Louisiana Czechs in the Depression
Found: two WPA reports at the Louisiana State Library in Baton Rouge!
In Central Louisiana
Louisiana, having already been poor, was hard hit by the Depression which raged in America during the 1930's.  An article appeared in the New Orleans Times-Picayune in 1932 relaying the rather interesting reaction by the Czech community to federal government missionaries to Central Louisiana at that time.   I have read this article, and have seen references to several other articles.  I'm sure there is more information available, and there must be a copy of the original report somewhere.  I would love to find out more about this.

Here is the gist of this story:

The WPA and other agencies sent workers to Rapides and surrounding parishes to assess the condition of the people, provide aid and otherwise help people feed and shelter themselves, and find employment.  Apparently these workers would merely drive around looking for people in dire straits.  They arrived in Libuse and tried to talk to the local people, but with Czech still being the predominant language spoken there was a communications barrier.  The workers returned to Alexandria and asked the authorities what was the situation with "those people out there." 

The answer was basically:  1.  we don't know because we don't talk to them. 2. they have not asked for any help.  3.  they seem to be getting along just fine.  4.  in fact, they get along so great that they have been helping us.

Upon getting a translator and heading back out to the farmsteads the federal workers started inquiring about problems and needs.  They were met with a question they didn't expect.  The Czechs said "what's a depression?"

The local Czechs were so independently industrious that they were fairly oblivious to the economic problems surrounding them.  The WPA seems to have reported that they were the only community in Louisiana that did not require assistance of any kind.
In Southwest Louisiana
In a long conversation with a descendent of the Horecky family of Church Point, Louisiana, a small town on the prairie of Southwest Louisiana, and in a subsequent conversation with a local historian, and reading the obituary of Mr. Horecky, founder of the Church Point Wholesale Grocery Company, I heard the following story:

During the Depression many businesses closed, and many people were unemployed and couldn't afford food.   Mr. Horecky, having first a good business sense had a thriving company, with no debt and that kept up business as usual throughout the troubled years. Having compassion, when people in the local community were in need he extended credit, forgave debts, donated food and otherwise did what he could to keep people nurished.  He also employed people, even if in 'make work' jobs and temporary positions.  I was told that the company didn't layoff one worker during the Depression.

I was told that federal agents assessing needs in the area were greatly surprised to not only find a thriving business, but that this business was acting as a local Social Service agency. 

I would like to know if anyone has information about this situation in Church Point.
The Rest of Louisiana
I have not heard of any other information about Czechs in Louisiana and their fortunes during the Depression.  But it would be most interesting to know if they fared as well as their brethren as described above.  I do know that Victors Restaurant, a Czech owned establishment in New Orleans continued to operate through the Depression.
Historical Significance
There is great meaning in these stories as to the resilience of the Czech People in difficult times as well as in their contributions to their non-Czech neighbors.  They were perhaps one of the only bright spots in Louisiana during the Depression and thus deserve a special commendation.

If you know more about this subject, or were directly involved or have source materials I would greatly appreciate hearing from you at
Jim Hlavac -- Louisiana Czechs.
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