The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-25
SHE DIsLIkED NAPOLEON.
Interesting Incidents I'm the Life OF
Mrs. Charles kOehler.


Mrs Charles Koehler, whose death oc-
CURED on Saturday last at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. S. NJ. Saunders No SS6
South Fourth avenue; Mount Vernon, was
one of the few persons living in the present
time who saw Napoleon, and was one of
the survivors of the period in which he
lived Her maiden name was Amelia Ofter-
geld and she was born at Aix-la-Chapelle.
in France, in 1905. Her father was an ofl-
Ger under General Blucher in the Prussian
army who had married Miss SimmS,
woman of aristocratic birth, whose home
was on the Isle of Wight. General Butcher
was a frequent visitor to her father
villa and she remembered him we'll, as ne
used to take her in his arms and trot her
on his knee while discussing military af-
fairs with inferior officers: Mrs koehler
had a faint recollection of Napoleon. and
how she was constrained to think of him
with the most intense aversion. Her father
was retired when she was about fifteen
years old and spent the remainder of his
life in London and the Isle of Wight.
Amelia when sixteen years old, was mar
Pied to Charles Koehler, who for many
years was an importer in London. one of
the most interesting things about Mrs.
Koehler's career is that Thomas Moores
Last Rose of Summer" was dedicated to
her. The incident is most romantic. Mrs
Koeher was a beautiful young woman.
She was much attached to Moore sister,
who kept a private school in London, and
the poet saw her there frequently. They
were sitting one night in the garden when
she plucked rose, and, holding IT up be-
fore him, exclaimed: Look: L have
plucked the last rose of summer" That
is a beautiful suggestion" said Moore,
meditatively, and when he wrote The Last
Rose of Summer he dedicated it to her,
and sent her a beautifully bound copy.
which is still in the possession of the FAM
lily
Another interesting keepsake left by Mrs.
Koehler is a piece of Queen Victorias we'd
ding cake which has been preserved since
the wedding took place, on Feb. 10. 1S40 in
the chapel Of St James's Palace. The cake
was given to her by Lady Blakely. who
was one of the maids of honor. 1t was
a nd
friends picked off particles until it is now
only one-eighth its original size. Mrs.
Koehler was finally Obliged to place it in
silver case, with glass cover. Twenty-Five
years ago when the Queen celebrated her
jubilee the cake was sent as exhibit,
in care of Lord Ponsonby. Her Majesty
returned the cake, with letter to his
the end added an annexation, jokingly
which read: "Can this be the cake?" The
note, which is in the possession of the fam
lily. is signed Vic"
Mrs Koehler had four daughters, and de-
scendants in America, France and nearly
all the British colonies. number of them
be ing prominently identified with the Brit
ish government service.
Mrs Saunders is the only one of the
daughters who survives, and her mother
had been living with her for thirteen
years.
She was a member of the Episcopalian
Church, prominent in charitable doings
and strong and possessed of all her
faculties until short time ago. The
Trinity Episcopal Church. the rector the
Rev. S. +. Graham, officiating. The burial
will be in Woodawn. Mr.. Koehler died
forty years ago, and was buried in London