Acadian Reminiscences : The True Story of Evangeline   By: Felix Voorhies (1839-1919)

The True Story of Evangeline

by

JUDGE FELIX VOORHIES

Introduction by Felix Birney Voorhies

Price $2.00

E. P. Rivas, Publisher New Orleans, Louisiana

Copyright, 1907, by Felix Voorhies

[Illustration: A Modern Conception of Evangeline Posed by Rev. A. T. Kempton]

Table of Contents

Page

List of Illustrations 7

Introduction 9

I. Reminiscences 13

II. Acadian Manners and Customs 23

III. Rumors of War 35

IV. Threatening Clouds 43

V. Acadian Exiles 53

VI. A Night of Terror 61

VII. Generous Friends 75

VIII. Evangeline 79

IX. Louisiana 91

List of Illustrations

Frontispiece A Modern Conception of Evangeline

Page

Catholic Church Exterior 76

Evangeline 81

Evangeline Oak 86

Interior of Church 104

Introduction

Acadian Reminiscences, depicting the True Life of Evangeline, is a story centered about the life of the Acadians whose descendants are now residents of the Teche Country also known as the Land of Evangeline.

These people lived a pure and simple life with an unbounded devotion to their religion and with an unshakable faith in their God. Their love for one another is unparalleled in the annals of human history, to which may be attributed their fortitude and perseverance in their travels from Canada, upon being expelled by the British, to their chosen Land on the banks of Bayou Teche.

The author, Judge Felix Voorhies, relates the story as it was told to him by his grandmother. The story begins by telling of the native land of these Acadians and of the village of St. Gabriel from which they were driven when the French Province was surrendered to the British. It tells of members of the same families being separated and placed aboard different ships and some never to see each other again. The story tells of their landing in Maryland and after some time, hearing that members of theirs and other families having landed in Louisiana. This news brought encouragement and determination, in face of great dangers, to travel to the beautiful Land of the Teche.

The author was best able to present this story as it was handed down to him by word of mouth by his grandmother who adopted Evangeline when orphaned at an early age. The writer repeats the story in a simple narrative manner characteristic of the Acadians.

To this day travelers may visit the quaint town of St. Martinsville on the banks of Bayou Teche and pay their respects at the grave shrine of Evangeline and for a few fleeting moments live the life of these early settlers.

Because of the demands for this story and in tribute to Judge Felix Voorhies, my grandfather, a man of noble character, staunch patriotism and unerring judgment, I, together with all members of the Voorhies family, dedicate this book.

FELIX BIRNEY VOORHIES.

Chapter One

Acadian Reminiscences

With the true Story of Evangeline

It seems but yesterday, and yet sixty years have passed away since my boyhood. How fleeting is time, how swiftly does old age creep upon us with its infirmities. The curling smoke, dispelled by the passing wind, the water that glides with a babbling murmur in the gentle stream, leave as deep a mark of their passage as do the fleeting days of man.