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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMoronic Ghost Hunters Burn Historic Louisiana Plantation to the Ground
if paranormal investigators didnt have a hard enough time already, what with never being able to prove the existence of ghosts on any of their tv shows, now a group of them have destroyed a rich piece of Louisiana history by setting fire to a 160 year old plantation.
The suspects told authorities that they snuck into the Lebeau Plantation in order to investigate claims that the building was haunted. Unfortunately for everyone, many news outlets reportedthat these ghost hunters had more in common with Shaggy and Scooby than with Fred and Velma, because instead of actually solving any mysteries they just got high and accidentally set fire to the building.
By the time police showed up to the plantation at around 2am, the building was fully engulfed in flames. All 7 men were arrested and charged with arson, burglary and criminal damage over $50,000.
This is a devastating loss to the community, Fire Chief Thomas Stone said. Its a fire chiefs worst nightmare.
Fortunately, there were no casualties in the blaze, aside from the enjoyment of a historical location by future generations.
Built in the 1850?s, the Lebeau Plantation was once the largest plantation south of New Orleans. Throughout the years, the property had previously served as a casino, a hotel, and more recently as local Sugar Festival grounds.
http://blog.roadtrippers.com/moronic-ghost-hunters-burn-historic-louisiana-plantation-ground/
kelliekat44
(7,759 posts)Last edited Tue Nov 26, 2013, 01:44 PM - Edit history (1)
Dana ; )
snooper2
(30,151 posts)Shivering Jemmy
(900 posts)There are plantations where we live
we toured one and it was a fscinating look into history
WilliamPitt
(58,179 posts)Monuments to misery, all.
When you plow history into the ground, it is forgotten. And then...
oneshooter
(8,614 posts)All remaining homes from before 1865 should be destroyed ( remember that the White House once had a slave quarters), and all history before that time be erased from memory?
Is this what you are advocating?
liberal N proud
(60,334 posts)It seems we want to forget more history than study it these days.
TBF
(32,041 posts)if that means anything (ie it was not the folks who would've been slaves back in the day).
Multiple suspects - 7 or 8 of them and one charged with lighting the fire (the others as being involved). No idea why they did it but I would hazard a guess that it was general mischief as opposed to making a point.
I do get where you're coming from but as others have commented we keep these standing not as memorials to that lifestyle but as a warning so folks don't forget and repeat the behavior.
Lochloosa
(16,062 posts)Good God.
ConcernedCanuk
(13,509 posts).
.
.
CC
Lochloosa
(16,062 posts)TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)joeybee12
(56,177 posts)No, we need to be reminded of this and other atrocities...
packman
(16,296 posts)Shame that the stars and bars wasn't flying on one of those chimneys . If there were ghosts there, the black slaves were probably dancing in the flames while the masters of the house were weeping in the smoke. Better gone.
csziggy
(34,135 posts)Arrested were:
Dusten Davenport, 31, of Fort Worth, Texas. He was booked with arson and simple burglary and criminal damage over $50,000.
Joshua Briscoe, 20, of Grand Prairie, Texas. He was booked with arson, simple burglary and criminal damage over $50,000.
Joseph Landin, 20, of Grand Prairie, Texas. He was booked with arson, simple burglary and criminal damage over $50,000.
Jerry Hamblen, 17, of Dallas. He was booked with arson, simple burglary and criminal damage over $50,000.
Joshua Allen, 21, of Grand Prairie, Texas. He was booked with arson, simple burglary and criminal damage over $50,000.
Kevin Barbe, 20, of Arabi. He was booked with accessory to arson and criminal trespassing.
Bryon Meek, 29, of Gretna. He was booked with accessory to arson.
More: http://theadvocate.com/news/7656125-123/lebeau-plantation-burns-to-the
Emphasis added.
I don't think these idiots will like Louisiana prisons.
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,166 posts)Maybe if they sent them to one of those old abandoned haunted prisons....
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)JVS
(61,935 posts)Vashta Nerada
(3,922 posts)Paladin
(28,246 posts)On one hand, there were slaves on the premises, long ago. On the other hand, the guys responsible for the destruction were just about all from Texas. Which way are you going to direct your righteous hatred? Have fun......
The Straight Story
(48,121 posts)Paladin
(28,246 posts)Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Logical
(22,457 posts)The Straight Story
(48,121 posts)Logical
(22,457 posts)pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)Logical
(22,457 posts)Hayabusa
(2,135 posts)nt
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)LuvNewcastle
(16,844 posts)The state wouldn't restore it unless it was donated to the state. It's a shame the owners didn't keep it up, but that happens sometimes with those old places. It's a crying shame this happened. Such stupidity.
Bennyboy
(10,440 posts)Rich people paddding their bank accounts instead of taking care of the property....
MrScorpio
(73,630 posts)Someone had to do it.
KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)Bennyboy
(10,440 posts)FROM A NOLA RESIDENT:
A little more detail.....
Joe Meraux must be rolling over in his grave right now. Its not enough that his plans after death arent being followed. Now one of his prized estate assets is gone forever.
The LeBeau Plantation, at the end of Friscoville Street at the Mississippi River in Arabi, is gone. Overnight a fire ravaged the massive structure that was built in 1851, or a decade before the Civil War started.
The Meraux estate, with an estimated value of $250 million, has many real estate holdings including historic Lafites Blacksmith Shop in the French Quarter. But the most historic and significant structure was LeBeau Plantation. The 16-room structure was the largest plantation south of New Orleans. Now its gone, forever.
And ultimately, the worthless Meraux foundation board down in Chalemette is to blame.
Joe Meraux left specific instructions to the parish of St. Bernard to use his estate to better the people and his parish. Instead, its been a money grab. More money is paid out in six-figure salaries to lazy, politically-appointed board members than is given to the citizens of the parish each and every year. And now, that same corrupt board has neglected to perform one of its most basic duties: protecting the assets of the Meraux estate.
Contrary to what these board members think, the estate and its quarter-of-a-billion dollars in assets is meant to benefit the citizens of St. Bernard, not a select few. Now, those select few have committed the biggest sin: theyve allowed an irreplaceable historic building to be destroyed.
The LeBeau Plantation is gone, not because of a fire last night that burned the building to the ground, but because of the Meraux Foundation Board: a corrupt group of little people that not only are screwing over the parish of St. Bernard and its citizens who have now destroyed one of St. Bernard Parishs most historic assets.
Joe Meraux must be rolling over in his grave, even more so than usual today.
Read more: [url]http://wgno.com/2013/11/22/lebeau-plantation-fire-joe-meraux-must-be-spinning-in-his-grave/#ixzz2laXMBo8I[/url