Family of Harry Johnson Schmidt

In September of 1928 Harry J. Schmidt registered as a freshman in the college of Medicine at Tulane University, and was also invited to live at the home of Mrs. Adele Stewart at 1840 Marengo street.

In 1928 Huey P. Long was elected governor of Louisiana and changed the direction of its political and economic. The leading newspapers of the state opposed him as a cheap demagogue, but here are his accomplishments as recorded in history; modern highways across the state, a skyscraper capitol building, the rebuilding of Louisiana State University, first highway and railway bridge across the Mississippi river at New Orleans, the rebuilding of Charity Hospital, free text books for all school children, the river spillway above New Orleans and an airport, highway bridges at Chef Menteur, Rigolets and Pearl river giving New Orleans access to the Mississippi Coast. In 1930 after the onset of the depression he was elected senator on the campaign slogan "Every Man a King" at a time when millions were unemployed.

In 1929 Herbert Hoover took over the presidency from Calvin Coolidge and eight months later saw the stock market crash that marked the end of the boom. Hoover underestimated the financial crisis and even tried psychology as a means of recovery. All over the county billboards proclaimed: "Prosperity is just around the corner". Instead, unemployment and bank failures increased, including the leading banks of New Orleans. Four years later Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Hoover in a landslide, and inaugurated the "New Deal" by introducing radically new legislation in the areas of banking, finance, labor, farming, industry and social security. People adjusted to the slow return to normalcy until it became World War II prosperity about 1939.

In his junior year H.J.S. lodged with brother C.E. in his temporary house at 4909 Painters street in the Gentilly area and used the old Ford runabout for transportation. In his senior year he had a residency at Mercy Hospital on Annunciation at Melpomene where he shared a room with classmate Michael DeBakey.

In his sophomore year H.J.S was vice-president of the class. He was a member of the Pan Hellenic council in his second and third year and also a member of Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity. He was president of the senior medical class and also the valedictorian. It was customary at Tulane to give the valedictory at the ceremonial planting of the Ivy.

Harry J. Schmidt received his doctorate in medicine on June 8, 1932 and began his internship at Mercy Hospital. In 1933 he was invited to take over the practice of Dr. Felix Gaudin at Convent in St. James Parish, Louisiana. At that time the depression was in its third year with money and jobs increasingly scarce. Dr. H.J. managed to accumulate one hundred dollars and arranged for transportation to Convent where he was welcomed to live at the Gaudin home and use their car to continue the river road practice of the late Dr. Gaudin. He soon found that this practice extended for thirty miles up and down the river road back of the east side levees of the Mississippi river, not including the lanes that led off towards the swamp. Many of his patients spoke only French and had no easy access to telephones.

With fees at $1.00 of office visits, and $2.00 or $3.00 for house calls, depending on the mileage, it was about three months before Dr. H.J. could negotiate for a new Plymouth Coup at $715. In another year or so he arranged with the Jesuit fathers at Manresa retreat house to rent and install modern utilities in a stately old house on the premises. He was now well enough established to plan his marriage.

WHY SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA IS FRENCH

Saint James is one of the parishes of southeast Louisiana that developed soon after 1718 when New Orleans was founded to enforce the French claim to the Mississippi valley, based on the exploration of LaSalle. Thousands of French colonists arrived to stake their claims along the Mississippi and on the bayous to the west. After 1755 several thousand Acadians found a home in this French colony after their expulsion form the lower east coast of Canada.

The French plan to colonize the great river valley was halted by the treaty of 1763 which terminated the French and Indian War. This treaty gave England all of Canada and all territory east of the Mississippi, except the isle of Orleans. By a secret treaty France had ceded all territory west of the river and the isle of Orleans to Spain, however no effort was made to change the language or culture of the people. In 1800 Napoleon I persuaded Spain to return this territory to France and three years later he sold it to the United States. In 1812 the south part of this territory was admitted to the union as the state of Louisiana.

In that same year the United States was at war with England, a war that came close to Louisiana. In the last days of 1814 an English fleet landed an invasion force on the marshy shores of lake Borne to take the city of New Orleans. They found the army of General Andrew Jackson well entrenched on the plantations of Chalmette. In the early days of 1815 the English launched a massive assault and failed with frightful losses.

