The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume], January 22, 1887, English, Image 3

About The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898

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&i)£ <El)ibo5au* Sentinel
"SATU It DAY, .1 Vis. 22, 1887.
THIBODAUX,
IIS EARLY HISTORY AND
GROWTH; ITS CAPABILI
TIES AND PESOERCES.
A RiTpoUT.
Keadb^ore iS;o Industrial Asso
ciation of JmfouiTlip, Jan. 12th,
1SS7, and ordered by that
Body to he published.
BY S. T. (UilSAMOUE.
11AYOU LAFOURCHE.
Bayou Lafourche Hows out of the
Mississippi liver at Donaldsonville, 80
miles above New Orleans, and is con
sidered one of tlifi outlets of that great
stream.
Passing through the parishes of As
cension, Assumption and Lafourche,
the great sugar and rice growing re
gion of Louisiana, it empties into the
Gulf of Mexico, about 100 miles West
of the Belize.
This Bayou, when full, has an aver
age width of 150 to 250 feet, with a
depth of 20 to 25 feet.
FOBMER OUTLETS.
Thirty-four miles from the Missis
sippi river and seventy-two miles from
the Gulf of Mexico, on the West bank
of Bayou Lafourche, were, formerly,
two outlets.
The one, known as Bayou Terre
bonne. Rowing in a southern direction,
through th»* Parish bearing the same
name emptied into the Gulf of Mexico,
some 50 miles west of the mouth of the
Bayou Lafourche.
The other, designated Bayou VEau
Bleu, sought an egress to the sea. mid
way between bayous Lafourche and
Terrebonne, passing through the beau
tiful hikes Fields and Long.
j
|
THE SMUGGLERS.
Upon tin- Islands, lying in front of
the Bays, into which those streams
•emptied themselves, and upon whose
outward bench the dark blue waves of
the Ocean ever rolled their white crests,
the renowned Laliiic, with his bold
and rugged followers, pitched their
tents, whilst, their luggers, loaded with
smuggled merchandise, sailed up those
Bayous, bidding defiance to the agents
of the government, found ready and
willing purchasers among the primitive
inhabitants whose homes were located
ou their banks, and in return bought
sacli products of the soil as their neces
sities demanded.
THE ACADIANS.
Upon the lands bordering upon these
Bayous, on soil unsurpassed in fertility,
beneath the moss-covered branches, of
gigantic oaks, and under the shadows
of fragrant magnolias, the Acadian*,
aud their descendants, victims of a
tyrant's oppression, whose snlferirgs
and privations, whose simple but He
roic virtues, have been made immortal
in Hie plaintive song of Evangeline,
found an end to their wanderings.
Under the intliienct* of the mild and
genial climate of "La belie Louisiaue,
that contra.-.ted favorably with that
of the ntgg' d and snow capped hills
from which tie .\ had been driven, those
weary exiles selected new homes, and
sough; tv a and tranquillity.
A LEADER OF MEN.
Among them, at the commencement
of the present century, was a young
v ; man, a native of France, an intimate
sml personal friend of t .ie Marquis de
Lafayette, in his youthful days, who
tirst immigrated to Panada, but dis
pleased with that cold and inhospitable
region, followed the Acadian exiles to
their Southern homes, where be found
a climate more congenial to liis earnest
and buoyant spirit.
A man of enterprise, full of energy,
bold and prompt in action, ]H>ssessed
of wonderful personal magnetism, he
soon became a loader of men, in the
community of which lie was a conspten
oils exponent, represented his fellow
Citizens in the Legislative Halls of the
State, and, finally, as Lieutenant Gov
ernor, by the death of the Governor,
lie became the occupant ot the Guber
natorial chair, in the State of his adop
tion.
liis practical eye, his keen percep
tion and sound .judgment selected the
junction of those three Bayous as the
natural location that the future city of
the Lafourche valley would occupy.
Having become the proprietor of
that locality, Hon. Henry Schuyler
Tliibodaux laid the plan »f a town map
pod out, to which his friends and neigh
hors, as a mark of their consideration
for, and as a testimonial of "the esteem
in which they hold that gentleman,
gave tin* name of
TIIIBODAUXYILLE.
