4 Corners & 7 Seas xx-xx-xx (36) The Dead Do Walk

Summary

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Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: 4 Corners & 7 Seas – The Dead Do Walk
Date: September 1, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode of "4 Corners & 7 Seas" presents a suspenseful, atmospheric tale from early 19th-century New Orleans, exploring the dark legends surrounding Jean Saint Marie, whispers of voodoo, and the shocking mystery behind the phrase: "the dead do walk."

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1. Episode Overview

The story unfolds amid the uneasy relationship between the established French Creole residents and the newly arrived American authorities after the U.S. takeover of Louisiana. At the center is Jean Saint Marie—a reclusive, enigmatic landowner rumored to be involved in witchcraft and voodoo, with lingering suspicions over the fate of his long-missing brother, Petit Pierre. Tensions mount when city plans threaten to build a road through Jean's marshy property, prompting a confrontation of rumor, fear, and supernatural legend.

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2. Key Storyline & Discussion Points

Rumors and Legends in New Orleans

• Jean Saint Marie's Reputation

  • Labeled a witch doctor, murderer, or kidnapper. Some think he deals with the devil and talks with ghosts.
  • Quote:

    "The negroes say he is a witch doctor, monsieur."
    – Francois Leblanc [01:25]

• The Mystery of Petit Pierre

  • Petit Pierre, Jean’s much younger brother, vanished after departing on one voyage.
  • Multiple rumors: kept chained, murdered, or returned as a ghost.

Confrontation Over the Land

• The City’s Plans

  • The governor’s agents attempt to run a road across Jean’s marsh, but Jean adamantly refuses, arousing more suspicion.
  • Quote:

    "No street can pass my house, Monsieur le Governor. Never, never, as long as I live."
    – Jean Saint Marie [03:10]

• Governance Frustration

  • City officials view Jean as an obstacle but are unsure how far to push due to the strange tales surrounding him.
  • Quote:

    "You lend credence to the stories by your attitude."
    – Governor [03:47]

Haunted House and Superstitions

• Gothic Atmosphere

  • Jean’s house, isolated in a marsh, is surrounded by stories of ghosts and voodoo rituals.
  • Affiliated with an old woman who doesn’t speak French or English, rumored to practice voodoo with Jean.
  • Quote:

    "It is said an old negro woman who speaks no French, no English, cares for him. Many people believe that together they practice Vodou. Myself, I do not believe such things."
    – Francois Leblanc [05:55]

• Folklore vs. Skepticism

  • Captain West, from New York, admits local superstitions seem weak until confronted by the eerie reality of Jean’s home and increasing unrest in the community.

Climax: Night at the Marsh House

• Jean’s Rituals and the Frightened Mob

  • Jean is seen calling to his dead brother—viewed by some as an invocation of dark powers.
  • Francois, Captain West, and others sense a supernatural presence.
  • Quote:

    "He's come out on the porch. He's calling. Calling his dead brother, Vicier. What is that smell? That horrible smell?"
    – Francois Leblanc [08:07]

• The Frightening Revelation

  • A white figure—a living "ghost"—appears. The crowd is terrified and chaos threatens violent retribution.

Resolution and Final Twist

• The Truth About Petit Pierre

  • The white apparition is revealed not as a ghost, but as the real Petit Pierre—now discovered to be a leper, hidden away for 20 years by his brother.
  • Quote:

    "Petit Pierre is a leper. White as snow."
    – Francois Leblanc [11:13]

• Tragic Departure

  • Jean Saint Marie dies (possibly from violence or heartbreak), and the leper brother is carried away in a somber, ghostly procession, never to be seen again.
  • The story ends with a sense of tragic loyalty and haunting mystery, leaving the townspeople to ponder what they truly witnessed.

