Cheniere’s Priest Tells Sad Story submitted by Larie Tedesco Daily Picayune 10-06-1893 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Cheniere’s Priest Tells Sad Story Rev. Father Grimaux Gives a Graphio Description of the Storm He Was an Eye-Witness to the Desctuction of Cheniere Ceminada A Night of Ghastly Horrors Near the Gulf The Appeal of the Hungry and Homeless Fishermen for Aid (Photo) Father Grimeaux Rev. Father Grimaux, the Roman Catholic parish priest of Cheniere, arrived yesterday afternoon. He would not have left his parish were it not for the fact that he was compelled to accompany his sister to New Orleans. The reverend gentlemen and his sister repaired to Antoine’s Restaurant. Father Grimaux gave the following interesting detailed account of the deplorable events in his section: The population of Chenieres Caminada Island is 1471. Of these 696 only now living; 779 are dead, Historic Cheniere Caminada is no more. The first effects of the storm were felt between 4 and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Everyone experienced that something terrible was about to happen. The fishermen, foreseeing that a serious storm was evident, hastened to beach their craft near their houses. But those percautions availed not, for the wind blew in fitful gusts, increasing in strength and velocity every minute, coming from the south. At 7:30 p.m. huge waves were madly lashing the shore, and in a few minutes they had attained a height of six feet, and later on of eight feet.. There was one avenue of safety, and that was to seek the upper stories of the houses, but even that chance for escape was lost when the wind and waves combined shook the frail habitations, which rocked to and fro and creaked and groaned under the repeated attacks of the furious elements. Soon the houses were being demolished, wrecked and carried away. The wind shifted to the southeast, and for hours shrieked with double fury. Above the thundering voice of the hurricane could be heard the despairing cries, the groans and the frantic appeals for help of the unfortunate victims. I was in the upper story of the presbytery, holding on to the sill of an open window, powerless to do anything and standing there exposed to the terrific blasts and hearing the cries of agony of my poor dying parishioners. A more furious attack of the storm broke off one-half of the roof. Notwithstanding the wind, I managed to light a lantern, which I displayed at the window, to serve as a beacon for those who might be fortunate enough to swim or to be cast towards the presbytery. Then I leaned forward and holding up my hands ever the waste of waters, I offered a fervent prayer to the Father of all and begged of him to be merciful in his judgment on the souls of so many of his children who were at that moment dying in such a sudden and terrible manner. I gave them all the final absolution of the Roman Catholic Church. Then there was a sudden ominous lull in the storm. I felt that the worst was yet to come. It was then about 11 o’clock and I saw blacker and denser masses of clouds, swiftly rolling from the southeast towards our doomed island. There was something really appalling in that deceptive column. However, those few minutes of rest were precious and saved the lives of many people. Brave, sturdy men went out in skiffs and rowed from house to house, taking in such of the inhabitants as had escaped the first onslaught of the tempest. Many of those people sought shelter in two or three houses known to be solidly built, and this proved eventually their salvation, and in that way nearly 700 persons survived that fearful night. During the lull I looked out the window and saw a young boy about 11 years old, clinging to a broken piece of timber and floating toward the presbytery. I called out to the men in the lake, and told them to save that young life. But fate decreed otherwise. Just then the storm burst again with terrific violence and carried the little fellow, to be seen no more. The wind had shifted and now blew from the west. Whatever of life and property had been spared by the south wind was destroyed by the gale from the west. Trees were snapped like reeds; houses were wrecked in an instant, and soon Cheniere ceased to exist. Out of 250 houses, only four remained, and