Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-09-07
Mississippi Romance
Renliniscence OF Aaron Burr.

"Nota Bene" Col John F. H. Clai-
borne), contributes to the Natchez Dtaao-
cfat the following romance of the early
days OF Mississippi, a romance in which
the eloquent, accomplished, and fascina-
ting Aaron Burr played conspicuous
part
The arrest Of Aaron Burr, at the mouth
of Coles creek, by the order of Cowles
Meade, acting Governor of Mississippi
territory, and his arraignment in the old
town of Washington ON the charge of
treason, the selfpossession, ability and
tact he exhibited, and the favorable i'm
preston he made or tie community, are
well remembered historical incidents
He was discharged on giving bond for his
appearance, and the principal bondsman
was Col Benjamin Osmun, a native of
New Jersey, and a companion of Burr in
the revolutionary war lie was an old
bachelor, of handsome fortune, Federal
i>t in politics, retained his military hab-
its. and was held in great esteem Col.
Osmun was one of the most practical and
successful planters in the territory-was
the first who commenced to improve our
breed of horses. and was renowned for his
table and his wines His beautiful estate
extended to the Halfway Hill His
lands, on his death, were purchased by
Gen. Brandon, and were given to his SON
laws, Col. James Smith and William
Stanton, two of our most valuable citi-
zens, now deceased Here Col Burr re-
sided some weeks after his discharge, re-
ceiving the visits of influential sympa-
thizcrs, but passing his afternoons in the
woods. The Half Way Hill, when cloth
ed with majestic trees, was his favorite re-
sort. But its refreshing shade and charm
ing prospect were not the only attraction.
There lived, at that time, near the sum-
init of the hill, in a little vine-covered cot
tage, 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 into
money, and on his way into this territory
had been robbed and killed by the motor
ious Joseph Thompson Hare, a more
blood thirsty villain than the celebrated
Mason. She had but one child, Madeline,
who must still be remembered by few
Of our old citizens as a miracle of beauty.
In form and feature, in grace and modes
ty, she was all that the old masters have
pictured of the divine Madonna, or that
artists ever dreamed of human lovelness.
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 Col Burr went to
meet, by appointment, one of his numer-
Gus agents and correspondents, the Able
Viel. Jesuit priest of remarkable ability.
He was born in New Orleans in 1876
studied at Paris, and became member of
the Congregation of the 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
Col. Burr, in his projected invasion of
Mexico, contemplated securing the infiu-
ence of the religious orders, and for this
purpose had opened a correspondence with
the Able, and met him by appointment at
this secluded place.
-
At length, after canvassing his situation
with Col. Osmun, and six other confiden-
tial friends, Col Burr determined to for
felt his bond and make his way to Pensa-
cola. One stormy night in February,
1907, he set forth, mounted on the favor
ite horse of his host, and attended by
Jerry, a fayorite groom, who had orders
to go as far as Pearl river. Urgent as the
necessity for expedition, Col. Burr halted
till daylight at the widows cottage, plead
ing 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, fugitive and branded traitor,