New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-05
MADAME PATTERSONBONAPAR7E.
A ROMANTIC LIEE CLOSED.

DEATH or THE FIRST WIFE OF TYRONE BONAIAhIE
Al THE AGE OF NINETY-FOUR-HER LAST ILL
MESA SKETCH or HER LIFE.
BALTIMORE, April 4.--Madame Elizabeth Pat
terson Bonaparte died little after l o'clock
this afternoon. Madame Bonaparte had been
sinking slowly for some time, and her
death was expected at any time since March
81 She had no disease and did not suf-
fer much but died Of senile decay. Her in
domitable will alone kept her alive. Last Wednes-
dav she ceased to open her eyes or TO notice any
one A few DAYS before her death she refused nOur-
ishment and was sustained by the use of the
strongest stimulants. Thursday evening she was
apparently in cOmatose condition, with no voli-
ton and no ability 10 take even the moisture from
cloths placed on her lips. Her two grand
sons were with her during her last days.
There were present at her death-bed be-
side her two grandsOns, her physician Dr. j. ;.
Mackenzie, Mrs. George Patterson, widow of her
brother the late George Patterson and Mrs. Clark,
a relative. who has been faithful attendant and
nurse for the past ten years or more. Madame
Bonaparte left estate valued at more than
$1,5OO.000.
MISS Elizabeth Patterson was born at Baltimore
in the year 1855. She was the daughter of William
Patterson, son of farmer in Donegal County, Ire
land. Her father at the of fourteen years was
house of Samuel jackson. He was a born money
maker, during the Revolution trading TO France
and bringing back carcocs ~ gunpowder and arms.
He soon acquired a large fortune. Miss Patterson
was remarkable for the beauty of her person, for
her intellectual powers, fascinating manners end
uncommon wit. In 1908, jerome BOnaparte then
in command of a French trigate, landed in New
York He was as the brother of Napoleon l., hos
r1tabIv received. While al Baltimore he met Miss
Patterson fell in love with her, and on Christmas
Eve. 1903 he married her. with the entire consent
of her ambitious father. though her mother had
grave misuyiugs Of the prudence Of tie alliance.
The ceremony was performed by Bishop Carroll Of
the Il. c. Diocese of Baltimore. At Washington
whittier Jerome with his WIFE proceeded, they at
tracted much attention. Aaron Burr wrote OF her
as charming little woman" Meanwhile there
was wrath in Paris Napoleon. as the head of the
family. was exceedingly eXasperated at his brothers
American alliance, and gave orders that NJ. jerome
and his wife should be permitted to land at no port
controlled by the French Government. Notwith-
standing this they set sail from Philadelphia, but
before reaching the Capes were shipwrecked.
Again. IN q few weeks they embarked for Lisbon.
Here she was left by Jerome, who went to Paris to
make if possible, his peace. He did not find 1t
possible Napoleon refused to recognize the mar
riage Madame BOuaparte went to Amsterdam, but
there she was met by NapoeOn's order torbldding
her TO land She then sailed for England, and took
ND her residence at Cambcrwell, where her only
child jerome Napoleon BOnapaTtc was born Oh the
7tn Of July, 1903. Two months after she sailed
for the United States. Her reception was not very
gracious one. Her father refused 10 pay the
income stipulated in her marriage settle
mcpt upon the ground that the First Consul
had nullfed the union The marriage OF jerome
with the Princess Fredcrca, OF Wurtemberg, soon
followed. He is said TO have offered his discarded
wife the prncipality of Smalcand, with an annual
income of $40, 900, her reply being "WestphalIa,
no doubt, is q considerable kingdom, but not large
enough to hold two queens The reply pleased
Napoleon. who directed the French Minister at
Washington to intimate his desire TO serve her.
She replied "TeT the Emperor | am ambitious;
wish tobe made q duchess of France" Ii IS said
that the Emperor promised to confer this rank upon
her but off red Immediately gross sum of $4,000,
with life annuity Of $4,000. This she ac
ceptcd proud to be indebted 10 the great
est man Of modern times" She stipulated how
ever that the receipts for payment should bo
signed by her as Elizabeth Bonaparte." To
This the Emperor accedcd. and until his dethrone-
lnent the annuity was regularly paid. Her husband
was angry because she refused aid from him and
accepted it from his brother, but she merely
re,orted that she "preferred shelter beneath the
wing Of an eagle 10 suspension from the pinon of
goose" The submission Of jerome TO the unreason-
able commands OF his brother were amply re-
warded He received high command IN the Navy
of France and showed himself competent officer.
In SOC lie was made Bugadior-General III the
Army, aud in 1907 was created King Of West
phalia
Nine. Bonaparte applied to the Maryland LegIsla-
l.. Il, ii trttI ,,iIt1
Guilty. Hcrmotive for taking this step is not easily
comprchended. The Pope, as matter OF course,
had refused to annu marriage which had re-
ccvcd tie open sanction of tho Church. The social
position Of Nine. Bonapartc had never been in the
least compromised by her domestic misiortunes.
Under these circumstances her reasons for obtain
ing q divorce are difficult TO conjecture.
When the Bonapartc Government was oyerthrown
Mime Bopaparte visited Paris. who're, as sho was
still beautiful and had lost nothing Of her social
accomplishments, she attracted attention and was
favorably received in tho best circles Lady Morgan
Spcaks in her " Memoirs Of "the wife OF jerome.
abandoned in a cruel and dastardly way yet hold
ing hcrdificut position with scornfnl couragethat
excited pity for the w0mau's nature. 80 scathcd and
outraged" Only once did Nine. Bonaparte meet
jerome after the separate n 1t was IN the gallery
Of the Pi-t Palace. in Florence. The Princess was
leaning on the arm Of her husband. lie started Oh
recognizing Nine. Bonaparte, and whispered to the
Princess THAT lady j. my former wife, The
next morning lie loft Florence. She had only said
on meeting him, " 1t 10 Jerome" Nine. Bonaparte
was received at the court of Florence with special
distinction, and was 50 kindly met upon ler pre-
sentation 10 the Duke and Duchess that sh0 nearly
burst into tears She said afteruard that she only
recovered herself b. thinking that tears might spoil
her lovely SATIN gown. and that she would be
thought bfts for making scene. AT Rome she was
well treated by her Bonaparte connections, with
the exception of Madame Mere who finally relaxed