Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-09-15
LIVING SON OF AARON BURR.
Something New about tho Private
Life OF tho Great Conspirat0r.

Life Of tho Great Conspirator.
Letter to the Piqua tO.) Democrat Of Aug. 90.
1t is known by bu: comparatively
few persons that a son of Col. Aaron
Burr, the arch-conspirator, around
whom clings a romantic and tragi-
cal history, is citizen of Miami
county.
Ii we have not a Bourbon among
us, We have the offspring OF a man
VIII" for four years held the second
highest Office in the gift Of the
American people, the SLAYER of Ham
ilt"n, and who attempted the dis
mcmbcrmcnt Of the Union.
would not credit the fact until
led int" the presence of the conspir-
ator's son, whose head is strcakcd
with silver hairs, ripe for the tomb.
The old gentleman, who wears
his mothers name, passing the de
cline Of life on a farm won by the
sweat of his brow, is one Of our
most peaceful citizens.
He furnishes, yet very reluctant
ly, incontcstaDlc proofs Of his de-
sccnt-consisting of letters from
Burr to his mother prior and sub
Sequent to her sons birth. His
mother was Miss C,therine
at that time lsoo) well known
Washington belle, who fell beneath
the Establishments OF the Vice-Pres-
idcnt. She was noted for her beau
ty, refinement and wit, and after her
ruin fled to Philadelphia. Her sud
den disappearance from the gay
capital created much talk, and after
that event she was dead to all the
world save her titled destroyer and
his son, our citizen.
Mr.. saw his father but
twice-once after his acquittal be-
fore the Supreme Court Of the Uni
ted States ut Richmond, when 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 cit
izen was recognized as the son of
the conspirator.
lie was then aged-bowcd to the
earth with the great weight of tour
score years and broken heart.
Disease also rackcd his frame.
Thirty years before his only daugh-
ter had sailed from Charleston to
meet him, but the vessel in which
she embarked was never heard from,
and the blow nearly crushed Burr's
life.
"Sir," said the old man, "although
the blood of Aaron Burr runs thro'
my veins, detest it. He conspired
against the best Government on the
face OF Gods footstool, and am the
offspring of a-traitor!
81 tried to redeem my birth by
fighting fo- my country in the Flor
ida war; but the odium ranklcs in
my heart, and little does the Gov
ernment suspect that it pays a pen
sion to the son Of Aaron Burr
When | asked him whether l
might publish these facts, he said:
ayes. 1t will do me no harm; but
for heavens sake point not out my
place Of retirement to the world.
Stigmatizc my father as you please;
but speak kindly, | pray thee, of my
gentle and erring mother, who is in
heaven waiting for her son.
81 am on the borders of three
score and ten," he continued, with
moistened eyes. 81 want to cross
tle river, where the stain of ances-
try will never corrode name"
| have not mentioned the old
mans name.
Without his consent it never pass
cs my lips, or claims the service Of
this pen.
But suffice it to say that he is oft
en- seen on the streets of Piqua, and
more than once filled Il jurors seat
in our courts.
He waits calmly for death, and, I
believe, has cxacted apromise from
his grandson to bury the letters OF
his father with him. \ short time
hcncc-vcS, | feel it will not be
lonr-a funeral coriege in this coun
ty will follow to the tomb the son of
Aaron Burr.
Then, peace to his ashes!
IL. {. ID.