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3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Jean Saint Marie] deals with the devil, they say, and in the night he walks and talks with his brother's ghost.”
  – Francois Leblanc [01:42]

• “You lend credence to the stories by your attitude.”
  – Governor [03:47]

• “No street can pass my house, Monsieur le Governor. Never, never, as long as I live, no street will pass my house.”
  – Jean Saint Marie [03:10]

• “I just don't know. Makes you kind of wonder. Maybe in this country, the dead do walk.”
  – Captain West [07:29]

• “I have. The dead do walk. I will say nothing more. Nothing.”
  – Petit Pierre [09:12]

• “Petit Pierre is a leper. White as snow.”
  – Francois Leblanc [11:13]

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4. Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening Narration / Legend Introduction: 00:13 – 01:28
• Rumors About Jean St. Marie & Petit Pierre: 01:29 – 02:22
• Jean’s Confrontation with Government: 02:53 – 04:12
• Backstory of the Two Brothers: 04:26 – 05:52
• Plans to Investigate the Haunted House: 06:36 – 07:53
• Fateful Night—The ‘Ghost’ Appears: 08:04 – 09:19
• The Mob Confrontation and Reveal: 10:07 – 11:19
• Conclusion & Mysterious Departure: 11:47 – 12:39

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5. Tone and Language

The episode is atmospheric, suspenseful, and gothic in spirit. The dialogue and narration use the language and social attitudes of the classic radio era, with period-expected references to race, local superstition, and the clashing worldviews of North and South, science and folklore.

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Overall:
This haunting slice of radio drama immerses listeners in the myth-shrouded swamps of old New Orleans, blending folklore, suspense, and tragedy. It is a story rooted in fear and love, showing how secrets, prejudice, and misunderstanding can shape legends that persist for generations.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

From the chronicles of travelers and adventurers the world over come these authenticated accounts of unusual people and unusual events, bringing you in each presentation a strange but true story. From the four corners and the seven.

Seas.

[Jean Saint Marie]

A story of New Orleans. The dead do walk. In the early years of the 19th century, there was one thing the French Creoles of New Orleans hated with a passion surpassing death. The brash, vulgar Yankee government which had taken over Louisiana from the French. Most of the American governor's daylight hours were taken up with angry interviews with dissatisfied Creoles.

[Governor]

Are there more waiting?

[Francois Leblanc]

Monsieur Leblanc only and all men. Jean Saint Marie.

[Governor]

Who is he?

[Francois Leblanc]

The negroes say he is a witch doctor, monsieur.

[Governor]

A witch doctor?

[Petit Pierre]

Oui.

[Francois Leblanc]

Or a murderer or a kidnapper. I do not know. I remember him when I was young, sailing away in his ships to bring back slaves. Then he seemed a most wonderful man.

[Governor]

But why do they say he's a witch doctor?

[Francois Leblanc]

It is the way he lives, monsieur. All alone in a rotting old mansion, surrounded by marsh. Then there is the story of his brother, Petit Pierre. He sailed away with Jean St. Marie. He never came back, and Jean would never again mention his name. But there are those who say Petit Pierre did come back, that Jean keeps him chained in the cellar of the old house. Others say Jean murdered his brother. But the superstitious negroes, they have yet another story. Jean Sainte Marie deals with the devil, they say, and in the night he walks and talks with his brother's ghost.

[Governor]

Ah, Toppycock. Show the old man in.

[Francois Leblanc]

Yes, Monsieur le Governor. Will you come in, Monsieur Saint Marie?

[Petit Pierre]

Merci.

[Francois Leblanc]

You will not remember me, Monsieur Saint Marie, but as a boy I often had to be driven from your ships.

[Jean Saint Marie]

So your name?

[Francois Leblanc]

Francois Leblanc. I was his studious one, your brother, Petit Pierre, he often lent me the I I. I beg your pardon, Monsieur Saint Marie.

[Governor]

What can I do for you, Jean Sainte Marie?

[Jean Saint Marie]

Monsieur le Governor, my house is in the march to the west. Yes, the house, the march, the canal, they all belong to me. They come from my father.

[Governor]

Of course, monsieur, but no street can pass there. I don't believe I understand.

[Jean Saint Marie]

No street can pass my house, Monsieur le Governor.

