American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-01-19
The Famous Mrs. Hicks.


The Washington correspondent of the !
Philadelphia Times gives the following |
"reminiscences concerning a lady whose
name is now prominently before the
public:
The marriage of Mrs. Hicks in New
York few days ago is generally spoken
of here, where she was well known, as
rather eccentric,to say the least. It re-
calls to the minds of those who were
living at the Arlington Hotel in this city,
in the winter of 1872, the star boarder
of that fashionable house. Mrs. Hicks
came to Washington in regal style. She
had the best rooms in the hotel. She
was accompanied by Mrs. Hills, an old
lady of white hair and aristocratic bear
ing, who was unable, as was noticed, to
be out much at night. She came in the
capacity of friend and companion to
Mrs. Hicks. She had her separate suite
of rooms as well as Mrs. Hicks. They
had their private servants, and Mrs.
Hicks had a maid besides and her coach
man and footman. Her rooms were the
same which Secretary and Mrs. Hamil-
ton Fish occupied one winter, and the
same which King Kalakaua and suite
were assigned during his stay in Wash
| ington. These consisted of sleeping
chambers, bathrooms, breakfast-room,
two parlors and servants quarters. For
these Mrs. Hicks paid $50 a day.
| She rarely breakfasted away from her
apartments, but unless dining out she
always came to the O'Clock dinner. l
we'll remember the sensation which at
tended her entrance to the dining-room.
| She was always dressed most richly, but
never showily. A handsome horse is
best displayed in a simple harness. Be-
| ing a horsewoman, she followed the
motto in her own trappings. AS L re-
call it, do not remember ever to have
seen finer form than Mrs. Hicks's.
She was unusually tall and straight
beautiful neck and well poised head.
At this time she wore little jewelry-oc-
casionally a necklace of diamonds and
emeralds, and occasionally solitaire ear
rings as big as her thumb-nail. Her
dresses were singularly plain, but the
fitting of them was work of art. She
was very graceful and self-posSessed;
her manners were not naughty in the
least, but they possessed that quiet re-
serve and self-consciousness that kept
all at distance. Side by side with her
walked her chaperone, Mrs. Hills, both
in immaculate white kids-a new pair
Gas a friend of hers told mel every day.
Before the ladies strutted their major
domo, who never left their side at the
table. Other walters might bring Mrs.
Hicks her food, but only her own servant
might place it before her. Her din
ner over, the whitest of hands
were dipped in the finger bowl, dried
on the softest napkins and drawn
again into the whitest of kids, and Mrs.
Hicks and her companion marched out
of the dining-room, preceded by her
servant and followed by the eyes of the
common mortals. She had little
company, but it was of the best. None
of the common herd ever dried theiI
fleece at her fire. She went out good
deal in her own carriage-driving big
team of banged steppers to fine coupe
|
horse, and when she trotted along the
avenue or through the park, followed
by her groom in mulberry coat, cooked
hat, striped waistcoat and knee breeches
she was the personifcation of grace and
beauty. She was, if remember rightly
on intimate terms at the house of George
, Bancroft, the historian, and with the
l families of several of the foreign minis
tiers. General Banks was frequently il
her company, and also General Butler
There was, believe, report curren
:, at one time that she and General Butler
: were to be married. This is not extra
ordinary, as her name has been connect
ed with good many desirable widow
:. ers, including General Schenck and thu
:. brother of the Duke of Richmond. He
! departure from Washington was regret
ted by her landlord, at least.