The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1893-05-20


this year. lis two-story frame building.
modern in style Of architecture, and will, at its
completion, cost $1,000. The school has one
hundred pupils. with Prof. James 7. Egan as
principal, assisted by the Misses Reese and Gra-
nam. The building is being erected by the order
OF the enterprising Mayor of the city, Captain
Toulme, and it Is only one more sign Of his pro-
gressive and public spirit.
Historically Bay st. Louis Is built where the
passengers from the ships OF Iberville and Bien-
vile landed at the time Of the French occupa-
tion, and the first settlers were the MOnnettes,
the Toulmes, Cowands and others. and their
descendants still dwell on the spot by them oc-
cuped in 17Ol. The high peninsula upon which
Bay st. Louis Is built has bold and picturesque
shore, curving so that the entire town Overlooks
the water, and there is certainly no place within
the llmitless globe so richly endowed by nature
as this country.
Not many years ago the fields, vineyards and
beautiful building sites were trackless forest,
but this has succumbed to the hand Of civiliza-
tlon and progress, and beautiful homes occupy
these once waste places and mark the path Of
progress, enterprise, education, morality and
financial prosperity.
But now behold the change! Where the tiow-
erets kissed the morning dew and the primeval
forests echoed with the noise OF native warblers,
stands busy, thriving, prosperous city. A
drive around the city or from the steamer as
you pass through Mississippi Sound. you will
not fail to admire the picturesque appearance
presented by the varied architecture OF the ine
residences that line the beach. surrounded by
widespreading oaks and beautiful shrubbery,
and the large number Of kiosks that stand near
the beach, and the white bathing houses that
dot the edge Of the water and give the scene a
delightfully."- cool and refreshing effect, which is
greatly enhanced by the prevalent sea breeze.
This Is the fair picture Bay st. Louis presents,
with It's hum OF industry and the grand posi-
bilities so bOuntifully fOreshadOwed.
OF country such as this the conscientious
scribe writes reluctantly, for he can but fear
that the uninitiated will suspicion him Of gross
exaggeration. A sense OF duty should Danish
diidence, and the truthful scribe writing OF this
city and country should say to the practical
readers. as this writer has tried to say: Here is
soil OF unsurpassed fertility; here products OF
endless variety; here faultless climate; here
timber resources inexhaustibe; here public
finances In excellent shape; here healthfulness
unquestioned, and here social educational and
religious advantages all that could be desired
while to the sentimental and romantic reader he
would tell OF how at eyentide or the dawn Of
day soft sunlight glints the waters OF the bay
~ >A0" oPoAA ioo DooOhu poCe, dItiob lONcT may
drift on for hours and yet see the beauties Of
nature newer and greater; Of how its crystal
waters mirror back the myriad stars which
deck high heavens o'erarching vault; of how
winged zephyrs DER Its surface skimming de-
light the senses with perfume rare OF the mag
nolla or 1essamine, or mayhap OF queenly rose
IN an adjacent garden. To readers both prac-
tical and pOetical 1t may be said OF this section
that as meath oceans depths the pearl un-
touched lies useless until by tOiing diver thence
unborn 1t sees the glorious sunlight first, and
mayhap CLEANS upon the snowy neck OF beauty,
so also how wealth untold lies sleeping, await
ing the magic touch of men and means to bring
fruition from gems now silent and inert.
The best evidence Of the substantial nature
probably Of city and its institutions is its peo-
pie, hence this article will be largely biograph-
ical, and will bear your careful perusal.
Our tram pulled into the city, and entering
one OF the elegant carriages that stood waiting
at the depot we soon found ourselves in front Of
The BAY st. Louis Hotel,
and all must feel as we did, pleasure to see the
well-kept grounds and many cottages scattered
about, so that you may go into your apartments
and feel perfectly at home without the fatigue
one must feel after climbing long flights Of
stairs. The grounds here have lake front Of
126 feet extending back 4s5 feet and it is located
on the corner of the two principal streets Of the
city, in close proximity to the postoffice and
near the business center OF the town.
This hotel Is owned and managed by Mrs
Anna Allen, lady who has had many years OF
experience as hostess and she has since locating
here demonstrated her ability to maintain this
as a leading house by the perfection OF her man
ner In catering to the wants, the desires, the
expectations and whims OF the varying tastes
Of discriminating public. The hotels in this
city are especially good. 1t Is said that Ameri-
can hotels are the best in the world, and surely
here Is one OF the best places in America for the
maintenance OF good house. Upon taking
charge OF the Bay st. Louis Hotel Mrs. Allen
brought to bear upon Its management the result
OF many years successful experience in the
business, and made 1t point to employ no help
that was not thoroughly competent. Mrs. Allen
does all she can to add to the comfort OF the
guests OF the house, and as result the guest
at this house feels at home.
The hotel is, as we said before, laid out in cot
tages, eleven In number and In all there are
about fifty five rooms. Nine OF these cottages
are used as sleeping rooms, and the traveller
cannot fail to enjoy good rest in any OF the
bright and well-ventilated sleeping apartments,
fitted mp with the finest beds, elegant furniture
and cleanest linen. The cottage containing the
dinngroOm and parlOr is away from all the
sleeping rooms as well as the kitchen, and each
OF these rooms have three sides exposed, thus
admitting OF the best OF ventilation, and In that
way are always cool and pleasant even on the
warmest days OF summer
The diningroom is large and well lighted, and
the skill and care with which the menu is pre-
pared, and its appetizing qualities, together
with the admirable service Of the trained
walters, render the meals at the Bay st. Louis of
the most enjoyable character. Mrs Allen verify
believes In eating and offers her guests the best
the market affords in fruit and vegetables, and
the sea yields up no fish, crabs, oysters or other
salt water delicacies that she considers too good
to tempt the palate of those who are ENJOYING
her hospitality and so her table Is literally filled
to overfiOwing with good things to eat, and she
is a most accommodating landady, and has the
happy faculty OF making everyone around her
happy and good natured, and her guests always
leave regretting that their time is up but feeling
that 1t was good to have been there.
This hotel has not only the reputation OF set
ting good table, all nice and clean, plenty Of
variety and the best Of everything nicely served,
but is really an excellent place to stay, and after
having spent some time here we can truthfully
say that we never received better or kinder
treatment at any hotel, and we have travelled
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