The Opelousas courier., 1886-05-29
MIR. NJ. B. HilIyard the travelling cor

been writing some of the most interest
ing, graphic, aud correct letters upon
st Landry parish that has ever ap-
peared in print He rides over the
country, and with keen observation
he takes in everything worthy Of note
that could interest his readers about
the topography, variety of soil, pro-
duets and what can be produced here,
habits and customs of the people,
prices of lands, and the climate and
general advantages OF the country. To
persons abroad his letters answer every
question that conld be asked about this
section of Louisiana, and in his travels
among our people he makes great
many valuable suggestions to them
about improving their stock of horses,
cattle, sheep, &c, and of introducing
many valuable grasses for pasturage
and hay purposes. We would be glad
to reproduce his admirable series of let
ters about st. Landry, but have not the
space to do so. Below we give an ex-
tract from a letter of his published in
the Times Democrat of the gath inst,
giving an account of his trip through
the northwestern portion of the parish,
and how he took one of our wide-awake
progressive Creoles for an energetic
Yankee We hope that Others OF our
Creole citizens will emulate Mr.. Gull
lory's energy and plans of improve
ment, both for their own comfort as
well us for the general progress of
the parish.
AS we drive on we see new settle.
ment. am very confident that it is a
Yankee, so Mr.. Duson drives out of the
way, so that can interview him. The
nearer we get the more positive am l
that it is Yankee. [ know it by so
many infallible sigus. A long way OFT
there is the two story house that takes
it out of the category OF possibilities
that it is Creole structure. Then as
we get near, the fence is entirely diff
ferent from Creole ence-substantial,
of wire, etc. Then there are two rows
of young wateroaks, just showing signs
of life. A Creole would have catalpa
or china or none. AS we get near my
self complacency at the correctness of
my prediction takes Il fue exaltation at
seeing the fine way the sod was plowed.
1t lay edge to edge, as nicely jolnted as
a well-ceiled room. This was the
climax of conviction, and l triumphant
ly exclaimed "Ah, this settles it, 10
Creole ever laid sod so beautifully
sure. This is certainly IL Yankee. y
Az! MIR. Dusop, who had politely al
lowed me monopoly of prophecy be-
fore, seemed overbnrne ut this stroke
Of demonstration, and agreed that it
l.. H., 7 I'm
lated him on his pluck at building a
two story house in contempt Or defiance
of the neighborhood, and he, as if to
encourage the delusion, said that he
had been assailed with derisisns and
discussions, but he was no Yankee.
He was
A LIVE CREOLE OF THE FIGHTING BLOOD
and full of grit and live ideas. His
name is Ermogene Guillory. He had
done smarter things than ] had found
any of the Yankees doing or had done
in the Jennings colony he had raised
thirty bushels of corn last year per acre
on fresh sod land. So it won't do to
say the prairie sod will not bring corn
the first year. He broke it up in April
and planted it the same month, and it
was done in the upper part of Prairie
Mammou. | was so much amused at
my misconception and so pleased at the
reserve force there is in the Creole that
| said to Ermogene '1f yon will
SOW Kentucky bluegrass on that land
will send you the seed" He replied
'If you'll send them I'll SOW them, you
bet" This Creole win be a perfect
leayen for his neighborhood. I'm not
in the predicting mood as much as
used to be, but | will meekly say that ]
think Guillory will be raising registered
sheep and cattle soon, and then he will
be in his glory.