Train Wreck at Carencro.
Saturday night nine freight cars derailed near Carencro and were thrown into the ditch along the track. The locomotive and a few cars were not injured. The nine cars thrown off the track were totally wrecked, and it is a wonder that no one received injuries. The cause of the accident could not be ascertained by us. Traffic was temporarily stopped on account of the damage done to the track. It was rumored that a pair of gloves and mangled flesh had been found under the wreckage which led to the supposition that some one stealing a ride had been killed, but The Gazette was assured by several gentlemen who were at the scene of the wreck that no such find was made and that there was nothing in the rumor.
Lafayette Gazette 1/29/1898.
A Disappointment. It was announced both in The Advertiser and The Gazette last week that the people of Lafayette would be given a rich treat in the shape of an impersonation of that mythical play, Rip Van Winkle, by Chas. F. Underhill. We regret to say in this issue that Mr. Underhill will not be here on that date. The cause of the failure of Mr. Underhill to be here is briefly this. A letter was received from the Southern Lyceum Bureau of Louisville offering Mr. Underhill at the special price of fifty dollars. This money was raised by fifty men in the town who promised to pay a dollar a-piece towards making up the sum. But it took several days to make up this guarantee. As soon as the guarantee was made up, the Bureau was informed that we had made all the necessary arrangements to have Mr. Underhill here on February 2. Mr. Underhill is slated for Palestine, Texas, February 3. The Bureau made an effort to have Palestine change her date to the 7th, giving us the 3rd, but was unable to do so.
We were too late; that is all. However, the people of Lafayette will miss something good and we all may regret it. The Bureau informs us that for about the same guarantee, we can secure Col. Ham for early April. Col. Ham is one of the best humorous lecturers before the public to-day. Mr. Wm. Clegg had the pleasure of hearing him in Baton Rouge some time ago, and he informs us that he is well worth listening to. If the people of Lafayette get over their disappointment in our failure to get Mr. Underhill, we will make an effort to have Col. Ham here about the first of April.
We wish to express thanks in the people of Lafayette for having taken such an interest in these platform lectures, and for having contributed so well toward making up the guarantee fund. Lafayette Gazette 1/29/1898.
Water Works. - Messrs. Schoeder and Smith, the gentlemen in charge of the erection of the stand pipe for the water works have been working their men seven days a week in order to complete the work as soon as possible. It is now very nearly finished, a height of about 115 feet having been reached already. The same firm has contracts for the erection of a stand pipe at Franklin. We are informed that Lafayette can boast of the highest one in this section of the State. Lafayette Gazette 1/29/1898.
Struck by a Train. - While lying near the track at Scott, George Gray, a young man twenty-two years old, claiming to hail from Boston, was struck by an east-bound train and received severe injuries on the right side of the head. He was put off here Saturday at noon and received medical attention by Dr. A. R. Trahan, and taken to the Charity Hospital that night. His injuries were pronounced severe. The unfortunate man arrived in New Orleans safe and was immediately taken to the hospital. He had to remain in the waiting room at the depot here for several hours, but he received all the comforts that could be given him under the circumstances.
Lafayette Gazette 1/29/1898.
Laf. Gun Club. The gun club is now well organized, and almost daily the members have shooting matches at the Oak Avenue Park. Some of them, not all, are developing into regular "crackerjacks", and Great Scott will simply not be in it. We understand that another club has been organized, and that its members want to make it interesting to those of the old club.
Lafayette Gazette 1/29/1898.
"Getting Gay." - The niggers of the parish are still "getting gay" and cutting afrays are of frequent occurrence. The sheriff and his deputies are kept busy making arrests. Laf. Gazette 1/29/1898.
OUR OWN VETERANS.
