The Opelousas courier., 1890-06-21
The Excursion,

The excursion given from New Ibe
ria to Alexandria last Sunday by Ibe
Ila Steam Fire Co. No. l was q com
plete success, the firemen realizing -;
net profit of some six or seven hundred
dollars. The six coaches land the bag
gage car) were crowded so that there
was hardly standing room to be had
but aside from the Inconvenience re.
sulting from the jam, nothing occurred
to mar the pleasures of the day, Lit
tie or no rain fell on the train. thoupl
considerable showers preceded it mucl
of the way, and none fell IN Alexandra
after its arrival. The excursionists
were met at the depot by the gallant
iiremen of Alexandria and a band ot
music who cordially received the visit
ors and escorted them to the City Hall
square, under whose umbrageous oaks
a platform and benches had been i'm
provised. Here Mr.. Jno. G. Ryan, OF
Alexandria, in behalf of the tiremen
and citizens of Alexandria, extended a
hearty welcome to the excursionlsts in
a neat address, which was appropriately
responded to by Mayor Emmer, of New
Iberia. Judge w. F. Blackman, of
Rapides, then being called upon added
few warm words of welcome, and his
impromptu but eloquent and patriotic
remarks were very much appreciated.
After the speaking the excursionists
were given "the freedom of the city,
and we did not hear that any of them
had abused of the privilege. The
handsome reception they met with
seemed to have put even those who
might be inclined to be too demonstra-
tive upon their good behavior, and the
day was quietly and pleasantly spent
in rambling over the pretty old town
and viewing the artesian we'll, ice fac
tory, cotton compress, $4,000 court
house and other points of interest in
its suburbs and across the river, where
the remains of the old Confederate forts
are still extant and where the pretty
National Cemetery with its 1900 graves
and fine macadamized road leading
thereto lie.
One of the editors of the COURIER is
indebted to Bro. LaWton, of the New
Iberia Enterprise, who had charge of
the excursion, and to Mayor Emmer
and Mr.. Patin, of New Iberia, for .ap-
preciated courtesies on the way to and
from Alexandria while both of its edi-
tors, for the delightful day spent in the
old Red river town, feel more
grateful than words can express to Bro.
Mccormick, of the Town Talk, and his
charming wife, who almost laid violent
hands upon us on arrival of the train
and held us willing captiyes until its
departure. The children, too, will long
remember their kind hosts
aud the pretty boat0Rnieres they car
ried away. We are also indebted to
Bro. Biossat, of tho old Democrat, for
appreciated courtesies Other Opel
)usas folks were enthusiastic in
theT praise of Messrs. Bringhurst, Le-
vim, and Marsh and other citizens of
Alexandria for their kind and hospita-
Bile treatment of the visitors.
We trust it viii not be long before
our Rapides friends pay us visit.
These excursions, as the speakers cor
'ectly remarked, are productive of real
Ind tangible benefits and are instru-
mental in making the people of differ
int sections better acquainted with
zach other, bringing them nearer to-
yether in thought and sentiment and
'emoving by and through their friend
= intercourse many erroneous impress
lions and unfounded prejudices. Be
ides, our people have several times
asted of Alexandria's hospitality and
lesire to make therefor more sub
tantial acknowledgment than can be
conveyed in mere words and our young
nen are all anxious to get better ac-
Iuainted with the fair ''sunny haired
laughters of Rapides."