STEAMBOAT BOOM ON THE MISSISSIPPI

All this change of allegiance had little effect on the farmers of St. James parish; they continued to plow their rich soil, build their levees higher and send their crops down to New Orleans. But in January of 1812 they saw something that would change all the parishes along the river; it was a strange looking craft passing downstream, much different from the flat boats that often drifted by. It had neither sails or oars, but rotation paddles on both sides and a stack in the middle leaving a trail of smoke. It was the steamboat "New Orleans" completing the historic voyage from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to New Orleans, which would open a fabulous era of prosperity in the Mississippi valley.

Steamboat traffic built rapidly; in eight years a steamboat was arriving in New Orleans every day. With this new fast transportation and the invention of the cotton gin, plantations multiplied along the river. In St. James and neighboring parishes sugar cane became the principal crop. Farms became plantations with thousands of acres and leading planters formed a new aristocracy with magnificent homes, some built in the manner of ancient Greek temples. At the same time the slave market in New Orleans could hardly meet the demand for field hands and house servants. In 1825 a large convent was built for the education of girls, and in 1831 Jefferson College was established for the education of the sons of the planters. In the same year the old church of St. Michel del Cantrelle was rebuild much larger and finer.

CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION

With the onset of the Civil War in 1861 this plantation economy was jolted. The port of New Orleans was blockaded and then occupied in 1862. Soon after the entire river was under Federal control, and the emancipation proclamation freed all slaves in occupied territory.

After the war and the conflict of reconstruction, the planter began to recover their losses. Higher levees were built and roads improved. Railroads gradually took over from the steamboats, and by the turn of the century there was great improvement in farm machinery, but there was also more competition in the supply of sugar. The old prosperity never returned. In a few more years the stately "Greek temple" on Uncle Sam's plantation was battered down to make space for a new levee.

MEDICAL PRACTICE IN SUGAR CANE COUNTRY

When H.J. Schmidt began the practice of medicine in St. James parish in 1933, the old sugar cane prosperity was remembered only by the old folks, but some of the fine old homes were still standing. However sugar cane was still the main crop during the long depression, but it was just another way of making a living.

On a river road plantation there was a house for the owner and one for the overseer; the store on the road was stocked with groceries and a variety of merchandise; farther back was a blacksmith shop for the maintenance of farm equipment, and a barn. Around the quarters for field hands was space for kitchen gardens, chickens and cows. One sugar house served the plantation of the area. Here the cane was crushed and the juice boiled into raw sugar.

French was still spoken and the old manners and customs remained. The elderly understood simple English but would not speak it; younger people could understand simple French but could not speak it. The Sunday sermons at St. Michael's were given in French until about 1940. However the language caused no difficulty for the new doctor; there was always someone to translate the aches and symptoms and the prescribed treatment. The difficulty in this river road practice was the distance in miles between house calls. To reduce this mileage Dr. H.J. maintained three offices; one at home, on down at Lutcher, and one eight miles up at Helvetia plantation. In between he made house calls and was on the lookout for a white flag tied to the gate as a signal that someone was sick.

There was no government insurance to pay for medical services. In sugar cane country it was the custom to pay all bills at the "grind" in September when the cane was sold to the sugar house. Plantation workers were paid their share, less what they owed the store. The doctor was then paid for his services at the plantation. Many of the field hands belonged to benevolent societies which paid for medical services at an agreed reduced rate. In the area where perique tobacco was grown, it was understood that the doctor would be paid when the tobacco was sold; any money made by trapping didn't count.

This river road practice was difficult with the nearest hospital 55 miles away in New Orleans. At times critical conditions were found where a decision had to be made and executed promptly with little assistance. But there were happier situations; when the doctor was called to a home near the swamp on an obstetrical case. The delivery was proceeding so slowly that the doctor was taken on a deer hunt, with the understanding that two shots from the house would be a signal that his services were needed.

If the father of a poor family died from sickness, it was the custom that the doctor would cancel all debts and continue to server the family at no cost until the sons were grown.

CLINICAL RESEARCH ON BRUCELLOSIS

After Dr. H.J. had established his practice in St. James Parish he noted the prevalence of a fever considered to be malaria. The plasmodia could not be found on blood smears. A case of brucellosis or undulant fever was diagnosed and an investigation was started with a check on the cattle for Bang's disease by the parish farm agent. After preliminary studies in the human and cattle, it was fairly well established that brucellosis was prevalent as a low grade or chronic infection, which heretofore had not been clinically recognized.

Dr. H.J. published his findings and observations in several medical journals which were well received. He was one of the first to recognize chronic bruellosis in the ambulatory patient. He continued his clinical research and was invited as a guest speaker to the International Congress on Brucellosis at Mexico City, October 1946. He also presented a treatise on brucellosis before the Louisiana and Mississippi State Medical Associations.

