The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1898-12-27
ST. DENIS.

Upon the San Saba country of Texas
is an ancient stone house, said to have
been the home, nearly 200 years ago, Of
Jugereau st. Denis, French explorer
and adventurer, and his wife, Dona
Maria, the beautiful daughter of a
Spanish officer.
No more gallant figure than st. De-
mis- steps out from the shadows of the
past He was born in Canada, spent his
childhood and early youth in France,
where he was educated and had for his
companions young men of the better
class. He returned to Canada, and for
some years took an active part in affairs
there.
He is described as Of majestic fig
ure, trained in the French military
schools, of manners the most courteous,
of strong character, warm heart, Of a
power of speech peculiarly winning and
of undaunted bravery.
In 1714 he led a band of hunters and
trappers from Canada down into Loui-
siana. We know he built a fort at Mac
ogdoches and left the greater part of his
followers to garrison it. With 10 men
and number of Indian guides he
| crossed the Sabine river and penetrated
into what is now Texas. As he jour-
neyed he met with various Indian
| tribes, and seems to have had no trou-
BILE in making all of them his friends.
At last he reached the Spanish posts
l H.
tista he announced to Villesecas, the
commander there, that he came to buy
beeves, horses and supplies. and also tc
establish closer and more friendly rela.
tions between the French and Spanish
territories.
This was all very we'll, but st. De-
MIS- most probable object was to acquire
all the country over which he had
marched for his king, Louis XIV, who
had shadowy claim to it by virtue O,
some early explorations OF La Sale.
How to, deal with the newcomer
bothered villesecas great deal. Afte,
many days of waiting and of those OK.
asperating delays we of the present day
know so we'll in our intercourse with
Spaniards, St. Denis sent message t(
the governor of Coahuila, telling hi
mission and asking the privilege O.
trade.
Now, Villesecas had a daughter, ,
very beautiful daughter, named Maria
Given a handsome, vivacious youn,
Frenchman and beautiful Spanish gir
daily meeting, and all who read know
what came of it. St. Denis fell in Low,
with her-an honest and sincere passion
it was-and she in turn loved him. Th'
beginning of love was the beginning o
trouble
For at the same time st. Denis sen
his message to the governor Villeseca
sent a letter to the same parsonage
This letter expressed suspicious as t.
the object of st. Denis visit and ais
told of the love affair of the Frenchmal
and Dona Maria. The governor wa
in love with her himself and suite
for her hand. 1t was for st. Denis
case of putting his head in the lion
mouth and then twisting his tail.
Back came the messengers and bacl
also came troop of cavalry with order
to seize st. Denis and bring him t
the governors seat, Montclova, forth
with. At Montclova st. Denis wa
heavily ironed and thrown into prison
When he had had few days. experienc
of the horrors and cruelties of Span
ish prison. the governor, Gaspardo d
Anaya, came to see him, expecting n
doubt to find him worn out, broke
spirited and quite tractable, willing I
grant anything for freedom.
The Spaniard told his captive that
he would give up Dona Maria b
would be free. st. Denis indignant
scorned the proposal. His position wa
as desperate as q mans could well be
alone where it was impossible to appea
to any one, a stranger in land alway
heartless and cruel to strangers, sui
pected of designs against the state, ant
worse than that, in the power of ma
who loved the woman who loved him.
1t is said, "Hell hath no fury like
woman scorned." So can it be sale
earth has no ally like woman wh
loves you" 30
Dona Maria learned of her lover
plight by receiving letter from tn
governor telling her Of it. The lettt
also informed her that if she did NJ
agree to marry the writer. st. Dem
would be put to death.
The high spirited beauty rose equ'
to the occasion. Her reply to his scouI
derlcy was positive refusal. More tina
that, she wrote that in case st. Den
met his death she herself, or some OF
for her, would put knife into the go
eInor's oowardly heart. The governt
must have been impressed, for st. D
mis- did not die just then.
Dona Maria spent no time In delay
She at once wrote to the viceroy at Il
City of Mexico, the viceroy having a
solute power, standing in place of b
king, over all South America and
great part of North America.
She told Of st. Denis and his visi
told of their mutual love, told OF Il
baseness OF the governor Of Coabui