The times., 1898-12-03
A QUEER COLONY.
Cinnamon in Louisiana Who Live
by Catching Shrimps

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Caminada is a strange colony. the bare
existence of which Is practically un-
known. 1t numbers, all told, at least
1000 people, three-fourths of whom are
Chinese and the rest Manilamen and un-
classifiable mongrels. They live In brush
wood camps near the edge of the water,
their habits are incredibly simple and
semi-savage, and their business is the
catching and drying of shrimp.
This singular settlement recently came
to the surface in some litigation, on the
calendar of the local courts, over the
ownership of piece of adjacent proper
ty, but the industry has been quietly pur-
sued, from time out of mind, in almost
unbroken isolation. Its product is never
seen in the New Orleans market, but is
shipped direct 10 San Francisco and New
YORK and consumed entirely by the Chi
nese. AT certain seasons the shrimp are
caught By the millions in rude hand nets
and spread in layers on platforms. built
over the surface of the water. The hot
sun soon shriveis them up and they be
come desiccated. When thoroughly ury
they are brown and brittle and have a
sweet, nutty flavor that IS far from dIsa-
greeabie. In this condition they are
packed loosely in barrels holding about
go pounds each and sent to native mer-
chants on Mott and Doyers Streets in
New York and TO the famous Chinatown
OF Frisco. At both places they are in
lively demand and are eaten either
condiments, without further preparation,
or with a curry of rice. Even American
barbarians find them very good.
The scene at the shrimping camps is so
strangely Oriental that it is hard for a
visitor to realize that he is in the neigh
borhood of a big American city. AS a
matter of fact the industry is imported,
and exactly the same process of fishing
and drying is pursued on a vast scale in
China Almost all the colonists come
from families OF shrimpers and when they
save sufficient money return TO the Flow
cry Kingdom and send back relatives to
take their places. There are
thousands of common Chinese
fans in the stores of New
ers and dryers, and, no doubt, many a
purchaser has puzzled over the queer
daubs and wondered what IT all meant
The same thing precisely could be wit
messed by making trip to the outlying
bayous of Grand Lake.
Secluded as they have been. the litiga-
ton already referred to is not the first
event that has brought the Chinese
shrimpers to the attention of New Or
leans officials About eleven years ago
tremendous row was raised at the post
ONcT Splilt uilhilOHH lIdl
was tainting the mails with a peculiar
and villainous odor. The trail being as
evident as the aura of a soap foundry
the Government sleuths were not greatly
ovefworked in following 1t to certain mys-
terious parcels, decorated all over with
Mongolian hieroglyphics. The bundles
contained dried shrimp. prepared after a
special and odoriferous formula. and sent
as tidbits to friends OF the colony. Need
less TO say. they were promptly confiscat-
ed under the rules of the postal service,
but the mailing went on, to a wild ch0-
rus of public protest. One day the super
intendent was passing his window just as
a Chinaman dropped a tabooed parcel in
the slot. The official was a man of ac-
ton. Grabbing the package. he hurled 1t
instantly at the retreating Celestial who
turned just in time to stop it with his
nose. The Chinaman emitted howl of
anguish, and from that day TO this not
single shrimp has ever perfumed the
mails.
But the most remarkable story connect
ed with the shrimpers Is that of the Chi
nese Prince. 1t is a true story. and curl
Gus in its details and so grotesquely sin
lister in its denoucment that il might east
ly be elaborated into a striking romance
of Anglo-Oriental life. However, the
plain facts are these:
About seven years ago a Chinese Prince
of the blood came to New Orleans for his
health. He was not Ill, but he had rea
sons for believing that he might live lon
ger If he removed himself temporarily
from the neighborhood of the court. and
enjoyed a complete change of diet. Ex-
actly what these reasons were nobody
knows. for, ike all Orientals, he kept his
own counsel strictly. but it was limited in
the Chinese colony that he had taken too
active an interest in politics. and was re-
sarded at Pekin as an offensive partisan.
Strangely enough, the news of his pres
ence here never got into the papers. but
there was no doubt whatever of his gen
uineness. Those Americans who met him
In connection with certain business trans
actions found MIN a cultured superbly ed
ucated and thoroughly accomplished man
Of the world. His official robes, which |
formed part of an extensive luggage. were |
such gorgeous affairs as are seldom seen !
outside the sacred circles of the court. |
They were made of silk, of the wonder |
ful weave reserved for the royal house to |
counterfeit which means death, and were |
stiff with intricate embroidery. He had |
besides n multitude of strange and beau |
-iful trinkets. carvings in jade and ivory, |
splendid fans. inlaid work as delicate as !
frost. caskets crusted with silver filigree |
md a hundred and one other things. all |
ittesting his taste. position, and az least |
former wealth. But in spite of these nu-
arous evidences of luxurious habits, the |
Prince was very businesslike gentleman. |
and he proceeded at once to beguile his |
exile by obtaining an interest in the Iarg- |
EST shrimpery on Grand Lake
He had the sagacity to assume charge |
of the books, which he kept with such
skill that at the end of six months they |
clearly demonstrated that he owned the |
entire property and was entitled to all |
the profits of the season. A long wransle |
ensued. Mr.. Edgar NJ. Calm, of the then |
firm of Noise & Calm. was the attorney |
Of the shrimpers, and his office was the |
scene of interminable arguments. all /
ending as they began, with the Prince in !
possession.
Such was the situation when one after |
noon six stolid-looking Cinnamon filed |
into Mr. Cahn's presence. They were the |
plundered partners, and without wasting |
time they made brief and pointed |
statement in choice pigeon English. |
I'VE are tired of American law" they |
said in substance. 1T is too slow. Be |
sides we have a society that attends TO !
such matters. 1t is called the High /
binders. Possibly the Prince has heard |
of this society. If not he will hear from |
Il shortly. Kindly convey him this mes |
sage with our compliments. Good day"
The Prince was sent for He arrived at /
o'clock and listened to the communica- |!
ton with composure. AT s O'Clock he |
called again and made a settlement in
,ull. Next day he departed and has never I
'een heard of since. 1t is understood, |
however that there was change in |
he political situation in China and that |
lie now resides at Pekin, where judging |
from his shrimping adventure. he has |
probably prospered. Before leaving he
gave some trinkets to a few friends, who |