Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-09-19
Something New about the Private
Life of Aaron Burr.
From the Piqua tohio) Democrat ]

1t is known by but comparatively
lew persons that a son of Col Aaron
Burr, Tie arch-conspirator, around
whom ciings romantic and tragical
history, is "a citizen OF Miami county.
If we have not Bourbon among US,
we have the offspring of man who,
for four years, held the second high
est Office in the gift of the American
people, the slayer Of Hamilton, and
who attempted the mberment
Of the Unioa. | would not credit
the fact until led into the presence
Of tho conspirator's son, whose head
is streaked with silver hairs, ripe for
the tomb. The old gentleman who
wears his mothers name, passing the
decline Of life on farm won by the
sweat of his brow, is one of our most
peaceful citizens. He furnishes, yet
very reluctantly, incontestable proofs
of his decent--consisting of letters
from Burr to his mother prior and
subsequent to her sons birth. His
mother was Miss Catherine, at
that time (1S00) a well-known Wash
ington belle, who fell beneath the
Establishments of the Vice President.
She was noted for her beauty, refine
ment and wit, and after her ruin fled
TO Philadelphia. Her sudden disap-
pearance from the gay capital created
much talk, and after that event she
was dead to the world save through
her titled destroyer and his son, our
citizen
Mr.. saw his father but twice
once after his acquittal before the
Supreme Court of the United States
at Richmond, whom he was tried for
treason, the second and last time in
the latter part OF 1885 in New York.
On the latter occasion our old citizen
was recognized as the son Of the con-
spirator. He was then aged-bowed
to the earth with the great weight of
four score years and broken heart.
Disease also racked his frame. Thir-
ty years before his only daughter had
sailed from Charleston TO meet him,
but the vessel in which she embark
ed was never heard from, and the
blow nearly crushed Burr's life.
Sir" said the old man, although
the blood OF Aaron Burr runs through
my veins, detest it, He conspired
against the best government on the
face Of Gods foot-stool, and | am the
offspring of a-traitor. | tried to
redeem my birth by fighting for my
country in the Florida war, but the
odium rankes in my heart, and little
does the government suspect that it
pays a pension TO the son of Aaron
Burr"
When asked him whetherI might
publish these facts, he sad Yes
1t will do me no harm but for
heavens sake point not out my place
of retirement to the gasping world.
SugmatiZe my father as you please,
but speak kindly, l pray thee, of my
gentle and erring mother, who is in
heaven waiting for her son. | am on
tho borders of three score and ten"
he continued with moistened eyes.
II want to cross the river, where
the stain Of ancestry will never cor
rode "a name"
have not mentioned the old mans
name, Without his consent it nevor
passes my lips, or claims the service
Of this pen But suffice tito say he is
often seen on the streets of Piqua,
and more than once filled q jurors
seat in our courts. He waits calmly
for death, and, believe, has exacted
promise from his grandson to bury
the letters Of his father with him. A
short time hence-yes, feel it will
not be Tonga funeral cortege in
this country will follow to the tomb
the son OF Aaron Burr. Then, peace
to his ashes III. G. D..