Louisiana Trouble, Peace Between the Races

In 1988 Truett T-Beau West, a small-town lawyer with an interest in History, decided to pursue a Master s degree in History at Louisiana Tech University. He found himself involved in a discussion about race relations in a Louisiana History class taught by Dr. Phillip Cook. Mention by Truett of a 1933 racial disturbance in Union Parish perpetrated by scam artists, prompted Dr. Cook to suggest that someone do a research paper on the episode. Inasmuch as each student in a graduate course was required to produce a research paper, and inasmuch as Truett had become conditioned to accepting the suggestions of professors and judges as mandatory, he immediately contacted his father, Oran West, the only person he had ever heard mention the matter. And his father had mentioned it as something not to be discussed openly. Thinking that the passing of time would perhaps loosen tongues, he asked his father for names of persons who had personal knowledge of that disturbance, which had left bloodshed and heartache in its wake. Truett learned that there had been a tacit, if not explicit, understanding by responsible people of both races that life would go on as if the events had not occurred -- that people would not discuss it anymore. His guess proved right. The passage of time left them eager to relate their personal knowledge. First, he followed his father s advice to check the news stories in local and regional newspapers. Microfilm copies of those old papers confirmed that the events created a major stir throughout the area and as far away as Clinton, Mississippi, the home of the white scam artists. T-Beau said, The most interesting part of the research project, by far, was the personal interviews of persons, both black and white, who lived through those difficult times. I learned why few had been willing to discuss it sooner. There was simply too much shame on the part of both Blacks and Whites. The research paper found its way to publication in the North Louisiana Historical Journal, and a place in the Union Parish Library. A renewed interest in the subject brought numerous comments to Truett: That would make a good novel. That has all the elements of a good movie. You should write a novel based on that story. Several times he began to write a fictitious narrative depicting what it must have been like for the people affected in one way or another by the bizarre plot hatched by the confidence artists. Each time he put it aside to give attention to other matters. Retirement from the practice of law afforded him the opportunity to finally complete it. T-Beau has some strong preferences as to the kind of fiction he likes to read and refuses to write what he, himself, would not want to read. I like plots that move forward without meandering, he related. I like to read a story from beginning to end in one sitting. One-hundred-fifty to two-hundred pages is about right. Accordingly, Louisiana Trouble is not long, has ample action with a few surprises, and gives the reader an opportunity for reflection on basic life issues. For serious readers, the research paper on which it is based is appended.

Truett T-Beau West was ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister shortly after his twentieth birthday upon receiving a call to pastor a small country church in Union Parish, Louisiana. Feeling the call to preach in small country churches unable to pay a pastor a living wage, he began to prepare himself to earn a living in a secular vocation. With an undergraduate degree in Economics and History, and a graduate degree from South Texas College of Law, he returned to his home parish in 1968 to practice law. He brought with him his wife and four children, three of whom were born while he attended law school at night. An affinity for the land and for people who live close to the land has marked Truett s entire life In addition to his children, he has raised cows, horses, poultry, peas, trees and bees. Wishing to see more of the United States, he took a job as an over-the-road trucker for just over a year. Today, after retiring from the practice of law, he pastors a small country church. His wife, Shirley, an accomplished lead singer and soloist, plays the piano. T-Beau said, Shirley and I feel very fortunate to be a part of this loving church family. Continuing, Truett said, Throughout my adult life I wondered if I might have a talent for conveying sound ideas through fiction. The comments from those who have read this first book have confirmed that hope.