Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-01-24

out privateers for the war in Jamaica
and San Domingo, married the adven-
turous Betty Bowen, he bought and
fitted up the mansion with magnifi-
cent expenditure, calculated to make
the eyes of the plain old Dutch burgh-
ers start from their heads. Mistress
Betty had lived, to put it mildly, be-
fore she met and married the young
merchant prince. AS Betty Bowen,
the rustic beauty had broken the heart
and stamped on the pride Of many an
impresslonable Massachusetts beau.
To her was born child which SO
closely resembled George Washington
that for many years was supposed to
be his son. In reality, Major Reuben
Ballou was the father Of Betty Bow
EMS child. When the baby was 5
weeks oiG the future haughy Nine.
Jumel ran away and left him. She
came back several times afterward to
claim her little one, but Freelove Bal
lou, wife of the major, although well
aware Of the paternity of the child,
kept 1t al would not let the mother
SO much as see 1t.
Betty was glorlously lovely, with
all the caprlcious, puzzling hayward
ness of a little child--a fascinating rid.
die who charmed Stephen Jumel and
for years after they were wed kept
him wondering ,what she would do
next. To make his wife happy the
wealthy Frenchman imported hang
ings. furniture and wonderful plate
from France. The Jumels entertained
layishly and the household affairs
were conducted on great scale. Once,
upon returning from European trip,
the madam brought with her quaint
ties of Napoleonic relics-the dispatch
box Of the little corporal the trunk he
carried on his campaigns, Josephlne's
jewels and embroideries and brlc-a-
brac which had been the property of
Marie Antoinette.
Many Of these valuable souvenirs
are to-day in the drawing room of
Mrs. Julius Caryl, of Washington
Heights, the grand-niece of Nine. Ju-
mel. There is in this same room a
full-length life-size portrait Of Nine.
Betty, which was painted in France
in the hey-day Of her charms. She
sits in great carved chair, dressed
in robe of embossed blue velvet,
There are showers Of costly lace about
the shoulders, and lappets Of lace fall
from the chestnut hair, carefully band.
ed and curled In the fashion of those
days. The face of Nine. Betty is full
Of fire and fascination. The eyes are
lustrous and of sapphire hue, the ex
preston one of winsome pride and
complacent disdain.
The Jumel mansion is packed with
history, romance and thrilling mystery.
There are dark and blood-curdling Sc
cret passages and cupboards and of
course there is ghost chamber and
ghost who walks and walls in the most
approved fashion.
At the age of 60. widowed, but still
remarkably lovely, Nine. Jumel mar.
ried Aaron Burr, then n ruined old
man Of IS. In the great hall in the
mansion is pointed out the exact spot
where the fiery Betty caught her aged
spouse kissing pretty maid and, box
ing his ears soundly. turned him out
of doors.
The Jumel house is now the proper.
ty Of the Daughters of the American
Revolution. 1t is conducted us free
historical museum.
Wandering through the old rooms
the visitor sees in Imagination the
forms Of departed heroes and beautiful
women, smells the faint odor Of June
roses and, listening. hears sweet, low
laughter. the clank of sword and the
whisper of silk.