USA > Louisiana > Louisiana; comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions, and persons, Volume I > Part 72
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The troops remained here for 6 months, or from August, 1739, to March, 1740, without making any aggressive movement. Pro- visions were at first abundant. but at last became so scarce the men were forced to eat their horses, many of the supplies expected having been lost en route from the St. Francis and from Natchi- toches. Moreover, the ravages of disease carried off so many of the men that there were scarcely 300 white men left fit for active , duty. Before this time Bienville appears to have superseded Noailles in the chief command. A council of war was held, and Bienville asserted they were reduced to the necessity of making
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war with only the auxiliary troops, as his own were sick, or else offering terms of peace to the enemy. In other words the punitive expedition must be renounced, Fort Assumption evacuated, and the whole enterprise abandoned. About the middle of March Bienville sent Capt. Celoron and his company of cadets, with about 100 other white troops, all that could be spared at this juncture, and some 400 or 500 Indians, towards the Chickasaw villages, ostensibly in search of the enemy, but with orders, in case the Chickasaws came to ask for peace, to grant it in his name. When Celoron and his men came in sight of the villages, the Chickasaws apparently be- lieved them to be only the advance guard of the whole army and at once made overtures of peace. It is also likely that they were influenced to this course by the extent of the preparations made by the French to crush them. Be this as it may, the Chickasaws were extremely humble in their protestations of friendship for the French, stating they had two English slaves among them but no French. Ceioron agreed to peace, and sent to Bienville a delega- tion of their principal chiefs and warriors, with whom a formal treaty of peace was concluded in the month of April, 1740. The Chickasaws delivered to Celoron a few of the Natchez refugees, and the prisoners were later placed in the hands of the French of Louisiana. The auxiliary troops were then dismissed with thanks and presents ; Forts Assumption and St. Francis were razed, as they were now useless, and the regular army returned to New Orleans, after an absence of more than ten months. According to the official statements of Bienville and Commissary Salmon, the war had proved a most expensive one, the sum of 1,088,383 livres having been spent from Jan., 1737, to May, 31, 1740, in its prosecution.
Compared with the elaborate efforts put forth by the French during this campaign and the enormous sacrifices in life and trea- sure, the net results attained were really quite insignificant. True, a temporary peace was patched up with the wily foe, but even this proved to be only a short-lived affair, and the following year marauding bands of Chickasaws were again harassing the French. The Pointe Coupée settlement was attacked by one of these hostile bands, and a party of French traders and trappers on the Wabash, consisting of 24 men and 2 women, was almost exterminated by the same band. Indeed. as a result of the persistent hostility of the Chickasaws, incited thereto no doubt by the English, the trade between New Orleans and the country on the upper Mississippi was very hazardous, and was subject to frequent delays and inter- ruptions. In order to withstand the attacks of the alert and savage Chickasaws the boats were compelled to come down the river in convoys, making the descent annually in December, and returning in February. In the effort to prevent these constant outrages, and to bring the treacherous tribe into final subjection, Gov. Vaudreuil was even compelled to inaugurate another expedition against them, which proved as unsuccessful as the preceding campaigns, and only resulted in a temporary truce.
The period of Vaudreuil's administration was filled with the stir-
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ring events leading up to the final clash of arms between the Eng- lish and French in America. Among these happenings was a long series of Indian outrages growing out of the contest for the control of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, in which the venal Indian nations played no small part, being subjected first to one influence and then to the other. Even the traditional friendship of the great Choctaw nation for the French was seriously threatened, and that tribe was rent in twain by a bloody civil war, one element, com- manded by the redoubtable chiefs Red Shoe and his brother, being known as the English party, while the larger element in the tribe remained fairly steadfast in their allegiance and was known as the French party. Never had the colony been more continually harassed by hostile excursions of the various Indian tribes. As late as 1749 Vaudreuil speaks of the frequent attacks of the Indians throughout the colony, which kept even the lower settlements be- tween Natchez and New Orleans in constant terror. He writes: "To destroy entirely the Indians, there could be nothing so effective as a force composed of the creoles of the country. They alone are able to scour the woods, and to make war after the fashion of these barbarians. But unfortunately there is not a sufficient number of them."
