Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-22
Of the Alsatians now remain.

peculiarities of the Alsatians now remain.
The architecture of some OF the ancient
houses suggest German ideas and origin,
but even these are nearly all French in
their peculisrities.
During the period hence to 1894 the
settlement on the bluff existed quietly.
Little was heard of it except as an or
dinary trading post, whose supplies
| furnished some territorial advantages to
the home government There was no
increase Of population, and sometimes
the number was very much reduced by
members of the community drifting into
other latitudes No string or unusual
incidents occurred to break the dull
monotony of the time. The tide and
feuds of war in far off lands did not reach
this peaceful and quiet retreat, and so
the inhabitants lived the dull routine and
utter inaction which ever attaches to an
Isolated pest ia the wilderness. I
Ia 1874 the complication OF difficulties
which existed between this country and
the governments Of France and Spain
threatened disruption Of the West and
South from the East, because the colonies
of this section were in strong sympathy
with the parent countries These coun-
tries also sought to make the ties more Sc
cure, and to this view several French
officers of note and influence were sent
hither to enlarge the sympathy and alle-
glance Of the French colonies in the Mis-
sissippi Valley to France, many of which
were hourishing in the northwestern ter
ritory, especially in the vicinity of st.
Louis, Kasksskia, Joliet, etc.
To gain farther political advantages
and more security TO the settlers in the
then enlarging and important station on
the bluff, another treaty was made with
the Chickasaws. By the provisions of this,
Baron de Carondelet secured the privi-
lege to erect fort at the mouth of Mar
got (Wolf) river. This fort occupied the
site of the present Memphis Navy Yard,
aud was named Fort Echore Margot. 1t
is mentioned in the annals of that period
as Fort San Ferdnando de Barancss.
The object of this powerful strategic
military defense was the protection of
Louisiana against invasion by the United
States, which country had then just be-
come an established government. The
armament consisted of eight pieces of
eight-pounder cannon. A sufficient mil
itary force was also provided to garrison
it, and, altogether, it became formidable
post, and protected the country against
encroachments and danger. Some threat
ening movements were made by troops in
East Tennessee, but in little while the
mooted questions were settled and all
alarm subsidized. The adjacent country
gradually became settled by pioneers
from North Carolina, Virginia and other
sections. These people were attracted
hither by the reports current concerning
the richness of the land, the genial cli-
mate of the section, aud its great promise
In 1904 the difficulties between the
differing nations were amcably settled,
and this fsr.off western settlement began
with renewed yigor and life to work out
its destiny, of name and Importance,
among the cities of the West. The &C.
cession, in 1917, to the Emitted States of
the territory of the Louisiana purchase,
placed all this section uuder the rule of
this government, and French allegiance |
became only record of the past The |
transfer did not produce any disturb
ances Of note, and the acquisition seemed
to be looked on with favor by the world
at large. 1t must have come, whether by |
conquest or otherwise, and the French
Government in its wisdom did we'll to
prefer the transfer by sals.
Fort Pickering was then established at
a point two miles distant from Fort
Echore. This fort was occupied and
maintained as strong frontier defense
during the war of 1912 and later, but it
is not recorded in history or tradition
that grim visaged war caused any hostile
guns or battle to thunder on this bluff
during all the period between ls4l and
1861.
Memphis soon became visible speck
on the map of the country. The far
sighted men of the peFiod-Genersl
Jackson, 0veFton, Winchester, Gross
and other pioneers-invested in the site
Of Memphis, and their descendants now
luxuriate in the wealth which their fore
sight and prudence provided. A splen-
ildly built city has arisen on these bluffs,
and in the race for wealth, greatness and
glory, it has proved vigorous and lusiy
rival to itsfgrest companions of older
growth. The magical touch of com
neree aud agricultural prosperity rests
On its thronged streets aud crowded
narts, and in its store-houses and mar
Se,s there is an untold greatness and
iulure wealth. Its immense importance
IS a great center of trade and commerce |
q eEidsnt in the grand strides which the
ldj AGENT country has nsa6e in eiyilisa-
ion and rapid Development; and, that
viii long continue 10 be an in
iueutisl oentsr and grow to be an i'm. J
I, .,.a ,o;Ev - hsxona an donht