Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-04
AARON BURR'S CURSE
Scarce a Stone Remains of the Early
Capital of Alabama,
WHERE he WAS HELD PRISONER.
The Story Of the Traitors Capture at the
Home of His Friend.
TAKEN AS A CAPTIVE INTO VIRGINIA
WRITTEN FOR THE prsPArcH.1

/ WRITTEN FOh DISPATCHsi
''The curse of Aaron Burr was on the
place, and it died by slow degrees"
| Such was the fate of the town Of ST.
Stephens, the first capital of Alabama, as
told your correspondent by gentleman fa-
miliar with its history. Aaron Burr was
captured at st. Stephens on the night of
February 19, 1907. When his wonderful
powers OF persuasion failed to induce his
captors to release him he became very angry,
and in an outburss of passion exclaimed:
my curse be on this vile spot. The fates
will one day destroy it, and not one stone
shall be left to mark the place where it
stood"
The curse and prophecy Of Burr have both
been fulfilled, and not stone is left to mark
the place where once stood the first capital
of Alabama. When the Tombigbee settle
ment was established, in what is now Clarke
county, on the Alabama river above Mobile
about 1890, fort was built and called st.
Stephens. Then a town sprung up and it
was given the same name. The first terri
torial legislature met at st. Stephens in
1918, and the town remained the seat Of
government until Alabama was admitted to
the Union, when the capital was removed to
OdudOd Az Ou6 blIu6 OI. ObcpQe0B COu-
tanned a population of ]. 800 souls. 1t had q
bank, and newspaper was established
there, but only three issues were published.
THE CAPTURE AT EATCHEZ.
Aaron Burr's d ct of hatboats floating
down the Mississippi river was stopped at
Natchez BY Governor Claiborne and the
leader of the rash expedition placed under
arrest. Burr easily gave bond in the sum
oi $40, 900 for his appearance. While Burr
remained at Natchez he was q social lion.
He went into court and through his
attorney demanded release. The applica-
ton was oVerruled and that night Burr
set out across the country well mounted,
accompanied BY a friend and disguised in
suit of home made jeans. His purpose was
to reach Pensacola and make his escape to
Europe from that port.
A few miles east of st. Stephens, Ala,
lived Colonel Hinson, an old acquaintance
and warm personal friend of Burr. One
February night two young men, Perkins, a
lawyer, and Malone, clerk of the court at
st. Stephens, were absorbed in q game of
chess at the little village when the tramp OF
horses was heard and presently hail at the
door, The pine fire blazed on the hearth,
and as Perkins opened the door flood Of
light was thrown on the features of horse
man at the step. The splendid animal,
richly caparisoned, the clear quick tones of
the speaker, his flashing eye and the ex-
quisite fit OF his boot were all observed in
stantly by Perkins. The stranger inquired
for Colonel Hinson's and the trail. The traV-
elers headed their horses toward Hinson's,
and rode away in the darkness.
SURE IT WAS BURR.
The young men were about to resume
their game when Perkins suddenly ex-
i. -, d 49,
Governor Claiborne's proclamation; it de-
scribes the man who spoke to us.
Perkins reused the Sheriff and the two
hurried to Hinson's. Approaching near the
house Perkins suggested to the Sheriff, who
was brother of Mrs. Hinson, to advance
alone. The Sheriff joined the party at the
kitchen fire and listening to the music Of
Burr's talk he forgot to make the arrest.
Lawyer Perkins waited outside until he
grew cold and impatient and having little
confidence in the Sheriff he hurried back to
st. Stephens and informed Captain E. P.
Gaines, who was in command of the fort OF
the situation. Captain Gaines at the head
of a squad of soldiers, before morning had
surrounded Hinson's house. With Vehe-
ment denunciation of Governor Claiborne's
proclamation and its sunwarrantable assump-
tion of authority, protesting against tthe in
situation of his guilt and warning Captain
Gaines of the danger of his own course,
Burr submitted to arrest and was taken to
st. Stephens.
Burr remained prisoner at the fort for
several days and used all his power of elo-
quence in efforts to induce Captain Gaines
to release him, or at least give him an op-
portunity to escape. At last, his patience
exhausted, Burr gave way to his anger, and
after bitterly denouncing his enemies he
closed with the words: "My curse be on this
vile spot. The fates will one DAY destroy it,
and not one stone shall be left to mark the
place where it stood"
SURROUNDED THE HOUSE.
Captain Gaines soon fitted out an escort
for the prisoner, who was to be sent to Vir-
ginia Along the river bank as the party
proceeded ladies were seen on the banks
waving their pocket handkerchiefs and
some in tears. Lawyer Perkins was placed
by Captain Gaines in command of the
party of eight civilians and two soldiers. 1t
was q long march OF 1000 miles through the
wilderness, swimming the unbridged creeks,
in peril of the savages and certain of great
hardships. A single tent was taken along
and this was stretched nightly for the
prisoners use. Drenched with rain all day,
and for the night given wet quilt on the
bare ground, Burr continued his way as un-
concerned as if he were one of q party Of
free men.
AS the march entered the older States
breakfast was ordered at wayside house.
The inquisitive host began to talk loudly
and fercely of Aaron Burr, the traitor"
asking news concerning him. ST am Aaron
Burr" sharply exclaimed the prisoner.
Thereupon the host, so confident q moment
ago, now became the ex-Vice Presidents
most obsequious servant. The long journey
was made without accident and in due time
Burr was delivered to the authorities at
Richmond, Va.
Less than 20 years after Aaron Burr left
St. Stephens prisoner the town began to
decay. Old citizens, who remembered
Burr's curse and prophecy, moved away
when the decline set in, and people who
heard of the curse kept away from the
place. AT last the only merchant who re-
manned died, the last family moved away
and soon time and the elements did the rest.
New towns grew mp around it. but the old
town of st. Stephens is no more. "Not one
stone is left to mark the place where il
Stood" W. L. HAWLEY.