Covington – Day Two

We started our day bright and early at 8:30. I went to the lobby and meet Carol, her son Pat (who likes to be called Kelly) and his daughter Adison. We all went to breakfast and met Kay and her daughter Laura and Laura’s daughter. Breakfast was a Beignet. A square piece of dough, fried in vegetable oil and lavishly covered with powdered sugar. The Beignet is also known as the French Market Doughnut, and is the Louisiana State Doughnut. It wasn’t that good, but when we go to New Orleans one stop will be Cafe Du Monde where they are supposed to be fabulous.

We spent the afternoon antiquing in Covington. The big items like armoires are really cheap and most places seem to sell a lot of dishes. A lot. Plus some other items. See the pics.

The local historical society is trying to raise money to repair the fences surrounding the cemetary. The event provided an entertaining way to learn about certain persons who are buried at the cemetery, as well as other notable past citizens. Some were socialites; some were politicians; others were lesser-known workers and contributors to a variety of different causes. No matter who or what, they all left their footprints for generations to follow. Event promoters “dig up” the legacies of those portrayed to give the public a unique view of Covington’s history.

One of the characters featured was Francis Andre Guyol, Covington mayor around the late 1890s. Guyol was a graduate of LSU, became an attorney and sold real estate in Covington. He promoted the city’s growth and development during his administration, and recognized the need for a town hall, as well as a public school system. Guyol was born in New Orleans in 1853. He married Lucille Barelli on Sept. 15, 1879, in the Barelli home on South America Street in Covington. He was a lawyer, a real estate agent, the innkeeper of Covington’s Cedar Grove Hotel, president of the Covington Dramatic Club, dictator of the Knights of Honor, and an actor/singer.

He served on the District Democratic Central Executive Committee and was elected mayor of Covington in 1888, 1889, 1890 and 1891. Guyol died on Oct. 30, 1891, at the age of 38, while serving his fourth term as mayor.

During Guyol’s mayoral terms, Covington was a growing town. A railroad came from Abita Springs to Covington in August 1888. Social clubs, such as the Knights of Honor, the Ancient Order of Druids, the Dramatic Club and the Knights of Pythias, were formed. He is not buried at the Covington cemetery. He died from an unknown illness at the age of 38, but his remains are not to be found either on the northshore or in New Orleans; no one seems to know where he was laid to rest. Guyol was my grandmothers grandfather. The actor who portrayed him was stunning. I came up to him after the performace to compliment him. Surprise, surprise he does local comunity theater. Well did did 8 months ago, right now he is a little busy.

Each time this event takes place, a certain ethnic group is featured. This year it was the Italians. The history of the Barrelli family was presented, including Lucille Barrelli, who was married to Mayor Guyol and is buried in the cemetery. Her father and grandfather had a large impact on the Italian community in the area and founded the Italian Society in New Orleans. Infact the father was a Count and a representative of Italy. Doing math, I can figure out Lucille was my great great great grandmother. Wow, we are Italian.