Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-03-03
Social and Personal.

Ihere was a deal of visiting done yester-
day in a social way, Iaud still more driving
and walking. Wherever friends and &C
qusintances met on the streets or elsewhere
there was but one topic of conversation,
tue appalling accusations against the much
beloved wife of the Secretary of War. Mrs.
BelKnap has ipnumerable friends In Wash
ing,on who are ready TO prove their fidelity
oy their sincere sympathy with her in her
hour OF trial. Beautiful, graceful, witty,
and possessing a generous disposition she
has been not only admired but loved during
her residence here. IL is the one pleasant
feature in this deplorabIe business that her
own sex with one accord commiserate Mrs.
BelSnap. While possessed of every charm
OF mind and person which would seem cal
culated 10 excite the envy and jealousy of
other women Mrs. Belkuap has so con-
Quoted herself towards them as to win
from them admiration and esteem. Mrs.
Amanda TomlinsOn Belknap is a native
OF Kentucky, and sustains the reputa-
tion the women of that state enjoy for
Beauty OF face and form. Her sisters aud her
self bave been reckoned among the hand
soonest women of the state. Her father was
DR.. Tomlinson, OF Harrodsburg, Kentucky,
one OF highly respected family. He and
MS wife have been dead several years, and
several of their large family of children have
followed them To the grave. One of his
daughters Is Mrs. Robert Bower, of keokuk,
Iowa; her first husband, Mr.. Wortnington
was the father of the two beautiful sisters
VINO nave at different periods visited their
aunt, Mrs. BelkDap, in this city, one of
whom is now Mrs. Henry Clews, of New
York. Another daughter was the sectnd
%ife OF Secretary Belknap, and accompanied
him TO this city when he first took charge
OF the portfolio of the War depart
ment. She presided as Cabinet lafy'
during ore winter and spring, and was ac-
counted the most brilliant of the Cabinet
family. She was amiable, generous and SYM
pathetic in disposition, was handsome In
person. courteous in manner, and ready In
conveTsation. The present Mrs. Belknap was
Mrs. Bower "a widow when first she came to-
our city. She visited her sister during the
spring of 1S70in Washington and accompa-
MED her during her travels in the summer
Both ladies returned to Washington early in
me autumn, ana the present Mrs. Belknap
faithfully nursed her sister during the illness
which preceded her early death, and received
Lhe infant OF few weeks of age from its
dying mother, and promised her tender care
70 the helpless little one. She tended this
baby through its breflifetime with the same
devotion she has since manifested towards
her own little daughter, who is her OnIy
child and the first daughter of Secretary
BelkDap. General Bclknap married his pre-
sent wife two years ago, ne having been a
Widower for two years previous. The little
gil, a most promising child, is fourteen
months old.
REPRE- sENTATIvE w. w. WILTSHIRE, OF
Arkansas, having charge OF the Indian in
vestigatioD, is lying in critical condition
from inflammation OF the lungs and nervous
pTosTatioD, resulting from overwOrk. IL is
reared that IL Will be some time before he
WA-l OO dOie 10 resume iliS uUJlcS again.
MRS. WHEELER, wife OF Representative
William a. Wheeler, OF New York, died
early this morning at sos 18th street. A cold,
contracted eight weeks since, resulting In
the bursting OF an abcesS, WaSLbe occasion of
The sad event, which was so unexpected that
the sisters ofthe deceased had not time 20 reach
her after receipt OF the telegram announcing
her danger. Her husband had in her, for the
thirty years of their conjugal life, help
meet equal to his own high worth; aud ten
Derby beloved in her own right by every
member of Mrs. EiEes' household aud by her
entire social circle, both here and in Malone,
New York, which las ALWAYS been her
place OF residence. She was Miss Mary
King, of that place, previous To her marriage.
MS Vine elers distinguishing traits were
great strength and rectitude of character, q
kind hearted earnest christian, an attendant
of the New York avenue Presbyterian
church. To morrow her remains will be COY.
Seytd TO her home at Ma'one