Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1886-11-10
WARRIOR AND PRIEST.
A Soldier OF Waterloo Now a
Catholic Father.
To Discourses OF the Great Battle, OF Mar
shall Ncy, His Treachery and Death,
and OF Napolcon's Strange and
Complex Character.

Complex Character.
There is living within one hundred
miles of Chicago venerable man who
in his day has been a surgeon, soldier,
priest and university professor. He
was surgeon in the army of tho first
Napoleon, accompanied the Emperor
during the campaign against Russia,
and was present at the great conquer
or's downfall at Waterloo. As prizes,
his history is of special interest TO the
Catholics and old settlers Of Chicago,
rs he was tho second man, Marquette
being the first, to celebrate mass within
tho limits of this city. This man is
Rcv. Louis Joseph Neyron, professor
of anatomy and medicine in tsc Uni
vcrsity of Notre Dame, AGAR South
Bend, Ind. Father Ncyron is in his
nincty-sixth year, but lie shows mono of
the usual signs of advanced age. His
intellect is rs clear as it was fifty years
ago, he docs not use spectacles or n
cane, is as erect as soldier, and, in
word, is in complete control of his
faculties. During the commencement
exercises of the university, his appear
ancc OH the campus attracted the atten-
ton of hundreds of tho visitors when
some of the students made his identity
known. He was walking up the shady
avenue leading TO the piazza of the
main building, attircd in his cassock
and black SLOUGH hat, and was ac-
companicd by pet terrier that is his
constant companion i'm his walks. Ev-
cry ono who saw him remarked his
striking resemblance TO the pictures of
Victor Hugo. lie is above the medium
height, has broad shoulders, surmount-
cd by large, well-shapcd head, par
italy bald at the top and covered at
the sides and back with flowing white
locks. His beard is almost white.
When he noticed that he was attract
ing attention, he turned from the walk
and went over to a fountain in the
center OF the grounds, closely followed
by the dog. The priest sat down OH
the curbing of the fountain, and at a
signal from him the dog jumped into
the water and began to swim about.
Several wcll-known Chicago people.
accompanied by a Tribune reporter,
went over to talk to him. He said:
Myself and my friend Jack here
arc taking our morning stroll. Jack
is a smart dog and is terror to rats
and snakes. He has q special fancy
for catching snakes and shaking their
heads of.
Were you at the battle Of Water
loo, father?' some ono in tho group
abruptly asked.
The old man looked at the question.
or moment and replied: "Well, now,
who has been telling you about mep
Yes, sir, was at the battle of Water
loo, and was there as soldier"
"You must be we'll advanced in
yearsp"
liam in my ninety-sixth year, but
have brother in France who is sever
al years older than myself, and isn't
married yet, either"
A Tribune reporter sought the vener-
able priest in his room in the inlirmary
of the university:
Wont you kindly favor me with
some of your "reminiscences of the first
Napoleon, tho campaign against Rus
STA and tho battle of Watcrloop" asked
the scribe.
" 30 you are a newspaper man, chp
Well, you must excuse mo from talk
ing at any length, for I have many
times refused TO be interviewed. Of
what use can my stories and opinions
be to the public? What you would ask |
OF me has all been recorded In history,
and the variations or opinions of |
poor old man situated as / am would |
be of no use to any one"
Ibid you know Marshal Ncy per-
sonallyP"
Indeed did, to my SORROW
There must have been great many |
stories afoat to the effect that Marshal |
Ney was never executed, but was al |
lowed to escape, and that he came to |
settle In this country"
''Yes. have heard story TO that |
effect. 1t is as amusing as it Is ridicu-
lous. j am positive beyond any doubt
that he was shot. | had comrades |
in some Of the companies d soldiers /
from which the detail of men was
drawn for the execution. Depend upon |
IL that had the men to whom he said: |
My comrades, fret been disposed to |
let him escape, the English would have
seen to it that they did not
ibid the soldiers sympathizc with
Ncy in his downfall?"
IF they did they INDUCED in bit of |
false scntimentality. Ncy was trait
DR., nothing but traitor, to his Sow
Drcign, 10 his country, his own honor
and the coniiding soldiers whom he |
hoodwinked and voluntarily turned
over to Napoleon 10 be slaughtered at
the battle of Waterloo. He richly de-
served his fate, and I don't believe
that the sad remnant of tho worn out
army that he betrayed she'd many tears h
over him."
Were you with Ney's army when !,
nc turned II over to NapoleonP'
81 was, and / wei, remember the \,