Dr. H.J. expanded his clinical research for more reliable methods of diagnosis, including culture procedures and antibodies studies. Dr. John H. Musser of Tulane was impressed with his theories on the attenuation of the disease and granted him full use of the facilities at the Tulane Medical School. Later he was assigned to write the chapter on brucellosis for a proposed text book by the School of Tropical medicine.

Most of his findings were not reported in medical circles because his research projects were abruptly abandoned by his decision to return to the Mississippi Gulf Coast with his family. Moreover with the attenuation of the organism and the increased use of Pasteurized milk, the disease gradually disappeared and no longer presented a serious problem.

ACADIAN LIVING

The hardships of the country practice were compensated for by the congeniality of the French patient. St. James parish was mostly Creole and Acadian. As the big plantations fell into post-war decay many Creoles moved into New Orleans and the remainder mixed with the Acadians who were the small farmers, the artisans and traders. They had large families and furnished the parish much of its color and natural charm. The were friendly people who loved gaiety, laughter and music. Their little homes, lacking in luxury, were full of life, love and friendly understanding. Their simple graciousness made life on the "river road" a memorable experience. Their hospitality and their ever festive mood made one realize that the "river road" was not a place to live, but rather a philosophy of living, and they loved to share their living with others.

A simple event may call for an occasion; the killing of a rabbit would summon the male cooks to prepare the local feast of "sauce piquant". Red wine was needed to cool the pepper. After the first frost, "la boucherie" was a big event in which the neighbors gathered to prepare the delicacies of the fatted hog. Everyone enjoyed the roast, the chops, la gelee (hog head cheese), les sauciesses (sausages), especially le boudin rouge and le boudin blanc, and grillades. With the next cold wave another neighbor would make a "boucherie".

Food was a principal part of Acadian life. They enjoyed eating and loved to share their fine dishes with the neighbors and friends. During the winter months fowl and game were plentiful and the men kept the table supplied with doves, quail, rabbit, venison, frog legs and river shrimp. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons turkey and chicken were added to the menu. With the approach of the Lenten season the menu changed from meat to fish. Court bouillon was always available; it was fish cooked in a special creole style. Red wine was used to temper the seasoning.

The men of St. James were good cooks but usually confined their culinary skills to sauce piquant, court bouillon and the many crawfish dishes that required special attention. "Le gumbo" was the favorite dish of the parish. It was the "piece de resistance" of all fairs and the mainstay of the meatless Fridays. "Gumbo" is a work of Congo origin which means okra, so it is possible that the slaves gave us "le gumbo". In St. James gumbo is made either with okra or "file" which is added to each serving. "File" was first sold by the Indians in New Orleans markets. It is a grayish-green powder made from dried leaves of the sassafras tree. Gumbo may be made with turkey, chicken, ham, crabs, oysters, shrimp, sausage, grillades or andouille. To the outsider, gumbo is a thick soup served with rice, but to a native it is "un bon gumbo".

As Spring approaches with the event of Easter and the end of the season of fating, attention is turned to the little crustaceans, also natives of St. James. During Holy Week and especially on Good Friday, the Acadians spend their time on the bayous and canals catching crawfish. They brought them home in sacs where the entire family began the tedious task of preparing them for the savory feast of crawfish bisque. The ritual at times lasted for several days.

Life in St. James had a lore and individuality all its own. It was the first Acadian Coast and the home of the Acadian exiles. In the early eighteen hundreds with the advent of the steamboat the plantations developed and the homes became replicas of Grecian splendor. It was the day or luxurious living, sumptuous entertainment and delightful ease. The Creole families were at the height of their glory.

LIFE AT COLLEGE POINT

After the fall of the great plantations, life on the river road settled to a happy medium, governed by the simple philosophy of the Acadians and influenced by the culture and extravagance of the Creoles.

During the depression of the 1930's life was comfortable. The land and the forest were generous with their fruits and the people were kind. There was no evidence of deprivation or suffering. When Doctor H.J. began his practice on the river road, the economy was at low level. Although his income was limited, his expenses were minimal. The comfort of living was determined by the cost of domestic help. In 1935 the cook received $2.75 a week. Her duties were to awaken the members of the family with "le cafe", a small cup of black coffee, hand dripped. She then prepared a steaming hot breakfast, and soon after she began preparations for the noon meal. At 10:00 o'clock "Cafe-au-lait" was served. Supper was a light repast. The cook was the major domo, ruling over all persons, even the owners.

