The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-05-21
A SORROWFUL STORY.
A SON OF the Mea1thiest Planter In the
south Sent to the penitentiary for
From the New Orleans Til

from TIE New orleans Times.
William ;. Calhoun, convicted of
forgery on evidence of his quadroon mis-
tress. Olivia Williams
This announcement in the Sunday pa
pers suD ,lics the text Tor long and M
structiye moral discourse, and very inter-
esting chapter 81 domestic history.
The Calhoun referred To above j. the
only son OF the late Meredith l.. Calhoun.
for many years before the war the largest
and most lordly planter in the South The
wife OF Mr.. Calhoun was the daughter of
Judge Smith. formerly of South Carolina.
where he played very prominent part in
the politics and society OF that state. Judge
Smith was one OF the most ancient and
respected families in South Carolina. aud
inherited large estates. which he augment
ed in value by his judgment and enter
prise. In the political arena he WAS re-
garded a. the only formidable rival OF the
great John G.. Calhoun. Judge Smith
was the acknowledged leader of the Union
party in the great secession fight of 1885.
shortly after this he removed TO Hunts
vile. Ala where hc bought large estates
and established himself IN An elegant resi-
dence. which was the home of large aud
generous hos pitality. The eldest daughter
OF Judge Smith married Meredith Cal
houn, young advcn,urer from the North,
of polished manners and good address.
Mr.. Calhoun received a. her dOwry "A
large sum. which was invested in am I'M
mense tract OF the rich land on Red River.
then held in great demand as the most
valuable and productive i'm the State.
This is the land which embraces the
greater portion of what Is now known
as Grant Parish. Ii extends ten miles
on the river, and has been leveed
at vast expense, and possesses unlimited
resources for the production of cotton and
sugar. Upon this estate Mr.. Calhoun ex-
pended very great sum, stocking II with
eleven hundred slaves, and all the expen-
sive structures and machinery required 10
produce cotton and sugar. In the palmy
days OF this culture the yield OF this large
investment was highly rcmnncrative.
For several years before the war the regu-
larincomc was between 500 900 and $780,
coo. Having made several visits To
France with his family. Mr.. Calhoun ac-
quired a taste for French society and hab-
It's, and during the latter period of his life
resided In PARIS. Here he expended his
large income in affording his wife and
daughter every opportunity of participate
ing in the elegant and fashionable enjoy
ments OF that gay and luxurious capital.
Besides his daughter, an accomplished
and elegant young lady. who was born
and educated in France. so that She speaks
the French language with more facility
than her mother tongue. MIR. Calhoun
had a son who came into this world par
TALLY deformed. but not on tn 4 account
was regarded with less affection ana ten
derness by his parents. No child wa,
ever more carefully and tenderly watched
and care for than the poor little hlmch-
back. Willie Calhoun. Preftrring to live
on the plantation rather than expose him
self i'm the brilliant society OF Paris, Will
lie did not accompany his parents abroad.
Dcyoting himself TO agricultural life. he
finally became sort OF head manager or
agent for his father. This was the
condition of the family when
the war broke out. Mr.. Cal
houn was residing with his wife and
daughter in France. and Willie had charge
Of the plantation. OF course the war pro-
duccd most disastrous effects on the Cal
houn estate. The destruction of the slave
property alone was enough to swamp the
whole estate. Mr.. Calhoun died about
the close of the war. and the widow had
given her power Of attorney TO Willie. In
lsGS she returned with her daughter TO
Louisiana and proceeded on steamboat
to the landing now known a. Colfax. with
view of SEEING her son and investigating
the condition of her affairs. Her mind had
been greatly disturbed by rumors of her
sons " carvings on F" from old servants
and others. Among other stories which /
had reached her was one to the effect that
he had become practical as well as a POI
ltical Observation-Disclosures he had been |
elected by an exclusive negro vote to the
Legislature. and had formed liaison with
a buxom quadroon who claimed 10 be his /
lawful wife. and who assumed all the airs |
and authority OF the lady of the Calhoun
mansion.
II may be imagined with what crushing
force these terrible stories fell upon the /
pride OF the hgh-born mother. Whether I
Il was the realization of their truth or
from some other warming. Mrs. Calhoun. |
after brief conversation with some of her |