The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-01-19
sUcHANAN's SWEETHEART.
And Oid;vsrsion of the Reason the PreGident
Ramnined n Baohalor RoNiNed.

P1TrsBURaH, Pa, Jan. 1s.-The true
story Of President Buchsnan's love affair
was told to-day by an intimate lady friend.
The interview was prompted by the pub.
Ilication in the St. Paul Globe OF a story OF
Buchanan's alleged sweetheart which had
no foundation in fact. 1t believed thRt
BuchAnan'a real sweetheart committed
suicide. The story is told by Miss
Blanche Nevin, Of Laneester, the sculptor
and artist, Whose greatest work, statue
Of Muhlenberg, ia in the Capitol at Wash
ington. Mics Nsvin is o daughter Of the
late DR.. John W. Nsvin, the theologian,
whose residence, "CSernarvan Place" ad-
Joins "Wheatland, where President Buch-
anRn resided. The two families have al.
WAYS been intimate. Miss Nevin said: "In
bis youth Mr.. Buchanan's heart was Ronby
the charms OF q beautiful Miss Coleman,
who, like himself, resided in Lancaster.
She was member OF this aristocrAtic Cole
man family, Whoss vast eatstes and the
Cornwall Iron Works, near Lebanon, Pa,
which they controlled, rendered them one
Of the wealthiest in the country. Buchan-
an and Miss Coleman were betIothed and
we're considered one Of the handsomest
couples iu all the country around. Some
time alter the engagement had been an
nouncsd Mr. Buchanan was Obliged to 20
ont Of town on business trip. He re-
turned III few days and casually dropped
In to see my aunt, Mra. William jenkins,
with whose husband he was on terms Of
intimate friendship. With her was stay
ing her sister, Miss Grscs Hubley, q
daughter of, General Hubley, q Revolu-
tionsry officer, pretty and charming
SFScm this innocent call the whole
trouble arose. A young lady told Miss |
Coleman Of 1t and thereby excited her jeal- |
ousy. She was indignant that he should |
visit anyone before coming to her. On |
the spur Of the moment she penned an |
angry note and released him from his en- |
gRgemsnt. The note was handed him |
while ne was in the court house. Persons
who saR him receive 1t remarked after
ward that they noticed him turn pale
when he read 1t. Mr.. Buchanan was q |
proud man. Tho large fortune Of the lady
was TO him only another barrier to his
trying to persuade her 10 reconsider her
rejection Of himself. A few days after the |
quarrel party TO 20 10 Philadelphia to ct.
tend an opera was arranged and Miss Cole |
man was included in theinvitstions. They
went to the city, but when the time for
going to the opera had arrived Miss Cole
man, on the plea Of indisposihon, remain
ed at the hotel. Upon the return Of the
party from the opera Miss Coleman was
found dead in herroom. sintimsted |
at the time that in her despair she might |
have committed sniclds. Mr.. Buchanan |
was overcome with grief. He wrote to
her father, begging the privilege Of being |
allowed to be one OF the mourners at tho |
funeral. once cav the note myself. Mr..
Coleman returned the letter without other |
snswer. This sad and pathetic experience |
left an indsllible mark On BuChansn's life. |
As you know, ne never married. All who |
knew him we'll knew that he cherished
the> momory Of his lost love until his
dying day." vs