Louisiana is a state filled with many cultures, much history, and many different heritage’s. And the many histories of Louisiana involve local, state, and national events of great significance. One such history filled with many legends is that of No Man’s land, also known as the Neutral Strip and the Sabine Free State.
When the United States purchased 828,00 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River from France for 15 million dollars this became known as the Louisiana Purchase. But the lands lying in these newly purchased lands had once been owned by both Spain and France and with the purchase by the United States a large disagreement concerning the land boundaries began with Spain. While negotiations could be made to straighten out the boundaries, a Spanish officer and an American officer met in the vicinity of Arroyo Hondo (near Robeline) and they established a neutral zone was set apart until a better agreement was reached. The area of this neutral zone was laid out from Arroyo Hondo (Robeline) to the Rio Sabinas (Sabine River)and this area would include parts of present day parishes of Allen, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Sabine, Vernon, Beauregard, Calcasieu, and Cameron.
When this No Man’s land was established every outlaw, murderer, escaped slaves and robbers made this area home. They dealt in horse and cattle stealing, robbing and stealing, and even counterfeiting of both United States and Spanish money. Several out law gangs operated throughout this area. John Murrell had a very large gang that was estimated to have been as many as 1000 men in it, Jean Lafitte, yes the pirate of South Louisiana, had a large gang that operated in the area. After helping win the battle of New Orleans in 1812 Jean Lafitte was given a large tract of land for his help. Lafitte used the Sabine River as a travel route and had various communities where his men lived. Jean Lafitte’s second in command was Pierre Dolet who had both French and Spanish land grants in DeSoto and north Sabine Parishes .
John Murrell became known as the Reverend Devil or Satan’s Agent. His men had several ways to identify each other. The had a special handshake, the all carried a special coin, they carried a waybill or letter in code, and in the front yard of every one of his men there was planted a black locust tree. The days of this lawless land ended in 1821. To now protect this new part of the Louisiana Purchase Fort Jesup was constructed and garrisoned by U.S. Army troops, who began to patrol and bring law and order in the No Man’s land.
In commemoration of No Man’s Land, the Louisiana Department of Culture and Tourism have a very good exhibit known as “No Man’s Land”. This exhibit is currently on display at the Alexandria Museum of Art in Alexandria, La. On January 14, 2023 local Sabine Parish historian Rickey Robertson was the guest speaker at this event. He was able to tell the crowd of the history of No Man’s Land and many of the historical stories, and even myths and legends of the Free State. Robertson also brought out many facts that were unknown to the public of events that took place in No Man’s Land. One fact that was interesting was the boundary that was set by treaty between the United States and Spain. The boundary was set as the Rio Sabinas (Sabine River) and this is the only boundary in the United States that once it was set in 1821 there has never been a dispute over it.
Accompanying Historian Robertson was Kelly and Clancy Stewart of the Free State Committee in Florien. Kelly and Clancy were able to give the crowd information about the Free State Festival, but also local history during the days of the Free State, and much information about one of the local outlaws known as Hiriam Midkiff.
This exhibit continues in Alexandria at the museum there and also on January 26, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. the Stewart Family of our area will be playing and singing songs of the No Man’s Land and other great songs. You can call for tickets at 3128-443-3458. Come and visit this exciting exhibit that tells the history of our area ! And remember…. we all got a little outlaw in us!