Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-05-09
PRESIDENT TYLER's TIME.
MRS. THOMAS WALLER GILMEn AxD MRS
:" TYLER. -

- ~,f8 /
MRS, THOMAS WALLER GILNsn AxD MRS.
TYLER.
'.Fay," the Washington correspondent
of the Conrier- Journal, seizes the occa-
sion of the recent death of Mrs. Gilmer,.
at Charlottesville, to recall few mem
cries of the past, from which we extract
the following. s\
Two weeks ago there died at Char
lottesville, Va, Mrs. Thomas Walker
Gilmer. The announcement OF her
death called forth the following reml-
niscences of thirty years ago, when her
husband, Gov. Gilmer, was Secretary OF
the NAVY under Tyler, and was killed
bv The bursting of the big gun on the
man-of-war Princeton. l have recently
conversed with two ladies who were
among the party that left Washington
on beautiful day in March to ENJOY
the most splendid fete that Was ever
gotten up III this city. Commodore
Stockton, father of the present Senator
commanding the Princeton, ana 'he
opn was his invention. The PRESIDENT
aud his Cabinet. with about three hun,
drod distinguished guests. were invited
to sail. of about forty miles down the
Potomac. There was fine band OF
music and q grand collation.. All went
meuiv aud the company enjoyed them
selves to the fullest extent. Mr.. Gard
ner. of New York, with his two hand
some daughters, were among the guests.
The President was never absent from
the side of the radiant belle, Miss Julia
Gardner, who was apparently indiffer-
ent to The honor intended. During the
morning the gun was fired several times
in the most satisfactory manner, every
one remaining on deck to witness the
experiment. At o'clock the company
descended to the lower cabin to partake
of the refreshments provided. 1t was
A BRILLIANT ENTERTAINMENT.
Toasts were offered, songs were sung
and mirth and hilarity prevailed. The
Princeton was one of the fine ships oil
the navy, and Commodore Stockton
was proud of his ship and the gun
which was to add renown to his name
In the afternoon, the vessel changed It's
course and prepared to return with It's
gay jewellers to Washington. Before
reachiAg Alexandria, Commodore
Stockton, the Secretary of State, Com
modore Kennon, who was one OF the
guests, and the Secretary of the Navy,
with his wife, Mrs. Gilmer, returned to
the deck. The President fingered be
side the fair girlfwho so chained HIM
that he could not leave her side mo-
1nent. His page approached him and
interrupted the interesting he'e-"-'eLe by
saving that Commodore Stockton re
qurstcd his presence on deck, as the
gun would be fired for the last time.
The President whispered to the blush
ing girl that he ''preterred remaining
where he was and her father, noticing
that such would be the case, said ::
Then will 90" He was followed by
several others, but when nc reached the
deck he was alone, for. as the others as
cended the gau@way, gentleman III
saloon with a fine voice, commenced to
sing, and they stood on the steps listen
ing. Suddenly
THE BOOMING; OF THE Gun
was heard, accompanied by an unusual
lar. and strange commotion. Smoke
poured down the hatchway and all felt
that horror was impending. Then
voice called down for the surgeon, and
a rush Was made 80 60 on deck, but as
1,1 a u oh
way was closed, with an order that no
one should be allowed TO leave the cab
in. Then cnsued one OF those dreadful
scenes that can never be forgotten.
Miss Gardner was frantic TO know the
fate of her father; Mrs. Powell was in
wild anguish concerning the fate OF her
husband, Captain Powell, and her 1ath-
or, Judge Thrustal. Every lady was
i'm a state OF the widest despair and
suspense Then in mercy some one
came down from the deck 20 give com
fort to some and realize the worst fears
of others. Only six were killed, was
the report : Mr. Upshur, Secretary OF
State: Governor Gilmer, Secretary OF
the NAVY; Commodore kennon, Hon.
Vigil Maxcy, Mr. Gardner. and the
Presidents page. They were all stand
ING in line, and were moved down
when the Gun burst, while those who
were in the other portions were only
shocked by the conclusion.
TIE BODIES OF THE KILLED
lad every bone broken, and were like
Jelly. Mrs. Gilmer was standing not
far from her husband when the accident
occurred. Her grief was of that char
acter that is harder to witness than the
widest and most frantic screams Miss
Gardner had tainted and was borne to
a stateroom in the arms OF the Presi-
dent The greatest haste was now
made to reach the city. What con
trast was that return to the gay and
happy party that had started out in the
morning. The tide being out, the dead
and the living had to be transferred
from the ship to the row-boats. y tar
paulin covered the six nangled forms,
the sight of which could not be con-
cealed from the distracted relatives.
Litters were improvised and the bodies
were all carried to the White House,
and the saddened group went to their
respective homes. The President III
sisted upon th. Misses Gardner going
to the executive mansion, where private
apartments were assigned them, and