New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1910-12-10
NEARLY NINETY SKILLED
FARMERS COME TO IN.
VEST IN TEOHE LANDS.

The largest number Of prospec-
live eolonstS, representing APP
proxinatcly 81 100000 of the
wealth Of the farming districts
of Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska. ar
rived here this week. They We're
cighty-scvcn farmers and their
wives in the party They spent
the day seeing New Orleans. its
harbor and adjacent suburban ter
ritory. and left at II O'Clock on
a special train. The party will
be shown the magnificent Abeline
plantation property III st. Mary
Parish. a new word for agricul-
tural conquest.
Tho "'homescekcrs' were
brought to New Orleans on a spc-
cial train by Mr.. G. II. Payne,
president of the Payne Investment
Com 1anN. of Chicago. who has
colonized hundreds of farmers in
six states Of the Union. The prop
erty which will be offered is one
of the most productive. according
TO agricultural reports. IN the
state. 1t comprises 6.0OO acres
under cultivation. and will be sold
in small tracts to only those far
mers who will come South and
develop the land. The scheme is
to cut the tract up INTO seventy
five small farms. which VIII be
sold on terms which will enable
the farmer to pay for his land
out of the profits of his crops.
| \ number of Louisiana farmers
and planters are interested in the
project because it is II sort of pio-
nccr movement of Mort hprn and
middle west farmers to the South.
Those who were in the party that
saw the city from large toui ing
ears yesterday appeared clated
over the conditions here. and a
large percentage have declared
THAT they will settle in this section
if the land proves to be all that
has been claimed of it.
The party was entertained at a
dinner at Old Hickory last night
The visitors chcered whenever New
Orleans was mentioned as a log
ica point for holding the Pana-
ma Exposition IN 1919. There
, were number of enthusiastic
speeches made during the evening.
/ Mr.. O. w. Crawford, who IS also
deeply interested in the colonial
ton of Louisiana lands. spoke of
the conditions as they exist in
southern Louisiana. The niseman
brothers. of the firm of Willard
4 Eiseman. who are also interest
ed in the development of Louisi-
ana lands by the Northern and
Western farmer. spoke of the crop
conditions. u. NJ. Thompson, pub
Usher. welcomer the visitors.
These people are all farmers.
declared Mr.. Payne last night.
"They come here for the purpose
of buying hand and settling on it.
We don I sell to spectators. Our
proposition is to sell them small
farms. The purchaser is required
to plant oue-third of his acreage
in cane and pay for his land from
the profits. The proposition we
are now offering is the best that
we have ever put up. We have
found that sugar cane. properly
cultivated. IS the most profitable
crop in Louisiana. BY selling land
to these peop,e we bring here
honest, intelligent and hard-work-
ing men. who will get the best
there is to be had out of the land, =
The arrival of the party last
n chit marked the second invasion
of farmers under the guidance of
the Payne concern in two years.
The last batch of farmers who
came here invested approximately
$20.000 in lands, and are doing
wonders in different sections OF
the state. The company has es-
tablished six colonies within the
past six years, but previous ven
lures are not to be compared with
the Importance of the present
The special train. which is made |
up of two sleepers. a dining and
a reclining car. will, reach Jeane- |
rette early this morning. The |
land which will be shown to the
prospective settlers is IN the beau
Iiful Teche Country. between
Franklin and Jeanerette. The
train will return to New Orleans.
Friday evening at six O'Clock and
will leave at Z 80 and arrive in
Chicago Saturday night.