Finally, in 1750, some measure of tranquillity was restored to the colony by the crushing defeat of the hostile English party, known as rebels, by Grandpré, who was in command of a large party of Choctaws friendly to the French. Henceforth the Choc- taws became more firmly attached to the French than ever, and in the treaty made with the nation at this time it was stipulated that the whole Choctaw nation should continue to make war upon that "perfidious race," as the Chickasaws were styled, until they were exterminated. Despite the success of the French in dealing with the Choctaw nation. however, the years 1747-1752 brought little relief from the marauding Chickasaws, who remained under English influence and were unsubdued. Attacks on the French settlements and on the fleets of pirogues plying the Mississippi often occurred. It is possible that Vaudreuil might have arranged a peace with the Chickasaw nation had he so desired, but the French were still smarting from the humiliation of the previous unsuccessful campaigns, and Vaudreuil hoped to inaugurate an- other campaign that would finally crush their power. The con- stant Indian hostilities, combined with the fear of English aggres- sion, had furnished Vaudreuil with sufficient excuse to urge time and gain an increase in the military forces of the colony. He finally gained his point in 1750. when the French monarch decreed that the colony should henceforth be provided with not less than 37 companies of 50 men each, exclusive of officers. As a result the province was in an excellent state of defense in 1751, when there were 2,000 regulars under Vaudreuil's orders, distributed as fol- , lows: 975 at New Orleans (75 Swiss), 475 at Mobile (75 Swiss), 300 at the Illinois, and 50 cach at the Arkansas, Natchez, Natchi- toches, Pointe Coupée and the German Coast.
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Therefore. being well supplied with troops in 1752, and the Chickasaws having renewed their depredations, Vaudreuil was in a position to carry into execution his predetermined purpose of pro- ceeding against the hostile tribe. He took the route followed by Bienville in his campaign of 1736, and with a force of 700 French- men and a large number of Choctaw and other Indians, advanced up the Mobile and Tombigbee rivers. Once more, however, the foe managed to evade the French, and retired into some strongly fortified positions, where Vaudreuil did not deem it wise to assail them, but contented himself with burning some of their deserted villages and destroying their crops and cattle. Then, leaving a strong reinforcement to the garrison at Fort Tombigbee and strengthening the works, he returned to New Orleans, where he disbanded his army. The only result of this campaign against the Chickasaws was to quiet them for a few years, as their permanent allegiance and good will were never obtained.
Indigo .- The use of indigo as a dyestuff is believed to have originated in India. from which country it passed to Europe at a very early date, but it was lost to that country during the greater part of the middle ages until reintroduced by the Dutch about the middle of the sixteenth century. No successful substitute for in- digo has ever been found, the blue color imparted by it being both beautiful and durable, and it forms the basis of the black dye used on woolen fabrics of fine quality. It is the product of several va- rieties of plants of the genus indigofera, natural order leguminosas, sub-order papilionaceæ, and is now cultivated in most of the tropi- cal and subtropical countries of the world. A species of the indigo plant (amorpha cærulea) was introduced in Louisiana in 1728, and indigo soon became one of the staple products of the colony. When Louisiana was transferred to Spain 40 years later, the culture of indigo received a backset through the fact that the French ports were closed to the Louisiana trade, and in the Spanish markets the American indigo commanded a very low price when compared with the finer product from the Spanish colonies farther south. After a time more liberal commercial regulations were adopted and the cultivation of indigo was revived. In 1793 a little worm made its appearance and for several seasons in succession it wrought such havoc upon the growing plants that the planters abandoned indigo for crops that were immune from the ravages of the in- sect. .
