History: Bayou Macon Legend, Franklin Parish, LA.

Contributed by DeWanna Lindo

July 2001

Source: Franklin Sun by: W.L. Gilrod





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LEGEND OF HOW BAYOU MACON GOT IT'S NAME:



Bayou Macon, according to legend, was named for Samuel Mason,

leader of the Kentucky Cave-in rock bandits, who were slain

near Lake Concordia. Because of its treacherous nature and

swift currents it is presumed the cause for "the bayou" being

named for an infamous gangster.



It was in the vicinity of Lake Concordia that the notorious

highway man, Samuel Mason, was slain by two equally infamous

criminals in 1803. Mason and his gang had committed so many

heinous crimes along the Natchez Trace that a reward of $2,000

was offered for Masons capture.



While hiding out in the swamps about Lake Concordia, the gang

was joined by John Setton, a former member and John Mays,

another highwayman. One night as mason sat at a campfire 

with the two, he was treacherously beheaded.



At Natchez, Mason's head was presented to officials and the reward 

claimed; during the delay in obtaining the money, Setton was

identified as Little Harper, who, in Kentucky and Tennessee,

had earned as unsavory a reputation as the man he had

beheaded. He and his accomplice, Mays, were summarily tried, 

convicted and executed. Their heads were placed on poles to 

adorn the Natchez Trace.