The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-08-31
A Reminiscence OF Aaron Burr.

borne, contributed to the NatcheZ Denl0cra
the following romance of the early days o
Mississippi, romance in which the eloquent
accomplished and fascinating Aaron Burr play
cd q conspicuous part:
The arrest of Aaron Burr, at the mouth oi
Coles creek, by order of Cowles Mead, Ac-
ting Governor Of Mississippi Territory. and hi.
the charge of treason the self.possession, abili-
ty, and tact he exhibited, and the favorable
impression he made on the community, are all
well remembered historical incidents. lie was
discharged on giving bond for his appearance,
and his principal bondsman was Colonel Benz
ah Osmun, native of New Jersey, and the
comradc of Burr in the Revolutionary war.
He was an old bachelor, of handsome fortune,
a high toned Fcdcralist 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 commenced to improve our breed
of horses, and was renowned for his table and
his wines. His beautiful estate extended to
the Half Way Hill. His lands, on his death,
were purchased by the late General Brandon,
and were given to his sons-in-law, Colonel
James Smith and William Stanton, two Of our
most valuable citizens now deceased. Here
Colonel Burr resided some weeks after his dis
charge, receiving the visits of influential SYM
pathizcrs but passing his afternoons in the
woods The Half Way Hill, then clothed with
majestic trees was his tavorite resort But its
refreshing shade and charming prospect were
not the only attraction. There lived, at that
time, near the summit of the hill, in little
vine covered cottage, widow lady from Eir-
ginia, whose small farm and two or three slaves
were the only remains Of a large fortune Her
| husband had converted his property into mon
ev. and on his way to this Territory had been
robbed and murdered by the notorious Joseph
Thompson Hare, n more bloody thirsty villain
even than the celebrated Mason. She had but
one child, Madeline, who must still be renlem-
| bered BY q few ofour older citizens as q miracle
| of beauty. In form and feature, in grace and
modc<ty she w;ls all thai the old masters have
pictured OF the divine Madonna, or that artists
ever dreamed Of human loyelincSs Those
that saw her loved her, yet she was never con-
scious of the sentiment until she listened to
Aaron Burr The family were Catholics, and
| there Colonel Burr went to meet, by appoint
ment one of his numerous agents and cores
pondents, the Able Nicl, a Jesuit priest of re-
markabe ability. He WIS born in New Or
leans in 1886, studied at Paris, and became a
member of the Congregation of the Oratorv
At the dissolution of that body by the French
Government he returned to Louisiana, and ex-
ercised the pric>tly function in the parish of
Attackapas lie subsequently returned to
France. 1t is probable that Colonel Burr, in
his projected invasion OF Mexico, contemplated
securing the influence of the religious orders,
and for this purpose had opened 4 correspon-
dcnce with the Able, and met him By appoint
ment at this secluded place.
At length, after canvassng his situation,
~ IL, IL ;,l
friends. Colonel Burr determined to forfeit his
stormy night in February, 1907, he set forth,
mounted on the fayorite horse of his host and
attended by Jerry. a faithful groom, whom had
orders to go as far as Pearl river. Urgent as the
necessity tor expedition, Colonel Burr halted
till daylight at the widows cottage, pleading
with the beautiful Madeline to be the compan-
ion of his flight He promised marriage, for
tune, high position and even limited at imperial
honors not realizing, even then, a fugitive and
branded traitor, the crushing downfall that inn
pended over him The maiden had given him
her heart; she had listened to his witchery
night after night. and loved him with all the
fcrvor of her Southern nature. She would
have followed him to the end of the earth, and
to the Scatlold, and her aged mother would
freely have given her to this most captivating
man-for they looked on him AZ a demi god
but as with most of our Southern women, vir-
tue and propricty were stronger than proposes
sion and passion, and the cntre;ties OF the ac
complshed libcrtine were firmly rejected.
Baffled and disappointed he was compelled to
proceed, but promised to return, and carried
with him the covenant and pledge OF the beau
tiful Madeline. She was wooed by many Il lover.
The young and gallant masters Of the large
plantations on Second creek and -. Catherine :
strovc in vain for her hand. Fortunes and the
homage of devoted hearts were laid at her feet
but the maid of the Half Way Hill remained
true to her absent lover; the more so because |
of the rumors that reached her of his miStor- |
tunes and his guilt. She lived on the rccollec
ton of his manly beauty, and the shades he |
had most affected were her constant haunts
At length, when he fled from the United States, |
pursued by Mr.. Jefferson and the remorscless
agents that swarm around power and authority |
when he had been driven from England
and starving nr brcad-hc seems to have felt,
for the first time, the utter hopelessne<s of his
fortunes. And then he wrote to Madeline, and
in few formal words, released her from her
promise Stating that he would never return
to the United States he advised her to enter 4
convent, should She survive her mother. \
wear or two after this she went to Havana with
Mrs. W, highly respectable lady, who then
owned the property where Mrs St. John Elliott
now resides. Her extreme beauty, her grace
and elegance, produced the greatest enthusiasm.
The hotel where they put up was bcSirgcd. If
she appeared on the balcony y dozen cavaliers
were waiting To salute her. When her voant
WAS seen on the 'asco or the Plaza de ArmaS
it was escorted by the grandccs of the island.
She was trtrd by the Governor General, scre-
nadrs and ball, followed in rapid succession.
and the daily homage to her beauty never ccas-
cd until the evening bells sounded the AngeluS.
Without >urrcnlcring her heart, or being
carried away hy universal admiration, she re-
turned to the cottage on the Half Way Hill.
She was followed there bv Mr.. H.. All English
gentleman. the head of the largest commercial
house in Havana, and To him, on his second
visit. she gave her hand
-c,vnrcl cnlta iiS trcllisc and hnr-