The Cordova daily times., 1920-03-02

l bleak region known as the Siberia of France. It was great day for the l 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 eminence commanding a magnificent view of the beautiful Auvergne coun- try; miles and miles of verdant fields and woods stretched far away to a l distant horizon fianked with long ranges of majestic hills and noun tains The grounds of the chateau are spacious and attractive, and the little village of Chavagnac adjOins the estate on one side, while the other l three sides are open to the distant view. The old castle itself, f1anked on two sides with large round towers. l presents strikingly medieval ap- pearance; long rows of French win dows are built across the upper DOT tion of the front of the building, and large pOrthOles are seen on each side of the small main doorway.
 The castle was built in the four teenth century, burned in 17O1 and re- built, as nearly like the original as possible, before Lafayette's birth, OF September 6, 1757. The family rec Ords date back to the year 1000. when "a certain man by the name of Motier 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 Motier and the noble married in 1240, and according to the old parish register in Chavagnac Lafayettes full name was Monseig neur Marie Joseph Paul-Yves- Koch Gilbert DumOtier de Lafayette. Here in this grim old castle, the Marquis de Lafayette spent the first II years of his life; and in later years the he- TO 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 ad- 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 the forenoon of this anniversary day in 1918 was spent in looking over the estate and neighbOring village. The bandsmen were conducted through the chateau, saw Lafayette's own room and what few relics are to be seen, including a peculiar looking article of furniture designated as his bathtub Many of the American boys wandered through the quaint, picturesque village, visited the venerable parish church and pur- chased beautiful lace work made by the women of the town to send home to their friends
 Crowds of French people arrived on the scene with their lunches, mak- ing the affair an out-of-door picnic, as is their usual custom. At noon a sumptuous dinner was served to the bandsmen in the chateau itself, and in the afternoon the celebration took place on the broadly-sweeping lawn in front
 It was brilliant scene. The band rendered a splendid concert, and its leader, Arthur Shepherd, was present ed with a bouquet. In reply to the presentation speech Mr. Shepherd thanked the donors and expressed the honor which he and his men felt at being present at such an event. Many distinguished people, including French and American army officers, were there. Later in the day the bands men were conveyed back to Paul. raguet, where they boarded the train as the sun was setting over the hills, and reached Aubiere late in the eve ming with the beautiful day a neyer-to- be-forgotten memory