Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-20
A FORGOTTEN GRAVE,
Which by the Deceased's Will Was
to Be Kept Forever Green.
The TOMB OF MONSIEUR R0UAUD,
Frenchman Identified With the EARLY
History Of Pittsburg.
CONTROLLER M0RR0W'S EXPLANATION
THE TOMB OF MONSIEUR ROUAUD,
CONTROLLER MOIR0w'S EXPLANATION

CONTROLLER MORR0W'S EXPLANATION
The complaint has again been made tina
the grass is not kept green on Monsieur
Rouaud's grave on the Tustin estate, Soho
near Fifth avenue, and that the monument
marking the mound, is in a dilapidatee
condition. although Rouaud left in his viii
funds ample to secure the perpetual care Of
the same. But as is generally the case in
most American graveyards after lapse O.
half a century, even where families remain
In the vicinity of their ancestors ashes, the
mad rush of events has greatly obliterateo
recollection.
Some people had gotten the idea in some
way or other that CITY Controller Morrow
was under some sort of obligation to see
that the tomb of the eccentric Frenchman
was kept in repair, but such is not the case,
though MI Morrow will have it put to
rights to comfort member Of the Tustln
family, who felt an obligation in this re-
Ipec:.
A Character Of Old Pittsburg.
While it is matter of small consequences
IN the aggregate of human affairs, and pos
EIbly Mons Rouaud now smiles in the spirit
world whenever he thinks of the burden he
laid on the conscience of James Tustin, yet
brief resume of some Of the incidents in
tie Frenchman's life is interesting as bring
ing up in ghostly panorama old Pittsburg
as really the present CITY dates from 1860.
Though Claire Aimi Fidelle de Rouaud
died As years ago, there are some of our
citizens who still remember him, among
them Attorney John j. Mitchell, Rouaud
kept drygoods store on Market street,
near where Holmes & Sons bank stands.
II would also appear from references to
several thousand barrels of whisky appear
ing from time to time in the executors re-
ports of progress in settling the estate, that
his stake in the ardent spirit business was
considerable.
Though bachelor and almost a recluse,
Rouaud was Jolly old soul, and in addi-
tion to powerful love for his dogs, had
formed strong attachments for some of his
companions. such as the Dennys, and par
ticularly for James Tustin, who was afec-
tionately charged with the care of his
friends clay and given the guardianship
Of his dogs, not only during their
minority, but for the term of their natural
lives. The Frenchman had the reputation
Of keeping in stock the finest lot of silks
city. but visitor to his store would only
see them by accident, unless he went to
purchase, as they were kept wrapped close
ly and hidden away in boxes to keep them
from dust, and the care of them formed the
chief occupation of Rouaud. In order not
to smoke them he did his cooking in char
coal brazier on the pavement, as he always
boarded himself
Large Estate for That Day.
He left rather large estate, for that day.
The executors account shows it to have
been nearly $4,000 and Rouaud was evil
dentlv philauthropist, though extreme
prohibitionists might be disposed to ques-
ton this phase of his character In that
dey public opinion had not developed the
opposition that is now found to the traffic
in ardent spirits Rouaud, by his will, gave
a dravnan, Michael McClusky, to whom
he was greatly attached, 1,S00 arpents of
land In Missouri, something over 1000
acres
A daughter of McCluskv subsequently
married the late Major RYAN, of Nc
heesport. Rouaud also gave $3.50 each
10 some servants, among these Louis
Gition to their wages He gave
to James Tustin by the original will
81, 600 for the care ofhis, the testator's, dogs;
s., 500 to provide for funeral expenses, mon
ument, etc, and these bequests were subse-
quently enlarged by various codicils to the
will He also bought his graveyard in fee
simple from Tustin. The testator enlarged
the bequest to his friend Tustin so as to
make the care of the grave and monument a
perpetual charge on the Tustin estate He
stated that be had no doubt that Tustin
would carry out the provisions, but ex-
pressed doubt that his descendants would
feel the obligation Of friendship that he
would.
The rush of modern events has frustrated
the testator's design. The will provides
that $500 were to defrav the expenses of a
trip to France by one of the executors for
the purpose cf ascertaining whether the
testator's brother, Pierre Marie Rouaud,
we're still alive at that time, 1S43 IF
Pierre etc, were still alive he was to re-
ceive the residue Of the estate, which con-
EIltuted the bulk of it, save some minor be-
quests; if not alive, it was to be devoted to
the founding of hospital in Nantes the
native place of the testator, the hospital to
be maintained for the benefit of the poor of
that reimbursement. The executors named
were Harman Denny, William H. Denny
snd Charles A Bradford, and their final
account rendered to the Orphans Court
shows that they performed their duties to
the letter.
An Explanation From Morrow.
Controller Morrow's explanation of the
cause of neglect In keeping Rouauds tomb
IN order is lucid enough for all purposes
The property has been twice sold at sheriff's
sale. The first purchaser was a man named
Lyon, who attempted to obliterate all
traces Of the tomb by having a street run
through which would have gone over the
grave lot, but he was prevented, all the
sales by the TustIn family expressly reserv-
ing tae same. At the second sheriffss sale,
along about 1873, the property was pur-
chased by Mr. Warden, of Warden, Oxnard
& Co., and accordingly there is no one
either legally or morally obligated to care
for Mons Rouaud's dust.
Reviving recollections Of Rouaud reminds
Mr. Mitchell that in the early days of Pitts.
burg its z. Z. s were as proud of their blood /,
and lineage as any bluegrass proprietor of
Kentucky, or Castilliar grandee of the last |
four centuries. These old Pittsburgers
were great men mentally, and their pride |
supported them and made them appear to |
advantage under the most adverse circum- |
stances. Most Of th,m had taken part |
either in the War of the Revolution or that |
of 1924, and they had thus the advantage |
that such participation in the affairs of q |
nation always gives. They wore their gar
ments for q longer time than do the wealthy |
OF the present DAY, but they wore the very |
best cloth that the world could produce and |
cost prices that would appear almost fabu- |
lous to-day.