Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1884-02-28

by Il 'ulCsi-t AtlA ifN4t'tNt't va N+.~
Register
The recent singular metamorphosls OF sex
and subsequent marriage OF Miss Lydia Ke-
becca Payne, of Frederick county, Virginia,
the alleged man-w0man, accounts OF which
created such sensation few weeks ago all
over the country, has called forth from Ny.
John Morgan McKown, Of Arcola, this
State. the following interesting reminiscene-
es of the Payne family in general and Lydia
Rebecca Payne in particular:
Among the recullections Of my early
manhood finger some pleasant memories OF
the Paynes, and OF tins particular family 70
which Miss Lydil Rebecca belongs. The
Paynes were OF extensive family connection
in Virginia. and, like all old families, strik-
ing roo: in the same soil for many years bad
acquired Il reputation for certain traits that
distinguished them. They were hardy,
resoluic. thrifty rae, perfectly upright anh
honorable; except on the female side not
remarkable for superior intelligence; car
nest. plain, commoa-sease people; the men
noted for their great size and prodlsious
strength and the women for their singular
beauty. Mss Nollie Payne, . daughter OF
Nathan Payne, Of Dafkesyilie, West Nir-
ginia, twenty or twenty-five years ago WAS
regarded as the most beautiful woman IN
the Valley Of Virginia. | recall rs write
. charming day IN long ago spent win hcr
in genial Virginia home before the omi-
nous clouds OF war lowered on careless,
happy people. She made wonderful lm-
preston on my boyiSh senses. she had tnat
rare combination brilliant blue eye, with
hair as dark as the plume OF Poc'S raven
Tall. with that wonderful supplencss which
tho modern n0yelists have made nearly IL
diculans by attaching IL 10 all tncir heroints,
whether they aloTn the drawing room or
walk the heather: nige OF feature, with that
marvellous complexion which can only come
t. maidcns on the hillsides and where the
wind, that famed their checks blow from
the mountains; with teeth the wbitencs
and evcnncss of which no dusky maiden oi
the South ever surpassed; her features "a
dant with the endless play of the most Ia
cinaiiag smile | ever saw on any face. Al
ter the lapse OF nearly twenty five years l
recall her rs the most beautiful OF all the
women I ever met She married Richard
Byyarly. Of the wcll-known Virginia BryaF-
ly family. who was her escort that day that
recall. and her charming home has long
been noted for its elegant hospitality. !
met her at an entertainment two years ago,
accompanied by her loving daughters, grown
To- woEanhOod. ana, while time had written
some telling marks upon her face and lorm'
there were still traces OF that marvellous
beauty which, q quarter Of century ago
had made her famous through all the coun-
try side.
Indeed, all the Payne women were singu-
larly handsome. There used 10 be saying
i'm the valley that among all The Payne.
there were no ugly women or smart men.
Bat the Payne women were also handsome
in that better sense Of handsome i rs hand
some does There is something OF cxagger-
alton. am sure, in these recent reports Of
the exploits of Miss Lydia lscbecca Payne,
better known as Miss Becky, and hereafter
% be known, it seems, rs John Calhoun
Paync-that is, if tic Legislature Is COM
plaisant. K is.claimcd that she was nascu-
line. hOydenish. think not. think she
only displayed, at most, the weli-known en-
ergy of her race. | knew her very well :;
have met her at entertainments have visit
ed her home: think | once had 4 seighride
with her over those Virginia hills, aud GER
tlinly there was nothing, either IN her APP
pearancc or dcmeanor, 20 create the slight
est suspicion that sh3 wore the gafb OF The
wrong sex.
She was charming, accomplished girl,
with the wel-known Payne beauty and Vi
yacity. ! recall perfectly the first time !
saw her. Miss Bette L. Payne, her sister,
Tor many years has been the principal OF a
female Seminary at Bucetown. Va. Miss
Bette L. Payne is one Of those noble women
whose life is a perpetual bcnediction, consc-
Grating her entire life 10 the education OF
her own sex. woman Of wide culture, o.
the sweetest and truest nature thoughtful,
an enthusiast in her art, serene, self-cul-
tured. with the discipline Of d stndiol life
Oh her.
Eighteen years ago this coming June |
had the pleasure Of delivering m address 20
the graduating class Of Mss Payne's semi-
nary. among whom was this Lydia Rcbccca
Pavnc. hereafter 70 be known as John Cal
hcun PAYNE, and whom then saw for The
first time. Certainly, as she stood there, 10
,poflcss white. with the complexion and
voice of q girl, reading her thesis, Tie con
lecture of this recent episode oi her liie-in
which. at the age Of thirty-six, she discovers
that she is man. and celebrates the dis
coYery by mar.yinga a woman Of over forty
would have seemed altogether absurd and
improbable.
This school Of which speak has fine
reputation in Virginia, some OF her noted
men being sponsors for it, and Randolph
Tucker. if mistake not, coming from bis
home i'm Lexington TO grace it, commence
mcnt with the charm Of bis elCqncnce.
Old soldiers who saw service in the Val
ley will remember doubtless, fine stone
,nan,ion TO the west OF the pike, about q
halfmilc distant from It, and about three
miles south Of Bunker Hill. This was the
residence of the late Jesse Payne, an uncle
Of Miss lydia Rebccca Payne, and whose
Two Youngest daughters were better known
than even tie daughters Of joseph Payne,
the father Of Lydia Rcbccca. They were
tie Youngest Of family Of u children, ali
Of whom reached maturity, believe. Zen
fsthc7less at an early age. they lived alone
with their mother in tire homestead through
all the trying scenes Il Che war They were
both remarkable women. Courageous high
ssirited. selfTeiilnt, with fine tusluess IN
,iinc,s-waich seemed, indeed a common
heritage Of the Payne5-thcy managed Q
large farm and were prosperous and happy.
They were pronounced Unionists. were su-
perb and dgring equestTiennes, and no troop.
er who rode with Sheridan and Stuart could
take a fence IN finer style. Many 4 soldier
has turned with astoni.hment and alnlFa-
ton as Hiss Emma, the younger, On hei
fne roadster, dashed hy as tho wind over
those Virginia highways Sitting on hei
horse perfectly, her eiegantfigure swinging
rs some graceful reed to every motion OF the