Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-07-08
aHiscellamu,
From the New York Tribune.
Jerome Napoleon BOnaparte-The
Romance of his Parentage.

son of the Emperor Napoleon's younger
brother, jerome, died recently at Balti-
more. This event will probably bring
to close one of the most remarkable |
lawsuits Of the age; it is another impor-
tant chapter in the strange romance Of
which that remarkable lady, Madame
Patterson, still remains the central figure.
1t is story which many of our readers
will be glad to recall.
sSixty.seven years ago Jerome Bona
parte, the youngest brother of Napoleon
arrived in New York. He had joined
the French naval service, and accompa-
MED his brother-in-law, General LeClerc
to San Domingo. While LIE Clerc was
fighting Toussaint IOuverture and the
yellow fever, the first Of whom it will be
remembered, he overcame by treachery,
while the last overcame him by surprise.
Lieut.. Jerome was driven by the English
Navy to take refuge in New York har-
Dor. While his vessel was lying in the
hay watched by English cruisers, Jerome
made tour Of the Eastern States as far
South as Washington where he was pre-
sented to President Jefferson in October,
1904. At Baltimore he met Miss Eliz-
abeth Patterson, daughter of wealthy
merchant of that city, young girl of
eighteen. Her uncommon beauty at
tracted the attention OF young Bona
| parte, and won what little heart he pos
sessed. The family position and connec-
tions os jerome Bonaparte fred the am
7 bilious heart of Miss Patterson, and, a
/ few days after their first meeting, she
readily accepted his offer to make her at
| once Madame Bonaparte and a member
of the civil family of the Emperor. The
! betrothal was completed after strange
fashion of the day at grand ball given
by young Bonaparte, at which Miss Pat
terson was his partner. During the dance
he threw over her head gold chain, tC
which was attached a miniature Likeness
of himself, set in diamonds, and the la
dy bore it off in triumph. Thus the en-.
gagement was made. Miss Patterson
father, however, disapproved, and sen
her away to what was then known a
the "wilds of Virginia" But as Bona
parte gave further evidences of his at
tachment by sending letters to that Sc
cluded place, her father relented ant
brought her home.
j The Spanish envoy was charged witt
the formal demand of her hand, til
French Consul attested the contract, ant
Bishop Carroll celebrated the marriag
ceremony on Christmas Eve, 1903. Je
rome Bonaparte remained in Americ
for fully year, visiting with his VIII
various parts of the country. Whe
they were ready to 60 to Europe, Nj
Patterson fitted out the Erin, one of HI
own vessels, and in the spring of lS0
! they embarked for Europe, and arrive
safely at Lisbon.
The happiness of Jerome and h
bride was here suddenly brought to a
end by the information that Napoleon
who had advanced his brother with tt
!. design of making him useful in son
matrimonial alliance with Europec
royal family, was very much disguste
with his marriage. He refused to reco
: nize the marriage, and forbade the a.
mission of the wife to French territor
Z The husband left her at Lisbon, and I
paired to Italy to see the Emperor.
is probable that the young Lieutenar
% still enamored of his beautiful wife ma
some efforts to obtain her reeognitio
: but they were probably not very siren
Z, Gus, and were certainly unavailing. /
S. did not return to his wife, but, yieldil
of to Nopoleon's orders he married, Au
= -, 1870, Frederica Catherine, ,sdaught
of the King of Wertemburg, and as
reward was made, six days after, XII
IS. of Westphalia. His subsequent fa
was fitting sequel to the story. He
Tended his brother by some neglectw viii
IS. disarranged the Russian campaign
far 1912. and was severely reprimanded a
practically dismissed from the service.
Two years later he had to fly from Pa
os leaving his royal wife under arrest, a
was forced to retire to Vienna, where
= lived as Prince de Montford. WI
the empire was revived he returned
rs. Paris, and died there in 1860.
Forbidden to enter France, Nine. F
terson Bonaparte went to Holland,
sh- shortly after retired to Camberwell. E
Dss nds land, where on July Z, 1905, Jero
nn one Napoleon, the subject of the pres
and sketch was born. For years she hau
D. ed Europe, finding no opportunity to
- tain but never failing on every occas
E, to assert her rights and those of her 5
Once, in the Pitt Palace at Florer
she encountered jerome and his !
wife, but the contemplate fellow sne
t.N 10 x.ra,,1