Updates? The ashes were interred at the Cathedral of San Fernando. It is said that on one occasion James Bowie and a neighboring Spanish planter, descended of a haughty Castilian family, became involved in a difficulty and decided to fight it out with knife and dagger. At the time of Bowie's birth, his father owned eight slaves, eleven head of cattle, seven horses, and one stud horse. John Liddell Bowie 1832 - 1878. Ground PvP. On February 20, Bowie swore an oath of allegiance to Mexico and proceeded to San Antonio de Bexar. He then drew a mark on the floor with his sword and requested all who wished to stand and fall with him to cross the line to his side the others might endeavor to escape by cutting their way through the enemy under cover of darkness. His possessions were auctioned for only $99.50. With their profits, Bowie and Rezin bought a plantation in Arkansas. [58] Captain William Y. Lacey, who spent eight months living in the wilderness with Bowie, described him as a humble man who never used profanity or vulgarities. Bowie appeared before the council at some point and spoke for an hour, asking for a commission. It is not surprising that James Bowie, sensitive and proud, brave to recklessness, and when aroused, as fierce as the hunted tiger, should in such a community be frequently involved in desperate personal affrays. [26][27] Using this scheme, the brothers collected $65,000 to use for their land speculation. Maria Ursula Veramendi Bowie Daughter of Juan de Veramendi and Josefa Candida Gertrudis Navarro de Veramendi Wife of Col. James Jim Bowie (commander of Alamo Volunteers) Married April 25, 1831, in San Fernando de Bexar, Tx. Jim Bowie was born in Kentucky in the year of 1776, while Jim Bowie was still very young In the year of 1802 he and his family moved to Louisiana. JAMES BOWIE OBITUARY James was called "Pop" by his kids, grandkids and great grandchildren and was known as "Uncle Tootsie" by his relatives. He placed these in a coffin inscribed with the names of Bowie, Travis, and Crockett. Bowie made three trips to Lafitte's compound on Galveston Island. [20][4] With the latter he also bought and improved a sugar plantation in Louisiana, where he served for a time in the state legislature and spent much time in New Orleans society. He stopped at Nacogdoches, at Jared E. Groce's farm on the Brazos River, and in San Felipe, where Bowie presented a letter of introduction to Stephen F. Austin from Thomas F. McKinney, one of the Old Three Hundred colonists. [29][79] He distinguished himself again in the Grass Fight on November 26. Since 1810 to about 1820, John J. Bowie and Rhesa Bowie lived on the Rhesa Bowie, land, Section 44 and 52. James had 4 brothers: Robert Robertson Bowie and 3 other siblings. [94][95] On February 26, David Crockett reported that Bowie, though suffering from his affliction, continued to crawl from his bed around noon every day and presented himself to the Alamo's inhabitants, which much boosted the moral of his comrades. Bowie visited several Indian villages in East Texas in an attempt to convince the reluctant tribes to fight against the Mexican government. Col. Jim Bowie is legendary due to his family and his exploits, as well as his contributions to Texas and the Alamo history. He was born in Greenwood, SC on August 8, 1953, son of Sara Watt Bowie and the late William Maurice Bowie.Jim grew up in Ware Shoals, SC. The knife used by Colonel Bowie was the one fashioned from a file by the plantation blacksmith and given to James by his brother, Rezin, as previously mentioned. As Colonel of the militia, Bowie organized and led a party of 26 men west into the Indian . Other accounts have him born in April. He married Margaret Frances Neville on 15 September 1814, in Louisiana, United States. Rezin Bowie's grandchildren, however, claimed that Rezin merely supervised his blacksmith, who actually . On each occasion he bought smuggled slaves and then took them directly to a customhouse to inform on his own actions. [107], Despite his continual pronouncements of wealth, Bowie's estate was found to be very small. Jones changed his last name in the 1960s because he feared confusion with Davy Jones, a member of the already famous The Monkees. Upon the approach of the enemy, the Texans, comprising but l85 men all told, fortified themselves in an old mission known as "The Alamo" possessing strong stone, walls, but otherwise unfit for a fortress. James Bowie (born 1983) is a Canadian lawyer specialising in criminal law, based in Ottawa. It was still less than what James promised in the marriage contract. Wright then drew a sword-cane, and, rushing upon Bowie, exclaimed, "damn you, you have killed me." [12][19] He supported himself by sawing planks and