703. Madison Tensas, Part 2

703. Part 2 of our presentation on Madison Tensas. Download the PowerPoint here. Henry Clay Lewis (1825-1850) published Odd Leaves from the Life of a Louisiana “Swamp Doctor” under the pen name of Madison Tensas, M.D. Lewis originally published his sketches separately in The Spirit of the Times, a sporting and hunting magazine published weekly in New York. He then combined the stories into his book in 1850, which he published a few months before his death. Lewis gives us an early look at life in North Louisiana. His perspective is somewhat autobiographical, but from a humorous perspective. Lewis helped develop Southwestern humor, providing a model to later authors like Samuel Clemens. Anybody reading Lewis’ eye dialect and humorous tall tales will immediately be reminded of Clemens. Nevertheless, the book gives us much valuable information about the life of a country doctor in North Louisiana in the 1840s.

1. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!
2. This week in the Louisiana Anthology. A new recipe from the Christian Woman's Exchange: To Roast a Turkey.
   Wash the turkey nicely; prepare the stuffing with bread crumbs, sweet herbs, lemon peel, nutmeg, pepper, salt, and beaten yolk of egg, with sufficient butter to moisten it, and a little old ham, cut very fine. Stuff the craw of the turkey with the force meat, of which there will be enough made to form into balls for frying, to garnish the dish, dredge it with flour, and roast it before a clear, brisk fire, basting it with cold lard; towards the last, put the turkey nearer the fire and dredge it lightly with flour, and baste it with butter. The time for roasting depends on the size of the turkey. Make the gravy of the giblets cut in pieces, seasoned and stewed for one hour, in very little water; thicken it with a spoonful of brown flour, and stir into it the native gravy, after having skimmed the grease from it.
   
3. This week in Louisiana history. November 6, 2014. Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy defeated Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu denying her a fourth term as US Senator.?
4. This week in New Orleans history. November 6, 1860: Abraham Lincoln was elected President; the news sparked immediate calls for secession among the political elite in New Orleans.
5. This week in Louisiana. This festival has been put on hiatus. We'll let you know any updates.
   Trem' Creole Gumbo Festival
   November 8'9, 2025
   Louis Armstrong Park
   701 N. Rampart St.
   New Orleans, LA 70116
   Website: jazzandheritage.org
   Phone: (504) 558‑6100
   Email: Not listed in search results
   Sources: The Trem' Creole Gumbo Festival is a beloved New Orleans tradition ' a free, two‑day celebration of the music, food, and culture that define the Trem' neighborhood. Held in historic Louis Armstrong Park, the festival brings together some of the city's top brass bands and gumbo chefs for a weekend steeped in Creole flavor and community pride.
• Gumbo Galore: Local chefs serve up a full spectrum of gumbo styles ' dark roux, Creole, seafood, chicken and andouille, gumbo z'herbes, and even vegan versions.
• Brass Bands & Live Music: The lineup features New Orleans' signature sound ' R&B, funk, and brass bands performing throughout the weekend.
• Arts Market: Local artists and makers fill the park with handmade crafts, jewelry, and cultural goods.
• Historic Setting: The festival takes place in Louis Armstrong Park, the symbolic gateway to Trem' ' one of America's oldest African American neighborhoods and a cradle of jazz.
• Free Admission: The event is open to the public, with donations supporting the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.
6. Postcards from Louisiana. Herlin Riley at Snug Harbor.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.
Listen on audible.
Listen on Spotify.
Listen on TuneIn.
Listen on iHeartRadio.
The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.
Like us on Facebook.