The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1905-04-28
WELSH, LOUISIANA,

western Louisiana is Welsh, or as if
was first known Welsh's, name
II which was adopted as the name of the
Southern Pacific station at this place,
and which was retained until within q
very few years. Henry Welsh, for
whom the place was named, kept the
stage stables for the overland mail,
long 49, til railroad passed
through this part of the state. Later
store and postoffice formed the nu-
cleus for the town.
The Southern Pacific Co. found here
an abundant supply of excellent water
for steamiug purposes, and sank a
deep we'll here to supply their locomo-
tives with water, and in times past
when the water supply failed in other
places, tank ears were kept here on
the siding so that locomotives hauling
heavy trains could take hence an ex-
ira supply of water to use in the long
distance to other good water.
In 1888 Welsh was incorporated with
Henry Welsh as the first Mayor: he,
however, died before the expiration
of his term Of Office.
As soon as the incorporation was
completed, improvements were begun,
and before the expiration of the first
4 year more sidewalks were laid in
& Welsh than in any other town in
Southwestern Louisiana. At this time
Welsh shipped more rice than any
other town on the Southern Pacific
railroad The building Of the Kansas
City, Watkins & Gulf railroad with
station at Fenton, for while cut off |
good deal of the supply Of rice that,
without that outlet, came to Welsh.
Much of the territory about Welsh |
was then owned by the North Aaeri-
can Land and Timber Company, and
as many OF the immigrants of the ear
her time came with the intention of
settling on homesteads. the land about
Welsh was unsettled, which circum-
) stance affected It's growth.
However. the people Of Welsh saw
that that vas simply a matter that
time would rectify. and with faith IN
the ultimate outcome, Of the place, be-
3 gun the establishment OF educational,
religious and social, institutions. A
good schooIhouse was erected in 1891,
but was destroyed by fire in 1908. The
city fathers took up the matter OF
erecting another building at once, and'
5 in the same year had erected one that
is q credit to the city fathers and the
town of Welsh. and is considered one
of the handsomest frame structures of
the kind in Southwest Louisiana.
a Masonic lodge was organized in
1899, and in 1891 the Masons purchas-
ed lot and erected temple. In
1899 a chapter of Royal Arch Masons
was organized, and in 1892 a Com
mandery of Knights Templars. In
1889 chapter OF the Order of the
Eastern Star was instituted, the sec
ond chapter of that order in the state.
An Odd Fellows lodge was organized
here in 1898. It will be readily seen
that the people from any part Of the
earth who wish TO find affiliation with
the mystical orders will find them
selves abundantly provided for in
this place.
A large, commodious and handsome
Catholic church was erected last year,
to take the place of the old small ,
ehurch established number of years
ago, and services have been regular
ly observed here ever since the estab-
lishment of the same.
In 1891 the Congregational and
Methodist Episcopal societies each
erected church building, which for
a time seemed q superfuity of church.
eS; but at present they are both main
tanning regular services, with a good ,
attendance at each. The Baptists have
a comfortable and tasty church edifce
and have regular pastor ard regu-
lar services. Internationally, socially,
fraternally and religiously, it would
De hard to find town of this size bet
Der provided for, and people seeking
home with those advantages had
better come to Welsh.
In 1896 the first rice mill was estab-
Ilshed in Welsh by the Welsh Rice
Milling Co. This mill was the begin
hing of an industry that was of first
Importance to the town, situated as it
s in the center Of one of the best rice
districts Of the state. 1t continued
is operations to the satisfaction of
hn ar1 fNF+ bo