these were filled with crowds of trembling, despairing people, bewailing not only their own pitiful plight, but crying out the names of loved ones carried away by the merciless floods. All around and about me I could see desolation, death, ruin, wreck. Houses floated by and were seen no more. The church soon followed. I remained alone. As far as I could see there was not a vestige of any human habitation. Under my window the seething waters flowed madly on and I could see amidst the wreckage and the seaweed a number of bodies floating on and on out of view, I could not count them. It seemed to me like endless, ghastly, horrible procession of specters. Unable to bear that terrible sight anymore, I closed my eyes and leaning my forehead on my hand, realized that everything that was inextricably lost. I never dreamed that I would live through that horrible ordeal. Again, I heard those heart-rending cries. Looking on by a strong effort of will power, I saw floating past women and children, some of the women holding in their arms infants, while some of those unfortunate young ones were tightly grasping the dresses of their mothers. Not a few were clutching even the arms and tresses of the women. Ever and anon one of the little victims, apparently worn out, would release his hold and be quickly carried away by the raging waters after a last frantic adieu. A large number of people were saved by holding on to floating debris, such as parts of roofs, timbers, etc. Some of them were considerably bruised and injured, but their lives were spared, and when morning dawned the storm had somewhat abated, they painfully found their way to houses in which their relatives and friends had found refuge during that eventful night. A young boy named Cyriac Prosperi was found on the sea shore two days and one night after the storm. He was deprived of his clothing by the storm. His only sustence was an orange that had drifted in his way. On Monday about 3 a.m., the storm was over. My sister and myself knelt down and thanked the sacred heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Good Help for our safety. We had invoked them in the hour for our peril and to them we owed our deliverance. At day break three men came to the presbytery and gave us a ladder to enable us to descend. Then a weary walk began. We waded in water waist deep, our feet sinking in the soil, thus adding to our discomfort and the impeding of our progress. We were on our way to succor the unfortunate people. Not a work was spoken; we looked at each other; we understood what was to be done; tears welled up to our eyes as we went along beholding new and untold miseries at every step. Monday and Tuesday we hardly rested, being occupied in burying the dead. More than 400 corpses were unburied. Many could not be found for they had been carried out to the gulf. On Tuesday more affliction. We began to feel the wart of fresh water; then we realized also that we had no provisions. The excitement and exertion in giving burial to the hundreds of dead people had made us forgetful of our own physical wants. Now we felt exhausted and at night we were completely prostrated. The odor emanating from the dead bodies, both man and beast, made the situation all the more unbearable. The arrival of two boats laden with ice was hailed with joy. We lost no time in melting the ice and mixing it with a small portion of salt water so as to increase the quantity. Other boats came from the city with provisions donated by charitable people of New Orleans. This relief was timely, for we had saved nothing at all from the destructive storm. Houses had been swept away, luggars, schooners, boats of all descriptions had been lost. The could only lay claim to a few tattered bits of clothing. The people of Cheniere and Grand Isle fervently hope and trust that the kind hearted people of this state will hasten to send them the relief that is so imperatively and immediately needed. Most of the inhabitants of the Cheniere are very poor people, fishermen, whose only worldly possessions were their huts and their boats. Those they have lost and how will they be able to earn their living? Who will come to their aid and help them to rebuild their humble abodes? The Death Roll Shows 779 Deaths at Cheniere Caminada and 