Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-07-19
A Mississippi Romnnce.

early days of Mississippi, romance in
which the eloquent, accomplished anG
fascinating Aaron Burr played a con
spicuous part:
The arrest of Aaron Burr, at the
mouth of Coles Creek, by order OF
Cowles Mead, acting Governor of Mis-
sissippi Territory, and his arraignment
in the old town of Washington on the
charge Of treason, the self-possession,
! ability and tact he exhibited-and the
favorable impression he made on the
community-are all well remembered
historical incidents. He was discharged
on giving bond for his appearance, and
his principal bondsman was Col. BENZ
jah 0smun, native of New Jersey, and
the comrade of Burr in the revolution
airy war. He was an old bachelor, of
handsome fortune, a high-toned FEEDER
alist in politics, retained his military
habits, and was held in great esteem.
| Colonel Osmun was one of the most
practical and successful planters in
the territory-was the first who com
menced to improve our breed Of
horses--and was renowned for his
hospitality, his table and his wines.
His beautiful estate. extended to the
Halfway Hill His lands on his
death were purchased by the late Gerard
Brandon, and were given to his sons-in-
law Col. Jas. Smith and VIM. Stanton,
two of our most valuable citizens, now
deceased. Here Col. Burr resided some
weeks after his discharge, receiving the
visits of influential 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 charming
prospect were not the only attraction.
There lived, at that time, near the sum-
NIT of the hill, in a little vine-covered
cottage, a widow lady from Virginia,
whose small farm and two or three slaves
were the only remains of q large fortune.
Her husband had converted his property
into money, and on his way to this terri
tory had been robbed and murdered by
the notorious Joseph Thompson Hare,
more blood thirsty villain even than the
celebrated Murrell 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 pic
tured of the divine Madonna, or that
artist ever dreamed of human loveliness.
Those that saw her loved her, yet she
was never conscious of the sentiment
until she listened to Aaron Burr. The
family were Catholics, and there Colonel
Burr went to meet, by appointment, one
Of his numerous agents and correspond
ents, the Able Viel Jesuit Priest of
remarkable ability. He was born in
New Orleans in 1876, studied at Paris,
and became member of the Congrega-
ton of Oratory. At the dissolution of
that body by the French Government,
he returned to Louisiana, and exercised
the priestly function in the parish of
Attackapas He subsequently returned
to France. 1t is probable that Colonel
Burr, in his projected invasion of Mex
leo, contemplated securing the influence
of the religious orders, and for this pur
pose had opened correspondence with
the Able, and met him by appointment
at this secluded homestead
Atlength, after canvassing his situa-
ton with Colonel 0smun and six other
confidential friends, Colonel Burr de-
termined to forfeit his bond and make
his way to Pensacola One stormy night
in February, 1907, he set forth, mountedI
on the favorite horse of his host and at
tended by Jerry, faithful groom, who
had orders to go as far as Pearl river.
Urgent as was the necessity for eXpedi-
ton, Colonel Burr halted till daylight at
the widow cottage, pleading the beau
tiful Madeline to be the companion of
his flight He promised marriage, for
tune, high position, and even limited at
imperial honors, notrealizing, even then,
a fugitive and branded traitor, the crush
ing downfall that impended over him.
The maiden had given him her heart;
she had listened to his witchery night
after night, and loved him with all the |
fervor of Southern nature. She would |
have followed him to the end of the |
earth, and to the scaffold, aud her aged |
mother would have freely given her to |
this most captivating man-for they |
looked on him as a demi-god-but, as |
with most of our Southern women, vir-
tue and propriety were stronger than
and passion, and the en-
treaties of the accomplished lbertine
were firmly rejected Baffled and dis
appointed, he was compelled TO proceed,
but promised to return, and carried with
him the covenant and pledge of the
beautiful Madeline. She was wooed by
many lover. The young and gallant
masters of the large plantations on Sec
ond Creek and St GATHERINGS strove in
vain for her hand. Fortunes and the
homage of devoted hearts we're laid at
her feet; but the Maid Of the Halfway
Hill remained true TO her absent lover;
the more so because of the rumors that
reached her of his misfortunes and his
guilt. She lived on the recollection Of
manly beauty, and the shades he had
most affected were her constant haunts.
At length when he fed from the United
States, pursued by Mr.. jefferson and
the remorseless agents that swarm
around power and authority = when
he had been driven from England
and an outcast in Paris, shivering
with cold and starving for bread-he
seems TO have felt, for the first time,
that utter hopelessness Of his fortunes.
And then he wrote to Madeline, and in
A few formal words, released her from
her promise. Stating that be would
never return 20 the United States he ad-
Fised her to enter convent should she I
survive her mother. A year or two after
his she went TO Havana with Mrs. W, !
j