Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-05-19
LAFITTEs BURIED DOUBLoONs.
A Romance of Lake Pom ntchartrain
A Printer Seeking the pirates
Treasure-His UmtimeIy Fate.

A Romance of Lake POntchartrafn
"A Printer Seeking the Pirates
Treasure-His Untimely Fate.
From the New Orleans Picayune. 14th inst.l
1t appears from well authenticated
facts that Andrew J. Newell, recently a
compositor in the Picayune Office, met
his death by violence somewhere in Lake
Pontchartrain about the first of the
present month. His body was found
floating in the water at Coquille Island
near Fort Pike, by Alec w. Weems, on
the 9th inst. That gentleman, in a let
ter toone of the city journals, says that
the body was found between Salt Bayou
and the Rigolets. From this it is in
ferred that he was killed in the lake. In
his right breast were found two holes re-
sembling gunshot wounds, and large
enough to insert the fingers of a man 6
hand in. One of these wounds was just
under the right nipple, and the missile
in penetrating had broken the rib.
The face of the man was too much
decomposed to give any description OF
it, but his pockets contained papers that
leave no room to doubt his identity.
These we're certificate signed by
Deputy Surveyor j. A. Leblanc and
William b. Hall, of measurement Of
American sloop Reckless Babe, of New
Orleans, Z. j. Lawless master, dated
September. &c, 1867 33-l00 tons; also,
a receipt dated April 8, 1871, for seventy
five dollars, from Il. j. Lawiess to An
drew j. Newell, for one skiff boat and
tackle, the Reckless Babe, with fifty
cents internal revenue stamp on same.
This seems to establish pretty clearly
that the deceased is Mr.. Newell. The
inference is strengthened by the fact
that it is the third expedition taken in
this direction by him. He was in search
of the treasure of the pirate Laftte. 1t
is generally believed that an almost in
calculable amount of wealth lies con-
cealed on one of the islands of the Gulf
Specific information of the whereabouts
of this treasure reached Mr.. Newell in
sort of family tradition.
Many years ago, when crusade was
being made by the governments OF the
Southern States against Laftte's crew,
it is said that five of the gang were cap
tured near the Rigolets-three men and
two boys. The men were executed at
once, but owing to the extreme youth of
the boys, and the statement that they
we're forced to join La6tte's band, they
we're suffered to 20 in peace. Years af-
terward, when he had grown to man
estate, one of these boys obtained shelter
under the roof of Mr.. Newelrs father,
in St. Tammany parish, where his mother
still resides. He was sick and toll worn,
and the family did everything in their
power to alleviate his suffering. But he
grew worse from day to day, and finally
died. Previous to his death, however,
he called Mrs. Newell to his bedside,
and saving that he had no means to re-
compense her, still thought it in his
power to do her family service. He
then related to her the fact of his con-
nection with the pirates, all of whom but
himself were dead. In one Of the islands
of the Gulf they had secreted their treas
ure. He knew the place, and would
give to her such specific directions that
it could certainly be found
These directions we're written down,
and preserved with scrupulous care by
the family. Evidently they put implicit
faith in the statements of the dying man.
So much so, indeed, that upon three
occasions the father of Mr.. Newell
started in search of the place.
But there appears to be fatality about
II. In his first expedition the boat was
wrecked and he and his companion barely
escaped with their lives The second
time he was only two days out when the
man he had with him fell sun-strieken,