The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-09-17
CIR II Owe
ST R.IES e
of HIS Y
By a tbert PGyson Tsrhaae
|. JEROME BONAPARTE
and MISS PATTERSON
tcSpyrisht b ne AutAor.) !

| Z - y SsAiIOiA Wy ETEyuuA6ebIit Ot = .
corsican lawyers 10 children-iell in
love. in 1903, with an l8:year-old girl
eldest OF an lrish.American ship.
builders 10 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
father-an Irish emigrant-was the
foremost shlpowner and richest man
In Baltimore. Jerome was homo lest
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 incorfi.
petent spendthrift, with not one atom
OF Napoleon's genius. Nevertheless he
was lovable youngster, and could
usually wheedle even his iron brother
into overlooking his faults and grant.
Ing him fayors. 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 tvaloap,od efTH -E"
Jerome planned to take the first
available vessel to France. But at a
"a p.,,,.,. ball he met Eliza
Tt.n..s sMsy 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 indetl.
nitely postponed. Miss Patterson was
ambitious. To be courted by the
brother Of Europe's foremost celebrity
was flattering. 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 at
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:
81 will receive Jerome II he leaves
that young person in America. II 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
beth's 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.luw's ships,
carrying Elizabeth with him, and bid.
ding America what he then thought
was only temporary farewell. This
country has always been refuge for
the Bonapartes. Jerome lived here
nearly two years; Napoleon's elder
brother, Joseph, lived for long time
at Bordeutowu. N. j.; Napoleon's next
younger brother. Lucien. sailed for
this country in 1910. but was captured.
Napoleon's nephew. Louis (later Ma
poleon IlI.), dwelt long in America lin
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, hastened to his brother.
But this time he
setween could do or say
Love and Duty. nothing to 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
Westphalla. ss
Elizabeth, after waiting In vain for
her husbands return or for news that
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. ]. 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