Manuel Barriere in partnership with Medelice Thomas operated M. Barriere & Co., selling shoes and dry goods from a store at the corner of Burgundy and St. Ann Streets in New Orleans. The firm appears to have been organized in 1850 and to have begun doing business in 1852. By the end of 1856, however, Barriere was unable to pay his financial obligations and creditors had begun to file suits against him. In early 1857 he filed suit against his creditors and agreed to surrender his business property to them in payment of his debts.

The account book, titled "Grand-Livre" on its cover, includes single or double page entries for each of the firm's customers. Each entry shows the name of the customer, the date that merchandize was purchased or paid for and the amount of the transaction. No detail as to the nature of the merchandize is included. Entries for customers living outside New Orleans also note their place of residence. Among the names noted in the volume are the Widow Paris (better known as Marie Laveau), Pierre Casenave (a prominent African American undertaker), Francois Lacroix (a wealthy African American businessman), and Armand Lanusse (African American poet and compiler of Les Cenelles, a collection of poetry penned by African American writers). Not all of the firm's patrons were black, however. Judge Joachim Bermudez and attorney Armand Pitot are among the white customers doing business with Barriere.

Additional information about the Barriere firm and its store is included in the suit record of Manuel Barriere vs. his Creditors (#11551, Fifth District Court). That record includes an inventory of the store's contents, descriptions of physical changes made to the store building, lists of creditors and debtors, and testimony of several individuals. One document suggests that this account book was one of five volumes of the firm's records offered as evidence in the suit.

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4/16/1997

McCabe, Agnes
Letter, 1929 [MS-84]

Sister of Edward D. McCabe (New Orleans sportsman, politician, and State Racing Commissioner) and Joseph McCabe (New Orleans Police Department captain). Manuscript letter address to Mr. Taylor [possibly Robert M. Taylor, New Orleans delinquent tax collector], a fried of Eddie McCabe. She is asking for help in finding employment. She also alludes to the circumstances of Eddie's death, and complains about the character of Billy Strude [possibly Billy Struve, former editor of the Storyville Blue Book and a close associate of Thomas C. Anderson], suggesting a connection between him and Eddie's death. Source unknown.

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12/18/2003

Marshall, Rosanna E.
Collection [MS 321]

The collection consists of a class of 1928 authograph book from an unidentified school; a photo album of a trip to Europe; miscellaneous newspaper clippings; a photo album of travel in the western U. S. and personal photos; and a lifetime membership plaque for the “Friends of Amistad." Two framed items are stored separately.

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Martinez, Theodore V. (1875-1952)
Letters, 1937-1938 [MS-48-1]
1 folder, 8 letters

Philanthropist (endower of the NOPL LaHache Music Collection). Carbon copies of manuscript letters dealing with his attempt to collect the musical compositions of his grandfather, Theodore Van LaHache (1841-1869) for presentation to the music department of Louisiana State University. Source unknown.

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4/16/1997

Materials relating to the gay/lesbian history of New Orleans, 1990-1991
1 folder [MS 148]

Material collected by John Gutierrez, a student at the University of California, Berkeley (and later a librarian with the New Orleans Public Library), for a paper on the history of gays/lesbians in New Orleans. Typewritten and printed material dealing with the gay/lesbian community of New Orleans. Included is correspondence with various archival repositories regarding relevant holdings; photocopies from various books, periodicals, and travel guides held at the Gay and Lesbian Historical Society in San Francisco; materials produced and distributed by the New Orleans chapter of Queer Nation; copies of various pamphlets, periodicals, and other research material.
Gift of John Gutierriez, 1991

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Meade, George Peterkin (1883-1975)
Papers, 1953-1967 [MS-307]

Author, chemical engineer, and sugar refinery manager. Papers consist of a typewritten, autobiographical preface, copies of various articles about Meade, and a complete run of copies of his column, "The Proof Stick," which appeared in the Sugar Journal.

These papers were originally collected and bound by Benjamin A. Oxnard, vice president of the Great Western Sugar Co., Denver, Colorado, in 1967. This is a photocopy of the original volume presented by Meade to Mrs. Robert Morris and later donated to the Library by Huey Rainey in July, 1982.