Subsequently, after the death of
Tliibodaux, his widow donated two
squares of ground to the Parish of La
fourche upon which are located the
Court House and the Parish Prison,
upon the
aud about the year 1 >42
maud of the citizens, the Legislature
changed the name of the Town to
TH1B0DAUX.
Tliibodaux is 110 miles from New
Orleans by Bayou and River, to which
navigation for steamboats, ships and
other watercrafts, is good from Decem
ber to August, with rare exceptions.
It is a little south of west of New Oi
lcans, aud is connected by a branch j
railroad, six miles in length, with the j
Southern Pacific Railroad at Schriever 1
Station, 57 miles from the Crescent
City.
Twenty-two miles below, on the lai
fourche, are situated the thriving
towns of Lockport and Longueville.
Ten miles above is Labailieville, and
seven miles beyond is Napoleonville,
the Parish seat of Assumption Parish.
Eighteen miles South is the Town of
Ilouma, the Parish seat of Terrebonne
Parish.
A FERTILE LAND.
The rich lands adjacent to these Ba
yous, the salubrity of the climate, the
facilities for navigation, with the ex
citement growing out of the newly dis
covered.culture of sugar cane, soon at
traeted the attention of emigrants
from all s ctions of the country and Ea-!
rope.
The natural lmoyahcy of spirit, char
acteristic of the Latin origin of the
Acadian exiles, united with the vim
and energy of the Anglo Saxon race,
ehmbined to make the Lafourche coun
try remarkable, not only for thegayety
and hospitality of its people, but also
for rapid anil magnificent progress in
agricultural resources and develop
ments.
THE FIRST BUILDING.
The date of the construction of tin
first building in Tliibodaux is unknown,
lmt tradition placed it on the corner
of Main and Green streets, whence it
was removed in 1885.
The eldest building now standing is
ou the corner of Market and Maronge
streets.
The first brick building erected,
stands on the north side of Markot
street, between St. Philip and St. Louis
streets.
THE TOWN AND ITS INCORPORA
TION.
The Town was laid out and named
about the year 1820.
On the 10th day of March, 1838.
Tliibodaux became an incorporated
Town by Act of the Legislature, sign
ed and approved by Governor E. D.
White, of Lafourche Parish.
The first Council was organized on
the 7tli day of May, 1838, with James
McAllister as Mayor.
That Council, at once, proceeded to
enact laws for the good government of j
the Town, and to adorn and lieautify
the place.
Canals were cut to thoroughly drain
the streets, and steps inaugurated to
build substantial banquettes on the
principal thoroughfares.
A market house was constructed
with the requisite laws for the propt r
vending of meats, vegetables, l'ruits,
&e.
FREE SCHOOLS.
About 1846 action was taken to or
ganize and establish a free public
school at which all children, residents
of '1 liihodaux, coaid receive a good,
practicabedueation.
A lot, situated on Jackson street,
donated for that purpose by the Hon.
George S. Guion, was selected as a
suitable site for a building for that pur
pose*.
In 1848 the building being comple
ted was named the Guion Academy
aud a free public school was opened
at which a large number of the chil
dren of the Town have received a use
ful and practical education.
THE BRIDGE.
In 1855 the question of the construc
tion of a bridge over Bayou Lafourche,
in front of Thibodaux, was agitated,
and, on the 5th day of May, 1856, the
question of assessing a tax upon the
Corporate rolls to purchase stock, in a
company for that purpose, to the
j
j
j
amount of ten thousand dollars, was
put before the voters and earned by an
almost unanimous vote.
In 1857 the Bridge was completed
and opened for public use. to the great
gratification of not only the citizens of
Tliibodaux but also to the entire Par
ish.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I'li - first permum at ! ire Company
was organized in 1858, from which
have since sprung a second companx,
and a Hook aud Ladder company.
Then • three companies, subsequent
ly uniting have formed one of tlie most
efficient and last disciplined Fire De
partments in the State, outside of New
Orleans.
In 1860 the first Eire Wells were
sunk, in the centre
street.
The practicability and usefulness of j
such wells were so conspicuous that
several others have been constructed
in the business portion of the Town,
whilst a large number of smaller ones
liavcbeen placed, in private yards, ad
jacent to the public streets, so that in
case of fire, the engines find water ac
cessible, in almost every point within
the limits of the Corporation.
* BRICK CURBING.
