The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-09
OBITUARY..
MRS. MARGAHEr Z. EATON.

MRS. MARGARET L. EATON
The death of Mrs. Margaret L. Eaton. widow OF
General John Henry Eaton. Secretary OF War In the
first Cabinet of President Jackson. which occurred
yesterday at Washington. D. Co. removes one OF the
last survivors among the actors in famous episode
OF our national history and recalls the fierce pas
sions which stirred Washington society to It's
depths nearly fifty years ago. The deceased lady
has indeed, . double claim to be classed as one
of the most famous of American women by
virtue Of another curious episode in her married
life less known to the public. which occurred just
before the outbreak of our civil war; Mrs. Eaton's
maiden name Margaret L. O'Neil. She was born
In Of the Southern States in 1885, aud was con-
sequently in her eghtyfourth year. Her father was
gentleman Of wealth and good social position. ana
she received unusually good education for that
early period. She endowed with high personal
beauty. and had a singular fascination OF manner
which. combined with great strength of will, ambi-
ton and perseverance,. enabled her to become
reigning belle and ut later period the real
queen Of society at the federal court. Her nrst
husband, by whom she had several children, was
Mr. Timberlake purser in the United States navy.
The nuptials were celebrated with ecldf and the
father Of Miss ONeil presented her. on her wedding
day. with well furnished house at Washington.
Mr.. Timberlake an intimate personal friend OF
Major John Henry Eaton. Senator from Tennessee
panion of General Jackson. of whom he had pub
lished elaborate biography in 1924 at the time OF
the first campaign in which the "hero OF
New Orleans a candidate 1t has been stated that
Purser Undertake had presentiment OF early death
and had expressed tho hope that his young widow
might become tho wife OF his friend. Major. after
ward General. Eaton. BE this as 1t may. the second
marriage took place in 1925 but few months before
the inau guration of General Jackson Uncharitable
rumors were in circulation in Washington concern
ing the relations between Eaton and Mrs. Timber
lax md he
the expediency OF silenctng them by marriage
General Jackson whose chivlrous nature III respect
to women cannot be called in question. warmly ad-
visod that step and became devoted friend and
of Mrs. Eaton that he. too. was accused by
tions with the lady. General Eaton had rem.
dered notable services during the electoral
ampaign and rewarded with o seat in the Cab
met as Secretary OF War; less account of any per-
sonal aptitude than because Jackson wanted Ito
ss he stated to MI James X Hamilton then the chief
OF his Kitchen cabinet. The other members or
Jzckson's Cabinet were Martin Van Buren,. Secretary
OF state samuel ID. 1nghan, of Pennsylvania. Sec
rotary Of the Treasury; John Branch. of North
Carolina. Secretary of tho Navy; John MCPHERSON
Berren. OF Georgia. Attorney General, and William
L. Barry. OF Kentucky. Postmaster General. In
the opinion of Mr.. James A. Hamilton. as given
intellectual Cabinet we have ever had" The
entrance of General Eaton into the Cabinet nomin.
ally gave his wife the social status of which she had
long been ambitious and the advantages OF which
In nowisc willing to forego. But, as already
mentioned. scandal had been busy with her name;
the wives OF the other members OF the Cabinet de-
tined to associate with Mrs. Eaton upon equal
~. Prom them the social stigma was caught up
wives Of the foreign Ministers in Washington.
