Sunday, January 11, 2015

JANUARY 2ND M C

From the Lafayette Advertiser of January 2nd, 1869:

 WINTER'S CHILL.




 Cold blew the wind and black was the wintry sky when Christmas, once more came upon us with all its gayeties and related amusements. The old hugged the youth and talked cheerfully of days gone by, the young merrily (unreadable word) it over the (unreadable word) side walks whilst the merry (unreadable words) pester of pa's and ma's pockets, (unreadable word) over the town, and mingled (unreadable word) merry laughter to the music of a thousand fire crackers. Such was the scene on the eve of Christmas ; but bright was the scene, when, on the morn of Friday old Sol rose cloudless and brightened into reality all the fondest expectations of the previous day, Santa Claus had visited and replenished the urchins' stockings to their grand delight and mysterious astonishment ; one fond parental kiss the friendly grasp of the hand, with the usual congratulations, and heartfelt wishes, bounteous repast, where Bacchus was not least and the was o'er - night had shrouded the earth when rockets and other pyrotechnics vied in brilliancy, with the dazzling splendor of the azure vault and all went to rest, with the cry of Merry Christmas spontaneous from the lips and hearts of all, still ringing through our village streets; Merry Christmas such is our wish to you kind readers.
Lafayette Advertiser 1/2/1869.  




To Our Readers.

 Kind readers and subscribers, the year has drawn to a close, and as one disappears from the Calendar of time, another is ushered in - It is useless to dwell upon the miseries, vexations and tribulations of the past, but on the contrary, draw strength and fortitude from our own past sufferings and trusting in the boundless power an  d wisdom of Him who ruleth all things aright, hope to see brighter days in the present year, may those who have the political power in their hands know their error towards a noble and and down trodden people, may their eyes become opened to the iniquity of their rule, may their minds become impressed with the patent truth that southern men, nay, constitutional men, are true and loyal to the constitution and to the interests of the country at large, may they finally be convinced that we ask no favors, but simply demand the enjoyment of our just and unalienable rights, and that generosity which a civilized victor is in honor bound to extend his conquered foes.  Kind readers and subscribers - we wish you a happy new year - may joy ever gladden our hearts, many plenty smile upon your labors - may happiness dwell beneath your roof and with yours, and should death lower his hand on the family circle, may the twilight of life, be to the stricken, but the dawn of eternal bliss. Lafayette Advertiser 1/2/1869.   


To the Editor: - Mr. Editor. - For some time past I have been considering our present system of free labor, and really must confess that I do not see how we can continue in the present course of loose discipline, and liberal partition of our lands and crops without reaching the ruin, and finally abandonment of our lands and interests to the mercy of the lawless and ignorant laborers.  Our present system of labor is most unsettled and fraught with countless impositions to the owner of real estate.

 I would suggest through your columns that a meeting of the land owners of the Parish be held at the Court House of Vermilionville, on the 15th, inst., for the purpose of organizing a uniform system of labor in and for our Parish. I would invite our sister and neighboring parishes to join us in this move.                  Lafayette Advertiser 1/2/1869
                                    A SUBSCRIBER.




MOST INFLUENCE - "Tain't de white, nor yet de black folks what hab de most influence in dis' worl', but de yellow boys," said old Aunt Chloe, as she jingled a few gold coins that had come down from a former generation.   
Lafayette Advertiser 1/2/1869.    




1869 - Railroad Talk. - We were favored with the visit of Gen. T. L. Price, of St. Louis, Mo., during the last week. The object of Gen. Price's visit is to examine the section of country traversed by the proposed line of the N. O. O. & G. W. Railroad. He, together with other capitalists of the West, fully appreciating the importance of and the immense advantage  is to be derived from the completion of the above road, have determined to undertake the task. He and his associates are men who have immense funds at their command, ad who in the sincerity of their purposes afford the greatest guarantees of success to our people, in the above enterprise. They have  (unreadable words) a conditional contract with the Board of the (unreadable word) to be made final at their option on the 24th. of March next - to make the contract final on the 24th. of March next or any previous day, a spirit of liberality, and a spirit of public interest in the great enterprise, would be most essential, and when our planters consider the immense advantages to be derived from the completion of the road no one, can for a moment hesitate to make all the sacrifices within his means to secure the achievement of so great a work ; if it is necessary let those who have shares abandon them, and if this is not sufficient, scrape up their loose dimes and subscribe again - the building of this road is a matter of life and death to our interests in this section of the country. Let us not lose the present opportunity of securing this road, it presents itself fairly and squarely; be not frightened at temporary sacrifices; come up, and make them boldly, and you will in days to come, reap rich harvests of wealth and prosperity for yourselves and yours after you ; our fair prairies will bloom in plenty, our towns will prosper and increase, and of them all, our little town, destined to become the junction of a Texas and Red River valley line of Rail Road, would soon assure the proportions and importance of a large city. We then feel it our duty to call upon our fellow citizens, to weigh well the importance of this road to the interests of all, and after having done so, say whether they will now turn their back on the favorable opportunity, which fortune now presents to them. Lafayette Advertiser 1/2/1869.




