The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1900-05-12
The Louisiana Press Associa-
tiOn.

The tWenty-frst annual meet
ing of the louisiana Press Asso-
citation was held On the 1st, I'd
and Sd Of May at the beautiful
little city of New Iberia, which is
situated OH the banks of the
Teche whose glories have been
embamled in poesy by the poet
Longfellew, who wove that sad
yet beautiful story of the pure
and heroic maiden Evangeline.
Quite a number of delegates were
i'll attendance and were we'll cared
for by the hsspitable people of
New Iberia who did everything to
make things pleasant for them.
On the second day of the Con-
vention the delegates assembled at
the Southern Pacific depot to take
the train to Avery's Island in res
ponse to an invitation from den.
Avery to visit his lovely island
home and the salt mines. Gen.
Avery and sons met the party at
the station, giving them most
hearty welcome, and escorting
them through the factory from
the basement to the top floor, a
heighth of 125 feet, and were
shown and given a thorough ex-
planation of the process of pulver-
izing the salt and making it
ready for shipment in all it's diff
erent grades.
Upon seeing all there was to be
seen in the factory the whole del
egation was taken down the shaft
into the mine, a depth of 525
feet and shown and explained the
process of mining the salt.
After coming up from the mine,
all safe but a tritle salty, the
party then wended their way to
the picturesque Avery mansion,
which is situated on q spacious
sloping lawn adorned with giant
oaks, tropical plants, ferns and
flowers Of all kinds. They were
graciously received and enter
tanned by Mrs. P. B. Leeds, Mrs.
E. Bradley and General and
Messrs. Avery and Nell
benny, whose kindness and cour-
tesies will ever be remembered by
the Louisiana Press.
The thoughtful and considerate
ladies had ready delicious refresh.
ments which we're greatly en-
jeyed by the guests, after their
walk from the mine. The tables
were set under the oaks and beau
tifully decorated with fruits and
flowers. Dinner was announced
and the s'press gang" sat down to
enjoy the sumptuous repast pre-
pared for them, while
"o'er their heads the towering and tenebrous
| boughs
Met in dusky arch, and trailing MOSES in
mid air
Waved like banners that hang on the walls of
| ancient cathedrals."
Teasts were made by President
Gilmore, Gen. Jastremski and
Hon. Jehn Dymend, and Gen.
Avery favored the guests with a
| history Of the discovery Of the
mines and of their development.
On the third day of the meeting
an excursion was given en- the
Bayou Teche to the Adeline plan
tation owned by Messrs Oxnard
& Spague this is supposed to be
the largest plantation under one
management in cultivation in
Louisiana, comprising some 10, 600
acres, 1000 of which are devoted
to the cultivation Of sugar cane.
The party were received by the
managers Of the plantation and
conducted through the immense
refinery and given athorough ex-
planation Of the process Of sugar.
making. On the return trip an
excellent luncheon was served on
the beat, and the remainder of
the evening spent In dancing,
card playing and conversation.
i The people of New Iberia were
untiring in their efforts to enter
tain the members of the Press,
Il and for their hospitality and kind
ness were accorded a vote of
thanks by the Association.
The following officers we're
elected for the ensuing year :
John Dymond, President w. A.
/. Steidly, Vice-President !; Miss
i Gertrude Callahan, I'd Vice-Presi-
! dent L. q. Bentley, Secretary ;
Guy Trimble, Treasurer.
/ The selection Of the next place
of meeting was left to the Presi-
4 dent Of the Executive Com
mittee.
The justices of the peace elected
in the various wards of tile parish
at the recent election have been no
tilted to appear next Monday before
the Teachers Examining Committee
of tue School Board, to undergo an
4 examination as TO their competency
J and eligibility. The Constitution Of
Il