In 1858 the first brick curbing
was constructed, on Hie east side
of St. Philip street, between Tliibo
daux and St. Bridget streets.
This species of curbing lias proven
so effectual and substantial that it lias
since been adopted as one superior to
all others and is used in all banquettes
in the Town.
COURTHOUSE AND PRISON.
In 1 SGI the Parish of Lafourche
erected a 'magnificent Court House
that, for beauty, convenience and safe
ty, having tire-proof vaults for all vain
able papers, is not excelled in Louisi
ana, and, subsequently, the Parochial
authorities have enclosed the same
with an iron fem e, put down an arti
of St. Bridget !
ficial stone pavement in front, aud
planted simile trees in the yard, that:
render it not only useful but ornament
al.
At tlie same time tlie Parish Prison
was erected, a solid and substantial
structure.
j
PROGRESS.
The enterprising citizens of the first
two decades of the existence of the in- I
corporate,! town brought, into practi- !
cal service all the resources that the I
surrouuding country afforded, and al- ;
lowed no opportunity to pass unim- j
proved, by which its material interests ;
could he enhanced, aud its prosperity
promoted.
The cultivation of sugar cane was he
coining universal. Thibodaux was the
only shipping point accessible to the
people of the Parish of Terrebonne.
Hither came all the sugar and molas
ses grown in that prolific Parish for
transportation to foreign and domestic
markets, and here came all merchan
dise, machinery, provisions, agricultu
ral implements, &e., for distribution
among the planters, in return for their
exported products.
The necessities of sugar manufacto
ries s um caused to be established in
Thibodaux, foundries, saw mills, coop
er shops, tin and coppersmith shops,
&e., so that in a few years all branches
of skilled industries were represented
in the workshops of the young Town.
A MANUFACTORY.
In ls57 a large building for the
manufactory of Bisulphite of Lime, an
article then extensively used in the
clarification of cam* juice, was erected,
and did an extensive business, supply
ing the planters of the Lafourche val
ley.
The mechanics and artisans who
found employment here and in tin* stir
rounding country selected Tliibodaux
as their home, causing a rapid grow th
to the place, and a steady increase in
the population.
TRANSPORTATION.
The necessity of water transporta
tion into the interior attracted the at
tention of the citizens of the Town,
anil the planters in the rear. •
A stock company was organized,
that caused Bayou Terrebonne to be
dredged au<l rendered navigable, and
a canal, connecting it with tlie Bayou
Lafourche, to be cut through the Town
of Thibodaux.
Tliis canal and bayou proved to be
of great use to the people of the Town
and those of Terrebonne.
CHURCHES.
The cause of religion was not ne
glected by the primitive settlers.
A short distance below the Town a
church was erected in which the inhab
itants of the Catholic faitli performed
tlieir religious devotions.
That building lias long since been re
moved, and on its site now stands St.
Joseph's Church, capable of seating
1500 worshippers, that for grandeur
and magnificence is not surpassed in
any suburban town.
<ni a lot fronting on Jackson street
stands St. John's Church (Episcopal),
capable of seating 300 persons ; tin
square on which it stands was a dona
tion from the Hon. G. S. Onion.
On Tliibodaux street is erected the
Presbyterian Church, with a capacity
of 400 sittings ; and on Jackson street
stands the Methodist Church, with ac
commodations for 300 attendants.
Since 1865 the colored people have
erected two Methodist and Two Bap
tist Churches for the use of the people
of that race.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first paper established in Tliibo
daux was called "The Lafourche Pa
triot," and appeared in July, 1841.
The second newspaper was known
as the "Lafourche Gazette," and made
its debut in. May, 1845.
The third was called the "Thibo
daux Minerva"; was established in
May, 1847, and continued until 1858.
The fourth was the "Lafourche
Union," in 1856 and continued its pub
lication until 1861.
The "Tliibodaux Sentinel" first ap
peared in 1860, but was suspended in
1862.
It was re-establislied in 1865 and lias
been regularly published to the pres
ent day.
One or two other newspapers have
been established, some 15 or 20 years
ago. which existed but a short time.
A CHECK.
The growth and prosperity of the
Town was abruptly checked by the
late unfortunate war.
In 1865, when the Town Council was
re-organized it found the Bridge over
the Bayou destroyed, the market house
burnt, tlie streets dug into mud boles,
the banquettes in a dilapidated condi
tion, and the Town treasury, not only
empty, but with a debt of $2001.) liang
{'ug over it.
