The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-07-19
A PRESIDENTS WIDOW DEAD.
rue WIFE OF THE TENTH PRESIDENT Ex.
FIRES FROM A ooNGEsTIvE CHILL

The widow of ex-President John Ty-
Ter died at the Exchange hotel, at Rich
mond, Virginia, on July 10th, from a
oongestive chill. Mrs. Tyler had only
been at the hotel since Sunday even
ing, having come from visit to her
son, Lyon G.. Tyler, at Williamsburg,
and was TO have left here on Monday
on visit to another son, on the James
River, but, feeling unwell, she kept her
room. Tuesday, at II o'clock, she was
taken with chill. DR.. Edward Nc
duire was sent for and he was soon
Joined by DIR. Hunter Mcclure, hut
medical skill proved of no avail, and
she died at quarter past 5 o'clock that
afternoon. Mrs. Tyler leaves four chill
dren: Lyon g. Tyler, President of Will
liam and Mary College, Va; Gardi-
ner g, Tyler, who lives in Charles City
County, Va; DR. Lscklsn Tyler, of
Washington City, aud Mrs. William
Ellis, of Montgomery County.
Julia Gardiner Tyler, second wife of
John Tyler, tenth President of the
United States, was born on GARDENERS
Island, near East Hampton, N. Y, in
1920. She was educated at the Che
gary Institute, New York City, and
after short time spent in travelling
through Europe, she came to Wash
ington with her father in 1874. A few
weeks after their arrival they accepted
an invitation from President Tyler to
attend pleasure excursion down the
river on the war steamer Princeton
The festivities on this occasion were
sadly marred by the explosion of gun
on the vessel, causing loss of life.
Among those killed was Miss Gardi-
ner's father. His body was taken to
the White House, and Miss Gardiner
was thrown a great deal into the socie-
ty of the President, owing to the pecu-
liar circumstances attending her faith
er's death. President Tyler's first wife
had died shortly after he entered the
White House, and the President paid
Miss Gardiner marked attention, which
resulted in their marriage in New
York City, June 26, 1874. For the
succeeding eight months of President
Tyler's term, she presided over the
White House with tact, grace and dig
nifty. After the 4th of March, 1S45,
Mrs. Tyler returned with her husband
to the seclusion of their country place,
Sherwood Forest on the banks Of
the James River, Va. She remained
in Virginia until after the civil war
her husband having died about the be
ginning OF the strife, and then went tC
reside at her mothers residence, or
Casueton Hill, Staten Island. Aftel
several years residence there she re
moved to Richmond, Va, where sh'
died. Mrs. Tyler was Roman Cath
olic in religion.
Mrs. Tyler was ll,graceful woma'
who last winter passed much of he
time at Washington, where she intro
duced her grand d-daughter, Miss Juli
Spencer, in society. She has not re
sided on the old Tyler homestead, O.
the james River, since the war. Mrs
Tyler, like Mrs. Cleveland, married
President in Office, and correspond
ent who visited her last October, dc
scribes her appearance. and tells tn
story of her marriage as follows:
Mrs. Tyler's heavy black hail
sprinkled with few gray lines, wa
parted in the middle, and the thic
braids covered the back of the hea
while one rested on the top like
crown. 1t was an old fashion, but yer
becoming. was struck with her con
plexion, which was clear, and tn
cheeks were 80 pink that 16 year-ol
girl might envy the tint. Above a
were her wondrous gray eyes.
MRS. TYLERs ROMANTIC ooURrsHIP.
Won't you tell me how you mt
President Tyier,Y she was asked.
"Well, to begin at the first. / ws
born on GARDENERS Island, three mile
from land. Twas descendent of tt
first white child born of British paren
in the state of New York, and til
child of the first white child born
Connecticut. My name, as you know
was Julia Gardiner. There grew u
until my schooling was finished an
then my father took my sister and n
to Europe for the finishing touches,
it were. While we were in Paris v
heard of the death OF President Ha
rison, and we American girls all wo
Grape around our wrists in mourning Fl
long time. President Tyler we kne
was the successor, and had lit
canary which brought back with m
that I had named Johnny Ty,' in hon
of President John Tyler"
Did You Dot know him then?"
No. But on our return my faith
took my sister and me 20 Washingto
We met the president and became gre
friends, but never thought of lovil
him then. / was not yet 20 and
was easily 35 years older than /, but
thought him very nice, aud was We
gay aud frivolous, aud, of course, W
fattered by his friendship. There W
a grand reception held in the VIII
House on Washipgton's birthday. 1
people of note were there, and it "
very brilliant. / had been dancing W
young mau who was not pleased W
the attention the President had be
paying me. We had just stopped a
were walking about when the Presid,
came up, and drawing my arm throu
his, said TO the young man: q m
claim Miss GARDENERS company
awhile The young man drew off a
looked as if he would like to ss
well, you are impudent, but he did
/ walked around with the Presid
and he proposed then. | had ne
thought of love, 80 | said; No, no,
and shook my head with each VIC
which flung the Iassel of my Greek
into his face with every move. 1t ,
undignified but it amused me v
much to see his expression as he II
TO make love to me and the ta
brushed his face. ! did not tell
father. was his pet, yet feared I
he would blame me for allowing
President to reach the proposing pc
so i did not speak of it to any one.
+" How were you dr., ssed the nj
the President proposed 7"
q wore white tarletan. 1t
very pretty and very becoming.
head ] wore crimson Greek cap