National Republican., 1883-03-01
OLD BONES.
Curious Traces OF Long Extinct Band OF
Pirates.
Corpus Christi (Ttn.) Odl,er.

Corpus Christi (7tr.) odller.
A few days ago, in grading the side of tho
hill in front of the Presbyterian church in
this city, there was brought to the surface
what appears to be the point of an elephants
tusk, about six inches in length, and the horn
of rhinoceros, about the same length. On
the latter were found several etchings, repre-
senting Spanish lady dancing the fandango
to the music of tamborine performed by a
Portuguese female, ship at anchor, rope
entwined anchor, and female waving q flag
on which are seven stars. Further excava-
tions near the same spot brought up the skull,
several ribs, and q portion Of tho spine of o
man, evidently of gigantic mold.
The discovery of these relics of by-gone ages
set speculation afloat as TO how they came to be
in the place where they were uncarthed. Af-
ter diligent pumping of old settlers and
minute research into the history of the dark
ages of southwestern Texas we have built up
the following rs probably the most lucid ex-
PLANTATION of the strange find:
In January 1856, La Sale, the French dis
coyerer, with fleet of three vessels having
ON board q colony intended for the mouth Of
the Mississippi river, driven from his course,
| landed at Padre Island. Becoming satisfied
! that they had been driven far west of their
! destination, they re-embarkcd and turned the
prows of their vessels eastward. Several
| families destined for the new colony, heartily
sick of their sea experience, asked to be left
here, were granted permission, and put ashore
with provisions and farming implements.
For nearly 200 years this little colony strug-
gled to maintain its foothold ut theupper end
of Padre Island Indians, Mexicans, and
want kept their number at a low figure. In
December, 1920, n terrible gale visited the
remnant of the little colony during which q
vessel was washed ashore on the island. 1t
proved to be felucca belonging to the squad
| ron of Jean Lafitte. The COlOnists secured
three men from the wreck, who proved to
be- in character, well fitted for the service
Of the renowned pirate. Their names were
! Pierre LargossO, Paul Baptiste, and Joseph
Arnoux, nlcknamed Hercules on account of his
| immense stature and prodigous strength. From
the timbers of the wrecked felucca thoy con-
structed q small vessel and were for years
! after the disappearance of Laiitte engaged In
depredating ON the commerce of the gulf
leading many to believe that Lattte was still
alive and at his old trade. So thoroughly ac'
quainted were they with the shoals, channels
and islands of this part of the gulf that II
was impossible to capture them. As fur
| ther precautionary measure, they--in 1S4O-
removed their headquarters to point now
designated as McGloin's bluff, and in those
turbulent days their retreat was as safe as
human foresight could have selected. Dur
selves etching familiar scenes on gold and sill
yer plates, ivory, &C., captured in their many
depredations on the commerce Of the gulf
Early in 1916 this portion Of the gulf was
visited by u cyclone and tidal wave such as
no man had ever before witnessed or will
witness unless our promised March tornado
should prove true. When the water hat
risen so high rs to menace their safety thu
party tore down their house, constructed from
IL a raft, and placing women and children IL
tho boat the men took TO the raft ON which
was loaded their valuables, and were rapidly
driven to the Corpus Christi bluff The boa
upset before reaching the land, and all OF
board were drowned. The raft struck TIN
hill near the present residence Of Mr.. Gussett
and so fierce were the waves that in few
moments it was dashed to pieces. Two mel
reached the banks in safety, The balance
with the accumulated spoils Of twenty years
went to the bottom No sign of treasure o
of the unfortunate men was ever found.
was supposed that portion of the hill ha,
cavod In and buried them, a theory that tn
, late excavation may partially prove.