The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1885-03-07
NO. Il

/ factureFs. The average amount dug
per day Of ten hours is $50 feet, or
about $500 cubic yards. When sowed
in rice, it is estimated that from go to
90 bushels of rough rice can be grown
per acre, worth about $1.50 per bushel.
SKETCH OF the GREAT oRGANIzER.
It is but natural that curiosity
should lead all to ask, "Who is this
man who has undertaken such q herr
culean and benefcent work" So UNI
pretentious is he, that even the pro-
prietors OF the st. Charles Hotel, with
whom he has stopped for years, did
not even know him by name the day
before he started with this excursion,
nor had they ever heard of his pur-
chase of these landsl Mr.. Watkins,
who is doing for Louisiana all that
Disston can do for Florida-whose
history reminds us Of the romantic one
of Monte Christo-was born poor
boy in Pennsylvania less than forty
years ago; was left an orphan at an
early age, and for four years worked
on a farm with half brother near
Washington, D. G. When 10 or 20
years of age, feeling the need of an
education, he went to the Michigan
University at Ann Arbor BY great
economy and even cutting cord-wood
for others in any time he might call
his own, coupled with a few small
speculations, he had accumulated
about $1,000 in four years. This,
together with little sum he was able
to borrow, he invested in small ten
ement house in Washington, which
gave him an income of $25 per month.
To complete bis course at the Uni
yersity, he was obliged to sacrifice his
small property, so that when he gradu-
ated in 1869, he was again without
means. However, full of energy, much
valuable experience and now a good
education, he began the practice of
law at Champaign, III. Soon he be-
gan to loan money for Others on
farms, and so well did lac manage the
business that in short while he could
command all the capital he wished.
He quit the law and located At Law
renee, Kansas, as a banker, and for
succession of years has done such an
extensive business that now he has
branch of his house in New York,
England, Dallas, Texas, besides his
bank in Lake Charles. He in person,
is actually both the land and the bank
ing company, and his investment in
Louisiana shows bis wonderful sa-
gacity. He to-day owns farms in
nearly every county of Kansas, as
well as in Texas and other States, and
a more brilliant career is certainly his
destiny,
OFF FOR THE GUILE COAST,
After spending the whole day (Fri-
lay) at the works, early Saturday
we headed southwark, in q
few hours passing from the lake to
he lower river, where we were amused
oy sporting porpoises and pleased by
,he sight of orange groves on the east
bank, aud finally late in the afternoon
reached Leesburg, the parish seat of
Cameron, with population of about
700 souls. Here we were Wis
ted by Mr., Monroe, the custom
louse inspector; Mr. Miller, the
Sheriff Of the parish; Mr., Gonzales,
! prominent merchant; Mr.. Donahoe,
rom Johnson's Bayou, and several
aides. We were treated to oranges
If local growth, and next day ran out
% the Gulf shore, where we gathered
iea shells, finally steaming out in the
Gulf, in westward direction, seven
II. eight miles-far enough to make
everal ladies sea-sick--saw houses
IIone- the beach, and finally started
pack to Lake Charles that Sunday
.yening, after our latest arrival, ex-
L, NJ. Boynton, OF Mas
achusetts. and Mrs. Fawcett, the
iteuographer, left us for the Sabine,
n hack, to ascend the river to
Orange, expecting to rejoin US at Lake
Charles on Tuesday. All would have
aiken the same route, but with the
,oats, had not the high wind pre-
'ented.
THE GULF COAST ABOUT LEEsBURG
S as fine as any in tho United States,
md is place Of resort for many peo-
lie of Southwestern Louisiana, At
Iohnson's Bayou, about 20 miles west,
here is sea shore hotel--tha settle
nent lying along the bayou, which is
nayigable stream, and runs westward
0 the Sabine, parallel to and near the
iuIf coast On the eastern side of the
,arish of Cameron is the Grand Che
iere settlement, near the Mermentau
iver All these people enjoy the most
'erfoet health, as the winters are mild
nd the summers' temperature is much
,ss than 800 miles farther north-say
n average of about s4 degrees.
THE BANK BURNED.
We lay up IN Calcasieu river last
ight, and early this morning heard
10 unwelcome news that Mr.. Watkins
ank in Lake Charles was totally de-
goyed by fire last Saturday night,
t first, we feared inoendiarisln, but
II. Watkins did not think SO, as he
ad given no one cause to commit such
deed, and il was a relief when, later,
ews came that 1t was caused by de-
,etiye chimney, We have no doubt
lat he will soon rebuild the elegant
4 TESTIMONIAL.
This evening, after dinner, our party
resented Mr.. Watkins copy of
and resolutions adopted by
legn, expressive Of their sense Of the
aportanco Of his work and gratitude
i the Prineely hospitality shown Us.
As We are nov near Lake Chaflss.