Richland beacon., 1881-07-16
Letter fr0in lSaStrOp
BAs~Ror, Ia, Jaly IL, 1881.
DEAR ISEACON.

pkasan, little .own, for this place. cour>
ng via of the city of Monroe, ,he .
"graad metropolis of the Ouschita
valley" l spen. The night in tire city,
but being sourew hat tired and excee'i-
ingly lazy. l did not stir about any TO /
|, arm the news and tamiliarize myself
mere thoroughly with the ways of tho
world. BY accident, however, | saw
a few faces, asked some questions, and
ascertained that everything in the city
is exceedingly dnia. There had been
a light rain few days before, but only
q few signs of it were left. The dust
was almost intolerable, as it is all over
the country. 1 saw only few gardens,
and they were parched ap.
The health Of the metropolis" is
very good. When | am out iu the
country, | hear that there is an im-
nense amount of sickness in Monroe.
but when 1 am there, and talk with
these who know the facts in the case,
aud who would revolt at the idea Of
misgepresenting them, ! hear that the
health is very good. This is undoubt-
edly true. 1 have known Monroeever
since the latter part of 1874, aud have
never vet known it to be sickly. In
deed, | know of no place in any state
that can boast of as little fatal SICK
ness SO Monroe.
1t has population OF over 5000,
and you seldom hear Of death. 1t
is tue, there has been some mortality
in Monroe, recently, but most of it
was the result of chronic diseases. l
know of only one Death there from
malarial sickness, Capt. McCraaie,
who had been dangerously sick for
some time, was convalesing, and it is
thought that be will be in his Office
again in few days. The Telegraph
is rendering the country a service
which she cannot we'll de without
Capt. McCranie is true nan to prin-
ciple. have never known him to
commit himself to any outside pres
sure, in the discussion Of any subject
which agitstes the public mind. He
does his OWE thinking, advocates what
he believes to be right, and opposes
what be regal ds to be wrong, it makes
no difference whether the masses agree
With bim or not.
| Having only short time to spend
in the metropolis, l was denied the
privilege of looking into the genial
face Of my friend Atkins Of the Buile-
tin. He is doing good work, and
the paper is highly appreciated and
we'll sustained.
The hack usually leaves Monroe al
q o'clock, q. %. but my clever friend
Piuk, the colored driver, cheerfully
agreed to wait until l could get break
fast, which pu. it about twenty min
utes behind time. Breakfast over.
was promptly in the hack with &
(nother) gentleman of color by my
side, and soon we were off for Bas
trop, the capitol Of Morehouse, one o
the finest parishes in the State.
+ Our trip was far from be.ng pleas
ant. With the canvas up, the SUI
for some time poured in upon u
through the side, and under the top 0
the hack, with the canvas down W
could get no air, and the hack wa
almost equal to dirt oven. So W,
Just had (as the saying is) Ito gril
, and endure it" aud with the open hac
we were soon literally befogged wit
, dust, and my dusky companion di'
, thu grinniny while did the enduring
and my friend Pink presided over tb
tesm and held the "reins of govern
ment" with the dignity of FIRST clas
disciplinarian, frequently relieving tb
terrible moootony of the journey wit
, the melodies of music, science Q
which be is passioustely fond, and il
which be has made an admirable pre-
6ciency.
, On tho way, o bolt connecting tn
double tree with the hack dropped ou1
, but was soon found aud replaced, aa
, at Locbarbor, where we change
, horses, a tire came of, but Pink, wit
amazing promptness, happily prove
, himself equal to the occasion, and vii
Ratchet in hand. and free use of te
! penny nails. the wheel was secured
r and in q little while we returned t
, the dust, and were on our journe.
again.
: The cotton on Bayou Desiar
seemed to be doing well, notwithstant
D ing the drouth. The corn was greer
Y well and heavily cared, but, of cours'
4 lacks filing out. Between here an
+ the bayou, cotton is seriously injured
d and the corn ruined. The land lie
l. very high, the soil thin and necessar
8 ly thirsty. Everywhere on the roa
q l noticed that the cultivation wa
thorough. The planters have dou
= their duty, aud if their crops are
failure. they have conscience void ,
Ofense in this particular.
One thing worthy of note anon
the planters on Bayou Desiard, is th.
they have provided we'll for their Il