Evening star., 1933-10-08
How Emilie> wife Of Count
de LavaIette and niece Of the
ex-Empress Josephine engineered
one OF the most romantic prison
escapes in the history of France

BY ALFRED SORENSON.
of the most interesting chapters is the story
of the romantic career of Marie Chamans,
better known as the Count de Lavalette.
And perhaps the most intriguing part III
this chapter is the unusual way in which
,he counts wife risked her own life to help
her husband escape from death by the gulno-
tine.
From his early youth, Lavalette exmbited an
adventurous and daring nature. Born IN 176S,
the son of a shopkeeper, he was educated 1or
the church. but he changed his mind to stuoy
law when the French Revolution broke OUT.
The revolution led him through many dam
rers from which he had narrow escapes almost
at every turn of the tide. He seemed to nave
had charmed life.
His bravery, however, soon put him unoer
The eve of Napoleon, who quickly rewarded MN
18th increasingly important commissions ana
MT him on his most delicate errands 80
ar had he won the confidence and admnatlon
Of the great general that Napoleon even ar
.anged q match between Lavalette and Enlhe
de Beauharnais, niece of Josephine, VINO nao
become the wife of Napoleon.
Napoleon further made Lavalette dlrectof
General of the posts and chancellor OF state
The general gave him the Grand Cross OF
the Legion of Honor and bestowed on him
the title of count. For II years Lavalette &C.
quilted himself with honor
THEN came Waterloo Napoleons meteoric
career was ended. His officers. among them
Iayalette. we're arrested and confined IN the
notorious Conciergerie Of Paris.
There Lavalette met the famous haafsnA.
New chief aide to Napoleon, and there ne mo
an example Of a brilliant and courageous eno-
ing to a formidable career.
New was shot December z, 1915. racing tne
6-,n9 SQUAD he vowed his allegiance 70 Ms
country and, placing his noiio ulo'A -
ne called out:
Aim true! France forever! FIRE.!
The reYt instant the "bravest of the brave
fell pierced with bullets
Iayalette was tried for treason and sentenceo
to death by the guillotine He oeeeeo 70 ~
shot, but his request was refused
For four months, during her husbands lm.
nrisonment, Nine Lavalette was not permitted
n visit him. Finally, her husbands day OF
execution drawing near. she came TO nun.
The hour of Iavalette's death was only TWO
6avs away Mme Lavalette worked feversnv
en- a desperate plan to affect his escape Loyal
friends helped her. A plan was mapped OUT "
secretly that even she did not Know the Aun
details. ~
On Tuesday evening, preceding the fatal
FRIDAY. Nine. Iavalette was admitted to her
nushands cell When the Lavalettes were lelt
alone in the CELL she unfolded her plan ana
insisted that it was the only hope OF SAVING
him from death.
1ayalette was to disguise himself IN the
clothes of his wife. Upon leaving the prison
he was to step into a waiting sedan char ana
be carried short distance to q cabriolet. IN
this he was to be driven to temporary retfeas
which had been secured for him.
Lavalette expressed his doubt Of success. do
not object" said the hopeful wife, "your death
will be mine, so do not reject my proposal. MY
conviction of its success IS deep, Tor Co..
feel sustains me-"
Iavalette finally consented to take the last
chance, and the time was set for the next
evening. Nine. Lavalette, accompanied by ne
daughter Josephine and the latters nurse ar.
rived on time She had put over her dress
a long outer garment and brought black SIX
petticoat in q bag. Lavalette disguised him.
self in these garments, drew on pair OF gloves
and covered his face with a handkerchief.
w said Nine. Iavalette, land stoop as you
go out Of the low doorways 80 that you win
not catch the feathers on your bonnet The
jailers, as usual, will be in the ante-room. And
remember that the turnkey always hands me
out.
The sedan chair will be close to the entrance.
God guide you, my dear husband. Give me
your hand wish to feel your pulse. Now
feel mine and see how quietly it beats; there
is not the slightest quickness."
He did as he was bid and found that she
was In high fever. As he was about to
leave his cell he said: Emile, the turnkey