USA > Louisiana > Louisiana; comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions, and persons, Volume II > Part 9
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Swine, too, are easily raised in this state, and interest in that line of farming is gradually increasing. The "razor back" is fast van-
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ishing, and in his place are the Poland China, the Berkshire, Red Jersey and the Essex. By the adoption of a proper rotation of crops, making the swine gather each crop, many of the most scien- tific farmers have been able to raise hogs for a half a cent a pound. There has been a decided increase in the number of swine produced in the state of recent years. In 1880 there were 633,489 hogs of all varieties, while in 1900 there were 788,425.
Concerning the number of sheep produced, Louisiana has been a poor sheep state when compared to some of her southern neigh- bors. In 1880 there were produced in the state approximately 136,000 head, and in 1900 only 169,000-an increase of only about 33,000 head in 20 years.
It has been demonstrated that the very finest and best bred horses can be raised in this state and between the years 1880 and 1900 there was a decided increase in the number of horses to be found in Louisiana. In 1880 there were only 104,428, while in 1900 there were 180.862 (exclusive of spring colts in both cases). Mules and burros have been raised in sufficient numbers to demonstrate that with proper care and attention the largest and very finest can be bred. But there are very few farmers who have made the breed- ing of such animals a specialty, as most of them simply raise them for home use. In 1890 there were in the state 88,028 mules, asses and burros, and 142,328 in 1900, an increase of 54,304 in one decade. a larger proportional increase than among the horses during the same period.
While it is usually regarded as a side issue on the farms, poultry raising is a profitable industry. Thousands of dollars worth of eggs and chickens find their way to all the local markets. The most popular farm breeds are the Leghorn, Plymouth Rock, Langshan, Indian Game and Wyandot chickens, the Bronze turkey and the Pekin duck. No better opportunity is anywhere offered for the raising of poultry than in Louisiana. In 1880 there were 1.113.342 chickens enumerated in the state, as against 3.890.563 in 1900, hence the number was more than trebled during the two decades. The number of tame ducks in the state has been nearly doubled in the last ten years, as in 1890 there were only 67,112 and 123,059 in 1900. The increase in the goose family, during the same period, was not so marked, there being 149,312 in 1890 and 169,936 in 1900, an increase of only a little over 20,000. The domestic fowls of 1900 seem to have been imbued with more energy than were their forefathers of 1890. for in 1890 they produced only 5,933,700 dozen eggs as against 12.820.290 dozen in 1900. During this decade there was an apparent increase in the egg production in the state of 6,886,590 dozen, while during the same time the number of enumer- ated fowls increased by only 1,761,468.
A slight idea of the increase in the number of honey bees through- out the state is to be had upon scanning the figures showing the number of pounds of honey produced in 1890 and 1900. In the former year there was only 271,962 pounds, and 426,490 in the latter. This manifests either a large increase in the number of bees, or it
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goes to show that the proverbial "busy bee" was a busier body in 1900 than in 1890. In 1880 the average value of live stock per farm was $256, and in 1900 it was $249. In the earlier year the average value per farm acre was $1.49 as against $2.61 twenty years later ; so that while there was a falling off of $7.00 per farm, there was an increase of $1.12 per farm acre during the 20 years.
