646 Thomas Smith

Episode 646. October 4, 2025. Thomas Smith. Red String novels. 19th century Mississippi River and Central Louisiana.

Here is a blurb based on the first novel, Just a Piece of Red String: Antebellum Voodoo and Vengeance:

In antebellum Natchez, Mississippi, and the bustling city of New Orleans, cousins Sawyer Dundee and Solomon Witcher come into manhood, each charting a dramatically different course. While Sawyer remains in Natchez to run the family business, the charismatic Solomon seeks his fortune, chasing legendary buried treasure and trying his luck at cards in New Orleans.

    a    Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy (https://ulpress.org/products/liberty-in-louisiana-a-comedy). The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 221 years. Order your copy today!

    b    This week in the Louisiana Anthology (https://louisiana-anthology.org/). Swanton. Natchez Stories. "36. Story of a Bison." While traveling about a hunter was overtaken by darkness and thought, “I will camp for the night and go home next morning.” Near by was something which he took to be a tree pulled up by the roots, and he thought, “I will make a fire there.” So he leaned his gun up against it and hung his shot pouch on it. But really it was a bison and what he hung his shot pouch on was the horn. It got up and ran off bellowing, carrying the shot pouch. After it got a long distance away it threw it off.

    c    This week in Louisiana history. October 4, 1792. Under Gov. Carondelet, the first theatre opened in Louisiana on St. Peter St., N.O.

    d    This week in New Orleans history. In 2008, William Jefferson sought re-election to the United States House of Representatives. Seven Democrats challenged him for the seat in the Democratic primary. In the October 4, 2008 Democratic primary, opposition to Jefferson was split among six contenders. Jefferson's 25% total was enough to give him a plurality and to send him into the runoff primary

    e    This week in Louisiana.

World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off

Bouligny Plaza 

100 West Main Street

New Iberia, LA 70560

October 11-12

Spoons at the ready! Also known as the Super Bowl of Gumbo, the World Championship Gumbo Cook Off (https://www.iberiachamber.org/gumbo-cookoff/) is a free two-day event showcasing the best local gumbo chefs in New Iberia. Each year, dozens of cooking teams and thousands of enthusiasts gather to see who will take home trophies for each category and earn ultimate bragging rights. After filling up on gumbo, stroll down New Iberia’s Main Street (https://www.explorelouisiana.com/historic-districts-sites/new-iberia-main-street-historic-district). Take a walking tour of the historic buildings, or pop into local art galleries, boutiques, antique shops and more for some retail therapy.

    f    Postcards from Louisiana. Street Poet Michelle Schocht.