Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-04
ANNA A. HAYS.
The Grent Soldiers Widow Ends Life of
Good Works and Brave.


Mrs. Anna A. Hays. widow Of General Alex
ander Hays, died on Monday at lois P. M. at
her home in Sewickley, as stated in The DIS
PATCH yesterday. Since last October Mrs.
Hays had not left her room, yet her death was
a surprise to many; so often had her indomita-
BILE will triumphed over the attacks which had
made her an invalid since 1877 that she might
conquer again. 1t was not to be- however, and
on Monday evening she passed away
Mrs. Hays was the daughter of James y.
McFadden, a prominent man in Pittsburgs
young days. She was born in Plttsburg March
Is, 1926. In her girlhoOd she was noted belle,
of whose beauty and wit reports have come
down to this generation. She married Alex
ander Hays on February 10, 1916. OF him
there Is hardly need to speak; his brilliant
career a soldier is known to everybody in
Pittsburg. Mrs. Hays accompanied her hus-
band during the war whenever it was possible,
passing the winters of 1861, 1862 and 1868 with
him in the camp of the Army of the
Potomac. General Hays was killed In the san
and his widow was left to face the world with
seven children. She did face the world with
the courage of lion. Her life until her health
to them, and even as an invalid she was unre-
mitting in her care Of them. Her children who
survive her are Mrs. George Gormley, Alden F.
Hays. Mrs. John S. Sullivan, OF Jenerson City,
A. Pearson Hays and James A. Hays. Her
brother, James B. McFadden, and her sister.
Mrs George Murphy, also survive ner.
Mrs. Hays possessed wonderful meatal gifts,
and dignity and graciousness, a courtly man.
ner and readiness of wit that won her friends
and admirers everywhere. Unquestionably
she was the ablest woman of affairs, even In her
sick room that the writer has ever met. Her
reading was large and various; her taste
catholic. There was nothing she liked better
than the study of men, and her Judgment of
them and the events which made them prom
ibent showed remarkable discernment. She
spoke French fuenIly, and everyone who has
enjoyed her society knows with what
skill she used her mother tongue. Beside
possessing these great gifts and requirements
Mrs. Hays was big-hearted, courageous to the
verge of herosm. patient and gentle, and a
warm lover of her family and friends OF the
latter she had very many in Pittsburg, in all
parts of this country, and even in remote cor
ners OF the world. There seemed tn be some
thing in her of magnetic quality which
bound men and women TO her: once admitted
to her friendship there could be no leaving it.
So her death comes as grievous blow to hun
dreds who knew her simply as friend not
often seen. To those near her the loss Is irrep-
arabic.
The funeral services will take place in st.
Stephens Episcopal Church, Sew1ckley, at IL
A. M. Thursday, June 5. Mrs. Hays was
study member of st. Stephens congregation.
Proceeding to Pittsburg by the 1918 train from
Sewickley, the burial will follow in the ALLIE
gheny Cemetery, in the plot where General
Alexander Hays now lies. Eight men from
General Hays Regiment, the Sixty-third
Pennsylvania Volunteers, will act as pail
bearers. H.