The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1891-02-28
No. ?.

ventl, the hrPman. Is hard working
man, courageous and always In good hu.
NOR, while feeding his iron elephant.
A very influential and practical man,
among the SolOns Of the parish. Is Mr..
Eug. A. Duchamp DeChataigne, the pre-
sident of the Police Jury. The gentle
man Is also one of the most energetic
planters of the neighbOrhood. He was
the one who introduced in this state the
first Elephant canes, from Martinique,
in the year 1874 or 1878. Among the
other progressive planters around the
town are Messrs. 4. Liable, l.. e. Du-
pelham, O.J. Durand, q. W. Bancker, J. r.
Levert, Ganthier Brothers. J. Peters and
Aug. Maraist. This last named gentle-
man is the expert Accountant and Sc
cretary of the Police Jury. His accura-
cy is proverbial. He enjoys the reputa-
tiOn Of being sagacious parliamentary
Of the parish protocol. Quite compli-
mentary to that citizen. who is also an
elegant conversationalist. Mr.. A. V.
Fleming. the Returning Officer, of the
parish. is good hearted. courteous and
most accommodating man. ALWAYS ready
to extend the hand Of fellowship to the
new conner. He Is fine gentleman.
Another individual, who deserves a fat
tering mention, IL Mr.. Gabriel Gardenlal,
le chdnteur de ckdnsonnetfes comigmcs,
whose ability az such. was not rivaled
up to this hour in that part Of the cOun-
try. We can term him to be true con.
vivialist. capable Of keeping an audience
for hours, in constant state of social
merriment, with his everlasting mirth-
full dispositions.
But, we must direct our attention on
another topic.
We have noticed. and we are glad to
acknowledge the fact. that st. Martin.
vile is keeping up right well her stand.
ing In regard to architecture. Modern
style and substantial structures orna-
ment Main street. and will compare IA
vOrably with any other center. The pro-
perty known as the Duchamp's House
(now belonging I, Mr.. II. P. Fonrnet)
located at the corner Of Main and Port
streets, was erected at cost of $4,000
by Mr.. Eug. A. Duchamp. 1t is a three
story house, all brick walls, exterior and
interior we'll finished. with a belvedere,
from which point all the attractiveness
Of the town can be viewed. The house
built last year for Mr.. Robert Martin, the
lawyer. Is one Of the most elegant houses
to be found. New and tasty style. two
story. property nicely finished at cost
Of $1,000. MIR. p. Damare's residence at
the corner Of Main and Bridge streets Is
also jewell; new architecture and with
the finishing touch, costing a round q.
fiure Of $500; and. many other elegant
houses and cottages too numerous to
undertake a description. OF the SUBJ
stantial constructions We can mention
the Benson Building" a twO-story brick
building, thick walls (actually belong
ing to Mr.. Martial Bienvenu and Mrs.
I Richard Eastin) which is said to have
. cost $4,000. The Court House, is com.
, mOdious brick building, with walls mea.
suring 21a feet In thickness; Of old style
architecture, but with proper care can
/, stand on its foundation for half cen
tury to come. The Catholic Church, as
a construction, Is the largest church be.
tween New Orleans and Houston, mea-
q suring l5S feet long by 81 feet wide
q with two cOmmOdious wings. The stee.
@ pie towers at height of ~ feet, and tht
q roof at the other extremity is ornament.
r ell with cupOla. The back part IL bull
- in the shape Of un cintrc, and gives Z
!. fiattering appearance To the whole. Tn.
!. cOlOnnade in the interior and the higl
4 bent round ceiling strikes the observer
O and demonstrates Immediately the com.
- mOdiOusness of the holy edifce. Tn
= left wing is Ornamentei by large Grot
"a to OF Notre Dame dc Lourties, erected b
D. the catholics of the place, at cost O
pr $4,000. The acoustic of this larg
n. structure is excellent, ii could not
IN otherwise being constructed In such
e- style. The pastor having in charge tn
no cure Is Rev. Father LaDglois, veners
no BILE and prominent priest Of that DiOces
re He is seconded by Father Alfred BacciC
no chi young and zpalous priest. IT,
oe church. as a structure offers an appea
r. ance Of Grandeur, and with prop