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4/16/1997

Metropolitan Crime Commission of New Orleans, Inc.
Records of Joseph Marcello, Jr., 1950-1975 [MS 340]

The Metropolitan Crime Commission of New Orleans (MCC) is a non-profit, privately funded, public service, citizens' organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice, reducing the incidence of violent crime and stamping out public corruption. Established in 1952 by leaders in the community, the MCC was initially charged with the task of investigating and suppressing corruption in the New Orleans Police Department. Since then, the agenda of the MCC has expanded to meet the increasing needs of the public it serves. The MCC is supported primarily by businesses, professional leaders and concerned citizens in metropolitan New Orleans. Committed to identifying and discouraging corruption in governmental agencies and seeking ways to reduce and impede crime, the MCC has been a force in the Greater New Orleans area for over 40 years.

The records are copies of public documents and newspaper articles relating to Joseph Marcello, Jr. and other members of his family, including his brother Carlos. The first item, dated February 12, 1950, is an excerpt from a New Orleans Police Department report on a motor vehicle accident involving Peter Marcello. The last item is a June 13, 1975 Houston Post article on a suit brought by the state of Texas against the Pelican Tomato Company, a vegetable importing business controlled by Carlos Marcello.

The records are in four file folders with items filed in chronological order from the back to front of each folder. Individual items are listed in a "transmittal list of records of Joseph Marcello, Jr." filed at the front of folder number 1.

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2/16/2001

Michel, John T.
Letters, 1896
1 folder [MS 186]

Typed leters of John T. Michel, Louisiana Secretary of State, replying to Major Hero concerning certificed copies of "Wicker's Withdrawal paper."

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Mitchel, B.R.
Letter, 1863 [MS-57]

Soldier. Manuscript letter to his mother from Port Hudson, La., relating an episode in the fighting and describing camp life in general. Photocopy. Gift of George A. Jackson, Jacksonville, Fla., 1972.

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4/16/1997

Monty, Ernest L.
Correspondence, 1970 [MS 131]
1 folder, 8 letters

Printed material, typewritten letters. Copy of "French Canadian and Acadian Genealogical Review." Correspondence between Ernest L. Monty, an attorney, and Roland J. Auger, an official with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for the Government of Quebec, concerning an article in the above mentioned review.

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1/24/2012

Morial Re-election Committee, Inc.
Publications, 1982 [MS-105]

One folder containing letters, flyers, posters, and other material printed by the Committee on behalf of Ernest N. Morial, then running for re-election as Mayor of New Orleans. Includes instructions to precinct captains, block coordinators, etc. Gift of the Mayor's Office of Public Information, 1982.

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4/16/1997

Morrison, deLesseps S.
Contribution list, ca. 1959
2 items [MS-162]

A machine-produced print-out of individual names and addresses with manuscript notations. The list is accompanied by an undated, typewritten letter to "Chep," signed "Chas." At the bottom of the letter is Morrison's note to his secretary for a thank-you to be sent to Charlie Seeman (Seeman was a budget consultant in the city's Chief Administrative Office). The questions raised in Seeman's letter are answered by Morrison's mss notes.

Both items appear to be related to Morrison's campaign for the 1960 gubernatorial election. Next to some of the names on the list dollar amounts are listed. Other notations on the list indicate other services that individuals have offered to provide for the campaign. Most, if not all, of the names on the list appear to be unclassified employees of the city of New Orleans.

The list and letter originally were housed in an oversized envelop addressed to Morrison at his Coliseum St. residence. The envelope was marked "Strictly Personal." It is not known whether these items were transferred to the archives with the bulk of Mayor Morrison's papers or if they came to the collection in a separate, possibly anonymous, donation.

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Morrison, James L.
Letter, 1881 [MS-56]

Customhouse employee at New Orleans. Manuscript letter to his cousin Scott, telling of his wedding plans and subsequent journey to the East. Gift of Mrs. John M. Parthum, Phoenix, Arizona, [1948?]

