upsurge in the enthusiasm of all of our business firms and with it a real appreciation for the growing sentiment among our people that home trading is by far better especially when we have all commodities easily available and at prices that are certainly not excelled for savings.”
“By way of diverging, it seems that just the wear and tear from Benton north, by far over balances any savings that could be found on the ordinary household buyings. In this matter we checked with the best prices offered in Shreveport metropolitan area and the balance seemed to fall in favor of Plain Dealing.”
“It isn’t a case of people being strange. They, like all of us, like to be appreciated and that is just what adherence to the Golden Rule implies.”
“In talking to one of our hustling young businessmen recently, he said ‘Mr. Phillips we really appreciate the new business we are receiving and we do our best to make them know it. We just like new friends, too.’”
“We predict that this new year will be the greatest in Plain Dealing history in which event we all should be most grateful and in humility offer our thanks to a beneficent Providence.”
Later, in the final January issue of 1959 (January 29th) another article announced that a Plain Dealing expansion was being studied.
“With no definite commitments yet being made there is, nevertheless, a growing sentiment in favor of a considerable expansion of Plain Dealing’s territorial limits. Many property owners outside of the present rather restricted boundaries are asking that they be included in the town’s limits. A large number of these have expressed in petition form this request. However, this petition is not in the hands of the town officials and even when it is, there will be nothing mandatory about it. It can be said however that the town fathers will do their best to follow the wishes of the people, both in and out of town.”
“The present outside growth is contained in about a one-half mile radius of the present one and a quarter mile square dimensions and the addition of this area would over double the present area and increase the population by about fifth percent or assure the town of about 2, 300 population.”
“Tangible results would be the addition of several thousand dollars of state funds and about ½ million dollars in property valuation.”
“This could mean the retiring of the proposed drainage bonds in about ten or twelve years instead of the predicated twenty years.”
“All these considerations should swing the pendulum toward an early decision to make the forward step.”
Ann Middleton is Director of the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center. She can be reached at (318) 746-7717 or by e-mail at
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