The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1881-06-04
Letter from Iberyille.
News and Gossip from the Flourishing
town of Plaquemine.


Believing in the maxim that it is "bet
ter late than never" I will try to redeem
my promise to write to you.
1t is little over two months that l
have been in this place, and ] am highly
delighted with my new home. / find it
a ilourishing town Of about 1000 inhabi-
tants, and rapidly increasing in popula-
ton. For its size, believe it does more
business than any other town on the
Mississippi river. I dare say that even
Baton Rouge, with its Wanted 5000 in
habitants, will have to give mp to Plaque
mine in the business line. There is not
steamboat that comes down the river
but lands here and puts off dray loads of
freight, such as provisions, furniture, ETC.,
and the landing is never-well, hardly
cver-entircly clear of freight. Owe
lodged for that Pin-a-4 get off,
During the past two months there have
been over thirty new houses finished,
with still a large number in process of
construction. Among them are num-
Der Of fine stores and beautiful resi-
dences; the balance are neat and COM
Portable cottages. Mr.. j. A. Greaud is
the "boss' carpenter of the town, and
we'll does be deserve the title.
| Mr.. l.. J. Dodge has commenced dri
wing piles for the railroad bridge across
Bayou Plaqneminc. l understand it is
to be a stationary bridge until the bayou
| is opened and again becomes the outlet
of the Father of Waters, which l hope
will be soon, for tho opening of this
bayou will be a great benefit to our
| town, and make it much more healthy.
Mr.. Dodge is also doing big work on the
| Choctaw. The work on the railroad be-
tw cen this and Bayou Gonla is progress
ing rapidly, and the toot of the locomo-
tive whistle will soon be heard in our
town. The work above is also getting
along finely.
There is to be a grand excursion to
the seas!:orc on Saturday, June A, from
this place, and the Minnie has been
chartered for that purpose. 1t will be
six days trip, and the passage is only $40
for the round trip, board included.
BY the way, speaking of the Minnie
reminds me to mention that I've had the
pleasure of meeting Capt. Sharp's new
est on-1n-law," Capt. Glen. Blnninss, OF
the steamer Kate, and find him most
clever and agreeable young gentleman.
There has been but little liquor drink
ing here lately, and there is no such
thing as public gambling carried Oh III
our town. There was fellow here week
before last who tried to establish a keno
game, but our yigilant Sheriff, Capt.
Chas. A. Bruslt, soon gave him, the grand
| American bounce.
On Dit would have mighty hard
time filling its column in this town, for
we have DO Dame Rumors here. Every
body attend to their own business and
let other peoples alone.
Three cheers for the Grasshoppers! |
knew the Quicksteps would get knocked
out of step when they again tackled the
'Hoppers, but Judging from the score it
was a close and interesting game.
grand fctc champetre in the Court
House and concert in the Firemen's Hall
took place last Saturday and Sunday
nights, for the benefit IF the Catholic
Church, and was a grand success iinan-
cially, clearing over $500. The ladies in
charge deserve much praise.
l have seldom, if ever, seen so many
beautiful young ladies at any one plac e
as | saw at the fair Saturday night. In
fact, all the young ladies in PlaIuenine
are as pretty as pictures; and the Wild
ows! why, bless their hearts, they arc
Just perfectly charming.
Capt Grumpy says On Dit will find
it Mistake, and that, though very
fond of the widows, old Gabe nor any
one else will lave occasion to toot then
tin-horns when he gets spliced. Judging
from his talk, this will not be long off
and he assures me that his Donaldson
: CHIEF office and On Dit (thongh TIL,
latter hits him some hard raps some
times will not be forgotten, but vii
have the pleasure of drinking a bumper
} to the health Of Mr.. and Mrs. Grumpy
So, look out for g; a bid !" shortly.
) Don't you think it Il dod-rottcd shame
that Postmaster General WOODWARD
should talk about cutting us off from ON
; steamboat mail service' l do; especi
ally now that we have such hand.
and regular brick as the pretty Morning
STAR" which makes the daily trips from
; your town to Baton Rouge without vary
/ ing scarcely minute. Why: do 20,
know all the people on the coast Sc
, their watches and clocks by Capt. Pen
8 nywitt's =" Star" instead of other clocks
or even the sun Well, they do! If
| NJ G. Woodward attempts to cut TIL.
Morning Star" off he'll wish lie hudn'
that's all
There will be q fair given here on o
, about the 4tl Of July for the benefit o
!, our fire boys, and | hope it Will be a
{ successful as the one of last week. Thu
only difference between the iircmcn am
J the Church is that the former work t.
5 save the lives and property of us mortal
from the fires of this world, while til
latter work to save our souls from TIL
fires of the hereafter.
! l have just received the meagre infor
nation that u Negro has been arrested to
the murder of a man, whose body it i
e supposed he threw into the river. Will