lumber, and floating them down the bayou for sale. [27] The knife he carried had a huge blade that was 9.25 inches (23.5 cm) long and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide. 26 15 189 Show this thread James BowieRetweeted [6][5], By February 20, 1830 James was in San Antonio de Bexar to present more letters of introduction to a wealthy settler, Juan Martn de Veramendi. Bowie is a Scottish and Irish surname.The name can be derived from the Gaelic nickname buidhe, meaning "yellow", "fair-haired".The surname can also be an Anglicised form of the Irish surname Buadhaigh; [better source needed] this surname means "descendant of Buadhach" and is also rendered as Bogue and Boyce. [91] Bowie celebrated his appointment by getting very drunk and causing havoc in San Antonio, releasing all prisoners in the local jails and harassing citizens. At Bowie's request, Crockett and several others carried his cot over the line, leaving Rose alone on the other side. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. [22][71] He distinguished himself again in the Grass Fight on November 26. Notice to Persons with Disabilities (opens external link in new window) [86] They found a force of 104men with a few weapons and a few cannons, but not many supplies and little gunpowder. In his early years of life Jim Bowie was wild and free, when he wasn 't . [38][39] Wright died instantly. Witness accounts agreed that Bowie did not attack first, and the others had focused their attack on Bowie because "they considered him the most dangerous man among their opposition. James Veramendi Bowie son Elve Ap-Catesby Bowie mother Rezin Pleasant Bowie, I father John Jones Bowie brother Sarah Davis sister Martha Nugent / Sterret sister Mary Bird sister Rezin Pleasant Bowie, Jr. brother Stephen Bowie brother David Bowie brother About Col. James "Jim" Bowie (commander Alamo volunteers) The family moved yet again in 1809, this time to Bayou Teche, Louisiana before finally settling in Opelousas, Louisiana in 1812 where they ran their farm and plantation. James Bowie Elementary. [14] Raised on the frontier, the Bowie children worked from a young age, helping to clear the land and plant and cultivate crops. His rise to fame began in 1827 on reports of the Sandbar Fight. The knife was actually made by his brother John. [97] After its publication, several other eyewitnesses confirmed the account,[98][99] but as Rose was deceased the story can only be authenticated by the word of the reporter, who admitted to embellishing other articles, "and thus many historians refuse to believe it. The latter politely thanked him, but remarked that he did not think Crain had acted properly in firing upon him when he was exchanging shots with Maddox. Rezin Pleasant Bowie (1793 - 1841)* The Last Command (1955 film) by Republic Pictures features Jim Bowie as the main character during the battle of the Alamo and the Texas War of Independence. "[46] Bowie's fame, and that of his knife, spread to Great Britain, and by the early 1830s, many British manufacturers were producing Bowie knives for shipment to the United States. Both men were also the executors. He was best known for being a Explorer. [29][91], On February 23, the bells of San Fernando sounded the alarm for the approach of the Mexicans. This, and other stories of Bowie's prowess with the knife, led to the widespread popularity of the Bowie knife. [44] However, Rezin Bowie's grandchildren said that Rezin only supervised his blacksmith, who was the designer of the knife. "[109] Jim Bowie posthumously was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame at the 1988 Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia in recognition for the impact that his eponymous design made upon generations of knife makers and cutlery companies. Already confined to his cot by illness, Bowie was killed with the other defenders when the Alamo finally fell to numerically superior Mexican forces. As a colonel in the Texas army, he fought with distinction in several battles and finally joined Col. William B. Travis in the gallant defense of the Alamo, an abandoned mission house in San Antonio. