The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-07
FIRST LOVE OF A WARRIOR.
4 Beautiful Girl Who Captured Gen
eral HancOck's Heart.


eral HancOck's Heart.
New York Journal
The name of the gallant soldier, Gen
eral Winfield Scott Hancock, is famiIia
To millions of Americans. But few know
OF the many and great hardships whicl
he ldbored under before attaining hi
present honorable position. He was borI
III Montgomery county, Pa, Februar,
II, 1924. His father was the owner o.
Il weil-paying farm there. Unlike most
farmers, Mr. Hancock made up his mine
To give his son all the benefits of a good
education At the age of 6 years h,
WAS sent to an academy for young gen
tlemen iii the neighb0rhOOd. He re
mained there until he was l6 years OF
age, when he was graduated with higI
homer. His parents then wished tC
plac', him at work in a large dry good.
house in Philadelphia. He had differ
ent views for himself, however, and
asked that he might be permitted to q,
to West Point to study for the army
Mr.. Hnncnck placed no obstacles in
tn way of his son. lie was admitted
t. West Point in 1910 He devoted
himself entirely to his books aud was
thus enabled to graduate after -four
years with a lieuIenaHt's commission
He returned TO his fathers home, but he
WAS OF too active temperament to re
main long inactive. With a party of
army friends he started out to explore
the great West. Their first stopping
place Vas at st. Louis, where they re
manned.
tien, raj Haucock ut the time made it
a practice ta take "A riue on horseback
every morning While taking his usual
daily ride through the streets of st
Louis early one morning his attention
was attracted by the sight of hand
some young lady standing in the window
of one of the most fashionable houses
in the city. L to this time he had re-
manned heartwhole, Notwithstanding
that numerous young society ladies were
only too eager to become Mrs. Hancock
But the lovely cOuntenance at the win
dow gave him his first heart-tlutter. Al
most involuutarily he stopped his charg
er and doifed his hat. The young lady
blushed divinely, waved one fair white
hand toward him in token of farewell
and then let the window curtains fall
He rode toward his hotel blushing like
"A school boy, thrilled with new and
sweet sensation. After returning to his
hotel he became so distracted rs to ex-
cite the attention of his comrades. a
vision of fair young girl standing as
the window kept continually in hit
mind. He could not resist the tempta
tion to go again and take look at the
huuse where his divinity lived. As he
reached the place she was. Just leaving
the house ON the arm of tall, hand
some, gray-whiskered gentleman. The
young lady apparently recognized him,
for rDsy bushes chased one another in
rapid succession over her fair counten-
ance. With her companion she entered
a handsome carriage standing in front
of the house and was rapidly driven
away The brilliant young officer de-
termined at all hazards not to let this
opportunity of finding out who she was
pass He hailed a cab, and giving the
driver handsome cup" directed him
10 keep the carriage in sight. Who can
describe his feelings when after an hours
riding he saw the carriage containing
his charmer draw up at the door of one
of his old army comrades, dismissed his
cab and walked slowly in the direction
of the house. He knocked for admis-
sion and was at once ushered in by his
friend in person.
With many bushes and hesitaney he
made known the whole affair TO him,
and begged to be introduced to the young
LADY, His friend laughingly complied
with the request and led him into the
pSrlor, where the lady and gentleman
were already seated. He was introduced
to Miss Mary Russell, and the gentleman
with her as her father, one of the mer-
chant princes of St. Louis Before leav-
ing the house that afternoon he had re
eeived a cordial invitation from Mr..
Russell to visit his house He availed
himself of the invitation and thereaf-
ter became constant caller.
Tie sweet-faced young lady appeared
To be as deeply in love with the young
soldier as he was with her, and six
months after their romantic aequaint-
anee was formed they were happily
married. The young lady has proved
herself devoted wife. They have had
two children, boy and girl. The boy,
now man 30 years old, is a wealthy
planter in Mississippi, but the fondly
loved daughter died in 1875, in this city,
at the age of 20 years.