The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1915-11-13

for 1873 years-Wlth its white pillars,
guarded by its phalanx of great oaks,
overlooss broad expanse of the big
estate. standing in prominence upon
the property like Mount Vernon over
looking the Potomac river
In one Of the rooms light burned
late one night. A young man sat
porting over some papers spread out
upon a desk. There was worried
look upon his tired features. A few
figures here and there-totals Of sew
eral columns of numerals-told a
story. The hand that held the pencil
mechanically rounded off a dollar
mark now and then. The man ut
tered sigh and slowly shook his
head, indicating a negative spirit
which could easily have been inter-
preted as: ut is all wrong" He re-
tired, in a frame of mind which was
far from satisfactory.
Ere the sun rose for another day
this man had had a dream. He OPP
ened his eyes with suddenness that
made him start. It was daylight.
Then there dawned upon his face a
smile that reflected the vision of his
dream. He hurriedly dressed, looked
at his watch; and as he passed to-
ward the breakfast room he glanced
furtively at wall calendar.
This man was Evan Mccall, the
s:boss" of Evan Hall farm, five miles
west of Donaldsonville. What he
dreamed that night, little longer
than two years ago, meant the end
of 1873 years of sugar on the Evan
Hall plantation, and marked the ger
mination of one of the little seeds of
Investigation that seemed to have
been scattered broadcast over the en-
tire state of Louisiana.
Evan Mccall, sometimes spoken of
as "the man who dared" was sud-
denly inspired by new and bigger
ideals. That night before his dream
the figures he nervously juggled
were on the "red" side of the Evan
Hall plantation ledger. They told
him the big farm must be delivered
from sugar.
What Evan McCall's tired and
sleepy brain saw in has dream that
night two years age was similar TO
circus parade, though he did not
see elephants, tigers, lions and clowns.
But he saw a long line of fat, sleek
pigs; a broad column of registered
cows and calves; j. brace Of thorough
bred horses and a panorama view OF
well-tended acres of corn, alfalfa, and
many kinds of feed crops, with q
variety of vegetables and truck.
Just about this time Louisiana fac
ed new economic condition. Sugar
p1odius .aan was no longer profitable.
Many plantations, largo and small,
were being literally eaten up by IN
terest on capital borrowed from year
to wear. Diversifieation talk came to
the people in form of goblin, also
ia "chance cure for their evils. This
meant the end oil the one-crop sys-
Item, such as cane, cotton and rice.
Climate, character OF the soil and
other natural conditions Were in ia
yor of the idea and form of dIverslfl-
cation, though to many planters u
seemed as if they were about to blow
bubbles and watch their destructlon.
Evan Mccall was one OF the flfst
| of the larger planters OF the state
to hear and answer the call OF diver,
sifcation. This was what he dreamed
about. He lost no time in putting m
| to action the fancies of his thoughts,
at first mere visions, but now recog-
nized for their solidity and not being
composed of the usual stuff that
forms air castles The Evan Hall
man has capitalized his future and has
applied in an efficient manner some OF
the methods of common sense. Today
this hitherto domain Of sugar fur
nishes many illuminating instances
and piyes evidence that it has reached
the, stage Of independence-not only
more than self-sustaining but 1t is
aiding in an important measure IN
snreading the gospel of diversified
tion into all parts of the state.
Though the McCalls We're not IN
any great wise handicapped tor tne
want of funds and did not nave 20
brave primitive conditions OF hVlng
in listing themselves and their prop
ertv with the wave of new condl-
tion. it has taken no little courage TO
turn in their tracks and face almost
new program of activity, particu-
1arlv in view of the attitude OF the
m a iority Of native Louisianians, VINO,
bammed by tradition and made soft
hv the ease of hitherto great money
cyons." found that they must cast on
nraiudices of the past and stand forth
c Fl IN an. armor of efficiency If they
/ world win against the exactlons OF
changed order OF living, I, 6,
Evan Mccall, endowed by the rlch-
,aes If youth and enthusiasm, IN
n c.s,.n fancy into the future pro-
opa M If Evan Hall farm. When ne
made up his mind to breed live stock
and carry on general farming ano
truck-growing he made plans 10 ralse
and cultivate only the best, ana, II
possible. to be a leader, lnasmuch as
he would be a pioneer. He began 70
nlan and operate upon a substan1ial
and scientific basis. Today the Evan
Hal Hall farm has a system of barns, pens
and other buildings that stand as 2
testimonial of excellence, represent
mo an expenditure of approximatei;y
$50 600. Flimsy housing of live stoct
and crude and irregular methods OF
4 feeding and shipping didn't appeal g
/ Mr.. Mccall any more than razor
hacks. sway-backs, dunghills ana nuo
hins He wanted to nurse the bes
j blood it was possible to procure, ant
he wanted to carry on MS 1arnll ,,a
| and breeding under the most favora
/ bic and improved methods that none!
land experience could offer. .
Among the many improvements o.
the Mccall farm are well-construc.te'
feeding and narrowing barns for pigs
breeding crates, cement sWimmln'
nools, dipping watts for both hogs an
cattle. graveled walks, devices IN tn
interest of sanitation and many mile
Iof substantial fences, immaeuiatel
whiteWashed.