Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1867-06-19
The CLAUDE 0UVAL OF TIE
MISSISSIPPI.
. Romantic Historical GemiBissenee.
trroro IA. Natchcz Courier. J


a correspondent Of the Kinds coun-
tv Gazette gives a graphic account of
some former Mississippi scenes Of
great interest, from which We extract
the following
Some time previous ana subsequent
TO the arrest Of Aaron BUrr, there
was an organized band Of robbers, call.
ed LAND pirates" who committed
depredations on the river and public
highways. The leader Of this band OF
thieves and cut-throats was man Of
great shrewdness and penetration
He had peculiar talent to lead and
govern, and, by nature, was born TO
command. He possessed and order Of
talent worthy Of higher calling
Their headquarters were on the bank
Of bayou, west Of the river, which now
bears the name of their captain.-
There We're some settlers Ia the vicin-
lty who had q secret connection with
this band. At that time Gen. C0wlcs
Mead was Federal governor Of the ter
ritory, and George Poindexter was
Federal Judge. They and the other
officers, and some Of the nabols and
aristocracv, resided at Grcenville. JET
ferson county formerly the romantic
residence Of the Spanish \ lcald), then
a lively, thriving little inland town
\ that time there were 10 steam
boats; and Western produce was all
brought down the river III hat-boats
y Mr.. Baker citizen Of Kentucky,
was in the habit Of descending the
river every winter as supercargo Of
shipments Of produce; and at Match
cz he disposed Of boats and cargo, and
returned to Kentucky on horseback.
AS there were then no banks to sell
checks, he had to carry the gold to
Kentucky. On one Of his trips
he called on the keeper Of the hotel
in Natchcz, whore he boarded, for
some thread or other article, TO com
plete a close Jacket in which TO carry
the gold; and not suspecting the man,
he incautiouslv disclosed to him his
plans. The hotel keeper treated him
very courteouslv, and kindly protiered
to assist him in making the Jacket and
putting in the gold This was the on
" individual to whom he made any
disclosures.
Things went on very pleasantly IN
Natchez; and in a few days Mr.. Ba-
ker and Kentucky friend set out for
home. They travelled on leisurely and
pleasantly for a few days; and, as Is
usual with horseback travellers gen
erallv, when thev rode into a creek
one would ask the other. ~ hat
shall we name this creek p WLen
they rode into Bakers : creek, one
asked the other that question, and
last at that moment twelve armed
men appeared on the opposite bank
Of the creek, and the captain Of the
band spoke in loud but pleasant tone.
and said, We viii call it Bakers
Greek" Sudden as a fash, this Incl
dent explained to Mr.. Baker all the
extrayagant demonstrations Of cour-
tesy and friendship manifested
toward him by the hotel keeper
at Natchez. In his manners at the
creek, the captain Of these throats
might have been taken for a near
kinsman Of Lord Chesterfed-so cour-
teous, so pleasant, so attable - Good
morning, gentlemen? ] hope Won are
very well! Very glad TO see you.
rentlemen Ride M ride up. gen
tlemen! light "a Thus he exhibited
the fact that man may be very low
IN morals and yet be remarkable for
pleasantly and refinement Of manners.
Mr.. Baker and his travelling com pan
ION rode UP the captain and his com
pany formed semicircle TO receive
them. The captain walked up to Mr..
Baker and shook hands with him very
cordially. saying" This IS Mr. Ba-
ker. presume, and this (a!luding 70
himsel) is Captain R" After
+ asking some questions about the state
If business on the river. the condition
Of things in Natchez and Greenville,
etc, the captain said. We want
/ voC- money; hand IL over, gentlemen.
Ny. Baker and his friend took cut