26/03/2026
Itâs in Legends of Le DĂ©troit, the 1883 book by Marie Caroline Watson Hamlin, that the first written mention of the Red Dwarf appears. Yet oral history puts him in Quebec on March 10, 1701, when a fortune teller appeared at a party, reading palms with great accuracy. She read the palm of Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, Detroitâs founder, saying heâd establish a great city, but it would be the site of bloodshed. Still, Cadillacâs city would survive and thrive.â
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The palmist warned of his ambition, adding, âAppease the Nain Rouge. Beware of offending him.â Offending the dwarf would bring great hardship.â
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Four months later, Cadillac established Fort Pontchartrain du DĂ©troit for France as a necessary stronghold against the British. Out for a walk with his wife one day, Cadillac saw a petite red creature with jagged teeth appear. He smacked the dwarf with his walking stick, yelling, âGet away!â The dwarf ran, laughing.â
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In the following years, Cadillac was imprisoned for illegal trading of furs and liquor. He was labeled a self-serving scoundrel and was later sent to Louisiana to serve a lesser position. In 1717, he was jailed in France for speaking treasonous words, but after his release, he purchased and held a French governorship until his death in 1730.â
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The Nain Rouge remains Detroitâs harbinger of doom. He is said to have appeared before 1763âs Battle of Bloody Run, the 1805 Detroit fire, the 1967 uprising, and the 1976 ice storm. Yet Detroiters face this question: Is the Nain Rouge evil, bringing destruction? Or is he good, warning locals to prepare for coming tragedy?â
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Full Article: https://www.hourdetroit.com/community/nain-rouge-detroit-red-devil/