Heflin to honor sawmill days at June 6 festival By Mary K. Hamner Heflin, Louisiana, located in south Webster Parish where Louisiana Highway 792 meets up with Louisiana 531, is a small town with a history. Some sources say the town was named for Charles B. Heflin, owner operator of the first General Store. The Old Military Road had been cut through the area in the winter of 1827-28. Trade routes along nearby Dorcheat and Bistineau were close by. Herbert Heflin, son of Charles owned Heflin's first cotton gin. Dallas and Louie Pace moved their sawmill from near Dubberly to Heflin to access the rail service offered by the Louisiana and Arkansas Railway built through the area in 1899. Heflin is the birthplace of Baylus Benjamin McKinney, (1886-1952) gospel songwriter, who authored the music and words of 149 gospel hymns and songs. Some of McKinney's best loved songs include, "The Nail Scarred Hand, "Satisfied with Jesus", " Wherever He Leads I'll Go", and others. The Pace Brothers Sawmill bought logs from individual loggers who delivered them on Model "T" trucks. According to a eulogy to Dallas Pace written by Louie Foster Pace in 1959, the operation had begun in 1918. " The operation grew and grew, and grew," he writes. " After over a quarter century it was deemed advisable to curtail operations and the sawmill was sold to Woodard Walker Lumber Co. When both the sawmill and the railroad eventually closed down, workers looked to nearby towns for jobs. Like many such small towns located along the former L & A Railroad, Heflin has weathered the storms of fluctuating economies and dug in for the long haul. Today the town, population 253, and a group of committed volunteers have banded together to celebrate the town's first ever Sawmill Festival on June 6. The theme of the festival commemorates the heritage of the town and gives opportunity to focus attention on its history. Richard Noles, well known historian, civic leader, and retired educator, was the former principal of the Heflin school and was later Superintendent of Schools in Webster Parish. The Noles farm, where he and his wife Judy make their home, extends over parts of Webster and Bienville Parishes. Noles' vivid recall takes one back through Heflin's history where his father Vander Noles became mayor when the town was incorporated in 1952. "Cotton was king when the first Cotton Gin was established," Richard Noles said. "Farmers from throughout the area brought their cotton to be ginned. Later, when the L & A Railroad came through and the Pace Brothers established their sawmill, the town really began to grow. The mill employed approximately three hundred workers and in addition to a post office, the town had six businesses located in close proximity to the mill. In 1924," he continued, "a new school was built in Heflin after one room schools in the area were consolidated. Another school consolidation in 1974 moved our local students to Lakeside, a larger school more centrally located to surrounding communities. Some of the former Heflin school buildings, a cafeteria and gymnasium, still remain but all that's left of the original school is a brick wall. Our Alumni Association expects to construct a marker there soon to commemorate this site." "Another blow to Heflin's chance for survival as a town was the Great Depression," Noles continued. "In 1928, when the town was thriving with a cotton gin, sawmill, and four or five businesses, the Bank of Minden built a large two story building to house a Branch Bank. The 1929 Depression hit banks like storms, sweeping across the countryside, causing closings everywhere. The Heflin Branch Bank never opened its doors. The old building now privately owned still stands. With sheds added to its sides, it has been used through the years to store hay and for a sweet potato drying operation." Heflin's Methodist Church is another historic site. A glimpse of the beautiful old building from Heflin's Main Street might cause a quick braking action and left swing to take a closer look. With an estimated age of 80 years, the building stands in all its original glory and a dedicated Minister and congregation plan to keep it that way. "It would be a sin to change it," Minister Carol Heard said. Legend is that Louie Pace, former owner of the sawmill, hand picked all the lumber used inside the church sanctuary. Beautiful stained glass windows enhance the walls. The sanctuary is at first dark upon entering but then the eye is drawn to the altar beautifully framed by the windows. Noles, a member of the Baptist Church just across the street, believes that the great relationship between the two church congregations has strengthened and benefited the town. "The two churches have 'eating meetings' on a regular basis which bring our rural community together." He said. Many of the older buildings no longer used by earlier owners were relocated and now occupy prominent locations within the town limits. An old doctor's office sits adjacent to the local library and the former Woodard Walker office building is located near the Baptist Church. The old school cafeteria, partially renovated, is occupied by the town hall. The former school grounds will be the sites of the upcoming festival on Saturday, June 6. The Sawmill Festival Commission has chosen to honor Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Beatty, lifelong residents of the town as Mr. and Mrs. Sawmill. Lloyd Beatty was mayor of Heflin for twenty-eight years. Another lifetime resident, 107-year-old Brenda Henderson, will serve as Grand Marshall in the parade that begins at 10 a.m. A full day is planned with Little League Tournament, all day entertainment, and many food and craft vendors. For more information, contact Cathy Lee at 318-377-7539 or Judy Tillman at 318 371 7766. |