A Negro Policeman (1974.25.25.181) / Credit Historic New Orleans Collection

Michael Ross was interviewed by Laine Kaplan-Levenson of  TriPod: NOLA at 300 on his book The Great New Orleans Kidnapping Case: Race, Law, and Justice in the Reconstruction Era (Oxford, 2014):

“It’s true. The NOPD first hired black officers in the 1860s. New York City didn’t have an African American in their ranks until 1911. This is one of the many things that makes New Orleans a stage for social change in the U.S. after the Civil War. One crime in particular brought these changes into focus…”

“Molly Digby is 17 months old and playing outside with her older brother. Two women of color walk up to the kids and start talking to them, until they’re all interrupted by a loud noise down the street. The women tell the boy he can go see what all the excitement is about, and they’ll watch the baby. He runs off, and when he comes back, the women, and baby Molly, are gone….”

Also interviewed was Jourdain’s descendant, Wayne Baquet, owner of Lil Dizzy’s in the Tremé.

Wayne Baquet in his restaurant Lil Dizzy’s, in the Treme. / Credit Harold Baquet

Listen Here: The Great New Orleans Kidnapping Case | WWNO