St. Landry democrat., 1889-07-20

| STEERS.
The Natchez tribe of Indians, their Gus
toms, manner of worship, habits, religion,
| etc, have always been a theme of extraor-
binary interest to scientific men, and relics
| of this semi-civilized tribe have always
been eagerly sought for. Tradition says
that they were far superior as race as
well as much more civilized than their
aboriginal neighbors, and possessed of the
knowledge of the manufacture of weapons,
pottery and crude works of art not shared
by any other tribe existing at the time of
the Spanish invasion of North America.
Prof. Joseph Jones, M D, of this city, an
eminent physician, geologist, and ethnolo-
gist, who is possessed of great and critical
knowledge of these subjects and has de-
voted much time, money and study to the
earlier history of Louisiana and Mississippi
during the last twenty years, determined
some years ago to carry his investigation
to the ancient mounds in the vicinity of
THE PRESENT CITY OF NATCHEz,
which is located in the midst of the coun-
try once owned and inhabited by the ex-
tinct tribe of Natchez Indians 1t hoo been
at long intervals that he has been able to
attain few days relaxation from the
arduous and exhausting duties incident to
the prUtice of the medical profession.
Several weeks ago DR.. Jones visited
Natchez in the discharge of his duties as
an active practitioner of medicine, and be-
ing so near these ancient mounds deter
mined to pursue his investigations. The
object of his researches was to determine
the exact locality of Fort Rosalie and ex-
anime the works of the ancient Natchez
Indians on the banks of the St. Caroline's,
Second and Coles creek, as well as to OBJ
tain specimens of the last of the mound
builders.
After the return of DR.. Jones to New
Orleans he was questioned by reporter of
the Picaqune in regard to his investiga-
tons. and responding with his usual gen
erous courtesy the reporter was enabled to
record the following brief outline of his
remarks:
In the year 100 Iberville, Bienville and
Tonti assembled the Mississippi river as far
as the present city of Natchez on an ex-
ploring expedition. They were perfectly
charmed with the lofty bearing and intel
ligence of the Indians known as the
Natchez. They determined to post gar
rison, build fort, and lay out town on
the bluff where the present fine city stands
and decided to call it ''La Vile de Rosalie
aux Natchez"
Sixteen years later French force under
Bienville was led thither to settle difficult
ties with the Natchez Indians, and q
treaty of peace, in which 600 Indian war
riors and 800 Indian women took part, was
contaminated with them. The French cree
ted fort on cliff just below where the
city now stands, and this was
NAMED FORT RosALIE.
in honor of the wife of the then French
minister of marine. This fort stood on an
eminence some $40 yards from the banks
of the river at that time, and in country
in which were most beautiful hills and
valleys. At the foot of this cliff was loca
ted in more recent times the famous
''Natchez under the Hill," which, for un-
savory reputation, Wed with the celebra-
ted Five Points of New York in the zenith
of their evil fame. Since then much of
this bluff or cliff has caved into the Missis-
sippi river, carrying with it portions of the
| old fort, but there are still remains of
| the old structure. Many interesting
| relics were found here such as stone
| hatchets, terracotta vases, etc., and Sc
| cret passage was found, five or six feet
| square, and leading from the surface of
| the bluff inside the works to the river DR..
| Jones obtained many interesting relics, old
| Spanish coins, etc., from the locality. This
was without doubt the fort occupied by the
French garrison in 1929, when their mas
sacre by the Natchez occurred.
THE CAUSE OF THIS MASSACRE.
was without doubt the oppression of the
| Natchez warriors by the French for q
number of years, though the immediate
cause was the seizure of the Indian village
of the White Apple by the French.
| This village was situated on the Wood
vile road, about 10 miles south of hatcher
and about miles from the Mississippi
river. "a DR.. Jones detailed several romantic
legends in regard to the love of the French
commander for beautiful Natchez maid
en-, and gave instances illustrating the
strength of the passion of love in the
heart of the Indian women of the Missis-
sippi valley, which equaled if not surpass
ed, that of Pocahontas of Virginia. But
at the time of this interview the time was
| too short an the weather too hot 900 F.
for the P6cGyune reporter to do justice te
the princess of the sun in her efforts tc
rescue the French commander Chopar anG
his soldiers and colonists from the bloody
vengeance of the Natchez warriors.
| The village was situated opposite Ellis
/ cliff near the mouth of Second creek in the
heart of the most beautiful portion of the
land of the Natchez.
DR.. Jones made an extensive exploration
of the land in this country, about 65(
acres, west of Second creek. which was
formerly owned by Mr.. Hutchings but
now belongs to colored man named Alex
Mezique, who has several sons being edu