The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-08-06

The foreign press, some weeks ago,
announced the death Of Archd1ke
Alexander Of Russia, in some out-of-
the-way place in France, or possibly
some other country, outside the
Czar's dominion.
In 1910, a girl baby was born about
six miles above Newberry, S. c., Of
humble but highly respectable par
entage. She grew from babyhood to
girlhood in and around the purlieus
of the then staid little village, went
barefoot, skipped the rope and swung
on grapevine swings, like all the 9TH
er little lassies of her day and time,
with no greater promise Of the future
than growing up to be very pretty
woman Of the great middle class of
the South's greatest citizenship. But
what has this little barefoot girl Of
the great middle class Of Newberry to
do WITH the Archduke Alexander OF
Russia?
Well. We will see as we 60 along.
She lived somewhat a strenuous lite,
as the late President T. R. would
say. The little girls parents were
named Burton, but her father dying
before she had even learned to lisp
his name, her step-father, David
Boozer. adopted her and gave her his
name, she being known in the history
of the times, as little Mary Boozer.
These families are Of collateral
branch of and very distantIy related
to the families now residing in the
county Of the same name.
Her stepfather loved her dearly,
and bestowed all the affections Of
real father upon this orphan.
David Boozer never grew tired Of
his little adopted daughter, but grew
tired in mind and heart Of life, and
threw it away as a suicide at his
home, near where the livery stables
now stand. His body lies in costly
tomb of granite in the cemetery OF
the old Ave1eigh Presbyterian church,
near the CrotweIl place.
The widowed mother. with the
twice-orphaned little Mary. took up
her residence in the city Of the Con-
garee, Columbia, the Capital of the
State. There the widow married a.
very wealthy man, by the name OF
Feaster. Nature and environment
were very kind to Mary, for in addi-
tion to growing rapidly in the direc-
ton of being great beauty her step
father gave her his undivided pa
rental affections and 1avished wealth,
comfort and opportunities upon her
with unst7nted hands, yielding to her
every caprice, anticipating her every
want, and she soon became the most
beautiful and accomplished young
lady in the city, this being conceded
bv both sexes impossible as it may
seem.
None ever saw this marvel except
to be entranced by her bewllderlng
beauty. She has been written Of and
about in the leading papers both
North and South. all attempting the
impossible task Of doing her justice
with a pen. and she was described as
the "Venus of Milo" in the flesh.
The writer of this sketch, in his
tow-headed and callow days, when a
mans sword and insignia of rank
gave him entrance into that exclusive
circle that otherwise he might not
have obtained, met this paragon of
beauty. He must confess to having
been speechless with wonder and ad-
miration the first time he came in the
presence Of her matchless beauty and
dazzling splendor, her form and con-
tour.
Her entertainments were the most
gorgeous and brilliant Of any in the
city, and hr equippage was royalty
itself. her carriage being said to con-
sist of "glass. silver and gold.'
She was patron saint of the South
Carolina college in its halcyon period
just prior to War of Secession. and
her ball cards. at the great State and
college balls. were filed weeks in
advance by the Young Swains of the
bluAst blood and most arl7 7ocratac
families Of the State.
Her education was finished and
she spoke French as 7uently as ma
five, and all her attainments were as