The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1920-01-10

reached the Chateau de Lafayette
nearly an hour later than the other
bandsmen, who had watched the great
bell of his brass horn dazzling in the
suns rays, slowly making its way up
the mountain road several miles be
low.
Fine Ride to Old Castle.
And what a ride it was! what SUI
perb scenery and glorious countrS,
picturesque, mountainous 1t seemed
difficult to believe that land of such
overwhelming beauty in summer could
in winter be transformed into wild,
bleak region known as the Siberia of
France. 1t was great day for the
young Americans; most delightful
diversion from the daily routine in
Aubiere, marching drills and drills in
the uncomfortable gas masks, band re-
hearsals, parades. and reviews, and
evening band concerts in the town
square.
The Chateau de Chavagnac Lafay'
cite stands upon the crest of lofty .
view of the beautiful Auvergne coun-
try: miles and miles of verdant fields
and woods stretched far away to a
distant horizon flanked with long
ranges of majestic hills and noun
tains. The grounds of the chateau
are spacious and attractive, and the
little village of ChaYagnac adjoins the
estate on one side, while the other
three sides are open to the distant
view. The old castle itself. tla1ked
on two sides with large round towers.
presents q strikingly medieval APP
pearance; long rows of French VIM
dows are built across the upper por-
ton of the front of the building. and
large portfolios are seen on each side
of the small main doorway.
Castle Built in Fourteenth Century.
The castle was built in the four
teenth century, burned In 1901 and re-
built, as nearly like the original as
possible. before Lafayette's birth, on
September 6. 1857. The family rec
ords date back to the year 1000, when
"a certain man by the name of Motief-
acquired an estate called villa Faya.
and thereafter he became known as
Motier de la Fayette." according TO
Martha FOote Crow in her biography
of Lafayette.
The great hero is a direct descend
ant of POns Motler and the noble
"a TD..,,r H. Ci,opnatiarac who Nvnrp
married in 1240. and according to the
old parish register in Chavagnac
Lafayette's full name was MonSe'g-
neur Marie Joseph Paul-1ves-Roeh-
Gilbert Dumotier de Lafayette. Here.
in this grim old castle. the Marquis
de Lafayette spent the first II wears
of his life; and in later years the he
70 returned to his birthplace after his
triumphant career in America and
lived here for a time with his family.
He instituted various kinds of reforms
on his estate and in the villages adj
Joining; and all of the work for the
people of his native town was for
their betterment, their enlightenment
and emancipation. The peasantry
were greatly attached to him.
The later years Of Lafayette were
spent at his wife's estate, La Grange
40 miles east of Paris.
The latter part of tire forenoon OF
this anniversary day IL 1918 was
spent in looking over the estate anf
neighboring village. The bandsmer
we're conducted through the chateau
saw Lafayette's own room and what
few relics are to be seen. including
, a peculiar looking article of fu|nltur'
, designated as his bathtub. Many o
, the American boys wandered through
, the quaint, picturesque village visited
? the venerable parish church ana pur
, chased beautiful lace work made o'
: the women of the town TO send hons
|. TO their friends.