The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-04
MIR. EOHGf IS. fHiLDS
Peculiar ties OF the idow of fbe min mt
Phi'au hropi-t.

In all that has been written Of the late
George W. Childs. of his charities. his
philanthropies. and Of the depth and
breadth OF his great love Of all mankind.
there has been but the merest mention
of Mrs Childs and the place she occupied
in the life of her distinguished husband.
Phiadelphians. as a rule. know very little
about her. They can tell you that she
was Emma Bowler Peterson before her
narriase. and the daughter Of the pub
Usher in whose establishment her nus
band made his early start IN life. Be
y0Hd this only Il select few possess any
information OF the domestic life in the
Childs' mansion and the personality OF
its mistress.
Mrs. Childs is a slender little woman,
Small-featured. dark Accomplishment ana OF
an exceedingly nervous temperament
This finds expression in the anxious soil
citude with which she regards the most
minute details of the Infringement OF
her household affairs. Although provided
with a competent stan Of servants, Mrs.
Childs insists upon general personal
supervision OF everything. one OF her
marked peculiarlties is a most intense
aversion for dust, and much Of her time
is spent while at home in minute inspec-
ton of furniture and hangings 10 discover
If possible the slightest speck left by the
maid after the regular morning busting.
Mrs. Chiids has never been what
might be called a society woman. She
enjoyed the friendship Of the most dis
tirguished families OF Philadelphia-the
Cadwalladers. the Prices. the Binneys'
the Biddles. the Rosengartcns. and others
OF equal distinction. but fashionable func-
practically unknown. Ut has been her
custom 10 lunch two or three times
week with these intimate friends, accom-
panied by her niece. Miss Peterson, who
lived with MIR. and Mrs. chiids from
childhood up 10 the time Of her marriage
10 Robert II. VI. Carter.
Mrs Childs' closest friends are the
daughters Of the late General Robert Pat
terson, the Old Mexican war hero. She
probably visited them before her hus-
bands death more than anybody else In
Philadelphia. General Patterson lived ia
a spacious old mansion at Thirteenth AMI
Locust streets. IL was laid out on The
plan OF an English country house, wlth
4 courtyard. servants halls, and immense
Kitchen nreplaces. 1t has open crates and
candles were given the guests 20 so 20
he'd with. Her conversation at these in
formal luncheons, both at home and
abroad, was confined largely 10 discus
sion of Mr.. ChildS' latest bencfactions.
These We're so numerous. so varied. and
often brought out such peculiarly pa
thetic stories of suffering that they form
Cd q fruitful theme DAY after day and
week after week.
Mrs Childs rarely appeared in public
with her husband. The theatre had no
attraction Tor her. once or twice Il year
perhaps she would consent 10 sec Edwin
Booth or some equally distinguished ac-
tor, hut for the ordinary dramatic at
traction she had 10 inclination. The
daughter Of the tate Dean Stanley has
lived with the Childs for twenty years.
Before Miss Petersons marriage. which
took place about five years ago. the three
were continually together. Miss Stan
ley is now the constant companion OF
Mrs. Childs.
The widow OF the dead philanthropst
came to possess. probably by constant as
ISOLATION, many Of her husbands traits
ana characteristics. Her servants have
been with her for generation. Such a
thing as dismissal IS absolutely unknown
Mrs. chllds is retiring almost to timidl-
~. She is rarely seen on the streets OF
Philadelphia. and It is altogether proba-
bic that her face is as unfamiliar 10 the
masses az her husbands was well known
1t is said in Philadelphia by persons who
are close TO Mrs. Chlds and the Drexel
family In Il social way, that the splendid
white marble mansion Of the deceased
millionaire will very shortly be sold TO
AR John r. DreXel. as Mrs. chids has
said that she cannot endure the idea OF
living there in the future. and will proba-
bly, make Wooton her regular residence
st. Louis Republic