Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-07-03
HENRI ROCHEFORT DEAD.
Picturesque Figure In Political Life of
France for Many Years.

AiN-les-B Bains. July 2-Henm Rocne-
fort, for long series of years one Of the
most prominent figures in French po-
litical life, died here yesterday from a
complication of maladies. at the age of
". The real name Of Henri Rochefort
was the Marquis Victor Henri de Roche
iort-Lucay. He was the son OF the
Marquis Claude Louis Marie de Roche
fort-LucaN most successful author Of
light plays.
Henri Rochofort was a Partisan of the
Parisians, as ho was born in the French
capital and passed the greater part Of
his life there. he took part In its defense
against tho Prussans In 1901 as a
member of the government OF the ma
tonal defense. and at other times work
cd as a municipal official. as deputy.
as Journalist and as a playwright
His ardent patriotism often led him to
eXccsscs I'm the expression Of his opin-
ions and brought him into conflict with
the Law. In ISL he was condemned to
deportation, and was transported 10
Noumca. in New Caledonia. whence ne.
with several companions IN captivity,
managed to escape in 1874 and to board
MN
and his comrades to san Francisco He
remained there some time before return
ing to Europe. He was however. unable
to re-entor his beloved France until the
issue of the general amnesty in 1850.
Soon afterward he became deputy,
but resigned in INN6. He tson took up the
cause of General Boulanger. for which
he was brought before the courts and
condemned by default to perpetual de-
tention in fortress He, however. es-
capped to London, whore he remained till
another amnesty permitted his return in
1895, after which for some 10 years or
more he wrote almost daily for the ultra
patriotic organ, Llntransigeant.
Newspaper readers of Paris were
shocked one day last summer when 1t
was learned that for the first time in
50 years Henri Rochefort. one OF
Frances most picturesque Journalists
and statesmen. often called a knight
errant of the pen" had failed to sup
ply his daily slashins editorial. For
more than two generations ho had at
tackled everybody and everything, and
now, it was announced, his eyes had
failed and he had retired to the country
to rest
My old teeth can still bite" he said.
declaring he would soon return to Paris,
but those who knew him were certain
that Comic Victor Henri de Rochofort
Lucay, politician, playwright, revolution
lst ducllst and journalist, had become a
figure of the past
Despite his Caustic attacks upon pub
ness Of his career made him immensely
popular with his countrvmen. He was
born at Paris on January 30, 1880. and
while engaged as a hotel clerk began his
newspaper career as a dramatic critic,
Later he became editor of ChariVari.
His work in that capacity and as a con
trhutor to other papers stamped him as
dangerous foe of the empire. He was
soon spending at least six months Of the
year in iail for his attacks on Napoleon
Hrs government, but AT the same time
he earned more than $4,000 francs year
by his writings, the entire French press
being generally opposed TO the empire.
In 1868 RoChefort published La Ian
tcrne which was confiscatcd by the po-
lice. He was arrested, and after paving
fine OF 10000 francs and spending a
year in jail fled to Belgium He was soon
back in Paris, however popular senti-
ment favorng his return. tie then es-
tablishcd La Marseillaise, and con-
tinued his vitriolic writings, his attacks
on Prince Pierre Bonaparte resulting in
the assassination Of Victor Noir one of
Rocheforts most brilliant assistants,
During the Commune Rochefott was
one Of its leaders, although he was later
condemned by that body to life imprison-
ment. Before he was deported he was
seleased temporarily that he might
marry Leonide Leblanc.
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