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie. His portrait owned by his great nephew shows a strong, determined face, with traces of sorrow. Jim Bowie was known for many things, but he was most famously known for his ability to win fights with his big knife. Bowie captured a six-pounder cannon and thirty muskets and lost one man. "[114] According to Wallace O Chariton, the "most popular, and probably the most accurate"[4] version is that Bowie died on his cot, "back braced against the wall, and using his pistols and his famous knife. [10][4][22] [5], On March 8, 1831, James authorized his brother Rezin Pleasant, Jr to be the seller of his property in Louisiana, Arkansas, and elsewhere. General Houston had directed Colonel Bowie to raise a company and cooperate with his advance against Santa Anna. This memorial website was created in memory of James Bowie, 78, born on March 30, 1907 and passed away on November 0, 1985. After moving to Texas in 1830, Bowie became a Mexican citizen and married the daughter of the vice governor of the province. In the late 1820s, Bowie and his brother John were involved in a major Arkansas court case over land speculation. In May 1824, Congress authorized the superior courts of each territory to hear suits from those who claimed they had been overlooked. [54] Although the Rangers would not be organized officially until 1835, Austin had founded the group by hiring 30 men to keep the peace and protect the colonists from attacks by hostile Native Americans. The famous Bowie knife became a legend in Opelousas prior to his heroic death at the Alamo. Jim Bowie Birth Name: James R. Bowie Occupation: Explorer Place Of Birth: Kentucky Date Of Birth: April 10, 1796 Date Of Death: March 6, 1836 Cause Of Death: N/A Ethnicity: Black Nationality: American Jim Bowie was born on the 10th of April, 1796. His father had been injured while fighting in the American Revolution, and in 1782 married the young woman who had nursed him back to health. On February 24 Bowie collapsed and took to his bed. The Arcadia plantation sold for ninety thousand dollars, and in the will he made just before entering the Texan Army, much property was mentioned and handsome bequests were made to the son and daughter of his deceased brother Stephen. A number of films have depicted the events of the Battle of the Alamo,[120] and Bowie has appeared as a character in each. The citizens of San Antonio believed the members of the Bowie expedition must have perished, and Ursula Bowie began wearing widow's weeds. In the ensuing fighting, the Texians suffered only a few casualties, while the Mexican army lost many troops to death and desertion. [29][52], On January 1, 1830, Bowie left Louisiana to live in Texas, permanently. [33], Newspapers picked up the story, which became known as the Sandbar Fight, and described in detail Bowie's fighting prowess and his unusual knife. [29] On August 2, 1832, he joined a group of other Texans and marched into Nacogdoches to "present their demands" to Piedras. [22][45], On January 1, 1830, Bowie left Louisiana for permanent residency in Texas. [101], When Bowie's mother was informed of his death, she calmly stated, "I'll wager no wounds were found in his back. Colonel Bowie did not again marry, and "Left no descendants to inherit his indomitable will and fearless spirit. Thus, Bowie had allied himself to one of the most powerful families in Texas and with the Tejano community. Managed by: Douglas A Bowie. These fights were seldom if ever prearranged, but took place upon the accidental meeting of the belligerents. In his section of the country the duel was a recognized law of the social system; from that appeal there was no retreat; the man who flinched would have been publicly branded as a dastard. When Wright attempted to retrieve his blade by placing his foot on Bowie's chest and tugging, Bowie pulled him down and disemboweled Wright with his large knife. Father of John C Bowie. THIS IS AN ERROR. Groce's farm on the Brazos River was near Hempstead, Texas, which is a 2 hour & 38 minute drive by car & over 150 miles away as the crow flies from Nacogdoches. William Bowie son Thomas Bowie son Mary Beanes daughter Jonathan Johne Bowy father Jane Smith mother James Bowie brother About John Bowie, I [15], With sufficient money saved, he sold the plantation and slaves, with no further interest in owning either again. Very similar to his father and grand father before him Jim Bowie was an adventurer. Fearing for the safety of his wife's relatives in San Antonio, Bowie invited her cousins, Getrudis Navarro and Juana Navarro Alsbury, as well as Alsbury's 18-month-old son, Alijo Perez Jr., to stay inside the walls of the Alamo. [19][20] Using this scheme the brothers collected $65,000 to be used for their land speculation. [67][69] One of the men under Bowie's command during the battle later praised him "as a born leader, never needlessly spending a bullet or imperiling a life, who repeatedly admonished Keep under cover boys, and reserve your fire; we haven't a man to spare. He married Sarah Whitehead in 1752, in North Carolina, United States. Tension was only exacerbated by the fact that there was no heat in the Alamo, due to it being a mission. [13], Bowie and his brother John were involved in a major court case in the late 1820s over their