Sons of Darkness, Sons of Light

“Night for the Museum Sons of Darkness, Sons of Light” with Marilyn Miller

“Night for the Museum Sons of Darkness, Sons of Light” with Marilyn Miller
The August 11th, 2008 “Night for the Museum” was a night to remember. Dorcheat Museum’s director; Schelley Brown stated, “We have never had a crowd this large before. People started to arrive at Christopher’s around 5:00 P.M. for the 6:00 P.M. historic venue event. These events just keep growing. In fact we have really outgrown Christopher’s. I am telling people to bring lawn chairs because of the limited number of chairs that we do have. It is great that people have made this monthly event a must do! We now have people traveling a great distance to come to Minden once a month to hear our speakers. Last night we had guest that had traveled from Alabama and Puerto Rico just to hear our speaker.”
Marilyn Miller one of Minden’s longtime citizens was the guest speaker at The Dorcheat Historical Association’s “Night for the Museum”. The large crowd was totally silent as Ms. Miller described in detail what took place almost 100 years ago. Ms. Miller shared historical aspects of her book, as well as her views on the social and political implications of the 92-year-old murders.
The story begins Christmas Day, 1916, John Nelson Reeves, his wife, Maud, and three of their four children were axed to death as they lay peacefully sleeping in their rural Webster Parish home. The gruesome slayings of the Grove, LA family members, and the next four years of trials and appeals of the accused killers, is the subject of a true-crime novel penned by Minden resident Marilyn Miller and published in October of 2000 by Sweet Dreams Publishing Company of Many (LA).
Ms. Miller graduated from Minden High School in 1970 and from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism.
She was executive editor of the Minden Press-Herald for 17 years. And just this month, after 18 years on the job, she retired from her position as director of Marketing & Public Relations for Minden’s Fibrebond Corporation.
From February of 1974 to September of 1990, she worked in different positions at the Alexandria Daily Town Talk in Alexandria, Louisiana and the Minden Press-Herald in Minden, Louisiana.
During her tenure with the Minden Press-Herald, Ms. Miller earned many awards for writing and photography. These included the Louisiana Press Association’s honored “Freedom of Information” Award for uncovering government scandal that resulted in the first recall of a mayor in the State of Louisiana. Her long list of journalism awards also includes those from United Press International and the Associated Press for feature writing, investigative reporting, editorial writing, and photography.
Ms. Miller left the position of Executive Editor at the Minden Press-Herald in October of 1990 to become director of Public Relations for Fibrebond Corporation, the worldwide manufacturing company headquartered in Minden.
She became reintroduced to Minden readers and viewers in February of 2006, when she was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a rare neurological syndrome caused by damage to the spinal cord. Although there is no known cure for TM, Marilyn beat the odds and became one of the 1 in 3 victims of the syndrome who manage to walk again.
In August 2008, she retired from the position of director of Marketing and Public Relations for Fibrebond to focus more on her health.
After the riveting talk Ms. Miller had a book signing. The proceeds of her book were donated to the Dorcheat Museum. Betty Fowler was the winner of this month’s museum gift basket. The drawing was followed by a tour of the recently opened museum located on Pearl Street.
If you missed last night, a DVD is available for $10 today at the museum. The next Night for the Museum is scheduled for September 8th, 2008. “A night remembering the Hunter’s Playhouse era is already causing quite a buzz far and wide. Bring your own lawn chairs suggested for Hunter’s Playhouse event”, stated Ms. Brown.
Admission is free of charge and everyone is welcome. For more information on “A Night for the Museum” please contact Schelley Brown at 318-423-0192 or visit http://www.museuminminden.blogspot.com/ . Reservations not required first come first serve seating.
The August 11th, 2008 “Night for the Museum” will be a night to remember. Dorcheat Museum’s director; Schelley Brown, announces another special historic venue event. Monday, August 11th, 2008, Marilyn Miller one of Minden’s longtime citizens will be the guest speaker at The Dorcheat Historical Association’s “Night for the Museum”.
On Christmas Day, 1916, John Nelson Reeves, his wife, Maud, and three of their four children were axed to death as they lay peacefully sleeping in their rural Webster Parish home. The gruesome slayings of the Grove, LA family members, and the next four years of trials and appeals of the accused killers, is the subject of a true-crime novel penned by Minden resident Marilyn Miller and published in October of 2000 by Sweet Dreams Publishing Company of Many (LA).
Ms. Miller will share historical aspects of her book, as well as her views on the social and political implications of the 92-year-old murders, during “A Night at the Museum” on Monday, Aug. 11. The free event begins at 6:00 p.m. at Christopher’s on Main Street. The public is invited.
Marilyn is not a stranger to most Minden residents. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 28, 1952 to Webster Parish natives Major (USAF Retired) W.S. Miller (deceased), and Lea McCollum Miller, an elementary school secretary (retired). She and her family traveled extensively in the United States and Europe before retiring to Minden, Louisiana in 1962.
Ms. Miller graduated from Minden High School in 1970 and from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism.
She was executive editor of the Minden Press-Herald for 17 years. And just this month, after 18 years on the job, she retired from her position as director of Marketing & Public Relations for Minden’s Fibrebond Corporation.
From February of 1974 to September of 1990, she worked in different positions at the Alexandria Daily Town Talk in Alexandria, Louisiana and the Minden Press-Herald in Minden, Louisiana.
During her tenure with the Minden Press-Herald, Ms. Miller earned many awards for writing and photography. These included the Louisiana Press Association’s honored “Freedom of Information” Award for uncovering government scandal that resulted in the first recall of a mayor in the State of Louisiana. Her long list of journalism awards also includes those from United Press International and the Associated Press for feature writing, investigative reporting, editorial writing, and photography.
Ms. Miller left the position of Executive Editor at the Minden Press-Herald in October of 1990 to become director of Public Relations for Fibrebond Corporation, the worldwide manufacturing company headquartered in Minden.
She became reintroduced to Minden readers and viewers in February of 2006, when she was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a rare neurological syndrome caused by damage to the spinal cord. Although there is no known cure for TM, Marilyn beat the odds and became one of the 1 in 3 victims of the syndrome who manage to walk again.
In August 2008, she retired from the position of director of Marketing and Public Relations for Fibrebond to focus more on her health.
You don’t want to miss the story of Sons of Darkness Sons of Light as told by someone that researched and investigated this 1916 tragedy.
Admission is free of charge and everyone is welcome. For more information on “A Night for the Museum” please contact Schelley Brown at 318-423-0192 or visit http://www.museuminminden.blogspot.com/ . Reservations not required first come first serve seating.

