The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1912-05-23

Burr. son OF the AARON bORE
president OF Princeton college. soE
and grandson OF famous clergymen
He himself had been prepared for col
lege at eleven and had been a Prince
ton graduate at sixteen. Then, after
studying theology for a year, he calm
ly announced that he did not believe
in religion Of any sort. His private
life had already proved him 10 Be AZ
hacking in morals as In Godliness.
Burr was only nineteen when the
revolution began. lie dropped the
study OF law and enlisted as n private
soldier In the patrict army. But be
tired Of regular military life and went
as a volunteer with Benedict Arnold
on the Arnold-Montgomery expedition
against Quebec. lie quArreled with
Arnold and joined Montgomery. Then
he quarreled with Montgomery and
went back TO Arnold. tie could get
on with no commander. Yet so brave
ly did be Tight in that unfortunate ex-
petition that on his return he was
made a major.
He Joined George Washington's
stan. He and the chief we're about as
we'll suited TO each other - a rattle
snake and a war horse. Burr openly
sneered al Washington's stin discip-
line and lofty honor. Washington
found Burr's evil morals disgusting and
was enraged at the youths impu-
denoe. Then and there began a mu-
tusl and lifelong hatred. After SIX
weeks. Burr left Washington's stan
and Joined Gen. Israel Putnam's.
Though be and "Old Put" did not agree
especially well with each other. Burrs
courage and military talent raised
him. in 1777. to the rank OF lieutenant
colonel. And he fought CALAMITY until
177s. Then. sick Of war and angry be-
cause he was not promoted faster. he
left the army.
Tie had long been one Of Washing
tons opponents and had taken lively
part In the Lee and Gates conspiracies
against the chief. This and his quar-
relsome nature may have been what
barred him from promotion. For a.
long as Washington was IN power
Burr was made 70 feel the weight OF
his enmity. In later years Burr was
mentioned for minister TO France and
for other high government posts. But
President Washington always refused
him such honors.)
Leaving the army. Burr became q
lawyer and soon afterwArd moved 20
New York. He rose TO the height OF
his profession. married a rich widow
and speedily became a mighty power
In New York politics. In 1883 be Was
attorney general. and In 1891 went TO
the United States senate. In 1900 he
tied" with Thomas Jefferson In the |
election for president. In order TO |
win the presidency he deserted bis
political friends and curried favor
with bis party's foes. But in spite OF |
these and other sharp tactics Jeffer-
son was at length elected. Burr, By /
the custom Of those days. became Woo
president
II was the summit Of his career.
Then came the gradual fall Burr had
q political quarrel with Alexander
which ended. July 7, 1904.
IN pistol duel at Weehavksn, N. J.
Burr killed Hamilton. 4 was a fair
hight. and one man was probably no
more TO blame. In the quarrel, than
The other. Yet Hamilton had been 30
popular that Burr after the duel was
politically crushed.
smarting with anger at the public's
Burr went TO the south.
vest and there plunged with feverish
snergy into mysterious scheme
whose exact nature is stu doubtful.
rhe general testimony Is that he
planned TO conquer Mexico and TO
merge It with Texas. Louisiana, etc,
INTO a great southwestern Kingdom,
umpire or republic. with New Orleans
or It's capital and himself as its
uler. The scheme fiourished for a
ime, but collapsed when the United
'tates government denounced Il and
rrested Burr for treason. Burr was
cquitted. but found It wise 70 leave
america. He went to England. where
10 was maturing new plans when the
british expelled him as IAN embarras
Ing person" he was forbidden TO
eturn to his own country and for q
line drifted about Europe, almost
enniless.
But In 1912 he sailed for New York, III
isguised, and opened a law ONCE on
Iassau street. His genius quickly
nabled him to win a new fortune.
10 added to his wealth by marrying a II
econd widow, Mime. Jumel, who left
I'm after he had squandered much OF II
or fortune. III
In the course OF the next few years II
ard luck came again. Old, infirm.
Dor. stunned by his former friends.
10 family gone. Aaron Burr finally III
scame an object OF charity and died
Port Richmond. 3. l.. September l4. u
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