The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-16
ALONG STRUGGLE ENnED.
The Last Glastonbury sister No
Longer Fights the Tax-gatherer

Alone.
Hartford Courant April Ill
The fame of the Smith sisters has ex-
tended almost throughout the "wide
world" Abby died last year, and since
that sad event Julia E. has been lonely,
and on Wednesday was married by the
Rev. DR.. w. W. Scudder to Mr.. Amos
G. Parker, of New Hampshire. The par
ties were drawn together by their liter
ary attinities, and this has eliminated in
one of the happiest unions known to
those who in old age become one, and
walk during the rest of the pilgrimage in
the affections of true love and sympathy.
1t is difficult, however, to see how one
who has lived for eighty-six years rs Miss
Julia Smith, and whose fame and renown
are SO well established can dissolve her
identity into that of Mrs. Julia Z. Par
ker. Mr.. Parker is man of fine per-
sonal appearance, and though advanced
to the ripe age of his wife, still he looks
as if he might live to enjoy many years
to come Miss Smith has been
widely known for her vigorous refusal to
pay taxes because she was not a voter
The laws establishing the relations prop
erty-wise between man and wife in this
State have for some years been undergo
ing successive changes Of the merits of
which individuals may judge for them
selves. 1t is safe to say there is wide
diversity Of opinion regarding them.
But the present status is certainly the
opportunity for Miss Smith, who, as it
happens, not only secures husband, but
at last fulfills in peace the ambition that
has 30 often sacrificed her Attorneys in
the past. As we understand the last
change in the married woman law the
wife owns her own property absolutely,
has the use and control Of it, and can not
transfer its management directly to her
husband even if she wishes, but still by
virtue of his being her husband, he is re-
quired to pay the taxes on it as if it were
his. Assuming that this is correct, the
lady is now removed from the burden of
tax-paying but remains as ever mistress
of the cows and farm. Perhaps the law
was not framed to meet this especial case,
but at least it solves it very happily.
Philadelphia Times.l
The Smith sisters, of Glastonbury,
Conn, have gained of late years wide
reputation. There were five of them
originally, daughters of peculiar Con
necticut Yankee, who at first essayed
preaching, but soon abandoned it for the
practice of the law in the quiet old town
which his daughters were destined
to rescue from obscurity. There the five
sisters grew up to maidenhood, bearing
such quaint names as Abby Hadassah
and Laurilla Aleroyia, and pursuing
studies which a generation ago were con
sidered outside "woman's sphere" One
by one they dropped off, till the ancient
homestead was tenanted only by Abby
Hadassah and Julia Eveline.
The sisters were constant In good works
of all sorts, but sedulously avoided al
attempts to secure notoriety until ont
election day the voters were appalled, by
the appearance of the two Venerable
ladies at the polls insisting upon the righ
to cast their ballots. This bold move thu
sisters followed up by refusing to pay
their taxes and allowing their cows to bt
sold by the collector until Abby Smith
COW gained national reputation. A few
months ago Abby died, and Julia, thu
eldest of the family, was left alone at thu
age of eighty-seven. 1t had never been (
marrying family, so to speak, and moth
ing in the world could have seemed NOR,
improbable than that this venerable spin
ster should at this late day relapse from
cehbacy.