The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1873-08-20
ArrEmpT 10 ZOE THE STAGE.
tire masked men attack the y. S. Mai
Slage-They demand The maits-Ftre
upon The drtver-He returns he fire.
One fthe rugidn bounded.

Slage-They demand The matts-Ftre
upon The drtsrer-H returns he fire.
One Of Tie ruff ans aOounded.
Last Friday morning the stage, which
conveys the U. S. Mail between this
place and New Iberia, was attacked by
Ave disguised men, near Malain's cotton
gin, in Iberia parish, who demar ded
the mails. Mr.. Ducharne, the driver
uubesitatingly Informed them that they
were saddling the wrong horse and
that giving up the mail bags was n
tirely out of the question. With this
he gave his horses the word Ego" and
was soon out of the reach Of his pursu.
ers. However, on arriving at LasaIles'
coulGe, the rufiiana, who had tukcn Il
shorter route, and arrived there in ad-
vance of the stage, again attacked IT.
proceeded to take forcible possession OF
the mail bags. One of the men placed
himself in front of The horses, and taking
them by the bits, held them, while his
companions proceeded with their foul
work of rummaging the stage and seour~
ing the mail bags. One of them got
upon the front wheel and attempted to
take the bags, whjlo another mounted
the drivers box from the opposite side,
having in mis- hand some kind of a wea-
pom which Mr.. Ducharme says reseEn-
bled a Ratchet, while a third party stood
off at about ten PAGES and leyeled his
pistol on the driver. While all this
was going on, the driver was not idle
Land when the mar on the wheel, finding
that he could not get possession of the
bag, attempted to rip it open with d
knife, he was fred upon by the driver,
and fell TO the ground, uttoring frightful
yells, as though mortally wounded. At
this, the man in front of the horses
stepped to one side, and taking deliher-
ate aim, fired the ball passing within
four inches of the drivers head. The
man who had mounted to the box did
his share, in gouging numerous holes in
the clothing of MIR. Ducharme, but for
tunately failed to do any serious dam
age to his person. One ball passed
through the front part of the stage, but
we are unable to say from what direc-
ton it came, as reports concerning it
are very conflicting. While the would-
be robbers were attending to the wants
of their wounded companion, it seems
like they forgot oil about robbiDg the
stage, and Mr.. D ucharme made his
| escape, and arrived hero without further
annoyance.
Mr.. Ducharme deserves great credit
for what he did in protecting the mails
from this band Of robbers and against
such odds, too. The idea of one man
| defeating FIVE determined, blood thirsty
| villains, seems almost like an ~impossi~
bility, and there are but few men who
would attempt such an undertaking ;
and hence we say that Mr.. Duoharme
deserves much credit, and should be
kept on the line at a good salary.
WEATHER AND CRoPs.-The weather
continues showery and crops generally
backward. The caterpillar has made
its appearances incur parish and com
menoad be Wor If distraction upon
many Of the cotton fields Most of our
planters are applying remedies, and,
as a general thing, are meeting with very
good success. Royals Cotton Worm
Exterminator is said to be a dead shot
on worms, and is being used pretty ex-
tensively. Three-fourths of & pound of
arsenic in q barrel Of water, and applied
by means of q common watering pot, or
sprinkler, is also said to be a very good
remedy, and some of our planters are
trying this ; but with what success we
are unable to say. Paris green in
water is another remedy, and is said to
work admirably. 1t is applied in the
same manner as the arsenic.
If the worms destroy this years
crop, it will not be from any lack of
on the part Of the planter. but
because every known remedy has failed.
We have the utmost conideneesin these
remedies-all of them-and believe that
if properly applied they will give sat>
isfaction,
Charles Morgan and the Texas Road.
Mr.. Charles Morgan has proposed in
New York to resume his engagement to
extend his road from Brashear to Hous-
ton, on the conditions originally pro.
-onl L. L.. Az.-sA IT. L. Ill r.nLZ