Livingston, Edward, lawyer, statesman and diplomat, was born at Clermont, Columbia county, N. Y., May 26, 1764, a younger brother of Robert R. Livingston. (q. v.) He was graduated at Princeton in 1781, then read law, and in 1785 began practice in New York city. He was in Congress from 1795 to 1801, when he was appointed U. S. district attorney for the district of New York by President Jefferson, and subsequently he was elected mayor of New York city. In 1803, through the dishonesty of a clerk, Mr. Livingston becanie a defaulter to the national government. He resigned his official position, made an assignment of his property, and removed to Louisiana, which had just then been purchased by the United States. Beginning life anew as a New Orleans lawyer, he soon became one of the prominent figures in the new territory. He was on the committee to petition Congress to repeal the bill dividing the territory in 1804; became a regent of the University of Orleans in 1805 ; the same year was one of the founders of Christ church (Episcopal ), of which he served as one of the first vestry- men; framed a code of procedure for the Territory of Orleans that was in force for twenty years; and established a lucrative private practice. Some lands which he received in payment of a fee were claimed by the city and he became involved in tedious and expensive litigation. (See Batture Affair.) This litigation, and an accusation by Gen. Wilkinson charging Mr. Livingston with complicity with the Burr conspiracy, caused an estrangement between him and President Jefferson, who attacked Livingston in a message to Con- · gress on March 7, 1808, and also in a pamphlet, to which Mr. Liv- ingston made a spirited reply. He was a member of the code com- mission of 1808; served on the committee of public defense in 1814; was an aide to Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, and was honorably mentioned in Jackson's report. In 1820 he was elected to the Louisiana legislature and was one of the committee to prepare the address to Gov. Villere at the close of his term. In 1822 he was elected to the lower house of Congress and remained in that body until 1829, when he was elected to the senate. In con- nection with Morean Lislet he prepared a civil code for Louisiana in 1823-24, and in 1826 was able to discharge his debt to the United States caused by the defalcation in 1803. In the spring of 1831 he succeeded Martin Van Buren as secretary of state in the cabinet of President Jackson, and two years later was made minister to France. While in Paris he became a member of the Academy. Mr. Livingston died near Rhinebeck, N. Y., May 23, 1836, leaving an international reputation as a lawyer.
Livingston Parish was established in 1832, during the first admin- istration of Gov. Roman. U'p to that time it had formed a part of
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St. Helena parish, one of the "Florida parishes." It is bounded on the north by St. Helena parish ; on the east by Tangipahoa ; on the south by Lake Maurepas, St. James and Ascension parishes, and the Amite river forms its western boundary, separating it from the parish of East Baton Rouge. Some settlements were made on Lake Maurepas and along the Amite river during the French and Spanish period, and the English established trading posts on the Amite river before 1776, for trade with the French and Spanish settlers. In 1778 the population on the Amite was increased by some families from the Canary islands : a number of French Cana- dians located on the river about 1810, and their settlement became known as the "French settlement," which name it still retains. Some of these families were the Brinneacs, Silasses, Labelles and Bartellots. The Subiques settled at Port Vincent, where they estab- lished a ferry, and for years the place was known as Subiques ferry. Upon the organization of the parish in 1832, the seat of justice was established at Van Buren on the right bank of the Tickfaw river. It was removed to Springfield in 1872, where it. remained until 1875, when it was changed to Port Vincent. This site was unsatisfactory to a large proportion of the inhabitants of the parish, and in 1882 a point on the Tickfaw river, supposed to be the exact center of the parish, was fixed as the seat of justice and called Centerville. The name was subsequently changed to Springville. Before the courthouse was removed from Springfield that place was a commercial center of considerable importance, but now it is a mere village. Port Vincent, a newer and smaller town, is the distributing point for a large farming country. The most important towns and villages are Springville, Bayou Barbary, Clio, Live Oak, Denham Springs, Killian, French Settlement, Col- yell, Head of Island, Maurepas, Weiss, Port Vincent, Whitehall and Springfield. Livingston parish is watered by the Amite river on its south and western boundaries, the Tickfaw river waters the central portion and the Natalbany river the eastern part. Living- ston has a surface of 593 square miles, some of which is quite hilly, a large area of long leaf pine flats, alluvial land and wooded swamps. A large portion of the flats and hill country is covered by heavy forests which have timber of great marketable value. Along the Amite river from Lake Maurepas to Port Vincent there are large stretches of land which are only surpassed in fertility by the alluvial lands of the Mississippi bottoms. North of Port Vincent the land is almost as rich, and the variety of crops that can be profitably cultivated is almost unlimited. Cotton, corn, hay, oats, sorghum, sugar-cane, potatoes, tobacco and rice are all produced, as well as garden vegetables, melons, etc. Truck farming has increased greatly within the last few years, and horticulture has proved a profitable industry, as fruit trees grow rapidly in the rich soil and mild climate. For many years Livingston had no railroad facilities, but now the Baton Rouge, Hammond & Eastern R. R. traverses the center of the parish east and west, opening the mar- kets of New Orleans to the farmers of the parish. The following
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statistics are taken from the U. S. census for 1900: number of farms, 1,217; acreage. 139,875; acres improved, 31,802; value of land and improvements exclusive of buildings, $441,060; value of farm buildings, $204,230; value of live stock, $236,463; value of all products not fed to live stock, $324,472; number of manufacturing establishments, 15; capital invested, $384,960; wages paid, $79,827 ; cost of materials used, $197,426; total value of products, $+27,720. The population of the parish in 1900 was 6,956 whites, 1.114 col- ored, a total of 8,100, an increase of 2,331 over the year 1890. The estimated population for 1908 was over 10,000.
