Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1920 — Birthplace of Lafayette [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Birthplace of Lafayette

BEFORE, daylight on the morning of September 6, 1918, there was an unusual amount of bustle and stir in the little town of Aubiere, a suburb of Clermont-Ferrand, the capital of the department of Puy-de-Dome, in one of the most historic regions of France —the ancient province of Auvergne, says the Christian Science Monitor. What was the occasion which produced all this early morning excitement? Surely no call to battle or no signal to go over the top, because the actual horrors of the world war never extended into this sleepy corner of south-central France; and the American-regiment quartered hereabouts was merely passing through the last stages of its preliminary training prior to its triumphant moment of action upon the heights of the Meuse, which occurred during the last days of the war. It was the one hundred and sixth anniversary of the birth of the great Lafayette, and the regimental band of Col. Arthur S. Conklin’s Three Hundred and Third heavy field artillery regiment had been Invited to share with a few American army officers the honor of representing the American expeditionary forces —yes, the United States of America—at the birthplace and the early heme of the great hero who aided so much in the work of winning its independence as a nation. The last bandsman had returned from the early breakfast served in the village square of Aubiere, and with his instrument had joined the crowd already climbing into the huge army motor trucks drawn up before the band’s billet. ! As the first rays of the dawn appeared, and the procession of Aublere’s peasants commenced from the crooked alleyways of the town to the surrounding fields and vineyards, the trucks ■moved'ontofthevilfageand over the hill toward Clermont After the brief ride through the thoroughfares of the city of ClermontFerrand, which was just awakening to the day’s activities, the bandsmen arrived at the commodious railway station where specially reserved cars on the morning train south awaited them. After the sun was up the train ambled out of Clermont and was soon making its way leisurely through the colorful Auvergne country. The Setting Supreme.

The day proved to be perfect, warm, and clear; the views from the car windows were entrancing, and the “mademoiselles” tending the gates at each—crossing waved their greetingsto the groups of young Yankee soldiers which filled the windows of each compartment in the train. The landscape was dotted here and there with the picturesque red-roofed villages, from the center of which rose the gray stone church towers; the countryside seemed to be an immense vineyard filled with endless acres of grapevines; and the mountain peaks, now extinct volcanoes, stood out in bold relief against the clear blue sky like sentinels. Occasionally an old castle ruin frowned upon the travelers from some overhanging cliff or neighboring hillside. After a ride of three hours, the train passed into the department of Haute Loire and made a short stop at Brionde, where many gayly-dressed country folk with their lunch baskets boarded the cars. A few moments later, the train reached the little village of Paulhaguet, where the order sounded to detrain. After much hurrying and scurrying about at the little way-station. many A vehicles of every sort and description were pressed Into* service for the transportation of the men to their destination. Some rode in autos, some in carriages, and a bass tuba player with his immense Instrument was obliged to ride on the front seat of an outlandish coupe, by the side of the driver. The horse was not fleet-footed; and the tuba player 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 sun’s rays, slowly making its way up , the mountain road several miles beloW. ’’ ~ ‘ • Fine Ride to Old Castle. And what a ride it was I what perb scenery and glorious country, picturesque, mountainous! It seemed difficult to believe that a land of such •verwhelming beauty tn summer could

in winter be transformed Into a wM, bleak region known as the Siberia of France. It was a great day for the young Americans; a most delightful diversion from the dally routine in Aubiere, marching drills and drills in the uncomfortable gas masks, band rehearsals, parade?, and reviews, and evening band concerts in the town square. The Chateau de Chavagnac Lafayette stands upon the crest of a lofty eminence commanding a magnificent view of the beautiful Auvergne counmiles and_ miles of verdant-fields and woods stretched far away to a distant horizon flanked with long ranges of majestic hills and mountains. The grounds of the chateau are spacious and attractive, and the little village of Chavagnac adjoins the estate on one side, while the other three sides are open to the distant view. The old castle itself, flanked on two sides with large round towers, presents a strikingly medieval appearance; long rows of French windows are built across the upper portion 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 fourteenth century, burned in 1701 and rebuilt, as nearly like the original as possible, before Lafayette’s birth, on September 6, 1757. The family records 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 descendant of Pons Motier and the noble Alix Brun de Champetleres who were married in 1240, and according to the old parish register In Chayagnac Lafayette’s full name was Monseigneur Ma rie - Joseph - Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert Dumotier de Lafayette. Here, ip this grim old castle, the Marquis de Lafayette spent the first 11 years of his life; and in later years the hero 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 bn his estate and in the villages adjoining ; 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 rel ics 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 purchased beautiful lace work made by the women of the town to send home to their friends. Crowds of French people arrived on the scene withtheir lunches, making 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_a brilliant scene. The band rendered a splendid concert and its leader, Arthur Shepherd, was presented 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 bandsmen were conveyed back to Baulraguet, where they boarded the train the sun was setting over the hills, and reached Aubiere late In the evening with the beautiful day a never-to-be-forgotten memory.

Chateau de Chavagnac.