land speculation. [32], Bowie became internationally famous as a result of a feud with Norris Wright, the sheriff of Rapides Parish. Cs surrendered and returned to Mexico, taking with him the last Mexican troops in Texas. Bowie visited several Native American villages in East Texas in an attempt to persuade the reluctant tribes to fight against the Mexican government. They sold that property in 1800 and relocated to Missouri before moving to Spanish Louisiana in 1802, where they settled on Bushley Bayou in Rapides Parish. Bowie may have been the first to induce settlers to apply for empresario grants which could then be sold in bulk to speculators like Bowie. A newspaper article claimed that a Mexican soldier saw Bowie carried from his room on his cot, alive, after the conclusion of the battle. The attempts at parley failed, and Bowie and his group fought for their lives for the next 13hours. After discovering a good defensive position near Mission Concepcin, the group requested that Austin's army join them. [49][50] The Mexican government passed laws in 1834 and 1835 that stopped much of the land speculation. But it was as a soldier that he shines forth in all his greatness. [56][57] The Mexican government passed laws in 1834 and 1835 that stopped much of the land speculation. [50] Bowie was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith in San Antonio on April 28, 1828, sponsored by the alcalde (chief administrator) of the town, Juan Martn de Veramendi, and his wife, Josefa Navarro. His family moved to Missouri in 1800 and then to Louisiana. He was appointed a land commissioner and was tasked with promoting settlement in the area purchased by John T. Mason. By this time, Juan was his business partner. The Bowie Family papers contain genealogical information, correspondence and legal documents documenting the Bowie, Davis, Hall, and Pottinger families as well as important information about plantation life and the family's history of enslavement before the American Civil War. Kentucky, USA Leave a message for others who see this profile. He left the active management of their lands to his brother, and took more interest in politics, especially in the trend of events in the neighboring Republic of Texas. [2][3][4] [5] Share Your Memories and Sympathies and Join the Bereaved! [22] On August 2, 1832, he joined a group of other Texians and marched into Nacogdoches to "present their demands" to Piedras. Then the Bowies sold them in St. Landry Parish. [14][5], James's brother John wrote: "We continued to follow this business until we made $65,000, when we quit and soon spent all our earnings." [5][6][7][4], James was described as 6 ft. tall, 180 lbs., with light hair, grey eyes, and a temper. "[69], An hour after the battle ended, Austin arrived with the rest of the Texian army to begin a siege of San Antonio de Bxar, where General Martn Perfecto de Cs, the overall commander of Mexican forces in Texas, and his troops were garrisoned. [22], The Texas Revolution began on October 2, 1835 with the Battle of Gonzales. In it he left property to brother Rezin Pleasant, Jr and to his brother-in-law, Alexander Sterett, married to his sister Martha. [112] Other witnesses maintained that they saw several Mexican soldiers enter Bowie's room, bayonet him, and carry him, alive, from the room. At some point, Bowie appeared before the council and spoke for an hour, asking for a commission. After a short time, however, they moved into the Veramendi Palace, living with Ursula's parents, who supplied them with spending money. At the outbreak of the Texas Revolution, Bowie joined the Texas militia, leading forces at the Battle of Concepcin and the Grass Fight. The citizens of San Antonio believed the members of the Bowie expedition must have perished, and Ursula Bowie began wearing widow's weeds. He was the grandson of the late Wallace and Mary Lou Bowie of Ware Shoals, SC and . Bowie may have been the first to induce settlers to apply for empresario grants, which could be sold in bulk to speculators, as Bowie had. Both Bowie, Texas and Bowie County, Texas are named in honor of Jim Bowie. "[106] According to Wallace O Chariton, The "most popular, and probably the most accurate"[1] version is that Bowie died on his cot, "back braced against the wall, and using his pistols and his famous knife. [26] After a confrontation in Alexandria one afternoon, Wright fired a shot at Bowie. What began as a duel between two other men deteriorated into a melee in which Bowie, having been shot and stabbed, killed the sheriff of Rapides Parish with a large knife. Dr. James W. Bowie is a family medicine doctor in Westminster, Colorado and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Mt. [121] The show, which