The Opelousas courier., 1889-05-25
Ihibodaux.

oSaih5 VI AiiS AOulSlauh ITESS ASSOCi-
alton was held last week, is one Of the
prettiest places in tho State, and in the
matter of public improvements proba-
hiy the foremost town~of its size i'm the
South. 1t is situated on bayou Lafour-
che. and was founded about the wear
1917 /; and n frame house situated some
distance from the business portion of
the town, and still in good state of
preservation, is pointed out as the first
dwelling erected IN the place. Notwith-
standing its "three score years and ten"
Thlbodaux has but few buildings which
show traces of age; those in the busi-
ness portion are built exclusively of
brick, 10 wooden structures being al
lowed within certain limits, and like
those in the residence portion arc gen.
orally painted or whitewashed, giving
tho town fresh, tidy and prosperous
appearance. There are Il number of
fine stores and residences, but tits of
its public buildings, its churches and
schools, its streets and sidewalks, its
fire department and its manufactures
that Thibodaux has most reason to be
proud; and to give onr readers an idea
of these we will devote this article.
The sidewalks are probably the best,
and taking into consideration the size
of the place (the population is about
2500} are certainly the most extensive
of any town in the State. The curb
ings are constructed of ordinary brick,
the top course being made OF hard brick
and laid in cement. The pavements
are made of hard brick Lake bricks
are generally used, but in some instan-
ces fire bricks have been employed. The
first banquctte put down in this man
ner was in 1859. II shows 10 signs of
decay, and is evidently good for a hun
dred years service, with little or no
expense.
The walk that leads to the Cath Ollie
Church has brick curbing on either
side, with double pavement, all laid
in cement. 1t was built in 1882, and
is claimed to be the most substantial
walk in the United States. Tt is more
than 5000 feet in length aud cost about
seven thousand dollars. Solid plank
walks connect those made of brick
wherevers such connections are requisite
In the large drains culyerts con-
strueted of brick are placed under the
streets for the passage of water. Iu the
smaller ones at crossings, bridges are
made, resting on brick walls.
Tn order to insure water in case of
fire, wells have been constructed, so as
to enable the firemen to throw water
upon any house duiing ii cnnfagration.
Seven of these wells have been placed
in the center of the streets. They are
built of ordinary brick in the form Of a
cylinder, arched over with hard brick,
with n movable. cast iron mouthpiece
for the insertion of the snetlon pipes of
the engines. These wells arc about ten
feet in diameter, with de pth of twelve
to fourteen feet.
The remaining wells, twelve in num-
Der, are bnilt of wood, in a square form,
and placed in private lots, adjacent to
| the street. These wells are always full,
WHITTIER the season be wet or dry. The
wells III the streets have been tiied for
thirty years. give no trouble and require
no repairs, agidently being good for
more than a century. The wooden
structures have been down about six
years.
Thibodaax Fire Go. No. | was organ
| lied in 1859 and possesses "A hand en-
gine, claimed to be the best in Ionisia
MA. that will throw water with ease
over any building in town. Il has
beds, ii use for thirty-fiV years, looks
as fresh and bright and good rs new,
and being we'll cared for has never fail
ed to aespond when called upon.
| Home Hook g. Ladder Go. No. |, or
ganized in 1874, has truck and four
Babcock extinguishers. These tvs
companies Gown Firemen's Hall, the
5place where Che sessions of the Assocl-
| alton were held, very large bniiding,
erected in 1883, aud fitted up with stage
and scenery, spacious dressing rooms
pavilion, &c
Protector Fire Gu. No. 2 was organ
lied in 1870 and has No. Silsby
steamer, similar to onfs, purchased last
year. The Badeaux Bucket Brigade
organized in 1870, has its home in Pro
4 tector Fall, u building owned by tlit
company of that name and erected u
1888. s.
These four companies were organic
ed into fire department in 1879, com
posed Of a chief engineer and two dele
gates from each company
The branch road connects with To-
Southern Pacific road at Schrleyer, AM
tyas bniit III 1879. Within two square
of the railroad depot IS the Thibodau1
foundry, built about thirty live year
/ aao; Naquin's boiler works, iD opera
t;on ahont five wears Ragan's foundr.
and boiler works, built respectively II
4 1868 and 1877 the ice mandatory
erected in 1887. and the fhiDodatE
eaW mill, bailt in 1870. There are ais
three large cooper saops and Q pianinf
mill.
aa3esides four private schools, there ar
the Mount Carmel Convent, establishes
ii 1855 ST. Joseph's College, establIsl
cd 1857 Tie Gnion Academy, q ire
school for White children, built in lo4s
and kept open six to nine months e 2
nually aud 4 public school iof eo'ofe'
children.
There is a Methodist church, an Epis
renal church, asPresby terian church.
Cafhalic church, ,sand two Methodist anl
tva Rantist churches for colofen peo
nle. The Catholic church is prooaoi
the largest and best equipped y Y =
. state outside of New Orleans. vs. by
meraus statues. chandeliers. painting
decorations, &C., are reiiiarkah ahie 70
heir costliness, beauty and eiegance
IL the rear of the church is largt
shady ana well kept park, in the ceffe
sea.. Se..i,;al, hos l,een recently erected a