27 at Grand Isle List of families, with exact number of members saved and members who were lost: Rodolphe Chevance, ten saved; none dead. Louis Malcom, one saved; four dead. Pierre Colin, seven saved; none dead. Silas Viger, seven saved; one dead. Louis Chabert, ten saved; none dead. Veronique Petre, one saved; two dead. Prosper Terrebonne, four saved; five dead. Dupres Terrebonne, two saved; none dead. Louis Terrebonne, two dead; two saved. David Petre, seven saved; four dead. Mme. Richard Petre, four saved; none dead. Didier Petre, two saved; none dead. Augustin Gaspard, six saved; none dead. Ernest Gaspard, three saved; six dead. Oleus Cherann, eight saved; none dead. Felicien Lefort, seven saved; none dead. Harisonne Gaspard, none saved; seven dead. Elfege Lefort, five saved; none dead. Alexis Lefort, nine saved, none dead. Milten Lefort, two saved; none dead. Eusebe Crosbe, two saved none dead. Adrien Lefort, four saved; none dead. Borgard Viger, eight saved; none dead. Armand Crosbe, five saved; no deaths. Julien Crosbe, three saved; no deaths. Nicholas Turol, three saved; no deaths. Tele Terrebonne, fourteen saved; no deaths. John Rebstock, eleven saved; no deaths. Camille Retstock, three saved; no deaths. Arthur Terrebonne, two saved; no deaths. Pierre Turol, four saved; no deaths. Etienne Curol, two saved; no deaths. Andre Curol, nine saved; three deaths. Melfort Gaspard, six saved; no deaths. Melfort Arnodin, three saved; seven dead. Livode Petre, six saved; no deaths. August Malcolm, six saved; no deaths. Madame Malcom, two saved; no deaths. Mme, Justin Petre, six saved; one dead. David Petre, two saved; no deaths. Leodgard Petre, one saved; one dead. Bebe Laboue, four saved; no deaths. Augustine Petre, two saved; five dead. Marc Pissiola, three saved; no deaths. Dupuis Terrebonne, eight saved; no deaths. Alsere Petre, five saved; ten dead. Jerosine Dantin, three saved; no deaths. Thomas Alario, three saved; seven dead. John Bilgin, one saved; six dead. John Sanamon, two saved; five dead. Mrs. Jacks Terrebonne, four saved; no deaths. Steph Petre, two saved; no deaths. Raimond Terrebonne, one saved; six dead. Alexander Ancelin, five saved; no deaths. Robert Martin, six saved; no deaths. Guillaume Martin, five saved; no deaths. Joseph Martin, eleven saved; no deaths. Jerozime Dantin, nine saved; no deaths. Octave Dantin, five saved; no deaths. Francois Sandrees, three saved; no deaths. Singesse Terrebonne, nine saved; no deaths. John Stout, two saved; no deaths. Paul Malgom, one saved; five deaths. Charles Gilbot, four saved; no deaths. Felicien Sandras, one saved; two dead. Alexis Sandras, four saved; no deaths. Besinthe Sinblanc, seven saved; no deaths. P. Gromand, two saved; no deaths. Mme. Victor Sondras, five saved; four dead. Thomas Martin, six saved; no deaths. John Miller, three saved; no deaths. Frank Gibbons, five saved; four deaths. John Hodge, one saved; no deaths. Jack Fallen, one saved; no deaths. Mme. Xavier Sandras, one saved; no deaths. Claude Gibbs, one saved; six dead. Jos. Lafont, one saved; three dead. Andre Gilbot, none saved; two dead. Mme. Joseph Cotton, four saved; no deaths. Jos. Gamesse, three saved; four dead. Gaspard Sicard, one saved; three dead. Constantine Itro, one saved; six dead. Ernest Lafont, five saved; no deaths. Emard Terrebonne, three saved; one dead. Etienne Terrebonne, eight saved; no deaths. Henry Gardey, eight saved; no deaths. Dupre Terrebonne, none saved; ten dead. Louis Gardy, none saved; six dead. Lovena Terrebonne, none saved; seven dead. Oscar Terrebonne four saved; one dead. Dr. Frederic Cotten, none saved; two dead. Sicor Jombon, two saved; two dead. Andre Pizoni, none saved; five dead. Leopold Pizoni, none saved; five dead. Maick Allen, none saved; five dead. Michel Terrebonne, seven saved; no deaths. Michel Jambon, seven saved; no deaths. Theodule Terrebonne, one saved; four dead. Leon Theriot, one saved; five dead. Picho Sponge, five saved; no deaths. Lucien Terrebonne, eight saved; no deaths. Manuel Meslade, two saved; no deaths. Philip Billih, one saved; six dead. Marcus Perrin, one saved; four dead. Cleophe Dantin, none saved; two dead. Adam Sponge, three saved; no deaths. Lucien Theriot, seven saved; no deaths. Lee Arnaudin, five saved; no deaths. Belinte