The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-11-02
President ryIer's Two Wives.

am indebted to Gen Tyler. the son
of President Tyler, for information about
his fathers marriage. President Tyler
married twice. and he was the only Pres
ident who was married while in the White
House. exceptiC Cleveland. shortly before
President Tyler died he said to his
SON
Ny son, have in many respects been
fortunate man but in respect to no one
paSticular have | greater cau~e to eongrat-
ulate myself than in that since ! reached
mans estate have passed only two years
out Of the marriage relation for il has
protected and preserved my moral life
Gen Tyler describes his mother. the
Presidents first wife, as a dark-hAired,
fair-skinned lady, with a person which
was perfect mould Of beauty She was
of medium size, and looked much Ike
the Empress Josephine, save that her
skin was fAirer. Tyler met her at bali
given by one of the wealthy Douglasses,
of Virginia, and fell in love at once. He
was then about 10 wears old. and il was
perhaps year before he became engaged
to her
s. His eourtship,- says Gen. Tyler, was
much more formal than that Of to-day.
He was seldom alone with herbefore their
marriage, and he has told me that he
never mustered up courage enough 70
kiss his sweetheart's hand until three
weeks before their wedding. though he
was engaged for nearly five years He
asked her parents consent before propos-
ing to her. and when he visited her at
the home Of Col Christian, her father, on
his plantation, he was entertained in the
pari0rs. where the whole family were a.
Semhled together As was the custom
then among the better class of Virginian
families. the lover never thought Of going
out riding IN the same carriage with his
affianced, but rode along on horseback at
the side of the carriage. which always
contained one or more ladies in addition
to his sweetheart, To add decorum to the
occasion"
Presiden Tyler and his first wife We're
Of nearly the same age, he being only
eight months her senior. Their wedding
took place on his I'D birthday, and their
married life Of twenty-nine years was a
most happy one.
President TvIer's second marriage took
place two years after the death Of his first
wife, He was "A. The bride was a girl
hardly out Of her teens. Her name was
Miss Julia Gardiner. and she was the
daughter Of wealthy gentleman of New
York Gen. TYLER SAYS that in the second
winter after his mothers death, Mr. Gar
diner and his two daughters came 20
Washington on their return from Europe.
They visited the White House one Thurs
day evening, and ne. a. private secretary.
took their cards, they being unknown To
him, and introduced them TO the family
They repeated their visits to the White
House during the season, returning to
New York at its close At the opening
Of the following season they were back in
Washington and renewed their attentions
10 the President and his family After "a
time President Tyler began to look with
eyes of love at one of the Misses Gardiner
and finally proposed marriage with her
to her father and mother. His proposal
was well received, and the young lady
being willing. the marriage was determin-
ed upon II took place in New York
Gen Tyler thinks it would have been an
indelicate thing 70 have had il celebrated
at the White House President Tyler Iv-
ed seventeen years with his second wife
and had number of children by her
She now lives al Richmond and receives
pension Of 5000 year From the gov
ernment.-FraHk 6. Carpestsr IN Lippin-
e,rs Mfo,t-fas