The following article is clipped from the Carthaginian of Carthage, Mississippi. The able editor of that paper makes an argument to pension Confederate veterans. It is a beautiful tribute to our noble veterans, that "thin gray line," who are now negelected by those whom they dared do or die. There can be no more auspicious time to agitate their pensioning than now. Though there are far more important questions with which to deal in the coming convention, problems which concern our immediate interests, it would be to the lasting glory and honor of those who to whom this sovereign power is entrusted were they to provide for the ruined Confederate veteran of his widow. All nations take care of their soldiers; the wealthy member of the G. A. R. receives an ample stipend, but those who fought in the defense of the South, some of whom, be it said to our shame, indigent, are left to the care of their more favored comrades. No more precious heritage remains to our younger generation that the memory of the heroes of the South. None ever fought more bravely, or were led more wisely.
The writer knows a man now in the lowest depths of want and misery, unaided and forgotten by the State of Louisiana. That man was a general in the Confederate army, of what rank we do not know. At the age of twenty-five, flushed by and proud of having just won first honors at the Military Academy of this country in a class in which contended men who afterwards rose to the first ranks of fame, that youth answered the call of his State and joined that "thin gray line" in defense of home. When the bars and stripes waved no more, he returned home to find taht which all others found. His frailties let us not expose, for they soon will "alike in trembling hope repose, the bosom of his Father and his God," when he shall have joined that gray host in heaven. Need more be said? We agree with the Carthaginian. It is pitiful.
"When, a third of a century ago, that thin gray line with its tattered banner confronted the well-fed, well-shot, well-equipped and more numerous troops in blue, the people at home understood and appreciated the heroism that was enlisted in the Southern cause. They knew the odds against which they were contedings, the privations that were endured, the spirit of self sacrifice that was displayed - not vauntingly, but modestly, and a mere matter of course. To the people of the South every soldier of the Confedracy was then a here - a hero in dirt and rags; perhaps, but a hero nevertheless; and as such he found a friendly welcome in every home where the fortunes of war had not cast the grim shadow of famine. Defeat could not tarnish the glory they had gained in the fours years' defense of Southern soil, and when those who were left came home after the last act in the bloody drama, they were met with pride and plaudits from those they held most dear.
"Ah, well! Some writer has written that no man is a hero to own valet and another has said that familiarity breeds contempt. When the Confederate soldiers were afield - when they seasoned privation and suffering with a joke and faced death with a smile - they were out of sight and touch of those whose hearts alone could follow them to the front, and the imagination vested them with a thousand virtues which, though they might have possessed them, had not previously impress the friends with whom they were in daily contact. The return of the veterans sent the enchanted veil which sentiment had thrown about them. They were nothing but men, after all, with all the frailties and faults and shortcomings of everday humanity. They possessed the appetites and weaknesses common to those who had not seen fit to face the horrid front of battle, and some were not even men, but only fractional parts of men. Most of them had harvested the seeds of disease during the four years of exposure to sun and rain, heat and frost, without more shelter than is enjoyed by the beasts of the field. All of these came back poverty-stricken, and a struggle of existence began. A few, who were gifted with a natural faculty for accumulation, throve and prospered from the start. Others, with equal industry, perhaps, but not the bump of acquisitiveness so well developed, and whose natural inaptitude for pushing their own fortunes was fostered and increased by the habits they acquired of looking to the commissary and quartmaster to supply their wants, have been less fortunate in providing against the needs incident to the winter of life, and have led a hand-to-mouth existence during all these years to find themselves at last without a home from which to answer the last roll call. O, it is pitiful!"
Lafayette Gazette 1/29/1898.
Labbe-Broussard.
A very pretty wedding took place at St. John's Catholic church last Wednesday evening. Mr. Leonce Labbe, a well known young man of Pilette was married to Miss Louisa Broussard, a charming young lady of Lafayette. The ceremony was witnessed by a number of friends of the couple from different parts of the parish. The bride, dressed in an elegant costume, walked up the aisle on the arm of her father. After the wedding ceremony, the newly married couple drove home, where they entertained their numerous friends and relatives. They received the hearty congratulations and wishes of those present, and the writer adds his for their future "health, wealth and prosperity," and that the close of a happy "golden wedding day," their lot will be as full of love and happiness as it is now. A. FRIEND.
Lafayette Gazette 1/29/1898.
Ladies' Five O'clock Tea Club.
