The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-11-16

his views practical and his long observation of the
river entities his opinions to the highest respect
Editor South Western
have been called upon by friends to say something
on the subject of the Red river raft and this must be
the apology for my intrusion, and hope the pubic
will not consider arrogant in attempting to comply
with the request. Years ago attempted to arouse
general interest in this important work. but wlsl little
or effect. Now that the river is closed by the aeeu
mutation of raft until all the outlets by canals leading
into the lakes completely shut out and there Is no
navigation this has become subject OF deep moment
What is to be done with the present crop? Perhaps
some temporary, expensive and tedious arrangement
may be devised whereby fats may enter the lakes.
This if done at ALL only be of short duration for
the raft will be to the high lands OF Dggs buf
on the west side.
Can the raft be removed, and the river made useful?
is question have often heard asked, and opposing
answers have been given to the question answer
honestly from Judgment, that the removal Will De
when practical is brought into requisl
ton. Allow me to refer you back many years 10 .If
effort of Captain Shreve who, under the auspices OF
the Government, began the work OF removal at the
mouth of Loggy Bayou, hundred and ten niles De-
low Shreveport That country was then waern n
day, as it were to new discoveries. With rapla pro-
gress, "squatter sovereigns always the pioneers Oh
newly settled countries, followed up on each sioe,
bringing into cultivation of the finest countries
known to the cotton interest. The LANDS between
Loggy Bayou and Shreveport are now reclaimed, anu
for fertility are unsurpassed ana we en- ns r
believes that that portion of the river Will ever De coseu
up again. Any Judgment of drift would be cut loose oy
the public planters so close a n ~
this, but in fact the river has so Wldenea thaS no toos
ment can be reasonably apprehended
But Captain Shreve did not stop here In obedience
to his orders from the proper department he prose
cuted the labor with energy removing the tmpef an"
passing through the entire raft region, while packets
followed right through carrying ireign 10 a upper hgu
miles above Shreveport to which point believe steam
boats are still running
Here the appropriation was exhausted ana captain
Shreve was forced to discontinue work. He could not
leave boat there with small crew, to watch ana
cut loose such Judgments might, and did form Long
tmbers would reach in some places, owing to
the deposits of sediment which had narrowed the chan
nell The plan of Captain Shreve was to widen the mar
places, but when the money was exhausted, prac
teal sense could do no more. Making his report TO
the Government the captain was soon after
Some controversy in the Department. was SAID
Two three little steamers kept the river opened for
more than year, removing at their own expense all
Judgments. Congress subsequently granted other APP
preparations which expended to no effect. Prac
teal Judgment was not brought into play and science
failed.
II will be proper here to allude to other matters
closely connected with this subject that is the survey
ing and sale of lands which followed the removal of
the raft. Every acre on each side OF the river or
about six hundred miles was placed IN the market
How far back the sale of the lands influenced by
the removal of these distractions have not the data
to say, but certainly to considerable extent. There
fore we may readily conclude that the Government Is
Va
land are now being DESTROYED The formation of RATS
checks the escape of water and the lands now private
property, for near hundred miles are overlooked
and the people compelled to leave their homes. Now,
by all the rules of implication, the Government
bound to prevent this by keeping the channel open
for it had sold these lands by hundreds of thousands of
acres and had got pay for them.
Again, sir, find that appropriations are made IN
other localities for the benefit of communities and tor
the improvement of streams, of not one twentieth the
Importance, even to the Government itself, of Red
-, ;Ia +hara a4ia re
improvement of other water courses Red river stands
out in the cold seemingly unthought of and uncared
for Three States are largely interested in this mat
ter Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas, and all three
should act at and in concert But why should we
complain? Have asked for anything? believe
not. Perhaps the introduction OF new members to
Congress- unacquainted with this important interest
is sufficient apology for them. 1t seems to me that
memorial to Congress would not be disregarded, if
look at the aid recently granted by Congress to the
great public enterprises of the day. We find aid dis
pensed with liberaity unprecedented in the early
history of the Government.
Now to the point, and will close this already too
lengthy communication. Suppose we ask for five
hundred thousand dollars and two small sernwheel
boats properly equipped for service. Remove the
present raft, which be easily and quickly done,
and retain both of the boats. Then widen the
channel where Judgments would be liable to form,
while the constant plying of the regular freight boats
would materially aid in working the drift out to wider
part of the river. With proper watch in this way a
very short time would accomplish all that is desired
and an immense region of country, now valueless,
would be reclaimed.
These views presented for what they are worth
have no wish to provoke opposing elements into &C
ton. Perhaps they will not please every body II So
let others present their plans and from all let the best
be taken, and am with them. will only add that
would operate the old channel of the river. think
the Almighty came little nearer knowing where the
water wanted to go than does. The PROPOSE
ton for equipped boats might compcate the matter to
extent. If so, let us ask for five hundred and
seventy-ve thousand dollars. Large, expensive boats
are not necessary. Laborers would be tented and
properly cared for along the banks. Officers would
and gentlemen would have to be employed to direct
the work, otherwise the effort would be failure.
Respectfully, I. G. WRIGHT