Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/242

 182 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI copied by Rozier, is of the opinion that Mine LaMotte was the earliest mine and was dis- covered by one LaMotte, a gentleman in the company of Renault. This was probably in the year 1720 or 21. Houck, however, believes that this mine was probably opened much earlier than this and that it was named for Cadillac De La Mothe, governor of Louisiana, who seems to have visited the mine in 1714. We may be sure of this, that early in the eighteenth century — perhaps before its begin- ning — the French overran this country in searoli for gold and silver. They failed to find the precious metals in any large quantities, but did find great quantities of lead in all the region about the ]Iaramec and the St. Fran- cois. The first mining in the district was probably done on the Maramec under the direction of Governor Loehan ; and Mine La Motte near the present site of Fredericktown, if not the first was one of the first and most important of these mines. In 1719, Philip Francois Renault left France with a well organized expedition for the mineral district of Louisiana. He brought with him supplies and material and 200 skilled miners. The expedition stopped on the way at San Domingo, where 500 slaves were pur- chased for work in the mines. These slaves were the first brought to Missouri. Renault came with his expedition to Kaskaskia and in 1720 built a village called St. Phillip, near Fort Chartres in Illinois. He proceeded with his search for mines, and discovered and opened a lead mine near Potosi in Washington county. This mine was called, after him. Mine a Renault. Renault had been commissioned by the Royal Company of the Indies, which at this time held control of Louisiana. In 1723 the authorities at Kaskaskia granted him a terri- tory six leagues by one and one-half leagues on the Maramec river, and two leagues at JMine LaMotte. From this time lantil his re- turn to France in 1742 Renault was actively engaged in working these mines. The lead from them was carried first to Fort Chartres and later to Ste. Genevieve and then shipped by boat to New Orleans and to France. Large quantities of ore were taken out of all these mines during this period. They were very profitable. A road was constructed from the river to the mines and it was in connection with the carrying of this lead and trade with miners that the towTi of Ste. Genevieve was foimded. It was located at the river end of this road. This was the first road opened, not only in Southeast Missouri, but in the entire state, and is still in use. When Renault returned to France in 1742 he seems to have abandoned his interest in the mines to others, and if his family or heirs ever received any part of his interests in the two great tracts of valuable mining property which were granted him, the fact is not of record. A great many lawj'ers have investi- gated the question of the ownership of the Renault claims, but the claims have never been successfully prosecuted by any member of Renault's family. In 1773 Francois Azar or Breton, while engaged in hunting, foimd lead ore lying on the ground near Potosi. He opened a mine at this place, which was caUed after him Mine a Breton. It became a celebrated mining field and attracted miners from all parts of the state. Breton, who was a native of France, had been a soldier in his youth and had served luider IMarshal Saxe. He was present, also, with the Indians who defeated Braddock in Virginia. He came to Louisiana as a miner and hiuiter and discovered this mine quite by accident. He lived to be 111 years old and for many years before his death resided two