The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-19
THE ROMANCE OF MRS. JEBB.
A Patriotic Speech in Fort Rfokens that
Made a .Lieutenantls wife Famous.

"A Batrtot1c speech in Fort RtOk6ns that
Made Lieutenantls Wife Famous.
New York sun.
Mrs Claverhause Jebb, who il now ON visit
to her family and friends, near '4iladelplia in
company with her husband, fae idi .tinguished
professor OF Greek at the Unive sity of fEdin.
burg, is an American woman witt. an interest
ing history. Her father the Rev Mr. REYNOLDS
long since deceased was an English clergyman
He Inarriedta Miss Lane, of Pennsylya MIA and
was ,at one time rector of st. MaTyfs parish, in
burlington, N. j. st Mary's Hall was his
danghterssalma mater, and Bishop Doane con-
ferradupon her her diploma when she was but
thirteen years. old EVEN then she showed rare
abilities asa writer and in conversation She
was a beautiful girl, and while very Young mar.
or1ed LIEUT. "A. J. S1emIner, of West Point who
was professor there for some years SuhsH-
rquently he was ordered to various army posts
And at the beginning of the war was at Fort
Dickens
Here, quite unwittingly. Mrs ;Slemmer became
q heroine, and woke one morning to find herself
famous. just then nothing was talked of but
the impending war. The dread of it and its
fearful consequences formed the one and IN
sey1table topic of conversation, and dEHeft like
nightmare IN the minds and hearts alike Of both
North and South. The question of who should
strike the first blow was being constantly agi
tated within the fort Mrs. Slemmer being present
atone of these discussions, said quietly. NOW
Is not the time tohesitate and if the men and
officers of the fort fear to take the initiative Il
patriotic speech won for her instant reuown
Shortly after war was declared and Mrs
Slemmer was the first lady to cross the lines ON
her way hemeward to the North She arrived IN
Philadelphia to find that the fame of her little
speech had preceded her. Her portraits--albait
they were OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES in great
demand The newspapers heralded her
movements, and eager eyes were strained
to catch glimpse of her. Even the staid old
fashioned town of Burlington, where she at
once visited her friends was stirred and rousesl
into an excitement entirely without preceder
there. From Tar and near strangers and friene
gathered to welcome her, receptions were hel
constantly, bands of music from Ph1ladelphi
and elsewhere were brought to ,serenade he
almost nightly and whatever could be devise
to do her honor was done.
During her occasional visits to Washington
President Lincoln gave her always a hearty
welcome. When she asked him If he did not
think Major Slemmer deserved promotion, he
patted her on the shoulder in his fatherly way
and replied: The brave husband of SO brave
a little woman deserves the best, and he shall
have it. This promise was not forgotten
Major Slemmer became General Slemmer and
shortly after the war he died of heart disease
A year or two previous they had lost their only
child, a promising boy Much of her time sub
sequently was spent in New York ciSy where
she was well known and favorite in social and
literary circles.
1t was during her first visit to her fathers
relatives in England that she met Mr. Jebb
Their kindred tastes resulted in an engagement
and they were married in England the following
year. They have children.