The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-04-10
Ola Bones.

Recently, while grading the side OF tb,
hill Ia front Of the Presbyterian Church /,
Corpus Christi, Texas, there was brouph
to the surface what appears to be The ipoin
OF an elephants tusk, about six inches IN
length, and the horn Of q rhinoceros, about
the same length. On the latter were tount
several etchlngs, representingr Spanish
lady danolng the fandango to the rnusic
OF tamborine performed by q Portuguese
female, ship at anchor, q rope entwIned
anchor, and female waving flag on which
are stars. Further excavations near tho
same spot brought up the skull, ,eeverai ffbs
ana q portion Of tho spine Of q man, ev,-
dentiy OF gigantic mold. 5ahlyit,Ioti + ! :.
The discovery Of these relics of by gone
ages set speculation afloat as to how they
Ealne tO1bo IN the place WhHre they wert
nnearthed. After dihgent pumping Of old
settlers, and minute research Into the b,s.
tory OF the dark ages of southwestern Tex.
as, we have built up the following as pro.
bably tho most lucid, explanation of the
strange find. 1,iIo'''", :. wy ~
In January, 1885, La Sale, the French
discoverer, with fleet OF three vessels !
having on board a colony intended tor the
mouth OF the Nlss,ssippi river, driven from
Ills course, landed at Padre leland. Be-
com Ing satisfied that they had been driven
iaf wese OF their destination, they recon-
narked and turned the prows of their yes-
sets eastward. Several families destined
1or 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.
i For nearly 400, years this little COLONY
struggled to maintain Its foothold at the
upper end Of Padre Island. Intians.
Mexicans, and want kept their number ut q
low figure. In December, 1920, terrible
gale visited tho remnant Of the little colo
ny, during which vessel was washed
ashore on the island. 1t proved to be
telucca belonging to the squadron of Jean
Lantte. The colonists secured three men
from the wreck, who proved to be, in
character, we'll fitted for the services of
the renowned pirate. Their names were
fierre TLargosso, Paul Baptiste and Joseph
Arnoux; aicknamed Heccules on account
or his immense stature and prodlglous
strength. From the tlmbers Of the wreck
cd telucca thoy constructed small vessel
and were for years after the disappoarance
OF Latitte engaged in depredatlng on the
commerce of the gulf, leading many to be-
lleve that Latitte was still alive and at his
ola trade. 80 theroughlyacquainted were
they with the shoals, channels and islands
or this part Of the gulf that it was impos-
sioie to capture them. AS further pre-
caut1onary measure, they-in 1s4O-re.
moved 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.
tner rhseilrJ JhalEs. Of leisure they amused
and silver plates, ivory, &HS,.coe -,., <,old
their many depredations on tho tSmtffnaartta tta
Of the gulf,
Early IN 1848 this portion of the guilt
was visited by cyclone and tidal wave
such as no man had ever before witnessed
or will witness unless our March tornado
should prove true. When the water had
risen 80 nigh as to menace their safety the
party tore down their house, constructed
from 1t raft, aid placing women aud
children In boat the men took to the raft
on which was loaded their valuableJ, and
were rapidly driven to the Corpus Christi
bluff. The boat upset before reaching the
land, and all oh board were drowned. The
raft struck the hill near the present Iesi-
dence OF Mr.. 4ussett, aud so fierce were
the waves that IN few moments It was
dashed In pieces. Two men reached the
banks In safety. The balance, with the
Accumulated spolls Of 70 years, went to
tho bottom. No sign Of the treasure vr Of
the unfortunate men was ever found. 1t
was supposed that portion Of the hill had
caved III and buried them, q theory that the
late excavations may partially prove.