The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-02
HOwPLUCK BROUGHT SUCCESS

l. NV oIleaut, juno fs-Un0 OF the mont IN
tercsting characters who ever entered into thu
records Of the history Of Louisiana and th'
city OF Now Orleans was Leon Godchaux. VIII,
died here few days ago at the age Of rs. HI
was known as the sugar king ana No tn,
richest man in the State. He owned fourteen
sugar plantations, besides number OF re-
hneries and one Of the largest stores 10 thu
city. and an endless lot Of real estate scat.
tered broadcast
The owning OF all this property would moi
be remarkable save for the fact that less than
threescore years ago he came to New Orleans
a poor lad. without a dollar and without a
friend. and with an education so limited tina,
he could not even at that time sign his own
name or read II II /; were signed.
He had good stock OF energy and prese-
veranee. plenty Of common sense and a good
| head for business He was a genial. happy
boy and full OF good cheer and sunshine and
was a welcome addition to any circle OF COM
| pauions. whether bent on business or pleas
ure. He was ready for any sort OF work
where there was an opportunity to better his
condition. He had high ideals He would be-
come a great merchant, And the castles he
planned did not come far short Of fulhllmsnt,
<<<
let OF Hebeville, province OF Lorraine. France.
In June. 1924. His parents were poor. and
there was large family OF boys and girls to
be reared. and Leon, when scarce IL years
old. set sail for the United States, OF which
he had heard wondrous stories from the re-
turned settlers from Louisiana.
At Havre he met Charles Emanuel, another
young man who was coming to America hop
tar, a. ..atrA u, ~. 49,.
fast friends on the voyage. and all during his
after life Mr.. GodchauS kept up the intimacy
and friendship begun on the long voyage. Mr.
Emanuel is now a wealthy merchant In New
York.
1t was small amount OF money that the
two boys had between them when they landed
in New Orleans, hut they were strong and
healthy and were ready for anything. They
were not long In becoming acquainted with
the merchants. and the willingness of young
Godchaux to take hold and do anything that
was to be done won the esteem OF Leopold
Jonas. who was at that time one OF the largest
wholesale merchants in New Orleans.
Young Godchaux had no plans in his head
about working on a salary, but to be in busi-
ness for himself, and In little time he had
started out with pack on his back. filed
handkerchefs, ribbons and stockings, also
with linens and other articles of household
use and few OF the cheaper bright coored
silks. He travelled up the levee toward Don
aldsonville, among the large sugar pianta-
tons, and found ready sale for his goods, II
not in the mansion house" OF the wealthy
planter. in the quarters of the negroes.
4 \
nnh ptn nfatta had
whitewashed quarters. and his goods were OF
kind that attracted tho negroes who love
bright coiors and seldom had an opportunity
TO 70 to the city to make purchases. Some
idea OF his success may be gained when 1t is
known that in two weeks time he had netted
enough from his sales to purchase horse
and wagon and lay in supply OF goods,
1t was during these two weeks that he had
some experiences that brought out strongly
what was in the youth One warm summer
evening, when he reached a plantation, he was
completely exhausted and sick from carrying
his heavy load In the heat. The planters wife
had him taken into his house and there cared
for him us though he had been her son until
he was able to 80 on his journey. and scorned
to accept pay for the trouble.
In expressing his thanks to her he told ner
III I
ness he would not forget her. for she had
taken him in stranger and minIstered 10
him. This was before the civil war.
Time went on and Leon Godchaux prospereo.
In fact. everything he touched turned to gold.
After the war he did not lose sight Of the
good woman who had befrended him. Their
plantation was desolate waste, their negroes
IT, VI. lar
save their fertile acres BY careful manage
nent the planter started again, but under the
changed conditions he was compelled to incur
debt to carry on the work Troubles never
come slngly. One reverse followed another.
Until his plantation was advertised for sale
Leon Godcbaux bought It and the family was
preparing to move out and leave the home
hat had been theirs for SC many years.
No" said the purchaser, II did not buy It
or that. You were kind to me many years
,go when was poor and had no friends. Now
have chance to repay that kindness ana
want to do so. The home is yours as long as
'ou wish to live there" This was Reserve ,
plantation. and belongs yet to tho Godehaux Z
,stat.. =
At another plantation he had q decidedly
lifferent experience. Tho planter had him ,
orclbly elected from the premises, and when
lie was footloose he turned and shook his list
It tho planter and vowed that some day he
would own that plantation and would put out 4,
he owner quite az dissgreeabiy az he himself ,,
lad been sent away.
The years passed on and the planter was
educed In circumstances and became involved
n debt. and his plantation was advertised for
alo. and Leon Godchaux was the purchaser.
hat planter was not told, as was the other. :
D remain In his old home. but was asked to =
i've immediate possession. This place is
nown as the Souvenir plantation.
After two years travelling up and down the h
from New Orleans to vickshurg, 8
IT. Godchanx established store at Convent.
a. whcrs he prospered even a. he had with II
Ia pack and his wagon, though on a larger II
,ale. He learned to know tho planters and +,
ipds friends with them. He said by having Il
store In New Orleans he could have larger Il
-ade for he could then supply many planters e
ith their years supplies, which was In Itself II
large item. He never made a mistake In 10
is moves on the great business chessboard
o was a shrewd business man, who dealt
rly. yet made all he could. and treated