Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-12-31
Romantic History of One of Tom
Benton's Daughters,
[San Francisco Correspondence Chicago Trib-
une

une
Let me tell you something zbout one
ofthe school-teachers ofSan Francis
co, by way of Illustrating the manner
in which fortune frolics with human
nature and makes shuttlecocks of poor
humanity. Among the teachers is an
elderly lady-the mother of FIVE inter
eshng children. She was born in one
OF the Western States. and was the
hrst-born of one of the most distin-
guished Senators who ever sat in the
legislative halls of the United States
In her young days she was the belle of
Washington City, carrying away the
palm from the dark-eyed daughters of
the South and the rosy checked dam
sells of the North. She gave her love
to young gentleman-then clerk in
one of the Offices in Washington. Her
father knew the youth and recognized
his great abilities. and when he solicit
ed the daughters hand it was cheer
fully given. The wedding was bril-
liant one, many of the great men of the
country being present to wish them
JOY aud cheer them at the commence
ment of their domestic voyage. The
young husband was shortly afterward
admitted to the bar of the United
States Supreme Court, and was soon
recognized as one of the most promis-
ing members. For many wears be
practiced his profession with great sue
cess. and was on the high road to
wealth and fame. Then came the dis
covery of gold in California, and the
consequent rush of emigrants to the
new Ell Dorado. Among those who
determined upon going to California
was the husband. He consulted with
his wife, and she, like true woman, de-
ciared her intention of accompanying
him.
Together they came to California,
where the husband soon took a leading
position at the bar. and amassed for
tune. The people he associated with
were from the South, and like many
others he began to drink to excess
When the rebellion broke out he cast
his sympathies with the South. His
brother-in law went with the North,
and became Major-General. He had
to give up the practice of his profess
sion because he could not take the oath
required by our Legislature. Out of
business he drank heavily, and soon be-
gan to mortgage his property Six
years passed away, and he died, leav-
ing his widow with one child without
dollar. The noble woman immediate
ly took in sewing to earn her living,
but found that she could hardly keep
soul and body together by that means.
Some friends of her father and husband
offered to aid and assist her, but she
would receive nothing so long as she
could help herself. She, however,
would be thankful for assistance in
procuring her position as teacher in
one of the public schools. Application
was made, and some of the school d.
reetors opposed her appointment be-
cause her dead husband was a secces-
sionist. They knew her husband in
his lifetime, and had felt the lash of his
bitter tongue, and therefore desired to
harm his widow Their efforts, how
ever, were unavailing. She was sp-
pointed, and is now engaged in the
puplic school department of this city,
teaching primary class. A sad
change in the fortunes OF one who
started in life with such brilliant pros
poets.
Many of our readers will recognize
the husband of this history as at one
time a resident of Gallipolis, and con-
nected with the Journal.