Cat Island : The History of a Mississippi Gulf Coast Barrier Island

Just off the coast of the Gulf Islands National Seashore lies Cat Island, an isolated, T-shaped sliver of sand with a remarkable past. A coveted hiding place for Jean Lafitte's pirate treasure in the late eighteenth century and illegal booze during Prohibition, Cat Island also witnessed the first shots of the Battle of New Orleans, an encampment for Seminoles during the Trail of Tears and the first lighthouses on the Mississippi coast. As a child, author John Cuevas learned that his family had owned and lived on the island for three generations beginning with his ancestor, Juan de Cuevas, referred to as "The King of Cat Island," who received it by way of a Spanish land grant. In this engaging work, Cuevas chronicles the historic events that occurred on the island's shores and offers a tribute to the legacy of one of the Gulf Coast's pioneer families. Cover Acknowledgments Contents Preface 1. About Cat Island 2. The French Discover Cat Island and Settle Biloxi 3. The Fort on Cat Island 4. The First Mutiny on American Soil 5. Jean Lafitte, the Pirates, and Buried Treasure 6. The Hero of Cat Island 7. Juan de Cuevas Captures the Pirates 8. A British Officer Visits Cat Island After the War 9. The Cuevas House on Cat Island 10. Pioneer Life on Cat Island and the Developing Coast 11. The Seminole Indians on Cat Island 12. The Last Great Party on Cat Island 13. The Funeral of Juan de Cuevas 14. How the Truth Became a Legend 15. The Lighthouses on Cat Island 16. Turpentining and the Lumber Industry on Cat Island 17. Al Capone and the Rumrunners 18. The Goose Point Tarpon Club 19. The Secret War Dogs of Cat Island 20. Cat Island Owners from the Past to the Present 21. A Visit to the Cuevas Homestead in Spain Notes Bibliography Index About Cat Island The French discover Cat Island and settle Biloxi The fort on Cat Island The first mutiny on American soil Jean Lafitte, the pirates, and buried treasure The hero of Cat Island Juan de Cuevas captures the pirates A British soldier visits Cat Island after the war The Cuevas house on Cat Island Pioneer living on Cat Island and the developing coast The Seminole Indians on Cat Island The last great party on Cat Island The funeral of Juan de Cuevas How the truth became a legend The lighthouses on Cat Island Turpentining and the lumber industry on Cat Island Al Capone and the rumrunners The Goose Point Tarpon Club The secret war dogs of Cat Island Cat Island owners from the past to the present A visit to the Cuevas homestead in Spain. "Off the coast of the Gulf Islands National Seashore lies Cat Island, a coveted hiding place for Jean Lafitte's pirate treasure in the late eighteenth century. Author John Cuevas learned that his family had owned the island for three generations beginning with his ancestor, Juan de Cuevas. Cuevas chronicles the historic events that occurred on the island's shores"-- Provided by publisher