Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-25

HOW GOVERNOR HAYES WOW HIS WIFE
A BIT OF DOMESTIC HISTORY.

The amiability of Mrs. Governor Hayes,
and her ability to entertain company, have
been a good deal talked about by the press
of the country since the valiant Ohio Gov
ernor and soldier has become the standard
bearer of the great republican party in the
coming Presidential fight, and therefore
the statement ofhow Governor Hayes won
his wife may not be uninteresting, espec-
tally to lady readers.
After Rutherford B. Hayes graduated at
the Harvard law school, in 1845, he COM
menced the practice of law, and hung out
his shingle in Fremont, Ohio, where he
held forth for five years, and was consid-
cred at the time brilliant, rising young
man. He was Incorporating, intelligent
and handsome, and as it was well under
stood that he was the heir of his bachelor
uncle, Sardis Birchard, well-knOwn
banker and merchant of the town, young
Hayes was considered good catch by
mothers all over the State who had mar
riageable daughters.
In lS49 or 80 young Hayes visited bis
mother at his birthplace. Delaware, Ohio.
1t so happened that Delaware was the
seat of the celebrated Ohio Wesleyan Uni
versity, Methodist institution, used ex-
tensively as female college, which stood
there. and does now. in the midst of the
town in the center of a large and beauti-
full park. The park is and always has
been the popular resort Of the townspeople
and especially the beau-catching young
women. The feature of this ground is its
immense spring, which gushes out of the
earth in huge jet, cool and sparkling.
furnishing pure water to all who come.
Around this spring seats have been ar
ranged, and tastefully laid out little flow
er beds embellish it. In the evening this
is most popular spot.
Young Hayes, in company with other
young men, used to 60 to this spring in
the evening. generally choosing their time
when the University girls came there al
so. Among the bevy of young ladies was
one in particular who attracted Governor
Hayes attention. She was sparkling.
bright and witty, and the park always
rang with the echo Of her merry laughter
when she came to the spring. This young
lady was remarkable for her long, flowing
black hair, dark eyebrows, pearly white
teeth and beautiful eyes, and was famous
for her laughter, and, of course was
leader among the girls Of her school.
Before knowing her name the young law
yer fell in love WITH and he made up his
mind that the gay. laughing girl he met
at the college spring evening after even
ing was the one he was looking for as his
wife and future companion in life. and so
he opened his heart TO his uncle and moth.
er. In the course of time the lawyer and
lady were introduced, and she turned out
to be Miss Webb. of Chillicothe, Ohio,
a descendant of most excellent family.
The love engendered at the spring ripen-
ed into true and honest affection. which
was fully reciprocated by the lady, who in
due course of time became Mrs. Hayes.
1t was a true love match, and happy
union it has proven. Mrs. Hayes has done
much toward making Governor Hayes
popular. She is modest and retiring,
with rare faculty for entertaining COM
pany Her virtues are extolled by all who
know her. She will prove an ornament
to the White House.