AUSTIN (AP) – The remains of a 17th century French sailor were buried Tuesday beside some of Texas’ most important dignitaries – an unpredictable end for a blue-collar deckhand who died during the early exploration of Texas.
Archaeologists discovered the skeleton during the 1996 excavation of the Belle, one of four ships that left France for the New World in 1684 under the direction of Rene Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle.
About 300 people gathered in Texas State Cemetery on a chilly day to mark the burial of the sailor, named C. Barange because of the inscription on a pewter cup found near his remains. The cemetery is reserved for Texas elected officials and other distinguished citizens, such as settler Stephen F. Austin and author James Frank Dobie.
”As a French citizen, I’m deeply moved to see so many Texans present to pay tribute to an unknown French sailor who participated in the founding moments of Texas,” said Jean-David Levitte, the French ambassador to the United States.