Portersville Revival Group

French Coast Resident, Joe Cain, Revives Mardi Gras After the Civil War
From the files of Portersville Revival Group, Inc.

Joe Cain is recognized as the individual who revived Mardi Gras in Mobile after the Civil War. “Joe Cain Day” is a wildly popular Mardi Gras event celebrated in Mobile, Alabama on the Sunday prior to Mardi Gras Day. It is not surprising that Joe was a resident of the French Coast nor that his descendants still reside in the area.

“ The year was 1866, and hopelessness hounded some residents along the Gulf Coast...With the Civil War over, the future appeared uncertain. Despair dogged some; homelessness haunted others. Then Joe Cain dressed up as Chief Slacabamorinico and paraded down the streets of Mobile.” See Kristen Campbell, “The Gospel of Joe Cain”, Mobile Register, February 26, 2006.

Joe Cain and his wife, Elisabeth Rabbe (also spelled "Raby", “Rabby”, and Rabbey”) resided on what is now Shell Belt Road in South Mobile County. The Cain home remains today, inhabited by his descendants. The site is also believed to be the location of the home of the Baptiste family. Pierre Baptiste's maternal grandparents, Guillaume and Perrine Huet, were original French founders of Coden in 1726.

Joe died on April 17, 1904. He was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Bayou la Batre, Alabama. In 1967, as the celebration that bears his name became trendier among residents of Mobile, an attempt was made to remove the remains of Joe and Elisabeth to the Church Street Cemetery in Mobile. Rumors are that Cain may still lie in his chosen resting spot within the bounds of the French Coast. Some who observed Joe’s disinterment reported that little remained of Cain’s coffin and that only a few nails and some soil were removed.

The celebration of Mardi Gras is a traditional French Catholic event. The French Coast is now multi-cultural but Mardi Gras remains well loved. With the season approaching, signs of the celebration can be seen throughout the area. A statue of Buddha can be observed at a local Asian restaurant decorated with Mardi Gras Beads.


Joe Cain celebrations also occur within the Coden and Bayou La Batre communities. Wreaths decorated in Mardi Gras’ traditional green, gold and purple are laid at the foot of the large live oak along the road in front of the Cain home. A local “Tea Drinkers” society also exists. Members of this secret mystic society meet annually along the banks of the bayous of the French Coast in honor of Joe Cain.


PHOTO COURSTESY OF BARBARA HOLLEY REID