The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1891-07-04
Lower Laf0urche.

of this lower part Of the bayou About
fifteen miles from the mouth OF the
bayou on tile East bank is a place
formerly called Fort Guion. Here
was stationed dHring the late war Il
company OF confederate soldiers for the
purpose II preventing this part of the
bayou tlom being invaded by gunboats.
But it was soon ascertained that they
were needed more at other points than
here. They were withdrawn and the
fort was entirely abandoned. The
place soon became overgrown with
palmetoes and tangled thiekets. A
habitahon for only raccoons wild cats
and rattlesnalzes. This was the con
dition in which Mr. L. r. Sanders
found it when he first settled it. But
he has by his energy and enterprize
metamorphosed it as if by magic into
"A beautiful and comfortable home.
Tie fort. which was built of earth.
has been leveled down and instead of
being mounted with eannons and arm
ed soldiers is now covered with grove
of fine orange trees. His neat and
white dwelling stands in the midst Of
italmost concealed by these trees which
serve as shade IL wesl as for ornament
and utility. In the fall when they are
fnll Of golden fruit the place forms a
beautiful contrast to the surrounding
scenery. 1t is truly a garden in the
desert. A few rods below the resi-
dence Of Mr. Sanders passes the South
Louisiana Canal Of which he is agent
and collector. This part of the canal
i called the East Canal. The com
panv also cut IL canal through the
West bank of the bayou which was
eoutleeted with the Bayon Blue. But
this has since become gradually filled
up with Mississippi sand SO that nayi-
CATION eau no longer be carried OH
through the West canal. This COM
pcis hnats 20 90 four miles below ana
pass through tire canal belonging 10
Nj. Emelian Bernard This canal is
in charge of Mr.. 0geion who resides
here with his family. This is the last
hnuSc on bayou Lafon che. The navi-
gators who run luggers through here
are composed Of men from all parts OF
the world All the races Of the earth
ale seen here: from the Caucasian
down 20 the sable descendant OF Africa.
There are men from nearly all parts OF
from the most dista"t isles of the
ocean. There are Mal.t3s fron Malac-
ci Who ate pirates at home. and Lave
been for several centuries IL scourne to
the navigation of the Indian Ocean
bat here of course they follow the
peateable occupation Of fishing The
dr. Lard along this part Of the BAYOU
is IN narrow ridges some call them
hammaeks Where these ridges ex-
tend, they are from quarter To hall
an acre wide. The balance is low
marety land on which rice can he
raised where the ridges are high
enough. orange trees do we'll. also
peaches aud ii4s. IT the soil is mixed
VITA sheliS which Is often the case ii
Is much better for iruit trees. The
sheils prevent the iiatlels as We call
thenI ftenl perfolating the earth which
would draw the moisture flom the
roots aud cause the trees TO tulu vel
low. or Yield less ahundantly. This
however Is not likely TO happen except
Whcietiic land IS too low But the
grange crop here pays the best. as the
iahd = TOO narrow and scanty Tor
Other farming purposes. All the far
met has to do is tn set out his trees.
ard keep them clean While thew are
growing he can cultivate melans pott-
tot ajtl other things between them
til t!eN are large enough to shade The
gioaato When the trees commence
bemlu@, the farmers work is done he
can ~it. tsot under his own vine and
fl 81 according to Scripture bit m.
der ttit oWn orange tree. and smoke his
own Pip" and night mosquitoes the
halarce oi the year. He need NOT
tlcHhie himself about gathering the
eraN@c>. The SiciIiai will do that for
him. They go arenna II each farmer
betole The oranges are matured and
purchase the crrp as it stands Some.
times llleN come when they are no hi@-
geg trau marbles: and sometimes
tirN VIII even come when the trees
hay. i4>t put f,nfh their blossoms.
1h4s a4k> = good deal like counting
: tie .Erp~ To fure they are hatehed.
and S b. asked do they never
n4be asks' is Sail they freqnent-
II H. be mistakes bat theg are IA
wa5> t1cir favor. There is vet a
gf1a. fe3.l ~ land unsettled and unim-
prove Ahnye what is called tie
isi4ls, eir Is an extent of nearly four
miles each side where there not Il
siu4it i..taftAHt. 1t has been sue
geStcti ,A S0.ae that it would be q
good t.u 10 induce negroes to come
and seytle on these waste places. But
there aie others who think it better to