starred Scott Forbes as Jim Bowie, was based on the 1946 novel Tempered Blade. He was previously a political staffer for the Liberal Party of Canada . The Bowies first settled in Georgia and then moved to Kentucky. As Known As: Jim Bowie Born: 1796 in Kentucky Parents: Reason and Elve Ap-Catesby Jones Bowie Died: March 6, 1836 in San Antonio, Mexican Texas Spouse: Maria Ursula de Veramendi (m. 1831-1833) Children: Marie Elve, James Veramendi Early Life James Bowie was born in Kentucky in 1796 and was raised in present-day Missouri and Louisiana. Tragically, his young wife and her parents died in Monclova in 1833 when a cholera epidemic swept across northern Mexico. Margaret was born on July 27 1892, in Paris, Texas, Lamar County. Many craftsmen and manufacturers made their own versions, and major cities of the Old Southwest had "Bowie knife schools" that taught "the art of cut, thrust, and parry. Their quarrels finally resulted in arrangements for the fight on the Sandbar, the principals, however being Dr. Maddox and Samuel L. Wells, the others as witnesses, seconds, and surgeons. According to the reporter's version of Rose's account, when Travis realized that the Mexican army would likely prevail, he drew a line in the sand and asked those willing to die for the cause to cross the line. James Bowie was not an angel. John Jones Bowie, "Early Life in the Southwestthe Bowies,". Bowie soon partnered with Lafitte in illegally importing slaves by smuggling them from Texas . Although the Superior Court originally confirmed most of those claims, the decisions were reversed in February 1831, after further research showed that the land had never belonged to the Bowies and that the original land grant documentation had been forged. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). There Bowie presented a letter of introduction to impresario Stephen F. and believed all difficulties should be settled promptly on the spot. He was among the Americans who died at the Battle of the Alamo. Cs had sent 100 soldiers to cut grass for the horses. Jim Bowie was born in Logan County, Kentucky in 1796. [89][90] Bowie had been ill, and two doctors, including the fort surgeon, were unable to diagnose his illness. Groneman (1996), pp. He took him to pop concerts and bought Bowie a . Just do what you can. It was there that he developed his spirit of adventure and was reported to have ridden alligators for sport. [60] After a second battle in which Piedras lost 33 men, the Mexican army evacuated during the night. James Bowie Elementary in Corsicana, Texas was also named in his honor. Jim Bowie became proficient with pistol, rifle, and knife,[9] and had a reputation for fearlessness. [72] The council refused Bowie's request, likely because of lingering animosity over his land dealings. It was believed that after the Mexican citizens left the area, the Lipan Apaches took over the mines. The name "Texian Army" is sometimes applied to this militia. Many craftsmen and manufacturers made their own versions, and major cities of the Southwest had "Bowie knife schools", which taught "the art of cut, thrust, and parry. A few of them are listed below: Have you taken a DNA test? It sacrifices everything in favor of ground attack, HP, and speed. His fame in Texas grew following his failed expedition to find the lost San Saba mine, during which his small party repelled an attack by a large Indian raiding party. All of the defenders were killed the final day, including James Bowie. In his right hand he grasps the hilt of a sword. The latter, clubbing his empty pistol , dealt such a terrific blow upon Bowie's head as to bring him to his knees and break the weapon. [40], Newspapers picked up the story and named it the Sandbar Fight, describing in detail Bowie's fighting prowess and his unusual knife. The following year the family acquired 200 acres (80 ha) along the Red River. In response to the rumblings, Mexican troops established military posts in several locations within the province, including San Antonio de Bxar. The soldier maintained that Bowie verbally castigated a Mexican officer in fluent Spanish, and the officer ordered Bowie's tongue cut out and his still-breathing body thrown onto the funeral pyre. It finally was given by him to the actor Forest. This page has been accessed 20,865 times. It is eight inches long. Bowie supported duelist Samuel Levi Wells III, while Wright supported Wells's opponent, Dr. Thomas Harris Maddox. Bowie was born in logan county, kentucky 1796, april 10. [52] The couple built a house in San Antonio, on land Veramendi had given them near the San Jos Mission. At the end of the fight, the Texians had two wounded men but had captured many horses and