Smyrna times., 1878-01-16
The Great Hicks--Lord Marriage.


considerable excitement in New York
society circles over the marriage of Mr..
Thomas Lord, retired merchant of that |
city, aged eightyfour years, and reported |
to be worth $l,500,000, and Mrs. Annette
Wilkens Hicks, a dashng widow who has
figured as a society leader in New York.
London and Paris, and is only forty-three |
years of age. 1t is claimed that the dash
ing widow brought undue influence on the |
old gentleman in inveigling him into
marriage, and it is presumed there will be
considerable litigation in the courts. A
Washington correspondent gives the fol-
lowing insight into the widows habit of
life while in that city:
The marriage of Mrs. Hicks in New
York a few days ago is generally spoken of
here, where she was we'll known as rather
eccentric, to say the least. 1t recalls to the
mind 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 at
the hotel. She was accompanied by Mrs
! Hills, an old lady of white hair and aristo
cratic bearing, who was unable, as was
noticed, to be out much at night. She
came in the capacity of friend and compan.
ion to Mrs. Hicks. She had her seperate
suite Of rooms as well as Mrs. Hicks. They
each had their private servant and Mrs.
Hicks had a maid beside and her coachman
and footman. Her rooms were the same
which the Secretary and Mrs. Hamilton
Fish occupied one winter and the same
which King Kalakua and suite were as
signed during his stay in Washington.
These consisted Of sleeping chambers, bath
rooms, breakfast room, two parlors and
servants quarters. For these Mrs. Hicks
paid fifty dollars a day. She rarely beak-
tasted away from her apartments, but un-
less dining out, she always came to the six
o'clock dinner | well remember the SEN
sation which attended her entrance to the
dining-room. She always dressed most
richly, but never showily. a handsome
horse is best displayed by simple harness.
Being q horsewOman she followed the motto
in her own trappings. As recall it, | do not
) remember ever to have seen a finer form
than Mrs Hicks She was unusually tall
and straight-a beautiful neck and well
poised head. At this time she wore little
jewelry-occasionally neckless Of dia
monds and emeralds, and occasionally
| ~ h. a. L. 4
Her dresses were singularly plain, but the
: lifting of them was a work Of art. She wa.
. very graceful and selEpossessed; her man
! ners were not naughty in the least, but the,
posed the quiet reserve and selfconscious
. ness that kept all at distance Side b,
! side with her walked her chaperone Mrs
, Hills, both in Immaculate white kids;
new pair, las friend of hers told me ever,
4 day. Before the ladies strutted their maio
! domO, who never left their side at tn,
!, table. Other walters might bring Mrs
!. Hicks her food, but only her own servan
=, might place it before her. Her Dime
. over, the whitest of hands were dipped il
- the fnger-bowl, dried on the softest G
- napkins and drawn again into the whites
=. of kids and Mrs. Hicks and her companion
y marched out of the dining room precede
: by her servant and followed by the eyes
n the common mortals She had very littl
,r company, but it was of the best. None {
4 the common herd ever dried their heeC
of at her fire. She went out q good deal i
of her own carriage-driving a big team
banged steppers to a fine coupe and VII
o tora. She also had her saddle horse, an
ne when she trotted along the avenue {
w through the park followed by her groom
g. mulberry coat, cooked hat, stripped wais
4. coat and knee breeches, she was the person
lr fication of grace and beauty. She was, if
re- remember rightly, on intimate terms at ii
In house of George Bancroft the historian
o. and with the families of several of IL
ur foreign ministers. General Banks Wi
us frequently in her company, and all
ut Butler. There was, believe, a report GU
Ms rant at one time that she and General Blu
90 Ter were to be married. This is not extr
". ordinary as her name has been connectt
he with a good many desirably widowers, i
NJ. Guiding General Schenck and the broth
he of the Duke of Richmond. Her departu
on from Washington was regretted by
rts landlord at least.
ne The uproar against Ben Hill, Senat
VIZ from Georgia, on account of his oppositi,
en 'en to the Silver Bill, is shaking Georgia Iii
ne an earthquake. The press of the Sta
ne ably assisted by the journals of neighbori
lne States, is giving him the most lively talki
was to he has ever received. If he withstan
ho it and votes, as he declared he would,
"s will prove himself worthy of his place. /
ace sentiments are all the more refreshi