"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE" : MARYLAND BROOKS, "The Colored Cattle King" & Meat Grocer of Ouachita & Morehouse Parish - Part One of a Two-Part Series

As I was researching the other day, I ran across an old article that mentioned that there was once "A LAW or RULE" that strongly prohibited Colored People in Ouachita Parish & Morehouse Parish from trading, owning, attempting to purchase, or otherwise having a cow, or cows in their possession? Evidently at the beginning of 20th Century, due to the "increase of cows coming up missing" in Ouachita & Morehouse Parishes, a law or rule was passed restricting Negroes from having cattle in their possession at anytime! Which brings us to this week's Black Pioneer, Maryland Brooks. Well, I must admit, if I hadn't went to the Genealogy Dept. at the main library in Monroe, Louisiana, on Stubb's St., I probably still would not know about Maryland Brooks. Before I go any further, I would like to state that Maryland was Colored by birth, a Butcher by trade, and a Businessman by choice! He was born in Monroe, Louisiana or Ouachita Parish on February 1, 1869 to Josephus Brooks and Mariah Mason Brooks. Despite not having much academic schooling, at the age of 10, Maryland was able to get a job working at the "Old Meat Market" that was located on the corner of Catalpa St. & Desiard St. in Monroe, Louisiana. By the age of 16, Maryland had obtained a reputation for being "one of the best Butchers in all of Louisiana!" As a matter of fact, his strong reputation and his striking popularity with many of the White Businessmen undoubtedly played a part in him being able to obtain "a special permit" that allowed him to trade, buy, and sell as much cattle as he liked, "despite there being a law about Negroes not being able to purchase or have cows." Subsequently, he was able to corner the market on beef within the Negro Communities of Ouachita & Morehouse Parishes. Surprisingly to some, in addition to being a great Butcher, he was also a fine meat grocer as well. His meat business did so well that he became extremely wealthy, and opened additional stores in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, and Morehouse Parish. It was reported that he used part of his money from his meat business to be a "secret financier" to the St. James M.E. Church that was located on the corner of 14th St. & Adams St., in Monroe, Louisiana, even before he became a member of the church. On January 4,1936, due to an illness that bothered him for the last several years of his life, Maryland Brooks went home to be with the Lord. PLEASE NOTE : In Part-Two of this Series, I will provide information pertaining to his social life as well as some of the distinguished Colored People who attended and spoke at his funeral.