The herald., 1913-05-01
THE LABOR RECORD

IL III IL ASADOlt AtHSOAt
ony and founded the city of New Or
leans.
The City Park was originally a plan
tation, owned by Louis Allard, man Of
letters and poet, whose property ex
tended from Bayou st. John to Or
leans Canal and from Metairie Road
to the old toll gate. The plantation
contained a grove of live oaks, the
finest in the country, and most of the
trees are still fourishing. What is
known as the Lower City Park was
sold by Allard to John McDonogh, the
millionaire miser (whose true and
grandiose character was only known
after his DEATH, who beQueathed the
property to the cities of New Orleans
and Baltimore; and subsequently the
city of New Orleans acquired it in full
Ownership at the partition sale and
devoted it to park purposes.
But let us return to Allard. Mis-
fortune overlook him and he became
poor, and at the time of that acquisi-
ton by the city of New Orleans he
begged permission to continue resid-
ing on the place, and his request be-
| ing granted, he spent his declining
days under one of his favorite oaks,
composing poems, dreaming of the
golden past, reading and slumbering;
and in compliance with his dying wish
he was buried on the very spot which
he had frequented in his old age.
Allards remains were removed to
Greenwood Cemetery and in 1861 were
shipped to France, to be laid to rest
with his ancestors.
Story Of the Place As a Public Park,
1s5e-1sos.
In 1859, after having acquired the
property, and having set it aside for
park purposes, the city authorities
built fence along Metairie Road,
placed a few benches around some of
the trees and erected a cottage for
the keeper. These improvements
were suffered to go into decay and to
disappear, and the park became over
grown with. weeds and tall grass. The
fence rotted and broke down and was
carted away for firewood. Cattle were
pastured in the park, and it was finally
abandoned. At night it was the rem
devious of people of unsavory charac-
ter, and respectable people avoided
the place, even in the daytime Many
fist fights occurred there, and such
was the desolateness and the gloom
OF the park that frequent suicides took
place. The favorite site for such ira
gedles was big oak tree, with very
low, overhanging branches. 1t is even
now still known as suicides oak"
Neglected, full of weeds and cut deep
with DOGGY holes by the hoofs of roam
ing cattle and horses, the park was,
indeed, a sorry sight. In July, 1881,
an attempt was made to rescue the
property. The City Council named a
board of commissioners. This com.
mission accomplished nothing, and be-
fore the end of the year had disband.
ed.
The late Major L. Andre Burthe
rented the park for a pasture and
made some improvements by putting
up fences and establishing drains, but
did not remain long at it.
In 1891 a number of gentlemen re-
siding or owning property near the |
park met in Coliseum Hall, on Bien. |
vile street, near Exchange alley. to |
an association of citizens to |
take charge Of the park and improve
it. Judge A. L. Tissot presided, and
the plan was successful The City |
Council. on motion of Councilman |
Charles F. Claiborne, appropriated ST..
300 in the budget of 1892 in favor of
the association.
BY Act No. "a of the extra session
OF the State Legislature, that parcel
Of land situated on the Metairie Road.
In the city of New Orleans, and laid
out by the city as a public park. and
all such lands as may be acquired for
that purpose, by virtue OF this act.
shall hereafter be known and entitled
as THE New Orleans Park"
The act provided for the appoint
ment OF a board of five commission.
ers, with power to put to work on said
park all male persons committed to
he workhouse or to the parish prison
by the recorders and by the district
courts, and to establish and maintain
bridge across the New Canal be-
.ween Metairie Road and the lake,
provided vessels may be permitted to
BASS.
In 1877 the legislature passed Act
No. 81 at the extra session, which
lbolished the board of commissioners.
epealed all laws imposing a special
AK for the New Orleans Park and con.
erred upon the city of New Orleans
III the powers and duties heretofore