The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1885-12-26
A New Industry.

A New Industry.
More than a year ago we made
mention in The South of the value
and importance of the fish trade at
this place, aud had reason to believe
that We had aroused sufficient inter.
est to give the matter a practical
test, but we were doomed to be dis.
appointed. Dr.. Nichols claimed to
have had a process by which he
could take our largest catfish and in
twenty four hours cure them 80
thoroughly that they would keep for
one year, and taste as fresh as If
inst taken from their native element.
We tasted some fish thus prepared,
which was very nice. DR.. Nichols,
however, soon abandoned the scheme
for green fields and pastures new,"
and instead of curing fish he is now
curing the "ills that flesh is heir to-"
But now the Importance Of the fish
trade ls being daily demonstrated by
that enterprising and public-spirited
ci,izen, Mr.. Leon Scharff, who is
building up q large and valuable
trade with Texas. Mr.. Scharff pays
cash money for any kind OF fish, de.
livered to him in Plaquemine. He
has them cleaned and packed in ice,
and ships them to dealers in Texas
and Louisiana. The business 3 daily
increasing, and Mfr. Scharff can not
supply the demand, He could ship
two thousand pounds daily if he had
the fish. He invites fishermen to
bring their catchings to him, even if
it il Ave thousand pounds day, and
get the hard cash. This is a bust.
ness that greatly benefits all Of our
merchants. The fishermen purchase
all their supplies in our town with
money that comes from abroad. Mr..
Scharf is building up an industry
that will bring thousands Of dollars
to our town annually, and for so
doing he deserves the encouragement
Of our community.-Ibervill South.
That New Iberia is re trograding
will not strike the average and fair
minded citizen with surprise. That
she does not control tho trade that
che did several years ago is also
deyond question. A few are Of the
opinion that the railroads have
considerably injured the trade Of
New Iberia, but, although it may
be worthy Of credence that the rail.
road has committed some injustices
that may have antagonized a few
against It, it has on the other hand
aided mach, 10 the development of
the town; 1t has and does still afford
many conveniences which our peo-
pie some Of them) do not properly
appreciate, now that they cannot be
properly removed. We, for one, do
not ascribe the cause to the railroad.
New Iberia had q fair chance to
make herself the metropolis Of the,
Attakapas country; she had every
means at her command to become
the central point Of the whole section
Of country surrounding her; instead
Of profting, che allowed the St.
Martinsville branch to escape her,
whereby all the trade Of the rich
Teche country between here and
that town could have been turned
into her portals; she allowed the
Abbeville branch (the construction
Of which, however, is yet dubious)
also to be snatched away from her
withouta a single determined effort.
As one of those doing business in
New Iberia we are sorry to see her
III such a comparative state of
lethargy;; bat unless a new policy is
adopted, unless We evince more
koaheadiveness and energy we can
little except to Improve to any
considerable extent in the future. -
Louisiana Farmer.
Two little mice have achieved
Immortality, SO to speak, at White.
staple, England. One evening since
two or three oysters were pnt away
| in an earthen pen. During the