The Wyandotte herald. (Wyandotte, Mich.) 1879-1943, 1938-10-28
The Legend Of
French Charlie

The following, regarding a former
mysterious resident of Taylor Town
ship is reprinted from an issue OF Inc
Herald published about - years ago:
There died, ON his estate In Tayior
township, last Saturday night, a small
old Frenchman, known as French
Charlie" whose early life has always
been shrouded in mystery, and whose
later life, for the past thirty or forty
wears. has been passed In hermlt-nKe
seclusiOn.
From his physician and only con-
fidential counsellor, DIR. L. j. Lansiois'
10 whom alone, as far as known, ne
ever cOnfided anything OF his past MS
tory. we have obtained the following
facts:
Charles Laurent, or French Cnar-
lie" as he has been called, was Dorm
in Burgundy, France, in 1900: de was
adopted by wealthy French Lady, and
was thoroughly educated. He left
Flance in 1919 and landed in America
in 1881. Where he spent these twelve
wears. and what he did during tnat
time. has never been revealed; Dut
from hints that he dropped, and scenes
he has sometimes, on rare OCCASIONS
narrated. and from other circumstan-
ceS. il is thought he was engaged In
niratical adventures in the West Indies.
After landing in America he proceeded
west and for many years was an IN
dian trader Some thirty odd years ago
ne came into this section, and took up
from the government a half section OF
land 600 acres) on the Goddard road
four miles west of WyandOtte. on
which he has since resided, living
alone and secluded in a small Jog
house. He has always been fearful OF
being poisoned, and would not eat any
thing prepared by any one else. The
house contained a small armOry OF
guns, pistols and swords. Barrels OF
liquor were found stored in the house
after his death.
He died without a known relative TO
inherit his large property, and with
out making any requests, and his es-
tate. which is known TO be large, VIII
doubtless revert TO the state. 1t con-
sists of the fine farm above mentioned,
valued at $75 per acre, and mostly
covered with fine timber. Property IN
New York and st. Louis, and fifteen
thousand dollars in the bank, accord
ing to two bank books found in the old
house after his death. From the facts
of his singular life, excellent acquain-
lance with the Spanish language, his
body covered with many and deep
scars. as well as the general impress
sion concerning him, ii is believed Oy
those best acquainted with him, that
he was a pirate during the years from
1919 TO 81 OF this period of his life
he was always very reticent, and moth
ing could induce him TO say anything
about it. He has been robbed several
times, of various amounts, at one time
he had $500 stolen from an old
stump in which he had concealed ii.
He has been known as an eccentric,
grabbed old Frenchman: with whom
no one cared to have anything, to do.
He has lived in apparent poverty, yet
always having plenty of money.
His life if il could be fully known
would probably reveal strange dOings.
hui it remains a secret which has been
buried with him.
He was inferred in the Sutl;ff bury
ins ground. in Taylor. A petition has
already been made 10 the probate
court for the appointment Of an adj
mini>tratOr of the estate. which now
will be rich legacy for the state of
Michigan.