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