The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THERE WAS A BELIEF IN NEW ORLEANS THAT YEARS AGO, JEAN LA FITTE,
A PIRATE, HAD CHESTS OF MONEY BURIED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY
AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. USUALLY PEOPLE GOT KNOWLEDGE THAT THE CHEST
WAS ON THEIR PROPERTY IN A DREAM. THESE PEOPLE WOULD THEN HIRE
DIGGERS TO COME AND SEARCH FOR THE TREASURE ON THEIR PROPERTY.
THESE DIGGERS WOULD DISCUSS THEIR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GHOSTS
OF MEN WHO WERE KILLED AND THEIR BODIES BURIED WITH THE TREASURE
TO PROTECT IT. ON OCCASIONS, THEY WOULD TALK WITH THE GHOST AND
CALL THEM BY NAME. THEY SWORE THAT THE GHOSTS TALKED WITH THEM.
THE OBJECT OF THE DIGGERS WAS TO GET THE GHOST TO RELEASE THE
TREASURE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Date learned: 01-00-1979