The wash woman took care of the laundry, including the doctor's suits. All clothes were hand pressed. She received one dollar a day. The "house girl" received two dollars a week. Her responsibility was to look after the children and to perform any duties designated by the cook. The yard boy received one dollar a day. He also washed the doctor's car.

Life was easy and pleasant. All the help assisted with the children and was always available to sit with them or to walk with them as they grew older. They were always mused or kept under close surveillance as was needed during their more restless periods. There were no close neighbors and no children to play with. Viola the cook frequently took them to her home in the afternoons so that they could play with other children. They frequently accompanied their father on house calls and often visited friends with their mother.

In 1942 Harry became of school age and was enrolled at St. Michael's parochial school. In 1943 Bobbie accompanied him and began the first grade. Since they were not permitted to ride the parish school bus, the were brought to and from school by "Bebe" Lardong in her model A Ford sedan. In Sept. 1944 Richie attended as a kindergarten pupil.

With the advent of World War II in Europe the national economy improved and wages increased. When this country entered the conflict the local economy was depressed; young men were drafted and others sought employment in defense plants. Many small planters abandoned their fields, which was probably the beginning of events that changed the destiny of the "river road".

With these changes it became apparent to Doctor H.J. that this area of practice would not be adequate for the future needs of this family. After due consideration it was decided that the family would move back home to the Mississippi Coast. It was a difficult and emotional decision, leaving friends and patients and the river road. No replacement was ever available to care for Dr. H.J.'s patients. Doctors from either side took over the area, which was probably an omen that the "river road" was changing.

RETURN TO THE MISSISSIPPI COAST

In January 1945 the Schmidt family moved to Biloxi where Dr. H.J. continued his practice of medicine. He obtained office space above Quint's drug store and was granted staff privileges at the Biloxi hospital located Beach drive east of Nixon street with a capacity of 95 beds. In this transfer he was greatly assisted by his brother Dr. Frank O. Schmidt.

At this time Biloxi and the Coast were booming with war activity; Keesler Air Force Base and Ingalls Shipbuilding were at peak operation. Gasoline and clothing were rationed and food was issued on stamps. Appliances, radios, automobiles and other conveniences were not available. Few houses were listed on the real estate market, but the Schmidt's were fortunate to find a suitable home at 209 West First street [address is now 144 St. Francis Street renamed in the 1980s]. It had three bedrooms, two baths and was located on an acre of land, at the price of $8,000.

The transfer to Biloxi was not difficult; the faithful cook Viola came along and remained a month helping to establish the new household. The boys were soon acquainted with neighboring children and especially enjoyed the movies and the beach, pleasures not found on the river road. In January 1945 Harry enrolled at Sacred Heart Academy in the third grade and Bobbie entered the second grade. Dickie had to wait until September '45 to enter the first grade. Dr. H.J. brought them to school in the morning and they returned home by city bus.

On May 8, 1945 the German armies surrendered, terminating hostilities in Europe. On August 6, 1945 the U.S. Air Force dropped the first atomic bomb in warfare; the Japanese city of Hiroshima was destroyed. Eight days later hostilities ceased in the Pacific area. With the return of peace the Mississippi coast entered a time of economic uncertainty; Keesler AFB was depopulated and Ingalls Shipbuilding was looking for non-military contracts. Real estate values declined. In September 1947 a severe hurricane devastate the waterfront on the Mississippi coast, which may have been a blessing in disguise.

THE SCHMIDT CLINIC In 1947 Dr. Frank and Dr. Harry Schmidt decided to develop a clinic containing a laboratory that would conveniently provide their patients with necessary diagnostic procedures. They purchased the lot and building at 137 Lameuse street [now 121 Lameuse Street] and employed architect William Allen to convert it into a modern medical facility. The old building was probably erected in the 1840's and had an interesting medical past. According to Ernest Desporte there were no medical doctors in Biloxi at the outbreak of yellow fever in the 1870's. His grandmother Victoria Desporte went to Mobile and induced Dr. Anthony Castaned to come to Biloxi to care for Mr. Desporte's mother who was acutely ill with the fever. Dr. Castaned remained in Biloxi and the records show that on Sept. 10, 1879 he purchased this same property at 137 Lameuse St. [now 121 Lameuse St.] It served as his home and office until his death about 1898. It again served as a medical office for Dr. Ben Martinez in 1941. The old building is still intact as the north-east part of the present clinic.