Livingston, Robert R., patriot and diplomat, was born in the city of New York, Nov. 27, 1746, a son of Robert R. and Margaret (Beekman) Livingston, and a great-grandson of the first Robert Livingston, the founder of the family in America. He was edu- cated at Kings college and Columbia university, graduating at the latter in 1765. He then read law, was admitted to practice in 1773, formed a partnership with John Jay, and was at the same time recorder of the city of New York for nearly two years, a position to which he was appointed by Gov. Tryon. At the beginning of the Revolution he resigned his recordership, was elected to the legis- lature from Dutchess county in 1775, and the following year was elected to the Continental Congress. He was one of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence, and afterward served on the committee to draw up a state constitution for New York. In 1777 he was appointed chancellor of New York, was again elected to Congress in 1779, and as chancellor administered the oath of office to Gen. Washington when he was inaugurated as the first president of the United States. In 1788 he was chairman of the convention that adopted the Federal constitution. He declined the mission to France in 1794, but his chancellorship expired in 1801, when the position was again offered to him and this time he accepted it. As minister to France Mr. Livingston did more perhaps than any other man to secure the cession of Louisiana to the United States. (See Louisiana Purchase.) He and Napoleon became steadfast friends and it has been said of him that "he appeared to be the favorite foreign envoy." In 1805 Mr. Living- ston resigned the office of minister and traveled for some time in Europe before returning to America. While in Paris he formed a partnership with Robert Fulton and they built their first steam- boat on the river Seine. In the first attempt the framework was too light to sustain the weight of the machinery, which broke through and sank in the river. The second effort was more suc- cessful and in July, 1803, the vessel made its trial trip, bearing the members of the National Institute and other prominent Parisians. The first boat in America was called the Clermont. after Mr. Liv- ingston's mansion on the Hudson. In 1811 the Louisiana legisla- ture granted a charter to Livingston and Fulton, giving them the exclusive franchise of operating steamboats on the navigable waters of the state for a number of years. After the state was admitted into the Union a committee was appointed by the general assembly
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in 1817 to investigate and report upon this "exclusive monopoly," but the committee reported in favor of its continuance. Mr. Liv- ingston spent the later years of his life at Clermont, "devoting his time to the study of improvements in agriculture and the arts," on which subjects he wrote a number of essays. His death oc- curred on Feb. 26, 1813, and his statue has been placed in the capitol at Washington as one of the two representative citizens of New York state. George Clinton being the other.
Livonia, a village in the southern part of Pointe Coupée parish, is situated at the junction of the Texas & Pacific and the Colorado Southern railroads, 15 miles southwest of New Roads, the parish seat. It has a money order postoffice, express and telegraph offices, and in 1900 reported a population of 80.
Lobdell, a village in the eastern part of West Baton Rouge parish, is situated on the Texas & Pacific R. R., 6 miles northwest of Port Allen, the parish seat. It has a money order postoffice, telegraph station and express office, is the trading center for a rich farming district, and in 1900 had a population of 185.
Loch Lomond, a post-hamlet of Union parish, is located on Bayou Luter, 15 miles southeast of Farmerville, the parish seat, and 4 miles west of Sterlington, which is the nearest railroad station.
Lockhart, a post-village of Union parish, is situated on the Arkansas & Southeastern R. R., near the northern boundary of the parish, and 20 miles northwest of Farmerville, the parish seat.
Lockport, an incorporated town of Lafourche parish, is situated on Bayon Lafourche and the canal that connects the bayou with Lake Salvador and New Orleans, and is the terminus of a branch of the Southern Pacific R. R. It is one of the largest shipping points of the parish, has a bank, a money order postoffice, telegraph station and express office, and in 1900 reported a population of 401.
Locust Ridge, a post-village in the southeastern part of Tensas parish, is a station on the St Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern R. R., 5 miles southwest of St. Joseph, the parish seat.
