The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-05
OBITUARY.
Susan Virginia BENTON Boillenu.


The Paris papers mention the death Of the above
named lady. In that city. on the sth OF March, She
was the youngest daughter of the late Senator
Thomas II. Benton, and possessed many OF his best
attrbutes-his warm heart, indomitabe energy
and stern sense OF duty. Passing away from earth
at che early age OF thirty-niae years, the vicss-
tudes OF her lie had been already more tnan usu-
ally fall to the lot of woman. During her girlhood
her fatner was among the foremost Americans OF
the time, and her first youth was ushered into the
high circle OF society at the capital OF the United
States, where the priancy OF her intellect and the
grace OF her manner made her an attraction In the
midst OF diplomatlsts and statesmen. In 1855 she
was married to Baron BoIlleau, then Secretary TO
the French Legation. Shortly after her marriage
her husband was promoted by his government to
the post OF Consul at Calcutta, and the young
woman was removed iroIa the easy Ii e and the
happy surroundings which she mad hitherto
Known TO face the realities OF the world among
strangers in distant land. Several years in thai
unhealthy climate suiiced seriously to undermlnc
her husbands health, and finally, obtaining the
favor OF recall, with her sick husband and her
infant, leaving cnlld's grave behind ner she re.
turned 10 France. The next advancement brought
her husband as Consul General To Quebec whither
she accompanied him. and. in 1861, she returned
for few years TO the United states, Baron Boilleau
having, in the meantime, been appointed Consul
General at this port. But IN 1870 came another
promotion, which was but new exile, her hus-
bands long services being rewarded with the post
oil Minister Plenipotentiary to Peru. Very soon
after came the first intimatons OF the browning
trial, to winch, 1t may he sald was due the deatn
OF Mrs Boleau. In 1867 General Fremont, who
was married TO her sister, was organizing the
Memphis and FL P'lso Railroad. he looked 10
France AZ the great market or shis bonds. He eS-
planned the merits Of the enterprise to Baron
Boilleau and requested favorable introduction OF
the scheme TO the French Minister oil the Interior
which was given. The .oan was tasea UP in Paris,
put the ROAD was never built. The
companys affairs were placed IN the hands
Of receiver and the French bOpdhOders
were the sufferers. The French Courts, refusing
co look into the cause or the failure pronounced
the whole scheme u fraud, eoncoctea for the pur-
pose OF obtaining money from French citizens I'M.
der false pretences Their owH Minister was nc.
cused OF participation In the fraud ior having re-
commented The enterpi se ana he was recalled
from Peru and put on trial. The decision OF Tie
Court was q sweeping oDe Nc element oil honesty
was recognized in the whole transaction. IL WAS
treated as pure fabrication, sind every one con.
cerned Ia IL was pronounced guilty, from General
Tor him, was In New York; but baron Boeau
who had come from Lima TO fafls AT the first nti-
nation OF any fuultfDdiDg with his conduct was
repaid tor his plonptLess by sentence to three
years. imprisonment. and III March, 1873. he was
immured III the Uonciergerie. This suspense had
Bollleau's health gave way a long illness followed,
and alter some months, rislDS rom what her phy-
sCians Thought would be her deathbed, she com
mcnccd one uEtiring and Ruthless EFFORT 10 obtain
her husbands release, From a quarters she pro-
cured letters, petitions, Statements ing the
true status OF the railway her husband had recon-
mended. going unwearylngly iron, ore Minister 10
strength, until at last nature succumbed, and, worn
out by her exertions anu her sunerings she died,
leaving her husbaod still prison, and chill
dren, with no protection but that Of friends.