The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-03
WINN PARISH.
An Unknown Portion Of LOuisiann-Farm-
era who Raise Everything They Com
sumc-salt WOrks-C0Rl In Album.

An Unknown Portion Of LOUisiann-Parm-
era who Raise Everything They Con-
sumc-salt WOrks-COal In Album
dance.
Especial Correspondence of the Democrat
WIsN PARISH. La. March IS, 1878.
Editor De1no1.ut-Having been asked many
times In regard TO the Inhabitants. soil and pro-
ducts Of the parish OF VIM. have thought
that perhaps short letter on that subject
would be OF interest to some Of the many
readers of your valuable paper.
viii commence by giving you the location Of
VIM, the character of the Inhabitants. the
nature of the soil AID Its productions
VIM parish IL situated on Red river. which,
together with Grant parish. forms the southern
bS II On
by Catahoula and on the west by NatchitOches.
THE INHABITANTS
are, generally. poor men. but honest. generous
and hosp table; they are known as the we'll
rs s pas Ie ess, ere
making nearly everything 1t consumes, such as
wheat, cats, rye, corn. All of them raise cane.
ra Mnn es e eep and
and mules. Vineyards and orchards of every
kind Of fruit abound.
COTTON
was, Immediately after the war. the principal
crop raised, and the arti les Of home consump
ton were neglected for it. The rapid decline
In the price of cotton. however. forced the
farmers to turn their attention to those neces.
now raised Is ~ surplus to the producer. There
l. n cotton and wool factory in Bienvile and
claiborne parish where most OF the farmers
take their wool and exchange 1t for cloth.
thereby making the country self-sustaining.
There aretwo very fine
SALT LAKES
in the parish which supplied greater portion
of the Contederacy wi salt during the war. A
fort
Lakes after they have finished their crops and
make enough salt for their own use and to pay
the expense OF making 1t. There is also a
amount and quality Of which are as yet known to
noted limestone hills near Winfield which pro:
lands In the parish are generally billy. covered
and walnut, besid's other growths. all de- y
The There are ms"y large creeks, and bayeus
running through the parish. the lands, border
Ing on which a g equal to any bottom lands IN
water fish in the South. while the forests
abound with game, Of every variety. At Drakes
salt works the Saline bayoa PRE- nu%be1 Of
coming famous for their curative powers.
This place is fast becoming a famous
SALINE furnishing ish Of the finest variety
and the forests Astounding In deer. foxes
and turkeys, Little seems to, be known Of
VIM, OUTSIDE CHa pdFiSU. ana uOJulnR WHS
ever written about IL until Professor Samuel H.
Lockett. OF the State University. made a tour
through the State in 1872. He was much sur
prised at the general character of the parish.
His report was published this year with the
Agricultural and Mechanical College report.
There are about 5000 inhabitants In the parish;
of this number about TOO are colored. the ma
,oriiy of whom own their own lands and are q
thrifty and industrious people / don't think
there Is single one Of them but Is an enthus-
iasti, Democrat. They were generally. before
the war. the slaves OF poor men who worked
with them. and by that meas they learned
to initiate the industry of their old masters.
There is q likeness In their homes to those OF
the viii es, as the coored man naturally tries
to initiate the white man. The negroes are
very religious: there are only two
localitie7 in the parish WI hero they are in suf1i
cient numbers to organize a church Of their
own color in other localities they are members
Of the white chur hes.
Homes can be bought very cheap in VIM.
the land varying from 50 cents to $40 per acre.
Every inducement is offered to men who desire
a good home to come and settle among us.
Very truly yours G. NJ ORTSAW