The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1885-05-02
LETTER FROM MONROE.
Special Correspondence Nicksburg Post.
MONROE. La, April %, 1881.

This pretty little city resting (bnt
not in peaceful slumbers) upon the
banks OF the limpid and gently flowing
Ouachita, embowcred in widespreading
oaks of "iiving green,' is always a
pleasant sight to one having an eye for
the beautiful in a happy combination
Of art and nature. Though it may not
be like Jerusalem, the joy of the whole
EARTH" yet l positively aver il is pleas
ant To look upon.
Monroe is one of the historic cities of
the South-belonging more to an
ancient than modern period. She dates
back to colonial days, as her records,
and the surviving Spanish and French
names common in her midst, show.
Some OF her people are the descendants
OF Counts and Barons, who once held
grants to large possessions III North
Louisiana. My old, genial and inteiii-
gent friend {now deceased) Major Bry
(French), whose memory was capa-
cious store-house OF the past. used TO tell
me all about it, but much that he told
me has slipped my Nateiy) treacherous
memory. By searching, | might find
out, perhaps, another TO take his place,
and get the old story repeated, but l
haven't the wherewith Nime) needed
| for the search.
The Major told me All interesting
story about how the name of Monroe
! (for the Presidency was given to the
place, but so far as / am concerned, the
story has gone with the old Major.
(Why don't these old fellows who know
so much Of the history of the country
that is valuable commit the same to
paper?) But there is one interesting
fact concerning Monroe gathered from
my reading, Ct can't give author and
page aud that is that Monroe was the
point Of designation and rendezvous,
and was to be made the home of opera
tions, OF the expedition organized by
that restless and revolutionary spirit,
Aaron Burr, aud his coadjutor Bfan-
| nerhasSet, on the Ohio river in early
days, (Which was broken up by the
Governnent having as its inspiration
the dream of IA great Western Empire
stretching from the Mississippi river to
the shores of the Pacific. Gen. WIKI
| inson, of the South was suspected of
completely in this revolutionary and
traitorOus plot but it was never proved
upon him. The proved up honor rested
| upon the Northern conspirators.
The Courthouse here, erected in
! 1884, is very pretty, convenient and
comfortable building OF brick. |, differs
in external appearance from most pub
| tic buildings, looking more like
| female college or seminary than q
Court house. Hanging upon the walls
| in the recess in the rear of the Judges
seat is very interesting relic of the
period of which | have just spokon-
that is, when it is in its place, it being
now at the xpostion-to-wit the
sword of Don Juan Filhiol, Captain
and first CommanGant Of the post of the
Ouachita at Fort Miro Q7S3), now
Monroe, presented to the parish by his
grandson, Mr.. Hypolite FilhioI, a
highlyrespected and intelligent citizen
of Monroe, now well advanced in years
Vegetation here is in advance of
the region about Nicksburg though
the latitude is the same. TIE humidity
of the atmosphere in these low lands
must account for it. And that reminds
me to say that the excessive humidity
that prevails about Lancashire, Eng
land, is the chief factor in making that
region the great centre Of cotton spin.
ming in Europe. This humidity is a
very important desideratum in the
husiness; and knoweth any one why
it might not be turned to account in
the same line in the low lands of North
Louisiana
The fructifyirg showers Of April have
gently descended upon the bread and
fertile fields hcreabouts, and they are
beginning TO .:btussom." The start for
an abundant harvcs. is splendid. There
is the promise also OF "A big crop of
| nd A.. fIl "a. il,