The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-05-29
THE CLAUDE DUVAL OF The Mis-
q SISSIPPI. =
A Romantic Historical Reminiscence.
from the Natchez Courier.1

From the Natchez Courier
A correspondent of the Hiuds
County Gazette, over the signature OF
"0ld Citizen, gives the following
graphic account of some scenes OF
former Mississippi times, which will
be read with interest, both from its
local reference and its romantic story.
We extract the following from his
letter:
Sometime previous and subse-
uuent to the arrest of Aaron Burr
there was an organized band of rob-
bers called land pirates. who commit
ted depredations on the river and pub
lie highways. The leader or captain
of this band was man of great
shrewdness and penetration. He had
a peculiar talent to lead and govern,
and possessed an order of talent
worthy of a better calling. Their
headquarters were on the banks of
bayou, west of the river which now
bears the name of their captain.
There were some settled citizens who
had a secret connection with the
band. -
At that time Gen. Cowles Mead was
Federal Governor of the Territory,
and George Poindexter was Federal
Judge. They and other officers, and
some of the nabobs and aristocracy,
resided i'm Greenville, in Jefferson
County, formerly the romantic resi-
dence of the Spanish alcalde, then
lively, thriving little inland town.
At that time there were no steam
boats, and Western produce was all
brought down the river in fatboats. j
A Mr.. Baker, citizen of Kentucky,
was In the habit of ascending the
river every winter as supercarge of
shipments of produce, and at Natchez
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 at
Natchez, where he boarded, for some
thread, or other article, to complete a
close jacket in which to carry the
gold; and not suspecting the man, be
incautiously disclosed TO him his pia' g.
The -hotel-keepef treated him very
courteously, and kindly profefed to
assist him in ma king the jacket and
putting in the gold. This man was
the only individual to whom Mr..
Baker made any disclosures. % Z Is
Things went on very pleasantly in
Natchez, and in few days Mr.. Ba-
ker and Kentucky friend set out for +,
home. They travelled { on lleisurely
and pleasantly for several days, and,
as is usualwith horseback Travellers
generally when they rode into creek,
one would ask the other, what shall
we name this creek p. 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 a loud but pleasant tone,
and said, Eve will call it Bakers
Greek" Sudden as flash, this incl
dent explained to Mr.. Baker all the
extravagant demonstrations of courte-
sy and friendship manifested to him
by the hotel keeper in Natchez. III
In his. manners at the creek, the
Captain of the land pirates might
have been taken for a. near kinsman
of Lord Chesterfeld-so courteous,
so pleasant, so affa blei Good morn
ing, gentlemenl [ hope you are very
WE'LL Very glad to see you, gentle
mem Ride upl ride up, gentlemen
Light" Mr.. Baker and his travel
ing companion rode up; the Captain
and his company formed semi-circle
to receive them The Captain walked
up to Mr.. Baker and shook hands
with himvery cordially, saying, This
is Mr.. Baker, 1 presume, and this
f,ll,d;nrE 70 b;n,aIfN &c Con+,;n
R" After asking some questions
about the state of business on the
river, the condition of things in
said: We want your money; hand it
over, gentlemen!'' 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 jacket and |
hand it over" This being done, the
Captain then said: Now, put on
your clothes, Mr. Baker" While all |
this was being done, two men held
the horse. The Captain then said to
Mr.. Baker and his companion: Gen |
themen, mount your horses" and |
then wishing them a pleasant trip
and safe arrival at home, ordered |
them to pursue their journey.
On receiving authentic information |
of this robbery, Governor Mead isl
sued proclamation offering a reward
of five hundred dollars for the head |
of Captain - A few days after
wards, a stranger-a. savage looking, /
giant like, half horse, half alligator
sort of man-went into Greenville of T
a clear. frosty morning, and delivered
to the Governor the head Of