Lofton, a post-hamlet of Winn parish, is situated near the South- ern boundary and is a station on the line of the Louisiana Railway & Navigation company, 15 miles southwest of Winnfield, the parish seat.
Logansport, an incorporated town in the western part of De Soto parish, is on the Sabine river, the Houston & Shreveport, and the Houston East & West Texas railroads, about 15 miles west of Mansfield. It was founded in 1830, was for many years a celebrated trading post of the western border, but after the removal of the Red river raft and the establishment of Shreveport much of its old time prosperity was lost. Immediately after the war a store was established there and upon completion of the Shreveport and Houston R. R. in 1885 business improved. Cotton became one of the great exports and considerable quantities were brought in from the Texas counties for shipment. The great lumbering interests have been an important factor in the development of the town.
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The old sawmill has been replaced by a fine modern one, capable of cutting 75.000 fect, or from 8 to 10 car loads a day. The town council is considering putting in a system of waterworks. Good public schools are maintained, and the leading churches are repre- sented. Logansport has a bank, a money order postoffice, tele- graph and express offices, and in 1900 reported a population of 688.
Logtown, a post-village of Ouachita parish, is situated on the Ouachita river and the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern R. R., 12 miles south of Monroc, the parish seat, in the great pine forest west of the Mississippi river. It has important lumbering interests, a telegraph station, a good retail trade, and in 1900 had a population of 160.
Lonewa (R. R. name Phillips), a post-village in the northeastern part of Ouachita parish, is on the Little Rock & Monroe R. R., 9 miles north of Monroe, the parish seat.
Longleaf, a village in the southern part of Rapides parish, is situated at the junction of the Red River & Gulf and the St. Louis, Watkins & Gulf railroads, about 20 miles southwest of Alexandria, the parish seat. It is in the lumber district, has a money order postoffice, express and telegraph service, and is the supply and shipping town for a considerable district. In 1900 it had a popula- tion of 200.
Long's Expedition .- The leader of this expedition, James Long, was a native of Culpeper county, Va., who left his home when 15 years of age and made his way to Tennessee. There he studied medicine under a Dr. Holland and became a great favorite with Gen. Andrew Jackson. When Jackson went to New Orleans in 1814, to assume command of the American troops there, Long accompanied him and was attached to the medical staff of Car- roll's brigade. After the battle of New Orleans he accompanied Gens. Carroll and Coffee to Natchez, where he married a niece of Gen. Wilkinson. In 1819, by a treaty with Spain, the western boundary of Louisiana was fixed at the Sabine river. About this time a public meeting was held in Natchez, in support of an expe- dition against the Spanish authorities in Texas, which it was ex- pected would be led by Gen. John Adair. When Adair declined, Dr. Long was asked to take command, and with about 75 men he left Natchez on June 17, marched across Louisiana to Nacogdoches. where his force was increased to 300 men, many of them coming from among the adventurous spirits of western Louisiana. The object of the movement was to get possession of Texas and open it to settlement from the United States. A sort of government was established, with Long as president : Texas was declared an independent republic, and laws were enacted by a council of 11 members. Long went to Galveston, 175 miles south, to enlist the cooperation of Lafitte, the commandant of that port ; armed par- ties were sent out from Nacogdoches in various directions, and in their absence the remainder of the expedition at Nacogdoches was stampeded by news of the approach of Spanish troops. They fled toward the Sabine, closely pursued by the Spaniards, and in a
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series of running skirmishes several of the revolutionists were killed. Long gathered together the remnant of his little army at Point Bolivar, then went to New Orleans, where he succeeded in collecting reinforcements, returning with them to Galveston, and soon afterward took possession of Goliad. Here he received notice of the success of the Mexican revolution under Iturbide, was invited to the Mexican capital, where he was at first treated with consid- eration, but soon fell under suspicion and was assassinated.
Longstreet, a village in the western part of De Soto parish, is on the Houston & Shreveport R. R., 5 miles east of the Texas boundary. It has a money order postoffice, express office, tele- graph station, and in 1900 had a population of 70.