[Francois Leblanc]

I believe I understand. The city is building roads out towards the west marshes. They plan to drain them, fill in the canals.

[Jean Saint Marie]

Your men, they are coming with sticks and string. They make lines through my marsh. You tell them to get out. No street can pass there.

[Captain West]

I am afraid.

[Jean Saint Marie]

Never, never, as long as I love, no street will pass my house.

[Governor]

I'm afraid, monsieur, this is a matter for the municipal government. Not for me. However, I'm sure that you will be paid well if you're.

[Jean Saint Marie]

I want no money. No money and no street.

[Governor]

But a street would enhance the value of your land. A street.

[Jean Saint Marie]

You understand me?

[Governor]

I shall go now, Monsieur Saint Marie. I understand. Many strange stories are told about your house. You lend credence to them by your attitude.

[Jean Saint Marie]

I do not care.

[Governor]

Why are you so afraid of a street passing your house? What are you afraid people will see?

[Jean Saint Marie]

Adieu, Monsieur le Governor. Remember, no street shall pass my house.

[Governor]

Strange man.

[Francois Leblanc]

Yes, monsieur.

[Governor]

Of course, the land can be condemned. But it'll take time, cost money, make considerable bad feeling. I wonder what he's afraid people will see.

[Francois Leblanc]

Did you notice how he looked at me when I spoke of his brother, the tpa?

[Governor]

Yes. Murderous.

[Francois Leblanc]

Yet I cannot believe Hahn came to Petit Pierre through Jean. Never were brothers so fond of one another. Pierre was younger by over 15 years. I remember the day they sailed away. I was watching the final loading when Pierre and Jean arrived at the quay.

[Jean Saint Marie]

Come, Billy. Pierre, smile. I shall not be gone so long.

[Petit Pierre]

It will be lonely in the big.

[Jean Saint Marie]

You have your books and the slaves. And those I have not gambled away.

[Petit Pierre]

You are certain it is only to Cuba that you go?

[Jean Saint Marie]

Would I lie to you, my brother?

[Petit Pierre]

Yes. You know, if you went on a longer voyage, I should make you take me with you.

[Jean Saint Marie]

Africa is not Africa.

[Petit Pierre]

You are lying. You are not going to Cuba at all. Petit Pierre, you will be gone a whole year. No. I am coming with you. Pierre, come off the ship.

[Jean Saint Marie]

Pierre.

[Francois Leblanc]

Pierre. Pierre. Monsieur. The governor, despite his brother, Petit Pierre sailed with the ship. He was never seen again. Sometime later, it's not known, just when Jean returned without his ship, no one saw him come. He was just suddenly there. In the old house with the bridge across the canal boarded up and chains upon all the gates.

[Governor]

Strange. Very strange.

[Francois Leblanc]

It is said an old negro woman who speaks no French, no English, cares for him. Many people believe that together they practice Vodou. Myself, I do not believe such things.

[Governor]

I'd like to know what really happened to his brother and what goes on in that house. I, too. If there really was something funny, oil pressure could be brought to bear. We could perhaps force Jean Saint Marie to sell the right of way for a street and save the trouble of a lawsuit.

[Francois Leblanc]

Oui, monsieur.

[Governor]

The governor, of course. Now, I wouldn't want to authorize anyone to trespass.

[Francois Leblanc]

But I understand, monsieur. I will ask Captain west to join me. I will visit Jean Saint Marie tomorrow night.

[Governor]

Good. But be careful, both of you. You may not Be afraid of voodoo or ghosts. But the wrath of Jean Saint Marie may be quite another thing.

[Captain West]

Sure, Leblanc. I'll come with you.

[Francois Leblanc]

Thank you, Capitaine.

[Captain West]

I reckon you know, you aren't the only one interested in Jean Sainte Marie.

[Governor]

Oh?

[Captain West]

Down in the free nigger section, they're in an uproar. Say they're gonna burn down the house.

[Petit Pierre]

But why?

