The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-03-22
Nine: Octayia Walton lie Vert.

Nine: Octayia Walton lie Vert.
This gifted, charming and widely
known lady died on the 18th inst, near
Augusta, Ga, after long life, which was
not without trouble, but which. was also
full of honors and successes. Nine. LIE
Vert came of distinguished stock. Her
grandfather, George Walton, q native of
Prince Edward county, Virginia, was one
of the signers of the Declaration of In
dependence. He was member of the
First Congress, convened at Philadelphia,
and held successively the Offices of Gov
ernor of Georgia and Judge of the Su-
preme Court. George Walton, the sec
Ond son of this couple, was educated at
Princeton, N. j., and married Miss Sallie
Minge Walker, the daughter of distin-
guished lawyer of Georgia. Octavia was
the result of this marriage, having been
born at Belle Vue, near Augusta. Short
ly after her birth her parents removed to
Florida, of which State General Jackson
was then Governor.
Colonel Walton succeeded the General
in, the Governorship of the new State.
The seat of government was then at Pen
sacola, but during Governor Walton's
administration was removed to ITALIA
hassee," this Indian name, signifying the
beautiful land" being selected for the
new capital by his daughter Octavia.
The first public notice taken of the young
'0ctavia was at Mobile during the last
visit there of General Lafayette. This
distinguished General having been on
terms of intimate friendship with her
grandfather during the Revolutionary
struggle, the Committee of Reception
presented the young girl to his notice.
The old General gazed upon her for
few minutes, then, bursting into tears,
caught the child to his heart, exclaiming,
"The living image of my brave and noble
friendp Young Octavia, encouraged by
his affection, prattled freely in his native
tongue (for she was even then an accom-
plished linguist, and after long inter
view the General turned to one of the
committeeman and remarked: ga truly
wonderful childl She has been convers-
ing all this, while with intelligence and
tact in the purest French. predict for
her q brilliant career" Her history since
that time has fully borne out this predic-
tion. Shortly after the removal of her
parents to Mobile, Octavia, in company
with her mother ind brother, made tour
throughout the principal cities of the
Union; and then commenced the remar-
kable career as social genius which gave
her worldwide celebrity. In the most
select circles she was hailed by acclarha-
ton as the reigning belle, but this title
never affected her high toned and COM
prehensive mind. It was during this tour
chat Miss Walton became acquainted
with Washington Irving. The acquain-
tance was the result Of accident in the
first place, but only ceased with the death
of Mr.. Irving. Their last interview at
Sunnyside was of the most interesting
character, and on parting the author Of
the Sketch Book" said, III feel as if the
sunshine was all going away with you,
my child" Miss Walton was a constant
attendant of the stormiest session of Con-
gress under President Jackson's admins
tration, and committed to her note book
the salient points in the speeches of
Webster, Clay and Calhoun. With Mr..
Clay she was ever fayorite, and to his
memory she has given glowing and
affectionate testimonial. In 1889 Miss
Walton married DR.. Henry lie Vert, of
Mobile, whose father was feet surgeon
under Rochambeau, and who was present
at the siege of Yorktown. In 1916 Mrs.
lie Vert was visited by Lady Emeline
Stuart Wortley, who was then sojourning
in this country. In the summer of 1858
she accepted an invitation from the Duke
of Rutland, and in company with her
father and daughter sailed for England.
Her reception in England and throughout
the continent amounted almost to an ova-
ton, and she added lustre to oil the bril-
liant courts to which she was welcomed.
Returning home in 1864 Mrs. LIE Vert
spent year in seclusion and then revisit
ted Europe. 1t was during this last visit
that her celebrated Souvenirs of Travep
were given to the public. The 'Souve-
Mrs" were written by advice of Lamar
tine, with whom she became acquainted
during visit to Paris. The work at
once obtained for its authors varied abil-
tiles the appreciation of all intelligent
Americans, to whom Nine. lie Vert had
been previously unknown, and was read
as eagerly in Europe as in America.
Nine. LIE Vert was strongly opposed to
the secession of the South, and did not
forbear to make known her feeling on the
subject, even after the outbreak of hostil-
tiles. She remained at her home in Mo-
bile throughout the whole course of the
war, however, and exerted her large SYM
pathies and marked abilities in those hu-
name services of which the Southern sol.
diery had peculiar need. At the end of
the war she visited the national capital
to ask pardon for her friend General
Beauregard, who had previously been the
recipient of her most decided opinions of
the civil war. Several years ago she Wis.
tied the North, and found new fame and
hosts of new friends wherever she went.
In person Nine. lie Vert was of medium
height, with countenance in which was
blended beauty, intelligence and amiabil-
ity. There is not State of the Union
in which her departure will not be
mourned by sincere admirers of her wit,
wisdom and nobleness of character.-Nea0
York Herald.
A HIGH SENSE OF HoNoR.-The
Duke of Wellington had sense of honor
in all money dealings, and would suffer
none of his agents to do q mean thing in
his name. His steward once bought