The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-05-18
Our Town and Parish.

Natchitoches is a town of about 1000 inhabi.
tants, situated on Cane river stream navigable
during the winter season by the largest class OF
steamboats, and within four miles of Red River,
which is naviyable during the entire year. The
New Orleans Pacific Railroad, now in course Of
construction, will pass within ten miles, South
and West of us efforts have been made to Sc.
cure a tap road which we are certain will be
effected. At present we are within ~ hours
run of New Orleans per steamer, and within II
hours Of Shreveport. where railroad coinnlnnl-
cation is open to all Western and Northern
markets.
Our town has three churches, Catholic Epis.
hopal and Methodist, the latter in course Of
constructions attended by large and growing
congregations while numerous churches OF The
same denominations, aud the Baptist are scat
tered throughout the parish, atfording religious
facilities as good as in anv section. We have
three handsome school buildings and numerous
private and public schools in the town, whilst
over 10 public SCHOOLS were sustained during
he past year in the parish, through the public
school fund.
Public education is attracting great attention,
and during the one year which the native citl'
zen has had control of them it has been shown
that the Importance of good common school
education is not to be overlooked. Some trou.
bile has been had in securing the services OF
competent instructors. but in a short time all
difficulties now attending our public schools
will be overcome.
Natchitoches has over 40 stores and business
houses, blacksmith shops, and wagon and cart
shops; hile there is a great demand for manu-
factories none have yet sprung up. a Foundry
would pay we'll here, as also would wagon and
pillow factories cotton and wool mills, planning
machines, etc.
The town and parish are growing some in
population and recuperating from the long rule
of the crrpet. Dagger and Ignorant negro; as in
ftct the State and the whole South. The popu-
lation Of the parish is about ~ 900. while there
is ample room for ten times that number not
mote than one.teuth of the areable land being in
cultivation. The soil around this town is allu
vial and as rich as any in the world, while it is
inexhaustabe. Farmers raise Cation, Corn,
Oats, Sugar Cane, Rice (highand) Grasses, TO.
baccO and our climate makes this section con
genial for the yield of grains Of all kinds. As
stock country this is unsurpassed. Onr win
tiers are mild never beginning before the early
part Of December and rarely continuing later
than the last Of February. Much attention has
been given within the last two years, to the I'M
proving and rearing of cattle, horses. sheep and
hogs, and within short time this section will
successfully compete with any in the Union
IN them.
Good land can be had for from s. to So per
acre. The price being regulated by improve
mpnts location &C. House rent in town from
- u -" per Wohtl. Noou c"!ui"' .a"Ao 'oh''
ment houses rent readily for 80 per month.
Crops are cultivated on the share system, very
few paying wages.
As i home for an agricultural population this
section has few to equal it, certainly none ST.
prrior, and all such would meet with hearty
and generous welcome We desire. and especi.
ally invite mechanics, agrculturists and CAPT
taists from the North to come among US, TO
obey the laws. forget all prejudces work hard
and to aid us in building up our town and par
ish, and bringing prosperity within our gates
to exchange for your brain and muscle.