New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-07-10
THE PROSPECTS OF SHREVEPORT.

A recent voice from this dOurlShlng IN
land town informs us that its prospects
were never better. Its business is steadily
on the increase, and improvements are
springing up in every direction. When
we recollect that large class of the
people of this town have great penchant
for politics, gambling and whisky drink
ing. we are inclined to wonder at the pro-
gress it is making outside of these favor
tie occupations; but then we .gradu-
ally subside into quiet recognition
of facts when they are presented in
an unquestionable shape. With all their
faults, We are constrained to think
the people of Shreveport have an eye to
solid business, and that this is not neg
lected for the favorite pursuits of politics,
gambling or whisky drinking and an oc-
casional homicide. In regard to the solid
Improvements that are going on there, we
are informed that the Southern Pacific
railroad is pushing ahead its work at the
rate Of a mile and a half day. This road
with its branches will bring to Shreveport
all the trade of portions of Arkansas,
the Indian Territory and northern
Texas. Colonel Tom Scott having
purchased the Vicksburg and Shreve-
port road has already dispatched his en-
gineers to make a survey Of this road
from Shreveport to Monroe, to which the
road is expected to be completed by the
first of next January: The Southern Pacific
road and its branches viii convey to Shreve-
port not only the cotton but the cattle
and other products OF the country through
which they pass. This road and branches
will enable Stoner & Co. to renew work in
their extensive beef packery, which was
suspended some two years since for the
want of material, the packery having ex-
hausted the supply of beef from the
country Immediately around. Stoner &
Co. have already made such arrangements
with the road to convey to them at moder-
ate prices for transportation all the cattle
they want. The merchants Of Shreveport
have thoroughly organized company.
and the stock is being rapidly taken, to
build road from Shreveport to Logan's
Point. on the Sabine. and thence into
Texas. This road will divert large por-
ton Of the trade of Southeastern Texas
which has heretofore gone to Galveston.
These are some of the railroad enter |
prises that are certain, when fully carried |
out, to "make Shreveport the st. Louis
of the Southwest.
The improvement of the navigation of |
Red river by the removal of the noted |
raft and other distractions, under the |
of Lieutenant Woodruff, |
of the United States service, has already |
reached state of completion that in
sures the entire success of the under
taking. The work is so far advanced that |
steamboats, are navigating the river some
three hundred miles above Shreveport,
making it the depot of the products Of
that productive valley, which is described
as being even superior to that portion of
the Red river valley lying below Shreve-
port.
These facilities, it may be safely calcu-
lated, will greatly increase the yearly
amount of cotton-of this article alone
Is, 600 bales-and other products to be re-
,eived at Shreveport, among which cattle
will figure prominently.
With these prospects. it is easy to see