St. Landry democrat., 1881-10-22
OId-Tilne Items.
. FEW EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL
OF DIR. R. F. MCGUIRE.
Monroe Bulletin.

Monroe Bulletin.l
Mrs. L. L. Mcclure has kindly pre-
sented us with the journal OF her late
husband DR.. Mcclure. From this in
teresting volume we make the follow
April 8, 1S19.-The steamboat Monroe
at the landing, upon her second trip.
The first steamboat that ever came TO
January 9, neutrality-suspicious. ar
rived, the first boat this season On &C
count of lowness of the water. !,
October %, 1S32.-The star called the
comet turns out to be the planet Mars,
and no comet has yet appeared: Inc
yellow fever has been very fatal IN Or-
leans in last month, when the cholera
came upon it, and for four or five days
carried off 400 day.
May 81, 1S35.-Cotton bringing over
90 cents in New Orleans; pork worth
from $15 to $1S per barrel; corn 81 per
bushel; -four 81 per barrel. -.
October 90, 1S37.-At Alexandria they
have what they call congestive fever,
CARRYING off persons in "a hours. l
expect it to be the same as yellow fever.
The slaves took advantage OF the SICK.
|Aess at Alexandria and the absence OF
MANY planters, and formed a plan OF
instruction which was discovered two
or three days before the massacre was
to have commenced, and two were
hanged on the 9th of October, the day
they were to begin, and some seven or
eight more were hanged on the 9th and
10th, not in a legal manner, but by
committee of the citizens formed tor
that purpose, without the form and
and contrary to law, setting a bad ex-
ample, one that in the end will lDJure
April %, 1s3s.-Mississippi money
not taken here at all, and from 35 to
| so per cent discount in Orleans. The
bank paper of every State is discounted
in the adjoining States. Currency is
entirely deranged and all confidence
destroyed. Glorious effect OF the age
of reform!
to cents. Everything depressed.
Fair prospect to change the admins,
tration and elect Harrison. Wings and
Democrats met on the first at Monroe
to discuss politics. made a speech OF
i've hours. Downs followed; did not
answer, but evaded, and closed the
day. Others spoke next day, but few
there then. On the first there was the
largest crowd ever saw in our town.
August 30, 184O.-Caterpillars des-
troving the cotton on Red river; few
here.
September "a, 1S40.-Diseases of chill
dren still bad and fatal. Wilson lost
two; Williams two; H. NJ. Bry two
DR.. Holmes one. There have been over
twenty deaths in town within two
months, mostly children.
January 30, 1S41.-The steamboats,
Norma, Columbus and Farmer all try
ing to get the trade. Thus far all three
are loosers by the trade of this season.
May z, 1S42.-It is reported the waters
in the D'Arbonne and Choudrant rose
instantly about foot with a gurgling
noise and receded again, without any
storm about the same day. 1t is said
Enkle's comet was nearest to the earth.
What connection there may be between
them we are unable to say.
October Is, 1S42.-Harder times fol
money than ever known. The Sheriff
is unable to collect the taxes for want
of good money in the country; indeed
there is but little of any kind. When
cotton goes to market it sells for any
thing.
January 4, 1S43.-At quarter before
9 o'clock D. IN. there was a very distinct
shock of an earthquake, shaking the
house. Rather swimming motion east
and west.
April 80, 1943.-The comet has dis.
appeared. The philosophers say it hi
the sun and rebounded.
May IS, 1S43.-Cotton is selling al
from to cents.
4 January Is, 1S44.-Tobacco in front Of
my lot not yet killed by frost. Roses
in bloom dubious roots beginning tt
bloom.
March 9, 1s44.-On the first, at l
o'clock in the morning, the steamboat
Buckeye, coming up with large num
Der of our citizens on board, came il
, collision with the DeSoto at Red rive
cutoff, and sunk in five minutes o.
, less. There were near 800 passenger
on board, and it is thought from so t.
so lost. Col. D. A. Breard and hi
, nephew, w. Maconchy, are the only
ones lost from this town, though many
, escaped narrowly.
September 10, 1944.-The worms have
J increased and are yet eating. Man,
large cotton fields have not green lea
in them.
: December 81, 1s44.-Final news re
. ceived that Polk has beat Clay fo
, President. emagogues have prevailed
September 8, 1S46.-The worms hav
been eating the cotton for ten day
past. Many fields left without greer
, leaf and many without stem of leaf
, Some bolls as big as the end Of m.
J thumb eaten in holes.
April 90, 1s4s.-There have been tel
steamboats, running here this year
{ Belle of Arkansaw, Warrior. Homer
, Rodolph, Princeton, Monroe, Ridgeley
t Saline, Admiral Sunk early and Dallas
j January 25, 1849.-The river went owe
the banks at Pargoud's lower place, AM
now wagons cannot pass to Bayou De
, Siard. There is no passing down tn
river on horseback. 1t is said tn
| bridge at Machoir- "a L 'ourse has washe
: away and the water swimming below il