Industrial Institutes .- The first Louisiana institution to bear this name was created by the legislature of 1894, with the object of providing an institution for the industrial education of both sexes. The constitution of 1898 recognized it as a part of the educational system of the state. It is located at Ruston, Lincoln parish. first opened its doors in Sept., 1895, with a faculty of 5 members, and had during its first session an attendance of 202 students. Since that date the unmber of its instructors has more than trebled. while the attendance of the institute during the session of 1907-8 amounted to 617, representing some 47 different parishes of the
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state. The original act placed the institute under the control of the governor of the state, 2 trustees appointed from the state at large, and 1 from each Congressional district, but subsequently the state superintendent of public education was made an ex-officio member of the board of trustees. All white children of the state are eligible to admission to the institution under the following simple requirements: All boys must be 16 years of age, girls 15, and be prepared to begin the work of one of the terms. The growth of the school in efficiency and usefulness has been steady and rapid, and it stands as an excellent exponent of the modern idea in education-the harmonious training of the head, heart and hand. It offers the usual academic courses in language, literature, his- tory, science and mathematics, and at the same time provides a practical training in drawing, the use and application of tools, the domestic and fine arts, and in the business affairs of life. The full course of study is 5 years, and is made up of 2 general depart- ments, the academic and the industrial, closely interrelated. The academic department embraces courses in English and literature, mathematics, history, social sciences, natural sciences and draw- ing. The industrial department embraces a business course, me- chanical course, domestic science course, an industrial art course and a music course. The school awards a certificate of proficiency on the completion of the required work in an industrial subject, provided the student is also proficient in the accompanying aca- demic subjects. Upon the completion of any full course it awards its students the degree of bachelor of industry (B. I.). The grounds of the institute include about 80 acres, and are situated about half a mile from the depot at Ruston. It is now well provided with quarters for the prosecution of its academie and industrial work, and is well equipped with laboratories and apparatus for the prose- cution of its practical and scientific work; the library has over 4,000 volumes on its shelves. A list of the buildings include the institute hall, mechanics' hall, girls' dormitory, boys' hall, laundry, president's cottage and foundry.
The Southwestern Industrial Institute was created by Act 162 of the general assembly of Louisiana, approved July 14, 1898, for the education of the white children of the state in the arts and sciences. It was called "industrial" in order to emphasize the im-' portance of education as a factor in the industrial development of a state or country, and in further recognition of the new idea in education which takes account of the whole boy and the whole girl, making the trained hand the willing servant of the trained brain. In a word, the purpose of the state was to establish a school which would offer to the youth of the commonwealth broad and varied courses of instruction, both in academic studies and in practical and useful arts. The school thus provides fully for regu- lar academic training in the essentials of an English education, as , well as for shopwork in wood and iron for boys, sewing and cook- ing for girls, and stenography, typewriting, bookkeeping. telegra- phy and other useful studies and exercises for both. The original
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act provided that the institution should be located in that part of the 13th senatorial district which should offer the best inducements therefor to the board of trustees. The best offer submitted in the active competition which ensued was made by the people of the parish of Lafayette, who voted a two-mill tax for 7 years for the support of the institution, supplemented by liberal appropriations from the city and parish of Lafayette, by cash subscriptions from private citizens, and by the private gift of a valuable site of 25 acres. The offer was formally accepted by the board of trustees at a meeting held in New Iberia on Jan. 5, 1900. In order to pro- vide funds for the erection of the original buildings and the other immediate needs of the school, negotiable bonds were issued npon the seven-year tax voted by the people. The sale of these bonds, supplemented by some liberal state appropriations, enabled the board to erect and equip a complete group of buildings, adequate to the needs of a thoroughly organized secondary institution of learning, providing for both academic instruction and mannal training. In June, 1901, the main building, completed and equipped, was formally opened with appropriate exercises, and the first ses- sion of the institute was held from Sept. 18, 1901, to May 26, 1902. The school has had a highly prosperous career from the start, there being some 250 students in attendance during its last session. In addition to the many practical advantages offered by the insti- tute, the Federal government maintains on the grounds a U. S. demonstration farm directed by the bureau of plant industry. The buildings of the institute consist of the main building, a handsome two-story brick structure of generous proportions, the dormitory for girls, which is also a two-story brick structure of large size, the workshop with a boiler room, pump room and fuel room ad- jacent, and a neat and substantial two-story frame residence for the president of the institute. Six regular courses of study are provided, one academic and five industrial, as follows: The aca- demic course, the manual training course, the course in domestic science, the course in stenography and typewriting, the commercial course and the course in telegraphy. Only the academic course extends through 4 years, the others ranging from 3 to 1 year in duration. The entrance requirements are purposely made quite simple in order to provide opportunities for the greatest possible number of students. Candidates for admission must have attained . the age of 14 years and have satisfactorily completed the equiva- lent of sixth grade work. No fees are charged for graduation, diplomas or certificates, and tuition is entirely free. Prof. E. L. Stephens has been the president of the institute from the begin- ning.
