The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-09-11

SCRANTON MISSISSIPPI, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER H. 1896
built on the northwest corner OF
Twcnty-frst and l streets.

/ 'sV W. WIZ uOt VuWINv
Twcnty-frst and l streets.
During the absence OF Purser Tir
ocrlake the Rossips Of the town had
that General John Eaton, who boar,
cd ut the tavern, paid too much coul
to the pretty grass widow. At an
rate, 1t Is fact that within thre
months from the day that her hu
band cut his throat, Peggy becam
the wife OF Eaton, thus being place
In the front rank OF the wives Of th
United States Senators.
The advent OF the daring and beat
tiful Mrs. Eaton into the midst Q
some OF the most punctiliOus ladies Il
the land was not hailed with Joy B.
these DANES, who immed lately gath
cred up their skirts and declared tina
her acts Of late had been such as t.
taboo her from society. Pretty Pegg
vet the world by the ears, and laughc,
ut the havoc she had wrought, neve
caring Ut all for the slight which wa
put upon her by the ladies Of the gov
ernmcnt.
Senator Jackson now became Presi
dent, and, being an ardent friend o
Eaton, determined to take up arms II
defense Of Eaton's wife. Genera
Eaton was put into the cabinet, beinI
made Secretary OF War. The wivc.
Of the rest Of the cabinet officers re-
fused TO call on the wife OF Sccretar,
Eaton. Mrs. Calhoun also said she
would not recognize her, and for this
slight her husband became a personal
enemy Of the President, and Il bitter
feud ensued.
The wife OF the minister from Hol-
land was the cause OF her husband be-
ing recalled for similar reason. 1t
happened that several Of the foreign
ministers were bachelors or widOwcrs,
and these gentlemen used to give
large parties, to which Peggy and her
husband were invited. At one big
dinner at the legation OF Russia, Mrs.
Eaton was taken In on the arm of the
President, but when the wife of the
Dutch minister saw who was seated
next to her, she quickly arose and left
the room. The whole company was
dumbfOundcd at this slight in the
face Of the President, but with light
laugh Mrs. Eaton made some jocular
remark about the lady's departure.
None Of the cabinet ladies would
call on the wife Of the Secretary of
War, and this made Jackson simply
furious. lie had taken up cudgels in
defense of the wife Of his friend, and
he was determined TO carry out the
whole thing to the bitter end. WASH
ingtOn was at fever heat with the ex-
element 0f the social war between
the two factions, and the ladies Of the
cabinet, senate and house were almost
A unit 10 sighting the beautiful Mrs.
Eaton. Jackson raved and st0rmed,
but the ladies remained unmovcd. |
lie forced the unwelcome woman into
,he company Of others, only to receive
,lle most studied sights for his pro-
,cgc. Webster spoke In his letters OF
,hc turmoil into which the capital
vas thrown, and most OF the states.
ncn and diplomats were arrayed on
me side or the other.
Van Buren took the side of the fair
ady, and as q reward for this he stood
n high favor with the President. re-
'eiving u proud position, which after
ward ended In his being himself an
occupant Of the white house. Many
Il the cabinet officers, whose wives
efuscd to visit Mrs. Eaton, were
orced to resign, and thus the whole
government was upset by this modern
Helen. Finally Eaton was sent as
Governor to Florida, and later on he
vas made Minister to Spain.
While In Spain Mr.. Eaton became a
warm friend Of the Queen Christina,
lie latter royal lady delighting In the
'eauty Of the two daughters of Tim.
who accompanied their
mother abroad. Virginia was q
'londe and one Of such rare lovliness
hat all who remember her face still
ave over Its exquisite delicacy and
oftness Of coloring. Being highly
ccompliseed, the girls soon became
much admired, ana the stay Of Gen.
raj Eaton abroad was q social tri.
lmph for his wife, who had been 90
nubbed 10 her own home.
In the meantime the old tavern had
'een sold In 1923. O'Neill failing in
usIness, most Of the property passed
nto the hands Of General Eaton, who
old the larger part of the estate 10
hat year to Mr.. Gadsby. Mrs. Eaton
etained some Of tile interest In the ,
and when she returned to ,
Washington at the end Of her hus. .
and's foreign mission she took up
or residence In what is now No. 2007, ,
his being one Of the houses owned
y her family. The house is still ,
landing to-day, though newly
ainted.
After the return Of the Eatons TO !
merica, they lived for while at the ,
,pital, and It was there that General
atom died, leaving his wlfc quite !
ell Oh In the goods Of this world.
mo Of the Tlmberlake girls, Mar.
aret, had married . Mr.. Randolph,
Virginia, and her early death left
Irs. Eaton with several grandcAil.
rem to claim her care. ID