The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1898-10-29
WHY SOME TOWNS DIE,

-'N~''|h 49, '''lN "'Ii vi men
Is a contribution to truth.
WHY SOME TOWNS DIE.
More towns die for the want Of
confidence on the part Of he bus
mess men and lack of public spirit
than fCm rivalry of neighbor,.
W hen .a man i'll search Of Il
home or business location goes to
town and finds everything brim
full of hope and enthusiasm over
the prospect of the place. and
earnestly at work to build up the
town he soon becomes imbibed
with the same interest. When.
however. he goes to Il town ana
everybody expresses doubt, and
apprehension as to the future
prosperity of the place. moping
about imaginary evils which are
likely to befall the town. he nat
urally feels that it is no place for
hlm, and 1T once he shakes the
dust from his feet. while he pulls
with all possible speed for another
town. Consequently try and make
live enterprising and progressive
town out Of the one in which YOU
live, When you are working for
your town You are accomplish ing
all the more for yourself,
Of Opelousas we can say in cor
roboratlon of the above, that not
withstanding all its natural adyan-
tages of health, and despite of
the fertility Of the surrounding
country and the variety Of It's pro-
ductionS. it has stood for three
quarters of Il century, like seme
deserted yi!l,.ge. Within the last
ten years new life has been grad
ually infused, improvements have
been made, streets have been
opened out and extended, COM
merce has increased. And Vet
all is not done that might and
should have been. Those who
had capital. sought 10 promote
their personal interests in a wav
that benefited no others.
As before said. within the last
ten years changes have been
wrought, but still not i'll that
might and should have been.
Capitalists hesitate to make in
yestments, and thereby cause stag
nancy to the value Of realty. But
with all that has been neglected,
lots have increased IN value fully
100 to 200 per cent, and the COM
merce Of Opelousas has increased
largely, many new buildings have
been erected, and some Of them
of more modern style than for
merly stood here.
The spirit OF improvement is
steadily growing. but we still see
evidence of doubt. which causes
hesitation in large improvements.
This should be overcome. and
we are pleased to know that a
number Of our people, are now
moving in the right direction.
During the last week a meeting
was held, and attended by num-
ber of intelligent. enterprising
and public spirited citizens, to
consider the feasibility of erect
ing IA sugar refinery here. An or
ganization was effected and com
mittees appointed Now. should
this object be attained a new and
vigorous impetous will be given
to all departments of business,
and we may confidently hope for
better times. We trust it will be
carried out. Within the last six
years we have seen two Banks, a
Cotton Compress, an Oil Mill. an
Ice factory, Brick yard, Water
works, Electric Light and some
fine buildings erected, and also
one of the very best Public School
buildings to be found in any of
the country parishes.
These of course have added
greatly to the value of town pro-
perty and to rural estates in the
vicinity of town. The commerce
of the place has increased, and
Opelousas, that had been dor
mant for nearly 4 acentury, is grad
uaIly, yea rapidly becoming
not only attractive but progressive.
For many years, every one doubt
ed every other person in every
thing requiring the investment
of dollar. There was Il total
absence of cooperative enterprise.
Now we begin to perceive that
cooperation builds Rail Roads,
establishes Banks, enlarges cities.
| attracts commerce, rewards labor
and stimulates industry in all
commendable pursuits.
IN IN