ACTIVITY
The home is best known for the 1890's murder of the homeowner, Isabel Robertson and her daughter, Belle. Travelers knew this home as the Evangeline Hotel. Mrs. Robertson, a widow, was reported by a local newspaper to have been found murdered in her bed with her daughter's body found on the floor in the same room. According to the newspaper, Mrs. Robertson's throat had been slit and her daughter had bruise marks around her neck. There were signs of a struggle. Folklore tells of a second invalid daughter. It is unclear if Belle or the supposedly surviving daughter was the invalid. We've found no records indicating a second surviving daughter to date.
Newspaper articles from the period did reveal that an arrest was made shortly after the murders. A black man named Louis Michel was arrested and quickly tried for the murders. He was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. He went to his execution professing his innocence and cursing those who had sent to a wrongful death. This is reputed to be the source of the "Curse of St. Martinville." He was reported as saying that until justice was done, the town shall not prosper. Grass will grow in the streets and nothing will trive. Two weeks later, a white man named Paul Cormier was arrested and tried for the same murders. No record of the outcome of that trial has been locted to date.
Former claims of activity include the ringing of a bell. This is storied to be the method by which the invalid daughter would call for help. The former owner was quoted by once saying, "They would hear bells ringing in the night." Once previous guest had also reported that small objects moved in the room where the girl died. When the home was being renovated, workers' radios turned on and off without visible cause. Another common activity reported both by neighbors and the previous homeowner is that the interior lights would appear to come on and off on their own.
We were fortunate enough to be able to acquire rooms and spend a full 14 hours investigating this location. We were not disappointed. Banging on walls continued throughout the night. Overnight audio recorded EVP activity throughout our entire stay. In the Josephine room, a hair band that was inside of an unlatched suitcase was found approximately 12 inches away on the floor the next morning. In the Montgomery room, audible random banging on the outside wall continued late into the night. In the Evangeline room, where audio ran overnight, voices, footsteps, doors opening and closing, humming, whispers and groans were recorded.
Not only did the establishment not disappoint in activity, but the hospitality, gourmet breakfast and comfort were outstanding. A great place for a weekend get away or out of town guest accomodations. This is a private bed and breakfast establishment. No public tours are given at this time.
We have not been able to give a logical explanation for the attached photo.
