St. Landry democrat., 1891-02-28
Lake Charles Letter.

Lake Charles Letter.
LAKE CHARLES, La, Jan. 7, 1891.
Editor Esgie-Three years ago to-day
the writer here of, after three weeks
stay, left Lake Charles for Vinton-leav
ing q temperature we'll up toward the
eighties to find temperature in Iowa, foul
days later, of 20 below zero. Six weeks
ago last Monday we-wife and LANDED
again in Lake Charles to try the virtues oil
winterless winter. The day before oul
arrival, this region was visited by heavy
rain fsll-such rain as might have glad
dened the heart of Noah in the closing
days of his ark building when the time fol
sailing drew near. The waters ''laic
around loose" but they soon gathered
themselves into rivers, bayous and coulees
Since then there has been DO rain to men
tion-only two good showers, both coming
at night.
A few days after arriving, wife and
were riding about town driving pretty
good horse. Having occasion to stop ano
make some inquiry of ''cullud pus n
who was at work ON the street, his atten
ton was attracted to the horse and he
said:
"Am dat boss firm KANSAS, boss p
Eyes," l said, che is Kansas horse
"And yo's firm KANSAS, too, 'spects."
"No," said. 'l'm from Iowa."
"I.o-at I-o.a" he queried, and asked,
sis dat .anywhs, nea' Wisconsing?"
yes" I replied, sits just across the
river from Wisconsin"
"Well. boss" was the quick reply,
"yo'l wish t God yo's back da' agln.
Da,s mighty funny people down hyea."
"Oh," said, "Im here only for the
winter. to which he promptly replied:
"Well, boss, yo' en- stan it then"
With this comforting assurance that l
might 'tstan' 1t" for the winter, said:
you're from Wisconsin, | take it !?
You must think good deal of that coun-
try"
"De.'s wha' rs firm, boss, an yo' bet I
likes it,"
Well, We have been six and half weeks
here and never once wished t. God ives
back ds' agin," for it has been succession
of beautiful dsys-not day in the time
but what outdoor work could be done full
ten hours but q half dozen days
that even alight overcoat was needed to
keep lounger comfortable; frost per.
hap. six or eight mornings, and thin ice
three or four mornings. Roses have
bloomed and are blooming in the yards
apparently oblivious of the season, and
several varieties of garden products seem
to have no knowledge of spring, summer,
autumn, or winter. It's q peculiar exper-
fence fox ''snow-diggers," as we are some
times called here. 1t is hard for US to
keep the run of time. Santa Claus, muffled
In furs, with snowy locks, and jinghng
sletgh bells, is wholly out of place-as
much so as fiddle at funeral. That he
should have invaded semi-tropical eli
mate still retaining his frigid fancies, is
one of the mysteries of human nature but
he is the same Santa Claus wherever found,
though his familiar features wholly fails
to aid us in reckoning the time of year.
Since my uisit three years ago Lake
Charles has made substantial growth, but
has had NO ''boom," in the common mean
ing of the term. Improvements and addi-
tions have been made to the large lumber
mills; Q new and important railway con-
nection north and east is soon to be made
the grading Is nearly finished-90 miles
to Alexsndria on Red River-ten miles of
iron is down; the iron to complete the road
is purchased and began arriving yesterday;
six new locomotives have been purchased,
and track laying will probably begin next
Alexandria. Other Improvements are the
erection of large college building. and
cottage to be used as ladies' dormitory
and boarding hall. The second term of
the first year of ssLake Charles College"
opened last Monday. It is the first school
Of the kind planted in the region of coun-
$bavo iu M rooson Univ
should not command the patronage of this
of improvement is large public school
commodsting nearly 300 pupils. The
but neat church. The first brick buildings |
two are occupied ss business houses, and a |
for the roof. A large number of small |
dwellings of modern architecture and |
elaborate finish attract attention. There
have been Improvements in the streets, but |
the possibilities In this direction are not
exhausted. The "gentled" COW is still |
queen Of the walk-she demands respects
and commands circumspection on the part |
VA bAU RCO0GS1A14s IL u AC0uuIC3o 1SA |
gaudy but it's 'ornste-a caution not TO be |
pespised.
. Other pointers of progress worth MOTTO
ing are an increased number of horses
only ponies were to be seen three years ago
-buggies, road-carts and other modern
means Of conveyance. The Jersey and the
Shorthorn are coming, and the gothic hog
Is getting ready 10 vacate in favor of
brother Of broader gable. AS an index of
the development of agricultural
industry in the country at large, there is
y large agricultural warehouse that sold,
Last year. great number OF |
plows, harvesters and threshers, and the
demand during the coming year will be
greater than last year.
The rice industry has suddenly sprung
into prominence in this (Calcasieu) parish,
and the present year will see large in
crease In acreage over any previous year.
Like wheat in the northwest few years
ago. 1t is the poor mans crop-that is to
say, man of small means can engage In
nice culture more extensively than he can
In some other lines of culture. Indications
are that sugar-cane and cotton will follow
sice, out on these prairies. Many farmers
are experimenting cane and it Is probable
that sugar mill will be built here soon.
A rice mill is one Of the assured things, to
be- built In time for the next harvest. A
gentleman from Cedar Rapids Iowa, lMr.
Jones) is expected here next week to set
the project In motion. Various other
things are In sight, of which mention may
be made hereafter.
PERSONALS.
Readers Of The Eagle will want to
know what the people from Benton county