The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1915-10-21

J
time in quite a number of years. In
our youth we lived there for time,
and the unique attractions of the quaint
old place, are fondly remembered by
US. A first impression is always the
strongest, we always think Of Natchl-
toches as we first knew it, place of
narrow crooked streets, with mixed
population, and where the French lam
guage predominated. 1t was place
of great wealth before the civil war,
and the fine old homes were distinctly
of the seventeenth century model, at
tractive, if they were peculiar. When
we knew it so we'll and loved it so
fondly the old French aristocrats pre-
dominated and pride and chivalry ruled
supreme Now we find an up to date
American town, with much OF the
hustle and hustle of progressive Ameri-
canism. They have electric lights.
sewerage, water works and it is one OF
the best towns of its size found in the
state, having several blocks of the
splendid brick pavement, and with
several miles of other kinds of pave
ment, that gives it an attractive aspect,
N comparison with the muddy lanes
called streets, open drainage and other
things, that made such a contrast with
with the splendid old buildings, that
put it in a class by itself in the long
ago. The place has surely moved fol-
ward at rapid pace, but the streets
are still used as pasture for cows ana
horses, which seemed natural, although
the vast flock of goats were not seen
that used to make their habitat any
where and every where about the en-
vironmonts. Many of the old French
homes have been replaced by modern
structures, which seem out of place, t."
one who remembers and thinks of the
old town as it ulster" was. We only
remained for one day, but it was
busy time, and we are indebted to
many of our old friends for their
courtesies and kind consideration, and
especially to our young friend M. E.
Katie and his brother, who gave US an
auto trip over the city, and out to
Grand Ecore, over one of the best
gravel roads in Louisiana. Many
historic spots have been changed to
such a degree, that to an old habitant
it looks uncanny. The old corner or
st. Denis and Front streets, the heart
of Natchitoches, which was the heart
of Latin America at one time has been
transmogrified for the grand old
structure, the first story of adobe and
the second story of cypress timber that
witnessed the re 5elries of St. Denis,
and the Spanish grandees, has made
way for splendid structure used by
the Exchange bank, and we cannot
help but recall the exquisite GRAFTON,
said " have been made by Dayy
esroeE saat corner Esssas, .le zzss
lying 10 eniFSe-1 xOx~S E07g0 70 C1G as I
sistance Of Texas. 1t was there that
he found Thimble- Rig, the Bee Hunter !
and others. who joined him on his i'll |
fated expedition, that resulted in his |
heroic death in the massacre in the |
Alamo at San Antonio. Then the |
scenes of reconstruction, when Natchi-
toches was the storm center, when the |
people of Louisiana were struggling to |
free the state from the grasp of the !
carpet baggers and scalawags, was
wildly recalled by many scenes enact
ed there. But enough of the past,
Natchitoches now, is the center of a
distinct feature of Louisiana civiliza
ton. that of educational progress, for
it is the home of the State Normal |
School. the pivot around which all our
public educational system revolyes, and
to go to Natchitoches, and not visit the
Normal, would be like trying to read !
row of ciphers with the rim rubbed out.
We of course went there, and although
It was the day of rest, and most of the
faculty was absent, we were cordially
received, and every courtesy extended,
and in company with our daughter, a
student of the normal, we wandered
over the magnificent grounds, admired
the splendid buildings almost as much
rs we do the splendid work of tina.
noble school, that is stamping its i'm
press upon the future generations Of
louisiana, and we truly hope that its
usefulness may be extended, for
nothing but good can come out of it.
Again the scene brought about many
"reminiscences, for the normal school
s also located on historic ground, fer
here great convent was located, in
he halcyon days of the Old South,
where many of the most splendid wives
nd mothers OF the world, whose
'eauty and accomplishments dazzled /
we're educated. If their training {
vas the superfuous, as compared
With the stern practical work of the
resent state normal school, it was '
erhaps suited to the conditions then 4
xisting, and its graduates made a
asting impression upon the character
the people of the state Of the old
onvent building only the massive
olumns that stood in front of the
lain structure remain, and they
hould be preserved for ever, as a
lomento Of the past, when Louisiana :
'as rich, proud and prosperous, when {
be honor of men and the purity Of
1omen was the guiding star of our
utilization. :
There are now approximately one t