Jean-Baptiste Couture Collection

Jean-Baptiste Couture (1866-1943), more commonly known as J-B or Jean, was the manager and owner-publisher of Le Messager, Lewiston’s French-language newspaper. He was born in Lévis, QC and came to Le Messager in 1883 after working as a typesetter at L’Evenement in Québec City. During his time as owner of Le Messager, Couture was placed under interdict by Bishop Louis Walsh for the paper’s objection to Maine’s Corporation Sole law. Couture served two terms in the Maine State Legislature, was a member of the post-prohibition State Liquor Board, from 1933-37, and he founded WCOU, a French radio station in Lewiston.

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Please cite as: Jean-Baptiste Couture Collection, Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine.

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Faust-O. Couture décède à Lewiston [Article]

l'Unité

Photocopy of an article about Faust O. Couture from L'Unité V3 N3.
Ou nous rappelons les personnes identifees avec le Messager [Article]

Le Messager

An article from Le Messager remembering past affiliates of the publication.
Jean-Baptiste Couture c.1933-1943

Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine

Photo of Jean-Baptiste Couture (1866-1943) in later life - approx. 70 or 80 yrs old. Founder of Le Messager and WCOU.
Jean-Baptiste Couture News Clippings

Le Messager

Assorted clippings from Le Messager concerning Jean-Baptiste Couture.
Le Messager en Grief [Article]

Le Messager

Photocopy of an the cover story from Le Messager announcing the death of Jean-Baptiste Couture.
M. Couture, nos sociétés et l'art de la musique [Article]

Le Messager

Photocopy of an article from Le Messager about the passing of Jean-Baptiste Couture.
J. B. Couture Publisher of Le Messager, Dies [Article]

Unknown

Photocopy of an article from an unknown source announcing the death of Jean-Baptiste Couture at the age of 76.
M. Couture était bon, sympathique [Article]

Unknown

Photocopy of an article from an unknown source that is a transcription of Louis-Philippe Gagne's speech about the character of Jean-Baptiste Couture after his passing.
Jean-Baptiste Couture Maine Press Association Award Article

Maine Press Association

Photocopy of an article featuring Jean-Baptiste Couture's 1937 Maine Press Association Award for 50 years as a newspaper editor. The article caption is written in French.
C. M. Clipping: J. B. Couture, Leader of the French Culture in Lewiston-Auburn

Unknown

Photocopy of a typed remembrance from an unkown source detailing the life and accomplishments of Jean-Baptiste Couture with the note "C.M. Clipping".
Articles from the WCOU Times, Lewiston, Maine

The WCOU Times

Photocopy of sections of the WCOU Times from Lewiston, Maine: cover, page 3, and page 4. The front page includes and image of Jean-Baptiste Couture, president of WCOU, and a description of the radio station's opening.
La Valse du Casseur de Pierres [The Stonebreaker's Waltz]

Jean-Baptiste Couture

Music notation and verse.

Dated appx. 1930
25 Anniversaire Mariage de M. et Mme. Valdore Couture [Article]

Unknown

Photocopy of an article from an unknown source [Le Messager?] about the 25th wedding anniversary of Valdore and Evelyn Couture.
Claudette Couture Photograph

Unknown

Photograph of Claudette Couture, daughter of Valdor and Evelyn Couture.

Notation on back of photo: Claudette Couture, friend. Enclosed note: This is the family of Valdor & Evelyn Couture. He was part owner of Le Messager" in Lewiston. Claudette and Connie are their daughters.

Dimensions 2.5" x 3.5"
Connie Couture Photograph

Unknown

Photograph of Connie Couture in a portfolio. Connie was the daughter of Valdor and Evelyn Couture.

Notation in cover:To Irene, with very best wishes. Sincerely, Connie Couture

Portfolio photograph dimensions: 6" x 9" folded, 6" x 13" unfolded.
Evelyn Couture Photograph

Unknown

Photo Post Card with an image of Evelyn Couture.

Notation on back of photo: Chere Iréne: Mercie pour ta belle carte de noël. Ce portrait a te [fris] le jour de l'An. Commen est tout la famille? Best regards to you + yours, Evelyn
friend, Evelyn Couture

Enclosed note side 1: This is the family of Valdor + Evelyn Couture. He was part owner of "Le Messager" in Lewiston. Claudette and Connie are their daughters.

Enclosed note side 2: Picture of Evelyn Couture on the beach in Hollywood, Florida.
Valdore b[orn] 12/[0]1/1899 d[eceased] [0]8/[??]/1986 FL
Evelyn b[orn] [0]4/13/1904 d[eceased] [0]9/14/1992 FL
They were living in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the time of their death

Dimensions 3.5" x 5.25".
Jean-Baptiste Couture Photographs and Article

Unknown

Photocopies of a photograph of Jean-Baptiste Couture (photograph c. 1900) and two articles.

Article 1

Title: A Cap, A Flag, A Uniform – They All Look Good!
Source: Unknown
Date: 03/28/1928

Article 2

Title: Fondateur du Messager
Source: Le Messager
Date: 05/21/1955
Lewiston Mill Blocks Photograph

Unknown

Undated photograph of the mill blocks in Lewiston, Maine, c. 1930.

Text on back of photo:
Top right hand drawer
Lewison - Buildings - Mill Blocks
MEC - AA 18
Valdore and Evelyn Couture Photograph

Unknown

Photograph of Valdore and Evelyn Couture, c. 1930.

Notation on back of photo [written by Charlotte Michaud?]: Mr. & Mrs. Valdore L. Couture, friends
Michaud - Lewiston

Dimensions 4" x 6"
Jean-Baptiste Couture c. 1926

Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine

Jean-Baptiste Couture is shown in the title role of Fra Diavolo, a play he produced for the Lewiston-Auburn community.

Couture (1866-1943) was a leader in the Franco-American community for more than 50 years.
L'Amour á Bord

Jean-Baptiste Couture

Jean-Baptiste Couture produced and starred in this French version of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore.

This book contains dialogue from the play with handwritten notation.

Dated appx. 1925
"Fra Diavolo" Photograph

Unknown

Photocopy of a photograph of Jean-Baptiste Couture in costume for the production "Fra Diaviolo".
Lewiston Journal Photograph

Unknown

Undated photograph of the Lewiston Journal building in Lewiston, Maine, c. 1920.
Jean-Baptiste Couture c.1900

Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine

Jean-Baptiste Couture (1866-1943), a native of Québec, left school at age 13 to become a typesetter. He came to the United States in about 1883, where he worked for Lewiston's French language newspaper, Le Messager.

He owned and published the paper for more than 50 years and founded WCOU, a bilingual radio station, as well as being active in politics and theater.