The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-07-20
IDAHO WORLD.
A MISSISSIPPI ROMANCE.
A Reminiscence Of Aaron Burr" The Half
WAY Hill" Memories Of Other Days"

OA~A
borne). contributes to the Natchez Dem
ocrat 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 Greek, by order Of
Cowles Mead, acting Governor of Mis-
sissippi Territory, and his arraignment
in the old town of Washington on the
charge of treason, the self.possession
ability and tact he exhibited the
favorable impression he made ON the
communicate all well-remembered
historical incidents. He was discharg.
ed on giving bond for his appearance,
and his principal bondsman was Col
Benijah Osmun, native of New Jer-
sey, and the comrade of Burr in the
revolutionary war. He was an old
bachelor, of handsome fortune, high
toned federalist in politics, retained his
military habits, and was held in great
esteem. Col. Osmun was one of the
most practical and successful planters
in the territory-was the first who COM
menced to improve our breed of horses
and was renowned for his hospitality.
his table and his wines. His beautiful
estate extended to the Halfway Hill
His lands on his death were purchased
by the late Gerard Brandon, and were
given to his son-in-law, Col. Jas. Jmith
and VIM. Stanton, two of our most val
liable citizens, now deceased. Here
Col. Burr resided some weeks after his
discharge, receiving the visits of infu-
entail sympathizers, but passing his af-
ternoons in the woods. The Halfway
Hill, then clothed with majestic trees,
was his favorite resort. But its refresh
ing 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, wild
ow lady from Virginia, whose small
farm and two or three slaves were the
only remains of large fortune. Her
husband had converted his property in
to money, and 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
celebrated Mason. She had but one
child, Madeline, who must still be re-
membered by few of our older citizens
as miracle of beauty. In form and
feature, in grace and modcsty, she was
all that the old masters have pictured
of the divine Madonna, or that artist
ever dreamed of human loneliness.
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 numerous agents and correspon-
dents, the Able Viel, Jesuit Priest of
remarkable ability. He was born in
New Orleans in 1876, studied at Paris,
and became member of the Congre-
cation of the Oratory. At the dissolu-
ton of that body by the French Gov
eminent, he returned to Louisiana, and
exercised the priestly function in the
parish of Attackapas. He subsequent
ly returned to France 1t is probable
that Col. Burr, in his projected invasion
of Mexico, contemplated securing the
influence of the religious orders, and
for this purpose had opened a CORES
pondence with the Able, and met him
by appointment at this secluded home
stead.
At length, after canvassing his stu
alton with Colonel Osmun and six other
confidential friends, Col. Burr determin-
ed to forfeit his bond and make his way
to Pensacola. One stormy night in
February, 1907, he set forth, mounted
on the favorite horse of his host, and at
tended by Jerry, a faithful groom, who
had orders to go as far as Pearl river.
Urgent as was the necessity for expe-
dition, Col. Burr halted till daylight at
the widows cottage, pleading the beau
tiful Madeline to be the companion of
his fight. He promised marriage, for
tune, high position, and even limited at
imperial honors, not realizing, even
then, fugitive and branded traitor,
the crushing downfall that impended
over him. The maiden had given him
ner heart; she had listened to his witch