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A bicycle craze swept America in the late 1890s, and south Louisiana was just as crazy as the rest of the nation. As a matter of fact, the craze put the town of Jennings in the spotlight, at least for a little while.
The bicycles didn’t look like the ones we ride today. They had a huge front wheel and a little wheel in back and hard rubber tires
According to an old article from the Jennings newspaper, “High wheel bicycle riding was one of the thrilling sports of the era. … A July Fourth celebration was not complete without bicycle racing along with foot races, sack races, and other forms of amusement.”
Indeed, a schedule for the Independence Day celebration in Lake Charles in 1896 featured the usual baseball game, a slippery pole climb, a cake-eating contest and “slow mule race,” but also no fewer than 10 bicycle races, including a one-mile event “for the championship of Southwest Louisiana.”
I don’t find any report of who won that race, but it might well have been Howard L. Cary, the son of S. L. Cary, one of the pioneers of Jennings and a tireless promoter of southwest Louisiana. Howard was one of the best racers in the nation.
He was identified as a “Railroad Mail Clerk through Jennings,” which I think meant he was one of the guys who sorted letters in the mail car as trains ran across the prairie. According to the article, he was more than six feet tall and rode a bicycle with a 56-inch front wheel, “which was among the largest in the state.”
A bigger wheel apparently allowed a higher speed, but it also made it more difficult to get on to the bike in the first place.
Cary held the state speed record for bicycles, setting the mark in a race with Dr. George H. Tichenor — possibly the inventor of “good ole Dr. Tichenor’s, best antiseptic in town,” (according to the old radio jingle), but more likely the inventor’s son, George Jr.
Other bicyclists were more interested in endurance contests than speed.
The old clipping says an old hotel register in Jennings shows that F.E. Vanderbake of New York City was an overnight guest, passing through Jennings “on a wager to travel from New Orleans to San Francisco in one hundred days on a bicycle.” I don’t know whether he won or lost the bet, but several other items in Jennings newspapers of the time reflect the popularity of the bicycle.
The first is a 1904 ad in the Daily Times for the Jennings Bicycle and Plumbing Co., which did light repairs on typewriters and sewing machines and similar gadgets, but that told readers in big type, “Plumbing & Bicycle Work a Specialty.” The second is a front-page story several years later headlined, “No More Bicycle Riding on Sidewalks.” The Town Council said sidewalks were for pedestrians and that bikes belonged in the streets. A later article seemed to indicate that nobody paid much attention to the new law.
Scientific American magazine commented on the craze in its edition of June 20, 1896, noting that by then the “bicycle built for two” had become popular, and that racing bikes for four or even six men were being tried.
That was about the time that the first “cushion” (air-filled) tires were introduced. They were built like a garden hose and were glued to the rim of the wheel. Pneumatic tires as we know them didn’t come along for another few years. Their invention and other gadgets increased the popularity of the bicycle and, according to the article, turned a bike into “something more than mere toy but a real help in both business and pleasure.”
But that may have depended on what business you were in. An article in the St. Landry Clarion in 1895 complained that the craze had created a “disaster” for horse traders and livery stables.
The craze, the newspaper said, “strikes at horses of the better quality … carriage horses. Livery stables … especially in the smaller communities, are now feeling the sinister effects. … In country hotels … where in previous summers it was the custom of the guests to go driving … there has been very little demand for carriages, as bicycles have furnished [a] substitute.”
The liverymen and traders had not yet seen the worst of it. The bicycle’s popularity eventually led to the invention of “all sorts of attachments,” including a small motor, Scientific American reported. That met with such success that some guys decided to make a four-wheeled machine that was also powered by a gasoline engine.
It wasn’t long before the automobile brought on a new craze that threatened not only horses and carriages, but bicycles, too.
A collection of Jim Bradshaw’s columns, "Cajuns and Other Characters," is now available from Pelican Publishing. You can contact him at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following was submitted by out-going Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Queen Emma Thomas. She will crown her successor during the festival’s coronation at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door.

For 82 years, the Shrimp and Petroleum festival has transpired. For 20 of those years, I have enjoyed its traditions and celebrated our beloved Labor Day weekend with my family and friends.
Although, it only took one year to open my eyes and completely fall in love — I fell in love with Louisiana’s people, rich culture, and most importantly, its festivals. This past year, I have traveled over 5,000 miles and had the overwhelming chance to represent the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Washington, D.C.
I feasted on the sweetest strawberries in Ponchatoula and threshed rice in Crowley. I rode down the Lutcher levee in my handcrafted “Spirit of Morgan City” boat and participated in the crawfish races in Breaux Bridge. I’ve experienced Louisiana in all its glory, tasted the greatest Cajun cuisines, and learned about our state’s rich history and culture.
I am forever grateful for this opportunity, and if I had to sum up my entire year in a few words, they would be that this experience has been a journey I never knew I needed. I would like to thank everyone who made my year one I’ll never forget. I’d like to especially thank the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival board and all those who tirelessly devote their time to putting on our amazing festival!
I’d also like to thank my family and friends for loving me through all the highs and lows of queendom. King Jimmy Skiles and I are extremely appreciative of the support we have received from the Tri-City area this year. My reign has been a blessing and has immensely enriched my life.

