The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-04-08
THE NEY MYTH.
Romantic Story of the Great Soldiers
Career in America.

The Ney myth comes to the front
once more says the Atlanta Copstitu-
tioi1, and this time it is elaborately set
forth in a book written by the Rev.
James A. Weston of Hickory, N. C.
Mr.. Weston is an Episcopal clergy
man, scholarly gentleman, and he is
firmly convinced that the Peter Stuart
Ney who taught school and died in
Rowan county, North Carolina, in
1916, was the veritable Michel Ney,
the marshal of France who was called
by Napoleon the bravest of the brave.
In this strangely interesting book
we are told the names and given the
testimony of many prominent citizens
of the Carolinas who knew Peter Stuart
Ney, and who were satisfied that he
was the great French soldier. From
all accounts the man was the very
image of the marshal. He was very
reticent. but occasionally took too
much wine, and then made admissions
tending to show that he was Michel
Nev. He tried to commit suicide
when he heard of Napoleon's death.
He told Col. Houston of Iredell county.
North Carolina, that when he marched
to the place of execution he found that
the soldiers detailed to do the work
belonged to his old command. He
whispered to them to aim high. They
obeyed him, and when the volley was
fired he fell, was pronounced dead,
and his body was turned over to his
friends. He went secretly to Bor-
deaux, where he took a vessel for
Charleston, landing there in January,
1916.
Now. what are the facts on the other
side: The North Carolina Ney was
school teacher; the real Ney was
man of hardly any education. The
North Carolina Ney sometimes got
drunk; the real Ney was noted for his
abstemious habits. Why should any
secrecy have been necessary? If Ney
had escaped he would have been free
and perfectly safe on these shores. He
was not obliged to remain in exile.
Amnesty was granted by Louis XVIII,
Charles X. and Louis Philippe, and if
Ney had been living he would have
returned to France under the reigns
of either of these sovereigns.
But this is not all. The story will
not hold water. Napoleon told his
friends at st. Helena all about Ney's
execution. He, at least, would have
been informed of his old marshars
escape. Montholon in his memoirs
describes the execution. Bourdenne
gives minute details. The members of
the Ney family have time and again
repudiated the North Carolina Ney.
And yet many of the best and most
intelligent people of the Carolinas
have believed for the last sixty years,
and still believe, that Peter Stuart Ney,
the school teacher, was the famous
hero of the first empire.
They believed it because he looked
like Ney, lived life of mystery, and
now and then told a friend in conf
dence that he was Michel Ney. 1t is
useless to argue with people when they
take up a fad Some people believe
that Wilkes Booth is alive. Some be-
lieve that the Rev. Eleazer Williams
was the son of Marie Antoinette, and
some believe that Brigham Young did
not die, but went off to live somewhere
under an assumed name.
After all, it is we'll that the Ney
myth has been made the theme of Il
book. 1t will now attract more atten-
ton, and the evidence against it will
be presented in shape that will dis
pose of the story forever,