PROPOSITION TO NUMBER HOUSES AND MARK STREETS OF TOWN.
City is Now Entitled to Free Delivery.
A regular meeting of the City Council was held Monday afternoon. The session was short, being mostly devoted to routine matters. The principal matter considered was the proposition to have the streets marked by signs and the houses numbered. This was because of the fact that the receipts of the Lafayette post office for the year ending March 31 amounted to over $10,000.00 which entitles the city to free delivery. The matter was referred to the street committee the members of which are Dr. Felix Girard, A. E. Mouton and P. Krauss to prepare the necessary ordinance. The question of selling the two frame school building to use the proceeds of the sale for improving the new school grounds and for the schools was discussed, and the mayor was appointed a committee to confer with the School Board in regard to the matter. Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1908.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of May 8th, 1897:
We'll "Get There."
The conditions that make Lafayette a peculiarly desirable location as a business center and point of distribution, are attracting increasing attention from capitalists. This fact is becoming more and more evident from the growing frequency of inquiries and personal visits on the part of prospective investors, some of which promise results of no small importance to us. A large cotton compress is under serious consideration at present, with very fair prospects of success. This point is an ideal one for a cotton compress, which would command in almost unlimited source of supply of cotton. As an investment the compress could not fail of being highly remunerative. and as a magnet for business it could not well be surpassed. A number of smaller manufacturing industries are in contemplation by interested parties, and it is reasonable to infer that by the close of the present year Lafayette will have several new enterprises place to her credit.
It is due in a great measure to the efforts of the Business Men's Association that the town's advantages is a business center are coming to be more fully recognized, and the association should not let up one iota in its endeavors to bring Lafayette into its proper position in the line of forward march. We may have to wait a little longer than we would like to witness the realization of our hopes, but we will surely shorten the time by trying to help ourselves.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1897.
Can It Be Enforced?
For a long time the merchants of the country towns have complained of the horde of traveling agents of the New Orleans retail scores who swoop down upon their trade and carry away, big orders which they claim should be sold at home.
The city council of Baton Rouge at its meeting on Monday last passed the following ordinance:
"Be it ordained by the mayor and city council of Baton Rouge that all traveling agents offering many species of merchandise at retail within the limits of the city of Baton Rouge for sale, or selling the same by sample or otherwise, shall if representing one house, firm or business, pay a license of $50 per annum and for each additional house, or firm of business, he shall pay an extra license of $25.
"Be it further ordained That the administrator of finance be and he is hereby authorized to collect said license, and on the refusal of any traveling agent to pay the license as provided for in this ordinance, to seize without notice, any property he may find belonging to said traveling agent, or found in his possession, and sell the same to satisfy the license, penalty and cost of such a proceeding.
"Be it further ordained, That all ordinances in conflict herewith be, and the same are hereby repealed.
"Be it further ordained, That this ordinance take effect from and after its first publication."
The St. Landry Clarion commenting upon the above remarks. Such an ordinance should be on the statute book of every town. It is grossly unjust to require a local merchant, owning property and having at heart the welfare of the town, to pay a license to sell, for instance, clothing when Mr. Somebody & Co., of New Orleans can come here and sell the very same goods that the local man pays a license to sell, without having to contribute a cent to the town treasury. And still more so is it when the firm selling goods at retail in competition to local merchants is located in another State, in which case it pays neither municipal, parish or State licenses.
All of which is very true, but the question is whether this advanced idea of a "protection" can be secured in this manner. We remember some years ago the State legislature tried to tax out the foreign drummers with a high license law, and the United States Courts knocked it in the head as being a violation of the interstate commerce laws. We are afraid the law won't hold.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/7/1898.
THE ELECTION.
The municipal last Monday was one of the boldest examples of "ring-ism" that has ever been perpetrated on the long suffering people of Lafayette. Bossism stalked forth and without remorse and without remorse and without shame assumed control of the election, and what should have been a voice of the people was by ring manipulations made meat for the Tiger.
The People's party although having gone through all regular formalities required by the State to have their party recognized and placed on the ticket, were refused recognition on the Board of Commissioners. In a petition duly addressed to his Honor the Mayor on the day we call for election was issued, the several members of the People's ticket asked to be allowed the appointing of one commissioner, but were flatly informed that all arrangements had been made, commissioners appointed and they were not in it, or words to that effect, for the elect could run no risks, they were playing a close game, and did not attend that a man of the opposite party should be placed in a position to call the turn on their dirty trick.
The first hope of the faithful was in those sun kissed children of the Orient, the ex-worshipers of Allah, and loyal subjects of the Sick Man of the East, these stood shoulder to shoulder and voted like men (?) or like they had been taught to, and there was not a defaced ticket put in the box by the whole measly outfit. And it would be safe to wager that one in three out of the immortal forty-five could tell whether it was a leaf from the Koran on a bill of fare he put in the ballot box. But this is what politics have come to in this parish, it is under the control of a class of foreigners that are an absolute detriment to any community on which they get their greasy clutches, they are vampires on legitimate commerce, never do an honest days work, but peddle out shyster shed worn goods at an exorbitant profit and divert money from legitimate commerce, and take this business away from our license paying property owning business men who are working to make Lafayette a mercantile center to the territory that is nominally tributary to it. And this is an act perpetrated on the people by that ring of politicians who have the (unreadable word) people so closely at heart.
But they had one scheme that was a sure winner and all that it took to fix one thing was a little man, with accent on the little, and little pencil. Oh ye Gods! seventy odd marked and otherwise defaced tickets. In the parish election last fall there were only seven. Out of these seventy the People's Party had sixty tickets thrown out, every kind of mark went, nothing was too small, flaws in the paper were counted too. It is mighty lucky that it was not fly time or the election would have been a flat failure. The marked ballots showed no uniformity of mark or similarity in position in the markings, showing conclusively that they were not intended as marks of identification, these marks were the vile work of some detestable villain, put there with the deliberate intention of depriving honest men of the right of franchise, this is one of the vilest political tricks ever perpetrated by any man, men or party and shows the depths to which ring-ism will will resort to to attain its ends.
This act should in the mind of every honest truth loving citizen sound the death knell to that faction or party guilty of such an outrage on the rights of citizenship.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1897.
