The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-27
LOUISIANA FlLlPlN0S.
Colonies of Manilamen I'm that state
for Half a Cent1ry.

raphers or historians in all the United
States who even know that Louisiana con-
tains Filipino colony. But. nevertheless.
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 the ocean.
On the west side of the delta in little
bay called Barataria, and to the north OF
the famous Grand isle, are numerous little
islands on which are settled the colonies of
Filipinos, 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 Borgne, 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 Clarkcheniere. and this island is the
main Filipino settlement. These little blue
men are called along the gulf ''Manilamen."
These sons of the far-away Filipinos are
natural born fishermen and sailors. There
are, all told, in this one colony or rather
series of colonies, perhaps as many as fif-
teen hundred persons.
The colony seems 10 have originated more
than fifty years ago. In fact, some of the
Oldest Of the colonists says that they have
been in this country for fully seventy-five
years But about half century ago
Manilamen" first settled on Grand ISLE the
last in the group in Barataria bay. II was
on this islands that the famous pirate, La
htte, made his headquarters for many years.
In 1906 great storm swept over that region,
completely submerging Last isle. its four
hundred souls being washed into the sea.
The next morning not a trace remained Of
that
Strange wild spot In the Mexic sea,
Where wind and wave and wild bird
wandered free"
This storm created fear in the hearts of
the Manilamen," and by degrees they
moved a little nearer TO the mainland, and
again settled on en- island called Cheniere
Samlnado. This island, being somewhat
higher than the others. was covered with
putt up fourishing colony. They had
little church, schooshouse and had made
more or less attempt at an organized gov
eminent.
Then came another fearful hurricane, in
1917 during which eight hundred persons
one-haIt Of the population of Cheniere
Camlnado-Were swept into eternity in one
slrgle night. Other storms of more or less
severity followed, the last occurring in 1899
carrying with 1T terrible loss of life and
property.
These sad experiences have inspired n
sort OF superstitious dread of the outlying
islands in the hearts of those who ESCAPED
from the fury of the terrible hurricane.
ana they gradually gave up their old homes
ana went further in shore, where they
bult new ones.
1t is for this reason that now the great
er number of these peculiar people inha bit
the low, marshy islands in the sheltered
bay of Barataria, and the little strips of
land along the banks of the sluggish bay-
Gus, on whose bosoms are myriads of water
lilies in peaceful repose
scattered here and there all through the
tau marsh grasses. nestled among the
scrub willows, half hidden at times under
the dense growth of tropical vegetation, are
rudeiy and curiousy constructed houses
of palmetto and straw, presenting a half
civilized appearance, the homes of these
seas.
They are a silent people. never mingling
with strangers, and taking little interest
IN the do1ngs OF the outside world Their
llveS are devoted to the peaceful career of
the fisherman. Their wants are few
With little sail boats and outfits for fish
ing this colony has lived for more than
half century content with good cetch
/ winch would furnish a frugal dinner In
blissful Ignorance of what has been going
on in the great world.
strangers. and when one goes among them
he is very likely 20 be received with cool
nf taa ano IN but when by the use
once allayed they will talk without re-
straint and even open their homes with
most cordial hospitality and place before a
stranger the best that they contain
Inc tlhpinos are hopelessly ignorant so
Tar as book learning and knowledge of the
world go, but the great majority seem to
De endowed with a natural intelligence
ma6h IN marks a them as vastly superior to
country their home. They are interested in
the war in the Philippines. and are proud to
talk about their native land.
:. Ihey nave heard of Dewey, too although
II IS with great reluctance that they can be
induced to talk about the war with stran-
gers. They have heard in vague sort of
way something of the recent history of their
desire that it should be free
DO You like the Spaniard?" was asked
-, Me like Spaniard? Me like a snake?
lie Spanlard steal our money. Take all
we have No one in Manila like Span
lard: lard, Dewey good man; he give Manila
people friendship" were the replies which
came from many sources all at once
Inc writer landed few days ago from
cheniere, armed with a camera, and was
greeted with very bad grace at firsr, but
bility. Soon ii became noised abroad that
white stranger had landed I'm the colony
to take pictures. Little brown eyes and
shining black heads were visible every
where, peeping out from behind window
shutters and half-closed doors. Their sus-
picions were at length overcome by
them three hours the crowd of curious
spectators-men, women and children-had
assumed enormous proportions. Mothers
washed their babies faces, dressed them
in their best and paraded them up and
down, hoping their darlings would favor
ably attract the artists eye.
What you charge to draw my baby?"
Il Will pay you money IL you will draw
me a picture of my house."
These were the entreating remarks which
came from all sides when they found they
were not all to be drawn"
The most remarkable fact noticed about
this Filipino colony was that there are no
Manila women in it. Never yet, so they
said, has a native Filipino woman been
seen in the colony. One old man of SUI
perior intelligence explained that II was a
characteristic of Manila women that they
never left their homes. A very few, he
said, had gone to Spain, but these were
the only known instances of Manila wom-
en- having left their native land. These
'.Manilamen" took wives from among the
Spanish and French creoles and in very
few instances, from among the negroes.
They seem well contented in their matri-
monial alliances.
a great many of these Filipinos are
very old men. I'VE live to be much old"
said one. They have one vice. that of
gambling. In the center of the colony
stands a gambling hail. At night when
the days work is done, the men congre-
gate in large numbers around the gaming
tables and play until their last nickel Is
gone. Crowds of women enter and stand
around as spectators of the game, but
I'll ..nla