The meeting of the Ladies' Five O'clock Tea Club at the lovely home of Mrs. B. Clegg, was indeed a most pleasant event. The hostess assisted by her aunt, Mrs. Thos. H. Magill welcomed the guests to the spacious parlors, whose elegance was heightened by reflective rays from a cheery fire. In the absence of the president, the vice-president, Mrs. N. P. Moss, presided, and an interesting program was carried out. Misses Young and L. Mudd lent their musical talent to the delight of the audience. Miss Rushing entertained her hearers with a pleasing literary selection.
A game of "Characteristics" was improving as well as interesting. The first prize, a pin tray of Egyptian design, was awarded Miss F. Chase. The booby, a miniature specimen of the sterner sex, fell to the fell the lot of Mrs. Eugene Trahan.
The "festal board" was a "thing of beauty," with its foundation of polished oak embellished by dainty doilies, cut glass and silver, and this gathering will be a "joy forever" to those who were the fortunate participants. Lafayette Gazette 1/29/1898.
Selected News Notes (Gazette) 4/4/1898.
Mr. D. V. Gardebled informs us that Chas. Bienvenue will be in Lafayette by the first of February to clerk in his drug store. Laf. Gaz. 1/29/1898.
Miss Cora Desbrest is now well enough to take charge of the telephone office. She had been ill for several days. Laf. Gaz. 1/29/1898.
A substantial plank walk is being built around the bank and in front of the W. U. T. Co. and The Gazette offices.
Laf. Gaz. 1/29/1898.
We note the arrival of several strangers interested in the waterworks and electric light plants. Laf. Gaz. 1/29/1898.
Henry Giles, the telephone man, was in Lafayette and will remain with us sometime. Laf. Gaz. 1/29/1898
Chas. Debaillon has resumed work at the express office. Laf. Gaz. 1/29/1898.
The Gazette returns thanks to the A. O. U. W. Lodge for a very handsome invitation to a ball given by them at Falk's hall to-night. Laf. Gaz. 1/29/1898.
William Hane, who has recently bought the Tivoli Saloon near the depot, has received handsome pool and billiard tables. Laf. Gaz. 1/29/1898
Clerk of Court E. G. Voorhies has again added quite an improvement to his office in the shape of blank books in which to record notorial acts and other papers of a public nature. He now furnishes blanks to the several notaries throughout the parish. This method adds greatly to the convenience in looking up the records and much more uniformity in the recording of public documents. Mr. Voorhies will certainly receive the thanks of all those concerned for having established this orderly system in his office. Lafayette Gazette 1/29/1898.
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From the Lafayette Advertiser of January 29th, 1898:
Water Works & Fire Dept.
Lafayette is on the eve of being in full possession of a thoroughly modern and efficient system of waterworks, and, as yet, her citizens have not taken the first step toward utilizing so valuable an agent in combating fire. If we mistake not, it was the urgent need of our people for a means of protection against fire that caused them to take up and pass favorably on the question of waterworks. Now that we are on the point of attaining the object our desire is it not well nay necessary, to consummate arrangements without further delay, to enjoy every possible benefit connected with an up-to-date system of waterworks? Water, and plenty of it, was what avail will all the water in Christendom be if we lack the means of utilizing it? Let us get to work immediately and prepare ourselves to get the fullest benefits from the waterworks plant. As soon as the fire companies are organized and equipped for action the town authorities should have the town of Lafayette re-rated for fire insurance, under the new order of things; another valuable benefit pertaining to waterworks will have many hundred dollars each year to the property holders of the town. We cannot get the lower rate of insurance, however, until we have the necessary facilities for combating fire. As soon as we can show this will be entitled to and will receive a material reduction in fire insurance rates, and this reduction will apply on old policies now in force as well as on all future policies written for the town, a rebate being made on all insurance already in force, for the unexpired term of the policies. This means a large saving especially to our merchants, making it of particular interest to them to see a good fire department organized and maintained. All classes will be benefited in this matter of fire insurance, directly or otherwise, and it behooves all citizens to enter earnestly into the movement.
