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Keagan LeJeune
--Submitted Photo

LeJeune is Nov. 9 speaker at Jeanerette Museum

What do the pirate Jean Lafitte, Bonnie and Clyde and Leather Britches Smith all have in common? These are legendary Louisiana outlaws that have impacted Louisiana.
Professor Keagan LeJeune of McNeese State University will discuss his new book, “Legendary Louisiana Outlaws: The Villains and Heroes of Folk Justice” at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Jeanerette Museum located at 500 East Main St. A book signing will follow the talk.
LeJeune’s book explores Louisiana’s most fascinating fugitives, according to the Jeanerette Museum news release. He draws from historical accounts and current folklore to examine the specific moments and legal climate that spawned these memorable characters.
The author shows how 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 0citizens, sympathetic in the face of oppressive and unfair laws.
Through the lens of folk life, LeJeune’s 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 being held free and is suitable for an adult audience. Seating may be limited and taken on a first come, first serve basis.
For more information visit www.jeanerettemuseum.com or email jeanerettemuseum@yahoo.com or call 337-276-4408 Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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