The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-09-11
PRETTY PEGGY O'NEILL
The Rumpus Her Beauty Made IL
OId.Time Washington.

Washington Post.
Few OF those daily passing alons
the block which fronts on Pennsyl.
vania avenue, just where 1t joins
Twcnty.f1rst and l streets, are aware
that the row Of red bricks is the same
which sheltered one OF tile most re-
nowned feminine characters ever at
the capital; that within its walls
have supplied and dincd most Of the
famous men OF 0lden times, and that
it has looked calmly down on scenes
and people who have long ago passed
into history.
The square has changed greatly in
appearance since that day in, the early
part OF the century when "Billy'
ONeill took possession Of the block Of
houses. which then made up a large
estate. 1t extended down into what
Is now the market, and there were in.
Vulnerable 0uth0uses, stables and SER
wants quarters; for the "Tavcrn" was
the most conspicuous place at the
capital, which was then but a coun.
try town, the streets OF mud and
swamps, where are now rows Of hand.
some residences. Here it was that
the statesmen Of the time occupid for
years whole suites of apartments,
bringing with them retinucs Of slaves
and several sets OF carriages and
horses. The place was the rendezvous
OF the choice spirits Of the day, and
boasted as entertaining all of the
famous men who visited Washington,
General Eaton, then Senator, having
his home there, and 1t was also here
that Senator Andrew Jackson lived
while serving his term in the upper
house.
The keeper Of the tavern was Will
liam ONeill, descendant of the
family Of that name whose ancestral
home is in Ulster, Ireland. His wife
was fine woman, Of great beauty,
and one Of the daughters was named
Peggy, a name which clung to her
through all her eventful life. Peggy
was born at the capital about the end
OF the last century, at the time when
Napoleon was still frst consul OF
France and the young republic in the
throcs OF forming new system Of
government. She grew up a beauti-
full girl, with soft brown hair, OF . |
warm, chestnut tint, clear, rosy COM
plexion. while her eyes were gray and
most tender In expression. In fact,
when but a schoolgirl at Georgetown,
she was crowned at q commencement
by Mrs. Madison as q token OF her
beauty and graceful proficiency 10 the
dance.
When scarcely out Of her short |
dresses Peggy became famous for
her love affairs, and one youthful |
swain was about to elope With her |
when the accidental upsetting OF q |
fowerpot by the girl in her flight dis.
covered tile plot to the lrate parent,
who promptly sent his daughter OF |
to school 10 New York. In q short |
while she returned, and II was while
standing near o window In Z room OF
The tavern that she caught the eye OF
purser In the navy, a young man
named Timberlake, who was des.
perately smItten at the flrst glance.
He called that very evening. and be-
lore be left WAS engaged to the young
beauty, while the marriage took place
within two weeks.
Her flrst marriage was seemingly
happy, and for I'VE years she aud her
nusbapd sppeared to get on most ami.
ABLY. Three children were born
Margaret, and Z son who
lied when very young. TImberlake
eft his wife to 10 on cruise, and It
vas while absent that he one morning
ut his throat, being then stationed
N board the Constitution Of Port
dshon. Mrs. Tlmberlake then lived
q the red brick house which che had ]