The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1889-06-29
mimi a ;;;!|!; 5; ;; =; 4; !
y 'LXpa.Ss. II. e
the attractive beauties of Jul sOuther

n1ISC reVellnH III tHe DcduCIlul anu
grand scenery before fme, | was inn
pressed with one great fact, and
that was the immutable and never
ending changes that continually occur.
In all this journey OF thirty-four
miles, with the exception of a few
miles in LafOurche parish, ! saw but
two men whom | knew thirty-tive or
forty years ago, of all those with whom
/ had Il personal acquaintance. and
they We're legion at that date. OF
course, | do net attempt to convey the
idea that they are all gone. Only that
the weight of years bearing upon their
bodies keeps them in their homes and
restraints them from the public high
ways, except when business demands
them to go forth.
One of these was standing upon the
levee, his locks and beard Chat | re-
member black as the ravens wing)
white as the Alpine SHOWS. The other
was seated upon the gallery of his resi-
dence lin which he had resided all his
life) with his feet upon the railing, a
nonogenarian, blind, calmly awaiting
the day when his sight will he restored
upon IL scene that will he far mOre
grand and happy than even those with
which he was familiar for many, many
years. Alas! but few OF the numerous
and kind, warm hearted and hospita-
BILE friends who greeted and gave me
a cordial welcome when L came a
stranger youth upon the banks of
bayou Lafourchc forty-three years ago
remain upon earth, but When | meet
one of them q kind greeting is always,
received. ~, 80 u,,4 :
Recalling past memories l could To-,
cate but three persons who own aud
in the same, homes they pos
sessed at that date. In some instances
the widow yet remains in the am
in many cases the children re-
the salne h0mesteads, but in
others strangers have come and taken
all, whilst the former n have al
most passed out of the remembrance
Of their old time leighbOrs.
From the deck of the Belgrade at
Labadieville, Napoleonville, Platoon
vile and Paincourtville l could see, in
the cemeteries, tOmbs enclosing the
and monuments perpetuating
the virtues of many of those who were
my gay ard social friends in the years
have passed away.
The town of Labadieville has shown
some progress, but its improvement in
size has been slow. Lately a fine Py-
THAN hall has been erected, which
adds materially t" the appearance Of
village.
The case is different, however, at
.apoleonville. There evidences of
and improvement are visible
.verywllefe. 1t has grown much in
size and possesses many elegant resi-
The town presents a beanti-
fui. view to the traveller who passes by.
Plattonville has also grown ma
and shows evidences of pros
Paincourtville, however, pre-
sents no signs of advancement what
ever, having neither increased in size
Or population for many years. In
in IL business point Of view, it
seems to have fallen back.
None of the above towns have any
The pedestrian must, in
rainy weather, foot it through the
mud, onlynan occasional plank walk
being seen.
klOtzville, about three miles above
is q newly established
town, which overs considerable area
and has, perhaps, three or four hum
1red inhabitants. 1t seems to he
rapidly, and there being large
in its real it will probably
be a large town ere many years.
Whilst commenting on the sudden
Of Klotsville l was informed |
hat there We're several other towns in |
he parish Of Assumption which l had |
not noticed. One called Bernardville |
8 situated near Plattonville, aud is in
labited by colOrea people, Looking
ntO q grove of trees I accidently saw
;le sign "Franklinville," which de-
'ignated the place as the site of . town
that name. / was thankful that the |
sign was out, otherwise l would never
lave discovered the village. Another
bearing the euph0nious title Of
DogtOwn, l did not see. 1t being Sum
lay, ! presume that the sign was taken
n. Another place which lives in the
memories Ut forty years was Shrimp |
own, OF which not a vestige. NOW rc-
The population Of these .towns has
increased rapidly Of late years. For
merry large plantations, with frontage
u u mile or more, occupied only by
he mansions Of the owners, were visi.
oie everywhere. Now they are rare
;wenty families often dwelling on the
land that was formerly Occnnied |