Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-11-17
STORY OF e COUNTESS.

An Erie special says The arrest Of Hen
~ Martin, young Iudan Of the Mohawk
tribe, has revealed another sensational
chapter in the remarkable career Of en- ad-
ventures who disappeared from here under
highly romantic circumstances two years
ago. The Indian has been arrested IN Cali
fornia for an attempt to blaekmail one Say
onna. ar alleged Indian princess and the
yeritabe wife Of Juanta, Canadian chief
of considerable renown. The trial of the
biackmailer has developed the fact that this
Indian princess, Sayonna, is none other
than Madame Barabo, of this city, and that
the threat 10 expose her true name and
character uuless she paid the Indian $4,000,
was his offence. Under cross examination
the Princess Sayonna" admitted that she
had been the wife Of Il blacksmith here al.
so, that she subsequently, married Mr.. An
drew Johnson, q full cousin Of President
Johnson, while living III Erie.
Madame Barabo, claiming to be count
ess in her own right, came to this city from
France twenty years ago as the VILE OF an
humble blacksmith, who led miserable
life with his alleged blue .blooded wife.
Her claims 10 nobility soon made her con
spicuous parsonage, and she succeeded IN
obtaining II position as teacher OF French
at the Erie Academy, the principal of
which at that time was young man VINO
has since become we'll known-Judge Albion
Tourgee. Under Mr.. Tourgee Madame
Barabo, or the Countess" as she insisted
that the faculty should call her, taught for
some time, and was finally dismissed, be.
cause of her arrogance in requiring an auto
80 ni>a antcripp nllittlDD
her presence. The Madame was ever
huugering for notoriety and on one occa-
sion horsewhipped q magistrate for pre-
sumiDg to give q judgment against her: de-
caring that the French nobility were
superior TO any American law. Guests
who slept at her house were put TO bed in
an antique bed, which she said had con-
tanned the headless trunk OF her grand
father, after the gullotine had done with
him.
After the death Of Barabo the Countess
succeeded in winning the heart Of Andrew
johnson, Of his city, g cousin of the Presi-
dent and Il very wealthy old man, aged
eghty-two. The old gentleman was pas
sionately devoted to her and fully believed
in acr nobility, not only deferent;nlly ac-
but making eli his servants address her as
such. With wealth at her command
the Countess held quite little regal
court, her receptions being attended by
the best society But in q few years
this magniticence came to an end rather
abruptly \ son Of her aged husband, get
ting possession OF some Of her secrets, fol-
lowed them up until he laid the whole story
of her life, with all It's deceptioEs, before bis
father. Shocked at the duplicity Of his
dashiug bride, Mr. Johnson left her and
ueyer returned. His line residence on Wal
M, street vas made over 10 ner, and for
some time she existed solely on her former
grandeur.
In the spring Of 1882 party of Indians
came TO Erie from Canada TO play Lacrosse
on William L. Scott's property. Among
thec: was Chief Juanita The Countess was
.resvHt at the exhibition and sought an in
PRODUCTION 10 the chief She dazzed him
with acr bold and braZen beauty, and, al
though! he vas old enough 10 be her father,
she accepted his attentions and consented
u become an Indian bride. She disappear
ed ii the tIse the Indians left, and, as it
new appears, she was welded by Indian
rites when tie party returned to Canada,
she being galy attired as an Indian princess.
Having succeeded III getting the chief to
convert his property into cash, she ielt him
i much poorer man than she found Dim.
The young Indian arrested is the son OF
| that chief, who doeged her from Canada
across the continent to Sacramento IN the
hope OF making her disgorge some of his
fathers money. y daughter of the Count
essn still liyesin Erie. following the vocation
of teacher.