Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-10-07
Prom the Boston Herald
Romantic Idrentures of aaron
Burr.

Burr.
Scenes Of HIS Military Boyhood-His Er.
pedition 10 Quebec-SOme Things not
Pit DoCn in HiSt0ry-Hl Lore wiM an
Indian Huntress-B Bear Hunting IN
Mdine-A Banqust-Matters Of His
tory-H HIS Eriic-T That British Officer
Tragic Death Of The HuntreSS.
AUGUSTA. Ne. Aug. 81. 1873.
In company With an English gentle
man, was to day permitted to visit one
of the scenes in the history oil that most
remarkable man, Aaron Burr. At the
period in question, young Aaron, then
just emerging from his teens, was acting
the part of an embryo soldier or adven.
turer. The scene is located OH the west
side OF the Kennebec, just opposite the
city. Crossing the river on II little old
toll bridge. turning to the right down q
well WON pavement. and passing long
row OF dirty, struggling houses, we come
to Il great square building Ol logs and
plaster, OF late yeais moderEized by an
outward dress OF clapboards. This
sqneakiug old ghost ol u house, about
which crickets sang by day aud rats
squeal and squabble by night-this house,
50 weak aud decrepit with aye that ii can
hardly stand upon il legs, with its wide
open door in The middle. its little dirty
windows on either side looking oul upon
the riyer-thiS is pointed out 10 us rs
Fort Wesicrn.n la itself il is of no
Importance only in itS historical associa.
tons II is AN old landmark OF the
Revolution. the headquarters ior some
time of Benedict Arnold aud ,Ie scene
OF some interesting ad, oAlu.es in the lite
OF Aaron Burr-ads ventures ol which
history tails To maze mention Tread the
date cut in one OF the timbcrs. "l115."
Since then Time has waved away many
landmarks and many men. America has
several times Outgrown her trowscrs.
But this little iort still remains, though il
has lallen from lis high honOrs. having in
recent Yeas come 10 be used rs a tene
menl At the Time oil our visit here We
found garrison OF seven--a little. ugly
iaccd woman and xix small ,sponsibii.
ties,
About mile above this lort, on the
river bauk. we SAW still another building
ot interest, or rather the ruins of one,
which in those early days was called the
"Gleal House Here lodged the dis.
linguished THO. Arnold, Burr, aud Gen.
Dearborn. who afterwards reared son
who figured with some distinction in The
politics of Massachusetts. rs \ member
of Congress from The Suffolk District.
GA the 23J OF September. l71S. Gen,
Arnold, then we'll on his expedition TO
Quebec. arrived from Cambridge. with
his army nf eleven hundred men, at this
place then Fort Western. 1t appears
that Burr did not AT that time hold any
military commission. but had joined The
army simply ~ an adventurer. His
friends had endeavored by every possible
influence 10 prevent nis departure and to
effect his return. At Newburyport, on
his way hilher. he was Intercepted by a
messenger. who had orders from Aaron 5
uncle 10 bring the young prodgal back.
but on making his command known,
Burr frightened the messenger halt out
OF his wits by threatening TO naug him,
SO Aaron was left master OF the situation.
Shortly alter his arrival n, Fort Western,
tradition has il that he fell desperately in
love. The object of his affection was n
young Indian huntres4-by name, .Jacata-
qua %ho had been captured 10y an ac-
complishcl army officer at Swan Island,
n point farther down the kennebcc. The
young huniress was enjoying lile in tho
barracks, under charge of the officer in
question. Burr saw her, wanted her,
and accordingly offered her captor =
large sum for his prize. 1t was accepted,
and from that moment this iair damsel OF
the forest became the loved companion
OF Burr. JAcataqua was no little dried
up Modoc squaw. Such presumption
would be injustice 10 Burr. Far from 1t.
rhis Indian maiden. on which Burr had
bestowed his affections. was Young.
beautiful. aud bewilching. She had u
pair Ct bright, round, sparkling eyes. an
intelligent face, beautiful ttesscs OF hair,
u graceful form. and in look and gesture
was the embodiment ot electricity itself.
Jacataqua was. in short, most romantic
hunlress. The forest region round about
was prolific OF bears. She and Burr fire.
quently went hunting together On one
occasion, while out reconnoitering they
chanced TO pass through cornfield. when
suddenly they Tell in with a large black
bear and two cubs. making morning
meal on green corn. The little cubs in
fright fled 10 nelghboring tree. but the
unlerriied mother rearing upon her con.
tinuaiion squared Tor fight. Burr for
once WAS noaplussed. lie hcsitated To
But the young Indian hunt
ress. advancing cautiously and resting
her rifle on stump. took aim, fired and
bruin fell. Burr thinking the goose
was cooked" rushed upon tue bear TO
give the final blow. But bruin was not
dead, neither was she sleeping All the
while she kept up an inccssant kicking
nj Clio hnll ff tho