Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-01
WHERE WAS SHE?
And Why Did She Conceal Her.
self In Memphis?
Wheeling wv. yal Register.


Yesterday afternoon lady sat in
the City Clerks Office. Age had
slightly bent the erect form and had
touched to silver the raven tresses
which had lost none OF their oldeU
softness and abundance. About her
clothing was an indeinable some thing
which, in spite Of their frayed appear
ance, stamped their wearer as
person Of quality end refinement. Ore
Of her hands hung listlessly to her
side, and the tremulous grasp of the
other was fixed on curious, antique
walking stick. The face that looked
out from the genteel though faded
bonnet, was withered by age, but was
speaking and intelligent.
There sits the daughter Of a Vice
President of the United States" said
gentleman, as he emerged from the
room.
What is she doing there2" asked
the reporter.
Actually begging her transporta-
ton to Baltimore" was the reply.
This was enough, and the next mo.
ment the reporter was sitting by the
old lady listening to her sad, strange
history as it fell from her own lips.
Her father, she said, was William
Rufus King, Vice President of the
United States under President Frank
lin Pierce, and her husband was Gen.
Hunter, United States Minister to
Russia during President Jackson's
first term. King was wealthy man
and SO was Hunter. How, then, could
the daughter of one aud the widow of
the other be in such Indulgence, seek
ing aid from the country Truth is
stranger than fiction, and this seemed
a strange piece Of truth.
Mrs. Hunter said she was over
seventy years old, and had unfortu-
nately, married at the early age of
fourteen years, her hush md, General
Hunter, being then thirty-two, A
short time after their marriage Gen.
Hunter received from President
jackson the appointment of Minister
to the Court of the Czar,and the next
six years of their life were spent at 81.
Petersburg. Upon returning to this
country they spent years in the South,
principallyin Kentucky and Tennes
see. In 1853 her father went to pre-
side over deliberations of the United
States Senate and she removed to
Washington, where her husband died
When the war broke out she was
living in Louisville, where she had
large property. Fearing confscation
by the Federals she was induced to
arrange supposed sale with prOmi-
nent Unionist. She gave him bill
of sale and he turned over to her
5000, 900 in cash, in the presence Of
witnesses. She did not desire to be
troubled with the money and returned
it to him, 10 trust, but when she
wanted it be denied all knowledge OF
it. The one witness present could
never be found, and she could not
prove her case in the suit she brought.
Her wealth gone, she went to her
children in Memphis, to make her
home, but the yellow fever scourge OF
70 carried them all off and left her
upon the world
What was the name of the man
who got your money! asked the re.
porter.
Mrs. Hunter then learned she had
been conversing with a reporter and
became as mute as clam. She said
she had relatives among the Kings
and. did not wish to anger them by any
newspaper notoriety. She came to
the city on Wednesday evening and
spent her last penny for lodging and
breakfast az the St. Charles Hotel.
Yesterday she saw several Com mis-.
sioners and finally obtained from Mr..
Oomerford the meaHs to carry her to
Cumberland, She wished to 20 to Bal.
timore and if she did not find friends,
would 20 to Washington, where she
knew Mr.. w. w. Corooran, who was
an old sohoolmate and playmate, and
who would put her in the retreat he
had founded.
This is the story she told, and it
was generally accepted as true. Her
conversation was fluent and elegant,
and she displayed a familiarity with
the political history of the country.
In digni6ed yet grateful way she ac-
cepted the kindness rendered her and
was sent hopefully ON her way. 1t
was an affecting spectacle to see a
woman OF her age, and especially of
her history aud antecedents, wander.
ing thus about, penniless, iriendless
and alone,