MelvilleHighSchool

Daily World Newspaper: Opelousas, Louisiana - 1950; Noted From Melville: Mrs. V.H. Long

Miss Leona Thomasson is currently visiting her parents in Melville. She received the bachelor of science degree Saturday night from LSU's college of education. Mr. and Mrs. G.B. Parker and son, Clinton of Shreveport are spending their vacation with Mrs. Parker's mother, Mrs. W.A. Huddleson and other relatives.

Ms. Ruth Taught The_4th Grade_

The bridge over the Atchafalaya at Krotz Springs made Melville an overnight backwater. Some say the bridge was built down river because a ferryman refused to let then Gov. Huey Long go to the head of the line. Another version has it that someone offered Long a soap box during a stump speech at Melville. Neither story is true, said Fire Chief Joe Thomasson.

"They probably put the bridge at Krotz Springs because it was the best place," Thomasson said.

One afternoon, Thomasson, 69, sat on a stool in Comeaux's cafe talking to Duvillier Comeaux, owner of the closed Able Hotel and cafe that bears his name.

Thomasson went to work for the town in 1937. He was 18. Today, he is superintendent of gas, water and lights when he's not mustering the volunteer fire brigade. Thomasson was born in Melville. He was nine years old in May 1927 when the Atchafalaya River broke through the levee below the town. Andrew Thomasson, Joe Thomasson's father, was the railroad bridge tender.

"He'd just walked across the bridge when the levee broke," Thomasson said. "Two long spans went in."

A five-mile, ring levee surrounding the town is a reminder of the great event in Melville's history.

Ms. Ruth_Thomasson Hebert

Joe Thomasson was the Fire Chief for about 49 years. He attended the Methodist Church.

His sister, Mrs. Ruth Thomasson Hebert taught 4th grade at the elementary school. Another sister, Jane Thomasson Westerhaus and his daughter, Jolie Thomasson Joffrion also taught elementary school.

His brother 'Duck' Thomasson worked for former Mayor Joseph Artall the another brother Bill Thomasson retired from the phone company and moved back to Melville.