The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-10-16

Washington in the parish of St. Landry.
is destined to become one of the largest and
most lourishing inland commercial towns
in our State. 1t unites many advantages
not fully appreciated by its own citizens.
Much younger than Opelousas, it will soon
equal it in population. Opelousas is six
miles from any water course, but is elisibly
situated, and is supported by a prosperous
and fertile surrounding country. 1t is the
parish-seat, and the political centre. Wash
ington is on a navigable stream, is an I'm
portant shipping point, and is the ommer
cial centre. We propose to say something
Of its population, business, houses, situation,
advantages, surroundings and resources.
Washington is on the west or right bank
of the bayou Courtableau, having a p"pu-
lation estimated at from fifteen hundred to
two thousand inhabitants. No census hav.
ing been lately taken, our figures are only
representative There are three warehouses
controlled respectively by Messrs. Louis
Stage & Co., Pitre & Carriere, and W. A.
Robertson & Co., engaged in the Receiving,
forwarding and Commission business.
Cotton is purchased at either of these es,
adjustments, at New Orleans quotations,
less the actual cost Of shipment. There
are two | rye wholesale groceries kept by
Messrs. W. A. Robertson & Co., and Louis
Stagg & Co., who are constantly receiving
supplies by means of the steamboats, plying
between that port and New Orleans.
Besides this there are twenty-siS stores for
the sale of general merchandise, all OF
which are doing a heavy and prosperous
business. Two Ap"thicary Stores under
the management of experienced and compe-
tent druggists, supply the medicines neces
sary for a populous surrounding country.
The large, commodious and popular hotel
kept by Mr.. F.. Trainer is an acquisition t"
the town, and receives descrvedly the en-
comiums of the travelling public. The
landlord and the landlady know how to
"run a hotel" which is said to be no easy
matter. There are two churches, the one
catholic and the o'her protestant, the latter
belonging to the Methodists we believe, but
used by all protestant clergymen.
Not the least Of the attractions of
the town are two large and fourishing
private schools one for girls under the
charge of Miss Alice Keller, and the other
for boys under the direction of mfr. George
Luther, an able, experienced, and popular
teacher. 1t is not saying too much of Mr..
Luther, that he has no superior in his vo-
cation in the State. He is a thorough
scholar; his ~attainments, are varied; and
he has made the subject of education a
study for many years, with the most bene-
fetal results. His school presents a great
inducement for the residence Of families
within the town. -
: There is now but one saw-milI at or near
Washington. This is far from supplying
the wants of the country; but lumber Of
the best quality is brought regularly, by
steamboat engaged in that business, from
Atchafalaya and Grand River.
We understand that the municipal az
therities are now taking active steps
towards the improvement Of the town gene
rally. The streets are being placed in a
fine condition, ard the sidewalks repaired.
The citizens, with tie revival of business,
are improving their dwelling houses and
mercantile establishments. Paint and white
wash are being more generally used, and
several houses are being enlarged and
repaired. Indeed, on visiting Washington,
one perceives at once the evidences of pros
perity and the revival of business.
Although Washington has suffered on
several occasions from yellow fever, it is as
as any of the surrounding coun-
try. Indifference as to the value of a
quarantine, or inability to establish it with
sufficient th~oroughaess, was the cause of
epidemics, the disease being in every
imported. OF this however, we
have but little apprehension in the future.
The town has a small but efficient medical
y, at the head of whom is DIR. Thos.
A. Cooke, noted for his professional learn
skill, experience and success. Havir e
pursued his profession in our m DIST
for thirty-fise years, during which time he
united to medical skill, the wide spread
of his prof ssion, he stands today
The central figure of Washington, deserved
y ensh,ined in the affections of its people.
One of The new features of Washington.
IS the bridge recently constructed over the
Carron. The town lies between the latter
sream and the Courtableau. The Carron.
after heavy rains, and particularly during the
season, becomes very much swollen,
ind spreads its waters for some distance
rom either bank. For some years past
md particularly since the war, there has
+ IL ~fFFFt -F-Nt.L -EFFF1tF 'F'H. 80. !
,eet, no suitable bridge to furnish to the
arge population west of the Carron, lngress
o the town. This was not only an incon-
'enierce, but materially injurious. to the
prospects of the place. A new
oil bridge has however been construct
Of substantial and durable materials.
t is, with a small connecting bridge, we
told, twelve hundred and Two feet long,
nd has an average heighth of fourteen
eet, being above the highest known over
low Of the Carron,. and rendering Wash
ngton, at all seasons, easily accessible to
he large country dependent upon it as a
hipping port. .E..i 4..s s,".:r.....
A sketch of Washington would be in.
>conlo<n Esu:kb~.A ccn,o epooso1 ~aEnro1~z A.