The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-11
LAF|TTE, THE PIRATE.
His Remarkable Career AS it
Is Told in Louisiana.


while the hitherto stately captain was
vaihly attempting to assume an erect
position under the heavy oak table.
ON THE PIRATE SHIP.
1.-THE next frolic was held aboard the
vessel and was attended by several of
grandfather's friends from the prairie.
who had many times since leaving the
shores of France lonRed for but "a draught
of her sparkling wines, and now that so
fortunate an opportunity presented itself
they were not slow in ayailing themselves
of the hospitality of the genial captain,
and all had glorious time.
lit was not until tho strange visitors
had been several days in this vicinity
that the settlers were certain as to tho
calling of their new made friends and the
identity of the handsome young chief,
who at this time was not more than
thirty years OF age, and was none other
than the famous pirate. Jean Lahtte.
But his name dd in no wise lessen
the strong attachment which the lands
men had formed for the sea rover. What
had they TO do with his oallingl Was he
not their friend. and did he not supply
them with many of the necessaries and
luxuries of life, which otherwise il would
haveybeen impossible for them TO obtainy
After stay of several weeks, Lafitte
sailed away, and was not seen again for
some time. On his return, he gave my
grandfather to understand that his cruise
had been fraught with numerous adven-
lures, the most exciting of which was
test of speed with a United States man
of-war. which was on the lookout for
him in tho Gulf. He had pretty close
shave of it; the enemy was between him
and the mouth of the Caicasieu, and he was
compelled TO resort to stratagem. Stand
ing out to sea until after dark, he made
n wide detour and headed again for The
pass. Next morning Latitte had Slipped
up the river under cover Of heavy fog,
and his pursuers were completely baillcd.
AT NEW ORLEANS.
"Thus the years won't by-Lailtte re-
turning at irregular Intervals, and stay
ing for weeks at time, should man Of
war happen 60 be patroling the coast in
such close proximity as To render 10
hazardous To attempt run for tho At
lantic OF course, Lafitte had by far the
fastest vessel in these waters, but his idea
was TO put to sea without the fact bong
Immediately known by the government
watchdoss; it would have been extremely
annoying to be followed around con-
stantly by huge gunboat, even though
at long range When he intended re-
naming here for any length of time, his
men generally went into camp on the
high banks near where Drew's mill now
stands. Occasionally, during these long
sojourns in Lake Charles, Iaiitte would
undertake. an-expedition into the interior
either To dispose of contraband goods,
or for other reasons bettor known To him
self. Sometimes he would penetrate east
ward as far as the Mississippi river.
1.-The movements of these strange men
were often as mysterious aud unaccount-
able as they were sudden and unexp xpected.
One night without any previous warning,
they broke camp anu sailed away in tho
darkness. 80 hasty and sudden was this
departure that young negro COOK named
CataloD, who was sleeping apart from the
rest was left behind. Noxt morning
when the darky awoke TO n realization OF
his situation, he went down to the old
place and my grandfathor took charge of
him until the return of the vessel, when
he bought Catalon from Lafitte for two
quarters of beef.
During tho course of '.Iackson's war,
in 1914, England rendered Latitte the
sum of $50, 900 and a naval commission
to cooperate with her in the attack on
New Orleans. This offer was promptly
declined by the pirate, who had buried
along the Calcasieu river and tributaries
many times the paltry amount offered
him for so important a service Going
to Governor Clai borne. of Louisiana, he
made known the plans OF the enemy,
and offered the services Of himself and all
of his men to assist in the defence OF New
Orleans on condition that as recon Dense
they cach and every one be granted an
absolute pardon for past offences.
Lafittes offer was accepted, and at tho
battle of New Orleans he and his crew
displayed the most reckless bravery. 1t is
said that Lafltte even mounted the ram
parts in full view of both armies that he
might better direct the movements Of his
men"
NO SECOND CHANCE.
All this Is firmly believed Ia Louisiana
as is that other romantic story that it was
Lafitto who Ie.cued the first Napoleon
from the islanu OF lilba ana placed him
again on French soil.
And who or this late day shall DISPUTE
the authenticity of this legendg History
fails to reveal the name OF the man who
commanded tho vessel in which Napoleon
returned TO France after sojourn of
nearly year in Elba That Laiitte hated
England il shown by the contempt with
which he spurned her offers Of rank and
gold in 1914 ana the active part taken by
him in the overthrow of her hosts at the
battle of New Orleans Nav it not To
that Laiitte, in order to further satisfy
his revenge. crossed the seas and loCsed
the Gagged liOny
There is another strange story in com
mon circulation among these old inhabi-
tnnts to the effect that after Napoleon
had been defeated at Waterloo, and real
lied that his power In Europe was forever
overthrown. he at once conceived tho plan
of escaping To America Accordingly,
with n vast amount of gold and jewels,
he embarked "a second time with Lailtto
and set sail for Louisiana; but bo was
apprehended ana placed undsr arrest by
the English before ho had timo 10 pass
the line of vessels which guarded the coast
Nothing daunted Laiitte brought all of
Napoleon's wealth across the ocean, and
after burying IL somewhere along the
Calcasieu river returned TO await n
favorable opportunity 90 deliver tho i'm
prisnned warrior from out o. the hands OF
his iailers. But the opportunity never
came.
FINDING OF TREASURE.
OF tho finding OF the treasure buried by
Laiitte. an aged Eegro "a short tino ago
| told this story
"A long time ago, when | first came 20
| this country and was living out on the
| prairie, east Of Lake Charles. there came
| three men from New Orleans, .a-rding
| big American gray horses. These gentle
| men went tn where the Court House now
stands and stuck curious looking 'u-
| strrment into the GROUND. 10 looked like
| n broomstick and had "A shnrp iron point
To make IL go in the ground easy. On ths
| R.r "A ,snpfptna Ifffla fpiNanfa