Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-04-18
A MISSISSIPPI ROMANCE. Z


From the NatcheE Courier faloAAA
A correspondent of the Kinds County
Gazette, over the signature of "Old
Citizen" gives the following graphic
account of some scenes of former Miss
issippi times, which will be read with
interest, both from its local reference
and its romantic story. We extract from
his letter: i sot tabnua ae smal yah
Sometime p.evieus and subsequent to
the arrest of Aaron Burr, there was an
organized band of robbers, (called ''land
pirates" who committed depredations
on the river aad public highways. The
leader or captsin of this band was man
of great shrewdness and penetration.
He had peculiar talent to lead and
govern, and by nature he was born to
command" " He possessed an order of
talent worthy better calling Their
headquarters were on the banks of a
bayou, west of the river, which now
bears the name of their captain. There
were some settled citizens who had
secret connection with this band.
At that time General Cowles Mead
was federal governor of the Territory,
and George Poindexter was federal
judge They and the other officers, and
some of the nabobs and aristocracy, re-
sided at Greenyille, in Jeffsrson county,
formerly the romantic residence of the
Spanish alcalde,) J then lively, thriving
little inland town. A@h AHd " ttahV
At that time there were no steamboats,,
and Western produce was all brought
down the river in fiatboats A Mr.. Ba-
ker, citizen of Kentucky, was in the
habit of descending the river every
winter as supercago of shipments of
produce, and at Natchez he disposed of
boats and cargo, and returned to Ken
lucky 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 Natchez where he boarded, for
some thread, or other article, to COM
pletc close jacket in which to carry
the gold; and not saspecting the man,
he incautiously disclosed to him his
The hotel keeper treated him very
courteously, and kindly profered to
putting in the gold. This man was the
only individual to whom Mr.. Baker
made any disclosures. A
Things went on very pleasantly in
Natchez and in few days Mr.. Baker
and Kentucky friend set out for home.
They travelled on leisurely and pleas
antly for several days, and, as is usual
with horseback travellers, generally when
they rode into a creek, one would ask the
other, what shall we name this creek ?"
When they rode into Bakers creek, one
asked the other that question, and just |
at that moment twelve armed men ap- |
peared on the opposite bank Of the creek,
and the captain of the band spoke in q
will call it Bakers Greek" ..
Sudden as a fash, this incident ex |
planned to Mr.. Baker all the extravagant
Of courtesy and friend
ship manifested to him by the hotel
keeper in Natchez. ,.yIE a-I4
In his manners at the creek, the cap
tain of the land pirates might have been
taken for near kinsman Of Lord Ches-
terfeld-so courteous, so pleasant, so
affable Good morning, gentlemen
hope you are very we'll Very glad to
see you, gentlemen Ride upI ride up,
gentlemen, and light !" Mr.. Baker and
his travelling companion rode up; the
captain and his company formed q semi
circle to receive them. The captain
walked upto Mr.. Baker and shook hands
with him very cordially, saying, This
is Mr.. Baker, | presume-and this (al-
Iuding to himself) is Captain -"
After asking some questions about the
state OF business on the river, the condi-
ton Of things in Natchez and Greenville,
ETC., the captain said, ''Wewant your
money; hand it over, gentlemenr
Mr.. Baker and his friend took out what
money they had in their pockets and
handed it over. The captain then said,
Now, Mr. Baker, take off your close
acket and hand it over" This being
lone, tho captain then said, Now, put
IN your clothes, Mr. Baker" While all
his was being done two men held the
horses The captain then said TO Mr..
Baker and bis companion, Gentlemen,
mount your horses" and then wishing
hem pleasant trip and a safe arrival
4 home. ordered them 10 pursue their
Quincy
On receiving authentic information Of
bis robbery, Governor Mead issued a
Offering 4 reward Of Eve
hundred dollars for the head Of ca Rain
-. A fe~ days Afterwards, stranger
"A savage looking, gianthke, half
Iorse. half alligator sort Of man-went
ntO Greenville on a clear, frosty morn.
nr, and delivered to the Governor the
cad Of Cautair