The Lake Charles echo., 1885-02-28
TIE H'aTkTrNs 73REsg *.
GURsgON.

GLfRlsTON.
The gentlemen and ladies compos
= ing this company Of excursionists re
inrned last susiday night, BY the sam
\ route they had left by--that Is I,y III
o Calcasieu river, instead of by way 0
\ Orange, Texas, as was originally con
9 tempIated. The failnra to return B.
3 way Of the Sabine and Orange was oe
casioned BY the very inclement char
I acteF Of the weather
We arc sorry that they were no
able to complete the trip, as planned
they wonld have undoubtedly fount
many interesting features of the conn
Try to add 70 what we believe the,
found on The Galcasien nyer and ii.
lakes.
I. But a partial interview sufices to
permit MS to say that they all enjoyed
themselVes'very mach, and felt under
many obligations to their genial and
hosPitable host for the pleasures af-
forded them They all further ox-
pressed themselves sgreeably disap-
pointed with the character of the
scenery along the river from Lake
Charles to Leesbnrgb, and to find so
much high lands adapted to beautiful
home sites. The opinion expressed
was unanimous as regarded the sue
cess Of Mr.. Watkins enterprise. They
all seemed to view it as perfectly
practical, and one the suceess of which
wonld in the end redonnd in lasting
benefits to the whole parish.
Of course they all saw the dredge
boats, and gained a general knowledge
of the amount of work already done,
and TO be done, and consequently can
appreciate the magnitude of the un-
dertaking, aud the outlay necessary to
complete development of the agri-
cultural pursuit Mr.. Watkins has EN-
barked in.
Mr.J. i, Watkins aud the guests
composing the excursion have our
thanks for the courtesies extended TO
the Ecao, and we avail ourself Of this
method of further saying that it is our
hope that the visiting gentlemen have
profited by their visit to our section,
for VIC are certain they were highly
pleased, as the following resolutions
will attest:
LAKE CHARLES, La, Feb. %, '85.
WHEREAS, Mr.. J. i. Watkins has
undertaken a gigantic enterprise, name
| ly, the reclamation Of nearly / ,0oO, 600
acres of oEerfowed and hitherto worth
less lsnds--a feat unparalleled in the
history Of our country, and worthy the
notice and support of the scientific
agrieulturists and the press of the
world; and 4
Whereas, an invitation was ex-
tended by the said Mr. J. b. Watkins
to the representatives of leading Jour-
mails of the United States to visit and
inspect the work now in progress and
in contemplation; and
Whereas, we as such Representa-
tives have accepted the said invitation.
and have Witnessed at the works the
operation Of the most improved dredg-
ing machines, steam pIows, harrows,
ditebers and pumps; therefore,
Resoiped, That after careful and
thorough examination of the said land,
and an investigation of its adaptabiIity
to agriculture, we regard the enter
prise as a probable solution of the
great National problem, to-wit The
redemption and utilization of the low
and orerflowed lands of the United
States.
Resolpeci, That this has been the
most pleasant eventOf our stay in the
South and that our heartiest thanks
are due to Mr.. Watkins, Prof, Thom-
son, his wife and the younger mem
bers Of his family, and to Capt. Haw-
kins, for the constant efforts they
have made to render our excursion |
enjoyable.
ReSofDed, That our Friendships have |
encouraged us to believe in the noble
ness Of human character, which is SO
forcibly demonstrated in our worthy
host, and in parting from him We sin
cerely trust that his plans and enter
prises may meet his most sanguine
expectations.
Z. DUvAL SWEENEY, Chairman.
X. y. M. HUTcHIHsoN, See'y.