Jeanerette Museum
500 E. Main Street
Jeanerette, LA
Keagan LeJeune, Ph.D, of McNeese State University will discuss his new book, "Legendary Louisiana Outlaws: The Villains and Heroes of Folk Justice" at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Jeanerette Museum. A book signing will follow the talk.
LeJeune's book explores Louisiana's most fascinating fugitives. He draws from historical accounts and current folklore to examine the specific moments and legal climate that spawned these memorable characters. He shows how pirate Jean Laffite embodied Louisiana's shift from an entrenched French and Spanish legal system to an American one, and relates how the notorious groups like the West and Kimbrell Clan served as community leaders and law officers but covertly preyed on Louisiana's Neutral Strip residents until citizens took the law into their own hands.
Recounting each outlaw's life, LeJeune also considers their motives for breaking the law as well as their attempts at evading capture. Running from authorities and trying to escape imprisonment or even death, these men and women often relied on the support of ordinary citizens, sympathetic in the face of oppressive and unfair laws. Through the lens of folk life, LeJeune's engaging narrative demonstrates how a justice system functions and changes and highlights Louisiana's particular challenges in adapting a system of law and order to work for everyone.
LeJeune received the Brian McConnell Book Award for 2016 which recognizes excellence in Contemporary Legend publications. LeJeune is past president of the Louisiana Folklore Society, and editor of its journal, Louisiana Folklore Miscellany. He has collected stories about outlaws and Louisiana folklore for more than 15 years.
This history talk is held at the Jeanerette Museum located at 500 E. Main St. in Jeanerette. This free program is suitable for an adult audience. Seating may be limited and taken on a first come, first serve basis.
For more information visit JeaneretteMuseum.com, email JeaneretteMuseum@yahoo.com or call the museum at 337-276-4408 Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