Man Loses Two Fingers. - Tuesday afternoon a stranger in attempting to board the west bound train received a very painful injury which resulted in the loss of the first joint of fingers, which makes an ugly wound and will lay him up for some time. As the gentle,an was getting on the car the gateman slammed the heavy iron "cattle guard," that the Southern Pacific have placed at the entrance to all of the cars for the protection of their patrons (?), shut which caught the gentleman's right hand crushing two of his fingers in a most cruel manner. Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1897.
Sound Reasoning. - The editor or who penned the following words knew exactly what he was talking about. If there is any better reason for asking a newspaper to work for nothing, then there is to ask a school teacher or a preacher to give their services for free, we would like to have them explain it to us. We are unable to see the point, especially where parties asking free advertisements are intent on making money out of it. An editor who has evidently had some experiences, puts it as follows.
"We have at last learned just this much about the newspaper business: Advertising of any kind should always be paid for. We have learned to not puff every Jim Crow thing that comes along, free of charge and give a lot of free advertising to something that gets pay for everything it does.
While we want to please our readers in every possible way we can, we are running this great enunciator for a living and for exactly the same reason the farmer tills the soil, for the same reason that a lawyer sells his talent to one side of case and for the same reason that other people do various kinds of work. We do not expect anybody to work for fun only. We do expect only reasonable compensation the same as other business men.
Original source unknown. In the Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1897.
Base Ball. - A game of Base Ball will be played Sunday May 9th, at the Oak Avenue Park between the Southern Pacific Co. Club and the Dixie Base Ball Club of Lafayette. Game at 3:30 p. m. Admission 25 cts. children 10 cts. Ladies free. An interesting game is looked for and all lovers of the sport should not fail to witness it. Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1897.
The Sprinkler.
Dust will soon be a thing of the past on Lincoln Ave. Arrangements have been made to secure water from the Railroad pump service. This will insure a permanent and steady supply, and will make our principal thoroughfare a place not to be avoided.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/7/1897.
Catholic Knights of America.
The lecture delivered before the Catholic Knights of America by Mr. A. Badeau of Thibodaux Sunday night was well attended by a large and appreciative audience.
The meeting was called to order by the Pres. Alfred Mouton, and the first speaker Rev. E. Forge, spiritual adviser of the lodge, was introduced, who in a very clear and concise manner explained the working and object of the order and set forth the benefit to be derived there from both temporal and spiritual. Next followed Mr. A. Badeau who delivered the address of the evening. Mr. Badeau is a good speaker and kept in touch with his auditors and held their closest attention during his entire address.
Music, both vocal and instrumental was furnished by local talent at various points during the evening.
Among the performers were Misses Lea Gladu, Martha Mouton, Lucille Revillon, Lodo Mouton and Mrs. Eugenie Derbes. Messrs. Pierre Gerac, F. V. Mouton and H. A. Van der Cruyssen. Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1897.
The Ladies' Club.
The Ladies Club was entertained on Thursday afternoon at the pretty home of Mrs. Dr. F. Mouton. The business part of the programme was carried out in true parliamentary style. Then the charming hostess invited the members to partake of delicious refreshments, consisting of cake, fruit and ices.
On repairing to the parlor Miss Adelle Young sang "Among the Lillies" in a sweet birdlike voice, and Mrs. Chas. Caffery read an amusing poem in such a characteristic manner as to provoke much laughter. Another source of mirth was the "Dressing of the New Woman," which was quite a difficult feat, especially since Lafayette's ladies though always up-t0-date prefer not to adopt the "bloomer" style. The prizes were won by Mrs. Eugene Trahan and A. Bonnet. All are now on the qui-vive about the picture to be given by this Club, of which affair our next week's issue will give a full account. Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1897.
Monument Placed.
Capt. Wm. Underhill, of Beaumont Texas, was in Lafayette this week superintending the placing in the Catholic cemetery a handsome marble monument, in memoriam to the members of the order Woodmen of the World who lie buried there. The stone bears the inscription, "To the Woodmen of the World."
The Mother of the Blanc Bros. Still Living.
The following letter received by Rev. Father Forge indicates that the mother of Ernest and Alexis Blanc, is still living notwithstanding the statement in their to the contrary.
[Translated from French to English.]
New York, May 2nd, 1897.
DEAR PASTOR:
Permit me to ask of you some information in concerning the death of the two youth Ernest and Alexis Blanc, who as it appears have been executed in your parish for the expiation of a crime that they had committed. It is the mother of these boys that begs me to ask you if really her children were guilty, and in what circumstances and in what feeling they died, etc.
Thanking you in advance
I remain yours devotedly
THEO WUCHER
Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul, New York.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1897.
Selected News Notes (Advertiser) 5/8/1897.
Miss Bessie Cunningham, of Rayne, is the guest of Dr. Tolson's family.
Mr. Hazard Eastin returned from Galveston Monday from a four months visit among friends at that delightful gulf resort.
The Ladies' Club will give their first outing to-day in the form of a pic-nic in Chargois woods, it is useless to say that this will be just a little but the nicest thing in the pic-nic line that has happened in Lafayette. Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1897.
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From the Lafayette Gazette of May 8th, 1897:
DEMOCRATS VICTORIOUS
By a Large Majority - The Whole Ticket Elected.
A Signal Victory Over the Allied Forces of the Combine.
The Gazette's gay chanticleer appears this morning under very auspicious circumstances. The recent victory of the Democratic party has stirred this feathery songster and he begs to offer his earnest congratulations to the un-terrified Democracy of the town. It has not been the custom of The Gazette to call upon this faithful bird to celebrate victories of a local character, but last Monday's election proved such a magnificent victory that the jollification would have been an incomplete and a tame affair without his elegant form and lusty voice. He is a good natured chicken and though his personal appearance is not calculated to soothe the bleeding hearts of defeated candidates and assuage the wounds of political disappointment, he means no harm, but is simply exercising his constitutional right to crow.
The election was hotly contested and the supporters of both tickets worked hard from the early hours of the morning until the closing of the polls at 6 o'clock. A full vote was cast, 346 men having voted. Everything passed off quietly and no disturbance of any kind took place. The Australian ballot law worked well, every voter being given an opportunity to prepare his ballot and vote it unhindered by the obnoxious ward bosses whose presence at the polls under the old law made elections such disgraceful affairs.
