Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-10-26
A WOMAN WHO DAREs.
MRS. PoLLARD's RATHER FAST AND EMO
TIONAL CAREER. ~ .o

n. OlldIu, tut uiNOlCSu WIG VI thS
Southern historian, who is probably as
well known as any other woman in the
country. She first appeared, according
TO that paper, in Richmond, in 1862, as
the wife of Mr.. Dowell, who, at the
time, was in charge of the entire tele.
graph system of the South. Dowell
was an excellent gentleman, and stood
very high with the Confederate Presi-
dent, Davis, and his Cabinet. Mrs.
DowelI was very beautiful, and dressed
in elegant taste. She was the most
fashionable lady in the whole city, and
led life of continual pleasure.
She was leader in society Of the
loud Sort and continually surrounded
by flatterers and adorers. AT that time
Richmond was somewhat cut off from
the outside world, and the inhabitants
of the city were in q state of continual
excitement and anxiety. This was what
Mrs. Dowell enjoyed. The suspense
was delight to her. 1t made a mad
der whirl of excitement. There was
some startling rumor each day. There
was some new and distinguished arrival
each day. Richmond was the bead
quarters of the best there was ia the
South, as we'll as the worst. ALI was
novelty, confusion, and uproar. The
streets were alive each day with tramp
ing soldiers and gaudily dressed officers.
The air was full of music, the martial
music that stirs the blood and makes
humanity forget ITSELF Half othe time
the people were besides themselves.
When money could be obtained it was
squaDdered with reckless extravaganza.
The Confederate Congress was there
Senators and Representatives from all
over the South and West, and they
added to the shortlived splendor. In
this raging, soothing society Mr.. Dow
ell was kind OF queen, gone mad with
the excitement of the hour. AS before
said, she was beautiful-passingly beau
tiful-and her admirers were counted
by the dozens. They were generals,
Cabinet officers, Senator'S and Repre-
sentatives. They all had to acknowl-
edge her supremacy, and all sought her
smiles. 9a. -. .3a l.,. .f
AS times wore on she grew tired Of
Dowell and left him. She fell little
below the grade of responsibility, that
is, the respectabiity Of the very best
circles, but, as in the cities Of the North
during the war, the lines of society
were somewhat loosely drawn, and it
was not exactly disgrace for a Con-
gressman to be seen in the street with
Mrs. Dowell. About this time an event
occurred which forever allied her name
with that of q gentleman who is now q
very prominent politician in Missouri.
He was then young and handsome, wit
ty and popular. He was Representa-
tive in the Confederate congress from
Missouri, and was as much admired, by
the fair sex of the unfortunate capitol
as Mrs. Dowell was praised by the
statesmen and warriors who congrega-
ted there. By chance, the witty Mis-
sourian and the enchanting daughter of
/ the South met, but it was the coming
together of two steels, and there was
no conquest on either side, buta mutual
dislike. She made satirital remark to
some one about his size; be retorted
with an appropriate repartee. A quar-
rel sprang up, and wherever they went
they were continually saying wicked
things about each other One day, as
the little Missourian and number Of
his colleagues were standing on the
steps of the Capitol building, Mrs.
Dowell came tripping along. She was
dressed in perfect splendor and looked
ravishing,y beautiful. O.; lJna0g elj
"What magnificent woman" said
one. I'D ..i.U ..ttg -5..Ia5...D .Is
"What perfect form" said another.
The witty and capstic little Missouri
| ian dropped remark, common I'm the
days of slavery, which mean that what
a woman appears to be she not always
is. H5t- ....t.
Some friendly ear was close by and
some trouble-making tongue went and
told her Of the sighting comment. She
flew into rage and swere vengeance.
Her Southern blood grew hot with in
dignation, and she declared she would
disgrace the little man who had cast his
inuendoes at her. On the following
morning, after the opening of the days
session, she wended hersway, 10 the Cap
itol, clad in cloak and hood, with a raw
hide clasped in her hand. Z She swept
into the hall Of representatives, singled
out her victim, and few at him like q
tigress. Down came the merciless cow
hide once, twice, thrice and time again.
There was no escape from her fury.
She was strong as giant, and held her
prey like a lion strangles calf The
House was in on uproar, aud cries of
order from the Speaker were unayailing.
When she had wreaked her revenge she
turned around to the thunder struck as
sembly, and said she: "Gentlemen, this
man publicly said was not what ap-
peared TO be; / have now shown him
and you that I am good deal more
than what appear 10 be-! .3geid
This reckless and audatious act made
Mrs. Dowell still more notorious, and
i'll the eyes of some she became yet
more enchanting; but she grew, more
and more reckless, and one fine morn
ing went off TO New York city, How
she got through the lines was mystic
ry. In week or two after her depart