HOUSE CALLS

As the need for physicians grew and demands on them increased, the incidence of house calls diminished. Other factors influenced the custom; with the development of more facilities and progress in medicine, it became apparent that more care could be afforded the patient at the office or hospital. Other factors that influenced the custom was the development of specialists. Physicians who confined their practice to limited fields would not attend patients outside of the office. An incidental observation also records an important factor; today people who become ill do not remain in bed unless the acuteness prevents. This is due to the present economic status that controls the lives of people.

SCHOOL DAYS

When the automobile industry resumed full production a Chevrolet was purchased for Margaret S. To relieve the transportation on Dr. H.J. The second car also permitted Margaret to take up the game of golf with new Biloxi friends. After the game she regularly brought the boys home from school.

Their stay at Sacred Heart Academy was uneventful. In 1948 Harry transferred to Notre Dame Junior High located on the SW corner of Porter and Cemetery. It wa s formerly a city grade school. In 1949 Bobbie entered Junior High. Dickie finished Sacred Heart and entered Junior High in 1951.

In 1950 Harry entered Notre Dame High School then located in the former Dantzler home on the beach drive near the light house. He remained there three years and at the beginning of the fourth year the school transferred to the new location on Keegan's Bayou near Back Bay. Harry's class was the first o graduate from the new school in 1954. The school was formally dedicated in Sept. 1953. Dr. H.J. was a member of the building committee.

Bobbie began high school in 1951 and completed the final two years at the new school in 1955. After completing junior high, Dickie's class was the first to spend four years at the new campus, graduating in 1957.

During their high school years Harry and Bobbie were members of the band and engaged in scholastic activities. Dickie being athletic minded participated in sports. He played basket ball and was a member of the football squad for th ree years. In his senior year he was elected captain of the team and was awarded the Wambsgan memorial trophy as the outstanding player of the year. He also devoted time to other extra-curricular activities.

During their years at Notre Dame High their scholastic achievements were good. Harry finished second in his class and was named salutatorian. Bobbie's grades placed him at the head of his class and he served as valedictorian. Dickie also placed first in his class and was the valedictorian. \par During the school years their social activities developed and they enjoyed their friends to the utmost, A used jeep station wagon was purchased about 1953 and served as transportation until Dickie left for college in 1957.

NEW PROSPERITY

In June 1950 the outbreak of the Korean war turned the economic tide for the Mississippi Coast. Keesler was rebuilt as a permanent base, and Ingalls-Litton expanded to a modern shipyard on the west bank of the Pascagoula. Hugh navy contracts made them the leading employer in the state of Mississippi. Highway 90 was modernized with a new bridge at Ocean Springs and Pascagoula. Towns expanded with residential subdivisions and modern shopping areas developed.

BILOXI SCHOONERS

The canning of shrimp and oysters came to Biloxi in 1881 and the business was so successful that the packers could not depend only on cat-boat crews seining on local beaches, and on oyster tongers in Biloxi bay. Tall sail power was needed to drag for oysters on the natural reefs in Mississippi sound and the Louisiana marshes, one of the great fishing areas of the world. Thus the building of two-mast schooners thrived along with the seafood canning business. After artificial ice was available in 1887, schoon ers loaded with ice and long seins set a course for the marshes where seins were hauled into the boat by means of a "patent" which held the lead line to the bottom.

Each packer soon acquired a fleet of schooners but continued to buy from the cat-boat crews who did seasonal seining along Point aux Chenes and other beaches. With no ice they had to do their seining at dawn and rush the catch to the landing wharves before the sun was hot. This became a daily regatta which sharpened sailing skills. Cat-boats were generally owned by the fishermen and often built by them, but it took a special skill to design and build a two-mast schooner.

Schooner builders found a safe harbor on Back bay, and nearby river swamps they found cypress trees to make ribs and hull pl anking that would never rot. Young pines were easily shaped into masts, and pine sap made pitch for caulked seams. Rival builders had their own ideas as to the mold of hulls and the set of sails for faster schooners. As the packing business prospered t he size of schooners increased to 45 feet and more.

Schooner captains were experienced in both fishing and sailing and probably started out in oyster skiffs with gaff pole rigs. Their responsibility was to come in loaded with shrimp or oysters in the short est time. The dredging or seining routine varied with wind or tide, but in September the frequently raced home just ahead of a howling hurricane; some of them did not make it. Schooners often lost their masts and were washed up on a beach. Some were ab le to dig out and limp home under a jury rig.

