New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-29
II PRINCE IN NEW-JERSEY
DaShing Career of Lucien Murat in
BordentO7cn Recalled.

Bordentown n. J. Nov. Is (SpeciaD.-The dis
covery the other day Of bottle partly filed with
brandy and an account book showing charges for
various liquors sold TO Prince Lucien Murat.
Of Joachim Murat. King of the Two Sicilies. has
awakened an interest in the history of that DASH
ing Frenchman. who made things lively while he
was a resident Of Bordentown and visitor to the
surrounding villages and taverns before the middle
OF the last century when banshed from France
The bottle and book found in "cubby hole
long ago sealed up and forgotten in the immense
stone chimney OF the White Horse Inn. which
stands at the crossing OF the Trenton and Borden
town turnpikes, about half way between the two
towns
The building that has stood at the crossroads
for more than LIS years is TO be destroyed to make
place for more pretentous and modern structure.
II has always been popular resort for the farm
ers who nightly warmed themselves at its cheerful
fireplace during the winter nights and cooled them
selves in fits taproom with ale and other drinksbles
in the summer season.
1t was a favorite resort with Prince Murat and
many stories of his lavish expenditure Of money,
his gallantry TO women and his thorough enjoy
ment OF any game that opened the opportunity for
him to make or lose money have been handed down
from father son. and are told with great relish
by the gray haired natives
In the heavy oak mantelpece that crosses the
chimney are scars left by a hundred more bull
tets fired from the pistol OF the prince. who. when
he was in his cups, insisted upon fastening gold
half-eage TO the mantel and blazing away at it at
short range Every time that leaden pellet struck
the gold the loiterers gathered in and ordered
to drink to the craftsmanship of the prince at his
expense an honor that they not only willing
but eager pay him.
AIurat was a prime favorite with the common
people. with whom he drank sang. rode hunted
and gambed. Deer hunting was his favOrite amuse-
ment and in those days deer plentiful in the
Jersey pines. His hunting excursions sometimes
lasted for weeks, and were marked by hard drink
ing rather than expert shooting
His companions or these deer stalking trips were
farmers and the sons of farmers, who ready
to hatter him for the sake Of his hospitality. And
such hospitality! Theirs the best that the
land afforded. and it is said that the prince was
best pleased when cooling parched threats with
champagne punch that he had made for the pur-
pose in water bucket.
Murat was ambitious to be successful farmer,
and in trying make OF himself he spent So
90 and was obliged at the end to admit that his
undertaking was d failure. When the prince came
10 Bordentown he went to live in a house built on
the plan Of Italian villa, located the edge
OF Bonaparte Park. The building long since fell
into ruin His last dwelling place in 'Murat
Row" which has been preserved and modernized.
In the days Of the prince the row the
pretentious building in Bordentown. 1t was called
palace.
While living there Murat began to give the sub
ject Of matrimony serious consideration with the
result that he offered himself TO Miss Caroline
Georgina Fraser daughter Of Major Fraser of the
British Army. and most estimable woman. The
marriage was performed quietly by the Rev. Fred
erlck lseasley father Of The late Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court Of New-Jersey.
The marriage OF the prince TO q comuoner was
never pleasing 20 the BOnapartes. who insisted
Murat should have married into the royal family
by taxing 10 the altar OF his cousins Major
Fraser never forgave his daughter for Joining fort
SIe- WIN me registering prince but the pals lived
happily and gave their relatives to understand that
they were capable Of running their own matrimo-
NAL affairs.
Joseph Bonaparte kept the prince supplied with
money, but not enough TO meet all the require
ments of his thirst and notions of right living
To help out the family exchequer Murats wife
who was woman Of splendid education estab-
hshed in "Murat Row private school, which
prospered and IN its time was considered the best
educational institution OF its, kind in the State