Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-12-12
-Four Journalists Wives.

FROM the Denver lfihuhc-l
Four distinguished editors of the great
New York daily newspapers have enjoyed a
worldwide celebrity. Three, James Gordon
Bennett of the Herald; Horace Greeley, of
the Tribune, and Henry j. Raymond, of the
Times became founders of the Journals that
are to-day monuments of their industry and
intellectual ability. Of the fourth, Charles
A. Dana, it may he said that he was the
founder of the San, for the Sun as a journal
of pith and power, as it is to-day, must Ger
tainly be regarded as his creation. Ii would
be interesting to know how much of the in
spiration of active life they gather from their
wives, who WERE or are, women oil more
than average intelligence and culture. Who
ever sees the present James Gordon
Bennett that remembers his mother,
must perceive the great likeness
existing between the two. A tall, finely
formed woman of commanding presence,
with the same hue of complexion and hair
and remarkable eyes that are 4 distinguish
ing feature in her son. ''Watch eyes they
are called, because of a perceptible white
ring surrounding the pupil Long ago some
of the brightest letters that appeared in the
columns of the New York Herald over the
signature of b. C. H., the initials of her
name-llarriet CIean Bennett-transposed
written from abroad by her, were read with
pleasure and avidity. They were clever
letters, betrayihg the keen. wit and ability of
the writer. Mrs. Greeley was a small wo-
man, whose sallow complexion and attenu-
ated figure betrayed the delicate health from
which she suffered for years An original
thinker, and one whose mental stores could
always he relied upon to produce some
thing of value whenever she could be
prevailed upon to open to her friends
the door guarding them To those
who enjoyed familiar friendship
with her, or who frequented her Sat
urday night receptions nothing need I've said
to prove the large mental capacity with
which she was endowed. One of her pccu-
liarities was the penetration of her gaze. THIS
made friend who knew her well to say,
''She just looks at you and knows all about
it. You might as well tell her first as last,
for YOU can't keep anything from her." As
Miss Mary Cheyne she was a successful
teacher, and, perhaps, while engaged in that
vocation her habits of close observation may
have been contracted in the discharge Of her
duties toward her juvenile charges. Mrs
Raymond, nee Emeline Viewer, rcsembled
Mrs Greeley in stature Small and slight,
the first look at her plain face gave little in
dication Of the force and culture which were
really hers. A woman of mind, who read
extensively, she was an accomplished and
charming conversationalist who speedily
caused her listener to forget or never TO think
at all of her lack of beauty of feature. In
the relations of wife and mother she was all
that was admirable, and as frequent con
tributor 10 the pages of the New York
Times the reader of that paper had ample
opportunity 10 judge of the mental capacity
which she possessed in no ordinary degrees
Mrs. Charles A. Dana, the only survivor OF
those four brilliant women who were the
home inspiration of great American editors,
is now in the prime of life. OF medium height.
slender and graceful, her face, perfect
oval, is lit by the large, luminous dark eyes
peculiar 10 the brunette, of which she is a
charming type. Intellectual, graceful and
beautiful, she is one of the most pleasing
women to he met with to-day in any society.
The great Talleyrand, ii is said, had frequent
cause TO feel ashamed of his wifcs ignorance,
although he was proud of her beauty. Sure
ly the men who may be called the fathers OF
journalism in America were more fortunate
in their choice of companions and helpers
than was the illustrious French statesman.
Mrs. Raymond was nee" Weaver; but
we believe she was not born with the name
of Emmeline, or any other given" name.
And the name that was given her by her
worthy parents, was Julicttc.