The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1879-12-27
An Unlucky Mansion.
The CURSE RESTING oNA HOUSE BUILT
W1rH PRIZE MONEY,
miss Grunay in Philadelphia Timez.l


There was very large assemblage Of
old residents and army families at the
funeral Of Quartermaster General Meigs'
wife. She was greatly beloved BY all who
knew her, and her death, which was un
expected, although since her long and
critical illness last spring her health has
never been entirely restored. was great
shock to her family and friends. She was
sister Of Admiral Rodgers and daugh-
ter of Commodore Rodgers, who earned
fame in the youth Of the United States
Navy.
He built and for long time resided in
the large double house on Lafayette
Square, which has since his removal there
from had so tragic a history. His daugh-
ters we're married 10 that house. After
the Rodgers. family left it became board
ing house for government officials, and
later the headquarters Of the Washington
Club, and while so used Barton Key died
therein, after his wound was received,
within a short distance Of the entrance
door. The Stewards lived there while Mr..
William Seward was secretary Of state,
and it was there Payne attempted the as
sassination Of the old gentleman and also
wounded his son Frederick, the same who
has recently resigned as assistant secretary
Of state.
It is a noteworthy fact that so far as
known every cabinet officer who has ever
lived therein has had some tragic expert
ence Of one sort or another during his off
cial career. Two Of the members Of the
cabinet, Palmer and Gilmer, who were
killed BY the fatal explosion Of the gun on
the Princeton, 10 Tylers administration,
had lived in that house. It was, l think,
their residence up to the time of their
death. The secretary Of war, John c.
Spencer, was living there when his son
was hung at sea from the yardarm Of the
big Semers on accusation Of mutiny in
the fall Of le42. The Stewards not only
had an appalling experience there on the
night Of NJ. LiDcoln's assassination, but
| it was there about two years later that the
lovely young Miss Seward died. Secretary
Belknap and his second wife, the sister d
his present wife, lived there the first win
ter he WAS secretary Of war, and Mrs
Belknap died near BY the next year.
That was the first of.he deaths, Of which
there were three in his family while h.
vas in the cabinet. for the baby his SECOND
wife left, and the eldest child "a promising
youth) Of his frat marriage, died within
two years. Ofthe other misfo' tunes, wors'
than death. which terminated his career il
the cabinet, too much is known to rende
more than an al!usion necessary to illus
trate how persistently tragedy has follow
cd members Of the cabinet who have eve
lived 10 that house. Il is now used AS tn
office ofthe comnissary general, Uaite'
State army. It was built with pris
money. and some people here are as super
(stitious about hous.s paid for BY none!
90 earned as are the English about 'th
law Of sacrilege." As the Englsh believ
THAT curse has followed thu families q
ali it. nobility who protited by the conf
cation Of church lands by Henry VIII, $
lold residents here point 10 the house, a
\ outline Of whose hi. tny have jnst givsl
and to the residence on the other side {
4 Lafayette Square, where Decatur die
after his duel with Barron, and which b
a,s, had built With prize nonay, as illus
tra.ions Of The curse on money 50 gained.