The ballot box was placed in the court-room and officers were stationed near the entrance to allow only two votes to go in and vote at the same time. As soon as these two had voted, two more were admitted, and in this manner all who applied were given an opportunity to exercise their right of suffrage. During the early part of the day the supporters of the People's ticket were not very conspicuous around the polls, the presumption being that they were tenderly nursing some formidable coup d'etat which, was in process of incubation. But whether or not this was true, has not been definitely ascertained.
The box was opened at 7 o'clock. The following gentlemen were the commissioners: J. Alf. Mouton, D. J. Veazey, F. C. Triay, and Baxter Clegg served as clerk. Judge McFaddin was appointed watcher for the Democrats and Edward Judice for the People's ticket. The voting was done without any friction and all went on merrily and smoothly. When the hour arrived to close the box two additional watchers from each side were appointed to witness the count. Paul Castel and Robt. Bailey served for the People's ticket and Alfred Hebert and C. M. Parkerson represented the Caffery ticket.
Out of the 346 ballots 70 were thrown out as "spoilt." Some of them bore marks written by lead pencils. In many instances ballots were nullified by the failure of the voter to properly use the blotting paper. One People's ticket had been written on blank paper. This fact has given rise to the belief in the minds of some people that this was a trick of the opposition to secure a genuine ticket. If it be true it was a very ingenious trick, because with one ticket they could very easily have voted all their men who could not read.
By preparing the first ticket, giving it to one voter, who would be trained to put the unprepared ticket in his pocket and voting the one that had been fixed for him. The ticket thus secured could have been given to a second voter and by repeating this procedure any number of illiterate men could have been voted.
The commissioners began counting at about 7:30 and announced the result at 11 o'clock. The vote stood as follows:
-------------------p. 1------------------------
Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
A SIGNAL VICTORY.
The Democratic party of the town of Lafayette has won a signal victory over the allied forces of Republicanism, backed by Democrats who are oftener found in the enemy's camp than in the ranks of the party of which they profess to be members.
The municipal ticket, nominated by Democratic primaries, ordered and held in the regular way, was elected by a handsome majority, defeating the so-called People's ticket by a vote which leaves no doubt as to the temper of the voters of the town.
The election of the ticket of Hon. Chas. D. Caffery, is not only a significant victory for the Democratic party, but it gives assurance of an intelligent and honest administration of the town's affairs for the next two years. The Democrats had very wisely selected only trustworthy citizens and reliable business men to form the municipal ticket and now that their choice has been ratified, our thriving little city is assured two years of good government. Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
HIGH WATER IN LOUISIANA.
[To The Lafayette Gazette.]
The direful calamity that has threatened the planters and those living along the shores of the Mississippi river, seems to be drawing to a terrible crisis. The high water of that great river has destroyed, and is on the verge of destroying, vast acres of cultivated land, the mainstay of the prosperity in our State.
For many years the Mississippi river has been a means of apprehension to our people, and the government has tried to allay these fears by putting up levees, that only serve to increase and hasten the terrible catastrophe that they are striving to avoid.
I am no engineer, nor am I in search for a polemic, but the present disaster that threatens our State, causes all thinking men to look deeper into the subject that mere newspaper perusals; the great peril that is at the very walls of New Orleans, the
THE MOTHER
Of Ernest and Alexis Blanc Writes to Know if Her Sons Were Really Guilty and in What Manner They Died.
It will be remembered that the Blanc brothers, who were executed here on April 2, always contended that their mother was dead and that they had not a relative on earth. In his written confession Ernest Blanc pays a beautiful tribute to the memory of his mother, and depicts in eloquent language the scene which he alleges took place in Paris some years ago when he and his brother, Alexis ministered to the last wants of their mother who expired in their arms after a painful and lingering illness. Those who read the confession written by Alexis may remember the passage where the younger brother says: "Poor mother ! How she must have suffered, if from her heavenly abode, she looked down upon us and followed us through our lives !" To a New Orleans reporter the brothers stated that after committing the crime they had left for France to visit the grave of their mother and with ill-gotten money they intended to buy a tombstone to place upon the resting place of their beloved parent.
As these statements and confessions were made by the young men when an awful death on the gallows was certainty few doubted their story, especially that part of it concerning their mother, but the following letter received Thursday morning by Rev. E. Forge, goes to show that there is no credence to be place in what the youthful murders wrote and said. The letter, which explains itself, reads:
New York, May 2, 1897.
"Reverend Sir -
Permit me to ask of you some information in concerning the death of the two youth Ernest and Alexis Blanc, who as it appears have been executed in your parish for the expiation of a crime that they had committed. It is the mother of these boys that begs me to ask you if really her children were guilty, and in what circumstances and in what feeling they died, etc.
Thanking you in advance
I remain yours devotedly
THEO WUCHER
Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul, New York.
The letter which was written in French, is undoubtedly authentic. Rev. E. Forge has replied to it, giving the desired information. Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
ASSESSMENTS
Of Railroad, Telegraph and Telephone Lines.
As Usual the Railroad Companies Fare Well.
The board of assessors of telegraph, railroad and telephone lines for this district of the State met at the court-house in Lafayette at 12 o'clock Thursday last.
Hon. C. C. Brown was made temporary chairman and W. D. Haas secretary.
The following gentlemen were sworn in by Chas. D. Caffery, Esq., as members of the board:
W. D. Haas, Avoyelles; Dr. B. E. Clark, Acadia; Jos. Leblue, Calcalsieu; J. A. Provost, Iberia; H. Marrero, Jefferson; C. C. Brown, Lafayette; H. N. Coulon, Lafourche; J. C. Price, Rapides; Sam Haas, St. Landry; A. E. Picard, St. Charles; E. A. Duchamp, St. Martin; W. P. Miller, Vermilion; A. F. Davidson, Terrebonne. Assumption and St. Mary were not represented.
There were present E. Van Vleck, general manager; T. Fay, manager's assistant; W. F. Owens and Judge J. G. Parkerson, of the Southern Pacific Company; E. M. West, manager New Orleans office of the Western Union Company; J. T. Fowler, Manager Great Southern Telephone Company; R. F. Hogsett, manager Teche and Vermilion Telephone Company. These gentlemen were present to look after the interests of their respective companies.
The temporary organization was made permanent on the motion of Mr. Marrero. Upon the motion of Mr. Marrero the assessment of the Southern Pacific's property was taken up. On motion of Mr. Coulon, seconded by Mr. Provost, the assessment of the Southern Pacific's property was taken up.
