By JACK M. WILLIS
Journal Correspondent

One of the most fascinating aspects of the great State of Louisiana is the diversity of its peoples and geography. I was anticipating a meeting with Filbert Manuel, an enterprising young man with a growing business in hand-made wood products at Hessmer, Louisiana, one of the oldest towns in Louisiana to be settled primarily by people of French descent.

It was a Saturday, and itt was only a short trip from the pine-clad hills, which predominate LaSalle Parish, to the alluvial Red River delta which constitutes a goodly portion of the Great Free State of Avoyelles.

On the way, just as we crossed over the newly constructed Red River Bridge on La. Highway 115 at Moncla, the atmosphere and the culture changed, as we began to see signs of revelry. Suddenly on every side road, and in front of roadside businesses there were parade floats readying to fall in line, regally dressed out in the official green, gold and purple colors of the holiday season. Would-be spectators by the hundreds were sitting in lawn chairs in the back of pickup trucks, and in their yards; masked riders with of armloads of Mardi Gras beads to be thrown, were clamoring aboard the floats. Masked riders on horseback were coming in from excursions out into the countryside, to gather up the ingredients for a community gumbo. The sound of "boom chank" music was reverberating from country Cadillac "thumps", with doors thrown open. Overflowing ice chests were being pilfered, resulting in full-insulated beverage containers clutched in almost every fist, old and young alike. Charcoal smoke and delicious bar-b-q and boiled crawfish aromas from the front yards of residences along the intended parade route were filling the air; all definite indications that we had landed in the midst of a local Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras celebration. This is also a favorite annual ritual in many smaller Louisiana towns like Lafayette, Mamou, Eunice, and Church Point, and not confined strictly to New Orleans proper on this, the last weekend before Louisiana's most vigorously celebrated religious holiday.

We inched our way through the throngs of partying revelers and motored on into Marksville, La., crossed over Highway 1 and drove along La. Hwy. 115 towards Hessmer. As we entered the town, we were impressed by the array of beautiful older homes, with beautifully landscaped yards, and the meticulously clean streets. Following our directions, we crossed over a railroad track, and proceeded for a short distance to the intersection of La. Hwy 114, and turned right. The immenseness of the second building on the left of the highway left no question that it qualified as a warehouse, the Wood Warehouse, to be more precise. A late model "stretch" pickup truck parked in front, and the front doors thrown open, indicated my intended host was in house and open for business.

As I entered the huge building I was immediately greeted with the fragrant smells of a variety of woods. I would find out that my host sold finished species of wood products ranging from the popular cypress to magnolia, oak, pecan and pecky cypress out of this, the family warehouse.

I introduced myself to Filbert Manuel, we shook hands and he invited me to walk to the rear of the cavernous building where he has a well-appointed office set up. On the way back to the rear of the building, we passed a native pirogue that appeared to be about half finished, complete with paddle. I sat down and immediately began to ask questions about the history of the obviously ancient warehouse. Filbert related that the building had been built in the 1940's by his wife's great-grandfather Leonard Guillory and operated as Hessmer Wholesale Hardware. The whole structure was constructed entirely of center-match cut lumber. Mr. Leonard didn't deal much in lumber volume, but was able to furnish just about every other item that was designed for the building trades, from nails and shingles to solid core doors and the hardware with which to hang them. The first Mr. Guillory had a daughter named Hazel who later married Lanier Guillory. She became Hazel Guillory Guillory. The old warehouse was passed down to Filbert's wife, and that was how he was able to open his present business.

Filbert Manuel was born and raised in the nearby Belledeau community, attended Hessmer High School, graduating in 1977. One reason he decided to embrace the woodworking profession was the influences exerted by his father, Ideo Manuel, who was a carpenter by trade, and the Industrial Arts classes he pursued in high school.

Agreeing with my observation that his first name was not quite as common as say, Tom, Dick or Harry, he related how he had acquired the unusual given name. It seems his father had a lifelong friend who passed away just before he was born. His name was Filbert Supper, and he was consequently named after him.

Filbert began his business in a 20' x 40' shop he constructed behind his house for the purpose of buying unfinished exotic lumber and finishing it for his own use. While air drying and refinishing the rough green lumber he became acquainted with an old gentleman in his 90's, who was one of his best cypress lumber customers. His vocation was building pirogue skiffs and he was about ready to retire. Filbert apprenticed to him and learned a valuable cultural trade. He started about 10 years ago building and retailing the boats, and as a result, had a very lucrative sideline in addition to his regular job. Five days a week he is a U.S. Postal Services Maintenance Specialist, and maintains all of the postal facilities in the 713 and 714 zip code areas, ranging across Central La. from the Sabine to the Mississippi Rivers. Travel in this area enables him to be on the look out for back roads sawmills and subsequent lumber purchases.

Filbert was happy building boats, and by this time had added a dehumidification kiln and had begun retailing his dried and planed (surfaced) lumber. He stated that there were two types of customers desiring to purchase his finished lumber products. They either wanted lumber with NO knots, or they wanted boards with a profusion of knots. So he took the lumber that fell in the "in-between" class for his own personal constructions projects like shelving or what-knots for family members.

Filbert was selling every boat he could build, and even had a waiting list. He was enjoying a small measure of success until September 11, 2001. From that date until now his sales have dropped over 75%. He recites that people's buying habits have changed drastically. No longer was there money prioritized for leisure, hobbies or frivolous pursuits, and consequently, the market has dried up.

As a result of the change in the public's ideology and the economy, Filbert is rethinking his future, and is even considering enlarging his tent pegs. He's not looking back! He has a number of projects he's considering, like master-crafted furniture such as computer cabinets or entertainment centers, and perhaps ornate four-poster beds.

In talking about the future, Filbert mentioned that he has a regular woods-buying customer who is 93 years old. The old gentleman still drives his own pickup truck, and bounds up the steps of the Wood Warehouse like a Billy goat. He just had six stints inserted in arteries leading into his heart via an angioplasty procedure. It didn't slow him up one bit and now he's going stronger than ever. Filbert said in obvious admiration," I want to enjoy that kind of longevity, endurance and physical ability!"

Back