YACHT CLUB REGATTAS

With the opening of railway service in 1870 the Mississippi coast as far out as Ocean Springs became the resort area for New Orleans, at that time the largest city in the South. This and the seafood pack made Biloxi the leading town on the Coast and one with the best harbor. By 1900 it was inevitable that one or more yacht clubs would be organized; the Biloxi Yacht Club near the foot of Lameuse street was one that survived. It was also inevitable that the race of working schooners would be the main event of their annual regatta for 32 years. Leading packers entered their fastest schooners; hauled them out to clean the bottoms and smear on tallow. They were freshly painted and fitted with a new suit of sails. When the wind was brisk it was a thrilling event with keen rivalry. They took the starting gun at the club house and sailed out the channel to the fifth and sixth beacons where a triangular course was marked out. The finish at the club hou se was generally exciting. At the peak of regatta racing, schooners were well known and their skippers were more popular than Biloxi aldermen.

About 1912 the popping of gasoline engines was heard on Biloxi bay. They were first installed in the larger cat-boats which were soon dragging nets behind, and eventually evolved into the Biloxi trawler. As a conservation measure Mississippi law prohibited power dredging on oyster reefs, and thus the life of the schooner was extended to 1930 when the law was repealed. The last schooner race was in 1932. Five years later there was a revival of the "auxiliary" schooner race, but the thrill and color had gone out of it; the Biloxi schooner faded into history.

The Biloxi Yacht Club was built over the water on pilings high enough to survive the wave wash of most gulf coast hurricanes, but was not quite high enough for hurricane Camille which reared in after dark on August 17, 1969. In the gray dawn people saw the most extensive devastation ever visited on the Mississippi Coast.

SAIL BOATS

The boys began their sailing career when mamma Margaret bought them a small cat boat. She would take them and their friends for an adventurous sail on Biloxi bay, and everyone learned by experience. As they grew ol der they spent much time at the Biloxi Yacht Club. They continued their sailing as crew members on the "fish boats" and participated in junior regattas. They also served as life guards at the hotel swimming pools and earned extra spending money.

During 1951 and 52 through the efforts of Stanley Butte a new class of boat was introduced in Biloxi. It was the popular international "Lightning Class" sloop, nineteen feet with a beam of six and a half feet. It carried a crew of three, which suited the Schmidt's. Mr. Butte purchased the first boat for Margaret Carroll, the "Miss Cookie II". Frank and Janie Schmidt acquired the next boat from Ed Overton and called it "Skylark". Harry, Bobbie and Dickie purchased the "Dixie Doodle" from Clif Prados and renamed it the "Black Flash". Ralph Pringle bought the "Aeolus" from Rob Roy. Uncle Oscar Mitchell built the "Badine", and Jacinto Balter had the "An Teinntreac" built for Ann and Margaret.

The boats were registered and recorded as the Biloxi Lightning Fleet #239. Though not official it was probably the only teen-age lightning fleet in the world; only teen-agers were eligible for office. The status of the crew was apparently decided by seniority; Harry was the skipper, Bobbie handled the mainsail and set the spinnaker, and Dickie tended the jib in fair weather. Not yet having attained full weight, in foul weather he was replaced by Uncle Oscar or Dr. H.J. Uncle Oscar looked after the "Black Flash" and was indispensable. He was so interested in the boats that he built the "Badine" for himself and became the first adult member of the teen age fleet. He was named the official fleet measurer. He loved to sail and whenever the wind was cool and the water was wet Dr. J.H. brought along Uncle Oscar's bottle of chloroform liniment filled with "Old Crow".

The fleet was fortunate in having some of the best boats in the district and the members were privileged to have the experience of sailing against the best skippers in the country. This afforded a challenge which enabled them to be seasoned sailors. During the ensuing years they towed their boats along the Gulf Yachting circuit from Pensacola to the New Orleans yacht club and rarely missed a regatta.

In 1955 with the help of Mr. Butte and the Biloxi Yacht Club, Lightning Fleet #239 sponsored the Southern District Championship Regatta. Later in the year they sailed in the President's Trophy Race on Lake Pontchartrain with a fleet of approximately thirty boats. "Miss Cookie III" placed 14th and the "Black Flash" was 15th.

In 1955 their interest waned in the Lightning class and increased with their eligibility to sail the fish class boats where local competition was keen. They participated in the elimination races and sailed as skippers or crew members for the "Lipton Trophy". They never lost interest in boats or sailing, though their activities were limited during their college years. The teen-age fleet of 1954 eventually became three housewives and mothers, one school teacher, one attorney and four physicians. Uncle Oscar retired.

NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY In the fall of 1954 Harry began his college studies at Notre Dame University, South Bend Indiana. Dr. H.J. went with him on the first trip, and as the boys did many times later they traveled on the L & N train "Humming Bird", leaving Biloxi about 11:00 AM. The trip was pleasant and the dining car cuisine excellent. They had lunch near Mobile and dinner passing through Birmingham. Their Pullman car was switched to the C & E I RR d uring the early morning and they arrived at Chicago about 10:00 AM. After several days seeing Chicago they boarded a "Chicago & South Shore" electric train for South Bend. After two days at the Morris Inn on the campus, Dr. H.J. returned to Biloxi with some remembrance of that empty lonely feeling on leaving home for the first time.

In 1955 Bobbie began his studies at Notre Dame and two years later Dickie accompanied his two brothers to South Bend. Though the scholastic standards were high and the discip line rigid they enjoyed and appreciated their stay at the university. Their curriculum required full attention and left little time for other activity. The severe weather presented a challenge but they adjusted to it.

Harry returned for the fourth year and received a B.S. degree. Bobbie completed his premedical requirements in three years. Dickie accumulated sufficient credits in three years to receive a B.S. degree.

TULANE UNIVERSITY

In the fall of 1958 Harry and Bobbie entered the Tulane School of Medicine as freshmen. They were assigned to sections at the Richardson Memorial on the uptown campus. For the first time in the medical education they experienced the grim reality of examining "patients"; in the dissecting laboratory of gross anatomy.

After two years of intensive laboratory work, they were transferred to the Hutchinson Memorial adjoining Charity Hospital on Tulane Avenue. Here they were assigned to various clinics in the hospital and school where they examined and treated patients under faculty supervision.

In 1960 Dickie entered the Tulane School of Medicine and spent one year at the Richardson Memorial. He was then transferred to the Hutchinson at which time the entire school of medicine was located at 1430 Tulane Avenue.

In 1962 Harry and Bobbie fulfilled all requirements of the school of medicine and awarded degrees of Doctor of Medicine. After many years of anticipation their first goal was achieved. Both were given highly prized internships at Charity Hospital, New Orleans.

In 1964 Dickie fulfilled all requirements and was granted the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He also obtained an internship at Charity Hospital.

SCHMIDT CLINIC EXPANDS

An addition was added to the Schmidt Clinic in 1950 as an apartment for the laboratory technician. Both Dr. F.O. and Dr. H.J. enjoyed the prospering clinic with its laboratory facilities. In 1955 the partnership built a modern new office in Ocean Springs on Jackson avenue for Dr. F.O .

In 1966 Dr. F.O. and Dr. H.J. with mutual consent dissolved the partnership in anticipation of Dr. H.J.'s sons returning to practice in Biloxi. Dr. "Smitty" had obtained a full surgery residency at Tulane and decided to remain in New Orleans. Dr. F.O. continued his morning hours at the clinic until 1969 when he decided to confine his practice to Ocean Springs.

The old Delauney home adjacent to the clinic was purchased on Dec. 20, 1965 and demolished to provide necessary off-street parking area, and three years later the next property was obtained for additional space.

In 1966 the rear apartment was converted to additional offices for Dr. Harry, Jr. who completed his residency in internal medicine. Dr. Robert also completed his residency in O.B. Gyn. and entered the U.S. Navy. Dr. Harry Jr. entered the army in 1967, and Dr Robert returned to the clinic in 1968. During 1967 Dr. Richard spent six months at the clinic following his discharge from the army before returning to his pediatric residency at Memphis, Tenn.

In 1969 plans were made to double the size of the clinic to accommodate the three sons who had fulfilled their obligations to the armed forces during the Viet Nam war. Early construction of the clinic addition in Sept. 1969 was disrupted by hurricane Camille, however it was available for use when Dr. Richard completed his residency in December, 1969. The clinic then contained more than 5700 square feet of space and accommodated five physicians comfortably, and maintained its usual laboratory facilities.

Anticipating need for future expansion, the group identified as Dr. H.J. Schmidt and Sons purchased the Meunier property adjacent Sept. 21, 1970 for $60,000. It was originally the north portion of the Desporte tract which measured 98.12 feet on Water Street and extended south 254 feet. The home was built in 1895 by Dr. Charles Desporte of New Orleans.

CHANGING TIMES

The family of H.J. Schmidt grew up in a span of history that change d the lives of people more than ever before. The long depression of the 1930's brought on the first social legislation in the U.S. People of low income were given some security in retirement and some medical assistance. Labor legislation gave the worker s a better share of prosperity, and unemployment insurance gave some relief when times were bad.

