The Louisiana populist., 1895-05-17

5000 lnhaOltantS, Dackeu up anu
surrounded by parish with an as
sessed valuation of property OF
over $4,000, 900, containing a varie'
ty and productiveness of soil and
other natural advantages that can
not be surpassed in the State.
Our city and parish have made
several efforts of late years that
would indicate progressive spirit
among our citizens. Only a year
ago did our city and parish CON-
plete a magnificent iron bridge
across Cane river at this place, at
a cost of $1,000, and open it to
the convenience of pubic travel.
This bridge was intended to accom-
modate the trade coming to our
city from all that large and pros
perous valley between Cane and
Red rivers, and from the east IN
general, as well as the convenience
of the travelling public to and from
The city.
But after all this immense out
lay, what is our astOnishment to
find the chief public road leading
to and from this bridge, blOckaded
within mile and a half of town,
and that too by an action of the
same Police Jury who deserve so
much credit for their works of pub
lie enterprise.
In order, we suppose, to accom-
modate some friend to a calf pas
ture of about 3 acres, they have
allowed him TO throw wire fence
across the old well.beateD track of
the st. Maurice road, (the first di-
vision of the Natchitoches and
Monroe and NatchitOches and Har-
rlSOn0urg rOau).
This fence sends the road about
800 yards farther, down little bay
ou, and turns it back in a "V" d.
rection to cross said bayou in a
narrow lane, on a ford that is SIM
ply impossible. The mud and
slush has been worked up until it
is ax!e-deep to vehicles, and right
after a heavy rain when soft, does
no more harm than ruin whatever
'slinen" parties may wear that way,
cover the vehicles and teams with
the slime, and give teams a slight
pull, but When a little sitter, it
locks the wheels of vehicles in a
tenacious embrace and refuses to
"delivern TO ordinary means. The
people living near by have been
annoyed no little by travellers and
afreighters" who have had their
teams and loads stuck fast in this
modern ''slough of despond."
Last Monday evening We had a
buggy with very light load to
stick fast in this quagmire, and in
his vain efforts to pull out, Oul
horse 'sshuckedn himself of heavy
new set of harness, breaking it tG
pieces. And but for the kindness
of old Mir. Ford, whom We found 9
halt mile away in his field, w
should have been compelled t.
shoulder our luggage and walk tt
town with couple of small chill
dren following; and it took Mr.
Ford's big mule, a couple of lOl
chains, and both of us to pull th'
empty buggy out of the bog.
Crossing our big expensive bridg'
after such experiences on the pub
lie road leading up to 1t, reminded
one of the golden gate that is sait
to terminate the marrow, rugged
thOrny path to Heaven.
II The action of our Police jury il
thus allowing one of our most i'm
pOrtant public roads to be blOcks'
ded is absolutely inexcusable, ant
has already cost the public severa
dollars in actual breakage, and n
, little trouble, delay and vexation o
} spirit, for all of which somebody
i responsible, and we do not think il
this case that the overseer of tn
! road should bear the blame, sine
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