BOSSIER CITY OFF LIMITS TO MILITARY PERSONNEL IN 1941
By Ann Middleton
An account of the trial of a Bossier City policeman appeared in the February 6, 1941 issue of the Bossier Banner. M. B. (Med) Chaney was accused of manslaughter.
"M. B. (Med) Chaney was found not guilty of a charge of manslaughter in Bossier District Court last Saturday night."
"Chaney was indicted by the grand jury early in January, following the shooting of Private James E. Farenkopf on the night of January 8th."
"This case attracted more attention than any case in district court in several years. The outgrowth of the killing of this soldier has resulted in Bossier City being declared off limits to all the military personnel at Barksdale Field."
"The case got under way Thursday of last week and night sessions were held Friday and Saturday. Chaney was defended by A. M. Wallace and Ford E. Stinson, of Benton, and Harry V. Booth, of Shreveport."
"G. K. Kitchens, District Attorney, pro tempore, represented the State."
"Kitchens opened the argument before the jury and was followed in turn by Messrs. Stinson, Wallace and Booth."
"Judge J. F. McInnis concluded his charge to the jury at 6:57 o'clock. The jury was out an hour and 19 minutes. Clifford Oglesby was foreman of the jury."
Two weeks later the Bossier Banner reported that "A few days ago we were gratified to be able to chronicle that Governor Sam H. Jones had accepted the resignation of Bossier City's Town Marshal and named a man as his successor who was able to conclude an agreement, with Barksdale Field officials, thereby paving the way for the lifting of a five-week old 'off limits' ban of Bossier City."[Writer's note: The 1940 Shreveport City Directory lists G. C. Huckaby as the marshal of Bossier City, possibly the marshal who resigned. The 1941 Shreveport City Directory lists Wayne Mason (a Bossier City policeman in 1940) as the marshal of Bossier City and was likely the man who was named by Governor Jones.]
"The ban had given Bossier City much unfavorable publicity, which was regretted by Bossier City and Bossier Parish folks alike."
"It had barred soldiers from visiting or trading in Bossier City, and even from attending churches, lodges, civic clubs and social gatherings in Bossier City."
"While the shooting of a soldier boy by a Bossier City policeman was a most unhappy and unfortunate affair, the 'off limits' ban was working an unjust hardship on Bossier City, its business people and the soldiers, too."
"We are happy that the whole matter has been amicably settled and we trust that police authorities in Bossier City and at Barksdale Field will be able to work in complete harmony and understanding in the future."
For more details on this case as well as others that have shaped Bossier Parish history visit the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center.