Exubène

NAME: Exubène COUNTY: Cherry ROADS: 2WD GRID: 3 CLIMATE: Usually snow in the winter, summers are warm but can also rarely reach desert-temperatures. (about 90-100+ Fahrenheit) BEST TIME TO VISIT: Autumn/Fall & Winter (less incidence of tornado's)

COMMENTS: Location is in between Mullen and Valentine. Head North from Mullen and go onto NE-97 (Nebraska Highway 97) until you reach a Big Creek and a road that leads West that is called W Big Creek Road. About 6 miles down that road is the settlement of Exubène. The road is considered a dead-end road or a cul-de-sac, but there is actually a new road in construction that is being built to lead to another road. There are still modern houses built (and new residents) out there. You can also find an old rusted (unusued) AM radio antenna on the road and next to the highway. I know this information (that it existed) because most of my ancestors were the French colonists. My family have always told me of it, and I've been there many times (inside the buildings) speak French and can understand a few of the word markings on the graves. There are also old one-person jail cells.  REMAINS: Grave markings, old wood and tin buildings, jail-cells, (broken), Old Abandoned rusted AM Radio Transmitter

The name of the settlement, Exubène (pronounced eks-oo-bean), was French in origin and is a French version of an (unknown) Greek feminine name. (for instance; similar to Eugène or Eunice.) The town was deserted shortly after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803; when Napoleon sold New France to USA. French colonization was ordered promptly by the USA to cease & desist. There are markings but most of the graves are hidden, broken or hard to find. Most are unmarked or in poorly spelled (illiterate) French names. On the side of the road there are usually old buildings made out of wood or tin and are usually broken or abandoned. But most of the spelling on the French names are either poorly spelled or discolored. In the early 18th century (1700's) it is believed that an Indian tribe (of unknown origin) had planned and conspired to kill a few French soldiers in order to reclaim their territory. Reportedly an approximately 300 people (mostly Frenchmen, more-or-less) died in the ambush. There are also rumors of an unmarked indian burial ground. As well as buried French soldiers without a tombstone or name identification. The name of the settlement.  In the early 18th century (1700's) it is believed that an Indian tribe (of unknown origin) had planned and conspired to kill a few French soldiers in order to reclaim their territory. Reportedly an approximately 170 people (mostly Frenchmen, more-or-less) died in the ambush. There are also rumors of an unmarked Indian burial ground. As well as buried French soldiers without a tombstone or name identification - from the aforementioned attack (later) carried-on by Natives. The name of the settlement was later considered to be changed to be named Saint Francis; but by the time of the Louisiana purchase, a colony in South Dakota had already claimed it. Submitted by: Jace Melancon

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