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Hinckley Street and the century-old Hinckley house in the old St. Landry Parish town of Washington are reminders that Oramel Hinckley was one of the most significant steamboat captains in the heyday of Bayou Courtableau.
The bayou is only 43 miles long, but for three-quarters of a century its geographical reach extended far beyond its length, and its economic reach made Washington and the region around it prosperous. The Courtableau was an important steamboat channel, and Washington was one of the most important ports in the state, perhaps in the whole Mississippi River system. It was the main shipping point for crops, cattle, and passengers bound from south Louisiana for New Orleans, and for trade goods coming here from the city.
The first steamboat, Opelousas, came to Washington in 1830. The last, Warren, left in May of 1900. In between, more than 100 boats called on the little port at one time or another, and Hinckley steered several of them, while building warehouses and other businesses to serve the boats and the shippers who used them.
Newspaper advertisements list him as master of the Irene (1865), W. Burton (1859), J. M. Sharpe (1866), and J. D. Hinde (1866). He was almost certainly involved with other boats over three decades in the bayou trade.
The editor of the Opelousas Courier wrote in September 1865, when Hinckley brought the Irene to the Courtableau, “It appears that nothing more can be desired either for the comfort of passengers or for the confidence which shippers place in her. It is useless to speak of her captain, as everybody knows that for the last twenty-five years he has been in our trade.”
At least by early 1866 he also owned warehouses that gathered cargo for his boats, advertising that the firm of O. Hinckley & Son was “ready to receive … at our Warehouses at Washington, Sugar, Cotton, [and] products of all kinds.” About a year later, he announced plans for a “magnificent and fireproof warehouse … 103 feet in length,” that promised to be “a great ornament to Port street.”
Business was good and all was going well for Hinckley until July 1868, when the Courier announced an “unavoidable misfortune … requiring the immediate suspension of all business of O. Hinckley & Son.” He’d suffered a debilitating blow to his health, and died five months later at age 55.
“Capt. Hinckley was too well and favorable [sic] known for us to repeat here his good qualities. His … simple and open urbanity of manners, and other qualities of the heart that will long be remembered by many,” the Courier eulogized. “[He] came to our parish about thirty years ago … [and] leaves a family and a large circle of friends to whom his remembrance will ever be dear.”
Local Masons wore a badge of mourning “as a slight testament” to “an affectionate husband and indulgent father [and] … honest and upright citizen,” one of the “most sterling members” of the community.
Shortly after his death, his widow Anna Hawley Hinckley and merchant Louis Stagg, announced that Hinckley & Stagg, “receiving and forwarding merchants,” had opened “at the old stand of Hinckley & Son,” and that Stagg planned a separate grocery store there.
The sale notice for the Hinckley estate listed “the last residence of the deceased” on what is now Hinckley Street, three other residential lots, several commercial lots, and an interest in “the lower bridge across the Bayou Carron.” (In those days the bridge was a privately owned toll bridge.)
The inventory also included four cows, several horses, household furniture, kitchen utensils, crockery, an office desk, an iron safe and its contents, bookcases and books, two pairs of scales, a clock, a stove, pictures and parlor ornaments, and a piano, and guitar.
You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

