River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-12-11
A STATEsMAS's MIsALLIANCE.
Ex-Governor Swami Separated from His
Bride OF Year.
Washington Correspondence Of the Pittsburgh
Co.. ...snl - .natn

Bride OF a Year.
Washington Correspondence Of the Pittsburgh 4
commercial.Gazette.
The announcement OF the separation |
of Ex-Governor Swami, of Malylapd, a |
millionaire, and who represented the /
city OF Baltimore in congress for sever |
al terms, from his wife, whom he mar
Tied but little over year sg" at her
home IN Princeton, N. j., has caused !
much stir in social as we'll as political |
circles. The governor has long had |
a magnificent home in this city, where
he has entertained in princely style.
Mrs. Swami was conspicuous in society
more than twenty years ago as the wife
of Senator Thompson, of New Jersey.
The prominence of both purties has,
therefore, afforded bounteous supply
of material for gossip.
A lady, distinguished in social circles
here, who was noted beauty at the
time of Mrs. Thompson's reign IN so
ciety here from 1856 to 1860, says that
the couple afforded considerable amuse-
nent on account of the disparity OF
their ages, and the naturally ladlcrous
situations which resulted from such an
incongruous union. The senator was o
grouty old man of 60 years and upward,
and during long career of fashionable
life had partaken of many fine dinEers
washed down with old Madeira and
sherry. He, therefore, WAS in little con-
dition to meet all the social require
ments OF his young and active wife, she,
when he married her, being young
and blooming girl of 20. She is re-
membered here as beautiful blonde
with large blue eyes and magnificent
tresses, whose charming manners and
exquisite toilets attracted scores of ad-
mirers from both political and diplo-
matte circles. Notwithstanding the
disparity in their ages and tastes, Il is
stated that they lived most happily to-
gether, as the senator usually passed
his time at the card table with few
choice spirits, while she was the queen
of the drawing-room.
1t is also stated with considerable
amusement that along toward midnight
the senator, feeling the necessity of re-
pose for his aching bones, would sally
into the drawing-ro0m, and after brief
parley pursuade the youthful sharer OF
his joys to consent to retire from the
scene of gaiety. They would leave the
room together, but would almost in
variably return in a few moments, she
having obtained the senator's consent
for one more round in the giddy mazel
of the dance, while he would accompany
her to the door OF the drawing-room,
and there stand with his arIas piled
full with her ermine-trimmed wraps.
There he would stand until the "wee
slna hours" patiently waiting her re-
turn, and when rallied with the re-
marks of his friends, Senator, are you
ready to go2" with his huge form sLak-
ing with laughter and merry twinkle
in his eye, he would reply: "Xes, but
it is hard matter TO get these young
people to abandon the destinations of
the dance"
The death of the senator terminated
for the once her brilliant career in
Washington, and she retired to Prince
ton, N. j., his late home, on a compe-
tency which he had left her, Here
many years passed, her chief social
amusement being the entertaining
few Of the students of the Princeton
College. Upon the election OF Repre-.
sentative Randall to the speakership of
the house, Mrs. Thompson returned to
the city, she being the sister of Mrs.
Randall and the daughter of General
Aaron Ward. She occupied palatial
quarters in the vicinity of Ex-Governor
Swann's residence, she and her maid
living in sumptuous style in ths house
formerly occupied by Mr.. Fish when
secretary of state. During her resi-
dence here she frequently met ex-
Governor Swami, who was a warm per-
sonal friend of Speaker Randall, and it
was not long before it was announced
that the venerable ex-governor had
offered his hand and fortune to the
blushing widow of the lare senator from
New Jersey. Their marriage soon fol-
lowed, the bride being given away by
Speaker Randall, and the distinguished
party left for Princeton in special
parlor car. After passing the summer
at the governors seaside villa ct New
Port they returned TO Washington.
Mrs. Swan, remembering her social
achievements a quarter OF o century
before, and not having outgrown her
fondness for society, and desiring to re-
new with even more gorgeousness her
men, diplomats, and military and naval
officers, induced the Ex-Governor to
consent to most elaborate system of
entertainments, and to that end his
then palatial residence in this city was
extended to meet the requirements of
this, for him, new departure. A mag.
nifcent salon and dining-room were
added, and the entire building was sub
jected to most elaborate renovation in
the way of decorations and works of
art. This was accomplished, and the
residence of the venerable ex-governor
of Maryland was regarded as one of the
most elegant mansions in the city. The
season of entertainment began, and
their residence was often the scene OF
brilliant assemblage of the most dis
tinguished people at the capital.
No reason has been assigned for the
separation other than that Ex-Governor
Swami was opposed to this style of liv-
ing, and had entered serious objections
to it. The check did not please her
ladyship, and it was coon discovered
that GOODNESS existed between them,
which the friends and relations Of the
ex-governor took no steps to interfere
with, simply MAINTAINING q neutral pos
ition and allowing matters to take their
course. Subsequently Mrs. Swami
took her departure for Princeton and
the Ex-Governor left for Baltimore with
Mrs. DR.. Carter and her husband,
gentleman of fine presence and elegant
style,an the accomplished widow Of
his only son. Last summer, instead Of
going to Newport, they spent tho surl-
mer with DIR. Coates at his county
residence in Maryland. The ex-Gov-
ernor has now returned to this cjty,and
is again seen with his elegant turnout
bowling along the avenues and drives
Of the capital, while his wife remains
domiciled at her residence in Prince
ton. Mrs. DIR. Carter and young Mrs.
Swami will dispense the elegant hospi-
tally of the ex-Governor's homo dur
ing the coming winter in manner
more in consonance with the good aged
statesman's tastes than was the case last
season.
On Friday night, Oct. 81, the festival
of Halloween was celebrated a. Bal. |