The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1890-08-09
LAST ISLAND.
By UNCLE SILAs

sailing along the bays. and visiting
the various Islands lying west of the
mouth of Bayou Lafourche, fishing
bathing in the rolling surf, and other
wise enjoying myself in this, to me,
new experiences.
After visiting Gallon Island and
friends who were enjoying the pleas
ant breeZes thereon we sailed west
ward as far as Last Island, then be-
coming famous summer resort, for
the citizens of the Lafourche, Alta
kapas, Opelousas countries, as well as,
of the coast above DOnaldsonville as
far as the mouth of Red River, and
New Orleans.
The S. p. Rail- DAD, then the New
Orleans, Opelousas, and Great Wes-
tern Railroad was finished almost to
Berwick's Bay, making access to the
Island, thence by steamboat easy and
pleasant. In 1856 steamboats, left
either Tigerville or Bayou BGuf con-
meeting with the Island.
Last Island was a strip Of land some
70 miles long, extending East and
West, with a width varying from 200
yards to a mile.
Atthe spot, on which were erected
the Hotel and some 80 or 40 cabins,
the top of the Island, above ordinary
high tides was not oyer 200 yards in
width, perhaps less, but on the Bay
side, there was a plateau of equal
width that usual high tides would
submerge.
The houses we're light frame struc-
lures, erected upon posts, in the sand,
OF which the location almost entirely
consisted. These cottages were built
and occupied during the summer by
the families who annually visited the
Island. 1t was a delightful place.
On the East the Gulf of Mexico rolled
great waves upon the beach, afford
ing as fine surf bathing as could be
had anywhere. For miles, the beach
furnished a smooth, level solid road
for driving the numerous teams, or
riding the fine horses that were trans
ported thither by the visitors.
No more pleasant spot to pass the
warm summer months could be found
in the South, than Last Island afford
ed in 1856. There the old and the
youngkssembled, and on every even
the large hall in the Hotel was
filled Nth stalwart men and fair wo-
men, engaged in the pleasures of the
dance.
an August 10 1857, Sunday as is the
p5leNnt, wind blowing from the East
I'D the tides to rise higher and
Pr, causing serious apprehensions
au4g the guests, until on Sunday
portion of the Island occupied by
thy visitors al completely submerged,
the water covering tile floors of
the cabins IN many instances. Still
the dance continued, and gayety,
among many, found no cessation.
The winds were not dangerously
which served to allay fears,
anc maintain confidence.
But as night was approaching, the
winds suddenly changed, and rushed
from tHA land side upon the doomed
Island 9th terrific fury and soon the
cottage kwere overturned, and the un-
fortunaM people thrown into the mad
waters.S The guests of the Hotel we're
t3 leave it, as the waves from
the Gulf began to undermine the foun-
and well they did. for the next
morning the site of the building vas
in the deep sea.
TO add to the anxieties of the situa-
ton a steamboat load of passengers
had just landed. The reader must
imagine the horror of the scene, in
which (none knows how many,) from
two to four hundred people were cast
the white pillows that were roll.
ing %furiously V e the Island.
Fortunately, the steamboat drew
much water to float across the
crest, otherwise she would have gone
sea and every soul on board found
watery grave. AS it was her pas
sengers were put into the hull whilst
captain Abe Smith, who died Il few
months ago, and Thomas H. Ellis, of
who was a passenger.
won immortal honors r~escuing and /
the un~tortunates, who were
ready to perish ; with a rope bound
around their waist, they waded
the waters, picking up whom
ever they found and putting them on
steamer. Many persons owed
.lieii iiNts 10 those IefOlc men on that
fatal night.
- 1
Many wonderful presentations were
recorded. Mr.. William Rochelle hav-
lng only one leg, found himself afloat,
billiard table. that had been
overturned, i'll company with a negro
md negresse. All night long they
1oated upon the waves, and when day-
light came. they We're lost in the sea
marshes. The negro, q few DAYS af-