The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1886-07-03
LAKE CHARLES CACAsIEU PARISH LOUISIANA SATURDAY JULY 1886


night. The next day Mr.. Moore pro
posed to satisfy our curiosity by
taking tramp in the swamp on
bear hunt, and it required no urging
for we were eager to get into a chase,
so into the swamp VIC went, and in 9
short while had bear up, but our dog
not liking the idea of cultiyating q
close acquaintanceship with Sir Bear,
never would exert himself sufficient to
bring the animal to bay, and we failed
to get shot. We spent very pleas
ant time at Mr.. Moore's, as he and his
estimable lady, who is a daughter Of
Mr.. L. Wingate know how to make
one enjoy a stay with them.
Mr.. H. A. Knight erected steam
gin sometime since, about two miles
below this point and recently sold ont
to Mr.. NJ. G. Frazar, who proposes TO
open store near the mill, Mr.. Knight
remaining 10 charge Of the business.
Mr.. K is a thorough business man
and will no doubt work up large
trade.
Late in the afternoon of the 9th
inst, we reached Mr.. L. Wingate who
resides at what is known as the old
Whitman ferry on Sabine river At
this place the pine woods extend TO
the river, the swamps all being on the
west or Texas side Of this stream, and
as we stood upon the brow of the tall
cliff which stands full forty feet above
the rolling tide below, watching the
surging waters as they formed a
rapid here or an eddy there, dash
ing up the silver spray in the gol-
den sunlight, sadness stole over us
that was indeed painful. Memories
sad and sweet chased each other up
from the depths of her store house
and carried us back to our boyhood
days, and had us again listen while
our sainted grandmother related the
story of her travels through this then
wild, western country. How more
than half century ago, she with her
husband, both In the forenoon Of life,
with three small children, stood upon
the banks of this same stream, Life
lay out before them in all its grand
possibilities. Texas, then Spanish
province with all it promised the pio-
neer settler, lay just across this border
stream. And again we listened as she
told the sad story Of Indian outrages
hardships and dangers of their check
cred life in the western wilds, and how,
after a few years of border life, they
slowly but sadly retraoed their steps
and stood again upon the banks of
this romantic stream, this time with
their faces toward the home of their
youth. As these sweet, sad memories
came, we involuntarily uncovered our
heads as though standing upon hal
lowed ground. Then recollecting
that we we're not alone, dashed aside
the unbidden tear and proposed to
our companion, Mr.. L, Wingate, to
return, remaFking that the sight of
that river had stirred within our heart
of hearts emotions which naught save
fond memories of the far off past
could ever disturb,
On the next morning Mr.. w, kindly
took us in a boat to the other shore.
and on the 10th day Of June, 1855,
we set foot upon Texas soil. Men are
all whimsical TO q certain extent, and
this whim of ours, wanting to be able
TO say that we had been in Texas, was
now gratified, and we we're willing to-
pursue our journey.
Thanking Mr.. Wingate for his kind
ness to MS, we bade him adien and
set out for Pinchburgh, stopping on
the way at the home of Bro. Joseph
A, Whitman. This brothers crop
was in excellent condition and the
rains which were just them setting in
no donbt have secured to him full
crop, We reached PinlhbnFgh, the
home Of DR., L. N, Mimms early in
the afternoon, and enjoyed the hospi-
talily Of the genial old doctor and his
family until the following morning.
DIR Mimms is very pleasantly situ'
ated has q fine place, fine crop, fine
stock Of cattle, besides quite a lncra
tive practice in medicine. The Doc
tors son-in,law, Brother Miller Ma2ily,
lives near by, and is postmaster at
PinchbnFg. This brother has terri
bic woe pronounced upon him, Woe
unto you when all mon speak well Of
You, says Holy Writ, and this Is his
sad case.
From Pinehburg we came down 70
The home Of Rev. i, Garner, formerly
# Johnson's Bayou; this bro, has not
leon in the parish long, but is making
headway in The way Of
improvements on his new home. lie
las erected steam gin and grist mill
which, fills q long-felt want in that
iieinity, Bro, Garner is preaching to
he Johnson's Bayon church and at
Shady Grove church, After spending
lome time with Bro. @ we started for
.he Big Woods Settlement in order TO
be on hand for our appointment on
The second Sunday. We passed en-
route the homes Of Nj. VIM, How
ard and John II, CLARK, who both had
nice, Well-wsrked crops, while every.
thing about the places indicated thrift
and industry.
A happy surprise awaited rs at bro
j, NJ, Fancheps, to which place W.
were teRdiRgi this tEeat was % meet
and become personally acquainted with
Rev. Z, " FAnehaK Of wllam We bad
heard mneh, and All Of Fhich had IN
creased our desire 70 know lhe brother
personally, Wa spent two days lsHd
they seemed Fory shoEtl With this
brother, and if We are only able 10 act
pat . few of tlle naBy lessons of Wis.
dom whiet he gave, they will be Of
almssf inealcnlable hsneiit 10 HsI hFe,
Fapeher iiFea row at GIsesbssSs Esxess