The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-03-16
From Washington.

Polit'cal ana social world of Wash
iDgton the revolving story of crime
and corruption involving the Secre.
tary of war, and, sadder still, setting
forth the fact that his wife received
the brides. The maiden name of
Mrs. Belknap, third wife of the secro
tary OF war, was Miss Tomlnson, of
Harrodeburg, Ky. She first married
Mr.. Bower, and was the sister of Gen
er Belknap's second wife, who died
in the latter part of December, 1870,
and in consequence of her death
there was no reception at the white
house on New years day, 1871
Mrs. Bower, who was then widow,
was a guest of the secretary of war
during her sisters brief married life,
and upon the death Of Mrs. Belknap
Mrs, Bower took charge of the infant
that her sister left. The child died
in tie West and Mrs Bower, after o
trip to Europe, took up her residence
in Con. Belknap's home in Washing.
ton. Daring the ensuing winter the
handsome, dasbing widow presided
with rare grace at the dinner parties
and receptions that he gave. She is
about thirty five years of age, of tail,
commanding presence, with dark lust
trons eyes and flashing smile tha
dlscloses most perfect set of tcotht
Remarkably brilliant color, togeth
er with other personal charms, ha.
given Mrs. Beknap the reputation o3
Icing one Of the handsomcst ladies in
Washington. Her fine culture and
fascinating manners won General
l}elknap's heart, and he married her
just two years af'cr her sisters dcllh
Since she assumed the duties Of a
lady of the cabinet her receptions
have been among the m st popular,
and her manner has been character
ized by genial warmth, elegance
and grace. She profcSscd not to care
for the whirl or fashionable society
into which she was thrown, but rath~
er to prefer the quiet of her h me
and the society of her husband and
beautiful child, little "Alice," who
has boon the pet of her mothers guests
Still, Mrs. Belknap is Il woman pos
scssed Of great ambition, and indulg>
ed the most ardent hope that her
husband would have been elected to
the senate. Worth furnished all her
toilets. Her reception and evening
dresses were magnificent. Her neck
and arms are Of faultless beauty, and
the diamonds watch flashed on them
were of great value, often being men
toned as among the most elegant
worn in Washington. Many Of these
jewels were the wedding presents
from General Belknap, who, it is now
known, received dishonesty certain
sums of money previous to his maro
riage with Mrs. Bower. Brilliant has
been the secretary Of war and Mrs.
Belknap's social reign, and melan
cLoly beyond description is the social
and official downfall that marks one
of the most painful phases of unbrid.
led love Of gain.
WAsnINGToN, March 1.-The public
excitement ovor the frightful develop
mcnts of corruption among high func-
tionarics in the public scrvico is on
the increase, and every hour sooms to
add somo now and startling fact to
the shameful record. 4 prominent
mcmbcr of the House Of Rcprcscnta-
tives, and mombor of tho invostIgat-
ing committee, oponly Expresses tho
opinion that throo Of tho sovcn NOM.
bors of tho Cabinet will be impoachcd.
The evidence Of Porreponts ntor4
ference in favor of BabcOck, in the
hands of the judiciary committee, is
almost conclusive, and his impoach-
mcnt is possible.
Holster Clymor is quoted as SAVING