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4/16/1997

National Drainage Congress
Records, 1912 [MS-75]

The Congress had as its object, "...to promote the drainage of the 75,000,000 acres of wet lands in the United States, and the building of homes thereon as a means of benefitting the national health, of expanding the national food supply and lowering the cost of living, of supplying productive homes for those people who desire to move back to the farms, of checking emigration to Canada, of building a great and prosperous empire out of lands which have long been regarded as waste lands." The Congress met in New Orleans from April 10-13, 1912. Included are press releases, the "Official Call," and related materials (including lists of delegates), all from the Department of Publicity, New Orleans Board of Control for the Congress. 10 pieces.

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12/17/2003

National Maritime Union of America
Records relating to the expulsion of Gulf Coast officials, 1939
10 folders [MS-136-1-10]

Correspondence dealing with embezzlement of funds, arrest of certain Union members, etc.

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New Orleans Business and Professional Women's Club
Papers, 1957-1974 [MS-124]

Scrapbooks and files, including correspondence, reports, photographs, clippings, and other materials, mostly relating to the activities of the Club during the presidency of Lucile Callaghan, 1960-1961. Also included are materials relating to activities of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., and the Louisiana Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. The records also include 12 volumes of bound minutes, ca. 1943-1974, listed below:

May 1943 - December 1944
January 1945 - April 1947
May 1947 - April 1949
May 1949 - April 1951
May 1951 - April 1953
May 1953 - April 1954
May 1956 - April 1959
May 1960 - April 1962
1964 - 1967
May 1967 - April 1968
May 1968 - April 1971
May 1971 - April 1974

Gift of the Club, 1986.

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4/17/1997

New Orleans Bicycle Club
Minutes, 1892-1895 [MS-198]

The New Orleans Bicycle Club was organized ca. 1880. Dale A. Edmonds, The rise of sports in New Orleans, 1850-1900, provides a brief sketch of the organization's history.

The minutes are in two volumes (July 13, 1892-March 30, 1893 and April 6, 1893-May 7, 1895). They record the internal business of the organization, including financial matters and the election of new members (the Club used a blackball system, which is documented in the minutes). Also included, under old and new business, is information about events, races, biking accidents, street conditions, and the like. By 1895 the Club was experiencing severe fiscal problems, at least some of which are detailed in the minutes. On July 8 of that year the Commercial Homestead Association filed suit against the bicycle organiation. The minute books were offered as exhibits in that matter.

Source of acquisition: Separated from Civil District Court #45,655

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5/7/2005

New Orleans Jaycees [Earth Day Committee]
Records, 1975-1977 [MS-29-1]
1 binder

Correspondence, financial records, photographs, and other material documenting the organization's co-sponsorship of the annual Earth Day concert and celebration in New Orleans. The binder includes material on the 1975 Earth Day celebration. Gift of the First National Bank of Commerce, 1982.

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4/17/1997

New Orleans Library Club
Records, 1931-1951 [MS-309]

The organization was designed, "...to bring together all those who are interested in the collection, preservation, and distribution of books." The records inlcude manuscript and typewritten minutes, meeting announcements, correspondence, and related materials. Source unknown.

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12/22/2003

New Orleans Library League
Financial records, 1936-1961 [MS-13]

Organized in 1936 to seek improvements in local library service, the League was active in making policy recommendations, in soliciting donations of books, and in encouraging reading in the city of New Orleans. The records include a journal of receipts and expenditures, five books of receipt stubs, and miscellaneous receipts.

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12/22/2003

New Orleans Maritime Association
Letter, 1894 [MS-53]

Typewritten letter to Captain E.L. Cope of New Orleans advising him of his appointment to represent the Association at a meeting relative to the Harbor Memorial. Source unknown.

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4/17/1997

New Orleans Music Awards, Inc.
Records, 1983-1986
1 folder [MS 155]

Printed materials consisting of correspondence, programs, newspaper clippings, dealing with the New Orleans Music Awards, 1986.

