The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-11-17
The Benton Family.

The Daughters Of sod Bullion" Re.
dnesd 10 PoVerty--sinEulAr Atlsfor-
tunes OF Mrs. Fremont, Mrs. BoilleAu
and Mrs, JonsI,
aaron Boilleau, who was sentenced
to imprisonment by o French Court for
his connection with the Memphis and
FL Paso Railroad affair, is confined in
the oonciegerie. Before his trial NJ.
Bsilleau had abandoned all his fortune
aud that OF his wife in favor OF the
stockholders OF the Memphis and FL
Paso Railroad. Nine. Beilleau is at
Boulogne. She and her six children
live through the generosity OF their
friends"
To many people OF Missouri, says the
st. Louis Dispatch, this brief paragraph
will convey more than q passing inter
est. Nine or ten years ago Baron Boil
lean was the French Consul at New
York city, trusted and respected by his
government and popular and accom-.
plished in his intercourse with the peo-
pie OF America. He married, while
Consul at New York, Susan, daughter
Of Colonel Thomas q. Benton, having
met this lady in Washington city few
months previous. The movement was
most happy one, and between the two
there existed only the utmost confidence
and perfect affection.
Baron Boilleau was afterwards ap.
pointed Minister to Ecuador, South
America, and II was while performing
the functions OF his office in this local..
~ that he was recalled and disgraced
by the French authorities. During his
stay in New York lie had become in.
volved in railroad schemes, and had
been induced in an, evil hour to recon.
mend, in his capacity asan official agent
OF the government, the negotiation Of
the Memphis and Ell Paso railroad
bonds. In this he violated the plain
law Of his country. Rigid in all such
matters, and forcibly in contrast with
the known indifference or collusion Of
the United States, tho French govern.
ment carried out the law 10 its utmost,
and imprisoned him whom 1t before
hsEored in the Conciergerie or debtors
prison, thus making the example all the
moro suggestive. Il will also be remem.
bered that Fremont is q brother.in.law
Of the Baron, and that the same Court
which tried and found his connection
guilty, also sentenced the General to
serve term of years in tho same insti-
tuition. He made good his escape from
France, however, aud, in the absence Of
anything like an extradition treaty, will
probably keepit good.
Time brings about strange events,
There was once period in the affairs
OF Missouri when Colonel Benton was
its political autocrat. Thirty years in
the Senate gave him something OF the
intense individual imperialism OF the
Roman. He tolerated no opposition,
compromised with no Resistance, and
died as he had lived, with the war har.
ness on. Troubles not a few have come
TO those whom he nurtured and loved.
Mrs. Fremont is the wife Of mnn who
has been declared felon, because OF n
speculation which Inns ruined his broth
er.in.law, bankrupted his family and
consigned his wife and children to
charity. Another daughter, Mrs. Will
liam Cary Jones, now o widow residing
in San Francisco, CAL, has felt also al.
most terribly the misfortunes OF life,
and, though enduring all the priyations
Of extreme poverty, is supporting her
self and children on tho small wages
paid to her as a teacher in the public
schools. The many friends in the State
Of these estimableyet unfortunate ladies
will read OF their late Affections with
feelings Of the most sincere regret.