The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-06-02
HENRI RocHEFoRT.

FRANCE-HIS VIEWS OF The fOLlllCAL
sITUATIoN-HIs CALIFORNIAN ESCAPE.
The Chicago Times, of the 18th instant,
gives the following interview of Times
representative with Rochefort while on his
way from Omaha to Chicago: The arrival OF
Henri Rochefort, the great French conspir-
ator, literateur, and hero of a hundred esca-
pades, in this section of the country, en-
route for the old world, has caused intense
excitement all along the line. People who
never read ten lines of French history, but
who have perused sensation accounts of the
proceedings of the commune in the hour OF
frances last and greatest trial. have
crowded the depots all the way from Salt
Lake city, whence the celebrated French
man started East on Monday morning. The
peculiar fascination ever incident 10 personal
adventure, especially where a struggle has
been made to secure liberty at the possible
sacrifice of life has exerted itself upon
the generally unimpressionable citizens OF
the great Western states, and they have
come together in crowds to see the hero of
Saint PeIagie and of the 1st of July: but 1t
hath not entered the heart of any western
journalist to interview the distinguished ex-
lie and political criminal. 1t may be the
fact that Rochefort does not speak ten words
of English, or it may be the simple lack of
gumption. There is another reason. per-
haps for the failure of other Western papers
to suck this latest orange. and that is, that
Rochefort early determined, under advice OF
his friends, not to hold any public reception
until he had arrived in New York. This
evening he, as will be seen, very graciously
bowed to the inevitable, and gave a full and
most interesting
ACCOUNT OF HIS ADVENTURES,
of his views for the future. and of his own
heroic history. Villiscs, delightfully."- To-
Gated town at the eastern limit of Mont
gomery county. and seventy miles east of the
Missouri river, is reached by the eastern
express from Salt Lake City, about $50
O'Clock. The train was an hour late, and it
was growing dark as the car rolled into the
depot. Seated on one of the steps of the
Pullman car was a refned-looking gentle
man, with Frenchmsn stamped undeniably
upon his handsome features. He was travel
stained, dusty, uncomfortable; Insight suit
showed the effects of his journeyings, and
spoke volumes of want OF rain upon this
dried-up country. He was smoking che
root, and as the coach came alongside the
platform in front of the groups OF pretty
women, he turned to his companion. standing
at the rear, with the remark: "Quelles jules
femmes.r There was no doubt OF IT.; 1t
was Henri Rochefort- The crowd thought
it recognized the man intuitively, and con-
gregated in front of the platform. A brief
glance, and the train moved on. His friend
had entered the car, and with an apologize
ScammODian, the reporter broke In upon
Rochefort's musings with the query:
monsieur Rochefort, believer"
Rochefort turned abstractedly from his
geological studies, and in reply asked,
"What's THAR" with his eyes and shoulders,
vrall hi
81 have the pleasure of addressing Mon
sieur Rochefort. think?"
Up again went the shoulders, and
with an unexplainable. gesture the
great Frenchman said he did not
comprehend; he did not speak Eng
lish but very little. OF course so slight
thing as that did not matter. With the
finest Chicago accent, redolent of Blue Island
Avenue, the question was repeated in
French. a happy smile at once wreathed
itself about the face of Rochefort. 1t was
evidently treat for him to hear his own
native language. He rose and proffering his
hand, said: Certainly; monsieur is right /;
THEY CALL Me HENRI RoCHEFoRT.
"Whom have the pleasure eff addressing?"
The wind blew terribly across the platform
of the car, but it was powerless to effect the
composure of Rochefort. He bowed as po-
litely as if he had been in the salon of the
Louvre. The reporte- opened the door OF
the car and invited Rochefort to "come in
out of the wet" speaking metaphorically,
intimating that he wished to interview
him.
"Glad, indeed; but not tonight. Let it be
tomorrow. We shall be In Chicago then,
shall we not?"
Rochefort spoke with innocent candor, not
being aware of the fact that any of the stupid
Chicago sheets could then interview him
without trouble. "Only word, monsieur
said the reporter, as, with laugh, ROchefort
gracefully submitted and took a seat in the
car. The last glimmer of sunlight shot
athwart the window as the great Frenchman
turned to listen and respond to the queries
of the reporter. His handsome face was
brought clearly into view. A light NOUS
tache and imperial, and hair turning iron
grey; a prominent cheek bone; a heavy
eyebrow; a wide forehead; a laughing dim
pie in the left cheek, and a pair of brilliant,
flashing eyes, showing reserve of passion
and power, and giving in their tullness
promise OF great natural talents OF elo-
quence, made up tout ensemble that
attracted, while it left an underlined feeling
of respecs and almost tear of the lion evil
IDENTIFY concealed under its pleasing, happy
exterior. Rochefort's height is about five
feet ten, of light, airy form, small hands
and feet. His clothes, although purchased
at slop store in San Francisco, fitted
elegantly. Despite the omnipresent dirt and
his evident fatigue, Rochefort was CONNIE il
faut to the utmost. The inevitable first
query was: allow do you like this country,
monsieur" at is grand-magnificent,
replied Rochefort; "and
SUCH VAST CONTINENT.
To think that we have nearly zoos miles
further to 60 before we reach the ocean.
Look at that. Is it not grand for agricul-
ture?" And an honest yeoman of Adams
county. who caught the meaning of the ges.
ture that accompanied the words, was fain
to remark in parenthesis that he guessed
tLat was about the banner county of the
state.
"What does he say?" inquired Rochefort,
looking the least bit annoyed. The reporter
translated the farmers remark, and fur
nished the information that he was probably
granger.
mo wonder the Americans are a great
people. God indeed made the country. 1t
Is the land of freedom. All Won have no