New Iberia enterprise. (New Iberia, La.) 1885-1902, 1899-03-25

9.
tion of New Iberia, was her having to pay
tribute to the county seat without receiv
ing "quid pro quo of the contribution:
for the maintenance of public roads ant
ferry privileges. The grievances became
so overt that as early as 1887 a public
meeting, numerousIy attended, was con
vened, presided over by Neville Declouet
a descendant of one of the French com
mandants. The abortive efforts of those
early days to create the Parish of Iberia
eliminated in 1865 in severing from st
Martin and ST. Mary a territory of sufli-
cient extent to form one of the richest
parishes of Louisiana, with New Iberia as
its county seat. The result was finally
attained, through the united efforts of the
best citizens of New Iberia and its i'm
mediate vicinity, under the administra-
ton of Gov. Warmoth. 1t was the result
of methods for the first time made public.
Enjoying the intimate friendship of John
Ray, an old-time whig, once candidate
for Lieutenant Governor, on the same
ticket with our much to be regretted cit-
zen, Alexandra Declouet, l contided to
him, the bill that had been carefully drawn
setting forth the boundaries of the con-
| templated Parish of Iberia, with care
fully prepared census of the population
| within its prescribed limits. This prelim-
mary work absorbed small sum, for the
labor performed at home. Joachim Etie,
a young man highly appreciated, attend
ed to all the details at home, transmitting
to me in New Orleans all the papers when
completed The bill, when presented by
Senator Ray, went through the Senate and
lower house without any great solicitation.
After its enrolment, was summoned to
the Governors office, where | was prompt
ly ushered. With his usual promptness,
laying his hand on an enrolled bill that
laid on his desk, he said 'Doctor, must l
sign this billF Affecting ignorance and
replying slowly, he said: "you have fa-
thered this bill, and if you want it signed,
say so, otherwise it will be consigned to
the waste basket Without further hes
itation, requested that he should sign the
bill, which he did in my presence, adding:
~ have signed the bill OH one condition,
to-wit: that you shall formulate the slate
for all appointments deemed acceptable
by your people. Upon tomorrow, bring
me in a list of all the appointments, and
will issue their commissions" l could not
overcome my joy, at the opportunity of
crowding out the hungry scall awags who
were building hopes upon the negro infu
ence, which they felt sure would influence
the Governor in his appointments. had
had previous assurances from the Cover
nor that he had determined to cut loose
from his surroundings, if the best element
OF Louisiana would join him in this move
ment. had no reason to doubt his sin
cerity, and have abundant proof of his de-
votion to the best interests of the State, as
represented by the white element of the
Republican party, and the entire conser-
vative body of white voters. The names,
as handed in to him by me Of Patrick
Burke, VIM. Robertson, Geo. Stubenger,
Joachim Etie, and Judge d. Avery as
president Of the police jury, were prompt
ly commissioned. The administration of
the Parish of Iberia under set of officers
unsurpassed, if ever equaled since, gave
deserved impetus to the new Parish of
Iberia. Judge Robert Perry and Judge |
Jos. A. Breaux, both men of weight and
influence in their respective communities,
were the first to avail themselves of the |
new field of operations. Both have met |
with well merited success. Many more fol-
lowed, adding daily to the wealth and in
telligence of Iberia parish.s Possessed of
a soil unsurpassed in extent and fertility, |
for the production of cane, corn, and other
varied products, with its numerous central
sugar factories, with its southern territory
underlaid with an inexhaustible deposit of
mineral salt, the future of Iberia parish
and of its metropolis, is beyond all con-
lecture. The discovery of this hidden
treasure, was the result of pressing wants,
engendered by the civil war. As early as
l848, French geologist and scientific ex-
plorer by the name of Thomassy, arrived
1t New Iberia with a letter of introduc-
ion to my ever lamented friend and class
nate, E. B. Olivier. Together we visited
Marsh and Grand Cote Islands. On Marsh
Island, there remained traces of salt
springs, with crude appliances that had
been resorted to for the evaporation of
'alt in 1872 and 1915. The result of Mr..
Chomassy's cursory exploration, was the
publication of brochure, in which he
Predicted the existence of rock salt on
Marsh Island, and much of our southern
erritory. A complimentary copy of his
works was mailed to my friend and from
Paris. It was reserved to the period of
he war between the States to verify the
predictions made by Thomassy. In dig
,ing out some of the old salt springs, the
'olid rock was struck. Since then, the
Marsh Island or Avery mine has been op-
'rated by companies with large capital
Che recent discovery of an equally extern
i've bed of rock salt, underlying Grand
Jote, soon to be operated by company
possessed of large capital, will make the
parish of Iberia the basis of supply for the
,ntire South. This extensive deposit of
mineral salt, limited apparently to the
parish of iberia, is truly wonderful.
The original map of New Iberia, by
)owd, comprised the territory between
what is now Weeks and French streets,
ronting bayOn Teche, running ten arpents
n depth, with iberia street as the only in
ct and outlet Of Petite Anse, into New
IBERIA. Corresponding to Corinne street
rom Main street, a narrow passage led
o the ferry landing across the Teche.
Thence through o kirt of timber, the
,ublic road leading to Fausse Pointe was
cached. Loreauville, Jeanerette, Burke
md Cade were at that time "nOn est"
Che territory known as Fausse Pointe was
Iettled by that most worthy class Of inn
Migrants from Acadia, the Decuirs, Brous-
ards, Breaux, Dugas and others. The de-
,endants of that prosecuted race bear the
impress Of their noble ancestry.
Within the limits of Dowds map, COM
,rising the village Of New iberia, there
vas, at my earliest recollection, twenty
i've residences, four stores, one black
mith shop, one bakery, one tannery and
wo saloons. The capital in trade in those
'arly days was very large, equal proba-
,ly to million dollars Local merchants
ike Shute & Taylor, afterwards Taylor &
did large Wholesale and re-
all advancing business. They held large