The Louisiana populist., 1896-01-31
Sketch Of Capt. Pharr.

The Times-Democrat.
Alexandria, Jan. 23.-Capt. j.
n. Pharr is one of the wealthiest,
as well as one of the best known
sugar planters in the State, being
a man of striking personal appear
ance and somewhat eccentric in his
manner and methods. His integ-
lrity and honesty of purpose are
unquestioned, and he stands high
as member of the Methodist
Church, having built an edi6ce at
Morgan City for the congregation
of that place, and being also one
of the largest contributors to the
Jackson Centenary College. Capt.
Pharr is also Prohibitionist, but
whether a member of the national
order or favorable to local option
is an open question, those oppo-
sing his nomination taking the for
mer view and antagonizing him on
that, among other grounds, while
his friends say he favors local OPP
ton, and that is all the liquor ele-
ment can ask within reason.
Capt. Pharr owns two sugar
plantations near Morgan City,
''Fairview," where he resides, and
"GIenwild," an adjoining place.
He is also owner of one-half of the
"Loizel" place, located near jean
erette, in Iberia parish.
Capt. Pharr is native of Ten
nessee or Kentucky, and came to
Louisiana some fifty years ago, and
began his career as manager of su-
gar properties. After a time he
engaged in the "swamping" and
lumber business and the venture
proved successful. Twenty-Five
or thirty years ago, before the
Morgan road had been completed
beyond Morgan City, he secured a
contract for carrying the United
States mail and freight and pas
sengers for the road from Morgan
City to st. Martinsville, the head
of navigation on the Teche. He
ran a daily line of boats IN this
trade until the road was extended,
and made fortune out of the con-
tract. When the road was extend
ed he invested largely in sugar
properties. and has been one of the
few planters of the State who has
been successful. For a number of
years he was also engaged in the
business at Patterson,
Capt. Williams being his partner.
Capt. Pharr is looked upon as a
plain, unassuming man, big-hcart-
cd and philanthropic, but aside
from his prohibition proclivities,
he is not considered by many SUI
gar people either strong as can
didate or possessed of those firm
and positive traits of character es-
sential to the safe management of
affairs of State.
His acceptance OF the POpulist
nomination will doubtless depend
upon the action of the sugar con-
which meets in this city
on Monday next. He has notified
those who have inquired as to his
attitude on the question to this eff
feet. Should he be nominated by
the sugar people there is little
doubt bat that he would be accep-
table to the regular Republicans,
as his name has met with more fa-
v0r in that quarter than any other
suggested in that connection. Capt.
Pharr has never been a straightOut
Democrat, having affiliated with
The Wings before the war. His
Republicanism dates back to the
Blaine campaign, he having voted
FOR the Maine leader.
The above is the account of our
nominee for Governor given by
he Tines Democrat, which is uns
friendly to our cause, and therefore
sries to put in a few weak points
which are self-contradictory.
This account of his politics
shows that since the old Wing par
y died, Capt. Pharr has been in
dependent, voting whatever ticket
10 deemed best, regardless of party.
This coupled with his high NOR
j character and sterling integrity
IS a citizen, make him an ideal
'andidate to lead the Peoples par
y to victory in April.
We will give our readers Capt.
'harr's picture next week, and la
or on hODa IN ho ablo RI ,,rocac< .