Longstreet, James, soldier, was born in Edgefield district, S. C., Jan. 8, 1821, a son of James Longstreet, a native of New Jersey. His grandfather, William Longstreet, is said to have been the first to apply steam as a motive power in navigation, having operated a small steamboat on the Savannah river as early as 1787. His maternal grandfather, Marshall Dent, was a cousin of Chief Jus- tice John Marshall. In 1842 he graduated at the U. S. military academy and entered the army as a brevet second lientenant in the 4th infantry. In 1844 he joined the army in Louisiana under Gen. Taylor, and the following year was made a first lieutenant in the 8th infantry, which was stationed at St. Augustine, Fla., until ordered to join Gen. Taylor in Texas. Lient. Longstreet took part in a number of battles of the Mexican war, winning the brevets of captain and major, and receiving a severe wound at Chapultepec. In the spring of 1861 he resigned from the army and on June 29 reported at Richmond for duty in the service of the Confederacy. He was made a brigadier-general on July 1 and ordered to report to Gen. Beauregard at Manassas, Va. On the 18th he defeated the Federal attack on Blackburn's ford and was engaged in the battle of the 21st, threatening the Federal rear. On Oct. 17, 1861, he was promoted to major-general and with this rank served under Johnston and Lee during Mcclellan's Peninsular campaign in 1862. He was next engaged against Pope's army in northern Virginia, moved with Lee into Maryland, and won fresh laurels at the battle of Sharpsburg or Antietam. On Oct. 9, 1862, he received a com- mission as lieutenant-general ; was engaged at Fredericksburg, Suf- folk, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, after which he was ordered to reinforce Gen. Bragg in north Georgia and broke the Federal line at the battle of Chickamauga, driving their right wing from the field. He was then detached for the capture of Knoxville, but owing to the heavy condition of the roads did not reach that place until after the defeat of Bragg at Chattanooga. Gen. Longstreet then rejoined Lee in Virginia and remained with him until the surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. After the war he set- tled in New Orleans and was appointed by President. Grant sur- veyor of the port in that city. Later he became postmaster and supervisor of internal revenue. He was appointed a member of the Lynch returning board on Nov. 13, 1872, and with Gen. Badger
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commanded Kellogg's forces on Sept. 14, 1874, when it became rumored that he had been captured. In 1880 he was appointed minister to Turkey and was appointed U. S. marshal for the dis- trict of Georgia by President Garfield. On Nov. 2, 1897, he was appointed U. S. commissioner of Pacific railroads by President McKinley, in which position he continued to serve until his death in 1904.
Longville, a post-village in the central part of Calcasieu parish, and is a station on the Shreveport, Alexandria & Southwestern R. R., 25 miles north of Lake Charles.
Lookout, a post-village in the northern part of St. Helena parish, situated on the Tickfaw river, about 2 miles south of the state line and 10 miles north of Greensburg, the parish seat and most con- venient railroad station. Its population in 1900 was 52.
Lopez Expedition .- About 1846 Antonio Lopez, a Cuban revolu- tionist, undertook the work of organizing an expedition to free Cuba from Spain and secure the annexation of the island to the United States. New Orleans became the center of his operations. and, as the war with Mexico was at that time uppermost in the public mind, but little attention was paid to his movements. Be- sides, a large number of Coolies had been recently introduced into Cuba, and it was believed by many people of the Southern states that Spain, influenced by England, was about to abolish slavery in that colony. These people also believed that the freedom of Cuba and its annexation to the United States meant the continua- tion of slavery there, and the addition to the Union of more slave- holding territory. Hence, they aided Lopez in every possible way to prosecute his designs. In 1849 the expedition, in which there were a number of Louisianians, landed at Bahia Hondo, 60 miles west of Havana, where Lopez and his men began their revolution. They were soon overpowered, the leader and some of his lieuten- ants expiated their rashness on the scaffold, and others were sen- tenced to prison.
When the news reached New Orleans it occasioned both grief and indignation-grief for the loss of friends and the failure of the undertaking, and indignation over the cruelty exhibited by the Spanish authorities in dealing with the revolutionists. An excited populace assaulted the Spanish consulate, and for the "insult to the flag of Spain." the United States government was subsequently required to make amends. On Dec. 11, 1851, the prisoners, some of whom had been kept in confinement in Cuba and others taken to Madrid, were pardoned by the queen of Spain. They were re- turned to their homes by the United States government, Congress passing an act on Feb. 10, 1852, making appropriations to defray the expenses of transportation.
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