Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-07-12


ven extort money for not overthrow
ng their standing in society. She was
ften placed on the stand to testify con-
erning such matters, but no threats OF
could force her to unseal
Ter lips. It was only where the families
lad become naughty and arrogant, and
we're cruel and brutal to their depend
Ints, that she told all she knew, and
Ter disclosures brought terrible disgrace
lpon those who had called forth her
wrath. In moments of passion she
,hrieked out imprecations and curses,
md her relatives say, and tremble as
hey tell it, that even when she launch |
ed the doom of death against those who
had merited her displeasure, her words
came true, the victims expiring with
frightful agonies at the stated time.
Captain Glapion died on June rs, 1850,
leaving Marie, who had been the moth
er of his Is children, to mourn his loss.
His death caused great change in her
life, and she turned to the church, which
she never has been accused of deserving,
for consolation. Not only did she in
crease her own devotion, but loved to
bring others into its bosom. Marie would
often visit the cells of the condemned,
and turn the thoughts of those soon to
be led out to atone for their crimes to
their Saviour. Her coming was con-
sidered blessing by the prisoners. be-
cause if they could only excite her pity,
her powerful influence would often OBJ
tain their pardon, or at least commu-
tation of sentence. About five years
after the death of her husband she be-
came ill and was sometimes confined to
her bed. As she grew older her ills In
creased, and finally she could scarcely
leave her bed. She lay in a large old
fashioned walnut bedstead, in the front
room of the little house which she had
never left, and in which her mother
had lived before her. When her eyes
opened in the morning and before their
closing at night, they rested on sacred
pictures and crucifixes. She erected an
altar in her room, and wax tapers were
kept burning night and day. Although
no more Of the gay scenes OF former
years were enacted in the house, it was
still open to all corners, who were well
come to food and lodging. She gave
advice with the same willingness as ev-
er, and never ceased in her endeavors to
accomplish good. She had through her
practices acquired some money, which
she had invested in property, the reve-
nue. of which, and the contributions OF
people she had befriended, served to
support her in her declining years. She
lay in her bed through many long days,
bearing ill-will toward none, listening
| to the conversation of the unfortunates
who crowded her yard, for they had but
to push open the gate and enter, and
were never disturbed.
Marie always remained true to the
people of her section, and during the
| war of the rebellion she did all in her
power to assist the Southern interest,
| hiding and caring for the devotees OF
the "lost cause" and their property at
the risk of her own goods and liberty.
Before her memory became weakened
by age and illness, she was full of rich
"reminiscences, which she delighted to
relate to those who understood how to
question her. A favOrite subject with
| her was the life of her father, to whose
picture she would refer her euditor.
He was greatly honored, and served in
the Legislature of the State. She spoke
Eof visit of his to San Domingo, and
a breakfast which he gave there, upon
which he expended thousands of doll
lars. She alluded in touching terms te
Governor Claiborne's young Tennessee
bride, who died soon after her arrival
here, and was carried with her dead
babe upon her bosom to a lonely
grave In the corner of the Old Ameri
can Cemetery. Mazereau, the man o.
brilliant eloquence and dissolute habits
was favorite of hers, it being said by
some that he was one of the most ar
dent of her youthful lovers. Sometimes
she told of the little man, with the
bright, glittering eyes, Aaron Burr
who spoke so pleasantly, while he wal
so dangerous. He sought her out anG
enlisted her sympathy the day after sht
came ashore at the levee, and though
she thought him strange, bad man
his future history always concerned her
movements. She was proud of her in
terview with Lafayette, who, when hi
visited New Orleans, over fifty year,
ago. called at her house and printed s
warm kiss on her forehead at parting
| Marie Laveau was one of the band O.
colored people who escorted othe tomb
long since dismantled. in the old CathO
lie cemetery, the remains of the sacred
and grizzly French General, Humbert
The hero of Catelbar was often visitor
at her house, and she was rich with an
ecdotes concerning him. The pioui
Father Antoine, of blessed memory
met her often at the bedside Of the dy-
ing, she to ease their suferings during
their last moments in this life, and BIZ
to give hope of salvation in the life be.
You'd.
Marie Laveau, one of the most won
derful women who ever lived, passed
peacefully away. Her daughtrr, Nine
Philomel Legendre, the only survivor
of all Capt. Glapion's children, who
possesses many of the characteristics o.
her mother, and Nine. Legendre's two
pretty daughters ministered to the ole
lady's last wants. She died without &
struggle, with smile lighting up hel
shriveled features. She was inferred ir
her family tomb by the side of Capt
Glapion, in the old st. Louis Cemetery
and with her is buried the most thrill
ing portion of the unwritten records O
Louisiana. Although Marie Laveau'.
history has been very much sought af
ter, it has never been published. Cabl,
has endeavored to portray her in thu
character of Palmyre. in his novel o
the "Grandissimes." The secrets o
her life, however, could only be obtained
from the old lady herself, but she would
knew, and now her lips are closed for
ever, and, as she could neither read no
write, not scrap is left to chronicle tn,
events Of her exciting life.
AN ATLANTA SENSATIONAL con
siderable sensation was created in At
Ianta, Ga, few days ago by the publ
cation of letter from that city to tn,
Chicago Tribune, in which ex. Senato
| Gordon was referred to as follows
zone of the most clear-headed men ir
the State gives it as his opinion tina
Gordon, having robbed Georgia of al
that he could, is now organizing COM
pany for the purpose of foraging upor
Alabama and robbing the people of tina
State" The clear-headed man turned
out to be ex-Mayor Huff. of Macon
and Mr., Hugh Gordon, son of Gen
Gordon, sought this gentleman, Gen
Gordon being in New York. Mr.. Huff
in the presence of the Iri6une's CORES
pondent, Mr.. 8. w. Postell, denied hav.
ing used the language attributed to him,
whereupon young Gordon dictated an
emphatic withdrawal of all reflections
on his father in the letter, which Pos
| to11 ciopod adding that ho UrQUrottad