The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-16
MR.. BLAINE N KENTUcKY.
The Scandalous Charge Against Him and
How 1t Was Stamped Out.

How 1t Was Stamped Out
Georgetown Ky Letter in Louisville Commercial.
The story of James e. Blaine's residence in
this vicinity thirty years ago has of late become
surrounded with unusual interest, owing to the
scandal that has been revived and circulated
about his early association with the present Mrs.
Blaine, then Miss Harriet Stanwood, a teacher
| in the female college here, as Blaine was in the
male military school, Persistent and close in
curry has been made of those who remember
Mr.. Blaine and his wife, and the full history of
their intimacy, love and subsequent marriage
has been obtained nearly as possible after the
lapse of SO many years The scandal, as related
by the opponents of Mr.. Blaine finds few sup
friends who attest to the popularity
and high character of both while
residing here is great. DR. Rawlins, an old physi-
clan, practicing frequently in the schools of
Thomas f. johnson; DR. Barlow, another, who
practiced medicine at Georgetown fifty -four
years and largely did the practice of the school;
Dr. Gano, about eighty years old, and praeti-
TONER of more than fifty years and living at
Georgetown about sixty five years George Jack
son, now of Louisville, but who from 1874 to
1864 lived here; E. G. Barlow forty five years of
age and who always lived here, was pupil of
Blaines besides dozens of others talked to, never
heard that even improperly was charged
against them until after BlaineS star had as
breath of scandal reached the public ear until
about 1868, when the heat and
fervor of hatred, growing out of
sectional strife was most consuming Then
muttered hints Of an, ability to tale unfold
were heard in some quarters, and when the war
was over and Blaine was elected Speaker of Con-
gress, and when disappointed Southern patriots
found their reconstruction measures still weigh
ing heavily upon them, the story found utter
ance in two interior papers of this State, pub
lished at Frankfort and at Paris 1t may be
said that the statement fell upon utterly sterile
earth-for it bore no fruit and was stamped out
Of existence by the very papers which uttered it,
that at Frankfort doing it so effectually that
people have now almost forgotten that it ever
contained such charge The first scandalous
charge published at Paris was more distinct and
better remembered. It's as follows:
Paris Kentuckian March 10. 1869.
The Radicals have elected James G. Blaine of
Maine, Speaker of the United States House of Repre-
sentatives. Some years ago this man Blaine was a
professor in the military institute at the Blue Licks
and his wife was at the same time teacher in the
female school at Millersburg in this county At that
time they were unmarried, but lived together very
married iii after tbs SrS 81 tbsr rs sbS
Blaine from Pennsylvania and his wife from
Maine. The latter fact caused him to settle in that
State and possibly led to his present high position
It was doubtless feather in his cal" among the
Radicals.
This had hardly seen the light Of day before
the editor saw cause to wish it had never APP
peared and readily agreed to insert correction
and qualification, which he did as follows on
May "a:
In arecent issue Of this paper we alluded to some
rumored indiscretions of the Hon. James G. Blaine,
Speaker of the United States House of Representa-
tves. Our article aimed at the Radical party,
and not at Mr.. b; but facts have since TO
knowledge that convince us that under wrong
impression in egard TO the circumstances and not
wishing to wantonly inaict pain even upon our
bitterest political antagonist (Which Mr.. Blaine is
mott we hasten to express regret at the unnenta IN
have the authority of those most intimately ac
quainted with Mr. b. during his residence in Ken