Proud To Be An American

“Night for the Museum with a look at Minden’s International Branches” was the 5th in the now successful monthly events for the new Dorcheat Historical Association Museum. “Every month we just have a bigger turn out than the month before! These nights of history have turned into something the people of Minden are supporting in a big way. I think everyone is really enjoying their selves, it gives everyone an opportunity to not only learn history or reminisce but it gives the people in Minden a place to come and socialize once a month with old friends that they may not see often. It really has become the place to be and that is exactly what I hoped for.”, stated museum director; Schelley Brown.
These events are held at 6 P.M. every second Monday night at Christopher’s located at 615 Main Street in Minden. Last night’s speakers, Dr. Steve Kirkikis, Jimmy Michael and George Mourad filled the evening with fascinating stories as told by members of the many immigrant families that had such a huge and important influence on Webster Parish. This informative night dealing with Webster parish’s families that made it to Minden via Ellis Island was well received by all those attending. You came away from the evening with a sense of pride for your country. You realized how much it means to those born in foreign lands to get here at all cost. Ellis Island is a symbol of America’s immigrant heritage. It is hard to imagine, that in the time between 1892 -1954, nearly twelve million men, women and children landed there in their search of freedom of speech and religion, and for economic opportunity. Imagine arriving on a huge ocean liner and seeing the Statue of Liberty and the New York sky line for the first time! To see Minden and the United States through their eyes is a different perspective of history for our parish. These families changed our parish and brought a cultural flair to our area that didn’t exist until they arrived.
If you were unable to attend the meetings a DVD of all the past events are available at the museum for $10 each. August and September are already in the works. August will feature local author Marilyn Miller and September will be a blast in the past to the e1940’s and 50’s with a “Memories of Hunter’s” themed night. Don’t forget that the Dorcheat Museum is now open. Hours are as follows; closed on Monday, open Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. closed from 1- 2 for lunch and open again from 2 - 4 p.m. If you would like to volunteer time at the new museum or donated items please contact Schelley Brown at 423-0192. Remember this is everyone’s museum so take part!