[Captain West]

Seems one of the braver niggers was hunting ducks in old Jean's marsh. Got caught there after dinner. Swears he saw the old nigger woman materialize a ghost.

[Petit Pierre]

Voodoo? Yep.

[Captain West]

The ghost of Petit Pierre. Now the niggers want to burn down the house. They think the old Woman and Jean St. Marie are working charms.

[Francois Leblanc]

And what do you think, Captain?

[Captain West]

Up in New York, we don't take much stock of ghosts or voodoo. But down here in all these swamps and rotten jungles. Well, I. I just don't know. Makes you kind of wonder. Maybe in this country, the dead do walk. Still. I'll take a look around the place with you. Meet you there at 9 o'. Clock. Should be dark by then.

[Francois Leblanc]

Not a sound. Nothing.

[Captain West]

Light showing the old house. Sure looks creepy, standing out against the moon. No wonder the slaves say it's haunted.

[Governor]

Oy.

[Petit Pierre]

Hey, Earth. What's that?

[Francois Leblanc]

It's Jean. He's come out on the porch. He's calling. Calling his dead brother, Vicier. What is. What is that smell? That horrible smell?

[Captain West]

I know that smell from the battlefield. It's the smell of death.

[Francois Leblanc]

Listen.

[Petit Pierre]

Footsteps. Look. Something white. All white.

[Captain West]

I'm getting out of here.

[Petit Pierre]

No. No, wait. I can't look. I can't. No. Oh. Monsieur le Governor. Under no circumstances may Jean Saint Marie be crossed. His land must be left alone.

[Governor]

Monsieur Leblanc. You look as though you've seen a ghost, Monsieur.

[Petit Pierre]

I have. The dead door. I will say nothing more. Nothing.

[Francois Leblanc]

But leave Jean St. Marie alone.

[Governor]

I'm afraid the situation may solve itself.

[Francois Leblanc]

What do you mean?

[Governor]

I just received word that someone lay in wait by the old canal for Jean Saint Marie. They shot him?

[Petit Pierre]

No. Was he killed?

[Governor]

I don't know. The old voodoo woman dragged him inside and locked the gates. All over town, the slave quarters are seething. I'm afraid they'll try to burn the house tonight.

[Petit Pierre]

You will stop them?

[Governor]

Perhaps if you tell me what you saw.

[Petit Pierre]

No.

[Francois Leblanc]

I'll never speak of what I saw.

[Petit Pierre]

It was too horrible, too.

[Francois Leblanc]

No, I couldn't.

[Captain West]

Well, then.

[Petit Pierre]

But I shall stand guard at those gates myself.

[Francois Leblanc]

I should not see a man like Jean Saint Marie burned alive in his bed.

[Captain West]

What's that awful noise, Leblanc?

[Francois Leblanc]

It's the old negro wailing.

[Petit Pierre]

Here comes the mob. You watch the house, Captain. Tell me when they are coming. I'll stop the mob at the canal. All right. I wish that old woman had shut up. It gives me the creeps. Stay back. Do not cross the canal. Go away, white man. The witch. The murderer. You are too late. Jean Samari is dead. Don't lie, white man. Your assassins have done their work well, Jean Samari. They're coming, Leblanc. They've loaded the carpet on an oxcart. The old negro walks behind. Stand back. A good man passes. But do no harm to the old woman. Leave her to her grief. Look, walking beside old woman. A ghost. A ghost. Petit Pierre not a ghost. Petit Pierre is real. But now you know why Jean Samari has hidden him for 20 years.

[Francois Leblanc]

Petit Pierre is a leopard. White as snow.

[Petit Pierre]

Hats off, all of you.

[Narrator]

Without a backward glance, the old negro, the dead and the living dead moved down the darkened jungle path. Their destination was the place Jean Samarie had given his life to save his brother from the lepers isle. Presently, a twist in the jungle passed hid the tiny funeral cortege from the cringing mob. They were never seen.

We invite you to listen again to a further story. Strange but true. From the four corners and the seven seas.