The Portland daily press., 1881-08-09
Hartford Correspondent Of St. Louis Globe
Democrat.l
Gov. Hubbard's Daughter.
How the Girl Who Eloped With a Coach
man is Getting Along in Life.

The romantic. story of the elopement Of Mis-
Nellie Hubbard, daughter of Ex-Governor
Hubbard, with the family coachman, Fred
Shepard, which went the rounds of the press
two years ago, should be supplemented now by
the true story Of the life Of the young married
couple, in order that they have the benefit,
rather than it should go abroad that Shepard
was indeed, so shiftless fellow that he could
not provide for the support of his wife.
Soon after his marriage Shepard and his wife
went TO board with his brother in this city, and
Nellie occasionally vent to her fathers house
20 see her mother and sisters; but it was under
stood that under no consideration would her
husband be allowed to darken the doors OF the
Hubbard mansion. Meantime Shepard OBJ
tanned employment as a salesman in a retail
boot and shoe house, and there he remained
for about three months, and then himself and
wife disappeared, and all sorts Of fumors be-
came current as to their whereabouts. One
was that Nellie had left him and was going to
Europe with her father and sisters, and that
she had left her husband for good. None Of
these stories rose above the dignity of pure in
vention. Shepard has an uncle living in Mid
dletown, this State, named John Williams
who has for many years been connected with
hourishlng manufacturing concern and has
made large amount of money, which he has
carefully salted away. He is worth certainly a
clean 100000. Moreover, he married a rich
maiden lady q few years ago, whe has enough
to take care of herself for many long years IL
death should remove her husband and all of
his cash. Williams became interested in Shep-
ard after the elopement to a much greater ex-
tent than ever, being good deal put out over
the stories that Fred was not good enough for
the young lady, and to show that his sympa-
thy was practical he made a tender Of finsn-
cial support. Shepard then set about finding
business to suit him, and found that he could
form copartnership with well-established
livery in New Haven, ana at once the ready
uncle in Middletown made the necessary de-
posit and the business relation was formed and
still goes along prosperously. 1t was this
move which led to Shepards sudden depart
ure from Hartford after he retired from the
shoe business.
Not only is the former coachman doing well
in his business, but he is conducting himself
like man in other ways and his wife Is re-
ported to be very happy. She is seen frequent
ly driving in handsome phaeton through the
shady City of Elms, and it is understood is
kindly received by very many of her old
friends in New Haven, among whom are some
of the first ladies in the place. Once In q
while she comes to Hartford and is noticed as
being in perfect health, and looking prettier
than ever. She keeps up thoroughly stylish
appearance and has money enough from her
husband to warrant 1t, all of which proves that
she is not ''living in poverty" as thousands of
people all over the country, who have become
interested in her welfare, will be happy to
learn.
Ex-Governor Hubbard intends going 20 Eu-
rope with his family this summer, but Nellie
will enjoy herself at the watering places along
the shores close to New Haven and possibly
by and by, will accompany her husband, when
he gets rich enough, TO foreign lands. When
John dies and leaves Shepard fortune, the
coachman may like to travel as we'll as his
father-in-laW.