The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-03-25
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W LKtN1 III PLANK
A Story or III. cdosia Burr's Death

She ruuil is of ;.c press. wherein he confess
ed hun-r.g d pirate, belonging 10 TIE Lantte
gang, and asserted that he waS the man
VINO tipped the plank from which TheodosIa
Burr Aston walked OF into the SEA. For
thus The pirate declared ne was always sorry,
anl although uniy obeying the orders III his
supe-ior,, the murder proved upon his
nni, anl the beautiful vision OF Iheo-
dosia sweet face appeared before HIM SO
often that he could not die III peace with
out making a c;aan b ea-t of it. A cores
p,n ielt ., the Paula lc,phia Times who Wis
lie E,zlDeth City, N e.. In quest OF fur
tnrr Information. gives the following account
OF his experiences:
Whethec the dying sailors confession Is
true or Ease remains TO be proved. put at all
events it has createI a breeze OF excitement
In this l~u1aiiiy, and quite Il discussion has
taken place among the residents OF this city
In relation to a portrait now in possession OF
D.. w. G. Pool, Of Eyre, nine miles from
Elizabeth City. All those who have seen
the picture. With one exception, declare
their belief to be that the likeness is that
OF the ILL., tated lady, while others, who have
not had the opportunity OF visiting Eyre,
but who are we'll acquainted with the coun-
try along the coast and It's inhabitants, are
about equally divided in regard to the pic
ture. Your correspondent undertook the
Jul ~ Va lSANNO LAaiSC y SAS $3.50 PoSS
OF investigating the story and seeing the
Portrait with his own eyes. Engaging a
i buggy, the residence of DR.. Pool was at last
reached, aud a North Carolina welcome was
g extended.
~THEODOSIA RI
Entering the parl,r, the painting hangs
on a wall to the right. and although there
are many others. including an oil painting of
the hostess, hanging around the room. the
likeness sought can be singled out instantly,
on account of its odd appearance and belong
ing to a generation long since passed. 1t is
an oil painting on wood, twenty inches IN
length, ia giit frame, the gliding being nearly
worn off with age. The face is Of Grccian
type aud the complexion dark olive. The
nose is slightly acquiline and the mouth
what may be termed classical. The eyes are
dark brown or hazel, and the hair "A rich
dark auburn color, with comb in back part
and trizzes in front. The chin is clear cut,
ANAL and dimp!ed, and, in fact, the whole
face reminds one Of the engravings of Byron
lin his works. The bust is covered with
ZONE rich white material, edged with hand
some white lace, AMI the face seems to be
that of a married woman Of three or four
snd twenty summers.
Having seen the engraving of "TheO-
dosla' in Davio's History of Aaron Burr, [
will say that the picture in that book and
the portrait at Eyrie have been taken from
the same copy or model. The portrait is
full-taced and the engraving profile, but the
features are exactly the same. Asking the
family how the picture came into their pos
session, the following story was told:
In 1869 DR.. Pool. then Of Elizabeth City,
summered at Mays Head with his family.
THIS is the favorlte seaside resort OF North
Carolinians. During that season he was
called upon, professionally, to visit a lady
named Mrs. Mann, who lived two miles
north OF Nays Head, and directly opposite
Kitty Hawk. where the United States man
et-war, Huron. met her fate. The old lady
was 65 years of age, but never had
THE OLD LADY QUEER STORY.
Some years before my marriage with my
8rst husband. Mr. Tillett." she said, and
while we were counting a pilot boat came
xehore near Kitty Hawk. She had all sail
set and ruller was fastened. Mr.. Tillett, in
eompany with the wreukerS. boarded her, and
In the cabin they found the breakfast table
Set, but not disturbed. Why We thought it
was that meal Was because the beds were
not made up. Anyhow the trunks we're
broken open. and among the things scatter
ed about on the cabin floor were several silk
dresses, a black lace shawl, a vase Of wax
flowers. with a glass globe covering, a shell
resembling the shape of the nautilus, beau
tifully carved, and lovely picture. There
was no blood seen on the vessel or any sign
Of violence, and my opinions was that the
passengers and crew on that pilot boat walk
81 the plank; the rudder was tied up and
Che vessel turned adrift. My future hus
band took for his share of the spoils two
dresses, the shell, vase and picture, all of
which he presented to me, and | have kept
them ever since. This was years ago. |
dom remember the year, but it was very
near the time we were fighting the English.
This is all | know about the picture, and,
- your father did not kill me, you are vel.
come to it. honey. Wait a bit and I'll brine
the other things for you to look at
The articles mentioned were then put be
before DR.. Pool and daughter for inspection,
snd the young lady says there is no doubt
but everything in the possession of Mrs
Mann once belonged to some lady of culture
taste and refinement. The old lady tolc