June 22, 1938 ~ April 25, 2022

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville for Paul G. Moresi, Jr., who died peacefully at his residence on Monday, April 25, 2022 at 9:30 P.M. Fr. Louis Richard, Pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, will conduct the funeral services. Burial will be private.
He is survived by his wife, Linda H. Moresi; his sons, Paul G. Moresi, III and his wife, Kimber, Patrick Damas Moresi and his wife, Monica, and his daughter, Carron Amy Moresi; his grandsons, Paul G. Moresi, IV and Patrick D. Moresi, Jr. He is also survived by his step-daughter, Kim M. Hollier and her husband, Jason Hollier, and step-grandson, Samuel L. Hollier; and a nephew, Michael P. Broussard.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul G. Moresi, Sr. and Hazel LeBlanc Moresi; his sister, Lynn Moresi Broussard; nephew, Rene Broussard, Jr.; and niece, Beth B. Melebeck.
Paul was a native and lifelong resident of Abbeville. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1955, and was a proud member of the legendary “Iron Dozen” football team. He attended Springhill College and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1959. He graduated from LSU Law School in 1962 and practiced law in Abbeville from 1962 until 2014. His two sons had the privilege of joining his law practice. Paul earned the respect of his clients and his colleagues. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Erath from 1968, and served as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the bank at various times from 1997 until his death. He was proud to be a community banker and was thankful for all of the loyal bank employees he had the privilege of working with for over 50 years. He was actively involved in civic and professional organizations, including Past President of the Vermilion Parish Bar Association, Member of Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, Abbeville Kiwanis Club, Louisiana Bankers Association, and a lifelong supporter of Mount Carmel and Vermilion Catholic High School. He was an avid outdoorsman and poker player. He loved LSU football, and was one of the 5 million fans who was actually in Tiger Stadium when Billy Cannon made his Halloween Run in 1959.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are Paul G. Moresi, IV, Patrick D. Moresi, Jr., Samuel L. Hollier, Ronnie Abshire, and Michael P. Broussard. Honorary pallbearer will be Dr. Howard Alleman, his friend, hunting partner and camp-mate, with whom Paul spent countless days pursuing ducks, geese, doves and speckled trout. Their time together at Wasp Haven Hunting Lodge will never be forgotten. Paul also made many great memories hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons, and numerous friends. He was a loving and generous husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend.
The family would like to thank Dr. Weston Miller for his kind and expert medical care, and friendship.
The family requests that visitation be observed at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church from 10:00 a.m. until time of the funeral at 11:00 a.m. A Rosary will be recited at 10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Paul’s name to Vermilion Catholic High School, a legacy of Mount Carmel, at 425 Park Avenue, Abbeville, La. 70510, or Masses for the deceased at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

