The Opelousas courier., 1892-12-10
GOrreSDORademce.
HAAsvILLE, La, Dec. 5, 1892

NASHVILLE, La, Dec. ., 4o9%.
Editor COURIER:
For the time of the year the weather con-
tinues remarkably pleasant, agreeable and
fine.
The farmers have never before had so
many fine weeks and days in which to gather
their crops as they have had during the
past fall. Cotton is all picked, and about
all ginned, and a large per cent OF it sold
the NOSE of it since the rise in the markets
took place-putting by far more money in
the country than was expected ecrlier in the
season when prices ruled SO very low.
All who can do so are planting cane.
Messrs. Lyle and Knoll will succeed in get
ting in this month some 20 acres in A I cane,
1t seems that cane is to be the coming crop
| along the B9uf.
With the growing of an abundance of corn
and pea hay there will be little necessity tor
trying to make cotton, which is uncertain
taken at its best.
Last week your scribe had the pleasure of
a trip over the beautiful Chicot country. and
to say the least, was very much pleased with
| all seen. The country is inclined to be billy,
but not too much SO just enough to give
the country a pretty appearance. The soil,
underlaid with a clay foundation, responds
readily TO fertilizers, growing fine corn, cane
grass, pea vines, fruits, vegetables-in fact
most anything the thrifty. goahead former
may wish to have for nome comfort.
The tow of Chicot is on a beautiful ridge
aud commands a fine view has two stores
doing a general merchandise business, a large
gin, wagon and blacksmith shops, Baptist
and Methodist churches and a school-house.
The Methodist congregation are now finish
ing up a nice residence for their minister I;
besides these there are many pretty resi-
dences and homes. Capt, Sam Haas has a
fine old Southern home. Mr.. II. l., Erlich
has a corps of carpenters at work on a tiue,
commodious residence for himself, fencing,
etc.
We noted many marks of Improvement
around the country and town.
While in ChicOt, the idea come to us of
why Il turnpike road had never been con
strueted from Opelousas to Chicot. Wouldn't
it pays If not, why not for our own graft
~fication, figure a little bit on the cost Of a
turnpike connecting the two rising cities of
St. Landry. Upon reflection, We conclude
that a good tile-drained turnpike could be
built from Opelousas to Chicot for not ex-
ceeding 500 900 per mile, and would be a pay
ing investment from the start. You have ii
compress in your city. You want IA large
rice mill, and you want the roads so that the
people can get to your city with their pro
ducts. While in Chicot we saw the farmers
hauling cotton to Lecompte. What's the
matter ? do you propose to let the trade of
the country drive from your very door for
the sake of a few dollars spent on roads to
secure the trade of a large district.
In conclusion, all we have to say in regard
to the subject, is get out your pencil snd do a
little work making figures. Maybe you can
construct a turnpike for something less than
$40, 900 per ale. If so so much the better.
At Bunkie we dropped over to see the SUI
gar mills yesterday, and propped up Il bat
terry that was down on the T. p. FIRTH Plan
tation-for the past few years rented and in
charge of that well known planter. Mr.. J.. P.
Smelling, who has charge slso of the irion
plantation owned by the Haas Bros. AT the
first named place, Mr.. SMILING informed
your scribe that they would Apish grinding
in about three weeks, and WSdld make six
hundred hogsheads of open kettle sugars.
Mr.. A. J. Greenwood, sugar-maker, has
succeeded in making an excellent article of
sugar and molasses. They willssurely get the
two cents bounty on their sugfFs. The sugar
is the ~clearest and whitest by odds Of any
we have heretofore ever noticed that was
made by the kettle progress.
Well, we have said enough for one day
Begging to return thanks for courtesies
extended while in Chicot by Mr.. j. P,
Smith and the many warm friends met there.
we are
Yours, ILLINOIS.