The sun., 1908-10-04
A BONAPARTE IN THE WOODS
ADIRONDACK HERMITAGE OF
AN EXILED KING.

York Of which joseph BSnaparte. Ex-
King Of Spain, Was Chlef-DFeamsand
Romance or FExiles-Preseht Remains.
LAKE BoNAPARTE, Sept. 22.-There is
curious sound to this geographical
name In the northern Adirondaoks. Yet
IL is not a mere fanciful desiRnet ton,
but the locality is fairly entitled 10 some
reflection Of that lustre which overspread
the civilized world for twenty years.
In It's virgin days this picturesque
mountain water was distinguished as
Lake Diana, but about ninety years
ago a strange oavaicade appeared In
these sparsely settled woods, where only
Indians and voyageurs had canoed or
trailed, and few settlers had grouped
themselves under the proud community
name Of Carthage
An exiled King was riding through
these forests In search Of repose and
yigor Joseph Bonaparte was. pioneer
ing for an American home. Passing from
the cerulean shores of Naples and the
gorgeous palace OF Madrid. the senior
OF the Bonapartes had found his way to
:his remote region.
After exercising dominion over Ameri-
can continents 1t was mere poetic JUS
tice that the ex-King Of Spain and the
Indies should be harbored ON American
soil. But the Bonapartes were not aim
less wanderers even in the Adirondacks
Of 1918,
In the fading days of the empire Joseph
had taken the Initial step which led to
Ms Investment Of $4,000 in jefferson
county lands. They comprised about
10000 acres. nearly all forest when their
Bonaparte proprietor took possession
Of his estate.
There was q little romance about this
acquisition. When Benjamin Franklin
was our representative at the court Of
Louis XVI, he made his home at Passy
with lie Ray de Chaumont. an ardent
helper in the cause OF American inde-
pendenoo. The young son Of his host had
acquired a'speaking acquaintance with
the English language from listening to
the conversations Of the American vis-
itors at his fathers house. A couple OF
years after the tfeaty Of peace Chau-
mont junior sailed for America. remained
in this country for several years and
purchased, in conjunction with Cow
erne,ir Morris large tracts of territory
10 northern New York 1t was part Of
these estates that Joseph Bouaparte
bought from his compatriot. At the
same time Caulaincourt and the i'll omened
Grouchy purchased parcels Of the Chau-
mont property.
but the ex-King was somewhat en-
barrassed in making the payments for his
New York domain. He did not have
Al. h.. ~
However. In the garden Of his villa on the
shores Of Lake Geneva in his palmy days
he had secrsted under ground a box con-
tanning diamonds and other, precious
stones OF the value Of 5000 900 france.
In his hasty fight from Europe 1t was
impossible for Joseph TO recover this
treasure. and even two years afterward II
was no easy task. But, thanks to hij
devoted secretary, the feat was finally
accomplished. a,'-N p.
Young Matllard sailed from America.
travelled to the Swiss villa and under
cover Of the night dug up the precious
casket and with its contents sailed for
New York. 1t 50 happened that he ar
rived at Joscph's New Jersey home after
midnight but the communication OF the
joyful news was not delayed and the exile
was at once awakened to receive the
treasure. which raised him from compare
tive poverty to at'uence. With these
diamonds recovered from the banks Of
blue Leman the Adirondack estate was
paid for and tho son Of Corsican lawyer
thus became one Of the large proprietors
Of the State Of New York.
SO it was that in the summer Of 1919
the Bonaparte 'cavalcade was pene-
trating the country OF the Black River.
At the village Of Watertown he found NJ.
de Chaumont, who encouraged the Comte
de Survilliers. Joseph's incognito. to
further investments by tho inspection
u the cotton and paper mills and iron
forges which Chaumont had constructed
for the development Of his estates.
The expedition continued its way TO
Sacketts Harbor. where the local excite
ment was raised to q high pitch by the
presence Of this handsome and urbane
specimen OF dethroned royalty There
is no doubt that Joseph was much i'm
pressed by the beauty Of the country. and
this appreciation was we'll merited by
the landscape around his future residence
on the shores Of Diana's Lake.
nht tfhb nOtotOiC parry VI OqucotEt1ub
Witnessed on July IS, 1918, on
their approach TO this oasis Of water in
the primeval forest. was very much the
same as our first glimpse from the rail-
road. Lake Bonaparte differs from most
Of the Adirondack lakes in having per-
pendicular shores at its eastern end, and
as the track is only about half a mile
distant from its waters the full piotur-
sequences OF the view Is at once pre-
sented TO the traveller.
As we stand on the hill where Joseph
pitched his summer home we confirm his
Hsthetic taste. II certainly afforded him
lovely prospect, extending half the
length OF the lake, varied in Its lines by
wooded coves and decked with nesting
slets.
The opposite side stands like miniature
Palisades. though denuded In part Of Its
tree growth. But its front, sheer In the
water, is limestone rock, giving a certain
rugged effect that combines into the
whole picturesque outlook. As we saw
1t in the setting sun and the clear atnos-
pierre IL would have afforded q grand
and worthy locality for the retreat OF
great monarch as well as for one OF the
mediocre kind.
Sitting on a boulder in the circle of