St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-01
STATESMEN As LOVERS.
DGhieL WebsteF's First PrOpOsat-Sam
EOIfStOR'S Wife-DTry CrOcLett's
C0ltrfsHjD.
New York Mail and Express.


The past year has been noted for its social
scandals and Senator Sharon's divorce adds
another item to this part of its history. The
late Presidential campaign comprised a con-
tiuuous washing of dirty linens, and the
mode after which the great man makes love
has become as important as his vote on the
tariff or civil service reform. Most of our
statesmen, however. have pure domestic
records and the marriages of many Of them
have been marriages of love. Old Senator
Benton was devoted TO his wife aud he would
never attend any place of festivity or amuse-
ment after her death. The wife of Senator
Allen better known as ''Fog-horn'' Allen,
died here at Washington during the winter
of 1S47, before the DAYS of railroads, and the
old Senator carried her corpse home to
Ohio over the mountains, riding beside it on
horseback during the day and watching 1t at
night throughout the cold, dreary journey
until he laid it at last beside her father. Gov
ernOr Arthur, in the beautiful cemetery Of
CkcllicOthe.
Daniel Webster's two marriages were both
marriages of love. His first wife was Grace
Fletcher, the daughter of New Hampshire
clergyman. Webster married her when he
was twenty-six years of age and while he
was yet poor lawyer. His popping the ques-
ton was most delicately done. Miss Grace
had been winding q sken OF yarn while be
had held it for her on his long arms. The
skein had become tangled and during its un-
twisting the heads Of the two lovers had come
ver7 close together As the knot became I'M
tied Mr.. Webster said: ''We have succeed
ed, Miss Grace in untying this knot; can We
not now tie another which will remain tied
as long as we liver' Miss Grace blushed
and Il kiss it is said sealed the bargain. The
two lived happily for eighteen years, when
Mrs. Webster died in New York. on her way
TO Washington, where her husbend was a
member Of Congress. She was i'll three
weeks, during which time Webster watched
at her bedside, but two years after she died
be married again. Webster's second wife
WAS Caroline Leroy, New York lady, tall,
brCwu-haired and beautiful. She presided
over his establishment here and accompanied
bim 10 Europe, where she dined with the
queen. She always addressed her husband
as ''Mr. Webster and his favorite term for
her was "Laly Caroline"
Henri A. Wise proposed on the dome Of
the capitol here, and Que Of the results Of the
marriage was John Sergeant Wise, the pres
cnt member OF Congress from Virginia, who
was born at Rio Janerio, where Henry A.
Wise was officiating as minister at the time
Senator sam Houston. the President of the
Republic Of Texas, was the youngest mau who
had ever governed the State of Tennessee,
when he fell In love with pretty girl at the
State capital H. was the governor Of the
state, good looking and a splendid catch. AZ
ter his marriage he found his wife loved an
other and that she had been forced by her
parents 10 marry him. He left the governor
chair, and, telling his wife to get a divorce
on TIE ground OF desertion. went 10 the from
tier and Joined a tribe OF Cherokee Indians
Here he married a squaw In Indian fashion
and soon became chief. He was or hiking
hard and going u the dogs. when one day h.
was told Of the troubles in Texas and the
battle Of the Alamo was described to him.
He slaughtered himself up, determined to
be a man again, ami went forth 10 his brave
and distinguished career In Texas. His wife,
I am told, got her divorce, but whether she
married her lover | know not.
Davy Crockett, another frontier statesman
fell in love with a relative of his schoomas-
ter: but while he was sparkling her richer
sutton carried her away under his eyes. He
next met beauty at ball, fell In love al
first sight and became engaged at the close
OF the nttn dance. ne DAY W6s nNcd Tor be-
10 announce the engagement 10 her parents.
lie started to 60 to them, fell IN with some
boon companions on the way and made, as
they say. night Of 1t. He arrived DAY too
hate aud found his lady love was TO be mar
rled that night 10 another. Crockett made
the best OF a bad bargain. He laughed OF
his disappointment and danced all night Of
the close Of the wedding a, the party given in
IT, honor He soon fell in love again and
this time be became married.