The man who carries no insurance on his buildings should feel even more interested than the man who insures, for the former is indeed in great need of fire protection. When his home burns up he loses all, while the man who carries fire insurance has his policy to fall back on. An efficient fire department is needed for the protection of all alike, and it behooves every good citizen to fall promptly into line at the first call that will be made to organize a fire department, and the call must be made without delay. Let somebody speak first, and at once. The Advertiser suggests that the Business Men's Association take up the matter and rush it through. The move cannot be delayed any longer.
Lafayette Advertiser 1/29/1898.
A Town Pride.
We have noticed with pleasure the organization of a "Gun Club."
(Unreadable letters)..low, let the same the same young men with (unreadable letters)...ers apply to the proper authorities to organize a military company.
It is surprising to us that Lafayette has no such organization.
We can't plead that it is a lack of material; as we possess a strong, healthy set of young men such as not any town many towns can boast of. Then what is the reason?
Is it a lack of spiritedness? We can't think it is, but we are rather inclined to suppose that it is unconcerned.
And yet a military company is one of the greatest benefits for the development of young manhood.
In a town where gymnastics are unknown, the military company lands in its stead.
But as we have many reasons to bring this subject before our young men, and foremost we would say that it would be quite an honor to the town to possess such an organization.
It would teach our young men endurance, forbearance, military obeisance, firmness, quickness and a great many other advantages that can be only gotten by military discipline, without discounting the smiles and marks of approbation that our spirited ladies would bestow upon our soldier boys.
Then a more forcible reason comes to our mind. Reviewing the early history of Southwest Louisiana we found that some of our ancestors were soldiers, not only of great renown, but filling important posts in the military hierarchy.
If our memory is not in fault, we have read somewhere that a gentleman named Broussard alias Beau Soleil was captain-general of the province of Acadia under commission of the King of France.
Applying the old french proverb of "Noblesse oblige" such a "company" ought to have been organized here a long time a ago under the name of "Broussard Guards" to perpetuate the memory and the valiant deeds of our ancestors.
Then last but not least, "In peace, we prepare for war." It may be that we shall be spared the horrors of a war and that our "guards" will never receive the "baptism of fire," but who can tell what the future shall bring forth.
A day may come when we might need such an organization, and if we don't, we would enjoy to see our young men "play at soldiery" and hear the measured cadence step on our streets.
Let's have the "Broussard Guards" or the "Lafayette Invincibles" etc., etc.
And we will see that the "Company" shall have a brass band to enliven camp-life with martial music.
Where is a spirited young man that will lead the movement? Our columns are open to him for any suggestions, plans, etc.Lafayette Advertiser 1/29/1898.
Work on Waterworks.
Work on the Waterworks is pushed quite rapidly. The reservoir tower now stands 100 feet high. A few more good days of good clear weather and it will be completed. It can be seen now from almost any part of the town when trees and any other obstructions are not in the way.
Our "reporter" went to see the waterworks, and thinking to shorten his way back he took the street facing the tank, but the first thing he knew he was in the mud ankle deep. Result was that he lost a great deal more time in getting out of the "corporation" than he would have consumed to come back by a circumvented route. The shortest distance, is not to his mind, at least in this town, a straight line. Lafayette Advertiser 1/29/1898.
Hot Liquid. - There was a "fire distribution" at Jno. O. Mouton saloon during the week. A special brand of "Bourbon" was the thirsty topic and a "mash" it was. Laf. Adv. 1/29/1898.
Selected News Notes (Advertiser) 1/29/1898.
Archbishop Chapelle will pass through Lafayette en route to New Orleans on February the 9th. A brilliant reception will be given to him at New Orleans, by the clergy and laity. Our people should turn in mass and greet him here at the depot.
Laf. Adv. 1/29/1898.
Messrs. Jules Jeanmard, C. C. Brown, Dr. J. P. Francez, Maurice Francez, Alcide Bernard and (?) Guidroz; left Wednesday morning for the seashore.
