New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-10-10
nIATTERs IN AvOYELLEs PARISH,


EDITOR REPUBLICANS:
Since my last the cotton crop prospects
have been materially injured. Much dam
age was done by the equinoctial storm that
laid some of the Gulf cities SO prostrate.
Planters have had about one week of very
delightful weather since, and eagerly
availed themselves of it. Yesterday rain
ever since, without intermisslon Ia period
Of about twenty hours). The late storm
had blown the cotton plant about very
much, and even Frustrated it in various
parts of the country. 1t was unusually
vigorous, and heavily laden, and the neces-
sary consequence mas been to shut out the
heat of the sun from the bolls bt meath,
causing many to rot. Planters have ex-
erted themselves with great assiduity and
industry to gather in the cotton as rapidly
as it opened, but in vain. With the ex-
eItions Of years when the worms played
havoc with the crops, thereby exposing the
bo,ls to the heat of the sun, do not reco!-
lcct ever having seen cotton open so near
the top of the plant, so early in the season.
If the rains now falling do not continue too
long, the yield will be good, bnt nothing to
| compare with what it promised in July to
be. The corn crop was pefected before bad
weather get in. The cane crop ia still very
fine. The rains have stimulated its growth,
but it nevertheless seems to be matu riu g
otherwise, under the influence of the un-
usually cool weather we have had since the
storm.
There is profound peace everywhere, and
good order prevails among all classes.
Chills and feyeis of the ordinary type are
| common in some sections, but readily yield
to the commonly used remedies.
The monotony of country life was little
| disturbed in this vicinity some three weeks
since by some colored pertons whose sus-
picions aud retributive wrath fell merci-
lessly on man Of color living in their
midst. He unfortunately became suspected
of "hoodooing" some of the colored people;
was therefore entrspped. led into the woods,
where they blindfolded and shot him until
he was dead. The parish prison now con-
tains all who are known of the perpetrators
(,ix men). They will be called upon to ex-
plain at the October term of the district
court in this parish 1t is vaguely rumored
that there are others who were concerned
in the homicide, but they have not been
arrested, if designated.
A case of fetishism came under my per-
sonal observation few days ago. A planter
had gone to his plantation medical office to
make up prescriptions for some of his sick
labcrers, when q yellow man about thirty
years old came in and reported himself sick.
l give the colloquy:
'What is the matter with ou. Bartistel"
"Im sick, sir.'
"Well, but how are you sickp'
"Well, sir, somebody's done trowcd a
spell on me-
''You are hoodooed then, are you! Is that
what you mean TO say7'
Il don't know tout dat, but dey done
trowed spell on me. so dat I'm not able
to work"
snow, Baptiste, don't you know that is
all foolishness. Tell me how you are
affected, and let me give you some medi
cine and get you well as sotn as possible,
for need your work"
81 just tell you, Mr.. F., my misery's
all in my hips and limbs, and know your
medicines not gwine to do me any good;
taint no use to take it,
"Wel', what are you going to do about
it? You must do something"
use got an old aunt up on de Bayou dat
knows how to cure people, an I'm gcipg to
her."
"Well, you had better 20 at once, if you
think my medicine can't relieve you, and
that she can cure you"
At this point ventured to remark to
Baptiste that was astonished to hear him
express such belief in such thiugs. That
1t is all nonsense, and that would give
him $500 if he would get any one to throw
spell on me. He looked at me with an
expression of contempt and wonder com.
mingled, shook his head and said:
"You all don't bleve dey kin tro W spell
on you, but knows how suffer misery
in all my back and hip and limbs. You
can't tell me nuthin bout d at, but know
dough-
At this point the interview terminated,
and l am lot able to inform you whether
this sapient voter and American citizen of
the United States went to see his old aunt
OF not
have been credibly informed that fetish
ism exists in the country to greater ex-
tent than has been supposed, 1 belieye IL.