The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-02-27
MAIDEN NEGOTIATIONS.
Glimpsss at the World 'Twixt Minnesota
and Mexico.
Jet.ies of the Mississippi River.

Special Correspondence Nep North West.
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. II, 1sS5.-We were
told that our trip to New Orleans would not
be complete without visit to the "Jetties."
As sort of preparatio on for the good things
that are to follow, trip to the mouth of tho
Mississippi river was planned, and 1t came
as . refreshing draught after long trip by
rail through the States that furnish the mate
rial for the feeding of the rivers mouth.
One hundred and thirty Of US took passage
on board the John B. Maude, representing,
in all, thirty-six States, three Territories, one
District, and the Dominion of Canada; Mon
tana had representative among the number.
We left New Orleans at 6 p. M, and arrived
at Port Eads,
AT THE RIVERS MOUTH,
enc hundred and ten miles distant, at three
o'clock the following morning, and for the
6rst time looked out upon the Mexican Gulf.
Port Eads consists of but bakers dozen
of houses, all built upon earth washed down
from the free-soil North. This settlement
seems to be small world by itself, with no
outside communication except when the
steamers land. A moro desolate, doleful
place, one cannot imagine. We stayed but
short time, but long enough to procure a
memento-a dirty little stone and black
fewer.
EADs JETTIEs.
1t is sixteen miles from the pass to the
mouth Of the stream. The Jetties are built
at beth places, in the shape Of ", open at
tho bottom. Captain James B. Eads, Of st.
Louis, . name, with that Of Jackson, moro
rsvered here than any other, was the first to
plan and carry into execution scheme that
has done more for the New Orleans people
than they yet realize. How simple his plan
was, too! He had two rsws Of piling drove,
and between them placed bundles of willows
and stones, brought from the upper Hissis-
sippi and Ohio rivers. This made the current,
and by this simple method q passage was
secured for the ocean steamers. They have
now depth of 30 feet of water, where they
only had or before, and the Great Eastern
could sail through with impunity. Mr. Eads
had to promise 20 feet Of water before he
could receive any meney from the Govern
ment. He undertook the enterprise without
any assistance. The Government was 10th
to grant him the privilege Of making the ex-
PolimChty 0hu Wouiu NV PCihAs W WoIA
in the pass that was then used lest he might
make even it unnavigable. The old pass is
not used now, and large ocean steamers are
now at the wharf at New Orleans, where
they had never been able to enter before.
OUR RETURN PASSAGE
was entirely by daylight. The lower portion
Of the swamp Is almost uninhabitable. We
would see hut on stills and surrounded by
water. What they lived On, and slept on
and breathed, it would be impossible to
guess. The Captain said the children were
all web-footej. Somehow We wanted to as
sent to that. 1t would be so convenient in
their condition. The land is all cut up with
bitches, and through some Of them they
bring large "luggers" full Of oysters. On our
night and left were wide stretches Of land,
and beyond were the two other passes to the
ocean. The farther North We came we
found better country and better-looking peo-
pie. 1t was amusing to Northerners to
note the various houses without any win
dows, which seemed to have been built hun
dreds Of years age. Not new house was
seen on the entire trip. The names Of the
settlements Indicated the simple-mindedness
Of the psople-Happy P. o., Nestum P. O.,
and Ocean Grsve p. o., the Quarantine. We
passed the place where q rebel man-ef-war
was sunk % years ago, and saw the old boiler
still holding his head aloft, as much Is to say |
T have not surrendered" We passed the
cut that leads to
GRAND ISLE,
which is called the Saratoga Of South Louis |
lana. 1t is Eve miles from tho river and Is q
celebrated summer resort, especially In mos
quito season. They told US that they have
three kinds Of mosquitoes, and described |
them |; but some Of their stories reminded us |
Of Montanian in the East telling the truth. |
The last 10 miles Of our passage up stream |
was moro inhabitabls. We passed large
SUGAR AND RICE PLANTATIONS.
One must not forget that the river here and |
all the way to tho mouth Is above the sur
rounding country, and kept in Its bed by |
weak levees. We passed magnolia Planta-
tion," owned BY Bradie Johnston, whs owns
seven miles Of grange trees. All those plan
tations have bitches dug through them,
straight back from the river, fer miles and /
miles. Some Of these Louisiana plantations
are still in their reginental drsss-a large
square house, wide yerandahs all around On
both stories, and In . cluster Of shanties,
sugar refinery, and all the little negroes hung
out on the fence. We passed hundreds OF
negro shanties, built right up to tho river, all
"doing fer themselves" The door would
swing open and the celored population
would swarm 10 see the boat pass. Wewsre
glad We took the trip, but never shall ysu
ind US, . Northsrner, % "squattsr" on one
Of these bayous Of lower Mississippi.
We are
IN THE MIDST OF THE MARDr GRAs,
The great Southern festal season. Rex ap-
peared ~ Charles VII Of France, and was
escorted to the city ~ : feet Of seventeen
vessels. Appropriate ceremonies were held
It the Exposition Grounds when be appeared.
The King need not Be citizen Of New Or
leans, - mensy prscures the position. Tho
Queen II the bells u the city. The fourth
d the Mystic knights visited
he city last night. The subject Of this years
pageant il the Myths and wsnhips Of China,