Mouton Appointed Agent. - Col. Wm. Mouton of our town has been appointed agent of the Mound City Mutual Life Insurance Company for the Parishes of Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin and St. Mary. We wish him success in his agency. The importance of life insurance to Southern people in their present reduced pecuniary condition, will be lengthily discoursed in our next number. Col. Mouton's office in Vermilionville. Give him a call and you will be satisfied. Lafayette Advertiser 1/2/1869.





Director's Meeting.

At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Opelousas railroad, it was decided to accept the propositions of Messrs. Price, Chouteaux & Co., for building the road.

 Precisely what those propositions are, we are not informed ; and in moreover, to "build the road," many mean much less than the people of this city have a right to expect. What New Orleans desires and needs is that the Opelousas road be extended to the Sabine river, there to connect with the Texas roads, thus opening up railway communication with the immense and fertile regions beyond the Sabine. To "build the road" may mean simply to extend it to Opelousas, which would be of some benefit, it is true ; but which would be by no means what is needed. It is stated that Messrs. Price, Chouteau & Co. will not undertake to build the road unless the State and city and bondholders, display the same liberal spirit as that exhibited by the company. The city and State could not do better than to give up their nominal interest in this company, provided a guarantee be given that the road will be extended to the Sabine ; but they would be very silly not to use their interest for the purpose of assuring this result. It is to be hoped that some arrangement will be affected by which the road will be "built ;" but by "building the road," we understand extending it to Texas, and not simply to the town of Opelousas. Of course the city and the State will not sacrifice their interest in the company unless under this assurance. -


 From the N. O. Crescent and in the Lafayette Advertiser 1/2/1869.





THE NEW YEAR.

 We are not at the beginning of a new year, and unless we have done so already, we should individually and as a community look back over the past year and take stock of what we have accomplished with the purpose of doing better the coming year.

 As a community there is much that can be accomplished before 1913 if we have the organization and purpose, but unless we have, then very little will be done, for "what is everybody's business is nobody's business" and individual efforts even if made, can effect but little.

 Lafayette to-day is a good town, but our growing capacity is limited if we are to sit still and depend upon its present support. If fact it is not only limited but there is a decided probability that it will come to a standstill if it does not do worse and retrograde.

 The town has large possibilities of growth, however, if an active citizenship takes charge and begins the establishment of small industries to manufacture raw materials we raise or can raise ourselves. We say small industries for several reasons. To be a success the factory must be able to secure the raw material as near home as possible and then after the product is manufactured, it must be sold at once. In other words, a sure supply of material and a ready market are two essentials. Then, too, small industries require only a small capital to start, which puts it in the power of the community to raise the money themselves. Besides several small factories making up home raised material are greatly more valuable as a country and town builder than one big factory. This is because it helps diversification, giving the farmers a home market for several products which can be raised to advantage, furnishes employment and keeps the money at home in circulation which is the main essential of good business.

 Lafayette is a fine location for small factories and is well situated as a distributing point, which will allow the factories to expand as fast as a market is obtained. What is needed is a business organization to take hold with determination, and now as 1912 opens is the time to begin that 1913 may see a greater Lafayette.

 Happy New Year and many of them.
Lafayette Advertiser 1/2/1912.



1906-1907.
 The year 1906 with its growth and achievements has closed. We are now just entering a new year, 1907, and it should have several items to the credit of Lafayette, among them, a parish fair, good roads and either an electric or gasoline motor railroad system connecting the town with various sections of the parish.

 All of these things will cost money, in fact a great deal of it. Nevertheless, that does not signify that they are either difficult or impossible. With the right man in charge, backed by the united efforts of the citizens of this town, all three objects can be accomplished. And all three will prove paying investments.

 It is simply a question of deciding we want these things, then get together, get the right man in the lead, and push.

 We did exceedingly well in 1906. We have a right to gratified over securing the Baton Rouge branch and voting the hundred thousand dollar tax to build to modern school houses and extend the water and light service - they are notable achievements. The fact, however, that we did these things by our united efforts, should encourage us to stay united and strive for other things; for in addition to the three items already mentioned, we need good water, sewerage, concrete walks all over town streets paved, and  more besides.

 We put the parish fair, good roads and motor railroad system first, because having these will assist in getting others, for they will increase the business of the town and make it better able to pay for the other improvements.

 These matters should be taken up at once by the business men of Lafayette with a "go-in-to-win" spirit and when 1907 has run its course, there is no doubt but that tow of the objects will have been attained and the third, the electric or motor car railroad system will be under way. 
Lafayette Advertiser 1907.


STREET FAIR.

 The street fair for the benefit of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and the Ladies Auxiliary to B. of R. T. opened Monday night. The attractions are furnished by the United States Carnival Company which was here last year and all are interesting and entertaining. Admission to the grounds is free. Lafayette Advertiser 1/2/1907. 







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