Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1869-10-02
SAN MICHkL-LIirLE NASSAU.

Many years ago, there existed in, THU
parish, a town of some magnitude known
to the dwellers therein. As San Michel
1t boasted of a mayor, board Of alder
men, and all other ~functionaries who 20
to swell a city's dignity. The town was
extensively populated, possessed many
%seminaries of learning, churches, jails,
coffee house, billiard saloons, and other
evidences Of refinement 1t is true that
no particular celebrity was attached to
the town, nor did we ever hear Of any OF
her citizens aspiring to or occupying a
position in our State or National coun.
ellis, although eminently, qualified to I'll
any position within the gift Of the grea,
American people. But we'll get to the
hang Of our story in tht course Of human
events, au,ofs v.:casa Icry..n 0u
San Michel, IS We said before, was a
place Of some, Importance 10 her day. bu,
owing to the stupidity or jealousy Of The
map-makers, never found q locality in
any of their productions. 2 Therefore the
world At large knows little Of San Michel
San Michel was located on the river bank,
and for the sake Of good company, the
town Of Baton Rouge was built immedi.
ately opposite. D. For years they throve
in honorable rivalry without a harsh word
or thought between them, the river alone
preventing their being clAsped in one
loving and f~aternal embrace, and joining
their destinies for veal OF woe. As time
rolled on, the crumbling banks Of thr
mighty father Of waters" began! to en-
croach upon the town, and first one Street
and t~ben.another, topped into.he river. and
sunk forever from human sight The in
habitants sought new homes. Some to
Salt Lake City where they became bright
and distinguished luminaries in Brig
hams church ; others to California where
they ammassed untold wealth, while
those whocould not leave, wisely remain.
ed at home within the sound and shadow
of their ancient haunts. Gradually COL
leges. churches, ETC. disappeared until u,
last a few small Venetian cottages alone
remained to mark the site Of San Michel.
But this was only for q time. They stood
like sentiuels gazing upon a mournfoI
waste-silent watchers Ger a buried
past. Ten years ago, on a dark and
stormy night. they too, went the way of
all frail human structures aud the last
vestige Of San Michel was erased from
the land blotted from existance Ike
another Pompeii, but in a different man
ner, and now the cold, ruthless river
rolls over what was once the fAirest spot
on earth. With the destruction Of the
town. persisted her name. although it is
still applied by a few ignorants to the
few houses at the ferry, muchly to the
of the residents, and the few an
inhabitants Of San Michel. Among
The latter is onrself. Repeatedly. have
referred TO the matter, publicly and
privately, requesting people to refrain
rom the sacrilegous misnomer, but W. it'll
pertinac'ty astonishing as it is ridicu-
GUS. no heed has been paid our ,adnonit
ous. THUS runs the world away"
Taking all the facts here stated into
consideration, . number of the old citi-
sens held q solemn meeting tuear tue
;lose of the wary and determined to g1ve
name to the present town, which should
asst until it, too. should be swept away
~ the d~evouriug monster Mississippi, or
Yielded to the great destroyer, Time
After much deliberation, some discussion,
o which not . little "cussins" was done.
t was finally agreed to name the new
own. LITTLE NASSAU, and by that appel
alton it is known to the wise and learned
men Of the dsy. The gsader will doubt.
ess inquire why 90 queer a patrocymic
bestowed upon that ANAL clump of
Thualy it was : The -ferrv land.