The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-03-27
Pinewoods and Poor Lands.

EQGWOOQS IOUI AduUs,
No doubt many of readers win be much surprised
to find that they have suddenly become rich by the
touch Of the magicians wand. The evening previous
to this agreeable event. many planters cogitatng
whether they could "lnake both ends meet" They
estimated their pineywoods from 80 cents to 81 %
per acre-heir "upands" at from 50 to 81 per acre
they added up their liabilities and found that most of
them were about "even with the world" Some, no
doubt went to sleep with heavy hearts But miracles
as in olden times has assumed the power of working
wonders Our rather responding landowners arose
in the morning, and the first thing that met their eyes,
was an account in newspaper that the assessor Of the
parish of Rapdes had assessed the poor Pineywoods
lands at $50 per acre Some laughed, some jumped
and capered about like a wild Arab horse; one, it is
said danced until the bottom of his boots peope in
this section Of country often dance with boots on in
stead of pumps) separated from the legs One old
fogv said he had 1000 acres of pinewoods which he
had frequently unsuccessfuy offered for $780, to buy
carriage for his daughters but now that he was worth
$50 900 in lands alone he would procure them very
superior equipage which should cost from $1,000 to
5000, and eclipse every carriage in the parish.
very quiet old fogy said he had been rejecting some;
he had 500 acres of pinewoods, and he very much
thanked the assessor for increasing s value to 49, 600
and hoped that the assessor would aid him in finding
purchaser--he had heard that old Sam. Houston was
raising an army to seek country, he firmly be-
Iieyed old Sam would furnish him with good land for
10 cents an acre as he had fought under him at San
Jacinto He further remarked, that if he could not
sell his land he would lay it off in 40 acre lots, and
when the taxcoIector came round to collect his taxes
thar he would let him sell Of the lots and after de-
Quoting the taxes costs etc. hand him the balance in
cash He would pursue this course until be sold out
the whole tract, by which time he would have hand
some sum Of money on hand.
The Alexandria Constitutional says
The pinewoods land Of the parish of Rapdes is al
this time very valuable-that is, if 10 Judge
from the valuation placed upon it by the present parish
| assessor Lands in the plnewoods heretofore we be-
eye have been assessed at from one TO two doarper
acre. hut our present assessor has come TO the concu
sion that they are worth fifty dollars an acre, will
be seen by the assessment made by him 5000 acres
of pinewoods lands belonging to w s. CLlhoun, Esq,
! if our informantiou is correct"
I'VE have not been informed whether other pine
woods lands have been assessed at the not
but are Of the opinion that little partially has been
shown in the valuation OF Mr.. Calhoun's property
Mr. Calhoun is wealthy enough, every one knows, and
our assessor should not make him out hayng more
wealth than he is entitled to-"
"On account of the sudden rise in the price of pine
woods land which believe originated in the upper
story of the aforesaid assessor the of Mr.. Cal
houn have increased this year about $500; but chen
he must not complain, friend the assessor was
raised in the piuewoods and knows the value of sucl
property much better than anybody-else. But some
may say Calhoun is rich and he ought to pay we'll fol
! it, We have always understood that taxation should
be eoual-that must pay according to the value
of his property; but it that for mis-
taken Ii pine lands are worth fifty dollars an acre
we would advise our pinewoods friends to sell oat in
stanter and pitch into the swamp lands at seventyyf
cents per acre as We think it would be good invest
ment Because is richi that he should
| be robbed. We know Mr.. Calhoun WE'LL and know
that he is willing to pay every cent the law says he
shall pay, without grumblng, but he is very much op
posed to being made Weather than he really IS for
the especial benefit Of the State and parish; but the
saying these days among the oice-holders is that
| bird that has feathers must be plucked."
The Constitutional does appear exactly to under
stand the matter All property has increased in the
same proportion as the pineywood5 land-the river
and swamp lands WILL no doubt, be assessed at upward:
of thousand dollars per acre. to raise funds to
support the powers that be"hc dear ofice-hoders
must be pampered.