WORLD WAR II

Lives of people were tragically changed with the outbreak of World War II in 1939. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1 941 put the U.S. on a war economy. In Aug. 1945 the U.S. Air Force dropped two mysterious bombs on Japan, which terminated the war and opened the era of atomic power.

TELEVISION

Immediately after the war, television receivers began to appear on the market, and soon millions of them were bringing news and entertainment into homes. It not only replaced the old radio receivers but soon began to bankrupt movie theaters across the country.

HOME AIR CONDITIONING

Soon after the war, home air conditioners came on the market in the form of window units. Public buildings had been air-conditioned twenty years before, but the home unit had been retarded by the depression and the war. It was so widely accepted that it changed the design of homes; the front porch was no longer the coolest place in summer time.

INTEGRATION

In 1954 the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed racial segregation in public schools. While integration was slow and violent in many places, the Mississippi Coast adjusted surprisingly well. The lives of black people in the South were improved by this and other court decisions.

SPACE EXPLORATION

In 1957 the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite and started the space age. Four years later they put the first man into orbit and safely recovered him, and in the next year the U.S. succeeded in similar manned flight. On July 20, 1969 millions of people watched televised landing of the first man o n the moon, no doubt the most spectacular of all human accomplishments. U.S. technology had excelled.

AUTOMOBILE AGE

The automobile has changed the lives of people more than any of their other possessions. In the early days of the century, electric street cars brought people to the "downtown" areas for shopping, banking, amusement, working, professional services, etc. Soon the street cars were replaced by motor buses, even in Biloxi. In a few more years the busses were replaced by private cars in such numbers that parking became a problem. Too late, the downtown merchants realized that there was only one solution to this problem: the establishment of suburban shopping centers with ample parking space. These centers grew like m ushrooms and the downtown sections across the country withered away with terrific losses.

The private car even "derailed" the enormous railway passenger service from coast to coast and closed many palatial terminals and thousands of small town depots. The last passenger train along the Mississippi Coast passed in April 1971, almost empty and unlamented. For the Schmidt ancestors these old trans made the Coast like a suburb of New Orleans.

AVIATION

Transcontinental aviation took some of the railway passengers. With the development of jet planes, transoceanic aviation retired the majestic ocean liners. Supersonic jets lowered the flying time from Paris to New York to three and one-half hours.

ENERGY CRISIS

Increasing demand for auto travel, truck transport, electric and gas comforts and conveniences forced the U.S. to import crude oil from the Middle East in such quantities that super-tankers were required. They carried thirty times the load of original tankers and w ere so deep in draft that they loaded and unloaded at deep water terminals off the coasts.

Ominous estimates were made on the date when the earth's reserve of oil and gas would be depleted. Atomic power plants became more numerous, and research was started to develop other sources of energy.

VIET NAM WAR

The Viet Nam war was neither declared nor total. It was a tragedy that grew out of the "Truman Doctrine"; American aid to certain nations endangered by international communism. This policy proved effective in western Europe, Greece, Turkey and partially so in Korea where military action was used. In South Viet Nam the intervention failed for complex reasons with a trag i c loss of life. There were protest riots on many U.S. college campuses, and the situation forced President Lyndon B. Johnson to withdraw from national politics. American forces were withdrawn at the beginning of the next administration under Richard M. Nixon.

In 1968 Dr. H.J. purchased this property at 127 Lameuse street for the purpose of extending the parking area for the clinic. It was known by some as the Creole cottage and there was no protest over its imminent destruction. However it came to the attention of Dr. H.J. that this cottage had served as the first free library in Biloxi, and further that a history of the Mississippi Library association stated: "By the turn of the century the state had only one free public library which had been established at Biloxi in 1898 with a total of 100 books."

By further inquiry among his elderly patients Dr. H.J. also found that the cottage had served as a private school before public schools were well established. Its schoolmarm, Mollie Rodenbert, also served as librarian. Thus it developed that the Creole cottage was not only a relic of the steamboat days, with its typical "roof-over-the-porch" design, but it was the first free public library in Mississippi, and probably the last of the one-room private schools in Biloxi.

The creole cottage began to receive public attention, and Dr. H.J. donated it to the city of Biloxi with the understanding that it would be preserved. The city government in the midst of an urban renewal project had the old building expertly restored and placed on the plaza of the modern city library where it remains in contrast both a unique and appropriate contribution to the cultural center.

SunHerald, Biloxi, Mississippi.