Alphabet File page 263
Jerome had with him only men in whom he had the greatest trust, yet he realized the great temptation that a great sum of gold offered to even the most trusted men to desert him and try to take the money for themselves. It is said he went through the pretense of burying the gold a little way from their camp, but that he and his most trusted lieutenant slipped out on the darkest night and buried it in another place so that only the two of them know where it was. Up to this good day no one knows whether they ever came back for it.
They now made their plans to try to slip into New Orleans to contact their friends there. Pearl River with its many passages was dominated and controlled by one of the most dangerous gangs of criminals ever to operate in the Gulf Coast area. Honey Island was the headquarters for this gang. They would make raids in fast boats into the Gulf and even into New Orleans itself, going in and out through little known and secret passages, to and from their hideouts up and down Pearl River. They maintained several hideouts so that if one was discovered they would have others to go to. One such hideout was said to be across the river from Nicholson. The leader of these criminals was Pierre Rameau who was widely known ad the King of Honey Island. He was born and reared in Scotland and came from a good family, but, as is soften the case, he took the easy way to make money and became a brigand and a pirate. His real name was McCullogh but he operated under the name of Pierre Rameau from Honey Island in his illegal activities. In New Orleans he maintained one of the city's finest homes under the name of Col. Loring, who passed as a mine owner and operator from Mexico. It was common knowledge that many of the greatest fortunes in New Orleans in early times came from illegal activities.
It is said that Pierre Rameau often made raids and pulled off robberies in Louisiana and Mississippi, one at Waveland being minutely described. In this robbery, gems of great value were taken from the owner, he was then tied up in the house and the house set on fire.
The Americans trusted by Jerome knew the Pearl River area knew the Pearl River area well with all its hidden passways. To get by the Honey Island thieves, they had to be extremely secretive in their plans and the execution of these plans.
They left what is now Napoleon at what they considered the most propitious moment on a black dark night in a small sailboat that was also provided with oars. Jerome and his most trusted men had as their crew the most experienced and bravest of their men, depending on a local man with long experience in those waters to guide them. As day broke they hid themselves in a small cove and sent a man up a tall tree to reconnoiter. He could see nothing in sight to bother them. They had their sail furled and made their way with oars to prevent any detection. Up in the morning they suddenly saw a fast boat which they knew to belong to the buccaneers come speeding out from what had apparently been a hiding place. It seemed to be coming straight at them. While they thought they had been seen, their only chance was to assume that they had not been seen and to hide as quickly as possible. They pulled quickly into a small passage and hid as best they would in a little clump of bushes and high grass. The larger boat kept coming at a fast clip. It had now been cloudy for some time. When the pirate boat got within about one quarter mile of them, a heavy rain camp up - so heavy they could hardly see the boat they thought was pursuing them. As it neared them they watched and waited in almost breathless suspense. It passed them by - evidently they had not been seen. They were afraid to move as they had no idea when this boat would turn and come back.
They stayed hidden in the growth until about dark, while being burned by the sun and almost eaten up by mosquitoes. After dark they began slowly and cautiously making their way. They soon saw the pirate boat, apparently anchored in the very direction in which they were going. They tried to find a way around but no passage could be found.
They decided their only chance was to slip by unobserved in the dark and cloudy night. They made it without being detected and one night later reached their destination of New Orleans.
In New Orleans they found no enthusiasm for Napoleon Bonaparte. They had to give up their plan. It is not recorded how they made their way back to their boat hidden up a little creek near Waveland nor it is recorded whether or not they ever came back to get the buried money. While I know of no connection between Simon Favre and the Jerome Bonaparte expedition. I am informed that Simon Favre was a colonel in the French army and a favorite of the great French emperor and also an intimate friend of Jeremiah Henley. Napoleon granted to Simon Favre all the land between the two Pearl Rivers which we now know as Honey Island, with another grant to him of a good sized tract of his selection on the east bank of East Pearl.
As the story goes, he went up Pearl River to make his selection. When he got to the towering oaks with moss hanging from them at Walkiah Bluff he chose that spot for his home. When the United States Government took over this area they did not recognize his claim to Honey Island but they did recognize his claim to the beautiful homesite at Walkiah. Today this land is carried on the record books as Simon Favre Claim No. 19 Certificate No. 3.
I understand that the Favres in Hancock County are descended from this same man, Simon Favre, former officer in the French Army under Napoleon. Jermiah Henry now has many descendants living in this area. Yes, the history of this section is most interesting. There's romance, intrigue, mystery for those who want to search it out. (Picayune Item, Jan. 30, 1980, p. 5A) NAPOLEON BONAPARTE Joseph Bonaparte, 1768-1830?, brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, married Julie Clary, sister of Napoleon's mistress, Desiree Clary, King of Naples 1806-1808, King of Spain 1808-1813. Fled to U.S.A. on Mar. 30, 1814, with $80,000 to hire ships to rescue Napoleon from Elba.
After Napoleon surrendered at Rochefort, Joseph went to the U.S. in 1830 to plead for recognition of Napoleons son, the Duke of Reichstadt, to the French throne.
Naraganset Pier - Davis, Mrs. Jefferson, and Winnie, the Daughter of the Confederacy, are entertaining Mrs. Ulyses Grant at Naraganset Pier. (SCE 8/9/1893)
National Refrigeration Warranty Corp., Coleman Ave., Waveland (Ph 55)
Necaise----see Nicaise
NECAISE Located nineteen miles north of Bay St. Louis. (Hometown Mississippi by James F. Brieger)
Necaise, E. J., 401 Hancock (Ph 48 thru 50) 214 Bookter (Ph 55)
Necaise, Edmond. Built "Hilltop" about 1860. Later moved to Main St. because of the threats of hurricanes.
Necaise, Emile Mrs., 208 Carroll Av., (Ph 48 thru 50) 135 1/2 Main (Ph 55)
Necaise, J. E. 209 Sycamore (Ph 50)
Necaise, Janell - Ladies' Auxiliary - Disabled American Veterans-DAV SPONSORS DANCE - Ladies' Auxiliary of the Disabled American Veterans will sponsor a dance June 26 at 8 p.m. at the Chapter home on Main St. Donation will be $2.50 per person and music will be provided by Bo and Dee. Further information may be obtained by calling Janell Necaise at 467-6762. (Coast Buyers Guide - June 23, 1976)
Necaise, John Mrs. r Lakeshore (Ph 55)
Necaise, Leroy Mrs. r 233 Sycamore (Ph 55)
Necaise, M. J. Jr., 321 1/2 Breath's Lane (Ph 48 thru 50) 407 De Montluzin (Ph 55)
Necaise, Margaret Miss r Main (Ph 55)
Necaise, Maurice, 107 Wood, Waveland (Ph 48 thru 50)
Necaise, Merlin J. "Shorty " - Candidate for Constable Beat