Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-12-08

An Act OF Kindness to Zachary Tay-
loIs Daughter
General Sherman in the North American
Reyies


lors Daughter
T General Sherman IN the North American
Reyies
In the year 1873 Gen. e. ; Grant vas
President Of the United states vas Gen
eral-in- Chief Of the armies Of the United
State, add James g. Blaine was Speaker Of
the House Of Representative. All we're
resident tn Warrington. ID. G., I was seated
in my office at the Old War Department, nov
destroyed and replaced by better one, when
my orderly produced the card Of Mira
Wood. widow Of the late Assistant Surgeon
General L 5 A. OF course I instructed
him % show the lady in. She was deeply
yeied, then not uncommon by reasons Of the
many dependent uidows and orphans who
thronged the National Capital TO appeal for
help. She, sithout unveiiing. handed ne
letter in the familiar handwriting of the ven
cradle General David Hunter, asking me to
befricnd 'the bearer" Casting my eyes
over il, I exclaimed, What are you the
widow Of my old Surgeon General Wood
ard the daughter Of General Zachary Tay
lori" Yes" she answered raised her veil
and revealed her features, then Of All OLD
lady but beyond question the daughter Of
General Zachary Taylor. Dear Mrs.
wood what does this meani What can /
DO for your" She replied, # do not know
but General Hunter. our steadfast friend,
has sent me TO you, and she went on to *
plain when my husband died IN 1853, |
supposed | had estate enough to satisfy my
moderate wants. | went to Louisiana, took
possession Of the old sugar plantation, col
lectsd few Of the old slaves, with promises
Of wages or shares. tried to make living,
bnt everything was out of joint. | then
tried lease with no better success. Now
my daughter writes me from Austria that
she il very sick and begs me To come to her.
General Sherman must 20 TO my daughter,
and have not cent. Ny old friends are
all dead. and know not what to do |
naturally inquired how much money was
necessary. She said thousand dollars. |
had not the money. General Hunter had
not the money. How about your pension
when my husband died after forty four ears
of faithful service in the Florida War, in the
Mexican War, and the great Civil War, |
thought | could take care of myself and
never asked for a pension. but now my
child calls To me from abroad" Mrs,
Wood. am sure we can easily make up a
case under the General Pension law, which
will give N $50 a month, but it can only
date from the time of your formal appllCa-
ton What good will that do me?' she eI-
claimed. my daughter is calling for me now
Ms passage across the ocean will cost Sl2u
and the incidental eGpeu'es afterward will
run up to full thousand" After a
few moments thought | said Mrs. Wood
We must get special bill putting your
name on the list with that of Mrs. General
Worth Mrs. General Sumner and others
and have this special pension TO date back
to your husbands death, viz March -
1869. This will require an act Of Congress
What member of that body 10 you know
from louisiana" Alas, none" "Whs
member from Kentucky" Not one" "DC
you know anybody in Cougressi" Not
single member" Don't you know Mr.
BLine' He il the speaker of the House,
fellow of infinite vi; and of unbounded gen
erosity2' No, she hal never met Mr.
Blaine. Now, my dear Mrs. Wood. car
you meet me this afternoon at the Speaker
room, say, at =. NJ, punctually?" al
will do anything" she answered, that yor
advise Then meet me at the speaker
room, south wing Of the Capitol at ( o'cioc.
this evening OF course she did.
was there ahead of time. sent my card t,
MIR Speaker Blaine. who was in his chat
presiding over a noisy House but who, a.
Away. responded quickly to my all. In
few words | explained the whole case, anC
We went together to the Speakers room
across the hall, behind the Char where
sat the lady, closely yelled. No courte
since the days of Charlemagne ever ap
preached lady with more delicacy ant
grace than did Mr. Speaker Blaine tn,
IN. & = al.
daughter Of General Zachary Taylor, for
mer President of the United States. Ate
few words of inquiry and explanation, h
turned to me, and said Great God has
c pme TO this. that daughter of Iachar,
Taylor and widow of faithful arm
surgeon, who served his country and man
kind all his life should be here knocking a
the doors of Congress for the pitiful pension
Of atty dollars a month";" | could onl,
answer It's true. and pity It's tbs true.
Turning to Mrs. Wood, Blaine continued
Your father was the first man eve
shouted for as President, and for you, hi
daughter, will 10 all a man can in thi
complicated government. | will make you
case my own Don't leave this city till yol
hear from me-" Finding | hal touched tn
proper chord of his generous nature, al
vised Mrs Wood to return to General Hun
ter's, and await the result. Blaine escorte,
her To the stairway with many frieudl,
expressions, returned to tue Speakers chair
and resumed his functions
| did not remain, but learned from
friend sfterwsrd the sequel Blaine sat il
the bu.ne.. AZ m. Uouse ocrss,onall,
scribbhng on bit of paper. and Shen
hull occurred he called some member to tax,
hi. Mace and waIlsd straigb, 10 NJ uol
interest which want to rush through pleas