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New Orleans Public Service, Inc.
Financial records, 1942-1954 [MS-306]

Incorporated in 1929, NOPSI operated the electric, gas, and transit facilities in New Orleans through franchise agreements with the City. The records, in 13 volumes, consist of carbon copies of typewritten monthly reports showing income and expenditures for the Company, Company balance sheets, and other financial information. These copies were furnished by the Company to the City Department of Utilities and were transferred to the Archives in May, 1982.

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4/17/1997

New Orleans Safety Council
Records, 1928-1931 [MS-8]

Organized according to National Safety Council guidelines in 1928, the Council sought to reduce traffic accidents in New Orleans and to extend safety practices into the home, factory, school, etc. The records include minutes of the Executive and Commercial Vehicle Committees, lists of various committee members, calendars, financial records, and miscellaneous publications of the National Council. Source unknown.

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4/17/1997

New Orleans Sewerage Company
Minute Book, 1892-1896 [MS-310]

Manuscript minutes of monthly meetings of the company's board of directors with pasted-in copies of typewritten resolutions. The company was incorporated in 1892 in order to acquire and operate the franchise originally awarded by the City to A.A. Woods (by ordinance #6142 C.S.). The company began work on the sewerage system in 1894 but suspended it in the following year after having completed 4 3/4 miles of line. In 1896 the company entered into receivership and in 1902, after years of litigation, its property was purchased by the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board.

Originally filed as evidence in M. Harrod et al vs. The New Orleans Sewerage Company. (Civil District Court #50095). For additional information see the surviving documents in the suit. Note: Many of the original documents in the suit were seriously damaged by water in the court's storage containers.

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4/22/1997

New Orleans, Southern, and Grand Isle Railway Co.
Letter, 1912 [MS-50]

Carbon copy of a typewritten letter to the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans proposing that space be made at the foot of Canal Street for terminal and ferry facilities. Source unknown.

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4/22/1997

Parker, William Edgar
Patent, 1903 [MS 144]

Carbon copy of a typewritten letter to the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans Patent for a "Cattle or Stock Guarde"

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Perkins, Ethel Willia (1871-1968)
Papers, ca. 1908-1952 [MS-93]

High school chemistry teacher of New Orleans. Papers include typewritten letters, 1942-1946, to Miss Perkins from various official agencies involved in her attempt to communicate with relatives captured by the Japanese during World War II. Also included is a typescript memoir of a 1908 trip to Guatemala, compiled from diaries and letters written at the time; a typescript collection of "boners," apparently accumulated during her years of teaching; and a scrapbook of Chinese Christmas and greeting cards, some from a mission school in Tsingtao and others probably from relatives living in Shanghai. Miss Perkins visited China in 1937. Note: Item 93-5, the Chinese scrapbook, is stored with the Scrapbook Collection as #30.

Gifts of Miss Perkins, 1957, n.d.

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4/28/1997

Pershing, John J.
Letters, 1922 [MS 40-1]
1 folder/1 letter

Copy of letter from Pershing to Andrew McShane, Mayor of New Orleans, thanking him for an invitation to attend the American Legion Convention in New Orleans in October of 1922.

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1/24/2012

Phillip Werlein, Ltd.
Music Score, 1930 [MS 128] 1 folder

Manuscript music score. Document headed "Original manuscript. The Canal Street Swing. Produced by Phillip Werlein, Limited, and presented by J.P. Werlein to Hon. T. Semmes Walmsley for the City of New Orleans. Dedicating the Beautification of the New Canal Street, Feb. 24, 1930."

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1/24/2012

Poche, Judge Felix Pierre (1836-1895)
Receipts, 1885 [MS 113]
1 folder, 3 pieces

Manuscript copies of receipts for two paintings purchased from the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, 1882; brief manuscript biography of Judge Poche.

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1/24/2012

Political Contributions in New Orleans
Miscellaneous records, 1932-1944
1 folder, 1 ledger [MS 161]

An artificial collection consisting of various materials dealing with political contributions in New Orleans. Headings included are "O.K. Allen Silver Service," "Victory Fund Drive - Democratic National Committee," "Richard M. Leche Siver Service," "1944 Democratic Campaign Fund." Lists of contributors and amounts contributed are included.

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