New Iberia enterprise and independent observer., 1912-04-13

Grim strminaton possessed by an irresistible force Of optimism
saturated with the impulse OF irreprssole
sneerng tradition and CUSTOM ne was Ny M I h nnIc
feet and efficient type the promoter Of railroads ana o
trnrs involving in the succ ess ingenuity and character
amounting almost genius, thatever DISTURBED w to
thu life and character Of our people only kled with the
live wire vim and energy the dormant resources u 9
he forced upon them realization Of the potential possot
development of our latent, untouched wealth. "
How we'll and accurate his popheses measured the known
results reflected by the qualities and character Oh m
He may be called the pioneer this field of transformation
Like the alchemst transmitted the dros OF the inertia
man and land living gold Of action and produclVtv
Respeer of and false idos IN most
emphatic fetch and ta.sman he Went at ms ~
with the mind of the master and the hand OF tne
Work his God ~,
Service to man, his prayer 49, e
human beng Tor the destlh! ol hs u'oe
for the eternal journey of his immortal soul
Service to man is the song OF the arehange uoVs o n'
the sacred psalm of humanity's religion. =.
hymn of the world is the preservation OF the hgnt
music is the unseIs haerblow the anvil of fes progress
The poets siren voice. the sages aurns pain
not more inspiring than humble dew of morning moisture
and the opening hyes of the swelling seed
Some Of the departed friend discloses these germs
moving great SOUL greater patriot and the greatest citizen
Spurning all claims to sanness to immunity from sns to
exemption from the weaknesses evils of human nature his
public service bears angels the unselfshness of the phil
anthropist the fire and fervor OF the patriot
lly his life blood on Of city development
complete Will his his bene-
fcares the people, worship his dlty-the triumph OF MS n
vdua energy of human endeaver?
FM Welch here thirty With the instinct OF
the seer and the unerng touch philosopher he foraw the
possibilities this country for the future especially
sumberng fertility these unscachd waste lands overun
by scrub cattle and degenerated horsesock
The prototype of all professional coonizers, he the hst
Introduce with method and intelligence colony OF
Western settlers Iberia Parish in the Of Rosedae
The unsettled condition of the most political problems
the State the nsoved of the most acute phases OF
those questions contributed good deal to the failure OF that
blood enterprises capital with arms
Everything bore the weight of suspicion and and
failure natural in such vronment Seeing his labor mis-
understood mrepesen and ahead of the tme he
his activities Alexandria which, when touched by the elixir
of his monumental husng and endurance INTO
of the important Iopulous inland towns OF Lou
siana The record of his activities and successful
large the brightest and most attractive
Of Alexandra rapid growth of population and wealth
Numerous railroad and bridges spanning the Red Rv
induced by Wec that territory and poserity will
acknowledge the credit due to his civic pride and genius
His City marked not by the bitterness Of the
of proga child bat the heroic efforts
against and bitter times of sleepess nights dsap
onent Of days and ngraude of friends which the building
New Iberia of the railroads will always be associated
with.
Fighting panic at tme scourge of caamy-howler at
another te ne and the trophy to Iberia
public. ~
Having for for music eye for the
beauties of art and harmony he scientific architect and
Of the value Of public utilities which respond to the long
felt needs and interest Of the people.
e opportunities for character and skill and
worlds the commercial explorer and the aresans
He both genius and a hero
His asset courage and persistence.
His coin the faith in his projects
No crusade imbued with faith in the redemption Of
the than the conquest of transportation
He changed the geography Of New iberia the aspirations
the community by his introduction Of tastes for the subees of
cOsmOpOansm He successful and practical
of aeew road builder umined path to hidden treasures of
mind and material He made the country open its house
and yield its stock
The hand of magician and the arvoyance
could not frame the and de novelties
ing than Welch Of railroad
tures
The defeat of the skeptc the doubling Thomas of
schemng and nancer and the Malicious
progressive type Of nature accomplished The strategy Of Com
mere and industry furnished by arteries of freight
and connection unexpoted
Ito the recent step of a life.
NJ Welch may rank th statesmen, with national fig
with authorities life sciences he has invented
methods discovered ghts that affect the higher
phases deeper aspects life he has
with the ads and s of the modern social problems; but
from municipal must be- beyond cav
troversy accorded the field of public service
ed upon everything attention and the army
of New Iberia's citizens
An acknowledgement of accredited victories will perpet
ualy nvege laon other brave and
acters the mould of public benefacto duplicate
do for the people, those deeds and hand them the changeab
condition of a succeeding, progre ssive generation.
New iberia well afford place Of public appro
baton the humble brow of Wech and supplement the gift
with the dadem Of love and high esteem Of town.
May his sshes rest in peace D. J.
a pain In the
Every with that
Umpeou Stop at with