Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1878-01-26
Communicated.

During the Christmas holidays, made
visit to Woodville, a place where in
days lang sync, was perfectly at home,
and to which. though now stranger, 1
still feel attached from those old associa-
tions.
As stood in front of the building for
merly known as the Clerks Office, I was
painfully struck with the changed and
dilapidated aspect of the town. The cit
liens of course, have grown accustomed
to its present appearance; perhaps amid
the hurry of business, or the struggle for
existence, have almost forgotten all that
once made it one of the ''loveliest villages
of the plain,"-I beg pardon, it is nomin-
ally a city, with an excellent Mayor and
Board Of Aldermen, and I am told for
Municipal taxes, is almost equal to the
great Metropolis New York. The Court
House looks pretty we'll, it still retains
the fine clock and bell which were praised
in the early edition of Mitchell s Geogra-
ply. But on three sides of the square,
are vacant lots, the buildings on which
must have been burnt down many years
ago, as parts of them are covered with
old rank vegetation. And these desolate
spots bear not the scars of war, nor of ha
tired; but of that despicable crime which
may make the cheek of the bravest pale
domestic arson. to conceal the petty pun
der of the "thief of the night" The cor
ner lots are admirable sites for stores,
public buildings or d dwelling houses, and
it is surprising that some budding Roths-
RI, l., ,nf oil hi
Investments. The Royal Oak is gone; not
a ves:ige of the majestic tree, nor of the
building marks that. "dark and bloody
ground" the scene of so many tragedies,
best perhaps forgotten. Let them slum-
Der at least in oblivion, till this genera
ton has passed away, and some future
Campbell or Scott: may weave
poem or romance, that might ''point
a moral" not merely t'adorn a tale.'
that any would profit by the light
that marks the quicksand, or take warn
ing from the wrecks strewed around; for
sadder than "never again. or emo more"
are those bitterly true words, "~hat has
been, lriU be-"
In the evening of life, when the day is
far spent, as in nature, the shadows
lepgthen, and every feature of the land
scape changes; perhaps that twilight
causes me to dyaw too sombre picture.
If more churches were needed in Wood
Vile, the site of the Royal Oak would be
q beautiful location, far the best in sight
of the square.
The old Planters Bank, once an aristo-
cratic mansion, is now occupied as Il Sa
loon--in the modern acceptation, or disc
Grafton of the word.
The Railroad Bank looks we'll extern
ally; it has been occupied as a boarding
house, but is now without a tenant.
What stirring scenes the sight Of that
Railroad Bank recalls; when it's porticoes
were crowded with the fair women of
Wilkinson, waving their handkerchiefs
in farewell to the Mexican Volunteers,
and showering flowers on them as they
returned crowned with the laurel of VIC
tory; or the later departure of the gallant
companies who marched forth Il proudly,
but alas for the few who returned-there
could be no public welcome-silent tears
in the desolate homes for them, an an
marked grave for those who lie in the new
grave yard.
AS had frequently read glowing &C
counts of the celebration of Mem rial
Day in Woodville, I was a little surprised
to see the bare mounds in the spot sacred
to our Confederate Dead. The long
sedge grass reigned supreme, interspersed
with rank briers, thistles and more re-
puIsive weeds.
Two traits have been SAID to mark the
refinement of community-respect to
women and to the resting place of the
Dead. AS to- the first, Woodville is still,
as of yorc, chivalry's self; can still boast
of its preur cheraliers, lovely danes and
their knights. But / unused sadly in
the desolute cemeteries; the old with its
pines chanting an eternal requiem, its
gnarled ever greens, capc-jessamine and
its starry name-sake, tangled creepers,
fallen and defaced monuments; telling
that love had been there; the new, little
better than an old field, open to the wan
dering cattle and swine; strewed with re-
pulsive bones from the butchers yard,
whose destination should be, on our ex-
hausted cotton fields. heard no response
to the question, why is this / knew
how many noble hearts We're Wondering
here not q few whose "names grace their
nations story" Does chill penury cause
this sad neglect True, the day has pas
sed for costly monuments, "storied urn
or animated bust" marbles or eXotics;
but affection might do something to beau
tify those hallowed spots, and remove
all that disturbs that sentiment of rest
and peace, so consoling to all who visit
these silent shades.
was Informed that some effort is be-