. Innis, a village in the northern part of Pointe Coupée parish. is situated on the west bank of False river. 3 miles east of Bienvenue, the nearest railroad station, and 20 miles northwest of New Roads, the parish seat. It has a money order postoffice, and in 1900 had a population of 177.
Insane Asylums .- People of Louisiana so unfortunate as to be
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afflicted with mental disease are now cared for in two large and complete hospitals-one located at Jackson and the other at Pine- ville. The insane are apportioned between the two institutions according to residence. Patients are received at the Insane Asy- lum of Louisiana at Jackson, who come from the first district, which comprises the parishes of Ascension. Assumption, Concordia, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Madison, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupée, St. Bernard. St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana; and at the Hospital for the In- sane at Pineville from the second district, comprising the parishes of Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu. Caldwell, Cam- eron, Catahoula, Claiborne, De Soto, Franklin, Grant, Iberia, Jack- son, Lafayette, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Union, Vernon, Webster, Winn, Acadia, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Vermilion, and West Carroll.
The Insane Asylum of Louisiana at Jackson was founded in 1847 by legislative enactment, and received as its first inmates 80 pa- tients transferred from the Charity hospital in New Orleans. It has now reached the proportions of a thriving village, where com- munity life prevails, and all the inhabitants are supplied with food from one mammoth kitchen and dine in one great hall. Some 1,300 patients are now accommodated and nearly 200 employes are necessitated by the many requirements of the institution. Both curable and incurable patients are received; likewise both paying and free patients. Many industries are established upon the grounds, and where their condition permits patients are encour- aged or obliged to busy themselves in occupations which contribute to their own support. A large garden, cultivated by the inmates, furnishes supplies for the hospital table; clothing is made for the patients in the sewing room and tailoring department; there is a workshop for shoemaking, a carpenter shop, steam laundry, etc. Two buildings are devoted entirely to industrial pursuits. In con- nection with the institution, 212 miles distant from the main hos- pital buildings, a farm colony is maintained. Several houses con- structed of reinforced concrete are to furnish accommodations for men patients occupied in farm duties. The farm consists of 400 acres and is expected to furnish the dairy supplies for the asylum. Its buildings are very complete and well equipped, the most recent being the cow barn, 65x156 feet in dimensions, with 100 stalls, built of reinforced concrete chiefly by the patients.
The comfort and health of the inmates are maintained by means of well kept, well ventilated rooms and wards .- an abundance of appetizing and nourishing food, and the presence of modern sani- tary conveniences, sewage disposal system, water works, artesian water, steam heat, electric lighting system, ice plant, and cold stor- . age plant. Opportunities for amusement and pleasure are carefully arranged; a band of 12 pieces plays in the dining hall during the
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dinner hour and upon the lawn in fine weather; covered walks afford several miles of promenade in wet weather; three weekly dances are given in the large hall; church services are held on Sundays by pastors of different denominations, and the beautiful lawns sloping to the bay entice even the most disconsolate to rest in the cool shade of the live-oaks.
