The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-19
MAYBE HARRISON WROTE 1T.
More Speculation on the Mysterious
Life of Napoleon"

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
GREENCASTLE Ind, Sept. 1S.-The agi-
tation of the question as to who is the au-
thor of the life of Napoleon published in
1916, by Patrick & Booth, of Salem, brings
out a coincidence that is interesting, as it
bears on the family of Napoleon. On July
A. 1896, the women of Salem took charge of
the Republican Leader, of that city, and
issued a patriotic edition. In the historical
part of the paper, which was in charge of
Mrs. Anna w. Rhetts, under the title of
"A Bit of Romance" is found the follow
ing:
Christopher Harrison, the first lieutenant
governor of Indiana, was one OF Salems
earliest citizens His story is a sad one
engaged to Miss Elizabeth Patterson, of
Baltimore. While he was in England on
business for his prospective father-in-law,
jerome Bonaparte entered the New York
harbor in command of a French frigate.
This was in 1893. Later, at the home of
Samuel Close, of Baltimore, one of the
signers of the Declaration of Independence
he was introduced to Miss Patterson.
Though not yet eighteen, she was a reign
ing BELLE beautiful witty and accomplished.
An immediate and ardent attachment
sprang up between them. In spite of the
warnings of her friends and the remon-
strances of her father, she married Jerome
Bonaparte on Christmas eve, 1903, declaring
that she would rather be the wife of Je-
rome Bonaparte for one hour than the wife
of any other man for life. With such sor-
row in his breast Christopher Harrison
came to the Territory of Indiana and To-
Gated at Salem. He built the first brick
house ever erected in Salem. on Lot IL, now
known as Sinclair'S corner. Here he spent
several years of his lonely life. Aunt
Becky, a co.ored woman, went in OCCASION
ally ana tidied up his house, and he took
his meals ont. He is described as man of
much polish of manner, a brilliant talker
and of warm friendships-though he was
subject to moods and fits of depression,
a
60 talk to his best friends. Think of the
contrast! To-day great commercial en-
terprise marks the site, and thousands of
hurrying feet tread the sacred spot where
Christopher Harrison sat silent and alone
living the life almost of recluse, because
of the great sorrow which had come to his
heart without bringing peace to hers. For
it may be a pardonable depression to state
that the great Napoleon refused to recog-
nize the marriage of his brother He i'm
mediately directed that Jerome should re-
turn to France by the first frigate, or he
should he bring his wife with him. Jerome
was frightened. He delayed his departure
until March IL, 1905. He and his wife ar
rived at Lisbon, April 2, but she was not
Paris, hoping by a personal interview to
soften his brother but Napoleon was OBJ
durate, and he never returned. After try
ing in vain to land at other ports Nine
Bonaparte sailed for England. A son was
born July !, 1906, and two months later she
returned TO Baltimore. She lived to ex-
IRENE age"
1t is not known whether Christopher Har-
rison had any connection with the Life
of Napoleon issued in 1916, but the coinci-
dence above mentioned shows how his fate
was ntermingled with that of the Bona
parte family A private letter to man in
this city from Mr.. AL G.. Patrick of Oska-
loosa, Kan, says that the authorship of
the Life of NAPOLEON" is attributed by
some to General De Paw and by others
to Lehmanowsky. Mr.. Patrick is editor of
the Oskaloosa Times. and is son of Eben-
ezer Patrick, the Salem printer who. with
III f.l,@ fI,e
printed the book which is now a literary
mystery.