The Opelousas courier., 1893-12-30
Correspondence.

auu ptscoCu buO utSHb uHucI HIS nos
pitable roof. The next morning he az
companied me to Church Point where
transacted my business and cast IN
eye about to see what was TO be seer
| had been over the same territor
about 40 years ago and naturally OF
served the changes that have take
place since that time, in the genera
appearance Of the landscape. TIL
settlements we're then few and far be
tween, the grass was green and luxu
RANT as far as the eye could pierce th
distance; and in very many position
on the apparently boundless prairie
not dwelling was visible. Pheasants
partridges and other birds were in
Vulnerable, on the dry land, and ducks
brandt and geese covered the ponds
Horned cattle browzed at will, ant
thousands could often be seen at
glance, whilst hundreds of ponies fet
ln gangs and herds, and all as wild a.
the Tarpins of Tartary Ali is changed
now. The paths across the prairie
many of which were traceable with
difficulty by the rider travelling over
them, are entirely Oblterated, and the
wire fence forms narrow lane for con-
secutiye miles. These lanes are per
plexingly angular and make the real
distance between points twice as great
as they should be. were the road prop
erly arranged and laid out.
The Improvements are varied in
character. Some are fine and present
every appearance of comfort and pro-
gress, whilst others look more primi-
tive in style, as if the occupants are
still adherent to the old regime, In
some places fine gardens are to be seen,
and growing orchards give promise of
abundant yields of fruit. They are
generally young. 1t is apparent that
our farmers are now, as a rule, direct
ing their efforts to the improvement of
their homes and to multiplying the
means of home supply AS soon as the
practical effects of such efforts can be
generally realized, the credit system
will pass away and this large class of
the people become entirely independ-
ent. Then may we hope for more and
better schools, brighter and more in-
fomed girls and boys, higher stand
ard OF moral excellence and a shorter
criminal docket. ca ira. 1t is only
a question of time. Social revolutions
10 all aesthetic aud educational mat
ters are always slow in their develop
ments and too much should not be ex-
pected from them. They require time.
When the present aspect of the coun-
try i am speaking Of is contrasted
with that which it presented forty
years ago, one may easily understand
that rery great and numerous changes
have taken place, and may reasonably
conclude that they must continue with
aver increasing rapidity. The natural
capabilities of the soil are all that
Gould be desired by an industrious, in
elligent and frugal people, and as
hese attributes and qualities are sys-
ematically and methodicaly employ /
I'd. wealth and prosperity must follow.
trust, MIR. Editor, You may not find
his rough narrative of observations
made during my visit TO the country too
engthy, as my desire is to describe in
PLAIN manner some matters of import
nee which fell under my observations.
he condition of the public roads in
nany places, is terrifying to one trav-
ling in buggy, and whose ignorance
I the means of circumvention, affords
lm no alternative but to plunge In
nd take his chances. There is but
title excuse for this, because the sur
ice of the land is very generally slight
rolling, and by side ditching, the
irt being thrown to the centre of the
Dads, the drainage would prevent all
'ouble from terrific mud holes.
During the rainy season of the year
% roads become impossible in many
laces, aud this very naturally pre-
ents farmers from hauling their pro-
ace to 0pelousas. The Police Jury
light add very much to their advan.
ges by having the roads properly
ltclled, and the merchants of Opelou-
IS should encourage such action. The
stance many of these planters have
haul over these horrible roads. to i
g their produce to this market, to- i
'ther with their condition during the q
all and Winter seasons is simply ap. :
llling. could but notice the feast
iity Of sufficient drainage, and pow
spectfully suggest that immediate at.
ntIon should be given the matter. a
say immediate atten ton, because it is q
fact that enterprising business men d
other towns are industrionsly at
ork to lay down iron rails to facili
Ie the conveyance of all agricultural
oduce from far west of Opelonsas to g
ler points. This once accomplished, y
may never be nndone, and this place S
u be left with very much circum-
'Ibed and fatally limited support.
deed it would be wise for the mer. Il
ants and property holders to con- al
ne at an early date and consider d
1position to have railroad starting
m or near East Baton Rouge and g,
ming BY Opelousas, westward st
'ough St. Landry. andIon into Texas.
T necessary still further on. | be,
ve the illinois Central or the Mis- r e
slppi Valley Road would not hesi- =
TO build such road, If the right
way were given free of costs. But
all events the effort should be made. d
farmers could then haul their pro.
ee 20 such road, and competition ].
frelghts, as well as choice In mar. it
's for their produce wonld be es-
lished, which would necessarily in.
9 70 their lasting advantage. Opel o.
Ias must be up and doing or at 40
Lant day she will wake up and find
vast and yearly increasing pro. =
;e she can now command, diverted
other marts of trade, and forever las
to her. This is an age In which Jo
rgy and enterprise tell The time is
remote when the surface of our en-. DC
country will be reticulated by iron - =
8. and Agricultural nrndneta he