The tragic story of the Lost Dauphin

DE PERE – In March 1785, a son was born to King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, as a royal banner waved high in the air announcing the new arrival.

The baby grew into a young boy enjoying a gay and privileged life.

When his older brother, Louis Joseph, died in June 1789, Louis Charles became dauphin — the oldest son of the king of France and heir to the throne.

In August 1789, the National Constituent Assembly voted to abolish the feudal system and the French Revolution broke out.

In August 1792, the family’s palace was stormed and they were imprisoned days later at “the temple.”

After King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette faced the guillotine, a man named Antoine Simon was assigned to care for the 10-year-old boy by the Committee of Public Safety.

The boy’s story found its way around the globe and to America.

An article in a February 1853 issue of Putnam’s Monthly Magazine, written by a clergyman, John H. Hanson stated, “The sad history of this child, his beauty, his virtues and his sufferings are familiar to all.

“After separation from his female relatives and the death of his mother in 1793, he was consigned to the care of Simon the cobbler. By him, he was treated in a manner which disgraces humanity: cold, hunger, filth, sleeplessness, beating, abuse, terror… “

After the fall of (Maximilien) Robespierre — a key figure in the French Revolution — and the execution of Simon, Louis Charles’ suffering was alleviated.

“The existence of Louis XVII was a sore trial for the republicans, who at the same time could frame no excuse, even to themselves, for putting him to death,” Hanson wrote.

“In Dec. 1794, a decree was passed in the Convention ‘that the committee of government should devise the means of sending the son of Louis out of the territories of the republic.’”

On June 9, 1795, it was reported to the convention that Louis Charles was dead.

“Now, did Louis XVII really die in 1795 as was reported at the time and generally believed since,” Hanson wrote, or was he still alive?

Could the story have been so tragic that no one was willing to believe it, or were others just looking for an opportunity?

Either way, rumors swirled about the young boy being smuggled out of the situation.

All over France, many claimed to be the missing dauphin — the dauphin of Vitry, the dauphin of St. Malo and as many as five other young boys.

But, one of the most convincing stories would surface right in Green Bay.

To be continued