In a few je.us, however, the Giiilgi
I " : * s 1( " ,milt ' ,muh 111016 « nl ; st:u,t ' illl * v
! «»«» th <' lormt ' r oue ; a maiket lu " lse
I was constructed upon a square purelia
; *° l tkat l ,m P° 80 > * K stieets put m
j excellent conil.tiou, tie loeii >an
; < l lu 'H t ' 8 repaiied oi le mi t, am t le
load of debt removed.
In 1883 the Firemen, aided by a gen
erous and liberal public, erected a
large and commodious hall, with a ca
pacity of 1000 sittings, and also a
smaller hall, capable of seating 300
persons.
In 1886, the Council lias completed
a magnificent and elegant Town Hall,
and surmounted the same with a fine
clock, to mark and sound the hours by
dav and by niglit for all tlie people.
A FINE BANQUETTE.
The energetic curate of St. Joseph's
Church has completed one of the most
substantial walks or banquettes, ex
tending from the corporate limits, to
that Church, nearly three fourths of a
mill* distant, that can lie found in tin*
United States, which will remain a me
morial of liis indomitable will and pub
lic spirit, long after lie will have gone
to his eternal rest.
THE POPULATION.
'Pile census of 1880 fixes the popula
tion of Tliibodaux at 1511
This conveys an erroneous idea of
the size of the Town. Fully one half
of the actual Town is outside of the
Corporate limits.
The actual population to-day will
uot t *.,u IUU; q, short of 3700 souls,
ITS BUSINESS.
Thibodaux to-day lias one saw mill,
one ice manufactory, three foundries,
two boiler manufactories, three cooper
shops, one cistern manufactory, two
tinners, two blacksmith shops, two
carriage shops, two shoemakers, one
tailor, three millinery establishments,
four gunsmiths, three jewellers, three
bakers, one confectionery, a large num
ber of carpenters, engineers, sugar boil
ers, and other skilled workmen.
It has seven dry goods and clothing
stores, twelve grocery and provision
stores, three drug stores, three hard
ware stores, three stove dealers, two
houseftiraisliing depots, three dealers
in clocks and jewelry, one saddlery
store, one shoe and hat store, three
millinery stores, three restaurants, one
hotel, five saloons, three liecr saloons,
three barber shops, two news dealers,
three sewing machine agents, two
soda fountains, two dentists, five phy
sicians, two judges, eight lawyers, one
printing office, two livery stables, sev
eral fruit and oyster stands, two Ma
sonic Lodges, (one white and one color
ed), one Lodge of the I. O. O. F., one
Lodge of colored Odd Fellows, one
Lodge of the Knights of the Golden
Rule, one Lodge of the Knights of Hon
or, one Lodge of the Catholic Knights
of America, one Lodge of the Knights
of Pythias, one Young Men's Benevo
lent Association.
It contains one college, one convent,
one free school for white children and
one for colored children, and several
private schools.
• It lias one excellent hand five engine,
one tine steam tire engine and a substan
tial truck for Hook and Ladder com
pany.
Its streets will eompare satisfactori
ly with those of any other town, whilst
its system of banquettes and facilities
for pedestrian travellers are not equal
ed in any place of similar size.
Tliibodaux lias always been noted
for its good municipal government, and
for the quiet and order maintained up
on its streets.
Whilst it lias never been conspicu
ous for any great "boom," its cause lias
ever been onward and progressive,
showing at all times a healthy and per
manent increase both in wealth and
population.
Wonderful Lures.
W. D. H»yt& Co., Wholesale and
Retail Druggists of Rome, Gu., Say :
We have been selling Dr. King's New
Discovery, Elecric Bitters mid Buck
leu's Arnica Salve for two yen»s. Have
never handled remedies that sell as
well, or give such universal satisfac
tiou. There have been some wonder
rul cures effected by these medicines
in this city. Several cases of pro
nonneed Consumption have been entire
ly cured liy use of a few bottles of Dr.
King's New Discovery, taken ill con
nection with Electric Bitters. We
guarantee them always. Sold by J- O,
Landry. , 1
THE EYE.
