The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-03-26
Jay Gould and the South.

TIGERvILLE Parish of Terre Bonne, La.
March 17.-According to the records, it has
been just 100 years since there has been in
this region a winter of equal severity with
the one that still ''lingers in the lap of
spring" When, on the 31st of December,
the whole face of the earth was covered with
two inches of snow. the oldest white natives
were filled with wonder, the children with
delight and the negroes with vague fear,
and a sort of conviction, that the last day of
all the years had come; but when, on the
oath of January, six inches of snow fell, the
negroes were absolutely appalled, and even
the wisest of their white brethren declared
that "things were somehow out of fix gen.
orally"
1t is to be remarked as extraordinary that
although the mercury fell down to 1So the
most tropical trees and shrubs were not
killed. as was supposed, until recently. The
orange, fig and pomgranate trees are putting
out green leaves, and even banana sprouts
are coming out from the ground.
At this date last year ripe strawberries and
Japan plums were in abundance, and the
air was laden with the perfume of the orange
blossoms.
Although the season is very backward the
weather is delightful, fires only being neces
sary during the early morning and evening
hours
1t is estimated that over 60, 900 guests were
entertained in New Orleans during Mardi
Gras week, and all expressed themselves as
being delighted with the hospitality and
good cheer of the city and charmed with the
balminess of the climate so much so that
many contemplate securing winter homes in
and around New Orleans. and quite num-
Der with an eye to business are making in
vestments in Southern property. Jay Gould
has lead off by purchasing the magnificent
Roman estate on the Mississippi River, in
IL i < o. -.
acres, 5000 of which are under cultivation.
Ten acres of garden, containing the choicest
and rarest plants gathered from every part
of the world, surrounded the large and ele-
CANT family mansion. In one bed there were
more than three-score varying specimens of
dahlas. Two scores were (and are
yeti devoted to glass-protected hot
houses. Seventy-ive thousand dollars
were spent to bring this garden to its
perfection" All of the improvements,
sugar houses saw mill, servants, houses,
etc, are very costly and handsome. For
this estate Jay Gould paid $50, ,OO0-less than
81 per acre. 1t is said the 4.500 acres of
| timbered land will net him about $40 an
acre in railroad ties. The keen intellect of
this great railroad king has already taken in
the immense advantages to be derived from
| opening up the Mexican market to us by
means of the lines of railroads extending in
that direction, and he already predicts that
New Orleans in fifty years will grow to the
size of New York, and that city will be as
as large as London.
Even the pitiful appropriation made for
the improvement of the navigation of the
Mississippi River has given a wonderful i'm
pulse to business of every kind all along the
great valley, but more especially in the sugar
region of Louisiana. 1t is believed that the
deepening of the channel of the river Will
protect the low,ands from the overfows
which have, since the War, destroyed the
country and disheartened the people. A
small sugar plantation in the Parish Saint
Mary, that was purchased twelve month.
ago for $4,000 is held to-day at $25 900
There is wonderful appreciation in the val
ue of sugar property especially.
Chicago capitalists have bought up nearly
all of the fine estates in what is known a
the Attakapus country, and made it tn,
garden spot of Louisiana. Bayou Itch,
runs through this section and strangers go OI
excursions up this beautiful stream ant
pronounce the Improvements on the planta
tions that border it quite equal in value AM
beauty to those on the Hudson
Jay Gould says, with truth: ''The South j
becoming rich as fast as the other portions O
the country" ana it is only the Southern
people who do not seem alive and awake +
the advantages for investments here,
STEREo.