The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1893-10-28
AS Others See US.

has had representative througl
Southern Louisiana recently, writin!
up his personal experiences, and her
is what he has to say about Opelousas
Six miles southwest of Washington
is located the noted city of Opelousas
1t is the parish seat, town of 2,O0C
people and is older than our govern
ment, the parish records run ming bacl
as far as l765.
1t was established by the Spanish
government as military post in thu
long ago and is a quaint, interesting
old place. The signs of age and
strange customs attract your attention
at every turn. Stores with the en-
trance in the sides instead of the ends
and built all over the residence portion
of the town instead of in a cluster, al
in the west, are one of the oddities yoC
meet with for the first time, but you
will find this the rule all over the
southern portion of the state. In this
country they have court house squares
but, unlike other places, the business
does not center around it. The city
however, is becoming modern in ap-
pearance, many new and handsome
brick blocks are going up, and the an,
cient architecture is fast losing ground
The city contains population of 1900
people and is situated on beautiful
elevated prairie, the surrounding coun
try very much resembling Western
| Missouri.
| Stately old forest trees, grown massive
| with age, with their dense foliage and
moss covered branches line the streets
flowers and shrubbery cover the yards,
fences and houses, which together with
it's pretty, clean, neat houses, form a
picture which would charm and delight
an angel. 1t is one of the most impor-
tant and noted cities in this portion OF
the state and grown wealthy cultured
aud aristocratic with age. 1t has a
large government court house, and
state and district and United States
circuit and district courts are held here
the sessions of which last nearly all the
year. 1t is also quite an important
commercial city, commanding trade
which extends many miles in either di-
rection and especially on the west, as
no towns west of it for 100 miles of any
Importance. 1t is prominent ship
ping point for cotton, rice, stock and
other agricultural products. The city
contains many large mercantile and
manufacturing enterprises; among
those of prominence are rice mill, cot
ton compress, ice factory, brick factory,
2 lumber firms, | wholesale house,
bank, 3 weekly newspapers and it is
the headquarters of the Southwestern
Louisiana Laud Company. 1t is city
of pretty residences, churches and
schools. Among the latter are young
ladies' college, Catholic academy
and convent. There are public schools
here, but no building, each teacher
furnishes his own building which are
seperate and private affairs. We be-
lieve they are erecting public school
building if not, it is time they were at
it, as the town Is old and wealthy
enough to build such a structure as
would be au ornament and credit to the
city. There are two delightful little
coolies running through the town
which afford excellent drainage and the
residence lots approach small farms in
size, being l69 feet square. Business
lots are worth from 5000 to $2,500 and
residence from 800 to $500. We
have never met a more polite and hos
pitable people, most of whom are
French Creoles.
A stranger is treated with such genn-
inc marks of courtesy that he cannot
help but be favorably impressed with
the people and city. You meet with
cordial and pleasant manners and
speech everywhere.
The people of the west and north
could learn good lesson on manners
by contact with these polished and
courtly people The fact is, the more
you know of the Southern people the
greater becomes your admiration for
them
They are refined, liberal, broad and
tolerant. You cannot say this of the
people Of the North, for they are blunt,
curt, aud often narrow. We would be
willing to spend the rest of our days on
earth, among such people as we found
here and eternity would not be clouded
with unpleasant associations If it Is in
habited with such noble, kind and con
siderate people.
The people invite immigration and
cherish the kindest feeling toward all
such who come here to dwell among
them. We assure you that there is not
Il better country on earth than st.
Landry parish, none where the oppor-
tunities are greater for men of progres-
sive methods, and none more delight
ful and healtiifnl iu which to live.
Then, the soil is good and the variety
of crops grown is so great, that it is q
sure and profitable farming country.
And such lovely landscape, beautiful
foliage, the air SO pure, fragrant and
invigofating. Lung troubles and rheu-
matism are rarely experienced here,
and the people are rosy checked, strong
and healthfnl. The soft sea breezes
paint the complexion of woman with
the fairest, freshest and pale rose like
tints.
81 cash will answer the place of 50
in the pure hase Of goods at Bloch's
He must have money and is will
ling to sacrifice his goods to get it.