Gloria LeBlanc Segura joined the great quilting bee in the sky on February 27, 2022 surrounded by her family and friends.  Throughout her life, Gloria stitched together a network of loving family and friends with whom she loved spending time.  Born in Vermillion Parish, Louisiana, Gloria was very proud of her Acadian heritage and never missed an opportunity to talk about New Iberia, Abbeville, Erath, and all her friends there.   
Gloria married the love of her life, William “Bill” Gooch Segura in 1952 at the Fort Riley Chapel in Kansas.  This began a 70-year journey of love that created a patchwork of amazing experiences.  Starting in Manhattan, KS, life took them to Abbeville, LA; Calgary Alberta; Plano, TX; Missouri City, TX; Denver, CO; back to Missouri City; back to New Iberia, LA; and, finally, to Katy, TX.  
While raising 5 children, Gloria managed to have a successful career.  As a newlywed, she began working as a legal secretary and throughout her life became invaluable to  her employers and co-workers.  While living in Plano, TX, Gloria worked for the Richardson Police Department; in the Houston area, for the Warwick Hotel and Texas Commerce Bank; and, in Denver, the Denver General Hospital and the Central City Opera.  She made friends wherever she went and stayed in touch with them throughout her life.  
Gloria loved to study WWII history, especially the events surrounding D-Day.  Her vast and deep knowledge and understanding of World War II could rival any expert in the field.   She never missed an opportunity to meet veterans and support their causes.  She was very proud of our military and flew the American flag proudly.   While visiting DC, she always found time to visit the Marine Corps Memorial and attend the Changing of the Guard at Arlington Cemetery.   
While living in New Iberia, she was an active member of the Azalea Garden Club, the Berribees Quilting Club, the American Legion Auxiliary, and other community clubs.  She won numerous awards for her lovely plants and took home many trophies for recipes entered into cooking contests through the Daily Iberian and Cajun Sugar Co-op’s Annual Cajun Creole Cookbook Cookoff.   Gloria often cut roses from her own garden and delivered bouquets to a local senior citizen home where she was known as the “Rose Lady.”  She enjoyed life to the fullest in New Iberia.  
For over 30 years, Gloria participated in church Arts and Crafts shows throughout the Missouri City, Sugarland, and Katy, TX, area.  The shows at the Epiphany of The Lord Catholic Community Church; Holy Covenant United Methodist Church - Heartwarming Christmas; Heart of Katy Craft Show - Bengal Brigade; and Saint Peter’s United Methodist Church - Piccadilly Craft Show were among her favorites.  
The last years of her life in Katy, TX, were filled with happiness as she watched the youngest of her grandchildren grow up.   She supported booster programs at Katy High School and Taylor High School  making homecoming corsages and cooking for team dinners.  She enjoyed quilting and craft shows and many of her customers became close friends.  Her quilts and hand-made items brighten homes all around the world.  
After a full life, well lived, Gloria is now in paradise where roses bloom.   No matter where she went or where she lived, she left it a more beautiful place.  
The family would like to thank her incredible friends and neighbors, Jim and Jane Naeger, Peggy and Joe Martin, and Lisa Vannerson, who cared for Gloria and her family in the days leading up to and following her death.  
Gloria is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years, William, children Michele (Dennis) Sheehan; Felicia Segura, Nicole Segura (Kirk Lippold); William “Bill” Segura II; Ariann (Kent) Fahey; grandchildren Laura Sheehan (Josh Donnelly), Sarah (Danny) Wright, Matt (Megan) Sheehan, Elise Luna, Ethan Fahey, Wyatt Fahey; four great-grandchildren, and her sister, Doris (Mike) Degeyter.  She had many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.  She was preceded in death by her daughter Valencia, mother Lucille Romero, sisters Jo Ann LeBlanc Lickliter and Sylvia LeBlanc Matson, and brothers Elwood John “Sonny” and John Gerald LeBlanc.

March 2, 1936 ~ April 21, 2022

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 25, 2022 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Helen Jane Lemaire Hernandez, 86, who died Thursday, April 21, 2022 at her son’s residence in Erath. She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Reverend Donald Bernard officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Tyler Hernandez, Jonathan Hernandez, Jeremy Deville, Hatch Trahan, Matt Grice and Jimbo Broussard. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerome Hernandez, Jason Hernandez, Philip Hernandez and Chasity Broussard.
Helen was a loving mother to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a kind hearted lady with a heart of gold that will be truly missed by all whom loved her dearly.
She is survived by her three sons, Philip Hernandez of Abbeville, Jason Hernandez and his wife, Danielle of Abbeville, and Jerome Hernandez and his wife, Vickie of Erath; eight grandchildren, Jonathan and Mary Hernandez, Alex and Matt Hernandez, Tyler and Katie Hernandez, Brittany and Hatch Trahan, Jeri and Matt May, Samantha and Jeremy Deville, Chasity Broussard, and Mindy Broussard; 18 great grandchildren; son-in-law, Tony Broussard; two daughters-in-law, Effie Hernandez and Norma Hernandez; three sisters, Leanna Bourque, Faye Trahan, and Lou LeBlanc.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eldest Hernandez; two sons, Derwin and Kelly Hernandez; daughter, Marcella Hernandez Broussard; great granddaughter, Jayla Amerie Broussard; parents, Evelia and Etta Trahan Lemaire; three sisters, Irene Hebert, Virginia Frederick and Eunice Guidry; and four brothers, Will, Maxie, Lee and Raymond Lemaire.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Sunday, April 24, 2022 from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM; Monday, April 25, 2022 from 8:00 AM until 10:45 AM when the procession will depart for the church.
The Hernandez family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Lamm Hospice and caregiver, Mrs. Pattie Campbell for taking such great care of our mother.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.