On motion of Mr. Coulon, seconded by Mr. Provost, the assessment of the Southern Pacific's main road from Alexandria to New Orleans was placed at the same figures as last year - $6,500.
Messrs. Davidson and Duchamp argued that every branch road should be assessed separately, and Mr. Coulon of Lafourche claimed that it was the duty of the whole board to assess all the branches at the same time. That the intention of the law is to equalize the assessments.
Mr. Marrero's motion to assess all branches together was carried.
Upon motion of Mr. Marrero all branches of the Southern Pacific were assessed at $3,500.
Telegraph lines of the Western Union were assessed at the same figures as last year, $100 per mile for two wires with $12 for each additional wire.
The property of the Great Southern Company was fixed the same as formerly, $30 per mile. The localized portion in Calcasieu was excepted.
The Teche and Vermilion telephone line was assessed at $15 a mile.
The Teche Railroad was assessed at $1,750.
The Louisiana Western's line from Lafayette to Calcasieu was taken up. The main line was assessed at $6,500 and the Eunice branch at $3,500. This is a reduction from last year's assessment of $500 per mile.
When the Iberia and Vermilion railway was reached, considerable time was consumed, as the two commissioners, Messrs. Provost and Miller, representing the parishes traversed by the this road, failed to arrive at a conclusion. Mr. Provost, of Iberia, wanted to let the assessment remain at $3,500 per mile, while Mr. Miller, of Vermilion, insisted that $5,000 was a fair and proper valuation. Owing to the failure of Commissioners Provost and Miller to agree, no assessment was fixed on this road. The representatives of the railroad claimed that as no assessment was fixed the figures will remain the same as heretofore. Mr. Miller, however, did not concur in this opinion.
Mr. Davidson, of Terrebonne, made a strenuous kick because he considered that $3,500 on the Houma branch was too low. But the railroad company held a pat hand and Mr. Davidson's protestations were to no avail.
Lafayette Gazette 5/7/1897.
A PICNIC
Will Be Given by the Veterans of The Local Camp.
At a meeting of Camp Frank Gardner last Saturday, the United Confederate Veterans decided to give a grand pic-nic at Beausejour Park, Saturday, May 22. A committee of three was appointed to arrange for the event, and secure orators for the day. It is the purpose of the veterans to make the occasion a most enjoyable one, socially and intellectually. Eloquent addresses will be made by distinguished speakers in French and English, interspersed with music and songs. A cordial invitation is extended all who feel an interest in the battle-scarred veterans, who sacrificed their all for the principles of right and justice involved in the Lost Cause. Their ranks are now thin, and ere long, the heroes of the gigantic struggle, with such fearful odds against them, will live but in memory; their deeds of valor, emblazooned on the pages of history, and the eternal principles for which they fought, engraven upon the hearts of all future generations, to be cherished as a proud heritage.
Let the good people of our town and parish, therefore, join heartily in an endeavor to do honor to these few living representatives of the Lost Cause, and make the reunion one of unalloyed pleasure and enjoyment. The ladies and children are especially invited to lend inspiration to the patriotic demonstration.
An old gray-haired veteran, last Saturday, in an earnest and eloquent conversation, remarked: "Had it not been for the ladies, the Confederacy would have crumbled and sunk into oblivion at the end of the first year's existence." Who will dare gainsay this glorious tribute to the heroism of the noble Southern womanhood, a heroism that shall forever immortalize the fair sex of our beloved Southland ? Let the ladies pack those baskets full of every delicacy, and above all, lend their presence to grace and cheer the festivities of the day. Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
The Ladies Club Meet.
On Thursday the Ladies' Club held their weekly meeting with the charming Mrs. Franklin Mouton as hostess, assisted by Mrs. Walter Mouton.
After the business part of the programme had been dispensed with, the merry company repaired to the dining room where nuts, cake and dainty ices formed the tempting menu. Later in the afternoon Miss Young favored the members with a pretty song, well rendered and Mrs. Chas. Caffery read in her inimitable manner an amusement poem entitled "The New Church Organ." A novel feature of entertainment was then enjoyed "Dressing The New Woman". This procedure caused much merriment. After animated discussion the prizes were finally awarded to Mrs. A. Bonnet and Mrs. E. Trahan.
At the close of the very enjoyable meeting the members bade each other "au revoir but not good-bye", for on Saturday they would again meet at a picnic given by their club. But more anon about this latter event. Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
ENTERTAINED
By the Catholic Knights of America.
The Catholic Knights of America entertained a large number of people at Falk's Opera House last Saturday and entertained them well.
Mr. J. Alf. Mouton, president of the local branch, called the meeting to order and explained its purpose. After the appointment of vice-presidents, Rev. E. Forge, spiritual director of the branch, delivered an address at the conclusion of which Hon. Thos. A. Badeaux, president of the State organization lectured on the object and purposes of the society and its benefits.
The musical program was most enjoyable feature of the evening's entertainment.
Miss Lea Gladu played the "Dance of the Demons" to the evident delight of the audience.
"Love's Awakening," a duet, was charmingly rendered by Miss Lucile Revillon and Pierre Gerac.
Mrs. Derbes sang with much effect a classical composition, "La Reine de Saba."
The "Whippoorwill Song" by Misses Martha and Lodo Mouton, Messrs. F. V. Mouton and Van der Cruyssen was sweet and melodious.
The talented Miss Marthe Mouton played a Mexican dance, entitled, "Cactus" with her usual artistic touch. As an encore, Miss Mouton played a waltz, "Hours of Mirth", with the precision and brilliancy of execution that proclaimed the skillful performer.
Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
HIGH WATER IN LOUISIANA.
[To the Lafayette Gazette:]
The direful calamity that has threatened the planters and those living along the shores of the Mississippi river, seems to be drawing to a terrible crises. The high water of that great river has destroyed, and is on the verge of destroying, vast acres of cultivated land, the mainstay of the prosperity in our State.
For many year the Mississippi river has been a means of apprehensiveness to our people, and the government has tried to allay these fears by putting up levees, that only serve to increase and hasten the terrible catastrophe that they are striving to avoid.
