St. Landry democrat., 1889-07-20
Farmers Union Meeting mt Pine
Prairie.

Editor DEMOCRAT Please excuse HE
fol. intruding on your valuable space
and precious time, as wish to write q
few lines descriptive of trip recently
made in Pine Prairie, where the Parish
Farmers Union was then in session.
This prairie is probably the most
beautiful in South Louisiana, bounded
on the west by the gigantic pine trees
and on the other sides by lofty oaks
the monarchs of the forest. West OF
the centre Of said prairie is beautiful
shady grove which can be seen from q
long distance. There, in the midst of
this grove, is erected the Farmers Union
Hall, q large and comfortable building,
in which the enterprising farmers OF
Pine Prairie meet monthly to deliberate
and discuss upon topicsearrsl vital i'm
The prairie consists of rolling land,
covered with green, soft and pleasant
grass, and, like beautiful carpet COW
ering the floor OF magnificent parlor,
it produces the most attractive land
scape. Vast herds of cattle owned by
various wealthy farmers living in diff
ferent portions of our empire parish,
Craze peaceably in this rich pasturage
unmolested by thieves.
AT late hour on the morning of the
4th inst, after the delegates from va
rious portions of the parish had arrived,
the worthy President Of the Parish Far
mers' Union, D. H. Quirk, called the
house to order and in regular order the
business was transacted.
The scene was then somewhat pecu-
liar: here was a group Of old farmers
discussing the best plans to adopt to de-
feat the Jute Bagging Trust, so oppres-
sive to the farmer; there, in the rear of
the hall, was committee hard at work
and fastening to report.
While these discussions were going
Oh in the hall close observer could
easily understand that this (the Bagging
Trust, &c.,) was not the sole object that
brought out the people there; for, fer
yonder under the shade of a tall tree,
refreshed and then by cool gen.
tie breezs blowing from the far south,
surrounded by the natural beauties of a
country gifted with such sceneries, sat
a pair discussing a subject, no doubt, far
more interesting to themselves than the
Begging Trust; SO deeply were they
concerned that it excluded all notice of
what was going on.
On the north side OF the grove there
was lem 0nade stand which was large
ly patronized by strolling pairs, some
admiring tie scenes of beautiful
morning, Others, too anxious to escape
from a buzzing crowd, were endeavor-
ing to find solitary place in the grove,
there to discuss things better known to
themselves.
At twelve, dinner was announced and
all those present participated. The
Union adjourned late on the evening of
the 9Th, after two days session.
After the adjournment of the Union
Mr.. I. Lewis was admitted into the hall.
He, in we'll chosen words, made known
the object of his visit, which was to es-
tablish an Agricultural Fair in the par
isli of st. Landry. He was followed by
L. A: Clayton, State Agent for the Far
mers' Union, who, in eloquent terms,
advised the farmers to take an active
part in such an enterprise, assuring
them much success.
After formal courtesies the delegates
parted with the generous people of Pine
Prairie and turned hOmeward, perfectly
satisfied for having done their duty and
with an eager desire to meet again in
October with the Union of Tate's Cove.
Respectfully,
A MEMBER OF +. y.