Click here for Les Vieux Temps Article UPDATE Oral history is sometimes not entirely accurate. One of the many enjoyments I get from writing articles about old times is the many comments from the readers about different versions of events from the past that they have heard from there elders. Such was the case about the origin of the name Prairie Des Femmes, a community in St. Landry Parish. Apparently the version expressed earlier about the name coming as a result of the Civil War battles was not correct because additional research indicates that the name was in use as early as 1809. Father Hebert’s earliest document in which Prairie Des Femmes was mentioned was a memo written in 1809 from the cattle warden. A document, “Police des Animaux,” which authorizes the picking up of all stray cattle in the District of Grand Coteau, Prairie Des Femmes and Carencro, was signed by George King, parish judge. Prairie Des Femme was mentioned quite frequently by Father Hebert in his research from 1809 to 1830 – years before the Civil War.
David Lanclos has a different explanation:
“I have also heard a version of the story about how the place came to be called by that name. The story goes that as Indian groups traveled through their hunting grounds they often set up camps on the various prairies that bordered Bayou Teche. According to the story, Indians had set up a camp at the place we know today as Prairie Des Femmes. When they decided it was time to move on, there were several women who were too old or too sick to travel. As was often the custom of these Indians, the old women were abandoned at that place, where they were eventually discovered by early settlers who lived in the area. The place thus came to be called Prairie Des Femmes.”
Is this the true story? Who knows, but if we keep exploring it, sooner or later, a definitive version about the origin of the name Prairie Des Femmes is bound to emerge. If anyone has heard a different version, please contact me.
Comments about Les Vieux Temps articles are always appreciated. Please call (337) 754-9980 or e-mail yknott123@aol.com
Well There may be some truth to this story, at least about nomadic Native Americans travel through Prairie De Femme, because several decades ago my found found several indian artifacts there ware made from a rock material that is not native to our area. After doing some research and consulting a professor of anthropology and archeology they determinded the material orginated in a northerm state bordering a mountain chain. The Material was carbon dated to the 1700s. Our family has found a multitude of artifacts on the orginal family property and additional property that was aquired later by my father. During an escavation project my father found the metal firing mechanism that was likely related to the civil war and given its unlikely location I was venture to beleive it was certainly used in battle. In fact I would like to do some further digging because its very possible the the owner of the firearm many be there as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ty, Email me at prairiedesfemmes@gmail.com for more info
ReplyDeletethis is all very interesting, You know that there was a battle, the Battle of Bayou Bourbeaux (which runs through PDF) but it was near Sunset... another historian came and did a walk through the woods here, and found musket balls, possibly cannon balls, etc... I wonder what the deal is? The reason I started this blog was to explore my area, so thank you for the information, please email if you would like to discuss further
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