The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-24
SHE WAS OVER EIGHT FEET HIGH.
Home Life of Captain and Mrs. Bates
The Tallest Couple Ever Known.
From the Nelo Yorle World.

from the Aelo Yore WOTtd.
MEDINA, O., Aug. 17-For the past
fifteen years Capt. NJ V. Bates and wife,
who were the talest couple on the globe,
have lived in the SOUTHERN part of Medina
county, Ohio. During the earlier part of
their married lite they were before the pub
lie with the well-known circus man, w w.
Cole, and though such life was not at all
times agreeable, it was highly remunera-
tive. and in this manner they were enabled
to accumulate a competency, upon which
they afterward lived at their ease. In
response to an invitation from the
captain, q correspondent visited him at his
home, half mile east of the little village
of Seville. Their residence, which was
built under the immediate supervision of
the captain, is roomy, though unostenta-
tious in appearance, and in all its appoint
ments adapted to the convenience of its oc-
cupants, but in such happy proportions that
one fails to notice the unusual size. His
farm is well supplied with all modern con-
veniences and IS one of the finest in that re-
gion. Wheat corn, oats and tobacco are
the principal products. 7. captain is con-
sidered one of the leading livestock breed
ers in the state, Percheron horses and snort
horn cattle being his spsciaIties. However,
he is at present making preparations for
adding fine line of tro5tng stock.
Martin Van Buren, Bates, the son of John
Wallace aud Sarah Bates. was born at
Whitesburg, KY, Nov. 9, 1915 At the age
of 16 he was graduated from the Emery
and Henry college. He enlisted as private
in the Fifth kentucky confederate Infantry
in September, 1861. During the raid of
Gen. /. Kirby Smith in Kentucky the Fifth
crossed into Virginia, where thoy formed
the Virginia state line service, afterward
reorganzed by an act of the confederacy
into the Seventh confederate cavalry, and
Mr. Bates was elected captain of Company
A under Col. Clarence j. Prem ice (son of
the late George d. Prentice, the renowned
editor, poet aud Wit. He is an exaggerated
example of an oldtime Kentucky planter,
of stately bearing, handsome features and
excellent proportions, measuring s feet in
hight.
Mrs. Bates maiden name was Anna
Swan. She was the daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. Alexander Swan, and was born at
New Amman, Colchester county, Nova SEQ
tia, and perhaps from some Highland ances-
tor inherited her enormous stature of s feet
and l inch. Her father was a native of
Dumfries, Scotland, while her mother,
though a native Of Nova Scotia, was of
Scotch descent. Their respective nights
are 5 feet inches and 5 feet 5 inches In
speaking of her daughter Mrs. Swan said :
Her growth was phenomenal. At the age
of years she was 4 feet aid @ inches in
hight, at II years feet and inches, at II
years she had attained the remarkable ght
of feet and inches. We had family of
thirteen children, and with the exception of
Anna not one of them was taller than her
father
Annals highest ambition was to be well
educated, and rs her parents were pc her
only hope of achieving this end was to &C.
cept proposition from P. I. Barnum and
stand ON exhibition in his New York
museum, he in turn to provide her with a
private teacher for three hours each day for
three years. This, with course at the
Truro seminary OF Nova Scotia, gave her a
fine education. MS Swan accompanied
Anna during her engagement III New York,
and thus carefully guarded, Anna developed
into refined lady wholly devoid of the
vulgarity of the ordinary show woman. She
had that air of retiring mCdeS5y which won
for her host of friends. Mr.. Barnum paid
her literally, and this enabled her TO assist
her overburdeded parents, while at the same
time the educational advantages she enjoyed
were far superior to those of her native
village.
During these years Anna received many
matrimonial proposals. but most of them
bore on their suface business schemes rather
than proper motives, and she repealed them
all. 1t remained for Capt. Bites TO APP
proach and win her in n truly love-like man
! ntT. III was ~ tNe NOME Oh ven. w iDlltIu
Scott ut Mount Washington, n. j., that they
first met. IL 1869 Capt. Bates went to Eul-
rope, where, THROUGH letters of introduc-
ton furnished him by n Louisville clcrgy-
man, he was admitted TO the society Of the
nobility. Here again he met Miss Swan,
and their friendship ripened into love, and
on June II, 1871 they were married by Sir
Rupert Cochran, of st. Georges church,
| Hanover square, London
During their travels throughout Europe
they were the guests of the 70 al families
and returned to the United States in 1872
with many valuable souvenirs Of theiI
visits with them. II was the intention oil
the captain to go at once to Kentucky and
and settle upon farm, but Mrs. Bates
! preference for Ohio led them to change
) their plans.
On Sunday Aug. 10, the community
heard the news of the death of Mrs Bates
Though for some time an invalid, the end
came unexpectedly In all social relation,
she was favorite in church and Sunday
school work earnest and untiring; generous
to the needy and helpful to all.
A memorial service was held one weeh
after her death ut the Baptist church, OF
which tho captain aud Mrs. Bates were
members, Rev B. +. Ashley taking hi.
text from the words: "Shs hath done what
she could