•Part One
"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why."
--- Mark Twain
One might think the story began in Bogalusa. And for prominent Bogalusa businessman Don Spiers, I suppose it did. But it had its origin, for me, at a French Quarter establishment. Galatoire's is one of indelible memories. Friday lunch with my mother and father. Our daughter and son-in-law's prodigious rehearsal dinner. And our dear friends' anniversary celebration, where I reconnected with Mr. Don and his lovely wife Georgia.
It was readily apparent, from our affable exchange, that he and my father went way back in Bogalusa. Don and Dad served together in the Louisiana National Guard though there was a generational gap between them, in addition to a military rank or two. More on that later. It's best to start at the beginning, with "The Boy from Bogalusa."
My copy arrived in the mail courtesy of Mr. Don, a prince of a man. Sagely penning his autobiography, a sweeping undertaking in 2014, he explained his purpose, "Actually, I wrote this on plain typing paper and made it available to my children and grandchildren. My thought was that somewhere 'down the line' some of them would enjoy knowing something about a great, or great-great grandfather. I know frightfully little of my dad's parents, and absolutely nothing of my mom's parents, and I would like to know more…." So, putting pen to paper for posterity, Mr. Don seamlessly unspooled his life story for his future heirs. The foreword succinctly says, "MY LIFE Written for my Grandchildren." We should all have such foresight. Of course, when writing an autobiography, it helps to have ample content and good character. Don Spiers had both in spades.
A more widespread publication and distribution followed, courtesy of his generous grandson, Dr. Matthew "Matt" Strain - a urologist at West Jefferson Medical Center - who surprised his grandfather at Christmas with copies of his autobiography, in book form. Once Dr. Jerry Thomas told me that he was enjoying Don Spiers's superb book, I expressed immediate interest in acquiring my own. I believe Dr. Jerry brokered the deal with Mr. Don who, with dispatch, benevolently mailed me his marvelous publication. It was captivating, from start to finish. The inscription began, "To the Colonel's Daughter Cecily…." A portal to the past in Bogalusa and, for me, a renaissance.
Born on December 7, 1937 (on what soon became known as Pearl Harbor Day), in the Richardsontown section of Bogalusa to parents Arnold Dewey Spiers (1912 - 1973) and wife Teresa Alberta Estelle Hartzog Spiers, Don has fond memories of his early years in Bogalusa. His father - he called him Arnold - was his best friend. A chip off the old block, Don was named for Arnold's best boyhood friend Don Burks. As a bit of background - enduring hard times during the years leading up to the Great Depression, the two graduated from high school a year apart in Henleyfield, Mississippi, approximately ten miles east of Bogalusa. Seeking their fortune and employment, after graduation, both worked for White Castle, the famous hamburger chain, in New York. The son of Arvel "Arv" and Oda Spiers of Henleyfield, Arnold who made $100 per week in 1930 and 1931, years that were truly economically depressed, shared the riches - helping support family and friends back in Henleyfield. Folks would wait for his big, black Buick to pull into town. Arnold eventually returned home for good, securing employment with what was the Gaylord Corporation bag factory in Bogalusa. It was then that Estelle, a young, beautiful local divorcee, caught his eye. She had a precious son, Glynn Talley, and Estelle and Arnold soon wed, promptly becoming a family of three.
The Spiers family first resided in a three-room shotgun house in the 1200 block of Long Avenue, which street had been named for Governor Huey P. Long, in the Richardsontown neighborhood. This area was comprised of about 1,000 acres which had been developed by the prominent Richardson family. About the time that Don was born, Arnold constructed a new residence, at 1308 Long Avenue. And the Spiers family grew, with daughters Patsy and Paula, born to Arnold and Estelle, joining Don and his half-brother Glynn.
Educated at Long Avenue Elementary School, Don has fond memories of walking several blocks to school with his large German police dog. Senor waited in the yard to walk him home. Don has less affection for the memory of his tonsillectomy, which he had at the age of four at the Bogalusa Medical Center, and of corporal punishment throughout grade school. By sixth grade there were girls and by seventh football - Don was the starting, and only, quarterback for the Richardsontown Mudcats. There had also been a playground pee-wee team coached by Billy Sigrest, Bobby Snider, and Benny Hathorn, consisting of, in addition to Don, George Grosche, Milton Foster, Billy Rhoden, Jimmy Davis, Joseph Wheat, Jan Monk, James Baughtman, Billy Piggott, Jewell Smith, Willie Burch, Gary Crain, Dinny Hathorn, Douglas Gaddy, and Jack Hall. They were looking ahead to high school.
In 1947 Bogalusa High School boasted the state champions and in 1949 the district champions, in football. A speed demon, Don's brother Glynn Talley played right guard on the state championship team in 1947 which drew the Spiers family to home football games.
At the age of twelve, Don idolized the Captain of the Lumberjacks as he strolled onto the field. In his autobiography, he described the feeling, "I thought that there could not possibly be a higher thrill to experience than that being experienced by this magnificent Captain. It still kind of makes the hair stand on my back to think about it." Hold that thought.
•Stay tuned for next week's column as the life story of Bogalusa native and businessman Don Spiers is unfurled. Football continues, and courtship begins.
