The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1889-05-24
Press Convention.

Armed with a pass, we took the early
morning train at Lake Charles Monday, the
18th, and while inhaling the fresh breezes
Of morning. rolled rapidly through the broad
prairies Of Calcasieu, Acadia, Lafayette and
the fertile valley Of the famed Teehe, into
the rich sugar district of Terrebonue and
Lafourehe. on the smooth track of the South
ern Pacific, connecting at shrleyer with the
branch road leading to ThlbOdaux. Met at
shrieyer by e6mmittees Of citizens on bospi-
tality intent, we were supplied with editorial
badges and lodged in the Strangers Hotel,
there to feast the body on substantial deli
cacies, while our hearts were made glad By
the pleasing kindness Of all around.
The convention having been opened IN the
Firemen's Hall ia presence Of large audi
ence Of the citizens. and greeted by addresses
of welcome by the Mayor Of the town, the
Veteran Major Grismore. A reply in bis
usual happy style was delivered by Leon
JastremskY, followed by a French address
from Mr.. Jaunte, essay by Mrs. Garner, and
a burst Of grand music, when the convention
settled down to business. The proceedings
having been published at length in the city
dailies, will not be here repeated.
The occasion was improved in noticing the
DiOEDtIlbY
dauX. Brick sidewalks in excellent con-
ditiou, thorough drainage system with flush
ing pumps and wells, completely organized
fire department, with steam fire engine, hand
engine, hook and ladder apparatus; four
companies in complete order Insure health
and safety. While city hall, n number of
excellent schools. benevolent associations
and lodges and splendid churches furnish
amusement, occupation and opportunities
for devotion to the people. There are two
Methodist and two Baptist churches for
eolored people; 3 Methodist Presbyterian,
Episeopalian and Catholic church for the
whites. The Catholic church is magnificent
and beautiful, tastefully constructed, Orna-
mented and furnished with elegance and
lavish expense within, and led up to by q
magnificent paved brick sidewalk. The
whole does credit to the people Of Thibodaux,
large portion of whom are Catholics.
ThibodauX has an iron bridge spanning
the Bayou Lafourehe, a brick court house
and iafl surrounded with an iron fence paved
walks, two foundrles and boiler works, ice
factory, three large cooper shops and a
planning mill, while she is surrounded by
sugar factories on the immense sugar planta-
tons, over one of which plantations, Coy.
Nichols, we had the pleasure OF taking a
buggy ride. Our son, Lyman Bryan, remain
ing after our departure TO represent the Echo,
had the pleasure of an excursion up the
Bayou LafouTche on the Alice Leblanc, and
participated in the pleasant surprise OF a
picnic dinner prepared for them by the peo-
pie Of the lower LafOurche country. He re-
joiees yet IN the sweet echoes of the grand
musical entertainment given by the ladies
and gentlemen Of Thibodanx.
Indeed, the people there have won the ad-
mirRtion Of the eatire Press Association by
their successful cultivation of music, and a
resolution urging other places to initiate
them, makes Tbib0daux heneef0rth the
mother Of musical education IN Louisiana.