The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-06-20
NORTH BOssIER's LAKES.


The lake country situated in the northwest corner
OF Bossier Parish is one of the most interesting
portions of the State and is likely no far distant
date to become one of its richest
It is doubtful if the valley of the Nile contains
richer soil than this section, which is being rapidly
developed under levee protection that will be fol-
lowed by a drainage system. For many years
these lands have been subjected to annual over
flows from Red River, leaving vast deposits of the
richest kind, filling in the lower places, until
point has been reached where small amount Of
engineering work will make it the greatest farming
land in the State.
The north ends of Rotton and Duty Lakes are in
Arkansas, but the largest of the group-Phelps
and Posteon Lakes are in Louisiana.
Phelps Lake begins about two miles south of the
State line and extends southwark between the
Bossier hills and Old River for distance of seven
or eight miles and averaging two miles in width.
1t is supported by spring branches from the hill
sides. No place in this lake is more than twenty
four inches deep and in many places it is too
shallow to float the lightest duck boat. 1t covers
surface comprising some eight nine thousand
acres with no timber, except few snags and dead
cypress trees.
POsteon Lake is about two miles west of Phelps
Lake and runs parallel for distance of three or
four miles, and is about half the size of the former
lake. South and west between these and the river
several smaller lakes in which great quantities
of game fish are to be found.
During the dreary November days the wild ducks
and geese frequent these places in countless num-
bers, but the plowshare will invade their par
adise, from which the waters shall have been
drained and the bald eagle, that wild centurion of
the skies, will leave his nest among the cypress
bows and cleave the air of western plains in search
OF some sunlit peak uEscaed by man.
About one hundred years ago a lone hunter stood
upon the eastern shore of Phelps Lake looking out
upon its ripping waters shimmering in the sun
shine OF a spring noon. Across and beyond
stretched trackless Wilderness swinging gar
den of verdure whose history was perhaps older
than Nineyeh, Babylon or Thebes. Perhaps he
had read history. If SO, his mind may have been
busy with the past. For here on these shores the
Mound Builder, low in statue and with shaggy
head lived and loved and died. Later the passion
ate Southern INDIAN free and full of nature, wooed
the maiden of his choice and built his wigwam
facing the dreamy silence Of moon misted mere.
Centuries after came the white man, loving land,
woman and home, marching his westward way, and
through his indomitabe will changed the course of
empire. Here he built his cabin of logs, hewn from
the forest oak and pine, beneath whose sheltering
roof were born makers Of history. Strong boys
and healthy girls looking upon panorama of
nature unsubdued, but under its influence and in
spiration shaping for themselves characters that
made them great men and women.
AS all things improve under the Anglo Celtic
touch so will this golconda of soil become treas
ure to the farming interests of Bossier
The prices these lands have gone from 50
cents to $40 and $50 per during the past five
years and Immediately after they are drained an
offer averaging $50 per acre would not be enter
tanned.
Near the Southern end of Phelps Lake one Of
the finest springs in the South empties its clear
waters into the lake. By chemical analysis this
water is found to be more than 50 per cent pure,
and its outflow is sufficient to supply city of
10000 souls.
In the valleys of the four rivers of Eden, when
the. first light of that misty dawn which over
shadows the origin of the human was break
ing, mans thoughts were turned toward the pur-
suits Of agriculture. The splendid possibilities of
the soil demanded it. And as its natural resources
spoil of any king who could rule it by sheer force
of arms.
This lake country of which | have written de-
mands investigation of its virtues, and in this day
of enlightenment we need never fear that its riches
will make it a prey of unjust rule.
PAUL ALLEN.