A business directory of Lafayette merchants posted in the R. R. depot, hotels, and other public places of the town would not only be a good innovation but a badly needed want. Laf. Adv. 1/29/1898.
Mr. Leonce Labbe and Miss Louisa Broussard, were united in marriage last Wednesday at St. John Catholic Church. The edifice was quite filled by friends and admirers of the contracting parties who came to witness the ceremony which was performed by Father Baulard.
Good coffee at Dupuis for 10 cts.
Laf. Adv. 1/29/1898.
A large number of friends and acquaintances attended the funeral of Mr. Antoine Domingue which took place at St. John Catholic church last Wednesday. Mr. Domingue was an old resident of this parish living near Scott.
Laf. Adv. 1/29/1898.
M. Dupuis sells flour lower than the lowest.
An elegant and substantial banquet was given at Falk's Opera House on last Tuesday night by the lodge of Knights of Honor No. 3194. Visiting brethren from New Orleans were in attendance. A good many applications for membership were received. The cheapest life insurance to be gotten now, is by membership in the K. of H. Laf. Adv. 1/29/1898.
An Impromptu musicale was held last night at Mrs. M. P. Young's. Music was furnished by a colored string band.
Mr. Omer Patureau has added a third chair in his barber shop and has secured the services of Mr. Harry Long, of Chicago, Ills., who is a first class workman. The shop has been nicely painted and all goes to show that Mr. Patureau has an idea for business, give him a call and you will be sure to return as his work is of the finest. Laf. Adv. 1/29/1898.
B. Falk bought yesterday the property adjoining his store, belonging to Wid. Paul Beraud. He purposes to build thereon a two story brick building.
Laf. Adv. 1/28/1899.
A serious accident happened last Wednesday afternoon to Cleveland Miller, son of Mr. Miller of the Lafayette blacksmith shop. Several boys were engaged in the play of see saw at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Main street, when by some un-looked for occurrence one end of the plank shoveled to one side knocking down the by-standers who fell simultaneously on each other and Cleveland who was the last one, received the heaviest shock and in the efforts to free himself from this living avalanche broke his leg. The painful operation to reset it was done by Dr. F. G. Mouton and the boy at last is resting peacefully. Lafayette Advertiser 1/29/1898.
An Impromptu Bath.
A lack of light.
History tells us that Diogene carried a lighted lantern in the full glare of the noon-day sun, to find his way amongst the intricate streets of the city, which he inhabited. The old man's eye-sight must surely have failed him, or his wisdom and knowledge were not applied as they should have been. Be that as it may, we are now living in an age where man's knowledge and wisdom are generally applied in a more practical way.
We certainly can find our way in the glare of the noon-day sun; but when the shade of the evening surrounds us, and when we are deprived of the sight of the Celestial body that gives us its light by night; we, of this city, are in a pitiable condition.
It is fact that we have many lamp posts, each one bearing a lamp encased in a square lantern but what is the use of such an extravagance if we have only a poor smoky, vacillating, flickering light.
The night we have mentioned was dark, the rain was falling, the pedestrians were slipping, and the progress of a two-legged locomotion reminded one of a turtle's attempt to run. One step forward, two backward.
A citizen tired by his day's toil was trying amidst the above discouragements to reach his home, when all of a sudden a noise which can be designated by the word sp-l-a-s-h, took place, in which he was the only participant and he found himself going down in a watery side ditch.
The next morning in surveying the spot where he had received a special blessing of darkness, he found to his dismay.... a lamp post, with the regulation lamp, which the wind had probably blown out.
This lack of light caused an impromptu bath.
But we rejoice in the fact that hereafter we shall have in that portion of the town electric lights, though we don't see any posts to receive the apparatus but we must be patient.
Should we fail to get them, which might be probable, we might present a petition to our Honorable Council praying to furnish each citizen of the dark portion of the town with a small foot-lantern which can be attached in front of the shoe, which mode of light was a la mode in Jerusalem, from David's time until the year 1858.
We all need light, specially dark nights.
A limb broken, injuries received by such accidents would bring a good and successful law suit upon the hands of our town council.
