The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-04-22
ALONE IN HER AGE.
Pathetic Story of the Wife Of a Union
Officer.
Mrs. Gen. EOOIIey Living in Absolute
Want--A Cultivated Lady
Dragging Out Existence
in Cellar.

New York, April % The World prints
the following:
The following Advertisement appeared re-
Gently in morning paper:
"WoOLLEY-If this is seen by the daughter
of the late Gen. John Woolley, please ad-
dress H. B. Smith, l,415 Broadway
Mr. Smith when called upon was much
averse to giving any information touching
the nature of the communication he desired
to have with the daughter of such a promi-
nent general Finally he told his story, as
follows:
Gen. Woolley was, as you known, provost
marshal of the middle forces under Gen. Lew
Wallace Throughout the war l was with
him much Of the time and we became init
mate friends. Before the war he was prasi-
dent of bank in Cincinnati, and also lived
part of the time in indianapolis. HIS wife
was woman of broad culture, finely edu-
Gated, and the author of several volumes
which attracted general attention in the
south. She belonged to one OF the
best families in Kentucky, the John.
sons, who are related to the Lees Of Virginia
She was intimate with the wives OF Lincoh's
cabinet officers during the war, and held n
high social position as any lady in the land.
She was well known in Washington AMI Bal
timore society.
About six years ago Gen. WooIley died,
and lost sight of the family. A few weeks
ago, by the merest accident, / stumbled upon
the widow Of the general But
what a ehangel l found the high
spirited, noble-mndel lady who had
reignei a belle only a few years be
I,-f., in, u,
death, Even in that damp, shiny place,
however, the old grace still chung to her, and
she greeted NE with all her old-tlme cOur-
tesy, in spite OF the shame She felt that any
one had discovered her absolute poverty"
Mr.. Smith tapped norvously on the desk
as he recalled the picture Of the cellar.
How came she in such destitute circuH-
stances.'
1T was the old story Of a southern wonlans
uuyieiding pride After her husbands death
she tried to support herself but she WAS
growing old, ami q long Illness reduced her
to absolute want. One by one the few ef
fects she had were pawnei, ard on these
she managed to keep body and soul
together. Her cellar cost only 81 Is
month. An old Creole servant, who
had waited on her when she was in better
circumstances, still remained with her,
and contributed something to her support.
Men and officers. who in former times had
been proud to touch their hats to Mrs Gen.
Woolley now passed her on the streets, not
recognizing by the white-hairea, plainly
dressed woman the woman they hal once IS
teemed it an honor to know
And she had nothing to live ons7
"AbSolutsly nothing Everything had
gone, only the wreath that had laid upon her
husbands coffin and the sword that hal hung
by his side These she viii never rart with.
asked as / turned over these relics what had
| become of her children. She answered simply.
Dead They have been dead several years |
since learned that one child was dead only to
her She has married daughter living in
this city in good circumstances, and / have
taken the liberty to advertise, hoping to bring
mother ami child together The daughter
evidently knows nothing OF the desperate
straits to which her mother IS ieduaci, and
any aid rendered the mother wou,d come
most gracefully from her child; 50 hope Il
hear from her soon"
4 teEder, pathetic letter from Mrs Wool.
ley, telling Of one or two disappoiutments
that she had suffered, was shown It was
dated Baltimore M Saith admitted that
Mrs Woolley was living IN Baltimore, tut
declined for the lady's sake TO MAZE public
her address.