The Lincoln County herald., 1871-07-27
4 MISSISSIPPI ROMANCE.
4 sssINSsCsscE or AAnop sUAe.


Colonel 40hn X. ii. Claiborne SoS-
tributes to the Natchez Democrat the FOL.
lowing roma nee Of the early days Of Mis-.
sissippi, q eonsnce in which the eloquent,
accomplished aud fascinating Aaron Burr
played conspicuous part.
mouth Of Coles Greek, by order Of
Cowles Mead, acting Governor of Missis.
sippi Territory, and his arraignueut in
the old tows Of Washington on che
charge OF treason, the se'fpossessiou
ability and tact he exhibited-and the
favorable impression he made on the
community-are all woll remembered as
historical incidents. He was discharged
on giving bond for his appearance, aud
his principal bondsman was Col Benijah
Osmun, u native OF New Jersey, and the
comrade of Burr IN tho revolutionary
war. He was an old bachelor, Of hand
some fortune, high toned federalist in
politics, retaining his military habits, and
was held in great esteem. Colonel
Csmun was one cf the most practical and
successful planters in the territory-was
the 6rst who attempted to improve our
breed of horses aud was renowned for his
hos spitality, his table and his wines. His
beautiful estate extended to the Hall
Way Hill. His lands Oh his death were
purchased by the late Gerard Brandon
and were given to his sons in law,
Col. James Smith and VIM Stanton, two
of our most valuable citizens, now de
ceased. Hero Col. Burr resided some
weeks after his discharge, receiving the
visits Of influential sympa,hizers, but
passing his afternoons in the woods
| he Half Way Hill, then clothed with
majestic trees, was his favoritc resort
But its refreshing shade and charming
prospect were not the only attraction.
lhe,e lived, at that time, near the sum
NIT Of the hill, in little vino covered
cottage, a widow lady from Virginia
whose small farm and two or three slaves
were the only remains of large fortune
Her husband had converted his property y
into money, aud on his way to this terri
tory had been robbed and murdered by
the notorious Joseph Thompson Hare, a
more blood thirsty villain even than the
cele brated Mason. She had but one
child, Madeline, who must still be remem
bered by few Of our older citizens Us Q
mil acle Of beauty. In form and feature,
in grace aud modes:y, she wss all that
the old masters have pictured of the
divine Madonna, or that artist ever
dreamed Of human loveliness. Those
who saw her loved her, yet she was never
conscious OF the sentiment until she lis
toned to Aaron Burr. The family were
Catholics, and there Col. Burr went te
meet, by appointment, one Of his nu ner
Gus agents and correspondents, the Able
Veil, Jesuit priest OF remarkable abil
ity. He was born in New Orleans in
1886, studied at Paris, aud became d
member Of the Congregation Of the ora
tory. At the dissolution of that body by
the French Government, he returned tC
Louisiana, and exercised the priestly
functions in the parish of Attackapas.
He subsequently returned to France. II
is probable that Colonel Burr, iu his
projected invasion to Mexico, contem
plated securing the influence OF tho relig
Gus orders, and for this purpose had
opened q correspondence with the Able
and mt. him by appointment at thi'
secluded homestead.
At length, after canvassing his situa
ton with Colousl Osmun aud six Other
confidential friends, Colonel Burr deter
mined to forfeit his bond and make bis
way to Pensacola. One stormy night il
February. 1907, he set forth, MOUNTED
on the favorite horse Of his host, anc
attended by Jerry, faithful groom, who
had orders to 90 as far as Pearl river.
Urgent as was the necessity for this ex
petition, Col. Burr halted till daylight a,
the widows cottage, pleading the beau,i-
full Madeline TO be the companion OF his
fight. He promised marriage. fortune
high position, and even limited at impe-
rial honors, not realizing, even then, f:
fugitive and branded traitor, the crushing
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 fervo,
OF a Southern nature. She would have
followed him to tho end Of the earth, aud
to the scaffold, and her aged mother
would freely have given her to this most
captivating man-for they looked on him
AZ demi. god-but, as with most of our
Southern women, virtue and propriety
we're stronger than prepossession and
passion, and tho entreaties of the accom-.
plishod libertine wore firmly rejected
Bsffled and disappointed 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 a lover. The young and
gallant masters of the large plantations
strove IN vain for her hand. Fortunes
and the homage of devoted hearts we're
laid at her feet but the maid of the
Half Way Hill remained true to hsr
absent loysr; the more so because Of the
rumors that reached her Of bis mis-
fortunes and bis guilt. She lived IN the