Daily inter mountain., 1899-11-08
49, OUR FILIPINO ~ ~
{..**& ~ SETTLEMENTS

| Perhaps there is not score of geogra
piers or historians in all the United
| States who even know that Louisiana
contains Filipino colony. But never
| theless there are several of them.
| All about the mouth of the Mississippi
river there are hundreds of tiny islands
covered with tall marsh grass, some OF
which are only a few feet out of this
ocean. On the west side of the delta
in little bay called BaTataria, and tc
the north of the famous Grand Isle, are
numerous little islands on which are
settled the colonies of Filipincs. which
just now are being visited by many
southern people anxious to learn for
themselves Just what sort Of people our
soldiers are fighting with in the far
| away Orient. Besides these colonies
there are other smaller ones in Lake
ForSne. on the other side of the delta.
and in the many contiguous islands of
the Barataria group.
The principal island in the latter group
is Clarkchenere, and on this island is
the main Filipino settlement. These lit
tie blue men are called along the gulf
Ma aniamen." These sons Of the far
away Filininos are atural born fisher
men and sailors. There are, all told, in
this one colony, or rather series of colo
MES. perhaps as many as 15o0 persons.
The colony seems to have originated
more than so years ago. In fact, some
Of the oldest Of the coonists say that
they have been in this country for fully
15 years. But about half century ago
"Manilamen" first settled on Grand Isle
the last in the group in Barataria bay.
1t was on this island that the famous
pirate. Lafitta, made his headquarters
swert over that region, completely sub
merging Last Isle, its 400 souls being
washed iGto the sea. The next morning
not a trace remained Of that
Strange Wild spot in the Maxic sea.
Where wind and wave and wild bird
wandered free.
This storm created fear in the breasts
Of the 'Ma aniiaman.' and by degrees
they moved a little nearer to the main
land and again settled on an island called
Oh haniere Caminado. This island being,
being somewhat higher than the others,
was covered with large oak trees. Here
these quiet people built up a flourishins
colony They had little church, a
schoolhouse, and had made a more or
less attempt at an organized govern
ment.
Then came another fearful hurricane in
1880, during which 800 persons-one-h half
the population Of Cheniere Gamma do
We're swept into eternity in one single
nlght.Other storms Of more or less Sc
verify followed the last occurring in
1898, carrying with it terrible loss of life
and property.
These sad experiences have inspired
sort of superStitious dread Of the out
lying islands in the hearts Of those who
escaped from the fury nf the terrible
hurricanes, and they gradually gave up
their old homes and went further in
shore. where they built new ones.
1t is for this reason That now the
greater number Of these peculiar people
inhabit the low, marshy islands in the
sheltered bay of Barataria and the little
strips OF land along the banks of the
sluggish bayous, on whose bosoms are
myriads of water lilies in peaceful re-
pose.
Scattered here and there all through
the tall marsh grasses, nestled among
the scrub willows. half hidden at times
under the dense growth of tropical veg
citation, are rudely and curously con-
structed houses of palmetto and straw
presenting a half civilized appearance.
the homes of these wanderers from the
islands of the South Seas.
They are a silent people. never ming
ling with strangers, and taking little in
terest in the doinss of the outside world.
Their lives are devoted to the peaceful
career of fishermen. Their wants are
few With little sail boats and outfits
for fishing, this colony has lived for more
than half century, content With a good
fish catch which would furnish frugal
dinner, in blissful ignorance of what has
been going on in the great world.
They are inclined to be suspicious of
strangers, and when one goes among
them he is very likely to be received with
GOODNESS and Indifference, but when by
the use of tact and diplomacy their sus-
picions are once allayed they will talk
without restraint and even open their
homes with most cordial hospitality and
place before a stranger the best that they
contain.
The Filipinos are hopelessly ignorant
so far as book learning and knowledge
of the world goes, but the great majority
seem to be endowed With a natural intel
ligence which marks them as vastly su-
peror to many classes of foreigners who
make this country their home. They are
interested in the war in the Philippines
and are proud to talk about their native
land.
They have heard of Dewey, too, al
though it is with great reluctance that
they can be induced to talk about the war
with strangers. They have heard in
vague sort of way something OF the re-
cent history of their native country, and
some few express the desire that it should
be free
DO you like the Spaniard was asked
of group of old men.
Me like Spanlafd? Me ike snake!
The Spaniard steal our money. Take all
we have. No one in Manila like a Span
lard. Me no like 2 Spaniard. Dewey good
man; he give Manila people friendship"
were the replies which came from many
sources all at once.
The writer landed few days ago from
little steamer on the island of Clark
chenere, armed with camera, and was
greeted with very bad grace "a first but
the colonists We're soon Won over to amia-
bility. Soon it became noised around that
a white stranger had landed in the colony
to take pictures. Little brown eyes and
hl.al l4a.,G L.. 1.isi