I am no engineer, nor am I in search for a polemic, but the present disaster that threatens our State, causes all thinking men to look deeper into the subject than mere newspaper perusals; the great peril that is at the very walls of New Orleans, the metropolis of our State, must hasten our actions, if any steps are to be taken, and free our minds from any prejudice. I, who place myself among those whose interest lie only in saving, from utter ruin, the most prosperous and beautiful part of Louisiana, do venture an opinion upon that most important question that holds the public mind to-day: "Can the overflows of the Mississippi be checked by an all-levee system?
High levees are not a means of checking the Mississippi from overflowing its banks. We see, by force of reason and circumstances, the higher you raise the banks of a river, the higher you raise its bed. To prove this, we will only have to take into consideration the friction of the river against its banks, causing a deposit upon its bottom.
What has these levees done to prevent the water from breaking through or running over them? If we but count the number of times the levees have been raised, at once we know the number of times the river has broken through or overran its banks.
High levees only serve to keep the surplus of water within the river, and this it accumulates until it overflows its banks or otherwise seeks its natural relief in making outlets or crevasses, which cause utter ruin to the places where such a calamity happens. Now, why not avoid this inconvenience by digging artificial outlets?
Nature never destroys herself, is an axiom that we should bear well in mind. Nature in her great benevolence has provided a means of counteracting the evils wrought by her own hand. The frozen earth in winter is made to bear fruit until the sun in his beneficence shines forth and prepares the ground to be tilled again, the sun in turn pours his mighty rays upon our fields, and the flowers of the earth seem to shrink and wither away, when the heavens opens it fountains and the repeated rain falls upon these sickly flowers and strengthens and invigorates them again, looking up to their Preserver in grateful thanksgiving. The human heart, the most active machine which nature has provided us with, for the carrying of the nutritive fluid through our bodies, in some cases grows weak, and again nature meets the deficiency by causing an envelope, so to speak, to grow around it and strengthen its actions again. And so on could I quote innumerable examples of nature's great work, but for the space I will necessarily occupy. Now nature did not go back on itself when it took under its kind care, the Mississippi river, but to throw off the surplus water that the river receives, nature's great antidote is outlets. At present we have two of the natural outlets of the Mississippi closed up. Now nature's course has been stopped, and now can we expect to ward off the calamities that naturally follow when a natural course has been obstructed by high levees, the very antithesis.
In the pioneer days of this country, stately forests covered nearly the entire space now occupied by the United States. These forests were means of preservation to rivers, by keeping large quantities of water from them, by absorbing billions of gallons of water from the freshets. Now, these forests stand no more, the mighty oaks and other trees that once rendered so much service have fallen by the hand of man; villages, towns and cities have been erected in their stead, and water that they once kept from our rivers, now falls into them almost unobstructed.
Look at our position; the Mississippi receives more water than it ought to and being blocked up on all sides by high levees and not being able to run out at its mouth on account of the back waves of the gulf, can do nothing else than break its banks and render thousands of human beings homeless.
It is evident that the only means of stopping crevasses and any more scares from high water is to open the natural outlets of the Mississippi, and on account of the extra supply of water caused by the cutting down of the forests, build artificial outlets, or in other words canalize it in the northern part of the State so as to carry the surplus of water of the Red river into the gulf by the streams in the western part of our State.
Now these artificial outlets need not receive the waters the year through, they can be made to have locks which are closed or opened according to circumstance.
This done, I think we will have finished with all such experiments as high levees. and will in long run save our people and our State a great deal of money.
(Signed) E. M. H.
Carencro, La., April 27, 1897.
Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
Kicking Against Bad Roads.
Citizens residing on the other side of the thriving town of Pin Hook are vociferously manifesting their opposition to the terrible condition of the lane leading to that ancient village. It is reported that a half dozen mud holes between the Protestant Cemetery and Mr. Torian's place are almost impassable and should be attended to by the road overseer. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Alf. Hebert part of the road was repaired, but much remains to be done. Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
The Blanc Brothers.
Send us your address, accompanied by 25 cents and you will receive a copy of "La Vie, le Crime et les Confessions des Freres Blanc." This pamphlet was written by the young murderers who gave the manuscript to Mr. Thomas Mouton after having attached their signatures to it. Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
Jail Delivery.
Pending the completion of the jail repairs the prisoners in the custody of the sheriff are locked up in the town calaboose. Last Tuesday night some of the prisoners incarcerated there broke out and escaped. They are: Joe Hebert, accused of carrying concealed weapon; George Marshal, larceny; Isaac Amos, assault and battery. All are negroes. Ballain refused to escape. Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
A Generous Offer.
Mr. Lengsfield, of the firm of S. Gumbel & Co., of New Orleans, owners of the refinery here, was in Lafayette this week for the purpose of getting local investors interested in the mill. Mr. Lengsfield made a very generous offer to people of this parish. He proposes to turn over the management of the refinery to them provided that they take $10,000 worth of shares in the stock company that would be formed. Whether or not Mr. Lengsfield succeeds in organizing a stock company the refinery will be operated this season and the proprietors of the plant will pay the highest price for cane. Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
Be at the Park.
Be at the park to-morrow and you will see first contested base ball game played here this season. The Dixies will make their maiden effort and we are told they will make it a howling success, but the boys of the Southern Pacific Club vehemently contend that the Dixies will not have such a lead pipe conch as they might think. An admission of 25 cents will be charged gentlemen, ladies will be admitted free, and boys will have to pay 10 cents to get in. Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
Selected News Notes (Gazette) 5/8/1897:
Mr. A. P. Bourdier, of New Orleans, is now employed as salesman in the dry-goods department of Moss Bros. & Co.
Dr. J. D. Trahan of this town has been appointed by Gov. Foster a member of the State Board of Medical Examiners. Gov. Foster has undoubtedly made a wise selection, as Dr. Trahan is thoroughly qualified to fill the important and responsible duties which he will be called upon to perform as a member of the State Board.
Grand Bronson, who held a ticket to Opelousas, had a finger mashed while trying to board the Alexandria train Tuesday afternoon. Bronson claims that the gateman closed the gate on him.
The excursion train to Thibodaux to-morrow will leave this town at 8:10 o'clock in the morning. Fare, $2.00. Strict order will be preserved.
Remember that Mouton & Hopkin's delivery wagon is always ready to bring you what you need.
The tournament at Opelousas last Saturday and the performance of the play, "Cristoval Colon" was a great success and reflects no little credit upon Dr. Fred Mayer. Lafayette Gazette 5/8/1897.