Terrebonne, two saved; three deaths. Rudolphe Terrebonne, four saved; no deaths. Didme Dantin, none saved; two dead. Orelien Crosby, none saved; seven deads. Mme. John Polket, five saved; none dead. Opti Bouziga, none saved; three dead. Clement Bouziga, five saved; no deaths. Roman Deigrandi, five saved; no deaths. Mme. Dominque Bouziga, five saved; no deaths. Miguel Lannasse, three saved; two dead. Alexis Terrebonne, none saved; three dead. Leopold Guedry, none saved; five dead. Thomas Valena, none saved; seven dead. Charles Lafont, none saved; five dead. Charles Lafonte, Jr., one saved; four dead. Leo Decuir, six saved; no deaths. Manuel Terrebonne, five saved; six dead. Joe Budro, one saved; four dead. Dr. Fried, none saved; four dead. Alexis Crosby, none saved; three deaths. Pit Labove, five saved; none dead. Ovide Petite, none saved; seven dead. Michel Never, one saved; no deaths. Glebert Boudro, five saved; no deaths. Mme. Faustin Boudro, three saved; no deaths. Dupres Lazard, four saved; no deaths. Ernest Angellets, six saved; no deaths. Ozeme Cherami, eight saved; no deaths. Julian Boudro, six saved; no deaths. Faustin Boudro, two saved; no deaths. Clemene Claws, one saved; three dead. Enoch Claws, one saved; three dead. Victor Arnodin, eight saved; no deaths. Joseph Ortis, one saved; four dead. Alexis Terriot, none saved; five dead. Arinaud Paiket, one saved; four dead. Antoine Valence, none saved; three dead. Zephirin Duet, none saved; five dead. Joseph Terrebonne, two saved; one dead. Adam Sauyeur, none saved; three dead. Andre Collin; none saved; three dead. Mme. Ducos, none saved; three dead. Louis Broussard, one saved; five dead. Wilfred Pitre, two saved; three dead. Donnatien Coron, eight saved; none dead. John Valence, one saved; six dead. Louis Lafont, one saved; nine dead. Felix Pisanie, four saved; none dead. Andre Pisanie; four saved; no deaths. Lesta Cheramie, none saved; six dead. Cirioque Prospery, three saved; two dead Leonce Prospery, one saved; three dead. Antonie Valence, two saved; no deaths. Mme. Joseph Incalade, two saved; no deaths. Theodore Crosbe, two saved; no deaths. Albertine Pisanie, two saved; seven dead. Theodore Pisanie, one saved; five dead. Martin Bonne, six saved; no deaths. Joseph Lefont, non saved; three dead. Jacques Collin, five saved; no deaths. Alfred Collin, five saved; no deaths. Mme. Peltier, two saved; no deaths. Filiozaque Collin, five saved; no deaths. Ernest Lefont, eight saved; no deaths. Adrien Toroi, three saved; no deaths. Noel Lefont, eight saved; no deaths. Alice Lefont, six saved; no deaths. Julien Lefont, seven saved; no deaths. Leonce Petre, four saved; no deaths. Felicien Collin, six saved; no deaths. Bonnaud Jambon, nine saved, no deaths. Raphael Petre, four saved; no deaths. Joseph Pitre, nine saved; no deaths. Adam Duat, seven saved; one death. Adrian Petre, six saved; no deaths. Auguste Petre, none saved; five deaths. Dido Lafont, three saved; four deaths. Ryon Brankly, three saved; nine dead. Francois Bartellion, two saved; seven dead. Auguste Bonamour, one saved, eleven dead. Batiste Millet, four saved; five dead. Willy Read, one saved; eight dead. W. Corron, four saved; no deaths. Pierre Dantin, one saved; one dead. Dolcily Dantin, none saved; seven dead. Etienne Perrin, three saved; three dead. Emile, Angellet, two saved; five dead. Etienne Perrin, one saved; three dead. Alerde Pisanie, none saved; three dead. Hippolite Eloi, two saved; four dead. Peter Busere, one saved; seven dead. John Sponge, none saved; eight dead. Joseph Sponge, one saved; five dead. Horace Dantin, one saved; six dead. George Dantin, none saved; six dead. John Michel, one saved; four dead. Pierre Nicoli, none saved; nine dead. Telesfort Boramour, none saved; three dead. Antoine Alianda, one saved; nine dead. Pierre Amont, one saved; two dead. Orellan Crosby, none saved; eight dead. Mrs. Carmody, one dead; none saved. Tracy, none saved; one dead. Joseph, dead. This list is very near complete, very few families being missing. The following recapitulation, made on the spot is absolutely correct: Recapitulation – Living 696; dead 779; Grand Isle, 27 dead; Bayou Andrew, Chinese Camp, 63 dead; bayou (in the rear), 11 dead; at Grand lake almost all the people were drowned; Cabanoge, no news.