Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-12
ACKLEN-ROSSER.
Some San FFRmctKcO "Reminiscences
of the Lady Involved.


Among those noted for gallantry |
whom San Francisco has lost, and |
probably lost forever, is Paymaster
Cunningham, Of the United States
navy. He was a sincere admirer of
beauty, and a devout and unremit-
ting worshiper at its shrine. A year
ago last May, when the chivalrous
paymaster was in the height of his
popularity and at the zenith of his
manly grace, he came smiling into
the dining.room Of the Palace Hotel
one evening with lady on his arm
whose personal appearance attracted
the attention of every one present.
A chorus of admiration rose in uni
son from all the young men, coupled
with threats to kill "0ld Cunning
ham" for his alteration of the un-
known charmer, while envious
ladies-Old and young-began with
characteristic and analytic bitter
ness to pick her to pieces, until one
would have thought there was moth
ing left of her face, figure or dress
that was worth a glance from an
hostler. She was in every way cal
culated to attract attention. Her
face was a lovely one, but her figure
had less attraction. If she had
lived in ancient Athens it is scarce
ly probable she would have been
chiseled out of a piece of marble by
fraudulent sculptor, like Phidias.
Her dress seemed to be the result
of limited means and great feminine
ingenuity. 1t was of many mate
rails, pieces, kinds, colors and de-
vices, and no one, even the most in
experienced in the mysteries of the
modiste would have suspected
Worth of any connection with their
handiwork. But her facet "0h,
cali it fair, not pale" AS Paymas-
ter Cunningham remarked TO Ad-
miral 2umpernickel, his intimate
friend, and also a warm admirer OF
female beauty, in the words of the
poet;
Myself for such face had boldly died.
On inquiry it was discovered that
the lady's name was Godfrey, that
she was the wife of q New York
lawyer, and had come to San Fran
cisco by the Isthmus for rest and
health. Her age might have been
about thirty-three. Recent rumor
connects her name with the trouble
in a Washington restaurant and the
Rosser-Acklen duel.
She remained at the Palace Ho.
tel three or four weeks, admired by
all the men and studiously observed
and enviously criticised by all the
lady boarders. There was Q slight
hardness in her manner which i'm
pressed the blase brokers' clerk
less susceptible to less delicate femi
nine influences. Her manner witt
such of the male sex as she became
acquainted with was marked by
certain freedom that increased thu
constancv of some and excited Sc
we're comment in Others. The off
GERS of the Russian fleet at tha
time in the bay were devotedly at
tached to her, and she used to pa
the venerable Pousino on boil
checks and address him tenderly a
"my dear admiral" Her manne
toward Baron Schippenbach, q sub
ordinate officer of the fleet, was n
less gentle and affectionate. Jus
at this time Frank Leslie and part
were on the coast, and Mrs. Lesli
was observing our social, moral an
commercial condition with marvel
ously keen and discriminating eyC
and celebrating her observation
withya highly forid and ornamer
tai pen. Mrs. Godfrey was invite
to accompany the party to Yosemit
She went, and sowed discord wheI
all was harmony before, her charm
nearly proving fatal to two youn
men Of the suite, Hamilton
Wicks, journalist, blooming youn
gentleman of twenty-six, and ca
low youth of twenty, the photogrl
pher of the expedition. The fir
was maddened by her coyness an
loveliness; but the latter, who
gentle nature was more sensltl7
than his negatives, was prelerrt
because of his inofFensive yout
There was a quarrel, a challenge,
meeting, but happily no bloodshe
Returning from the Yosemit
Mrs. Godfrey became the guest Of
wealthy Oakland bachelor Of thrC
score, who had known her husbal
in New York. 1t is said that h
demeanor in the millionaire's houI
hold was not such as to win t
confidence of his female relatlv'
and her visit was in consequen
H abbreviated. About three wee
after her arrival in San Franci;