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From the Lafayette Advertiser of May 8th, 1869:
THE ELECTION.
An election for Mayor and seven Councilmen, for the Corporation of Vermilionville, was held at the Court House, on Monday the 3rd instant. The following is the vote:
FOR MAYOR.
Alphonse Nevue ... 48 votes.
A. J. Godard ... 38 votes.
FOR COUNCILMEN.
H. Landry ... 73 votes.
G. C. Salles ... 49 votes.
A. Monnier ... 51 votes.
Wm. Mouton ... 67 votes.
W. O. Smith ... 59 votes.
B. A. Salles ... 44 votes.
R. L. McBride ... 73 votes.
J. A. Chargois ...8 votes.
S. Chargois ... 27 votes.
H. L. Monnier ... 22 votes.
Jules Revillon ... 29 votes.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1869.
An Agricultural Organization.
We are requested by several farmers of this Parish, to state that on Saturday, the 15th inst., there will be a public meeting held at the Court House in Vermilionville, at 11 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of organizing an Agricultural Association, in and for the Parish of Lafayette.
Such special meetings are most praiseworthy and fraught with the most beneficial results, and we sincerely hope that the call made will be cheerfully responded to by all the citizens of the Parish. Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1869.
[To the Editor.]
FRIEND BAILEY. - Appreciating the necessity for some organization of the farmers of our Parish, I have concluded to address you, and solicit your influence in attempting to get up an Agricultural Association, Farmers' Club, or something of the kind.
The bane of Southern agriculture has been too much individualism, too much reliance upon one's self, to the almost utter neglect of the opinions and experience of intelligent neighbors. It is time now that a change should be wrought, in this direction ; there is a great revolution going on in the agricultural world, and if we do not keep pace with the giant of improvement, we will be left far in the background by our more enterprising neighbors. The good to be effected by a regularly organized society, having stated meetings, you will readily see, will be to bring together, the intelligence of our farming community, and by an interchange of views in a friendly and agreeable manner, communicate to each other a vast amount of information, upon the different branches of our honorable profession.
It is a notable fact, that in those State where agricultural societies have been encouraged and farmers have taken a lively interest in them, the greatest improvements have been made, and agriculture has become a more dignified, honorable and profitable pursuit.
Among the many subjects that would naturally come up before a society of this kind, none would more justly claim its consideration than "the supply of labor." This is a question of the deepest interest, not only to our own little Parish, but to the whole South. We are not one of those who believe that there will be a great influx of immigration into our State ; so long as our political horizon remains as dark as at present, we need not took for the sturdy European Immigrants among us, ready to cultivate the lands for us. We must, for the present, therefore rely upon that class of laborers that are among us. The effective part of that labor is scarce, we must therefore use it wisely. Whenever we can increase the effectiveness of that labor, by an application of labor-saving machines we must do so. And cannot this be better done, and at a less individual cost, through an Agricultural Society, than by individual enterprise !
(Signed) A. FARMER.
The article preceding our remarks is certainly a relief to us ; for some time past have we been suggesting the propriety and usefulness of Agricultural and Industrial Associations. We are really enchanted, nay proud, to see that the principle or idea given forth in our meeting a few weeks ago, had been taken up by our people with that zeal and earnestness of purpose which will undoubtedly ensure success.
By the late war our plantations and every species of property generally, have been partially, if not totally destroyed, and since the clash of armies has ceased, a more dire oppression weighs upon us that in the bloody years of the protracted contest. We have been defeated in a noble cause and the plighted faith of honorable men has not been able to appease the wrath of the avenging rulers; nothing is left us, but rights undefined or subject to capricious interpretation and execution ; in such a destitute and forlorn state of things, let us in some sort ignore the politics of the day, and fall back upon our own stout arms, resolute minds, unflinching souls and home resources. These are left to us in the last hour of trial and these we must use, in preference to intrigue and vain declamation ; these we must put to the best use and advantage, or shall have failed in our mission to endeavor to rebuild the lost fortunes of our people.
Let us gather together, consult, deliberate, exchange ideas and experience in the various branches of agriculture and industry, improve the culture of our lands, our stock, vary our products and by a noble emulation in the great "Certaminis Gaudia" of life, march on towards progress and perfection, as far as within our power lies ; thereby enrich our field, fill our granaries, horde our coffers, make peace and plenty smile on our once happy State, nay accomplish in this wise that independence and secure that respect which bayonets could not obtain, for ourselves and families. Then by all that is sacred in the past, hateful in the present and foreboding in the future, by all our past associations and present links of common interest, and affection for our bereaved land we do conjure our fellow citizens to heed the suggestion contained in the above communication ; there is might, there is wealth, there is peace, nay there is salvation in it, for our people. To be deaf to the call would be to ignore our most sacred interests.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1869.
Dry Goods Store.
Our little burgh is still improving. Mr. Onez. Mouton, is rearing at the corner of Washington and Vermilion Street, a large building to be occupied as a Dry Goods Store. We hear also of several other building soon to be constructed within our corporation limits. We must congratulate our fellow citizens upon the spirit of progress and improvement which is now so alive in the minds of all. Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1869.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of May 8th, 1907:
PRESS ASSOCIATION
Holds Three Days in Session in Lafayette, Most Successful in History. - Bad Weather Prevents Convocation.
But Other Plans for Entertainment Carried Out. Brief Report of Proceedings of Different Sessions.
The inclement weather during the three days session of the Press Association in Lafayette greatly interfered with the plans arranged for their entertainment. The carriage ride into the country and to the Anse la Butte Oil Fields had to be abandoned and a heavy down pour of rain Wednesday morning prevented the convocation from being held, a fact greatly deplored by the visitors who were exceedingly anxious to view this unique spectacle. The motor boat excursion also had to be given up and this was a keen disappointment to the party which had formed to take the trip down the bayou arranged by Chairman Dr. Felix Girard, who had everything prepared to give those making the trip a delightful outing.
Owing to the bad weather the number of townspeople present at the sessions of the association was small, but those who braved the rain greatly enjoyed the meetings.
The attendance of members of the press was good, there being about sixty-five, including about fifteen ladies, and was considered one of the most successful in the history of the association.
Tuesday, the first day of the session, members of the reception committee, Chairman Dr. J. A. Martin and other members of the carriage committee, Chairman Felix Mouton of the Board and Lodging committee met all trains and saw that every member of the press was comfortably located either at a hotel or in the house of some citizen who had consented to take them during their stay.
