The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-05-09

%enSe W;3S;e Oh ms quadroon mistress, oilyla "
This announcement ID the Sunday pa
perasupplies the text for long and IN
structive moral discourse, land Z very
interesting chapter of domestic history.
| The Calhoun referred tolls the only. son
of the late Meredith p. Calhoun, for
many years before the war tho largest
and most lordly planter in the South.
The wife Of Mr.. Calhoun was the dnugh-
tier of Judge Smith, formerly Of South
Carolina, where he played n very promi-
nent part in the politics and society of
that State. Judge Smith WAS of one of
the most ancient and respected families
in South Carolina, md inherited lnrge
estates, which hc augmented in value by
his judgment and enterprise. In the
political arena he was regarded as the
only formidable rival Of the great John
knowledged leader Of the Union party in
the great secession fight of 1885. Shortly
! after this, he removed to Huntsville.
Ala, where he bought large estates and
established himself in an elegant resi-
| dence, which was the home Of large
and generous hospitality. The eldest
daughter Of Judge Smith married Mere
dith Calhoun, n young adventurer from
the North, of polished manners and good
address. Mrs. Calhoun received as her
dowry q large sum, which was invested
in an immense tract of the rich land on
Red River, then held in great demand
as the most valuable and productive
in the State. This is the land which
now known as Grant Parish. It en-
tends ten miles on the river, and has
been leveed ut vast expense, and pos
sesses unlimited resources for the pro-
duction of cotton and sugar. Upon this
estate Mr.. Calhoun expended very
great sum, stocking it with 1,1OO slaves,
and all the expensive structures and ma
chinery required to produce cotton and
sugar. In the palnly days of this culture
the yield of this large investment was
highly romunerntive. For several years
before the war the regular income was
between $3.50, 900 and 100000. Having
made several visits to France with his
family, Mr.. Calhoun acquired q taste for
French society and habits, and during
the Inter period of his life resided in
Paris Here he expended his large in
come in afforling his wife and daughter
every opportunity Of participating in the
elegant and fashionable enjoyments of
that gay and luxurious capital. Besides
his daughter, On accomplished md ele-
CANT young lady, who was born and edu-
Gated in France, SO that she speaks the
French language with more facility than
her mother tongue, Mr.. Calhoun had n
son who came into this world partially
deformed, but not on that account was
regarded with less affection and tender
ness by his parents. No child was ever
more carefully and tenderly watched and
cared for than the poor little hunchback,
Willie Calhoun. Preferring to live on
the plantation rather than expose HIM
self in the brilliant society of Paris, Will
lie did not accompany his parents
abroad. Dcvoting himself to agricultural
life, he, finally became sort of head
manager or agent for his father This
was the condition of the fnmily when
the war broke out Mr.. Calhoun wns
residing with his wife and daughter
in France, and Willie had charge OF the
plantation. OF course, the war pro-
duced most disastrous effects on the CAL
houn estate. The destruction of the
slave property alone was enough to
swamp the whole estate. AIr. Calhoun
died about the close of the war, and the
widow Ind given her power of attorney
to Willie. In 1868, she returned with
her daughter to Louisiana, and pro-
cecded on steamboat to the landing
now known ns Colfax, with view OF
| seeing ner son, ana 1nvcStlGaClnG the
condition of her affairs. Her mind had
been greatly disturbed by rumors of her
sons carrying on" from old servants
and others. Among other stories which
had reached her, WAS one TO the effect
thnt he had become u practical as we'll as
political miscegcnationist- he he'd
been elected by an exclusive negro vote
to the Legislature, ana had formed n
llaison with buXom qundroon, who
claimed to be his lawful wife, and who
assumed all the airs and authority Of the
lady of the Calhoun mansion.
1t may be imagined with what crush
ing force these terrible stories fell upon
the pride Of the hiyh-born mother.
Whether it was the realization Of their
| truth or from some other warming Mrs.
Calhoun, !after brief conversation with
some of her old servants Mt the river
lnnding, came to the conclusion not to
expose herself to the humiliation of Wit
Messing the sons degradation md the
PROCLAMATION Of the family mansion, SO
with her daughter, she returned on the
boat to the city, and procuring board for
herself and daughter nt the Bay of St
Louis, sojourned there for some months
Here Mrs Calhoun died in the summer
of 1868, leaving her daughter alone in
the world, moneyless and almost friend
less. Nothing could be got from the
estate. 1t had been hopelessly in
volyed by Willie. Miss Ada had been nur-
tured with boundless indulgence. She
had never known whit it was to want
anything which money could command.
And here W0a Sha totally iDayuar; on noJ