The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-04-16
Hill Bayou and . Factory.

~ WCo uOV0u % o 6PS0uuAN I0oVII AOI
the wild water fowls that visit this
cline during the winter months.
There still fingers along it's flag
grown shores remnants of boat and
duck houses, where hunters we're
wont to resort to pursue the hunts.
mans favorite psstime. In summer
1t was q capital spot for fishermen.
On its southern border. between the
adjacent hills, q dam had been built
to conf1ne the waters In the natural
basin formed by the surrounding
pine ridges. Time, that great level.
Ter, united with mans neglect and
Indifference, caused the dam, with
It's sluices and outlets, to decay and
disappear. But q few years ago an
effort was made to rebuild it and
restore the lake to something Of It's
pristine glory and usefulness. But
owing to inadequate engineering
skill, and lack Of proper construction,
the work proved q lamentable fail
ure.
This lake, however, always has
mole or less water in 1t and Is near the
terminus Of q long stretch Of bottom
land bounded on the west by far.
reaching pine hills and forests. The
natural result is. that the water
flows through this lake IN channel
skirting the hills and empties into
the bed Of Old river about q mile
southwest Of this city. There is q
considerable fall In the channel Of
this drain which makes Its current
quite rapid. A short distance from
where 1t empties into Old river, Is q
large basin where the water pours
over the high embsnkment, which
has secured it the name Of 'The
Falls"
It has not been many years since
this water was utilized to run q saw
mill, situated near Ito mouth. But 1t
fell into disuse. The sharp buzz Of
the steel teeth as they forced their
way through the resinous pine, is
hushed. The dip Of the huge water
wheel Is silent. The hum and noise
and life Of the mill have long since
died out. A few 6uge water.stained
and deosying timbers alone mark
the site of this enterprise Of the years
agone. Yet to this day that natural
outlet to Sibley's Lake Is known as
mill Bayou"
It Is still the resort Of the followers
Of Isaac Walton, IN the spring time,
and sbounds with 9 variety Of the
flnny tribe.
What We desire to demonstrate Is
simply the fact that the water. power
which once propelled q large saw
mill. still exists. A comparatively
small outlay could rebuild the dam
and race-course to propel q mill
wheel. There would be no lack Of
water or power to drive machinery.
Upon the site Of the old saw mill
could be erected q building for a
spleddid factory. tits at the foot oil
q long reach Of pine forests, and
adjacent to the valleys Of Cane river,
Old river, Bayou Natchez. and the
hill farms, whore thousands Of bale.
Of cotton are annually produced.
This Is . period Of active enterpri'
ses which look to the material de-
velopment and the employment o.
the vast resources Of Louisiana. Thil
spot furnishes splendid facilities fol
the construction Of q cotton factor,
to be run by . natural power, outside
Of the employment Of steam.
There are many such favored 10
calities In this parish. In order {,
utilize them 1t needs only q spirit o
energy and enterprise. judiciousl,
backed by capital. Such . fsvore,
locality a. the one in question, woult
not have been thus left neglected, 10
these many years. in one Of the north
fern Of western States.
When railroads shall have opene,
up our unknown places and mad
known our unlimited resources, CAPT
til will not tail to seize upon the M
tural advantages furnished by sucl
localities 40 the ono described, for
safe and remunerative investment.
i One Intolerance breeds snothe
| surely for We see our Southern p
| pers filled With extraordinary dc
mands tor prohibition laws, tor Sun
day LAW. for laws regulating privat
| capital, and for all manner Of Sunni
tuaIy enactmsnts. T. reminds on on,
"a 4 4 - ~ Il q