The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1877-06-28
Communicated.
The Calcasieu Log War and
the Homestead Law.

DEAR SIR-The difficulties and
troubles arising from the depreda-
tions of individual wood-cutters on
government lands are not peculiar
to the Calcasieu country, nor to
the present time only +; they have
engaged the attention of success
sive administrations for thirty or
for years past. In fact. with every
new administration there is GER
tain to be trouble between the
government and the owners OF saw
mills on the tide waters OF the
Gulf States. But ordinarily the
extreme position in constituting the
technicalities of the land law is
soon receded from by our govern
ment officials, and they become
more and more leniart toward the
wood choppers and lumber-gst-
ters. as they learn the true facts
of the case, and look upon the
question not from the standpoint
of informers and minions only, but
from the broad platform of politi-
cal economy, commercial posper-
ity aud humanity.
THE lumber business in the
Gulf States has assumed large
proportions, and will, in the near
future, become still more impor-
tant, for the pine forests of the
Northern and Western States are
fast becoming exhausted. But the
forest OF ares in the States bor-
deripg on the Mexican Gulf is
practically inexhaustible.
From North western Texas a
belt of yellow pine forest extends
through Louisiana, South Missis-
sippi, South Alabama and North
Florida, that can supply the rs-
quirements of the world for ages
to come. The soil ot this immense
forest il too poor and light for
profitable cultivation, but may, in
the course of time. be utilized for
sheep walks and for this purpose
it can not be surpassed by any
country 10 the world. Bnt as mil
lions OF acres of the rich prairie
and bottom lands Of Texas, Lonis-
lana and Mississippi can be had
by our planters and farmers, the
pine lands of these States will not
be in much request. In fact, COM
paratively little Of the vast extent
has been sold or disposed OF by |
the United States.
Before the late war, when land
could be bought for 81 rs per
acre, settlements in the piney-
woods were few and far between,
and when, after the war. II was de-
cided to discontinue the sals OF Ill
public domain 10 the Gulf States,
but to give it's broad acres away to
actual settlers, the tremendous
rush for "homesteads," that was
confidently looked for, was not
forthcoming. True, Q large nu n
Der OF claims were entered in 1867
aud 1868, under the " homestead
act" but when the poor quality of
The land became known among the
Intending settlers, very few of the
claims were actually taken in hand
md improved. In the State OF
Mississippi, for instance, where
The land Office is located at Jack
soD, not over Ave PEI cent. OF the
aomesteads entered has been i'm
proved, and on even that small
traction the improvements consist
mostly Of ~ ordinary log, cabin. .
quarter acrs Geld for sweet pota
,oss, and Q "psn" for one Of two
yokes of oxen.
Farming is seldom thought Of
lfter the first year, and the main,
not the only dependence, il
logging" for the saw mills,
rrns, there may be some few ex
'eptiops, but ! speak Of affairs as
find them generally. I am csr-
ain that the officials at the differ
,pt land Offices will bear me ont in
aging that five per cent. of tho
lomesteads sptsrsd have bst y
,opa 6de ones and have bsen per-
naDeDtly improved /; that nine
entbs Of the entries wers made tor
be purpose Of legAlizipg the eat
ing of all trees 6t for saw-logs BIZ