Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-12-13
CHAPTER u.
History Of the esaucaires.

History Of the esaueairea
The first two days and nights OF tho
journey southward were devoid Of any
special interest or adventure. After
the flrst day Kirby withdrew all atten-
ton from me and ceased in his en-
deavor to cultivate my acquaintance,
convinced Of my disinclination to in
dulge In cards. Throckmorton, being
his own pilot, seldom left the wheel
house, and consequently passed many
hours on the bench beside him. At one
time or another he had met the ia
nous characters along the river banks.
and through continual questioning /
thus finally became possessed Of the
story Of the house Of Bsaucaire.
In the main It contained no unusual
features. Through the personal in
fluence Of D'Ibe-ville at Louis court
Alphonss de Beaucaire had originally
received q royal grant Of ten thou
sand acres of land bordering the west
bank Of the Mississippi few miles
above st. Louis. When his master re-
turned to France leaving him unem-
ployed. Beaucaire. possessing ample
means Of HIS own, had preferred to re-
main In America. In flatboats, pro.
PEELED by voyageurs, and accompanied
by considerable retlnue Of slaves, he,
with his family, had assembled the river
and finally settled on his princely es-
tate. Here he erected what for those
early days was stately mansion, and
devoted himself to cuItivating the
land. Twenty years later. when his
death occurred, he possessed the finest
property along the upper river. was
shipping heavily to the New Orleans
market. and was probably the most
influential man in all that section.
His only son. Felipe, succeeded him,
but was not 80 successful IN admins
tration. seriously lacking in business
Judgment, and being decidedly indo-
lent by nature. Felipe married into
one Of the oldest and most respectable
families Of st. Louis. and as Q result
Of that union had one son, Lucius. who
grew up reckless Of restraint, and pre-
ferred to spend his time In New Or
leans, rather than upon the plantation.
Lucius was young man Of twenty
six, unsettled In habits, when the ia
ther died. and, against his inclination.
was compelled to return to Missouri
and assume control Of the property.
He found matters in rather bad condi-
ton. and his was not at all the type
Of mind to remedy them. Much Of the
land had been already irretrievably
lost through speculation. and when his
fathers obligations had been met. and
his own gambling debts paid. the es-
tate. once SO princely and magnificent,
was reduced to barely Ave hundred
acres, together with a comparatively
small amount Of cash. This condition
suAiced to sober Lucius fer few
years, and he married a Menard OF
Cape Glrnrdeau. Of excellent family
but not great wealth. and earnestly
endeayored to rebuild his fortunes.
Unfortunately his reform did not last.
The evil influences Of the past soon
proved too strong for one Of his tenn.
permanent. The plantation house be.
came In time q rendezvous for all the
wild spirits Of that neighborhood, and
stories of fierce drinking bouts and
mad gambling were current in st.
Louis.
"Have you ever been at Beaucaire,
captain2" asked.
I'VE always stop at the landing, but
have only once been up the cliff to
where the house stands. Tho Judge
was away from hone-in st. Louis,
believe-the day Of my visit. he had
sold me some timber, and l went out
with the family lawyer. Z man named
Haines. living at the landing, to look
It over"
"The house was closedr
mo; 1t is never closed. The house.
keeper was there. and also the two
daughters"
"Daughtersr'
Certainly; hada't I told ysu about
themI Both girls are accepted a. his
daughters; but. II all I have heard is
true, one must be his granada lighter"
He paused reminiscently, his eyes on
the river. "Haines told me Z number
Of strange things about that family I
had never heard BEFORE" he admitted
at last. "You sec he has known them
for years, and attended to most Of
Beaucaire's legal business. This Is
about how the story runs. as he told It.
It wasn't generally known, but It
seems that Luclus Beaucnire has been
married twice-the Hrst time to Gre.
ole girl In New Orleans when he was
scarcely more than Z boy. Nobody
now living probably knows whatever
became Of her, but likely she died
early: anyway she never came north,
Or has since been heard from. Tho
important part II that she gave birth
to son, who remained IN New Or
leans, probably In her care, until he
was fourteen or fifteen years old. Then
some occurrence, possibly his mothers
death. caused the Judge to send for
the lad, whose name was Adelbert,
and had him brought to Missouri. All
this happened before Hniaes ssttlsl at
tho Landing, and previous to Beau.
eaire's second marriage 70 Nademoi.
sole Nsnard. Bert. % the boy was
called rev W Wild, ana father aaA
If
"A