Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-08-23
A MISSISSIPPI ROMANCE.
A "Reminiscences of Aaron Burr.

Democrat the following romance of the
early days of Mississippi, romance in
which the eloquent, accomplished and fas-
cinating Aaron Burr played conspicu-
part:
The arrest of Aaron Burr, at the mouth
of Coles creek, 10y order of Cowles Mead
Acting Governor of Mississippi Territory,
and his Arrangement in the old town of
Washington on the charge of treason,
the self-possesson, ability and tact he eX-
hibited, and the favorable impression he
made on the community, are all well re-
membered historical incidents, He was
discharged on giving bond for his appear
ance, and his principal bondsman was Co
lionel Benijah OSmun, q native of New Jer-
sey and the comrade of Burr in the Rev
olutionary war. He was an old bachelor,
of handsome fortune, a heightened Fed
eralist in politics, retained his military
habits, and was held in great esteem. Col
onel Osmun was one of the most practl-
cal and successful planters in the Terrific
Ty-was the first who commenced to I'M
prove our breed of horses, and was re-
nowned for his table and his wines. His
beautiful estate extended to the Half Way
Hill, His lands, on his detah, were pur-
chased by the late Gerand Brandon, and
were given to his sOns-in-law, Colonel
James Smith and William Stanton, two
of our most valuable citizens, now deceased.
ter his discharge, received the visits of in
fluential sympathizers, but passed his af-
ternoons in the woods This Halt Way
Hill then clothed with majestic trees, was
his favorite resort Butts refreshing shade
and charming prospects were not the only
attraction. There lived, at that time,
near the summit ofthe hill in little vine
covered cottage, a widow lady from Nir-
ginia, whose small farm and two or three
slaves were the only remains of large
| fortune. Her husband had converted his
property into money, and on his way to
| this Territory had been robbed and MUIR
dered by the notorious Joseph Thompson
Hare, a more blood-thirsty villain even
than the celebrated Mason. She had but
had but one child, Madeline, who must
still be remembered by 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 pictured OF
the divine Madonna, or that artists have
dreamed of human lOveliness. Those who
saw her loved her, yet she was never con-
scious of the sentiment until she listened
| to Aaron Burr. The family We're Catho-
| lies and there Colonel Burr went to meet
| by appointment, one of his numurous
agents and correspondents the Able Wei,
| a jesuit priest of remarkable ability. He
was born in New Orleans in 1856, studied
at Paris, and became member of the
Congregation of the Orotary. AT the dis
solution of that body by the French Gov
eminent he returned to louisiana, and
exercised the priestly function in the par
ish of Attackapass. He subsequently re-
turned to France. 1t is probable that Col
onel Burr, in his projected invasion of
Mexico, contemplated securing the influ-
ence of the religious orders, and for this
| purpose had opened correspondence with
| the Able, and met him by appointment
at this secluded place.
At length, after canvassing his situation,
with Colonel Osmun and several other con-
fidential friends, Colonel Burr determined
| to forfeit his bond and make his way to
Pensacola. One stormy night in Februa-
| ry, 1907, he set forth, mounted Oh the ia
| Vorite horse of his host, and attended by
jerry, faithful groom who had orders to
| 60 as far as Pearl river, Urgent as the
| necessity for expedition, Colonel Burr halt
| ed till daylight at the widows cottage
| pleading with the beautiful Madeline to be
! the companion of his flight. He promised
! marriage, fortune, high position, and even
| limited at imperial hOnOrs not realizing
| even then, q fugitive and branded traitor
the crushing downfall then impended
over him. The maiden had given him
! her heart she had listened to his witch
| cry night after night, and loved him with
all the ieryoT of her Southern nature. She
| would have followed him to the end Of tho
earth, and to the scailold, and her aged
mother would freely have given her tC
this most captivating man-for theyloOked
| ON him as demi-god-but as with mos
of our Southern women, virtue and pro.
| priety, We're stronger than prepO,-cssior
| and passion, and the Cntrcaties of the &C
complished libertine were firmly rejected
| Bai1ied and disappointed he was cOmpell-
ed to proceed but promised to return, and
carried with him the covenant and pledge
Of the beautiful Madeline. She was
! wOued by many lover. The young anC
! gallant masters of the large plantations on
| Second creek aud st. Catherini's strove IN
! vain for her hand. Fortunes and the HON,
! age Of devoted hearts were laid at hel
! feet; but the maid Of the Half Way Hill
| remained uuc 10 her absent lover; Jhg
| more because OF the runners that reached
! her Of his misfortunes and guilt. She
| lived On the recollection Of hi, manly
| beauty, and the shades he had most aHcc,
| ted were her constant haunts. At length
| when he fed from the United States uur-
sued by Mr.. Jefferson and the Tcmur-elc--
! agents that swarm around power and au-
! hOrily-whcn he had been driven from
| England-Iud an Outcast in Paris, SILVER
eTing with cold and starving for bread
he seems to have felt, for the first time,
the utter hopelessness Of his fortunes.
Ami when he wrote to Madalinc, and
in few formal words, released
her from her promise, stating
that he would never return to the l'ui-
ted States, lac advised her to enter con-
vent, should she survive her mother. A
NGEr ar ty-p al t1p li- { a. wont n Havana