Omaha daily bee., 1884-06-05
DR.. HAMM0ND'S BRIDE.
Romantic Meeting Of The Physician and
His Fate,
A Glance from an Upper window of
a HospitaI-A Lorg-South Intro
ton and a Wedding.

DIR. William Alexander Hammond.
worldwide fame as a specialist in dis.
eases of the brain and nervous sys
tenn has been gained by long years OF
ccaseless study and of successful practice,
his books have won for him an enviable
reputation rs a precise and learned
author, and his good companionship is
inherited from his old Maryland lineage.
1t still remains to be told where the doc.
tor won his admirable wife.
The young Hammond was born in
Annapolis, Md, on August %, 1929.
His father was descended from the first
settlers in the colony, and his mother,
nee Miss Sarah Pinckney, a noted beau.
ty, was closely related to the Whytes,
the CAROLS and the rest of tho landed
gentry who revived in Maryland the ira
ditions of their English fathers. Young
Hammond early developed . taste for the
profession which he has honored, and in
| March, 1S4S, he received q degree of
Doctor of Medicine from the old Univer-
sity of New York.
Pennsylvania hospital was then, as
now, q model and conservative institution.
Every young doctor sought the position
of resident physician within its walls.
Aside from the excellent training that its
wards afforded the hospital was far FROM
being a disagreeable residence. Situated
in the midst of flower plants and green
trees it stands a prime and sedate build
ing as a worthy monument to tho Qua
ker founders. DIR. Hammond applied
directly after his graduation for tho post
of resident within it, and thanks to his
own cleyerness, which was already estab
lished, and the influence of his friends he
found no difficulty in obtaining it.
Zone 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 locking listlessly out into
Pine street. Suddenly he was attracted
by the charming figure and the beautiful
face of a young lady who, dressed in do
mure garb, was slowly walking along,
every now and then lifting her eyes
toward the hospital. The young physi-
clan was at once intensely interested.
He sprang from his seat and as he did 80
his eyes met those of the fair and modest
unknown. Hurrying into the street
young Hammond followed the lady at a
respectful distance until he saw her en-
ter a handsome house in the neighbor-
hood.
All of the youthful physicians fiery
southern disposition was aroused. He
fell instantly in love with his still un-
known charmer but he determined to be
presented to her. For the time his
mind, usually so occupied with thoughts
of his patients, was filled with lighter
%fancies, and he %anxiously questioned n
after another of his friends as to the
identity of his lady-love. His persist
ence was soon rewarded. "The lady
you describe" said a friend one day, a
Philadelphia acquaintance, sis Miss
Helen Nesbit, the daughter of one of
your most influential citizens, Mr.. Mi
chael Nesbit."
pray ask her, my dear boy" cried
DR.. Hammond i~mpetuously, "if you can
present mi to her. Gain me but the in
PRODUCTION and / am for aver your
debtor" .'sa eis.
DIR. Hammond's earnest wish was soon
gratified. From the moment that he
entered Miss Nesbit's house he pressed
his suit with earnest II untiring devo-
ton. He soon saw evidences that his
attentions were being favourably received
by his sweetheart, and finally he proposed
to her. In July, 1849, they were mar
ried.
The young physician found in his wife
a true helpmate. Shortly after their
marriage he entered the United States
army as assistant. surgeon, and for ten
years served in that capacity. In 1859
his wife's ambition for her skillful hus-
band was gratified by his appointment as
professor of anatomy in the university of
Maryland, but she urgedhim at the break
ing out of the rebellion to leave the pro-
%fessorIs chair and again enter the United
States service.
Two years later DIR. Hammond was APP
pointed surgeon-general of the United
States army. With characteristic energy
he at once sot to work to reform the man
agement OF the military hospitals. Under
his management the death.ra among
wounded soldiers, which before he assum-
ed control had been enormously high,
fell to almost q minimum. Nor were his
efforts unseconded by his devoted wife.
In the Ladies' Sanitary commission Mrs.
Hammond was ever on the watch to aid
her husbands efforts in the field.