Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-01-24
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, a French explorer
and adventurer, and his wife, Donn
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
Cf uudauntod bravery.
In 1T14 he led :. hand of hunters and
trappers from Canada down into Loui-
siana. We know Le bniit fort at Mac
ogdoohes and left the greater part of his
followers 10 garrison IL. with 12 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 tIem his friends.
At last he reached the Spanish posts
on the Rio GIande. Al San Juan Bap-
tista he announced to Villeseoas, the
commander there, that he came to buy
baavas l,or,,, a-,d ,r-r ;.s, -.,,,1 oIr,, 10.
establish closer and more friendly rela-
tions between the French and Spanish
territories.
This was all very well, 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 of
some early explorations of La Sale.
How to deal with the newcomers
bothered Villesecas great deal. After
many days of waiting and of those ex-
asperating delays we of the present day
know SO we'll in our intercourse with
Spaniards, st. Denis sent a message to
the governor of Coahuila, telling his
mission and asking the privilege Of
trade.
Now, Yillesecas had a daughter, q
very beautiful daughter, named Maria.
Given a handsome, vivacious young
Frenchman aud beautiful Spanish girl
daily meeting, and all who read know
what came of it. st. Denis fell in love
with her-an honest and sincere passion
it was-and she in turn loved him. The
beginning of love was the beginning of
trouble.
For at the same time st. Denis sent
his message to the governor Villesecas
sent letter to the same parsonage.
This letter expressed suspicious as to
the object of st. Denis visit and also
told of the love affair of the Frenchman
and Dona Maria The governor was
in love with her himself and suitor
for her hand. 1t was for st. Denis a
case of putting his head in the lions
mouth and then twisting his tail
Back came the messengers and back
also came troop Of cavalry with orders
to seize st. Denis and bring him to
the governors seat, MontcIova, forth
with. At Montclova st. Denis was
heavily ironed and thrown into prison.
When he had had few days experience
of the horrors and crueIties of a Span
ish prison, the governor, Gaspardo de
Anaya, came to see him, expecting no
doubt to find him worn ont, broken
spirited and quite tractable, willing to
grant anything for freedom.
The Spaniard told his captive that if
he would give up Dona Maria he
would be free. St. Denis Indignantly
scorned the proposal. His position was
as desperate as a mans could well be,
alone where it was impossible to appeal
to any one, stranger in a land always
heartless and cruel to strangers, sus-
pected of designs against the state, and,
worse than that, in the power of man
who loved the woman who loved him.
1t is said, Hell hath no fury like a
woman soorned. " So can it be said,
Earth has no ally like woman who
loves you. -
Dona Maria learned of her lovers
plight by receiving letter from the
governor telling her of it. the letter
also informed her that if she did not
agree to marry the writer, St. Denis
would be put to death.
The high spirited beauty rose equal
to the occasion. Her Ieply to his scoun-
derloy was positive refusal. More than
that, she wrote that in case St. Denis
met his death she herself, or some one
for her, would put knife into the gov
eInor's oowardly heart. The governor
must have been impressed, for st. De-
mis- did not die just then.
Dona Maria spent no time in delays.
She at once wrote to the viceroy at the
City of Mexico, the viceroy having ab-
solute power, standing in place of his
king, over all South America and
great part of North America.
She told of st. Denis and his visit,
told of their mutual love, told of the
haseness of the governor of CoahuiIa