Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1881-06-01

|, winter season an immense numbet
Of wild fowl are found in Lake
Listeneau-the various kinds OF
ducks, brant, geese, and occasional.
y q swan. This parish is indeed q
hunters paradise.
CoMPONENTs OF THE POPULATION.
The population of Webster 10 be.
tween $4,000 and $4,000. Exact
figures could not be obtained, there
being doubt a. to the col rectuess Of
the census Whites and blacks are
about equally divided. The parish
Of Webster, or rather those parishes
that contributed part of their terri.
tory to make the parish Of Webster,
were originally settled by emigrants
from the older Southern States,
Georgia, Alabama, the two Carroll.
mas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and
Others. The town of Minden has
among its citizens Q number of
EBglisbmen who went to that place
many years ago. Several of these
became quite wealthy and are now
among the principal merchants OF
the town. In the east part of the |
parish, near the line of Claiborne,
there is q German settlement with
very romantic history. More than
fifty years ago there came to the
United States . wealthy colony IN.
der the control Of an accomplished
nobleman, who had inbibed the
communistic ideas that were 20
popular in France just after the
revolution. The colony was govern.
ed BY this noblemap, . Count Leon,
who prepared a peculiar code of
laws. All property was held in
common. There was no marrying
nor giving 10 marriage. Those who
could not overcome their natural
instincts and who would marry any
way were paid their portion Of the
common property aud dismissed ,
from the community.
The colony frst settled in the
West; then moved to the Red river,
above Natchitoches. Here they
failed In their crops, had much sick.
ness and lost their leader. They ;
we're compelled to sell considerable
to procure money to seek ..
. healthier location. Among other
articles disposed of was Q richly
eweled masonic regalia belonging
10 the count. With the proceeds Of ]
these sales they purchased land in |
what WAS then Claiborne parish, I
and from that date their prosperity
began. OF course the community
grew weaker in numbers. Some q
lied, others married and left, until
.o-day but few of the original vet.
lers are left. These, however, are I
very prosperous. Except these, the {
English mentioned above aud
ew other Germans aud Irish, the Z
is composed Of native.
porn Americans.
THE TOWN OF MINDEN.
Minden, the courthouse town,
las a population of 1900, and is Q
,usy, prosperous village. The town, .
'eing situated at the head of navi. q
yation on the Derchete, has many /,
advantages which are used and ap-
'reciated by her enterprising mer.
hants. There are fifteen or TWEEN.
= business houses in the town;
hree or fonr OF them selling large.
y over el0O,0O0 worth of goods each +,
ear. Trade seeks this point from !
wo or three other parishes and from |
'outh Arkansas.
A fine female college in this town {
) one of the most renowned iDatiin.
ions of this portion of the State.
is now in flourishiug condition,
nder the management of Prof. q
Alexander, aided by Q competent
orps Of assistants. Prof. Thatcher
las prosperous male school. There !
re three church buildings in the 9
own-Episcopal, Baptist and Meth.
dist. Two newspapers are printed q
n Minden, both seeming 10 be fnan. {
tally sound. A public library and I
eading. room has Just been estab-
shed. Minden has the reputation 9
being the most prosperous town, a
18th cultivated inhabitants, In this q
ortion of Louisiana. There are q
twenty-five churches in the parish '
nd thirty six schools, all public. o
VALUE OF THE LANDS.
Lands may be purchased in this :
arish at almost any price. A hne !,
lace, convenient to churches and =