PECAN ISLAND
                      Vermilion Parish, LA

Contributed by Margaret Rentrop Moore
Source: Southwest Louisiana Biographical & Historical by William
Henry Perrin; published 1891 pages 247.

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       Pecan Island. Ä In the southern part of the parish in 
the sea marsh, is Pecan Island. It is situated about six miles
from the coast, and is sixteen miles in length, covered with
pecan and live-oak trees. This island presents the novel 
feature of an island surrounded, not by water, but by land, 
or rather by sea marsh. It is inhabited by hogs, cattle and
people, and it is said that the latter know little more than 
the animals with which they live.
    There are many stories and traditions and legends concerning
this island.   One is, it has been supposed that it was the
resort of pirates for centuries, and that there is untold wealth
buried upon the island, if it could be found. Located as the
island is, it is difficult of approach by the stranger, 
as well as dangerous, and hard to find. Another tradition, 
that two men presented themselves here once with a map of the
country, which showed the island with the best approaches 
to it, and employing a guide made their way to the island 
for the purpose of seeking for the buried treasure. But the
people living on the island showed such hostility they were 
glad to get away with whole skins. Another tradition still is
that the people living on the island are descendants of the
pirates that once infested the island and have multiplied to
their present numbers.
    The island is said to be like unto the valley of dry bones,
or a veritable golgotha, and that great quantities of human 
bones are to be found here, which has given rise to the legend
that the pirates brought their prisoners here to murder them;
also that the Attakapas Indians, who had the reputation of 
eating their prisoners, and hence were known as man-eaters,
which is Attakapas rendered into English, brought their 
prisoners here, where they butchered them, cooked them up with
clams and other products of the sea, and feasted to their
Hearts', or, rather, their stomachs', content.   This is all
given for what it is worth.  Much of it is legend and 
tradition, and as such it is given to the reader.
It is understood that the land embraced in Pecan Island is 
soon to be put upon the market, and, when it is, then perhaps
some of the traditions may be unraveled. Who will live upon this
island, however, for the ghosts of the murdered ones doubtless
haunt the island, at least in the minds of the superstitious ?
If the island is filled with the ghosts of slaughtered men, who
will want to make it his home ?