The Natchitoches enterprise., 1914-05-21

Natchitoches, Louisiana the sub
iect of this sketch, is the Oldest
town in the State of Louisiana and
the Louisiana Purchase Territory.
Its history runs back to the days
of the earliest explorers, and the
date of the first white settlers is
lost in the mists of the years.
AS far as traceable at this date
and time, the first permanent set
tiers located here about 1913, when
some of the followers Of LaSaate,
who were attracted by the coun:
try and the friendliness of the
tribe of civilized Indians the Max
atosh-determined to renal II
among them. The founding OF
4he settlement permanently was
or is accepted to be when M. dc
St. Denis came sln May, 100.
Under IberSille, if not prior to
his commandership of the Louis
lana province. a post or garrison
was established here, called Fort
st. John Baptist. the site of which
is not definite; but later, about
1922, the fort was changed to what
is now known as the "old Ameri-
can Cemetery" and is plainly evil
dent to this day.
From that early time Natchito-
ches has been a point of impor-
lance and interest. In the early
days it was the trading point for
all that vast section west as far as
the City of Mexico, to which city
st. Denis made two trips, the first
in 1913, to establish commercial
relations, or trading" arrange
ments. When the territory came
under the domination OF the United
States, by purchase from Napoleon
by Jefferson this became an i'm
portant strategic point and was
made the garrison of strong forces
of the American Army. In 1916
United States army left here for
Mexico for the war which was
just beginning. In that army was
Lieutenant Colonel Grant. While
here, which was for several years,
Lieutenant Grant was a popular
favorlte and there are many recol-
lections of him in the traditions of
the town.
Those were the days before rail-
roads, telegrapnS, TeIUpIOn6s Hnu-
even steamboats,, and communica-
ton was by fatboats and overland,
and many are the thrilling stories
told of travel and adventure.
With the changes which come
with modern inventions, the adj
vent of the railroad and the like,
conditions changed. the old gave
way to the new, and the spirit of
the progressive age predominated,
yet the old conservative methods
held the balance wheel. and riot
did not run away with reason and
boom and bust did not become the
order. Stability in business. high
ideals in social life prevailed and
still prevail.
When the State was looking for
a site for the location of it's most
important educational institution
the State Normal School, Natchi-
toches was chosen because of the
culture, refinement and high ideals
of its people, and because the re-
cords Of its people. showed Match
itoches the healthiest town in the
State, which distinction it still
enjoys.
Natchitoches is geographically
situated rs miles south of Shreve-
port and l46 miles. north of New
Orleans. on a branch of the Texas
and Pacific railroad, in the center
of the richest agricultural section,
not only In the State. but in the
The valley of the cane and
Red rivers are recognized as only
equalled by that of the Nile. The
of the same name is the
largest in the State, and is
composed of the best uplands and
bottoms.
Agriculture is the principal in
Every crop known to
America can be successfully
pro6tably grown within its
'orders. The staple crops are cot