The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1882-04-08
A Trip to New River.
The Situation in the Overlooked Portion
of Ascension.
DoNALDsoNyILLE, La, April 8, 1882.

DoNALDsoNvILLE, La, April 8, 1882.
L. E. Bentley, Esq,
Editor Donaldsonyillc CHIEF:
On last Wednesday morning, having
left Donaldsonviile the day previous,
started from the Riverside plantation OF
Crossley & Sons, for New River Mr.
Ben Palmer, Jr., and Mr.. A. Knight had
the kindness to furnish me with the
assistance necessary to pull my skif
over the levee and drag it about two
acres in the field, when struck deep
water and started for the Dutch Stores
The depth of water l had to travel
through in getting across the Riverside
and Waterloo plantations to the stores
varied from two to eight feet.
Upon arriving at the store Of Mr.. C. Z.
Blouin, l was not little surprised that
could run right into it with my heavy
oak skiff. found there Mr.. Blouin and
our genial friend H. D. Minor, perched
upon temporary platform they had
raised above the counters and upon
which goods and merchandise were
piled pell nell.
The information obtained from these
gentlemen was to the effect that the
whole surrounding country-the most
thickly populated aud the most fertile OF
that section-was in the same condition.
Their views concerning the distress that
such a state of things was apt to bring
about, were to this effect: that for the
next ten days or a couple of weeks, the
people could sustain themselves, but that
after that time, Il large number would
certainly have to he cared for and fed, or
submit to the pangs of starvation.
The Dutch Stores, it will be remem-
bered, are the seat of government of the
eighth ward.
From thence, i'll the same depth of
water, / started for the government seat
of the seventh ward, which has recently
been removed from the we'll known Paul
Landry store to the Messrs. st. Amant
store, located on the plantation of Capt.
JOS. Gonzales. At that point the water
was not as nigh, but all the lands were
covered.
From Capt. Gonzales and DR.. P. I. ST.
Amant l ascerta;ned that the condition
of the people of that ward was by far
more critical than that of their neigh
bors of the eighth ward. They were of
opinion that not less than forty or fifty
families would need assistance in the
way of rations, before they could be
furnished, even We're they applied for
Immediately and allowed. DR.. St. Amant,
who is the only resident physician Of
that ward, Informed me that there was
already some sickness and that great
deal more should be expected; that the
small stock of medicine he generally
kept on hand was totally exhausted, and
that although he was most willing to
give his professional services free of
charge, bis means did not permit him to
furnish the medicine. Quinine, tincture
of iron, spirits Of nitre and morphine, he
said, We're most needed.
After spending the night at that place
| started on Thursday morning up New
River. On my way | conyersed with
alessrs. Leon Dugas, G. D. Blouin-who,
by the by, had accompanied ME-. B.
Hehert, Nicolas Dubois and many others,
who only confirmed the statements of
Capt. Gonzales and DR. st. Amant with
regard to the condition Of the people of
their ward.
Will here state that I travelled all the
time over the public road aud that from
the time left the Riverside until left
New River on my Way back did not
see an acre Of land over which I could
not navigate freely. As sad as it may
appear, this gloomy picture is certainly
not overdrawn and the attention Of our
Police jury and their prompt action in
the premises are earnestly invoked by all
friends Of suffering humanity.
Truly, ETC., f.