About fifty of the visitors arrived the first day, the rest Tuesday night and Wednesday. The members present represented practically the entire State, and included publishers and editors of both daily and weekly newspapers, the latter of course, being largely in the majority.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
The first session of the association was held in Music Hall over the Moss Pharmacy and was called to order at 2:30 p. m. by President J. W. Smith, of Monroe. Rev. J. D. Harper, pastor of the Methodist church, delivered the invocation. After roll call by Secretary L. E. Bentley, of New Orleans, to which thirty-six members responded, the president appointed the various committees. After which a humorous discussion was precipitated by a motion that the association adopt a color or colors. No unanimity being possible it was finally left to a committee of ladies to say the final word. Mrs. C. L. Breazeale, of Natchitoches, Miss Florence Dymond, of New Orleans, and Miss Ella Bentley, of Donaldsonville, being appointed by the president to make the selection.
The reports of the secretary and treasurer were then read and referred to the committee on officers' reports. Mr. DeGraffenreid, of Shreveport, offered a resolution on libel laws which was referred to the committee on resolutions, and a motion to adjourn until 8 p. m. then prevailed.
The male members of the association were then taken to the Century Club and entertained at a stag smoker. Considerable amusement was created by a three column paper, a burlesque on the country weekly of twenty years ago, gotten up by Dr. Stephens and Dr. Jewell of the Institute, which was distributed. A number of speeches were made and everybody had a good time.
TUESDAY NIGHT.
The night session was held in the Jefferson Theatre, which had been beautifully and artistically decorated by a committee of ladies ably assisted by Messrs. Ernest Mouisset and F. V. Mouton. Across the front of the stage were rings of cardboard with the headings of various papers pasted on them arranged in banister form with ferns and potted plants. Across the house were two crossed lines hung with the various papers published in the State, and hanging in the center of the stage was a sign "Welcome the Press." The color scheme throughout was green and gold. Notwithstanding rain began to fall about six o'clock and contained for nearly two hours the opera house was well filled with members of the press, visitors and citizens.
The session was called to order at 8 p. m. and the Institute Glee Club opened the program with a well rendered chorus which was encored.
Mayor Mouton made the address of welcome and in a brief and cordial manner welcomed the Association and extended to them the freedom of the city.
Gen. Jastremski replied on the part of the Press, expressing their grateful appreciation for the warm welcome extended to them.
Dr. F. J. Mayer then spoke upon the Relation of the Press to the Campaign Against Tuberculosis, during which he emphasized the need of precautionary measures to combat the disease, which he declared to be infectious and preventable, and urged the necessity for the press to keep up the campaign of education that proper safeguards might be taken against the "great white plague."
A vocal solo by Mr. F. V. Mouton followed and received an encore. O. C. Dawkins, of Monroe, then made a somewhat humorous talk instead of his scheduled address. A song by the Glidden Quartette closed the programmed, and the convention adjourned until Wednesday morning.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
Wednesday morning at the hour set for the visit to the Industrial Institute, rain was falling, but Dr. J. A. Martin, chairman of the carriage committee, had an ample number of closed carriages on hand and the visitors were promptly taken out to the Institute, where they were entertained by Dr. Stephens, assisted by members of the faculty and students. The party was escorted to the auditorium, where all the students were assembled, and a pleasing program was rendered, consisting of a song by the entire school, a vocal solo, a whistling solo by Ed Vives of Thibodaux and a selection by the Glee Club. After which the visitors were conducted through the various departments of the school where the students were at work.
The bad weather prevented the holding of the convocation, but the exhibits prepared for the occasion had been sent in, and were examined by the visitors and many expressions of commendation were heard, the Scott school exhibit winning special praise. Supt. Alleman was present and took great pleasure in showing the work of the pupils of the schools under his charge.
After a photograph of the association members had been taken during a brief bit of sunshine, the morning session was held in the auditorium. Rev. W. J. Teurlings, pastor of the Catholic church, delivered the invocation. President Smith delivered his annual address, in which he dealt with the proposed increase in second class postal rates, advertising rates and the handling of objectionable advertising, the question of railroad advertising, the paper supply, candidates and their relation to the press and charity advertising.
"The Libel Laws of Louisiana" was the subject of a paper by W. E. Krebs, of Lake Charles, who pointed out the need for a full and comprehensive libel law in the State. The convention then adjourned until the afternoon.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
The afternoon session was held in the music hall. Hon. John Marks, of Assumption, made an excellent talk on "The Press of T0-day as a Molder of Public Opinion," and Mr. C. C. De Graffenreid, of Shreveport, read an entertaining paper upon "What is Legitimate News". "Our Part of the World's Work," was the subject of a talk by Dr. S. A. Knapp, of Lake Charles, who interpreted his theme to mean the educational work being done by his department among the farmers. He stated that what was needed more than anything else to make the country attractive to the young man and the old, too, was more animal labor and less hard work and the application of business methods and proper farm economy. He also stated that agriculture should be taught in the schools, not from a little book, but from object lessons by a qualified teacher.
After reading a number of communications by the secretary, adjournment was not made until 8 p. m.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
The principal event of the night session was the address of Superintendent Aswell, who spoke of "Louisiana's Educational Progress." Secretary Bentley in introducing him said that it was reflection on Louisiana that the compensation for the services of the State Superintendent of Education is so small, and that another State can reach out and take him away.
Mr. Aswell, after presenting statistics of the public school system for the last two years, called attention to the fact that schools were still crowded, teachers poorly paid and some school houses unfit for use. He then asked the pointed questions, "Will you stand for more professors in the educational system of the State and are you willing to pay the price?" Continuing he said:
"I want to tell you something, I am not allowed to discuss this matter, but if I were allowed to discuss it this is what I would say: That $60,000 is paid, every year out of the public school funds in the shape of commissions to men who handle that money for the State."
Mr. Aswell went on to state that he believed that sort of thing was all right when the existing law was passed, but that now he knew there was a bank or two in every parish that would be glad to have the privilege of handling that money for the State and might even pay a small dividend on daily balances, so that all this $60,000 and some more could be diverted back to the fund for educating the children.
