Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-24

TALLAHASSEE, February 22-The following
very interesting sketch of Prince Murat has
been kindly furnished me by one of Tallahas-
sees Oldest and most honorei citizens, himself
a scion of one Of the historic families of Vir-
ginia. The writer was an intimate friend and
associate of the Prince, and cherishes tender
regard for his memory.
Col. Achille Murat was born about the year
1sOO and came to Florida in 1897, where he
married the beautiful widow Gray, nee Kath-
crime Willis, OF Virginia, who had married five
years before, and had lost her husband and
only child He settled fifteen miles east of
Tallahassee at Lipona, so christened by him
by transpoSition of the name "Napoh," or Ma
pies. the name of his fathers kingdom. Here
he built large house OF a peculiar style of
architecture
to society, and in order to entertain the
greatest number Of friends at parties. etc., the
upper story was subdivided into cabins, like
those on ship or steamboat, where any num-
ber of guests could be disposed OF with COM
This was one Of his eccentricities, but he was
possessed of many excellent traits of charac-
ter, besides hospitality.
He was genial, full Of life and vivacity, and
although imperiouS and impusive, was ever
ready to make amends IL he had said or done
anything to wound any one.
About this time he became engaged in duel
with Col Macomb, brother TO Ma17r General
Macomb, us A, who resided four miles east
of Tallahassee on romantic lake, which Col.
Henderson has utilized, being a part Of his
p antation, and has successful m IL, cotton
gin. etc, where the old house stood.
Col. Murat's brother in-law, DR.. Willis. (also
may add, brotherin-law of the writer of this),
was his second, and he being clearly in the
wrong in the previous controversy, had prom
iSed the doctor not to fire at Mr.. McC but when
the word fire" was given, he made with his
pistol what he called a grand flourish, " and
in thn onfR he hall j., tns
This so hurt and enraged him. that, forgetful
of bis promise, he dropped his pistol and TAX
ing deliberate aim, fred, the ball fortunately
passing through his adversary's clothing only,
but close to vital spot.
He had prepared himself to practice law, and
on one occasion two men in the adjoining
county, MessrS Strickland and Beasley, had
been engaged in a rencontre, in which Strick-
land had been extensively cut in the abdomen.
SuppoSing that he would die. no physician was
called in for three days. When the present
writer saw the case CHASTITY cut presenting
itself, with the onfentum protruded swollen
and gangrenous. This he cut off close, tied up
the arteries and stitched up the wound, and
strange to say the man recovered.
Meeting Colonel Murat afterwards, he came
up highly amused, and declared that he had
been employed by Beasley to defend him ON
the charge of murder, and that the strongest
point he made in the defense was that mas
much as the operation was an unusual one
Chem that il and not the wound had caused
the death of Strickland!
They tell a little anecdote of him when
he first came, out here. and before
he was well acquainted with the
birds of the country. Seeing some
tuI key buzzards in the woods he shot one and
had it cooked aud sent to his table. where he
tried but could not eat it. Some time after,
speaking of the game of the country, he re-
marked that he had tried the turkey, ''but he
was no good; he roast him, he fried him, he
stewed him. but he had to give him up"
Once wishing to attract the attention and
mn kp gonna iUnUirV of QpntInman and hfg ham
some distance off in field he sung out loudly,
"Hurrah, hurrah!'' without receiving any re-
ply. He then rode up much offended, and
asked why they had not answered him The
ing "hurfah What would you Say?'' he in
quired. why. would say 'hello,'n said the
man. ''Ah," said Murat, that is the word 1
wanted"
When the revolution broke out in Belgium
he Immediately left Florida for the scene
of war; and on arriving there was appointed
friends in Tallahassee he offered appointments
as Adjutants, which they bad under advise
ment when peace was restored.
Colonel M had not the powerful physique Of
his intrepid father, Marshall Murat, but pos
sessed very much the stature and look of his
illustrious uncle, being short and thick Set
with q tendency to embonpoint. His face was
handsome. generally wearing,
when pleased, an open. intellectual smile.
His remains rest in the Tallahassee Gene
terry, and those of his wife, to whom he was a
true and loyal husband. rest by his side. Peace
to his ashes.
A lively debate sprang up in the Senate yes
terday upon an amendment offered to the
revenue bill allowing the County Commits
sioners to impose tax of five mills for school
purposes, instead of four as originally report
ed by tie committee. After a lengthy discus.
sion that brought into the wordy battle most
Of the Senators, the amendment was defeated.
An equally spirited encounter occurred on
the school bill Numerous amendments were
accepted or rejected, each giving
rise to considerable argument
The bill is quite lengthy, and contains no
new features of very great interest. 1t ap-
peared to be generally satisfactory.
The discussion of the above bills occupied
the attention OF the Senate for the greater
part of the day.
The immigration bill appropriates four
dollars annually for the carrying out
OF the purposes to be accomplished. The
Cabinet constitute the board, with authority to
appoint a Secretary and assistant, the salary of
the former to be fit en- hundred dollars and
that OF the latter five hundred. Fifteen hum
dred dollars are to be expended each year in
the publication and dissemination of pam
phletS and documents. The remainder will be
in Office rent, postage, stationery
and other contingent expenses.
1t is supposed that the Office of the Secretary
will be located at Jacksonville, that city being
regarded as the distributing point for Florida
The Assembly wrestled vigorously over the
bill regulating elections. The debate brought
out the Republican athletes, and they had
The presence of those fascinating little ac-
tresses, the Wallace Sisters. at Gallie's Hail. last
night, had demoralizing effect upon the AS
semblY, who held an evening session, and it
was only by the efficient methods adopted by
the Speaker that quorum was retained
Several measures OF i'm portance are now be- |
fore each branch Of the Legi lature, and the |
work for the present week bids fair to be |
steady and active.
Several witnesses have been summoned from |
Tampa and Key West to give evidence as 10
the charges preferred against the members /
from Monroe, by the SuHtGad Tribune They |
are expected to arrive to morrow, and the |
committee in charge of the matter win at once |
commence the investiga ion.
The performance of the Wallace Sisters last |
night was presented to large and fashionable |
audience, and was unanimously voted an en-
tire success. They appear again to night, and |
most Of the seats were engaged day In ad- /
vance.
The Senate adjourned this morning in
honor of the birthday of the Immortal |
They transacted a large amount |
IF business during the morning session
The Assembly viii hold afternoon and night |
ipgsinuq