~rel was doubtless famed by the unques-
rperority In beauty on the part OF Mrs.
the ladies' Of the Cabinet with
- instincts OF their SEX compelled
e'vo rn imam year WasS,naton was
.stre OF social warfare. of which Mrs. Eaton
centre and tho cause. There wore endless
xerinss and several angry scenes between Mrs.
ton and her rivals. From the boudoir the contest
~as transferred TO the council chamber OF the ma
ton The secretaries of General Jackson submits
sveiy obsyed behests OF their better halves and
open and violent feud sprung up IN the White
| House This circumstance was coincident In time
| with the celebrated rupture between Jackson and
| his Vice President. John @. Calhoun. The latter
was shrewd politician. aud. Whatever may
ter was certainly quite alive to the political cap
itai to be made from the Eaton scandal.
this crisis. and there Is doubt that his agency
was believed by Jackson. As a consequence "Old
Hickory" pcremptorily demanded OF his Secretaries
the recognition of social status of Mrs. Eaton.
and rsiuscd by all OF them except Mr.. Van
public status should DO conceded, while each lady
should she chose IN regard to private recogni
ton. General Jackson wrote very plain spoken
| tho subjsct To Vice President Calhoun. but
| only ocitcd from him the diplomatic reply
that n was 'laiics' quarrel" with which
| men could not successfully interfere. adding
that 'tho laws of the ladies like the laws of the
Modes and Persians. and admitted neither Of argu-
epistle -oid Hickory determined 70 act at once. He
sent for Mr. Van Buren,. the head OF his Cabinet and
| the only one who had been complainant to his views
He requested Mr.. Van Buren, personal favor to
send In his resignation. step which would neces-
sariy entail that OF the other members OF tho Cabi
net Mr.. Van Burcn complied April Z. 1881. and was
rccompensed with the appointment Of Mi mister
20 England aud proceeded TO his post. but in the fol-
ing home s with q capital grievances. he wa.
by the desire OF Jackson chosen Nico Presi-
c sns ana thu. 6s aas T pssca Sm
upon the high road to the attainment of the Pres
idency. Of course the real reason for the Cabinet
crisis not allowed to trAnspire in the official
documents. Tho retiring Secretaries placed their
action simply on the ground OF compliance with the
Presidents desire. while General Eaton, who with.
| drew with the rest. placed his upon the ground of
original disnclination 20 take the place aud pre-
moment ons The ssmIaDes II good feeling was Kept
up by Jackson. who wrote complimentary letter to
each OF the retiring Ministers paeng his acceptance
OF their designations ON the ground of determine
ton To reorgAnixs the Cabinet. General Eaton was
| appointed two or three years later Governor OF
the spanish capital Mrs. Eaton ~ said to have be-
come social favorite aud to have shone with great
brilnncy at the court OF the youthful isabella Sue
also became a noted belle in London and Paris. Re
| turning 90 Washington In 1stO. she resided there
yember. is5s' she was ief. With large estate and
| the custody Of hve grandchildren. two OF them
being the offspring OF daughter who mArriei
of that name. year later she made the
acquaintance OF an Italian dancing master named
Antonio Buchignani Tor Bourganinil. who was then
| a partner Of the we'll known Professor Marini. at
Washington. and was giving lessons to the two HAN
doph children- Ne fs said to hsvo come to America
\ a. q pedcr OF images. aud not much above
twcntv years 81 age Notwithstanding the disparity
of age and social positon. the Italian advcnturor
soon married Mrs. General Eafol. step which was
OF course followed by sociai o~tracisfn- For Year
the happy couple lived Al complete isolation. but
| the ADVENTURE showed himsef such model %
gcntlcnlanly departments that lac gradually taken
into favor bs influential persons AZ Washington and
An 1855 through the iuducnce OF several senators.
was actually appointed one OF tue Librarians OF
Congress. This position he held for two years.
New York until ls0d In the meantime he asSidu
ousiy plotting 90 obtain control OF his wiics estate
and. by means OF general power of attorney,
cecdod IN getting possession of tsaoro. Mcan~hilc
he had ga ned the affections of hts wffe's grand
daug htcr Miss Emiy hsninlph. then aged ~.vcntctn
years. and hne dap la May. issf. he sailot tor
Europe with his youthful parssnour and tue money.
leaving for tue deserted ws cynical letter of en-
PLANTATION. Buchignani and Miss Randolph pro-
cccded ~ Luces. Italy. aud Tor several pears lived