The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-01-25
A Mississippi Romance.

A "Reminiscences Of Aaron Burr.
~ OIL. John F. H. Claiborne con-
: tributes to the Eatehez Demo
StFi5 erat the following romance OF
IES55 the early days of Mississippi, a
romance in which the eloquent, ac-
complished and fascinating Aaron
Burr played a conspicuous part:
The arrest of Aaron Burr, at the
mouth of Coles Creek, by order of
CowIes Mead, acting Governor of
Mississippi Territory, and his ar
raignment in the old town Of Wash
ington on the charge of treason, the
self possession, ability and tact he
exhibited-and the favorable inn
preston he made on the community
are all we'll remembered historical
incidents. He was discharged on
giving bond for his appearance, and
his principal bondsman was Col.
Benijah Osmun, a native of New
Jersey, and the comrade of Burr in
the revolutionary war. he was an
old batchelor, OF handsome fortune,
high-toned federalist in politics,
retaining his military habits, and
was held in great esteem. Colonel
Osmun was one of the most practi-
cal and successful planters in the
territorv-was the first who com
menced to improve our brood Of
horses-and was renowned for his
hospitality, his table and his wines.
His beautiful estate extended to the
Half Way Hill. His lands on his
death we're purchased by the late
Gerard Brandon, and were given to
his son-inlaw, Colonel James Smith
and VIM. Stanton, two of our most
valuable citizens, now deceased
Here Colonel Burr resided some
weeks after his discharge, receiving
the visits of influential sympathizeTs,
but passing his afternoons in the
woods. The Half Way Hill, then
clothed with majestic trees, was his
favorfte resort. But its refreshing
shades and charming prospect were
not the only attraction. There liv-
ed, at that time, near the summit of
the hill, in a little vine covered cot
tage, q widow lady from ViFginia,
whose small farm and two or three
slaves were the only remains Of a
large fortune. Her husband had
converted his property into money,
and on his way to this territory had
been robbed and murdered by the
notorious Joseph Thompson Hare, a
more blood thirsty william even than
the celebrated Mason. She had but
one child, Madeline, who must still
beremembered by e few Of our older
citizens as 4 miracle of beauty. In
form and feature, in grace and mod
esty, she was all that the old masters
have pictured of the divine MedOn-
na, or that artist ever dreamed of hu-
man loveliness. Those that saw her
loved her, yet she was never con
scious Of the sentiment until she
listened to Aaron Burt The family
we're Catholics, and there Colonel
Burr went to meet by appointment
one of his numerous agents and cor
respondents, the Able Veil 3 JG
suis priest Of remsrka5le ability.
He was born in New Orleans In 1855,
studied At Pasis and beeams a mem
Der Of the Congregation Of the Ora
tory. At the dissolution Of that
tody By the French government, he
returned to Louisiana and exercised
the priestly function. It is Proba-
bic that Colonel Burr, in his project
ed invasion Of Mexico, eontsmplated
securing the influence of the relig
ious orders, and for this purpose had
opened 9 correspondence with the
Able, and met him BY appointment
at his secluded homestead.