The Opelousas courier., 1875-08-07
fConemMaicated.)
OPELoUsAs, July 25, 1875.
EDITOR oPELoUsAs COURIER:

OPELoUsAs, July 25, 1875.
EDITOR OPELoUsAs COURIER:
Having just sreturned, in company with a
friend, from hunting and fishing excursion
in the parish of Calcasieu, l cannet allow the
opportunity to pass by without giving you
some of the particulars of our tripS
Leaving here on the 1st inst, our first halt
was made at the Pointe-aux-Loups Springs,
where their venerable proprietor, Mr.. A. B.
Cart, welcomed Us with his usual cordiality.
Our next halt was at MIR. Henry Welch's. and
on the morning of the Sd, at about Ii O'clock,
we reached Lake Charles, the snake of whose
saw mills is discernible at considerable dis
tance. This little village is rapidly increasing
in size and population, thanks TO the advant-
ages which the country offers to einigrants.
A pretty little lake whose surface is daily dot
ted over with both steamers and sailing ves-
sells conveying lumber to Galveston, Corpus
Christi and other points, and bringing back
manufactured articles in exchange thereof,
and II or la saw mills situated within a CIR
cult of less than ten miles, contribute in no in
considerable degree, to attract emigrants, as
may well be imagined. But that which seems
destined soon to become the principal branch
of industry in the neighborhOod Of the lake
and along the Calcasieu river, which crosses
it, is the culture of the orange, which grows
there to perfection. There prevails in the
neighborhOod what might be called an cpl
demic fever for the culture of oranges, and
we were told of several parties who have nur-
series containing several thousand trees, each
one of which will, in a few years, yield from
$40 TO $40 worth of oranges, and soon lead to
q rapid fortune.
main of Capt Goss, on the Calcasieu river, at
about q mile and q half from Lake Charles:
But that gentleman does not contine himself
10 the culture of the orange; the grape comes
in for share of his attention, and we saw
there some vines that would reflect no dis
xba hnSt St,ap, ~ nf
This domain (since have given it that titlel
ls really magnificent pr0pertS, whose early
value can scarcely be Oserestlmated There
is on it an Immense orange orchard, one OF
the finest saw mills in Louisiana, with plan
ing and growing machine, All orchard of fab
niOns dimensions where fruit trees of all kinds
thrive exceedingly we'll, vegetable garden
which furnishes vegetables for 100 persons, o
large number of comfortable houses for the
use of MIR. GOsss numerous employees, and, In
the center of these buildings ID large two-story
residence. Here resides Capt. GOss one OF
the pioneers OF navigation and of the saw mill
business in Caleasieu, with his numerous faSp-
lily. This noble old man, after the mannerbt
the feudal barons of the middle ages has re-
served in his residence q hall 6O feet III length
by 80 i'll width, where be regularly gives q
feast followed by ball ON the occasion OF the
marriage of any of his numerous employees,
which feasts the members of his family grace
by their presence, musical talent and urbane
manners.
In 1870 the population of Calcasieu was
6,7O0; to-day it exceeds 10000, which shows
that emigration is rapidly pouring in this par
ish, where the pine forests are seemingly mex
haustible and lumber is the principal product.
Leaving Lake Charles, We struck out for the
regions of the deer and tine trout, VIZ; Bun,
dicks Creek, Barnes's Creek and other hnpid
streams, where deer and fine fish abound.
And it was here, in the heart of these inl-
lnense pine forests, that we could observe at.
our leisure the manners and customs OF the
inhabitants who have settled here and there,
three, five and 10 miles from each other, along
the various little bayous that traverse the
country. The frank and cordial reception one
meets With there recalls to mind the od-tllne
hospitality of the first inhabitants OF Louisi-
ana, which, alas is gradually disappearing.
In their kind and simple manners there Is no
ostentation nor restraint, and the eagerness
which they evince to be agreeable to their
guests reveals bright side of their character.
For instance, we never stopped at a honse but
what the proprietor, learning that we had
coEle 20 fish and hunt, procured for us pack
of hounds, with drivers and hunters, or
guide to pilot us aud keep us company while
fishing; and day or two afterwards, when
on the point of leaving we spoke about pecu-
mary remuneration, they would simply but
firmly decline to accept anything; aud, III
most instances, would exact from us promise
, to return IN what they called more favorable
season for thessports We were in quest Of !
would mention among those who shOWered
upon US every kindness, Messrs John lies,
Hoilins, Whittington, Lewis Ford, A. Dawson
j Cole. Harper, A. Smith, Hon. Z. W. klcnard-
son and others whose lanes do not reCollect
The crops of all kinds in these pine woods
are exeellent--fner than any raised since the
war-and can compare with those raised on
our prairie lands. Cotton corn. rice, sweet
and Irish potatoes, melons and fruits grow as
we'll there as here. And there they possess
a oSrTh hosr pf
sheep, hogs, &C., without fear OF having then
stolen as they are here
1 In every house, no matter how poor its in
mates, there is always an abundance OF salt
beef or pork, butter, milk, &c. The air ls
pure and salubri0us, there are no sWamps,
with their nOxious vapUrs and niaslnas, to
breed fever and disease, and hence the general
health IL excellent
! The deer is gradually but steadily decreas.
ing la these forests; there are, however, still
great many in the vicinity OF Sngartown: at
/ the northeastern extremity OF CalcaSieu.
Fine fish, trout principally. abound IN Bun
! dicks Greek. Barnesis Creek, Wliiskychito
and Darbonile, although these streams are
I frequeuted during the whole summer D. fish
] ing parties, many of whom go from our own
parish.
Sugartown Is small village situated on the
road leading from Lake Charles to Alexan-
D iria at about 65 miles from either of these
L points. The communications between Alex
andria and Lake Charles are had enEirely Oy
I land and Lake Charles loses the handling OF
I q considerable portion of the crops OF the par
ish, which is hauled to Alexandria, q distance
j of IS or 80 miles, although raised at only 45
4 or so miles from Laka Charles. This diversion
is due to the fact that the public roads Of the
parish of Rapides are kept In better condition
Il than silose OF Caleasieu, and to the other fact
4 that the producers obtain at Alexandria bet
j ter prices for their products and pay less for
4 the goods they need. The merchants of Lake
A Charles and the parish authorizes Of Caicasieu
should make note Of this-
i To conclude will say that the twenty four
h fiays spent in the parish of Calcasien, and es-
4 peciaIEy the fifteen days We spent in its I'M
mense pine forests, we're an uninterrupted sc
ries of pleasures. We had fish and deer meat
ils abundance, and when we left those qnlet
seIitladag IL was with the mental promise 70
return If the opportunity should ever present
\ itself aud enjoy once more the sports OF the
/ rod and gun and the quiet aud uMosfentati0us
j hospitality of those kind and generous people
from whom we separated with regret.
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