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Article: Cadillac began his life in tiny St. Nicolas, in southern France.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
- Article date:
- July 30, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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ST. NICOLAS DE LA GRAVE, France _ Antoine de Lamothe Cadillac, the dashing adventurer and founder of Detroit, often is described as a classic Gascon: sharp as a rapier blade, quick to anger, brave to the point of foolishness and passionate in all things.
D'Artangnan of "The Three Musketeers," a real person, also came from the Gascony region of France. As did Cyrano de Bergerac, he of great nose, flashing sword and words that could ravel any fair maiden's heart.
But after a few days here I remain bewildered why such swashbucklers should come from this rural, almost forgotten patch on the French map.
It is pretty darned quiet, but that is not to ...