The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-11


than his name. Yet in the South and
particularly in Southern Louisiana, there
are persons living who are direct descend
ants OF members of Latltte's crew, and
there are many whose parents or
grandparents were intimately acquainted
with Lafitte. Stranger than all, the
house in which he was frequently enter
tained during his visits TO that part of
the country is still standing in the
suburbs of Lake Charles, and is oom
monty known as tie Old Sallier House. "
The grandson of man, who met, en-
tertained and was entertained by Lafitte
relates this story Of the first appearance
OF the pirate in Louisiana:
During the political troubles which
swept over France in the latter part or
the eighteenth century my grandfather,
in company with several others, all of
whom were OF noble birth, escaped fiom
that ill-fateu country into Spain. After
living here in comparative security for
several years they fell in with the cap
tain of "A vessel who was making prepara-
tions for a cruise In the Gulf OF Mexico,
and who was well acquainted with the
coast from Florida westward. He assured
tho fugitivos that he knew OF country
where political troubles were unknown.
where summer reigned for nine months
in the year and where winter was only
dream; here were rolling prairies ana
majestic rivers and beautiful lakes and
virgin forests.
so my grandfather and his compan-
ions were persuaded, and bidding the Old
World long farewell embarked for
America.
"At last appeared Douisisna's shores,
rising slowly from the placid waters of
the gulf, stretching east and west as far
as the eye could reach; en- unbroken
coast line, with no distinct mountains
rising like spectres in the southern haze.
but appearing as one great plain floating
like mirage between upper and neither
blue. One evening at the setting OF the
sun the bark cast anchor in Lake
Charles, but the lake had not yet been
called by any name. The river was
called the Rio Hondo and was not known
as the Calcasieu until many years after
ward Next morning ere the sun had
risen, n number of Indians padded out TO
the vessel in their canoes. ana began to
climb aboard, which frightened my grand
father. and no rushed below in great
alarm 10 appraise the the captain of the
supposed hostile demonstration of the
natives. But that gentleman only smiled
and said: Calm yourself, my dear sir,
for they are my friends and Will DO my
slightest bidding. The last time / was
here party of them undertook a trip
for me on a mission of great Importance
TO a settlement of Acadians in the Teche
country"
HE WAS fRlG III lENEU
"When the captain had dressed he
went upon deck, taking number of
presents. which he distrib buted among
the savages, who grasped his hands. and.
expressed their gratitude in shouts of
joy. After breakfast the whole party
went ashore, landing on the high she'll
banks, where the Barb House now
stands. Ponies were obtained from the
natives and grandfather, with his
Il sB..= oil
country to choose such locations FOR
building rs might strike their fancy.
Most OF them selected claims lying back
some distance from tho lake, but grand
father saw no place that suited him so
well as the she'll banks, where they first
landed. and accordingly, with the aid of
the captain, he entered into parley with
the Indians, and arranged with them for
so much land as he desired. There he
built this house. which stood undisturbed
until about lSil, whom il was removed to
its present site, and the Barb House
erected in It's place. Or course, the old
house hos been repaired many times
since, but the foundations and frame are
tho same: you can SEQ how thin the
flooring has worn and-would you believe
it!-Tthe nails which fasten these boards
down were MADE by hand and the nrst
roof was held IN place by poles pinned
down on each row of clapbCards.
SDme IbISoUs hI buc ITeSeHb llihF
imagine that tho mem bers OF this little
colony, deprived, rs they were, of direct
commun ication with the outside world,
might as well have been dead but not 80
for grandfather has often said that the
first years which he spent in Calcasieu
were the happiest of his life. Ihe land
brought forth abundantly, cattle thrived
on tue ranges, deer and bear were plenti-
ful--what more did any one want
zone day, after the lapse of several
years that passed like a dream, a strange
clipper built schooner, carrying an enor-
nous spread of canvas, sailed rapidly up
the river and dropped anchor in front of
the old place. she was in every respect a
remarkable looking vessel and, from her
gracefully turned lines. appeared able TO
hold her own against anything aiioat.
Besides largo complement of men, she
carried several snail hrass cannon.
Grandfather entertained grave doubts as
to the peaceful mission of this formidable
cru ser, and was inclined to wish himself
in the next parish, when he saw boat
lowered and headed for shore, manned by
half n dozen strange looking men, all Of
whom were heavily armed. Reaching the
shell banks, two Of them stepDed out OF
the boat and came toward the house
One was tall. dark man, with black
was heavy. thick set man, and carried
brace of pistols in his belt. Grandfather
was standing on tho gallery, and, though
still doubtful as TO their mission, he a
out his hand to welcome the strangers
whoever they might be. The tail man,
VINO was evidently the commander grasp
ed il warmly, and greeted him In French
the other stranger did the same, and
grandfather's fears were quieted at once.
" fter some rinor conversation tho
captain said that h5 expected to remain
in the vicinity for some time, ana wished
To make arrangements for u daily supply
of fresh meats. vegetables and other edi-
bles. of which they stood sadly in need,
after subsisting for 80 long n time on hard
tack and salt beef So far as remunera-
ton was concerned, he siRnified his will
lingness TO pay any price that might DO
demanded, as money was Of only second.
arv consideration, when compared to
fresh supplies which were at that time
so necessary to the health Of his crew.
That evening according To their own
statement the officers and the crew OF tho
unknown vessel enjoyed such feast Of
good things as thev had not known for
many weeks. About dark the comman der
r A. IN.