The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-06-30
Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte.


took place in Baltimore yesterday morning.
An incurable disease, cancer in the throat, had
rendered this event possible at almost any time
within the past year. The romance that seems
to belong to the lives Of nearly all the mem
bers of the most famous of modern families,
was not wanting in that of Bonaparte of Balti-
more. When Prince Jerome Bonaparte, the
youngest brother of the Emperor Napoleon l.,
visited this country, in 1903, as an officer of
French naval vessel, he met at Baltimore
young lady of great wealth, beauty and ac-
complishments, Miss Elizabeth Patterson,
daughter of William Patterson, Esq, a leading
merchant. Miss Patterson was the reigring
belle of city always renowned for the per-
sonal loveliness Of its women, and it was not
remarkable, therefore, that the susceptible
Young Frenchman lost his heart The lovers
met for the first time at the races Wearing
her white wig, in accordance with the fashion
of the time, and seated in her carriage with
other ladies, Miss Patterson was introduced by
Commodore Barney to Jerome, who was at
once struck with admiration of the "Grecian
beauty" as she was called, while a rival belle
who afterwards married one of Jerome's suite,
General Rubell, was known as the Roman
beauty" The same day General Smith, "the
hero of Mudfort," gave a dinner to the French
men, at which Miss Patterson appeared, wear
ing her own hair, and completed her conquest
on the spot Jerome told her she was so much
more beautiful where adHned by her natural
tresses than she could possibly be in any wig,
that she never again donned one Of those mon
strosities. In the course of few days young
Bonaparte gave a grand ball. and Miss Patter-
son was. his partner. In the dance he threw
over her head gold chain, to which was at
tached miniature likeness Of himself, set in
diamonds, and the lady bore it off in triumph.
Thus the engagement was made. Miss Patter-
sons father, however, disapproved, and sent
her away to what was termed the wilds of Vir-
ginia. Jerome's love penetrated even to that
secluded spot, and he succeeded in having let
ters carried to her. When Mr.. Patterson dis
covered this he made no further violent oppo-
stion, but brought his daughter home, and in
short time the marriage took place, according
to the solemn rites of the Roman Catholic
Church, the legal contract being drawn up By
the Hon. Alexander j. Dallas, and witnessed
by the most prominent citizens of Maryland.
When the young couple were ready to go to
Europe, Mr.. Patterson, who was ship-owner,
fitted out one of his own vessels to convey his
daughter in regal style to that France which she
hoped to conquer by her beauty. She reached
it only to find every port closed against her by
reason of the Emperors order. message
from Napoleon that his brother should come at
once to Paris to consult with his Majesty was
conveyed to the ship, and, hoping all things,
the bridegroom departed, making sure he could
win his sovereign's consent to his marriage in
q PERSONAL interview. He never saw his wife
again The Emperor forbid his return to her,
and she, after awaiting him i'll vain, was taken
to London by her brother She met Jerome
once years atterward; in Florence, in picture
gallery. They recognized each other instantly;
I,,,+ 4 hnI
deserted wife led her away ut once, and the
next morning Jerome Bonaparte left the city.
Though the marriage was null and void in the
French law, for want Of the Emperors appro-
val, the ecclesiastical power always held to its
validity, and when, in 1907, Jerome married
the Princess Frcdcrica Catherine, daughter Of
the King of Wurtemburg, the Pope sternly re-
fused to recognize the new alliance. In the
contemplation of the Church, at least, Eliza
beth Patterson was the only legitimate wife of
Jerome Bonarar;e
Mrs Patterson Bonaparte gave birth TO the
son, who has just died in Baltimore, on the 1th
July, 1905 She was then at Camberwell, Eng
land. She returned to her fathers home in
1911, and has since resided in Maryland. AT
the age of ninety years she survives both her
husband and SON. and is in possession of all
her faculties and many traces Of the beauty
that fired the hearts Of the gallants at the be-
ginning of the century. The late Mr. Bona
parte received all the educational advantages
that the large wealth of his mothers family
could procure. He was educated at Harvard
University, and graduated in 1926. He studied
law but never practiced it. Soon after leaving
college he married Miss Susan Mary Williams,
the daughter of Mr. Benjamin Williams, OF
Roxbury, Massachusetts, The lady was pos
scssed OF large property, which, united with
his own, made Bonaparte in time one of the
richest men in Maryland. On his extensive
estates he passed most of his life. In the
reign of Louis Philippe he visited France.
and resided for a while in Paris. His eytraor-
dinary physical resemblance to the first Napo.
the King himself was frequently apprehcnsive
of popular outburst on account of his trou-
blesome visitor When Louis Napoleon came
into power, Mr.. Bonaparte again went to
France He made some efforts to procure the
lecitimatizing of his branch of the family, but
did not succeed. His COUSIN the Emperor
received him cordially, however, at the Tnic-
ries and in an informal way recognized the
relationship.
Mr. Bonaparte was an amiable and polished
Gentleman, and was possessed of first-rate abil-
tiles Ambition never ruled him, though
Perhaps he felt the injustice that had been
done to his mother. At any rate, he seemedto to
prefer the quiet life of an American gentleman
of means and culture to the splendors of Il
court. By his marriage with Miss Williams he
had two sons-Jerome Napoleon and Charles
Joseph The latter is still youth. The for
mcr was educated at West Point and served
few years in the United States army. Subse
qucntly he went to France, and received a
commission in the army of his kinsman. He
fought in the last Italian war, distinguished
himself for gallantry, and now holds the rank
of lieutenant-coionel. He is on the best of
terms at the Tuileries and the Palais Royal.
A few months ago he revisited his native coun-
try to see his father for the last time; It is
said that the mperious old lady in Baltimore
has predicted that she will live to see her
grandson Emperor of the French. 1t is quite