The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1882-09-09
4 TRIP TO GRAND ISLE.
DY c SILAS.

i1'"i>ihl" Navigation company
leaves HAYou Lafourche at the elias
$lca! Fort Gnion, and runs almost
lH" East TO Bayou Coquille.
Th" remains Of an ancient Mound
are plainly visible at Fort Guion.
The canal cuts directly through it.
X Is filed with sea shells and is
supposed to be the work of the
Mound builder centuries ago. it
was more probably erected by the
Indians, long after the Mound build
ers had completed their mission up
on earth, and faded away, for ii pro
lection to themselves in high tide;
or for a burial elevation fUr their
braves. The Earth upon which
this Mound is found was doubtless
made, by the deposits Of the MisSis
s!ppi river. long subsequent to the
age in which the mythical Mound
builder roamcd over the plains Of
North America.
This canal vas comp!etedin 1879.
About one half mile from Bayou
LatCurchc it passes through Lake
Jessie, Il beautiful little body OF
water, that lies sparkling in the
sun in the midst of the marshes.
Since the canal has been cut it has
deepenea throughout its entire
length, except III this Lake, where
it becomes shallow as the MISSISSIPPI
ri deposits settle therein, and will
acquire occasional dredging until
it is jettied or leveed into Il canal.
During high water or high tide the
current runs tIom the Bayou, and
runs into the Bayou during low
tides.
After passing Lake Jessie the ca
nai passes through sea marshes,
generally firm enough for Il man
to walk upon.
About midway it cuts through
Bayou Forblanc, ii. considerable
stream, forming the boundary be
tween the Parishes Of Lafourche
and Jefferson.
The canal passed, the Webrc en-
tered into Bayou Coqaille, a deep
stream, thence into n series of Bays
that lie along the inner sides Of
the Cheuierc Camlnada, Grand Isle
and Grand Tcrre.
Many of these bays are shallow,
not furnishing over 80 to 40 inches
of water.
AS we were passing along, lug
gers came alongside from the Cher
Mere and took Il number of passen
gers to that delightful island, upon
which are residing some 400 fami
lies of fishermen and oyster run
nerS.
AS darkness was settling around
US, the Webre landed at Mrs. Viii
lois wharf when the party, with
whom | was, debarked. In a few
minutes we were crossing over the
Island, aud then a plunge into the
surf, among the breakers was en-
joyed with much delight and pleas
ure.
Grand Isle possesses more natu
raj advantages for a Watering place
than the famous ones Of Coney
Island and Rockaway, near New
York.
The bottom is firm and sandy.
The nHder current is lmper:eptible,
and about 80 yards from shore is an
elevation which IS a safeguard for
any II who may be likely to ven
ture too far into the briny water.
For sever miles this surf extends
upon which the waves Of the Gull
OF Mexico %eternally roll and dash
themselves.
A few thousand dollars would
render this beach perfect for all
bathing, fishing and driving pur
poses. Once fitted up with a rail
way from New Orleans. Grand Isle
wonld become one Of the best pat
rOnised points on the Southern
coast, and would be visited during
summer months by citizens from
st. Louis, Louisville and all inter
mediate points.
1t is far preferable to Biloxi, and
adjacent points in the fact that, at
those places, bathing is in the bays,
whilst at Grand Isle one is laved
by the salty waters of the grim old
ocean, i'll all their majestic gran
deur.
Through the centre of the Island
lengthwise stands a row of stately
oaks about so yards IN width, re
served for shade and a public high
Way for DrOmonaderS. In the havs