Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-01
HISTORIC WASHINGTON.

IN SCANDALS OF JAcKsoNs fMRs-JACKs0NS
sAkLY CAhssK-TUh AAKSHALLB PORTRAIT
or HIM-JACKBON AND Mrs. ROBARD5 HIGH
JINKs AT THE WHITE HOUsK-THB BATON Az
FATR-MRs- BATON CUT BIT WASHINGTON so
GgrY-sUR DISRUP1S A CABINET AND UP
BETS -HNGJ GBEFRALLY.
CHAPTER V.
A memorable episode to Jackson's admins
tratiop, and one within the memory of persons
still living, was the scandal which then con-
vulsed washington society. 1t might with pro-
priety be called the war OF the roses from the
fair actors who played In the piece, though Gen.
Jackson himself, the champion of injured in
nccenoe, may not be said to have been very rosy.
General Jackson's own life had not been with
out blemishes. wild streak ran through his
earlier years, and the old Inhabitants OF Sails
bury. NC, can still tell queer tales of his do
hgs while he read law In that village.
Ton. Tom i Marshall; Of Kentucky, said. IA a
son: What career was that Of Andrew
Jacksoni A career OF success by brutal
self will No impeachment stood In his
way. Ii he saw and fancied pretty woman,
even though she was another mans wife, he
took possession OF her. IL he entered a horse
at race, he frightened or Jockeyed his COM
man, he crushed him. BE saw the country
prosperous under the Bank Of the United States
and he shattered IL from turret to foundation
his counsel full of calamity. And now when he
Is approaching his last hours, when good men
are praying that he may be punished foT bis
many misdeeds, he turns Presbyterian and
cheats the devil himself"
Marshalrs portrait OF Jackson was. however
coiored so highly by partisan bitterness that II
lacked truthfuineSs; though the subject was no
saint.
JACKSON AND MRS. RoBARDs.
When he went to Nashville, Tenn, he took
board and rooms with the widow Of John Donel-
son- Mrs. Donelsons daughter and her hus-
band, Lewis Robards. were also living at the
same house. Richards had been separated from
his wife before, but the pair had been reconciIed
to some degree and were now living together at
the mothers when Andrew Jackson came there
10 reside with Mrs Donelson. The attentions
jealousy OF the husband to a violent degree
Terrible scenes ensued between the unfortu-
nately mated pair and between Richards and
Jackson. AT length Richards abandoned her
and returned to bis former home In Kentucky
Hearing, however, that her husband was about
TO return and take her she made her escape to
Natchez. accompanied, amongst Others, by
Jackson. This, together with other alleged
cause, gave rise TO proceedings for divorce on
the part OF Richards, who accused his wife or
the grossest iDfldellty aud implicated Jackson
In the crime. News was brought TO Nashville
that the divorce had been obtained, and Jack
son fastened to hatcher, declared himself to
Mrs. Richards as lover, was accepted and the
two were married at Natchez by a Catholic
priest But In fact, the divorce had not been
obtained, nor was 1t completed until two years
OF this marriage. Upon ascertaining this the
determined couple were married again by
Protestant clergyman at Nashville. A long
and happy welded life followed. JackSon's
worst quarrels arose from this cause, and to
defend her reputation 'he kept pistols In per-
feet condition for thirty-Seven years"
The stately court times of Washington and
Al AIMS had passed away and been succeeded
by the republican etiquette of Jefferson with
its fine Intellectual culture and large hospital
1ty. This in turn had gone TO be followe1 by
the easy elegance OF Mrs Madison and the
sharp precisionS OF NJ rs John Quincy Adams
THE JACKSON ERA.
With jackson new era began. 1t Was the
era OF popular and military spirit. The bril-
liant achiey ements OF our infant navy had
Wiped out the disgrace of Hulrs Surren-
der, and New Orleans had more than atoned
for the capture of Washington. The issue OF
American arms. and Jackson was the repre-
sentative OF American glory, aid was the Idol
OF the American people. His journey from bis
home to his Inauguration at the Capitol
was triumpnai procession. Down the Cum
berland and up the Ohio the whole population
poured out to greet him. At Cincinnati ii
"a II all Pennsylvania "had rushed forth TO
shout welcome to the Presidentelect."
SCENES AT JAcKsON's INAUGURATION.
Mr. webster, writing from Washington,
says: Il never saw such a crowd here
before. Persons have come I'VE hundred
writes: AFTER the ceremony was over, the
President went 10 the palace t. receive com
pany and there he was visited ny immense
crowds OF all sorts of people, from the highest
and most polished down to the most vulgar
and gross In the nation. l never saw Sucl a
mixture. The reign Of King Mob seemed tri-
umphanL was glad to escape from the scene
to escape; ne was bitter opponent OF jackson,
ana IL was not TO be expected that he could
enjoy thesetestiy1t,es. HINGE lilac hc'.sym1e!
. nj Ysfroc IN rxyptfn
ucipant, had been provided. Orange punch
was made by barrels full; but as the walters
opened the doors to bring it out. q rush was
mace, the glasses broken, the pals OF liquor
upset and the most painful confusion prevailed
TO such painful degree was this carried, that
wine and ice cream could not be brought out TO
the lower story into the garden TO lead on the
crowd from the rooms. Men with boots on
heavy with mud stood on the dAmask satin
covered chairs In their easerness to get look
at the President"
THE EATON SCANDAL
The notorious washington scandal broke out
On the appointment OF Mr.. Eaton. Senator from
Tennessee, by the President. as a member of
his Cabinet Parton, In his Life Of Jackson
tells the story as follows:
"a certain William oNeal kept at Washing
ton for many years large old fashioned tavern.
where members OF Congress, In considerable
numbers, boarded during the sessions OF the
national legislature. William ONeai had a
uAuRntef. SpfiSntiy ana beautiful, VINO aided
him and bis wife 10 entertaining his Doardera.
Peg O'Neal as sine was called, was so lively In
her department, so free In her conversation,
that had she been born twenty years later she
would have been called one OF the fast girls
OF Washington. A witty, pretty. saucy. active
tavern keepers daughter. who makes free With
the inmates OF her fathers house and IS made
free with by them, may escape contamination
but not calumny. It Is not good for a girl to
grow up In large tavern. When Major Eaton
nrst came TO Washington as Senator from
Tennessee. In Isis, he took board at
Mr.. ONeaPs tavern. and continue1 to
reside there every winter for ten
years He became acquainted, OF cour3e with
the family, including the vivaclo1s and attrac-
tive Peg. When Gen. Jackson came TO the city
"a Senator In 1923, he also went to live with the
ONeals, vi bun he had known Ia Washington.
For Mrs. ONeal. who was q remarkably effi-
Gent woman, he had a particular respect
Even during his presidency, when he was sup.
posed 10 visit no one, IL was one OF his favCrite
reisKatfonS, when worn out With business to
stroll with Major Lewis across the ''old fields"
near Washington. TO the cottage where MIS-.
0Neal lived In retirement and enjoy an hours
chat with the old lady. Mrs. JACK son, also
during her residence IN Washington In 1925
became attached 10 the good Mrs O'Neal aud
10 her daughter In the course OF time Miss
ONeal became the Wife OF PurSer Timberiaks
OF the U. 5. navy, and the mother OF two
children. In 1928 came tue news that Mr.