The Portland daily press., 1871-07-18
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND.
TUESDAY. JULY 1s, 1871.
A Strange History.

On Saturday afternoon last the funeral rites
were observed on the remains of a woman
who was remarkable for her age and eccen.
tricity of manner which time, instead of abat.
ing, only made the more extravagant HeI
name was Caroline Makau, and her age nine
ty-seven. She was known to all Southwark
and Moyamensing as "Mommy Mazare,' .
"Mommy Smith" and "Mommy Makau," hav-
ing been married three times. Her long life
was seasoned by some spicy events, the
knowledge of which served to heighten the
interest with which she was regarded by all
the denizens of the sections we have men
toned, and to give publicity to that extrava-
CANT humor which characterized her. When
about twenty years of age Madame Mazare
and her husband came to this citv from
France, and having considerable of this
worlds goods, settled in Third street, above
Spruce, and kept up what was then thought
very fashionable establishment, in consonance
with their French manners and tastes.
In the year 1907 Mazare, who it seems was
the agent of Emanuel Count GrOuchy, the
French marshal, who was ''chiefy memoir
able," as history says, '.fOr the faulty which
seemed to rule his conduct at the battle of Wa
terloo," was commissioned by that person to
build him mansion near the Delaware
Mazare complied, and erected the large brick
edfce which stands ON the south side of
Christian street, near the corner of Eighth,
and bought and laid out the spacious grounds
which are now bounded by Christian street,
near the corner of Eighth, Seventh and Car
penter streets. BY the time the marshal was
expected in 1908 this place had become, under
the skillful management of Mazare, one of
the most charming country seats to be found
in the vicinity Of our city. Political compli-
cations detained GrOuchy in France, and he
authorized his agent to dispose of his property
which Mazare did, becoming himself the DOS
SCISSOR. The Third street mansion was aban-
doned for the more attractive villa, which, un-
til the death of Mazare, was the scene of
many luxurious entertainment; and the Ia
dy OF the house, who was endowed by nature
with unusual personal charms, caused many
f1utter in the heart of the susceptible cal
lants that made the mansion OF Mazare
their resort.
Just before his demise Mazare employed a
cOachman. named John B. Smith, who was
the fortunate pOssessOr of that much priced
boon, handsome face and figure. He soon
ingratiate1 himself into the affections of his
mistress, who regretted but one fact-a stub
born One-Smith was married. Soon after
the death OF Mazare, and much to the horror
OF the aristOcracy that was won't to assemble
at the villa, Smith was exalted from the men,
ial office of cOachman to the head of the es-
tablishment, and Madame Mazare became
Madame Smith. The arrangement by which
this change was arrived at was purely busi-
ness affair. Mrs. Smith accepted a draft for
$1,000 to break her allegiance to her spouse,
and m rotrrn N hor hooo in nd
Smith, unlike those who become intoxicated
with good fortune, applied himself industri-
ously to the improvement of the country seat,
and in few years it had the reputation OF
producing the finest fruits and the most fra
grant of flowers, 1t was just few years be-
fore this event that Jean Victor Moreau, the
celebrated Frenchman, who was banished to
North America for being concerned in a plot
against the consular government, found an
abiding place beneath the hospitable roof of
the widow Mazare's mansion, and was almost
constantly there until he returned to head the
allied forces against his own country.
Notwithstanding the method by which he
had arrived at tina; position, Smith made an
exemplary husband, and when at last he
yielded to an insiduous disease, his relict was
in more comfortable stuation-so far as
comfort depends upon worldly means-than
ever. Madame Smith was now fifty six years
of age, and remained until 1S30-a period OF
twenty years-a widow. During this period
that Eumor of which we have spoken was
developed. Finding that time was soaring
her lovely features, she resorted to all those
nausta.iA.a A.4A -wOh kHUWn to and employ.
ed by French women to perpetuate their
charms, to maintain her supremacy as a belle
among fashionable Philadelphians. This
may appear ridiculous when the age of the
lady is considered, but is, nevertheless, mat
ter of fact. She dressed in the height of ex-
travagance, and rarely appeared upon the
street without rich display of diamonds and
an amusing exhibition of girlish airs; when
in company it was TO vie in appearance with
the beauties of twenty years, and to parade
the coquetry of young miss.
During this time, accelerated on the cne
hand by lavish extravaganza, and on the
other by Encouragement, the estate was be-
coming quite heavily encumbered. 1t con
tinued to decline until fifteen years ago, wher
Madame Smith, then about eighty years O
age, married for the third time, the groom be-
ing Frenchman named Makan. He rescneI
the estate from the sheriff7s clutch and thor
pressed his wife to sign over the property tc
him. She refused firmly, Notwithstanding ali
his entreaties. He left the place in high
dudgeOn, and in less than twenty-four hours
with his trunks, was on his way back to
France, since which time not word has been
heard from him. Thenceforwarj Madame
Makau became estranged from the world, ant
became a recluse, rarely appearing upon thu
streets. Yet when she did, she wore he
girlish dresses, high plumed hat, a necklace
Of diamonds, and invariably band about hel
forehead from the centre of which depended
brilliant gem. Her convers alton was con
fined to her domestics, Michael Foley, goot
natured lrishman, who had been for forty
| years the occupant of shanty at the corne
| of Seventh and Christian Streets, and her at
torney, Horace Blnney, Jr. During her Sc
clusion she was robbed by servant girl AM
her lover, who escaped with $4,000 worth o
| jewels and clothing. In last February she va
Gated the place for her house in Third street
being impelled, it is said, through fear of al
attack some night. She was feeble when sh
made this change, but the ruling passion wa
| as strong as ever, and she astOnished III
neighbors with her gay attire. Her declin
was gradual until Monday last, when dealt
| occurred. The house on Christian street,
large-four story dwelling, with high gables
has been standing empty since she left it,
The grounds have been neglected, and its en-
cuDbrances are nearly as great as its value
Madame Makau, whose life has nearly en-
compassed century, was buried in the Phil
| adelphia cemetary, where her first HUSBAND
was inferred. fhus ends the history OF thi
| old residenter. 1t is said that the Christian
| street property was sold for 1000, and tina
son of the first husband is coming to CLAIM
what remains of the estate.--Philadelphi
| Telenrnnb