The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-09-21
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2l, 1871.
A MississiDi Ron,anc.
PORTLANn A


"Nota Bene" (Col. John F. H. Clairbornel
contributes the following romance Of the
early days of Missssippi-a romance OF
which the eloquent, accomplished aud fasci-
mating Aaron Burr played conspicuous
part:
The arrest of Aaron Burr, at the mouth OF
Coles Creek, by order OF Cowles Mead, Act
ing Governor of Mississippi Territory, and
his arraignment in the old city OF Washington,
on the charge of treason; the self-pOssession,
ability and tact he exhibited, and the favora-
Bile impression he made Oh the community,
are all remembered historical incidents. de
was discharged on giving bond for his appear
ahce, and his principal bondsman was Col.
BenDah Osmun, native OF New JERSEY, and
the comrade of Burr in the Revolutionary
war. He was an Old bachelor. of handsome
Iortune-a high-toned Federaist in politics
VINO retained his military habits. and was
held in much esteem WV
Colonel Osmun was one of the most nrac,i-
cal and successful planters in the Territorv-
was the hrst who Commenced to improye o,,r
Dreeu Oh horses, and was renowned for his IN
BILE and his wines. His beautiful estate e~.
tended to the Halfway Hill. His lands. on
his death, were purchased by the late Gerard
Brandon, and given to his sons-in-law. Col
Ill.
our most valuable citizeus, now deceased
Here Colonel Burr resided some weeks after
his discharge, receiving the visits OF infuen-
tial sympathizers, but passing his afternoons
in the woods. The HALFWAY Hill. then
clothed with majestic trees, was his favorite
resort. But its refreshing shade and charm
ing prospects were not the only attraction.
There lived at that time near the summit
of the hill, in little vine-covered cottage, a
widow lady from Virginia, whose small farm
and two or three slaves were the only re-
mains of large fortune. Her husband had
converted his property into money, and, on
his way to this Territory, was robbed and
murdered by the notorious Joseph Thompson
Hare, mOre bloodthirsty villain even than
the celebrated Mason. She had but one child,
Madeline, who must still be remembered by a
few OF our older citizens as a miracle OF
beauty. In form and feature, in grace and
modesty, she was all that the old masters have
pictured of the divine Madonna, or that art
lists ever dreamed of human loveliness. Those
that saw her loved her, yet she was never con-
sclous OF the sentiment until she listened TO
Aaron Burr.
The family were Catholics, and there Col.
Burr went to meet, by appointment, one of
bis numerous agents and correspondents, the
Abbe Viel, Jesuit priest of remarkable
ability He was born in New Orleans in 1876,
studied al, Paris, and became a member of the
Congregation of Oratory. At the dissolution
of that body by the French Government, he
returned to Louisiana, and exercised the
prlestly function in the parish of Attackapas
He subsequently returned to France 1t is
probable that Col. Burr, in his projected in.
vasion of Mexico, contemplated securing the
influence of the religious orders, and for this
purpose had opened a correspondence with
the Able, and met him by appointment at
the secluded spot.
At length, after canvassing the situation
with Col. Osmun and six other confidential
friends, Col. Burr determined to forfeit his
bond and make his way TO Pensacola. One
stormy night in February, 1907, he set forth,
mounted on the fasorite horse OF his host, and
attended by Jerry, faithful groom, who had
orders to go as far as Pearl River. Urgent as
was the necessity fOI expedition, Col Burr
halted till daylight at the widows cottage,
pleading with the beautiful Madeline 20 be
the companion of his flight. lie promised
marriage, fortune, high position, and even
limited at imperial honors-not realizing, even
then fugitive and branded traitor, the crush
ing downfall! that impended over him.
The maiden had given her heart; she had
listened to his witchely night after night, and
loved him with all tho fervor of her Southern
nature. She would have followed him TO the
end of the earth and to the scafio!d, and her
aged mother would freely have given her to
this most captivateing man-for they looked
on him as demi-god; but, as with most of
our Southern women, virtue and propriety
were stronger than prepossession and passion,
and the entreaties of the accomplished liber-
tine were firmly rejected. Baffied and dissp-
pointed, he was comdelled to proceed, but
promised to return, and carriek with him the
covenant and pledge of the beautiful Made
line.
She was wooed by many lover. The
youug and gallant masters of the large
plantations on Second Creek and ST. Cathe-
rine's strove in vain for her hand. Fortunes
and the homage of devoted hearts were laid
at her feet, but the maid of the Half Way
Hill remained true to her absent lover; the
more SO because of the rumors that reached
her of his misfortunes and his guilt She liv-
ed on the recollection of his manly beauty,
and the shades he had most affected were her
constant haunts. At length, when he had
fled from the United States, pursued by Mr..
Jefferson and the remorseless agents that
swan around power and authority-when be
had beeu driven from England, and an out
cast in Paris, shivering with cold and starving
for bread-he seems to have fetl, Tor the first
time, the utter hopelessness of his fortunes.
And then he wrote to Madeline, and, in a lew
formal wolds, released her from her promise.
| Stateing that he would never return to the
United States, he advised her to enter a con-
vent should she survive her mother. A year or
| two after this she went to Havana with Mrs.
w., highly respectable lady, who owned
| the property were Mrs. st. John Elliot now
| resides. Her extreme beauty, her grace and
| elegance, produced the greatest enthusiasm
The hotel where they put up was besieged
If she appeared on the balcony, dozen OF
| cavaliers were waiting TO salute her When
! her uOldnt was seen on the Pasco or the Plaze
| de Armas, it was escorted by the grandees of
the Island. She was feted by the Governor
| General; serenades and balls followed in rapid
| succession, and the daily homage to her beau
| ty never ceased until the evening bells sound
| ed the Aneelus.
Without surrendering her heart, or being
carried away by universal admiration, she re
| turned to the cottage on the Hallway Hill
She was followed there by Mr. K, an Englisl
| gentleman, the head OF the largest CONNER
cial house in Havana, and to him, on his sec
ond visit, she gave her hand.
The vine-covered cottage, its trellis and Dor
ders, have crumbled into dust The country
| lover and the innocent maiden are long since
dead But the old hill still lifts its AGED brow
| wrinked all over with traditions. A favorite
lookout of the Natchez in time of war-the
| scene of daring conspiracy against the Span.
| ish authority-the rendezvous OF lovers-the
hiding place of b"igands, and the depot fol
| their bloodstalned tleasure-mute, but faith
| full witness OF the past.