The Lake Charles echo., 1886-06-05
vVaysiae Notes.
special .I,,s Correspondence o the Lake Charles
oAKLIN.sPRINas.

flow from the eastern bank Of the Dar
bonne at point west Of the Oil
Hickory Fiat Postofiice, have recent,
become the scene of considerably
more enterprise than formerly. About
three years ago Mr. Joseph Chenier
formerly Of st. Landry, came to these
springs seeking health; he erected 3
temporary camp shed in accordance
with the advice of his physician, and
began drinking the water, taking what
little exercise his strength would
allow; in a short while he was entirely
well and has since that time enjoyed
excellent health. This convinced Mr..
Chenier that 0aklin Springs was the
place for him to live, and he began
at once to make arrangements for the
comforts and conveniences Of that
vicinity. After some effort the Old
Hickory Flat Postoffice, which did
not meet the wants of the people, was
discontinued. and an Office established
at Oaklin Springs. Mr.. Chenier has
also erected steam saw mill and
gin, grist and rice mill. He has also
a ferry on the Darbonno, which crosses
his patrons free of charge.
A drug store is in course of con-
struction and a resident physician,
DR.. A. ]. Singleton, meets the wants
of the people in this direction. Prof.
Albert Burnitt is now living at 0aklin
Springs, and is progressive public
spirited gentleman, and is doing all in
his power to second the efforts of Mr..
Chenier in developing that section
and in building mp their little village.
Mr.. W. w. Lynch is engaged in
merchandising at this place and is
carrying quite a varied stock of gen.
eral merchandise. G. w. Wilcox,
Esq, lives near by, and altogether, the
community is quite thickly settled,
forming almost town up and down
the river. These springs have been
for long time a summer resort for
pleasure and health seekers from St.
Landry and Rapid,s. The fishing
grounds along the lovely Darbonne,
which is the main stream of Calcasien
river proper, are farfamed, being noted
especially for the fine specimens of
front which are annually taken from
its sparkling waters, and let me here
attest the skill in the piscatorial art of
the whole souled Joseph Chenier, who
kindly feasted us on the best of his
catch.
Prof. Burnitt, whose experience in
the school room has had tendency to
cultivate that quality, viz: patience,
which is as necessary to the success of
him who throws the line as of him
who trains the mind, also gave ns sub
stantial evidence of his skill in this
pursuit. Your correspondent took
ramble through the swamps for the
purpose of examining the nature of
the soil and its adaptability for agri-
cultural purposes, and in this particu-
lar we were agreeably surprised, the
soil is light loan, covered princi-
pally with dense growth of magno-
liza, white oak, hickory, ash, wild
peach and beech, while grape and
muscadine vines grow luxuriant,y on
every hand.
Some of the lands are subject to
occasional overfows during the VIM
ter season from excessive rains, but |
still there are large bodies of ridge or
hammock lands that are quite free
from this difficulty, and which give
every evidence Of being very fertile.
Strange to say, that great deal of
this swamp land is still vacant, and
may be had at nominal cost or by
homestead entry, and promises to
those who seek cheap, good farming
lands rare chance.
Mr.. Chenier is experimenting in
fruit raising, and has in his Young or
chard 28 varieties of peaches, four of
apples and eight of grapes, the latter
from California. There is,
however, worm known as the snail
worm, which is doing great damage
to the peach trees by eating the
leaves. Mr.. Chenier has experimental
some in trying to destroy them, but
up to the time of our visit, had not
succeeded. We advised him to get
hand pump with a spray and use a
weak solution of carbolic acid, which
he concluded to do, but with what sue
cess we are not advised. Hope TO
hear from him about it soon.
According TO previous appointment,
yonr correspondent held divine service
with the good people of 0aklin Springs
on the 4lh Sabbath in May an elderly
brother, DIR. Dunn, llcentiate, has
been preaching for them at stated in
teryals, and as this was his regular
appointment, he very kindly gave us
an opportunity to speak in the Mas
ter's name. The people here are con-
interested in their spiritual
welfare, and are doing what they can
to develop this interest; it is their
purpose 10 erect a church building
some time during this summer, and
MIR. Chenier, Abner Cole, exsmember
Of the Police Jury, Prof. "A. Bnrnitt,
and others, are doing what they can
10 carry 1t to a success.
To the above mentioned gentlemen
md their kind ladies, whose generous
we enjoyed, and TO other
riends who materially added TO oar
iomforts we herewith return our most
hearty thanks. Respectfully,
W. MT.