A word to the wise is insufficient.
Lafayette Advertiser 1/29/1898.
Lafayette's Light Issues.
(Letter to the Editor.)
In your last week's issue I see an article near (unreadable) long headed An Impromptu Bath. A Lack of Light.I have no doubt this was intended by the writer to be to the fair and square question of the 15th. inst. And answer to (unreadable words) it (all we had in order to [unreadable word] to get out of it was a ditch) and proves to the people living in the dark part of the town, as he calls it, (tax payer is not only one who lives in dark portions of this town) that they have no right (a mistake) to ask for portion of the electric light to the erected in their part of the town he goes back into the dark ages and quote History from David's time down to the present century in 1858. He says Diogenes and the Jerusalemites carried lanterns on the feet from David's time until 1858. They most certainly have lived in the dark parts of their towns.
(Tax payer is mixing up - Diogenes carried a lantern in his hand at twelve noon, his head was somewhat light, and as for the Jerusalemites it was an old custom as they knew not gas or electricity)
He seems to be well satisfied with the distribution of the electric lights so far as he is concerned. (Not at all would like to have some lights in the part of the town where we nest) Well, he ought to be for he has taken very good care that he and all of his particular friends will get all the light they want. (Another mistake, we and our friends will be in the dark.) He very wisely advises those living in the dark to be patient and wait. (Patience is a virtue and in waiting one's get get there.) He does not say how manyyears, (Until relief) probably ten or fifteen, then if the council refuses to give them electric lights which he seems to think is quite probable (every thing is probably in this world) we can then present a petition to our Honorable council praying them to furnish each citizen living in the dark portion (portions) of the town with one of those celebrated Jerusalem foot-lights, (which would be quite a novelty in Lafayette) then he surely will be generous enough to grant each one a small alarm bell for the other foot to balance them up. (This might do.) I am confident he will do for I know him to be a real first rate good hearted fellow. (Thanks for the compliment.) Such an outfit is good enough for any one living in the dark. (Wouldn't suit in our dark part of the town.) And he seems to think they are the sure to get in time if they have patience to wait. (No certainty about.) He winds up this article by giving us a very nice little piece of legal advice free. (Have many more just like it.)
If any of us while waiting should happen to fall in a ditch and break our necks or limbs, (which is not to be hoped) we would have a good and successful cause of action against our council for damages, (better that than nothing) we think the damages would not be quite as sure as a good heavy retaining fee would be, (lawyers must live.) We would much prefer having our share of the electric lights.
(So do we.)
All we ask is justice and equal rights. (In which we concur).
Yours,
TAX-PAYER.
Quotations in brackets are ours. - Advertiser Editor.
Lafayette Advertiser 1/29/1898.
Lagniappe:
KILLED BY A METEOR.
Covington, Ind., Jan. 15. - On Tuesday night last; Leonidas Grover, who resided in the vicinity of Newton, Fountain county, met his death in a way that is probably without parallel in this or any other country. Mr. Grover was a widower living on his farm with a married daughter and her husband. On the evening referred to, the married couple had been absent on a visit to some neighbors, and upon returning at a late hour, entered the house, finding everything, to all appearance in usual order, and supposing that Mr. Grover had already retired, went to bed themselves.
Next morning the daughter arose, and having prepared breakfast, went to the adjoining room to call her father, and was horrified to find him lying upon his shattered bed, a mutilated corpse. Her screams brought her husband quickly to the bed room, and an inspection disclosed a ragged opening in the roof, directly over the breast of the unfortunate man which was torn through as if by a cannon shot, and extending downward through the bedding and floor; other holes showed the direction taken by the deadly missile. Subsequent search revealed the fact that the awful calamity was caused by the fall of a meteoric stone, and the stone itself, pyramidal in shape and weighing twenty pounds and a few ounces, avoirdupois, and stained with blood, was unearthed from a depth of nearly five feet, thus showing the fearful impetus with which it struck the dwelling. The position of the corpse, with other surroundings, when found, showed, that the victim was asleep when stricken, and that death to him, was painless.
