New Iberia enterprise. (New Iberia, La.) 1885-1902, 1899-03-25
For the Enterprise.
A NARRATIVE OF EVENTS
Connected with the Early Settlement of
New Iberia and Contemplating its Fu-
ture Prospect.
BY DIR. ALFRED DUrERIERl


| BY DR. ALFRED DCfERlER
Continued from last week.
Among the other emigrants, who i'm
parted tone and vigor to the immediate
neighborhood of New Iberia were Dudley
John ID. Wilkins, DR.. James S. PEBBLES
and Henry PEBBLES. John D. wilkins was
the first of this group. He came from
| Virginia possessed of considerable means
| and liberal education received at the
University of Virginia; he was far above
the average. He purchased for himself
and the PEBBLES large domain which was
utilized as a sugar plantation and stock
farm. His intelligence and education
made him a favorite among the elite of
the French population. He soon became
the controlling spirit of the banks at st.
Martinville. He was the first to introduce
the "short hours" into the country. Vir-
ginia style, he raised and cured all his
meat. He was a great reader and the
friend of the young man who displayed
industry and ambition. He was liberal
in his contributions to all undertakings.
He contributed to the first phanlanstery
erected by the disciples of Fourier, S., 900.
He was a man of deep thought and nat
ural philosopher. He once announced
himself as a candidate for Governor on
what he called "triangular platform,
he being the triangular candidate. His
address to the people was full of reform
suggestions. He pledged the salary of
the Office, if elected, to charitable objects
He became very fond of me, as was ex-
emplified on several occasions. During
the yellow fever of 1889, he was a public
benefactor to all who had shared in the
distress. He was man, "sui generis,"
full Of charitable impulses. In illustra
ton of his peculiarities and of his good
heart, my readers will excuse me for re-
lating one of his acts out of many that
came to my knowledge and observation.
When l stuck up my shingle in my native
town, the first call l received was from
him. Hurrying to the summons, l found
him extended, as was his custom, on a
bench on his porch, with log for a pill
He greeted me with his usual cordiality.
"Fourier's" philosophy, to which he had
become welded, and whose works he was,
at that moment, devouring. Listening
for while to his interesting conversation,
l took advantage Of the first pause to say
to him: "Who have. you sick p "No-
body" was his prompt reply, "but l in
tend, nevertheless, to reward you for your
visit" SO saying, he continued, "have
you horse and sulky? Have you books
and instruments p Having answered af-
frmatively to oil his questions, he arose
from. his seat, and proceeding to his desk
in an adjacent room, whence he soon re-
turned, with slip of paper in his hand,
which he handed to me, and which, to
my surprise, proved to be draft for $500.
| was completely abashed. ''Accept this,
my young friend, as know you have no
Appreciating at ONCE that this
act Of generosity meant that I was to re-
ceive his entire patronage, l no longer
hesitated to accept this friendly tender of
services. with the certainty of reimburs-
ing it with my labor Of the year. On the
March, received note from
my benefactor, requesting me to bring my
bill, which l found to exceed his loan
some twenty dollars. l will, l hope, be
excused for narrating another amusing in |
,ident of this kind man. Upon arriving |
% permanently settle upon his lands, he
lad brought letter of introduction from
Henry Clay to Col Olivier. Landing at
he latters plantation, he was received
With the princely hospitality characters
ic of the French gentlemen of those days. !
rhe boat that brought him had also landed
. cargo of fine stock, of all descriptions
hat were at once driven to Mr.. Wilkins
lewly acquired possessions, some three
niles in the rear of the Olivier place.
During the afternoon, the future plans of
he welcome Virginia gentleman being
thoroughly discussed, Col. Olivier said to
lim that he feared one single disappoint
nent might befall his undertaking.
What can that be p retorted Mr.. Will
inns. II fear" said the host, ''that the
aising of cattle will not prove satisfac-
ory, owing to the narauding surround
ngs you will have of people who have
,een reared to look upon cattle as COM
non property" Harboring what had
,een told him by his host, who had sig
lalized the neighbors, who, above all
'thers, required watching. The new
,omer, determined in his own mind, upon
plan of action. Calling, as soon as he
vas fairly settled, upon mis- suspicious
leighbor, he found him at his home, sur
ounded with very large family. Ad-
lressing him in friendly tone, he said
4 understand, neighbor, that you have,
It times, helped yourself to your neigh
,or property. l can very well under
tand the cause no man, with his hands,
an support as large family as you have
round you. You are welcome, my friend,
0 help yourself out Of my herd, Of SO
many calves monthly to feed your family.
,ome to me if you or yours are in distress,
mt warn you never to steal from me-"
This unexpected but truthful sortie. the
'manation of good heart, SO affected his
listeners that he became proselite among
lis neighborhood, for the great and good
nan who had just settled among them.
The winter following, his pens were filed
With hogs to fatten, to fill his smokehcuse;
IS was customary in his Virginia home.
)ne dark night, being awakened by the
quealing of hog, Dick, the faithful body
ervant, awoke his master. "Take your
nusket, Dick, and will take mine, and
ve will both direct our footsteps towards
he pen." The thief had already tied the
Jog. Pointing his musket at the intruder,
Who had not been able, so far, to handle
he weighty hog, he ordered Dick to jump
nto the pen and remove the fetters from
he hog, to be applied to the thief. The
rider was accomplished while the master
leld his musket pointed at the thief, who
vas led manacled to the house. When
he tallow candle was lit, the suspicious