It is simply wonderful, the repu
tation Hawes' spectacles and eye
glasses have attained throughout
the United States ; they are known
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and
the reputa'ion is built upon real
merit. Testimonials from the most
eminent men of the country are
given who nave had their sight ini
proved by their use.
All eyes fitted by J. T. Tliibo
odeaux, druggist, Thibodaux, La
Eveiy pair warranted.
Y. lliggs& Bro., Cistern Maker
247 Delord street; N. O. Send foi
price
THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
20th Judicial District Court, Par,
isli ot Lalouiche.
Meyer
Weill vs. No. 2258, Succession
of Marion IT. Billiu.
Take notice that acting uinler an order of
seizure and sale em mating lmm the above
oui itlcil Court, in the ubove entitled and num
bered case. 1 have seized aud will offer for
sale at iiublic auction pursuant to law t? the
last ami liigelistlhidder a t the Court House iu
the town ol'Thibodaux. ou
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19tb, 1887.
betweeu the hours of 11 o'clock A. M. and 4
o'clock P. M-, the following described proper
tjr, belonging to the above succession, to-wit:
1st. A cot tain sugar plantation situated in
the Parish of Lafourche on the left bank of
the Bayou Lt.lourche at about fifteen miles
below the town of Thibodaux and known as
the "Utopia Plantation'' situated about two
miles back from Bayou Lafourche being com
posed ot lots Nos. 17, 18, 19, 26, 27 and 28, on
a plan executed ;by Bougerol, surveyor, ou
'.lie 25tb August, 1835, aud deposited in office
of Theo. Seglier's late a notary ot the City of
New Orleans as per plan No 42; said planta
tion being bounded in front by lands former
ly belonging to estate of Mott Birdsall and
the widow Jacques Folse and by the tract of
land known as the pasture tract now or for
merly belonging to Mrs. J. S. Perkins
and by a road-way belonging to Marion
\V. Billiu and adjacent to said pasture tract ;
above by the Rucclaml plantation now or for
uierly belonging to Messrs li. N. Sims, J. B.
Whittington ami Mrs E. J. Ewing and be
low by the Mary Plantation formerly belong
mg to Billiu and l'erkius together with all
the buildings and improvements thereon,
uiules, wagons, carts, engine, mill, larming
utensils aud in a word everything attached
toor forming part of said plantation.
2nd, A certain strip ot laud or road way
tweuty-fivo leet wide more or less, including
the ditches on each side of said road-way to
be taken from the extreme lower side and to
the full depth thereof of the pasture tract
aforesaid which is a certaiu tract of land in
the Parish of Lafourche ou the left bank of
Bayou Lafourche at about fifteen miles below
the Town of Thibodaux which said tract has
a Dont ou said Bayou of four and a half ar
peuts by a depth ot lorry arpeuts and is
bounded above by land formerly lielonging
to the estate of Mott Birt'sall and below by
lands of Alidor Folse.
The right to use said roadway is reserved
in perpetuity to the preseat aud any future
owner of the Mary Plantation aforesaid and
further the right of drain through the ditch
ou the upper side of said roadway is reserved
and granted in perpetuity to the present and
any luturc owner or owners of the pasrure
tract.
Also 26 mules. 1 hay policy, about 45 loads
of bay. about 600 barrels of corn, more or less
a lot of hogshead, staves and headings, 5 wag
ons. 3 carts, 7 cotton seed distributors. 2
stubble diggers. 1 rotary hoe, 4 harrows
about 200 cords of wood, more or less, 6 sin
gle ploughs, 9 double ploughs, also 30 arpents
ot seed cane.
Term* and conditions ot sale cash on the
spot in United States treasury notes t« pay
and satisfy the sum of Eleven Thousand J ive
Hundred Dollars, together with eight i»er cent
per annum interest on Eight Thousand Dol
iars,froiii Jan. 5tb, 1885, till paid and like in
terest ou the Three Thousnud Five Hundred
Dollars from Jannary 2nd, 1885, till paid
together with attorney's fees on the aggre
gate thereof, principal and jute rest at the
rate of fiv« per ceutum aud a'.l the costs here
in in cash, which said amount in principal
aud interest, attoruey'stees and all the costa
are secured by mortgagt* per act of 2nd Janu
ary, 1882, before Th£dore Guyol Notary Pub.
lie, of New Orleans.
January 15th. 1887.
THEOPH1LE THIBODAUX, ^