OCR Text |
Show Unique Old French Village. Lying so much off the beaten track, the v'llage of Port Lesne in the Jura department of France is visited by but few from the outside world, and consequently this tiny community of men and women of color is but little known. It Is not a large village, for its inhabitants number but little mora than a hundred, but every one is either black, or of copper color or palish yellow. It owes its origin to the fact that about a century ago the famous negro chief, Toussaint-L'Ouv- erture, was brought from Hayti.and Imprisoned in Fort de Joux. Many of his friends, all negroes, followed him and encamped near his prison on the bank of the little river Loue. From that encampment grew the village vil-lage of Port Lesne, and when Tous-saint-L'Ouverture died more than a hundred years ago his friends decided to remain in France. The passing of years and intermarriages have transformed trans-formed the settlement into a French village of colored folk, all of whom have the vote. Port Lesne is thus probably the most unique spot in all France. |