The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1881-04-23

FrOulsthe opsiousas COurierl 4

L. from this town left here with about
so or 100 excursionists for Lake
Charles. via the Louisiana Western
from Yermilionville. We reached
the latter place at about s o clock a
NJ, and after few minutes delay
embarked on the excursion train
consisting of ten coaches. for Lake
Charles, accompanied by splendid
brass band, and with.about nine hun
dred passengers aboard.
We found the magnificent new
passenger. coaches of the louisiana
Western road admiralty arranged
for comfort, and the officers attentive
and polite, and entirely az Taitin
their respective observation-disclosures
we might mention particularly the
efficient and affable conductor, Pratt
Mathews, Esq, Eho had charge Of
the excursion, and filled his rather
difficult and trying position with
ability and 10 the satisfaction Of all.
Not the least accident OF coafre-tempS
Of any kind occurred to mar the
pleasures of the trip, and the only
complaint we heard of was the rather
too crowded state of the cars,-the
crowd being evidently larger than
was anticipated, which fact, however,
was ascertained too late to afford a
remedy by the addition of more
coaches. The train left Eermilion-
vile comfortably full, but took on
passengers at almost every station
between there and Lake Charles, so
that long before the arrival at that
point large number were compelled
TO stand, and in some cars even
standing room was Scarce.
We reached Lake Charles .about
noon, and found the citizens of that
pretty little city congregated en-
aseaSse at the depot, about half mile
from town, TO welcome us-a large
number Of whom took charge of
friends and acquaintance. and ex-
tended to them hospitable recep-
ton. We regret, however, that the
business portion-hotels in parlicu-
made but Inadequate pre-
partitions for the demands that were
to be made upon them, and very few
Of the eXcurSionists Were so fortu-
nate as ito secure good dinner,
though we have no right to enter
any individual complaint on that
score, as weahad no lack of invita-
tons from Ola friends to share their
hospitality, and partook Of abundant
ratlons-aDd a iirst-class article at
Ihat-with mine host, VIM. II. Has
fell, Esq, the very popular and
genial proprietor of the Haskell
ionse, who, though unprepared to
10 justice to the numerous demands
made upon him, nevertheless enter
aimed all he possibly could in his
Usual fine style.
Besides the beautiful lake, the
'iaces of interest visited by the ex-
;nrslonlsts were the various fine saw
nils bordering the sume, the rice
MI, nee manptactory, and the numer-
'ns new buildings Just erected or in
'onrse ri construction - churches,
'Pera honsc, etc a few of the ex-
,nfs'onlsts manageable secure. n boat,
lGd enjoyed pleasant sail over the1
AXE. However, we may observe, en-
'dssti'f, that the facttlat the 4Iake
;tty" being now n+the full flush Of
ne Sunday law, and all places of |
closed, left no opportunity
4 forming a correct idea Of the eX-
ent of its business establishments:
ut one thing was evident: prosperity
nd enterprise, indicating beyond a |
oubt, a "boom," tina if kept up will |
laSe large city Of what was a
4w years ago bu. a small hamlet.
The tram was to have left Lake
harles alta pm, giving about four
ours totake in the town. and at
lat hour the railroad depot and
Ieinity presented d scene Of ani-
iated humanity which, we will ven
ire TO say, is not often witnessed
acre; besides the 900 or 1000 excur-
onlsts, there We're perhaps as many /
more Of the citizens Of the town |
nd vicinity to see the train off. The
9tnrn trip was made in a splendid
IN OF atllttiel more than three hours,
Nermilionyille at about s
clock p, m; time Of departure from
AXE CHARLES, about lao, and several
Ioppages onthe route. The road
ed is undoubtedly one of the smooth,
st IN the country, and much of it
eng sballasted with shells, gives all
I'm, solid surface, remarkably freei
ON dust
The weather was all that could h
ave been desired, just suited to the
'caslon, and theitrip was enjoyed to
fullest extentfto all; and notwith- L
andlng that there was a bountiful 4
lpply Of ''tanglerfoo" provided by
e boys" (Which is unfortunatelyaIl
o often the practice on such occa-
ons) yet with the exception of a q
" instances Of an overdose Of said {
nothing unpleasant oc- !
irted-though in some cases the {
'lsterons conduct of some of the I
lplbers was by no means pleasant /
the Large number Of ladies who G
fmed SO important and interesting g
part Of the excursion.
We hope that frequent opportuni-
y Tor enjoying such recreations :
" be afforded our citizens by the !
organ road during the SIMMER; the 9
5nal success of last Sundays az :