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Interviews about Pirate House and Other Evidence « Russell Guerin http://www.russguerin.com/history/pirates/interviews-about-pirate-hou..
Interview with Mrs. Nancy Gex, current owner of site Date of Interview: 11-3-03
Mrs. Gex indicates that oldest photo available of Pirate House is the one showing many ballast stones.
Photos show two walls of ballast rock; even now, much of the Gex garden contains such rock, as do neighbor’s property, like Serendipity. Important as possible evidence that boats came to Pirate House area, even though not a harbor.
One picture shows very large extension to rear of main house.
There is the remnant of a small brick wall on East side of inlet to pond. It is topped with a large ballast rock.
Mrs. Gex tells account of Lister having had cave-in of tunnel in early 50’s; he sent in teenager, who brought up knives and either at this time or another, a skeleton was found. Lister had cypress boards cover cave-in. (In more recent years, Dr. Marco Giardino, an archaeologist with NASA, did some corings of the the area, finding evidence of cypress.)
According to Mrs. Gex, Fritz Eagan, now deceased, was another dependable witness who had entered the tunnel. Eagan was a respected businessman and an elected official in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, for a number of years. He reported that the entrance had bars.
A large bell now by the Gex front entrance had been found far behind the house area. Two large and beautiful chandeliers in the Gex home were salvaged after Camille.
Mrs. Gex pointed out that steps in the oldest photo, mentioned above, appear to be wooden, indicating that the present concrete steps would have been made in later years. In fact, present ones are unlike those in old postcard, perhaps even showing different number of landings. Important thing is that all seem to be in same place.
Bricks used in present house were recovered from Pirate House, as were some other adornments, like the wainscoting.
She has in her basement a number of pieces of marble, shaped for dresser tops, fireplace mantels, etc., all recovered after Camille. One piece, about 24 inches by 10 by 2, appears to be slate. (This writer has examined it, and inscribed on surface is the date 1819.)
Other Evidence WPA Report
“. ..the Pirate’s House, built in 1802 by a New Orleans business man who is alleged to have been the overlord of the Gulf Coast pirates. At one time, legend says, a secret tunnel led from the house to the waterfront. Recently restored, the house is a perfect example of the Louisiana planter type.. ..the iron grillwork forming the banisters is reminiscent of that of the French Quarter of New Orleans.” (Some of this ironwork still exists, and is part of enclosure at Mrs. Gex’s house.)
Oliver, Gulf Coast of Mississippi, 1941
“Legends are many of this old Pirate House. One has it that a secret tunnel runs from a sub-cellar into the Gulf, and through this tunnel pirates transferred their booty from ships to their strongholds beneath the house. Unexpected openings into suspicious looking lockers and half-concealed closets in queer underground compartments give the imagination vast room for bold adventure. This old house at one time sheltered Jean Lafitte ....The old romantic Wishing Well on the rear premises, ‘where wishes always came true,’ is now covered by blossoming vines.”
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