Letters

Antique Slots
There was an article in your March/April Louisiana Life magazine that was brought to my attention. The particulars of the article were based on a Louisiana State Police seizure of illegal slot machines.
In the article, it stated, “The only time a person can have a gambling machine is if it’s nonfunctioning and is older than 25 years old, which classifies it as an antique.”
Part of this information is incorrect as pointed out to us by someone after the fact. In actuality, as long as the machine is 25 years old or older, it is considered an antique and can in fact be fully functional.
Thank you for your assistance in clarifying this matter.
Lt. Keith A. Greene
Louisiana State Police
Gaming Enforcement Division

Two Generals
I enjoyed reading Mr. Paul Stahls’ recent article (January/February 2009 Louisiana Life magazine) titled “A Louisiana Life: Gen. Robert Barrow.”
The article includes Gen. John Archer Lejeune, also from Point Coupee, and mentions “the unlikelihood of two Louisiana country gents sharing their title [of commandant of the Marine Corps].”
While living in Virginia, I came across a shoebox full of tiny antique books in a used furniture store. I like antiques and Bibles, so I bought a handful of tiny books –– for 50 cents each! All of the books belonged to members of the Lejeune family. One of the books is a pack Bible/prayer book hand-signed by Gen. John A. Lejeune and hand-addressed “France, The Great War 1917, 1918, 1919.”
In November of 2000, when I had returned to Baton Rouge, there was a full-page article in the Advocate announcing the unveiling of Gen. Lejeune’s bronze at seven locations across the country, including the Point Coupee Courthouse in his hometown. I attended the unveiling ceremonies and luncheon and met 12 of Gen. Lejeune’s relatives who had driven in from Virginia and truly enjoyed the connection. Also, my own relatives arrived in Point Coupee in the mid-1700s, so I enjoyed the historical connection, as well. (My mother is Fran Laborde Copes from Mansura. Her parents are Felix and Anne Scallan Laborde.)
Thank you for making the connection between Gen. John A. Lejeune and Gen. Robert Barrow, “two Louisiana country gents.”

Elizabeth Cunningham
Baton Rouge