The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-19

-
pended entirely on his sons wife,
Angelica.
Anna Harrison. wife Of "Tippeca-
noe was a devout Christian, too Erail
in health 10 20 70 Washington. where
her husband was IN Office but one brief
month when the strain and reSponsi-
hiIity Of his position FASTENED his
death
Vice President Tyler. thus made
president. was twice married. His
first wife, Letitia. was shy and sensi-
tive. and. despite her lovely face, had
no mtition but TO he the center OF a
loving family. Her death occurred in
the White House before the end OF the
first two years, and two years later, "a
his administration was nearing its
close, President Tyler married Julia
Gardner. the fret and. With one happy
exception. the emily marriage Of pres
ideat while in Office. IL was roman
liz engagement. owing 10 the tragic
death Of Miss Gardner's father while
they we're Mr.. Tyier's guests on q
pleasure trip. To the presidents al
miraiiOu for the lovely girl was added
his sympathy. and they we're married
and were happy ever after.
Mrs. Polk hazded herself down 20
history as the mistress of the White
House who had the courage to put an
end to dancing, cards and other fIivo-
lons amusements in the house OF the
nation; even did away with refresh
ments Tor those who had plenty and
10 spare at home, but was Ny Lady
Bonntiful 10 all in need.
Mrs. Zachary TAYLOR was with her
gallant husband in all his frontier life,
and vas a feeble, broken down woman
when the crowning honor came, so
that her daughter Betty was really
the mistress OF the White House.
Abigail Fillmore, the daughter OF a
clergyman. was 80 well educated that
she taught school before and after her
marriage, to enable her husband to de-
vote all his time to the study of the
law Oyerwork made her a prema-
turelv feeble woman, so that her
daughter was compelled 10 take charge
in her place. but so great was her
pride IN her husbands success that
She would remain on her couch all
day in order to save strength enough
70 he al his side in the evening rect p
tons. so great a reader was she that
for her sake her husband asked and
received OF congress an appropriation
tOr the first library in the White House,
himself selecting the books.
Jane Pierce vas also an invalid on
whom tbs sorrow Of the death of two
children bore heavily. \ short time
before President Pierce : inauguration,
the third and only child, bright boy,
in whom all their hopes were centered,
was killed in a railroad accident before
their eyes, so that the four years fol-
lowing were especially sad and lonely
ones.
Harriet Lane, a. the niece OF the
bachelor president, Buchanan, was
one of the brightest, most beautiful
girls who was ever the pet OF people.
Nothing was spared TO make her life
a perfection OF happy days, yet
through all the adulation she remained
unseltish and unspoiled.
Mrs Lincoln was the most ambitious
aud least popular of all the presidents
wives Her lifelong desire was to be
the first lady of the land, but the
position once obtained, the apple OF
ambition speedily turned 10 ashes.
At this darkest period OF the nations
history il was impossible for pleasure
To reign at the nations center. The
first two years were of great uncer-
tainty and trials, and the death OF her
son Willie. and finally OF her husband f,
turned the last years into deepest
mourning. Mrs. Lincoln was capri
Cious and exacting, with a most in
dulgent husband whose plainness of
feature annoyed her constantly. Her 8
was the most unhappy lie in the
white house.
Eliza Johnson, another invalid, to
whom was due much of her husband 5
| success, gave way To her daughter
when the goal OF the White House was
| reached. Daughter Martha was of a
| most practical houSewifely turn. and
some OF her happiest days in Wash
ingtOn were spent in experimenting
| the regular cleaning house" of the
| executive mansion.
Mrs. Grant was the wife of the
| youngest president ever put in office
and with her interesting children
frightened the old house till it was
| Cheerier than il had been for many q
| day. They had some hard times at
| " Hardscrabble,' and when the good
times came they lived them to the ut
| most The first three years were quie,
ones socially, bat the last one, when
| Nellie vas outof school and in society
was most brilliant one When thi,
petted daughter married and left fol
| England the whole country felt itSel
concerned, and 10 this day the name o
Nellie Grant awakeRs an Interest
almost tender The Grant family
Travelled more than any other pTesi
dents family have done, before tn,
famous trip around the world. Ii wa.
then that Mr.. Grant received NOR,
homage than was ever accorded any
queen since the days OF the queen o
sheba, and through her great bereaye
ment must come the Soitening iniiu
leaces of pleasant memories.
Lucy Webb Hayes was the daugh
ter OF the people and for the people
one of the most womanly women eve
brought into public notice II ha
been laid to her door that she trained
her husband As well a. her chill rem
because She forbade the use OF wine OF
her table BE that as it may. her al
ministration will he remembered whel
her husband 5 i forgotten Her wa
rare health and sunny good nature
No decollette dressing.
| luCretia Garfield was "A teacher il
the public schools of Cleveland. an,
after marriage gave lessons in paint
ing and drawing 20 help along. Sh
was sWeet-fAced and grateful but
regular home-bOdv, almost fearful q
the responsibility of her position. Tn
famous Grandma Garfield, mothe
Of the president, although - years o
age, shared the hopors with her. an,
no matter what persons Of distinction
We're present, Grandma Garfield re
ceiyed the fret and highest consii er
alton
President Arthur. being "a widow q
With a Young daughter asked hi> MAJ
ried sister To preside for him. wh,c
she did with grace betting her pos
; ton
Ro,e cleveland kept house Tor he
bachelor brother emily long enough I
have 10 in perfect order tor the Swee
bride who sa- to come into a ne,
home and q new life al the same tim,
Niih happy feariessne>s, the youu
glrl Just cat of school took CA he
shoulder, q burden that would hav
weighed heavily on g matfon ot Ion
. experience. No lady ot the Whit
House was ever more universally a.
mirod AMI loved by an enthusiast
people none have been 80 Unafccte
and IA common feeling with the pee
pie as Frances t,evrl land To her j
due the success of the present admin