Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-07-27
A REAL ROMANCE.
Frem Luxury and Atiusncs to
Dlrest Poverty.
The Daughter Of a Vice President Of the
Uaited States and Wife Of a Russian
Ambassador Begging Her
Way East

Yesterday afternoon q lady sat in the
city clerks Office. Age had slightly bent
the once erect formiand had touched to
silver the raven tresses which had lost
none OF their oldsn softness and abund-
ance. About her clothing was an indsfna-
able something which, In spite of their
frayed appearance, stamped their wearet as
a person of quality and refinement. One
of her hands hung listlessly to her side,
and the tremulous grasp of the other was
liked on q curious, antique walking stick.
The face that looked out from the genteel
though faded bonnet, was withered by age,
but was speaking and intelligent.
t'There sits the daughter Of o Vice Presi-
dent of the United States" said q gentle
man, as be emerged from the room.
What is she doing thereT' asked the
Actually begging her transportation to
Baltimore" was the reply. .
This was enough, and the next moment
the reporter was sitting by the old
lady, listening to her sad, strange history
as il fell from her own lips. Her father,
abe said, was William Rufus King, Vice
President of the United States under Presi.
dent Franklin Pierce; and her husband was
General Hunter, United States Minister to
Russia, during President Jackson's first
term. king was q wealthy man and so was
Hunter. How then could the daughter OF
one and the widow OF the other be in such
indulgence, seeking aid from the country?
Truth is stronger than fiction, and this
seemed a strange piece OF truth.
. Mrs. Hunter said she was over 70 years
OF age and had, unfortunately, married at
the early age OF IA years, her husband,
Gen. Hunter, being then 80. A short time
after their marrisge, Gen. Hunter received
from President Jackson the appointment
of Minister to the Court of the Gear, and
the next six years of their life were spent
at st. Petersburg. Upon returning TO this
country, they spent years in the South,
principally in Kentucky and Tennessee.
In 1858, her father went to preside over
the deliberations OF the L. S. Senate aud
she removed 10 Washington, where her
husband died.
When the war broke out she was living
in Louisville, where she had large property.
Fearing coniscation by the Federals she
was induced to arrange a supposed sale
with a prominent Unionist. She gave him
a bill of sale and he turned over to her
500, 900 in cash in the presence Of witness
es. She did not desire to be troubled with
the money ard returned it to him, in trust,
but when she wanted it he 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 20 carried them all
off and left her upon the world.
What was the name of the man who got
your money ~ asked the reporter.
Mrs. Hunter Their learned she had been
conversing with a reporter and became
as mute as a clam. She said she had rela'
tiyes among the Kings and did not wish to
anger them by any newspaper notorlety.
She came to the city on Wednesday even
ing and spent her last penny for lodging
and breakfast at the St. Charles hotel.
Yesterday she saw several Commissioner
and finally obtained from Mr.. Comerford
the means to carry her to Cumberland
She desired to go to Baltimore and If she
failed to find friends, would go to Washing
ton, where she knew Mr.. w. w. Corcoran,
who was an old schoolmate and playmate
and who would put her in the retreat he
bad founded.
This is the story she told, and it was gen
erally accepted as true. Her con verSation
was fluent and elegant, e%videncing educa'
ton and refinement, and she displayed
thorough familiarity with the political his
tory of the country. In a dignited yet
grateful way she accepted the kindness
rendered her, ard was sent hopefully on
her way. 1t was an affecting spectacle to
see a woman OF her age, and especially oil
her history and antecedents, wandering
Tins about. penniless, friendless and alone