All my love and shrimply yours,
Queen Emma Thomas

A 40-year-old Morgan City man was charged with domestic abuse battery on his wife during an incident that occurred in the presence of two children, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Roderick Voisin, 40, of Front Street in Morgan City, was arrested at midnight Thursday on a charge of domestic abuse battery-child endangerment law.

Officers responded to a home on Front Street in regard to a domestic disturbance. Officers arrived and located the victim. The victim stated that she and her husband, Voisin, had gotten into a verbal altercation that later turned physical, Blair said.

Officers collected evidence that was consistent with the victim’s statements. Also, there were two children inside the home, Blair said. Officers located Voisin in one of the bedroom closets and arrested him, Blair said. Voisin was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 46 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Torrey A. Barthell, 26, of Jacksonville, Florida, was arrested at 3:27 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of DWI first offense.

Officers responded to the area of La. 182 and Pecos Street in regard to a single-vehicle crash. When officers arrived, they located the driver, Barthell, who stated that he hit a curb while heading east on La. 182, Blair said.

The officer could smell an odor of alcohol emitting from Barthell’s breath, Blair said. Barthell performed poorly on a field sobriety test and registered 0.172 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test. Barthell was jailed.

—Damian S. Brown, 35, of Fortins Street in Berwick, was arrested at 8 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with stalking.

Brown was placed under arrest at the police department for an active warrant he held for the department. The warrant stems from an incident in September 2017 when Brown allegedly repeatedly followed and harassed an individual. Brown was jailed.

—Antoine O. Randle, 33, of Wren Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:02 p.m. Wednesday on warrants charging him with three counts of contempt of court and two counts of failure to pay fines.

Randle was located on Railroad Avenue and arrested on city court warrants. Randle was jailed.

—Rosella Franklin, 29, of Park Road in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:23 a.m. Thursday on a warrant charging her with failure to pay fines. Franklin was located on Front Street and arrested on a city court warrant. Franklin was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported that deputies responded to 31 complaints in the parish and the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Johnny Carr Jr., 35, of North Ridge Road in Caledonia, Mississippi, was arrested at 6:09 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and possessing synthetic urine purpose of falsifying screen test.

Detectives of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Section received a complaint of a person using drugs at a business in the Amelia area. The detectives set up surveillance in the area and observed a person fitting the description in a vehicle outside the business, Anslum said.

Detectives made contact with the person in the vehicle, who was identified at Carr. Carr granted permission for detectives to search, and they found drugs and drug paraphernalia, the sheriff said. Carr was jailed with no bail set.

—Hank Darby, 36, of South Iberia Street in New Iberia, was arrested at 3:43 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of theft and on a warrant charging him with probation violation.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista was dispatched to a business for a theft complaint. The deputy made contact with store personnel who were speaking with Darby. The store employee said he watched Darby take items from the store, Anslum said.

Darby admitted to taking the items. The deputy learned that there was an active warrant for Darby. Darby was jailed with no bail set.

—Jude Resignola, 33, of John Street in Monroe, was arrested at 3:38 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of Suboxen, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of amoxicillin without a prescription.

A detective of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division received information concerning illegal narcotics use at a business in the Morgan City area.

Detectives made contact at the business with a female and Resignola. The deputies found drugs and drug paraphernalia. Resignola claimed possession of all illegal items found, Anslum said. Resignola was jailed with no bail set.

—Frankie Clark, 34, of Friendship Alley in Amelia, was arrested at 4:16 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of controlled dangerous substance in a drug-free zone-church, a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of criminal neglect of family, a warrant charging him with possession of marijuana, possession of tramadol, prohibited acts/drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and possession of firearm in presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Detectives of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Section were patrolling the area of Friendship Alley in Amelia when they observed Clark pull into a home on Friendship Alley.

Detectives made contact with Clark due to active warrants for his arrest. Through the investigation, detectives found drugs and drug paraphernalia on Clark. Clark was jailed with no bail set.

—Deonte Harris, 20, of West Side Trailer Park in Amelia, was arrested at 4:16 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of marijuana and on a warrant charging him with possession of marijuana.

Detectives of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Section were patrolling the area of Friendship Alley in Amelia when they observed a wanted person driving a vehicle down the alley.

Upon observing the detectives, the suspect sped off and quickly pulled into a driveway, Anslum said. Detectives made contact with the driver and placed him under arrest on the warrants.

While dealing with the suspect, detectives observed Harris sitting on the steps of the home. Detectives knew of an active warrant for Harris’ arrest through the Morgan City Police Department. Detectives arrested Harris and found drugs on him, Anslum said. Harris was jailed with bail set at $925.

—Christopher Singleton, 33, of Friendship Alley in Amelia, was arrested at 4:32 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of speeding and on a warrant for failure to appear on a charge of operating a vehicle without a driver’s license and operating a vehicle with an expired license plate.

Detectives of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Section were dealing with the arrests of two individuals on Friendship Alley in Amelia. While doing so, detectives observed Singleton riding a bicycle down Friendship Alley past the detectives. Detectives were aware of active warrants for Singleton’s arrest.

Detectives made contact with Singleton and placed him under arrest for said warrants. Singleton was jailed with no bail set.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.