From the Indianapolis Journal, and in the Lafayette Advertiser 2/1/1879.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of January 29th, 1909:
CANE A GOOD PAYING INVESTMENT.
Interview With Mr. Alfred Hebert, Who Gives Figures to Show Returns From Cane.
Can Be Raised and Hauled Five Miles Profitably.
The Advantage in Supplying Our Local Refinery With Cane to Equal Its Capacity.
The presence of the boll weevil has materially changed farming conditions in this parish, and while the experience of other sections invaded by the pest shows that with proper cultural methods cotton can be raised successfully. Yet the matter is "up to" the farmers here to quit depending on one crop and diversify.
This will not necessarily mean the abandonment of cotton, for in a large part of the parish with the right methods cotton can be raised as a surplus crop with profit, and will no doubt be raised. Meantime, it is necessary to look about for other crops to be planted, and the one nearest at hand is cane. In order to place before our readers the opinion of an experienced farmer, especially along the line of cane culture, an Advertiser reporter called on Mr. Alfred Hebert, who kindly consented to an interview and made the following statement as to the profit in planting cane:
"It depends greatly upon the distance farmers must haul their cane. Near a refinery, a farmer must haul their cane. Near a refinery, a farmer can cultivate cane at $3 per ton and make more money than with cotton at 10 cents a pound with a good yield. There is no reason for a farmer to cultivate cotton even without the weevil when he lives a convenient distance from the refinery. Say a man makes 1,500 pounds of seed cotton per arpent, selling for $30 per thousand, he gets $45; now if he plants cane he will make, say, 15 tons, selling for $3.50 per ton, netting $52.50. This comparison gives the best yield for cotton and the lowest tonnage for cane, proving the latter the more profitable crop. There is not a man who raises 10 bales of cotton who cannot grow 10 arpents of cane, harvest the crop with his own family labor and reap a reward of $500. As an instance of how this can be done, take the case of Jules Patin, who last season sole 5 arpents of cane for $350, showing a profit of $70 per arpent. There is nothing to prevent any farmer living four or five miles from a refinery, from raising at least 5 arpents of cane and harvesting the crop in sixty days without extra cost. I have made the lowest price for cane which last year averaged $3.65 per ton, instead of $3.50.
"The trouble is that our farmers do not thoroughly prepare the ground before planting, for it must be recognized that cane is very exhausting to the soil. Never attempt the crop on poor land, but by fertilizing with barnyard manure, and planting corn, peas, etc., bring the soil up to a proper standard of cultivation, and instead of 15 tons, the yield will often reach 30 tons per arpent. It is always best to have less acreage and cultivate intensively. A good plan to prepare in advance a piece of ground for replanting when the old stubble is destroyed. It is a strange fact that, with one of the largest and finest sugar refineries in the State, Lafayette produces practically no cane for this refinery, nearly two-thirds of the supply coming from other parishes. J. A. Roy contributes about one-third of the cane to the local refinery, but outside of this little, if any, is made.
"Few people stop to consider just what this means, not only to the farmers around, but to every trade and business in the community. Suppose 4,000 acres of cane were planted, yielding 70,000 tons, as is the case at Broussard, and all hauled to the refinery by wagon, we have 70,000 tons, netting $250,000, instead of barely 15,000 tons and $55,000. The difference, nearly $200,000, now goes to other points to build up industry and benefit trade. Is this amount too insignificant for our people to consider? Yet, again, how much cash would actually be put into circulation throughout the year for labor, farm implements, etc.? Why not keep all this money and business at home? There has been some complaint as to the management of the local refinery, but there are really no grounds for these. Of course, there are always some who grumble when the limit is put on, and they kick because they can't haul all their cane in a week. This could well be avoided is sufficient cane was raised here to feed the mill.
"Messrs. Von Treskow and A. B. Denbo, the managers, are not only willing, but anxious, to facilitate their customers in disposing of the crop. Mr. Hebert declared he would risk a thousand acres with the Lafayette refinery if he had sufficient seed cane."
Lafayette Advertiser 1/29/1909.
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