mules. [6] Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1912 Bowie Family Biography. [22], Bowie never talked of his exploits despite his increasing fame. [104] Other witnesses maintained that they saw several Mexican soldiers enter Bowie's room, bayonet him, and carry him, alive, from the room. [18] After mustering out of the militia, Bowie settled in Rapides Parish. [62], Maria Ursula, her parents, and both children died in September 1833 during a cholera epidemic that swept through the South and along major waterways. [5][13] In June 1819, he joined the Long expedition, an effort to liberate Texas from Spanish rule. In November he asked to be relieved of his command. James Bowie family tree. American lawyer and politician; president of Republic of Texas. Jim grew up in Ware Shoals, SC. "[77], An hour after the battle ended, Austin arrived with the rest of the Texian army to begin a siege of San Antonio de Bxar, where General Martn Perfecto de Cs, the overall commander of Mexican forces in Texas, and his troops were garrisoned. [5], Upon the death of his father in 1821, James and his brothers, John and Rezin Jr., bought and sold slaves illegally through pirated slave ships in the Caribbean, in partnership with the notorious pirate and war hero, Jean Laffite. On April 25, 1831, Bowie married nineteen-year-old Maria Ursula de Veramendi, the daughter of his business partner, who had become the vice governor of the province. "[34] The fight cemented Bowie's reputation across the South as a superb knife-fighter. The "Sandbar duel" as it was called, which took place on a little island in the Mississippi River opposite Natchez, Sept l9.l827 has been more written of perhaps than any other of his numerous fights. Fearing the disease would reach San Antonio, Bowie sent his pregnant wife and their daughter to the family estate in Monclova in the company of her parents and brother. Travers seeing that the fort must shortly fall, called the men around him and told them of the probable fate which awaited them, but said he would remain and fight it out. In Houston's correspondence with Governor Brown he states he had selected Colonel Bowie for this important service on account of his great ability, perfect coolness in the presence of danger, and remarkable courage. I. This straight-backed knife sports a checked ebony handle and a tiny cross guard and was given as a gift by Bowie's older brother Rezin in the late 1830s, and so bears the stamp of Bowie family . The Bowies operated several sawmills along the bayous of St. Landry Parish. "[107], Bowie perished with the rest of the Alamo defenders when the Mexicans attacked on March 6. Login to find your connection. San Rafael Hospital team in 2021, and serves as a family medicine physician in our Rural Health Clinic. [83][84] He refused to answer to Travis, who called an election for the men to choose their own commander. [65] He set out again the following month, with a larger force, but returned home empty-handed after .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}2+12 months of searching. Corrections? Neill went on furlough on February 11 to visit his sick family, leaving Travis, a member of the regular army, in command. Bowie, on business in Natchez, did not hear of his family's deaths until November. [29], Shortly after his marriage, Bowie became fascinated with the story of the "lost" Los Almagres Mine (also known as the lost San Saba Mine and the lost Bowie Mine), said to be northwest of San Antonio, near the ruin of the Spanish Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba. DISTRICT CONTACT. *Calculated relationship [64] Bowie's report of the expedition, written in Spanish, was printed in several newspapers, further establishing his reputation. [90] Bowie was older than Travis, had a better reputation and considered himself a colonel, thus outranking Travis, who was a lieutenant colonel. Of the twelve men who took part in the affray, Wright and Cuney were killed Bowie, Carine, and Blanchard badly wounded: The remaining seven men escaping any serious injury. Find A Grave Memorial# 2310. at age 36. x. [85][86]James Bowie hurried to gather provisions and herd cattle into the Alamo compound. It was there that he first acquired a reputation for his bold and fearless disposition. Rezin Pleasant Bowie (1762 - 1819) [29] Bowie later served as a delegate to the Convention of 1833, which formally requested that Texas become its own state within the Mexican federation. This left Fannin who was intending to go with Johnson.[24]. [56] With his citizenship assured, Bowie had the right to buy up to 11leagues of public land. While still very young, he moved with his family, first to Missouri, then in 1802 to Louisiana, where he spent most of his youth.