St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-08-04
EAST LOUISIANA.
The RAILROAD TOWNS AND THEIR
PROSPECTS, BUSINESS AND PLEAS
ORE AMONG THE PINES.
New Orleans Chroni..e,1

i eS~S -
East Louisiana, broken society
moulded upon the standards Of lift,
years ago. aud both supplied ~
outlet for the products aud an inlet
for modern ideas. The soughine
Of tho Gulf breezes through tLe
pines, and the hoot of the owl,
lodged in their branches, has the
monytony relieved by the shril
.hriek OF the locomotives and the
incursioEs Of numerous train loads
OF city people. who revel in the
shadows and refresh themselves by
long draaghts Of spring water.
by leaving this city by the North
eastern Railroad. the traveller is
carried over several miles of trestle
work lining the lake shore, and
then crosses the great aad famous
bridge over Lake Pontchart, ain
then comes short distance through
the marsh, and afterward plunge
into the pine woods. when begins a
continuous roar, or re-echo Of the
sounds Of the passing train. The
first stop is made at the village Of
SLIDEI.L.
This was formerly the terminus
Of excursion trains from this city,
several trips being made each day
to accommodate the crowds who
availed themselves Of the cLempness
AID comfort afforded. A spring in
the rear Of the village was visited. a
dancing platform occupied, and u
busy look was given TO tbs place;
but when the enterprise Of others
secured the extension Of the excur-
sion trips to Pear! River. there was
visible decline in the prosperous
outlook at Slidell. The platform
this side Of the depot has been torn
up. the keeper Of refreshments has
abandoned the business. the train
stops only at the depot. and the
dancing platform in the lower part
OF the village looks deserted. Yet
Slldell has its good p5ints. and the
citizens should not feel discouraged.
At their first bitter experience o.
the changes wrought by the rail-
road. 1t is yet possible for some
wide awake man to build . hotel,
offer board by the day. week or
month. at cheap prices. it up the
spring neatly aud provide row
Doats for use on Bayou Boufouca
Then few cottages built on plots
II ground large enough for the cul-
lure OF flowers or garden truck. If
quilt. might tind tenants. while later ,,
20 other enterprises could be start
u looking to the permanent bene-
it Of the inhabitants.
PEARL RIVER.
The station aoOve Sliiell, also hsd |
temporary season of prosperity.
uccseded by q collapse. Here is
ound another deserted platform,
'ut no tables on it for the dispen- |
alton Of meat and drink, no IA usic
md no dancers. Out ia the Ieafy
opse. the bower that covered tue
eller OF beer aud bevies Of lunch
RS. looks lonesome. No longer do
he strangers walk down to the
pring. on the west side, with their
ups. Rat what OF that! Poarl
River is = railroad junction AMI il
ICED not despair. There are nn-
aerous possibilities in its future,
nd that they will be seized upon
70 have no doubt.
ABITA SPRINGS.
When Messrs. Poitevent 4 Favre
the idea Of building the
last Louisiana RAILROAD, they
assisted their lumber
nsiness, and they started a revo-
ltion in the section through which
passes. It was the building OF
his road from Pearl River to Abita
prings that carried the cxcura,on-
It's off to the new point. All are
lmiliar with the praises Of the
pring water Of Abi.a. which is
ally supplied by an expresl CON- s
any. and sold ut drug stores il
lis city. A few residence, sever.
hotels and church suggest the !
ef . neat village some
az. Fair hotel accommodations
,d cheap dinners arc enjoyed at
resent. Tue place has become a
vorits resort with many Of our
sople. but to retain them and de-
,lop as it should. Abi:a Springs ,
,eds a liberal outlay of capital.
expended. in ways and
cans to accommodate visitors.
CONVICTION,
Tho capital Of st. Tammany par
i. embowered in ioafy shades. on
Q banks OF the romantic looking
,sue Falia, about reached the :
mint of her ambition when the
broad was extended from Abita
within her limits. 1t put her
ce more into speedy communica- !,
n with ths outside world, and
sured all her property holders
It the time for . rise in values
d come. We say once more, be-
use Covington was formerly the
al of navigation on the Bogue
lin for vessels plying between her
'arves and Milneburg; but during v
; war it was thought necessary to L
stroy some gnnboats in the chan .,
near the town. and it has been 8;
'cEaded ever Since. The steamer )