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Submitted: 6/6/19 • Approved: 6/7/19 • Last Updated: 6/10/19 • R222645-G0-S3
1848 - August 26, 1929
Husband of Elizabeth Adams McLendon
James Madison McLendon the man who chopped down the first tree of what is now the thriving city of Bogalusa, has succumbed to Father Time. He passed away at the home of his daughter, Miss Mary McLendon, in Adamstown, Monday morning at the ripe old age of 81.
There was no ceremony when he felled the first tree in what was then a virgin pine forest, extending in every direction for miles distant. He was one of the first employees engaged by the vanguard of the Great Northern Lumber Company, to clear the site for what was destined to be the largest saw mill in the world, and where a modern city 16,000 citizens, and where several industries are now located, and it fell to him to hew down the first tree. That was in the year 1905 and it was not until thirteen year later, he informed the late Col. W. H. Sullivan he had the ax in his possession and would gladly present it to him.
It was at the dedication of the City Hall, May 11, 1918, the axe was presented to Col. Sullivan, who in turn presented it to the city, where is now reposes in a glass case in the City Hall.
Although born in Georgia, he had resided in Mississippi and Louisiana since his early youth, and had been a resident of this county for almost forty years.
He is survived by his widow and one daughter, Miss Mary McLendon, with whom he and his wife were making their home at the time of his death.
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Photo courtesy of Barbara
Contributed on 6/6/19 by billsully060
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Record #: 222645