The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-02-03
GREAT LOVE
STORIES
of HISTORY
JEROME BONAPARTE
and MISS PATTER SON
Copyright. ~ the Autsor.)
BY Albert Poyson Terhune

eldest or an lrlSh-AIQerlcan ship
builders ID children The lad was
Jerome Bonaparte, youngest brother
OF Napoleon Bonaparte, who was at
that time First Consul Of France and
rising fast toward the imperial throne
and the mastery of all Europe. The
girl was Elizabeth Patterson, whose
fathor-an Irish emigrant-was the
foremost shipowner and richest man
in Baltimore. Jerome was homeliest
OF the handsome Bonapartes. Eliza
beth was most beautiful of the good
looking Pattersons. Here is the story:
Jerome was the "spoilt child" of his
family. He was lazy, rather incom.
petent spendthrift. with not one atom
Of NaDoleon's genius. Nevertheless he
was lovable youngster, and could
usually wheedle even his iron brother
into overlooking his faults and grant
ing him favors. He had been started
on naval career: and, at Is, was
lieutenant, in command of the French
brig of war Epervier. While cruising
in southern American waters his ship
was chased by English war vessels
and he resigned his command. escap-
ing to Norfolk, Va. Thence he went
to Baltimore, where, on the strength
Of his brothers great fame, he was
cordially welcomed.
Jerome planned to take the first
available vessel to France. But at a
, ball he met Eliza
,. beth (known as
''Betsy') Patter-
son, belle of the Maryland city. The
couple fell in love at first sight. and
the young mans sailing was indefi-
nitely postponed. Miss Patterson was
ambitious. To be courted by the
brother OF Europe's foremost celebrity
was f1attering. She and Jerome be-
came engaged. Her father foresaw
trouble and packed Elizabeth off to
visit friends in Virginia. But she and
Jerome would not be parted. So a.
last Mr.. Patterson gave his unwilling
consent, and the marriage was per-
formed by the Catholic bishop of Bal.
timore, on Christmas day, 1903.
Instead of going at once to France,
the lovers settled for the time in Bal
timore, to find out how Napoleon
would take the news. Tidings travelled
slowly in those days, and months
elapsed before word came from
France. The same post that brought
the elder brothers decision brought
also word Of that brothers election as
emperor of the French. Napoleon's
orders to Jerome were couched in
sternest language. The bridegroom
was not only severely blamed for mar
rying Miss Patterson, but was ordered
to return at once to France. Napoleon
utterly refused to recognize Elizabeth
as his brothers wife and forbade him
to take her to Paris. He added
Il will receive Jerome if he leaves
that young person in America. If he
brings her with him she shall not set
foot in France"
Jerome had at other times been
able to cajole Napoleon into changing
his mind He thought he could do so
now. He believed the sight Of Eliza
beths beauty must soften the emper-
or's heart. So. disobeying half Of Ma
poleon's order. he set sail for France
on one of his father-in-laW shiC3.
carrying Elizabeth with him, and bid
ding America what he then thought
was only a Temporary farewell. This
country has always been a refuge for
the Bonapartes. Jerome lived here
nearly two years: Napoleon's elder
brother, Joseph, lived for long time
at Bordentown, n. j.: Napoleon's next
younger brother. Lucien, sailed for
this country in 1910, but was captured.
Napoieon's nephew, Louis Cater Ma
poleon IIIo, dwelt long in America Gin
New Jersey part of the time), and Ma
polean himself is said to have planned
once to seek refuge here.
The ship bearing Jerome and Eliza.
beth was not allowed to land at any
French port Jerome. leaving Eliza
bath on board, fastened to his brother.
But this time he
could do or say
Love and Duty. notbin. 70 shake
the emperor's resolve. Napoleon was
firm in his refusal to recognize the
marriage. So Jerome weakly aban-
doned his pretty American wife; and.
later, at Napoleon's command. married
Princess Charlotte of Wurtemburg, be.
coming for time the puppet king OF
Westphalia.
Elizabeth. after waiting in vain for
she might enter France, went to Eng
land There her only son, jerome
Napoleon" was born. He was founder
of the Bonaparte family of America
and father of the c. J. Bonaparte who
served as secretary of the navy and
as attorney general in President
Roosevelt's cabinet. Heartbroken. her
golden hopes crushed, the deserted
wife came home to Baltimore, where
she died in 1879. Jerome and she met
once, by chance, in Italy. many years
after their separation: but neither
gave the slightest sign OF recognition.
Napoleon had sought to force the pope
into annulling the marriage. His
holiness had refused. So Napoleon had
annulled it himself. Yet before her
death. Elizabeth twho had formally
secured an American divorce from
Jerome) succeeded in making the
French government declare the union
valid
Jerome died in 60. having married
three times, treating each of his wives
badly, and at last sinking 70 the level
of dissolute, despised old man.