The asylum is supported by the bounty of the state and has re- ceived an appropriation of $140,000 annually for a number of years. This sum, however, is now far from sufficient, and it is confidently expected that the legislature will considerably enlarge it in the near future. Applications are now received for many more pa- tients than can be accommodated. A doctor of high standing in his profession is medical superintendent of the hospital, and able assistants are provided. The superintendent is appointed for an indefinite term by the board of administrators, which consists of 8 members, 2 appointed each year by the governor for a term of 2 years. The governor is ex-officio president of the board.
The Louisiana Hospital for the Insane at Pineville is of more re- cent origin, having been established in conformance to the legisla- tive enactment of 1902. The theory and general plan of its organi- zation are similar to those of the hospital at Jackson, and the in- stitutions may relieve each other when either one is overcrowded. The buildings at Pineville are in every respect modern and well equipped and a competent medical corps is in attendance at the asylum. Particular efforts are made in the case of each patient to determine the line of treatment best adapted to his require- ments, and most likely to restore him to health. The spacious grounds, delightfully and healthfully situated, are cared for by the patients, and out of door occupations urged upon them, in the hope these unfortunates may derive benefit from the well known restora- tive qualities of the balmy life-giving air. The mild climate of Louisiana renders particularly appropriate agricultural undertak- ings for the benefit of those mentally diseased inhabitants whom the state has taken under its paternal care.
Insurrection of 1768 .- (See Revolution of 1768.)
Interest .- The legal rate of interest in Louisiana is 5 per cent. and all debts bear this rate from maturity without any stipulation. Eight per cent. may be stipulated. and a higher rate may be col- lected, if embodied in the face of the obligation, or by way of dis- count, but no higher rate than 8 per cent. after maturity of the obligation is lawful, and any stipulation of this character forfeits the entire interest. In the absence of any stipulation with regard to interest. all debts bear interest at the rate of 5 per cent. from their maturity. Judgments bear the same rate of interest as the debts on which they are founded.
Internal Improvements .- In the early part of the 19th century a wave of sentiment in favor of internal improvements swept over the Mississippi valley. The country was rapidly filling with set- tlers ; public highways and bridges were needed : rivers were to be cleared of driftwood, sand-bars and other impediments to naviga-
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tion, levees in many places were to be constructed, and many other things must be done to give the people the conveniences of a fully civilized community. State legislatures passed acts authorizing the expenditure of money, and memorialized Congress for assist- ance in the way of further appropriations to accomplish these ends.
On March 20, 1826, Gov. Henry Johnson approved an act of the Louisiana general assembly creating a board of five commissioners, to be appointed by the governor. with the advice and consent of the state senate, to be known as the "board of internal improvements," of which the governor should be ex-officio president. The act made it the duty of the board to clear rivers and bayous of obstructions, construct canals, open roads, etc. The commissioners were re- quired to visit the several localities where improvements were asked for and decide as to which should be undertaken first. They were to serve without remuneration. except traveling expenses, but they were authorized to employ the surveyor-general of the state, and two other engineers if they deemed it necessary, paying them reasonable compensation, to visit the site of any proposed im- provement, make the necessary estimates, etc., and report the same to the board, which was to make a full and complete report of all the proceedings to the next session of the legislature. Three of the commissioners, with the governor, were to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the sum of $9.000 was appro- priated to employ engineers. This act seems to have been of a tentative nature, and but little real improvement was accomplished under its operations. In his message to the general assembly in Jan., 1827. Gov. Johnson dwelt at length on the subject of internal improvements, especially the advantages to be derived from the opening of a canal from the Mississippi to the gulf by way of the lakes, but he did not live to see the realization of his dream, as the Lake Borgne canal was not opened until 1901, three-quarters of a century after such a project had been advocated by Gov. John- son.
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