The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-12
In the Days When Dewey's
Bride Lived in Montana.

How many Montanans know that
Mrs. Mildred Mclean Hazen-Dewey,
the woman to whom the heart of the
Admiral George Dewey, was once a
favorite figure in Montana society?
1t was years ago, away back in the
early 70's, but old-time army folk and
pioneers remember gratefully the
charming young bride of Colonel W.
b. Hazen. who. did SO much in those
days to enliven the dreary frontier
army posts.
In 1872 Mildred Mclean married Col
onel Hazen and, like a true soldiers
wife, gave up the delights of eastern
society toscome West with her stalwart
husband. That year Colonel Hazen
was assigned to the command of Fort
Buford, the post opposite the mouth of
the Yellowstone, just over the line in
what. is now North Dakota. Old Fort
Union was near by and at those posts
the brilliant young bride won the
hearts Of ALL
Then her first baby was born, little
Mildred, whose death six months later
cast a gloom over both posts, for the
child had reigned as veritable little
queen. The blow was a terrible one
to MES. Hazen, but she emerged from
her sorrow, saddened but sweeter and
more womanly in character than be-
fore.
Then Colonel Hazen was assigned to
duty at Helena, where they lived for
some time and there the same quail
ties that have since made the present
Mrs. Dewey, the most brilliant woman
in Washington society, caused her to
become the head and front of social
life at the territorial capital.
Her extra ordinary conversational
powers, her aptness at repartee and
her ready wit even then were mark
ca.
She was brave, as soldiers help
meet should be in such troublous
times, for Indians were on the war
path and the colonel was much from
home, fighting the dark skinned war
riors. In those days of dreadful anx-
iety. while the soldiers were in the
field, the other women at the post
learned to go to her for sympathy and
to draw from her splendid stock of
courage some to replenish their own.
When Colonel Hazen was detached
from duty in the West during Presi-
dent Hayes administration, and sent
to Vienna as military attache at the
American legation, Montana saw the
last of Mrs. Hazen, but among the
pioneers who knew her she Is ten
der memory.
At the Austrian court, the most eX-
elusive and aristocratic in Europe, Mrs.
Hazen became immensely popular. As
she was the only woman in the lega-
ton, she was made much of. Emperor
Franz Joseph and the late empress
admired her immensely and took many
occasions to testify their admiration
and high regard.
The personality of this woman, who
stands foremost of her sex before the
American public to-day, is a rare one
She is sprightly, witty and fascinat
ing She possesses the rare gift o.
placing all persons Immediately a
ease, and, as one of her friends say.
of her, making them perfectly salts
fed with themselves
Her manner is engaging. She is &
brilliant conversationalist, and talk
interestingly upon all subjects, having
wealth of information, to which sh
adds a charming touch of humor ant
originality. She tells story well ant
is equally quick to appreciate and en-
joy any amusing incident at her owl
expense
Mrs. Dewey, although confessing t.
As years, is decidedly youthful in ap
pearance. She is not many inche
over five feet in height, being mucl
shorter than Admiral Dewey. He
figure is beautifully rounded, and sh
is stylish to a marked degree, an
dresses always in exceeding good taste
She has been described as demi
brunette, but her friends prefer to elias
her among the dark blondes. He
hair is fairly light. with just touc
of copper color. She wears it pile
high on her head, with gentle curl
dropping down over her forehead. ]
she has any style in hair dressing
is one entirely her own. She follow
none of the styles fixed by profession
ais. The one that sits before her mus
recognize the chief feature of her fac
to- be her eyes. They are bound t
fasterr themselves upon ones memor,
They are blue-very blue-and the lid
are fringed with black. A woman ha
described her ewes as looking for a
the world like those of a big Frenc
doll, except that their expressio
~'changes every moment, as her moo
may be one of merriment, or sadnes
or sympathy or happiness.
Mrs. Dewey is a woman of perfec
manner. She has exquisite grace an
really aristocratic bearing. Tt
years of experience she has had
Washington society has brought he