The Opelousas courier., 1888-09-29
The 0pelousas Excursion.
Lafourche STIR.

Lafourche Star.
One of the most delightful excursions
of the season, inaugurated and success
fully conducted under the auspices o.
the gallant firemen of our town, was
made from Thibodaux to Opelousas, st
Landry's seat of p~arochial government
The cars left here on the 10th at
o'clock a. H., freighted with a we'll as.
sorted and precious cargo of men, wo.
men and children from Thibodaux and
surrounding territory, which, in point
of wealth, enterprise, beauty, intelli'
gence and responsibility, comprised the
perfection Of the population of our par
ish. AS the train slowly moved out
from the depot here, hundreds of hand.
somely ~appareled men and boys, and
more gayly costumed pretty women
and girls all wreathed in smiles, rem
dered the very atmosphere rapturous
with merry laughter and other happy
expressions of joy, over the good for
tune that had rendered it possible to
greet the h%ospitable citizens of Opelou-
sas, as we'll as to enjoy the pleasures
which a fair view Of the thriving and
charming towns of Morgan City, Patter-
sonville, Centreville, Franklin, jean
nerette, New Iberia and Lafayette, al
ways impart ard render of universal
interest to ssthe traveler-in the land
immortalized by Longfellow's sweetest
poem.
The f~aintest sketch of these rapidly
increasing wide-awake towns, which
have not only recovered from the de-
v%astations of the war, but have, by the
Infusion of a new life, increased capital
and energy, incident to the introduce
ton Of all the modern methods of i'm
provement and skillful appliances
adapted to the principal industrial and
material necessities of this electric age,
~perceptibly advanced and kept pace, if
not outstripped their sister towns. The
temptation to refer even briefly to this
lovely country almost lures the pen to
undertake a rapid description Of at least
the enchanting bayou Teche, fringed
with huge, wide -spreak live oaks. indo-
lently winding its way from its distant
source to its home in the Gulf, quietly
having on its murmuring journey one of
the most fertile, beautiful and pictur-
esQue sections of country on this CONT
nent, and one to which the pen of a
Catharine Cole can scarcely do justice.
The excursionists, after having ira
versed a strip of territory superb in its
richness and mGtchless natural scenery,
reached Opelousas at 2 o'clock p. M,
when all alighted to receive the warm
welcome of a population which the
Press Association of the State unani-
mously conceded was the most cordial,
h%ospitable and generous by which its
members had eFer been received.
The citizens of this beloved town
turned out en- masse and its chivalrous
men, rosy women, and lovely we'll
bred children, We'd with each other in
rendering to the excursionists from
here, and such as had joined them from
intervening, towns, those proverbial
courtesies, civilities, and ingenious at
t%entions, ever typical of the brave, ear
nest and hospitable people of that his
toric town. Most of the weary, hungry,
and thirsty pleasure seekers, repaired
to the Lacombe Hotel where they found
an abundance of viands, rich and rare''
to satiate the demands of the most in
ordinate appetite. At every home, the
appreciative visitors found the latch on
the outside Of the door, and the ladies
of the entire party were especially we'll
Gagged for by their charming sisters as
sisted by gallant husbands and broth
ers. The new court house, which is a
splendid structure of transferable arch
i%tectural symmetry and taste, was visit
ed by alarge number ofpersons and much
admired.
The character Of a community, it is
asserted, naturally and necessarily finds
an expression in its architectural envi-
ronments; but this rule finds an excep-
ton as applied to O~pelousas. There is
no wellcefine6 system of archite lure
in the construction of its residences,
churches, or other buildings devoted to
charitable or educational purposes, all
Of which indicate their vague and acct
dental geometry-the distinctive styles
of architecture, that prevailed at the
transition of the different periods of
governmental transfers from France to
Spain, Spain to France, and finally
from imperial power to this republic.
1t is, by kindness of manner and heart,
that the gentle dispositions and exalted
social companionship of hef men and
women find expression, and by such ell
evated and ennobling qualities they can
afford to be estimated and are judged.
Upon the whole, the excursion to OPP
%elousas, vas a success financially and
socially, and we congratulate our praise
worthy iremen on the snug little addi-
ton to their tank aecount of $949.40
which gratifying result was in a large
measure, due to the executive ability,
and sound Judgment of the committee
in charge of this enjoyable and profita-
BILE. venture.
8 His Business Booming.