Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-04
DIR. HAMMOND,S BRIDE.
romantic Meeting Of the Physician
and His Fate.

From the New York Journal
DR.. William Alexander Hammond's world.
wide fame as specialist in diseases of the brai n
and nervous system has been gained by long
years ofceaseless study and of successful prac-
tlce; his books have won for him an enyiable
reputation as precise and learned author, and
his good companiOnship is inherited from his
ola Maryland lineage. 1t still remains to be told
where the doctor won his admirable wife.
me young Hammond was born in ANNAPOLIS.
Nd, on august %, 1928. His father was
descended from the first settlers in the COLONY.
and his mother, nee Miss Sarah Plnckney. a
noted beauty, was closely related to the
WHITES, the Carroll's and the rest of the landed
gentry who revived In Maryland the traditions
of their English fathers. Young Hammond
early developed a taste for the profession
which he has hOnored, and In March, 1S4S, he
received degree of doctor of medicine from
the old University Of New York.
PENNSYLVANIA hospital was then as now a
model and conservative institution. Every
young doctor sought the position of resident
physician within its walls. Aside from the ex-
cellent training that Its wards afforded, the hos
pital was far from being disagreeble residence.
situated In the midst OF fowery plants and
green trees, 1t stands prim and sedate build
ing as worthy monument to its Quaker found
ers. DR.. Hammond applied directly after his
graduation for the post of resident within it.
and thanks to his own cleverness which was al
ready established, and the influence OF his
friends he found no difficulty in obtaining it.
One day in the spring of 40 when the doctor
had not yet attained his majority he was seated
at the window of his room in the hospital look
ing listlessly out into Pine street. Suddenly he
was attracted by the charming figure and the
beautiful face of young lady who, dressed in
demure garb. was slowly walking along every
now and then lifting her eyes toward the hos
pital. The young physician was at once in
tensely interested He sprang from his seat and
as he did so his eyes met those Of the fair and
modest unknown. Hurrying into the street
young Hammond followed the lady at a respect
ful distance until he saw her enter q handsome
house in the neighborhoOd.
All of the youthful physicians fiery southern
disposition was aroused. He fell instantly in
love with his still unknown charmer. but he de-
termlned to be presented to her. For the time
his mind, usually so occupied with thoughts of
his patients, was filled with lighter tancies and
he anxiOusly questioned one after another of his
friends as to the identity Of his lady-love. His
persistence was soon rewarded. "The lady you
describe" said friend one day. Philadelpbia
acquaintance, sis Miss Helen Nesbt, the daugh-
ter of one of your most influential citizens, Mr..
Michael Nesbit."
pray ask her. my dear boy" cried Dr. Ham,
mond impetuously, '.if you can present me to
her Gain me but the introduction and am
forever your debtor"
DR.. HammOnds earnest wish was soon prati-
fed. From the moment that he entered Miss
Nesbits house he pressed his suit with earnest
and untiring devotion. He soon saw evidences
that his attentions were being favorably re-
ceived by his sweetheart. and finally he proposed
to her. In July, 1S49, they were married.
The young physician found in his wife true
helpmate. Shortly after their marriage he en-
tered the United States army as assistant sur
geOn, and for ten years served in that capacity
In 1859 his wife's ambition for her skilltul hus-
band was gratitied by his appointment as Pro-
fessor Of Anatomy In the University of Mary
land, but she urged him at the breaking out of
the rebellion to leave the professors chair and
again enter the United States service
Two years later DR.. Hammond was appointed
surgeon general of the United States army.
With Characteristic energy he at once set to
work to reform the management of the military
hospitals. Under his management the DEATH
rate among wounded soldiers, which. before he
assumed control. had been enormously high. fell
to almost a minimum. Nor were his efforts nm
seconded by his devoted wife. In the Ladies'
Sanitary Commission Mrs. Hammond was ever
on the watch to aid her husbands efforts in the
field -
In 1874 DR.. Hammond was chosen professor
or diseases of the mind and nervous system in
the medical department Of the University of the
City OF New York. He has since occupied that
chair and has won q magnificent fortune in the
practice Of medicine His wife has contributed
vastly to his success. By her hand most of the
doctors more famous works have been trans
cribed from his notes. "Sleep and Its Derange-
ments. !" ''Insanity and It's Medico-Legal Rea-
lions, "The Physics and Physiology of Spiritu-
aism, and Insanity in Its Relation to Crime, :"
have all been written with her loving aid.
Two children have been born to DR.. and Mrs
William A. Hammond. The son follows his
fathers profession, the daughter Is married TO
an Italian nObeman, the MARQUIS di LAMA