Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-03
A Strange Story.

rites were observed on the remains of q
woman who was remarkable for her age
and eccentricity of manner, which time,
instead of abating, only made the
more extravaganza. Her name was
Caroline Makau, and her age ninety'sev-
en-. She was known 10 all Southwark
and Moyamensing as "Mommy Mazare,
"Mommy Smith," and "MOmmy Makau, .
having been married three times. Her
long life was seasoned by some spicy
events, the knowledge of which served to
beiohten the interest with which sheEwas
regarded by all the denizens of the Sec
lions we have mentioned. and to give
publicity to that extravagant humor
which characterized her. When about
twenty years of age Madame Mazare and
her husband came to this city from France,
and having considerable of this worlds
goods, settled in Third street, above
Spruce, and kept up what was then
thought very fashionable establishment,
and in consonance with their French
manners and tastes.
In the year 1907 Mszare. who it seems
was the agent of Emanuel Count Grouchy,
the French Marshal, who twas chiefly
memorable" as history says, 'for the ia
tuity which seemed to rule his conduct
at the battle of Waterloo" was commits
stoned by that person to build him man.
sion near the Delaware. Mszare complied
and erected the large brick edifice which
stands on the south side of Christian
street near the corner of Eighth, and
bought and laid out the spacions grounds
which are now bounded by Christian
street. near the corner Eighth, Seventh
and Carpenter streets. By the time the
marshal was expected in 1903 this place
had become, under the skIllful manage
nept of Mazare, one of the most charm
ing country seats TO be found in the vicin'
ity of our city. Political complications
detained Groucby in France, and be
authorized his agent to dispose of his
property which Maz4re did, becoming
himself the possessor. The Third street
mansion was abandoned for the more at
tractive villa, which, until the death OF
Mszare. was the scene of many luxurl-
GUS entertainment; and the lady of the
house. who was endowed by nature with
unusual personal charms, caused many n
futter in the heart of the susceptible gnl-
lapts that made the mansion of Mazare
their resort.
inst before the demise Mazare employ
ed a coachman, named John B. Smith who
was the fortunate possessOr OF that much
prized boon, "A handsome face and figure
He soon ingratiated himself into the atfec'
lions of his mistress, who regretted bat
one fact-a stubborn oue-Smith was
married. Soon after the death of Mazare
and much to the horror of the aTlstocracy
that was wont to assemble at the villa,
Smith was exalted from the mental office
of coachman to the head of the establish
ment. and Madame Mazare became Mad
anne smith. The arrangement by which
this change was arrived at was purely a
business affair. Mrs. Smith accepted a
draft for $4,000 to break her allegiance to
her spouse, and to return to her home IN
Switzerland. Smith, unlike those who
become intoxicated with good fortune,
applied himself industriously to the i'm
provement of the country seat, and in a
few years it had the reputation OF pro-
ducing the finest fruits and the most fra
grant flowers. 1t was just few years
before this event that Jean Victor Moreau,
the celebrated Frenchmau, who was ban
ished to North America for being con-
cerned in a plot against the consular gov
eminent, found an abiding place beneath
the hospitable roof of the widow Mazare's
mansion, and WAS almost constantly there
until he returned to head the allied forces
against his own country.
Notwithstanding the method by which
he had arrived at that position, Smith
made an exemplary husband, and when
at last he yielded to an insidious disease,
his relict was in a more comfortable stu
alfonso far as comfort depends upon
worldly means-than ever. Madame
Smith was now fifty-six years of age, and
remained until 1S30-a period of twenty
years-a widow. During this period that
humor of which we have spoken was de-
veloped. Finding that time was soaring
her lovely features, she resorted to all
those mysterious arts so well known and
employed by French women to perpetu'
ate,their charms, to maintain her supre'
macy as a belle among fashionable Phils-
delphians. This may appear ridiculous
when the age of the lady is considered,
but is, nevertheless a matter of fact. She
dressed in the height of Extravaganza and
rarely appeared upon the street without a
rich display of diamonds and an amusing
exhibition of girlish airs when in com
pany it was to vie in appearance with the
beauties of twenty years, and to parade
the coquetry of a young miss.
During this time, accelerated on the
one hand by lavish extravaganza, and
on the other by mismansgement, the
estate was becoming quite heavily en-
numbered. 1t continued to decline unit
fifteen years ago, when Madame Smith
then about eighty years of age, married
for the third time, the groom being &
Frenchman named Makau. He rescued
the estate from the sheriff's clutch, ant
then pressed his wife to sign over tn,
property to him. She refused firmly
notwithstanding all bis entreaties. II,
left the place in high dudgeon, and il
less than twenty-four hours, with hi
trunks, was on his way back to France
since which time not a word has beer
heard from him. Thenceforward Madam,
Maksu became estranged from the world
and became a recluse, rarely appearing
upOh tLG 5lIcCbe. GU "htn SIG Qlu, sll
wore her girlish dresses, high plumec
hat, necklace of diamonds, and invari
ably band about her forehead from tn,
centre of which depended brilliant gem
Her conversation was confined to her do
mestics, Michael Foley, a good natureG
Irishman, who had been for forty year
the occupant of a shanty at the corner o
Seventh and Christian streets. and heI
attorney, Horace Binney, jr. During hei
seclusion she was robbed by a servan
girl and her lover, who escaped will
$4,000 worth of jewels and clothing. II
last February she vacated the place fol-
her house in Third street, being impelled
it is said, through fear of an attack som,
night.
She was feeble when she made thi
change, but the ruling passion was a
strong as ever, and she astonisbed Tia,
neighbors with her gay attire. Her de
cline was gradual until Monday last, wher
death occurred. The house on Christian
street, large four story dwelling, will