The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-31
CLAY, CALHOUN, WEBSTER;
RecolIections of o wo,nan Still Living who
Net the Famous Trio In Wsshiugtou.

RecolIections of wo,nan Still Living who
Net the Famous Trio In Washiagt ton. !
Mrs. William Armstrong Dawson, now
In her eighty fifth year, lives in Jefferson
City. She was conspicuous woman In
the society Of Washington in the times Of
Clay, Webster and others who made hiAr
tory.
OF Webster she says: "He was the most
unusual looking man ever saw, his dark
skin and betting brows having earned for
him the cognolnen of geek DAN In
manner and dress no was iEost scrupulous.
His coat, modelled on the Byronic lines Of
tho times, was blue in color, ornamented
with brass buttons. He was noticeable
figure anywhere. ! was not surprised
when afterward heard his speeches In
the senate chamber, where six years before
he had made himself famous In his cele.
brated reply to Hayne Of South Carolina,
with his wonderful gift of oratory and
voice ponderous in volume became per.
sonally conscious Of that feeling of awe
which caused his opponents to consider
him in oratorical combat one Of the most
formidable of adyersaries
DutihB INV Va iby Nieato w VINO oVIoto
Mrs. Linn and were being ushered to
approaching US DR.. Linn and a tall and
exceedingly handsome man.
i want to prosent to you friend Of
your father, DR.. Linn said, turning to me
and introducing Henry Clay. Making a
most elaborate bow, Mr.. Clay spoke of my
home in his flowery way. oh that little
Wing city, Wheeling. the very Eden of my
hearth
1--WE next spoke to John G. Calhoun,
and wondered why Vice President Van
Buren, chose to emphasize his insignificant
appearance by calling Senator Calhoun,
who was digni1led and the typical states
man, to occupy the chair in his absence.
Tho vice presidents figure was small and
weazened. His whole appearance as well
as his character justified his sobriquet
Fox He was widower and much given
to ladies' society"
Asked about the dress of that time, Mrs.
Dawson replied:
"Our dresses were nearly all made alike
that was one satisfaction. For evening
wear light oolored silks, cut short wasted,
with sleeves of large puffs, in which we
wore pillows, to give them tho
requisite size. Our skirts cleared the floor
about six inches, and we wore white silk
stockings and satin slippers. For day
wear our gowns were of dark Silks decol-
late, with detachable long sleeves to slip
under the puffs Over the shoulders We
wore cape of the silk and we substituted
black stockings and slippers for the white
ones. One Of my bonnets was coal scut-
tle shape Of cream velvet, surmounted by
high standing white plumos. The men
wore colored coats with brass buttons,
Fanciful waistcoats and soft white Byron
collars, with black silk stocks"
Every ono Of Mrs. pavisons children,
IF whom she has eight living cher home Is
With the eldest, DR.. A. C. Davison), and
'early every one among her grandohil-
iren, has some trophy Of those bygone
lays. Brooados, laces, berthas, old fans,
| cnblo chain of gold with lnonocle attach
ID, her wedding gown waist in which her
and namesake has been
a garnet and turquoise bead
eticule, which she bestowed upon me-aIl
re preserved with great pride and care
Kansas City Star.