Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-25
SHE SAW NAPOLEON.

SHE SAW NAPOLEON.
A southern LADY Whose Father Was One OF
Bonnpartes Generals.
Mobile Register.l
Madame Cecilia Craemer. nee Davide,
who died suddenly Wednesday at the
residence Of her brother, Major Paul
Rsvesies, aged eighty-three years,
leaves behind her an interesting his
tory. She was the granddaughter Of
the Marquis De Sevre, who was killed
at the head Of his command in trying
10 suppress the instruction Of the
Island Of St. Domingo during the
French Empire. La Marquise de Sevre
escaped with her daughter Adele, then
a young girl. on an American man-of-
war to Philadelphia, where Adele mar
ried General Davide, who had accompa-
MED Jerome Bonaparte to this country
on a mission to the Federal Govern
ment. General Davide took his bride
back to France, where he introduced
her to Josephine's court.
Of this union were born two daugh-
tiers, Cecilia Agnes Gertrude Dayide
and Marie Pauline. The first was born
at Tours in 1904 and christened in the
great Cathedral OF that city. Her god
mother was the Countess de Vaubisn
and her godfather the Count de st.
Leon.
General Davide served in the Italian
campaign under Napoleon. When the
first Consul became Emperor he was
made general. lie was a favorite of
the mighty Corsican, who, during the
Egyptian campaign, presented to him a
magnificent sword. He was decorated
with the cross OF st. Louis and the Le-
gion of Honor, and was a high Mason
Of the Age dor OF France. After his
death, which occurred in 1916 at Bor-
desux, Mile. Davide returned to Phila-
delphia with her mother and sister. In
the course Of time Miss Davide also
married a wealthy American and came
South. She resided at various times in
this State and also in Mississippi and
Louisiana.
The following interesting article re-
lating to the deceased is from New
Orleans paper, the name Of which has
not been preserved:
A few days ago the writer had the
pleasure Of visiting Nine. Craemer on
jackson street, in New Orleans.
Though eighty-two years Of age, she
looks scarcely sixty, and retains the
traces Of that beauty which attracted
the admiration Of all who beheld her in
her youth. She preserves the graceful
courtesy and refinement Of manner
which come of good breeding, and when
speaking of "reminiscences Of her event
full past her conversation is yiyacious
and exceedingly entertaining. When
asked to describe some of the scenes
she had witnessed, the lady said
Eyes, saw Napoleon once. went
with my father, General Davide, to the
Tuileries, and he pointed out to me the
Emperor walking in the garden. | was
quite a child then. My father told me
to look at the great man and to cry
Wire rEmpereur When ] did so
he slapped me and said, | am not mad
with you, but | wish this to make an
impression on you
son another occasion when | was
going to Versailles | saw Louis XVIII.
was in nunnery at Versailles and
afterwards went to live at Bordeaux.
There l saw the daughter of Marie An
toinette, the duchess of Angouleme,
who had just returned to France. All
] can remember Of this scene is that
there was a great crowd and that the
horses were taken from the carriage,
which was pulled by men. The reins
were ribbons, which were held by young
ladies who were covered with teurs de
lis.
General Dayide was commandant
Of the city of Bordeaux for some time,
and died there in 1916. His widow
and daughters then returned to Phila-
delphia.
lone day. when was girl Of fif-
teen, beautiful young lady came in a
carriage to visit my grandmother,
Madame de Brenill, who recognized
the visitor, whom she had not seen for
years. 1t was Madame jerome Bona
parte. The MarQuise said Il hear
that you are married to an Italian
prince No she said haughtily, Il
am Madame Bonaparte, and | will die
Madame Bonaparte. The woman mar
ried to my husband is not his wife. |
am
Il saw Joseph Bonaparte many
times be often came to visit the Mar
quise. have often heard my grand
mother say he was one Of the most un-
assuming men she ever met, and Jerome
was just like a boy. 1t was difficult
for him to become dignified when occa-
sion demanded"
Pointing to an ancient-looking paint
ing which hung on the wall, she con-
tinued: THAT picture represents Gene
raj Davide after the battle Of LEIPZIG.
He had saved the castle Of the Prince,
who, as a token Of gratitude, caused
this painting to be executed by his own
portrait painter"
The picture is fine work OF art. In
the foreground is a figure Of tall,
handsome man in a military uniform,
with one arm resting on the back of his
charger. Close at hand are seen the
high walls Of the castle, and in the dis
lance bodies of troops marching across
the field.
Illness OF king Alfonso.
[By TELEGRAPH TO the Dispatch.l