He also spoke of another thing he said he was not supposed to discuss. That every year about $200,000 more than should be was paid out to sheriffs and tax collectors in the shape of fees. He said he was more than willing that the sheriff and tax collector should have a good salary, a salary as large as a United States Senator received, but that the payment of a salary this size would still leave more than $200,000 above what is now being paid out, and that amount could be diverted to the school fund. The money derived from both these sources, he said, would prolong the public school term another month. Mr. Aswell was applauded time and time again during his speech.
At the close of his address, a resolution by Hon. Jno. Marks that the services of Supt. Aswell can not be dispensed with at this time, was unanimously and enthusiastically adopted.
Miss Ella Bentley, of Donaldsonville, then read a humorous poem on the "Art of Advertising" which was greatly enjoyed.
Hon. John Dymond was the other speaker of the evening and made a strong plea for the assistance of the press in the move now underway to secure emmigrants from Spain and other Southern portions of Europe.
The musical program for the evening consisted of a song, The Palms, by C. J. Lecoq, of New Roads, a piano solo, Rhapsodie Hongroise No. 2 by Miss Eva Mouton, a violin solo by Prof. Sontag and two numbers by the Institute Glee Club.
BANQUET.
At the conclusion of the evening's program, about 10 o'clock the members of the press were escorted to the Gordon Hotel where a sumptuous banquet had been prepared. Two hundred covers were laid and almost all the places at the tables were taken. A large number of ladies were present. Mayor Mouton acted as toastmaster and the following toasts were proposed and responded to: "Our Guests," Hon. P. L. DeClouet; "Journalism," C. C. De Graffenreid; "Lawmakers," Hon. John Marks; "Law Breakers," Hon. William Campbell; "Law vs. Journalism," O. C. Dawkins; "The Press," Rev. W. J. Teurlings; "The Pioneer Editor," Hon. Leon Jastremski; "The Convocation That We Didn't Have," Dr. G. A. Martin; "Sweet and Fair Iberville," Charles E. Schwing; "The Louisiana Press," L. E. Bentley; "The Parish of Winn," Judge Will A. Strong; "Education in the South," Hon. J. B. Aswell; "To the Boys," Hon. John Dymond; "The Metropolitan Press," W. T. Holland, and the Industrial Institute," Dr. E. L. Stephens.
THURSDAY MORNING.
Thursday morning the election of officers was held. C. C. De Graffenreid, Shreveport Times, was elected president; F. L. Knoblock, Thibodaux Commercial, first vice-president; Miss Florence Dymond, Louisiana Planter, second vice-president; L. E. Bentley, Donaldsonville Chief, secretary; Albert Bienvenu, St. Martinville Messenger, treasurer.
The president appointed the following executive committee: J. E. Edmonds, Gen. Leon Jastremski, Baton Rouge and Chas. E. Schwing, Plaquemine.
Resolutions were adopted extending thanks to the railroads for the transportation of the members of the convention, to the various business and social organizations of Lafayette, the citizens, Dr. E. L. Stephens, the Glee Club and students for the great hospitality and entertainment extended.
Baton Rouge, Winnfield, Plaquemine and Covington extended invitations for the meeting of the Press Association next year. Baton Rouge was selected and Winnfield promised the selection next time.
The 28th annual session of the Louisiana Press Association was then adjourned after one of the most successful in its history.
A number of the members of the association left on the 1:40 train to attend the health conference at Opelousas. And all left expressing high appreciation of the cordial welcome and generous hospitality they received.
A pamphlet showing the progress of Lafayette during the last ten years was distributed among the members of the Association during the Wednesday night session. The data was collected by Chairman J. C. Nickerson and other members of the statistics committee and then put into shape for the printer by Supt. L. J. Alleman. The pamphlet was well gotten up and those preparing it deserve credit for their good work.
Notwithstanding the very unfavorable weather during the presence of the Press Association in Lafayette, the plans for their entertainment were carried out successfully with the exception of Convocation Day, which the rain made impossible, and a great deal of credit is due the various committees and especially to Dr. J. A. Martin, who had charge of the carriages, Felix H. Mouton, of the board and lodging committee, F. V. Mouton, of the ladies committee, E. Mouisset, who assisted in the decorations, and Maj. P. L. DeClouet, Dr. J. A. Martin and P. Krauss, who served on the finance committee. Special credit is due Henry Gerac and Manager Salles for the elegant supper prepared, and to Adonis LeBlanc, Raoul Pellerin and Raoul Gerac for their valuable assistance while the tables were being served. And the people of Lafayette generally may feel highly satisfied with the generous and hospitable manner in which they entertained their guests.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1907.
Well, The Convocation was rescheduled for the following Saturday, but as luck would have it, more rain. And more rain, and then more rain. This resulted in the following news in the following edition of our town paper.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of May 15th, 1907:
CONVOCATION POSTPONED INDEFINITELY.
On account of incessant rains which have caused many bridges in the parish to be washed away it was not possible to have the Fourth Annual Convocation last Saturday, and because the town schools will be busy with closing exercises this week it has been decided to postpone the event indefinitely. Lafayette Advertiser 5/15/1907.
LAGNIAPPE:
The Fuel of the Future.
Thomas A. Edison, the wizard of Menlo Park, is credited with the prediction that before the world's supply of coal is exhausted we shall cease to be dependent upon it for fuel; in fact, he thinks fuel of any kind will be superfluous. He is quoted as believing that the fires of the interior of the earth will be utilized in the future of the carrying on of every industry requiring steam power. Volcanoes, geysers, natural fountains of boiling water in Iceland, as well as earthquake shocks, are all proof that fierce subterranean fires are raging miles beneath our feet. Edison's belief is that immense pipes may be forced through the earth's crust which would allow a great volume of steam compressed below us to force its way to the surface. This would furnish huge electromotors, which in turn, would generate electricity to be used in storage batteries. All vehicles for travel could be supplied with these, and little recharging stations, with feed wire, could be erected in the streets. The power would be so cheap that it would do away with the use of horses.
The Edisonian prophecy runs further, that the farmer could have rows of pipes beneath the ground and cause it to produce rare exotic plants and finer fruits than the hot-house system. Machines would be worked without coal and the atmosphere, consequently, be purified from its gas and smoke; and the homes of the poor would be automatically heated and lighted, with little expense. All this gorgeous dream may come true some time, but it may be doubled if even the youngest of the present generation will live long enough to see it.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/8/1897.
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