The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-05-01
A Trip to Calcasieu.

opel prairie Ountfy crossing at l0LeF'
walls the several branches of the Mer.
mentO river.
These streams, the Bayou Mallet
Bayou Des Cannes and Bayou Nez-Pi-
que, are sluggish and unsightly in ap-
p~earance. Their banks are low, and the
waters afford O cOngcnial element fol
the %choupique, goujon, loggerhead, water
mocasin, alligator and other kindred
aquatic animals. In many places, hoW-
ever, the approaches to the timber bOr-
dering these water courses, present to
the eye long stretches of slOping prairie
on which wild cattle and horses rOam in
undisturbed freedom. A traveller pos
seSSlng an eye for the picturesque, AID
on the lookout for something to relieve
the dreary monotOny of the journey will
not fail, now and then, to get a glimpse
of landscape quite as pleasing as any
thing to be found in southwestern Lou
isiana.
These spots however, are too few, and
far between to compensate for the dull
ness Of this overland trip, if one be in
the mere pursuit of pleasure by the way
side. The arrival at the neat little viii
lage of Lake Charles and a view OF the
beautiful circular lake ON which it is
situated, is an ample reward for the in
cOnveniences and ~discomforts OF the
trip. No spot in Louisiana is more eli
gible for the location Of a thriving town,
and zone has q better prospect OF rapid
growth and permanent prosperity. On
every hand are to be seen signs of en-
terprise, in the form of new buildings
in process of erection. A very neat and
substantial Court House, and two well
built Protestant churches have just been
completed, adding very much to the APP
pearance of the town. Nearat hand are
many saw-mills, constantly at work, and
filling the ear with the "hum of indus
try" Sail boats, steam-tugs, or lumber
schoOners are to be zen on the lake at
all hours.
A ride, Mr.. Editor, on the Washing
ton road, behind yoHr sorrel mare, in
good weather, is pleasant enough; but
if you want to experience something
exciting, something really exhilarating,
take a light sail boat at Lefranc's wharf,
get q clever sailor like Jimmie Gray at
the helm and then let your boat drive at
the rate of eight miles an hour, before q
stiff breeze, Q the two miles Of clear,
deep water that separates the town from
the green shore on the other side; or, if
you prefer a larger craft to go ~apleasur-
ing in, and happen to find CAPTAIN RayOn
w SAA Ao a. (AipOE1C al pVl W aAS sFA1A
hoist sail and give you a free ride round
the lake, if you find him in as clever a
mood as he was, when, at his invitation,
we boarded his craft.
The waters of the lake and river
abound with all kinds of fresh water
fish, and are occasionally visited by
crabs and shrimp from below. Trout of
large size and delicious flavor are caught
in great numbers. During our stay we
had gaspergoo {spelled according to pro-
n~unciation) with sauce b~lanche-it was
quite as delicate and palatable as sheep
head or reddish, and might have passed
for either with your correspondent, had
he not been trained, during the lental
season at Opelousas, to recognize him
The business of getting saw-logs and
saving lumber is the principal pursuit
of the inhabitants on the lake and river.
Nearly every one is directly orindireetly
interested in this important industry.
The lumber is shipped to the Texas and
Mexican ports and sold for cash, and the
trade affords constant and profitable
employment for capital, mechanics and
lab0rers. The mills are constantly run
ming, and vessels frequently passing up
and down, engagedin transporting lum-
Der to market. There are consequently
and sounds of business, quite
novel and interesting to one accustomed
to the monOtony and dull routine OF life
at 0pelOusas.
Another branch of industry that gives
sure promise of rich profits at no distant
day is the culture of oranges. Every
yard and garden is supplied with this
beautiful and valuable tree, and many
persons are planting large orchards, with
the confident expectation of being amply |
rewarded. This delicious fruit attains
to great perfection around the lake
There are trees at the residence OF Mr..
Bifbo, just above the village,
stems have a diameter of fifteen
and which have been known to-
bear as many as ten thousand oranges.
The produce of a few such trees, it well
TO, would easily supporta mod
family in comfort. These trees
were planted iii the year 1882, and at 40
fruitful. Ten acres of such trees, or
even five, would be an everlasting for
tune, or. at least, a much better paying
Institution than any other now open to
persons of moderate means. So it APP
Deared to your correspondent, who is
not considered visionary, unless indeed
bis Judgment has, of late, become Q little
by the constant study of ways
and means to meet the necessities OF the
times, outside of the %pFeearious business
in which he is engaged, with other inn
D~ecunious friends in st. Landry. Per
laps too, the fact that oranges can be
successfully grown with little labor is
The most attractive feature about the
business. Tt is surprising that all the
lazy men in the State don't go to CaIca-
sien and set themselves up in the orange
business. 0nr friends out there need
not be alarmed at this suggestion, how
aver, as no one but q bold and enter
man Tor a candidate) would
the dangers by flood and field
which encompass the route that leads,
here al least, to that distant and
attractive section.
But Calcasieu, as we found, 10 not
without many enterprising and wide-a-
wake citizens who know the capacities
If the country and who will develop, in
1ue time, the natural resources abund-
ut hand. The revival of the rail
Dad work, which may be surely expect
pulse to the town of Lake Charles and
is surroundings, and the good citizens
# that place may indulge a well ground
ID expectation of seeing their village at
10 very distant day grow into a pros
,erons inland city, to which people Of
Ill sections of the State and South viii
70 attracted by the healthfulness OF the
and The unequaled beauty of its
ituation.
There is, of course, at present, much
complaint of stringent times, but q Wis
tor comes In contact with no evidence
If it. The people are polite and hospit-
bile to strangers, and If visitor gets
way from che Lake without being