Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-08-04
The PROGRESS Of the opelousas Railroad.

, Everything that has a tendency to keep alive tt
interest that has lately been manifested towart
this to the people of Western Louisiana, impo
tant public improvement, deserves at our hands
passing notice, if for no other purpose than to kee
the attention of those interested directed to til
importance of its early completion. Of late, quit
an important link has been added in the competio
of an elegant and substantial bridge across tn
Laourche about four miles distant from this place
This bridge was planned and executed under tn
exclusive superintendent of Mr.. G. W. r. Bayley
| chief engineer of the Company; and in point Q
design and construction, it will rank favoraby witt
any railroad draw bridge in the country. 1t vii
support a much greater weight than can unde
any possible contingency be required Of it.
| The occasion of the completion of the bridge
President Hewes at the Crossing, which was the
means of drawing together within the borders O
our parish, larger number of the citizens of New
Orleans than had ever visited this interesting and
productive portion of Louisiana at any previous
period. Among the participants we noticed Gen
Lewis Mayor of the city, James Robb, c. Roselius
A. Lanfear, Col. Oakley, Hon. Geo. Eustis, OUT
contemporaries Col. Lumsden of the Picavune, Mr..
Dufour Of the Bee, DR.. Kennedy of the True Delta,
and many. more distinguished Orleanians; while
Thibodaux was represented by our friend DR.. j. A.
Scudday and "We."
The excursion train arrived at the Crossing at
o'clock, P. NJ, and after making brief pause to
allow the country delegation to get on board,
crossed the bridge and proceeded nearly two miles
into the swamp on the west bank of the bayou, and
then returned to the depot where the dinner was
in waiting.
At two o'clock, the company present, numbering
near three hundred persons, took their positions at
the table, presided over at one end by President
Hewes, and at the other by Vice-President Seger.
When the inner man had been satisfied, feast of
reason and flow of soul land bowD reigned SUI
preme. President Hewes first put the ball in mo-
ton, by proposing toast Ito the Mayor and City
Council Of New Orleans" prefaced with few
happy remarks, wherein he gave due credit to the
citizens of that city for having SO molly come to
the aid Of the Road by voting to tax themselves in
its behalf The toast was responded to by Gen. J.
L. Lewis, Mayor in truly happy style. That
great friend of internal improvements, James Robb,
Esq, was next called upon, and he perfectly en-
chanted the audience with speech of some twenty
minutes DURATION which he delivered in a most
elegant style, giving free vent to his enthusiasm in
favor of railroad improvements Then followed
Judge Eusts, Mr.. Roselius Col. Oakley, and several
other gentlemen, who spoke strongly in favor of
the present railroad system in Louisiana as the
only one that can effectualIy promote her future
prosperity and cause the prairie lands of our
western borders to blossom as does the rose.
Speech followed speech, and sentiment followed
until ample justice had been done to the
numerous bottles Of Heidsieck that decorated the
festive board
The shrill whistle of the iron horse now an
nounced that the time for parting was close at
hand, and at FIVE o'clock all were under way for
Algiers, which point was reached at seven; making
the run (52 miles, in two hours. Thus ended the
celebration of the 18th of July; and it is pleasing
thought to know, that while the greatest hilarity
reigned during the entire occasion, nothing &C.
Cured to mar the good feeling of any one present
All were happy; all were gay; all were enthusiastic
in the thought that the President and present
Board of Directors of the Opelousas Railroad have
lone themselves undying honor in having so we'll
md so faithfully executed the trust imposed upon
hem by the stockholders. None could have better
aiken their interest at heart, and given better
character and standing to the Company. Under
he present administration stock has considerably
advanced, and in fact the affairs of the Road are
n the best possible condition, securing beyond
,avil its early completion to Berwieks BAY, at a
much earlier day than was contemplated few
months ago.
1t may not be improper or out of place to state
hat the work on the road west of the Lafourche |
0 Berwicks Bay, is progressing with the greatest
apidity. The rails are now down from the bridge |
o within less than mile of the Terrebonne, at
drs Tanners, where a depot for Thbodaux and |
he upper portion Of Terrebonne will soon be built
his section of the road between the Lafourche
nd Terrebonne) will be entirely completed and |
~ ~"AS ioiinlheo uPoA ~ ny tue 1Oul inSC up
Fards Of two miles of the track from Tigervile
owards the Terrebonne have already been laid
nd it is confidently expected that the entire Sec
ion, twelve miles, will be completed and in
INNING order by the first of October next-one
nonth sooner than was at first anticipated. This
ill secure to the road the ensuing season at least
5000 hogsheads Of sugar and from rs to 100, 600
arrels of molasses, besides other freights; to-
ether with all the travel between the Attakapas
nd Opelousas countries and New Orleans. We
$50 learn with pleasure that the Company is now
negotiation with the Post Office Department at
Washington for carrying the mail, which will
ford an additional revenue to the Company. In
" opinion the prospects of this road-the most
nportant Of any now being built in the south
e the most fattering; and all should consider it
special duty to keep the road uppermost in their
ishes, until it shall have reached Opelousas, its
rminus in the fertile parish Of St. Landry
The road took to New Orleans during the past
ason, over 1900 hogsheads of sugar, $4,000
lrrels of molasses,s and an almost innumerable
,antity Of ducks and other game; and it was
lly k2 miles in lnnpth Fiffaen moc moro 1v;u