The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-01-23
CONGRESSMAN ACKLEN.
Brief History Of His Early Life and
Training-M Mrs. Acklen's Mar
riages-Eow the Tennes-
see Belle Caught
Millionaire.
Three Times at the Altar of Hymen.
New York Herald Evansyillo Letter.

upon Lhem lhe readers OF the
Herald have probably judged for
themselves under which category
comes the name of Congressman
AckleR, of Louisiana, whose ex
pioits just now are filling the pub
lie prints, and are rolled out so
trippingly on the tongue of the sen
sation loving public. Tho .cminent
social relations of Mr.. Acklen, par
tlcularly in the South, render his
case peculiarly interesting. Indeed
there are many incidents associated
with Mr.. Ackfen's social history
which, though bearing 70 relation
to his resent adventures, may vet
be told as a part of the romantic
history of a most romantic Young
man. Mr.. Acklen is a young man,
scarcely Y more than eight and twen-
ty, and is a native of Nashville,
Tenn, born literally "mid pleas
ure and palaces. He has been the
especial pet OF fortune, and his life
one Of ease, elegance and luxurious
leisure. His mother, at present
Mrs. DR.. Cheatham, of Nashville.
was formerly Miss Adelicia HAYS,
whose nephew, J. Addison Hays, of
Memphis, about one year since mar
rled the daughter of Jefferson Davis,
President of the late Confederacy.
In order, however to clearly set
forth Mr.. Acklen's connection with
other prominent Southern families,
1t will be necessary to revive bit
OF history, in which Mr.. Acklen's
mother is the heroine. Her matri
monial events number three. First
she was the wife of Al r-@uklll'
ot Tenna~--O, second of Joseph
acKIen, Sr., of Huntsville, Ala,
and third. OF DR.. William A. Cheat.
ham, OF Nashville. The history of
her life reads something like ro-
nance. About forty years ago
there lived in Sumner county, Ten
nessee, twenty miles north of Nash
vile, an immensely wealthy old
bachelor named Franklin. He was
the richest man in Tennessee,
owned two cotton plantations in
Mississippi, two sugar plantations
in Louisiana, and more than one
thousand negro slaves. His place
of residence, Fairfield, was a lordly
manor Of several hundred bluegrass
acres, and rich in hill and vale and
lawn and running brook. 1t had a
magnificent yard stocked with herds
of buffalo and deer. The stables
were filled with blue blooded nags,
fat cattle browsed in its fields and
imported occupants bleated in its
cosy sheepfolds. The Fairfield
mansion was quite in keeping with
all its beautiful surroundings
Splendid art galleries of choice
works, libraries stocked with men
tai opulence, while statues, foun-
tains, lakes, arbors, rustic bridges
and cOnservatories adorned the
grounds and completed the picture
of which these words are but a
rough outline. The owner of all
this was benevolent hearted, gen
erous-souled old gentleman, q man
Of various accomplishments and
thorough culture, typical South
ern planter of flush times, hospita
bic, genial and philanthropic, whose
doors were always swung ajar for
the coming guest.
One day gay party of young
people from Nashville visited the |
abode of the bachelor, and among
ITEM was Miss Hays, since mother
to Congressman Acklen, who at !
that time was a beautiful and viva
cious belle of the Tennessee CAPT |
tai. Mr.. Franklin was absent, but |
his lodge-keeper accommodated the
visitors with the rare sight of a
buffalo chase and a deer hunt;
the matter d'hOteL set out a most
bountlful spread, and the hours,
though brief, were rosy. Before
leaving each lady and gentleman
was requested to register in the re
ception room, an eccentricity Of Mr..
Franklin being autographs. Pret-
ty Miss Hays thought 1t capital fun
to place opposite her delicate Chi
rography a sentence signifying her
intention to "set her cap for the old
bachelor" 1t worked like a charm. /
1t was the turn of the tide in the af
fairs of Miss Hays. Bachelor
Franklin, hitherto invulnerable to
Cupid's arrows, was struck in 4 ten
der spot by the feathered dart-the
gray goose quill of Miss Hays. A
brief courtship, a grand wedding,
and Miss Hays became Mrs. Frank
lin, and the mistress, too, of Fair
fields broad acres and its concom-
itants. Two or three children
blessed the union, but the angel OF
death looked in upon the house
hold, and in the course of a few
years claimed as his own each of
the babes, as well as million aire
Franklin himself, thus leaving a
blooming young widow erich as
creek mud" and no encumbrances
whatever.
Mrs. Franklin had money to
spend, money to lend, money to
give away. Her corps of gallants
was as strong as a Scottish clan,
and contained more chivalry than
the retinue Of feudal lord. If, as
it was charged, she married the first
time tor money, her second wedding
was to be an affair of love-. Among
her suitors was a poor but respecta-
bic young lawyer of Huntsville,
Ala, Joseph Acklen. 1t is not
known to the writer whether Mr..
Aeklen had ever formed the nc
quaintance OF brief or received an
introduction to case in court, but
in his maiden speech, though it
was spoken TO a widow, he was sue
cessful. 1t is said that his engage
ment ring was paid for by the lady
he had won. After their marriage
they began to live in regal splendor.
Three children were born to them,
ot whom Congressman Acklen was
their eldest and their pride. They
removed to a still more beautiful
place near Nashville, on the Frank
Iin road A magnificent mansion
was erected and called Belmont"
1t was superbly situated. on high,
ground, a portion CT
hose charming cOnterminOus hills