The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-07
THE NOTED BELLE
DEATH OF MRS. MARY ELIZA
 BETH GWIN.
Was Born in Kentucky-Daughter of Innkeeper and Wife of
 Senator-Her Famous
 Drawing Room.

Senator-Her Famous
 Drawing Room. {. Louisville Courier Journal:
 The death of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Gwin at San Francisco a few days ago ended the career of a Kentucky woman which was of as surpassing an interest as that of any heroine of fiction. Mrs. Gwin was S5 years of age. and the widow of Senator William M. Gwin, a famous ante-bellum politician.
 Mrs. Gwin was Mary Elizabeth Hampton Bell, daughter of the famous mine host Bell, of Bells Tavern. This Bells Tavern was a famous inn and was much sought by travellers. It was there that at the plate of each guest was placed a great glass peach brandy and honey, and its good cheer was known far and wide Its host pros- pered and at the beginning of the war was constructing a fine stone edifice, which never was completed. The tav- ern had not only State, but a Nation al reputation in early turnpike days, situated at>the junction of the road to Mammoth Cave and not far from Bowling Green. on the famous State turnpike that was the highway to the South. Mary Bell was born at Russell vile June A. 1916, but when the tavern was famous she was the toast and the beauty.
 William c. Logan. a weil-known sur veyor of Glasgow, woQsd and won her at 14 years. Logan surveyed ana owned immense tracts of land In Texas, and took his bride thither. There also they became friends with Gen. Sam Houston and other men who have since become figures in history, Mir. Logan died in 1885 or 1886. and his widow, scarcely out of her "teens." returned to her fathers house, young, blooming William M. 0win, while riding his horse by the tavern. saw the youthful beauty at some laundry work on the rear porch. and then and there was so struck by her beauty and grace that he aiighted to woo her. The marriage took place in vicksburg. Miss, but the doctor took his bride to New Orleans. and was there resident when the news came that gold had been discovered in California Mrs Gwin was ambitious and full of energy. She urged her hus- band to go to California at once. and become the Senator rom there. They arrived in San Franciscs on June 1, !sss end ever after Mrs. Gwin called ~ss.sJ 0Sy hOt Iuuhy,f Attn0uEn She was born on June a4
 The First State Senator.
 Dr. Gwin was elected United States Senator in 1S44. but the State was not admitted to the Union until 1850. But the Senator-elect and his wife went to washington and used all their influence to have California admitted into the union. Their hospitality Is yet recalled in Washington as an example of what hospitality was in the '.good old days before the war" 4 distinguished fea- ture of this hospitality was that Cali fornians of all shades of political opin- ion were welcomed there. Mrs. Gwin was a social queen, about 3A years of age at this time, very fascinating and ,oeautafui. The President. James Bu- chance, was one of her ardent admir- ers: ana no social function was com plete without her.
 Senator Gwin was Senator from Cali fornia for two terms. or twelve years. He canvassed the State regularly, re- taaning his party leadership. and in his Journeys to and from Washington he crossed the Isthmus of Panama twenty four times, generally accompanied by Mrs. Gwin. ts
 A peculiar feature of Mrs. Cw,p,s hospitality was that in her reception rooms bitter political enemies met on neutral ground, and North and South met socially with great pleasure.
 Mrs. Gwinis Influence.
 pr. Gwin was a man of undoubted character and ability. but Mrs. Gwin was his spur. Through his efforts San franclsco- secured the branch mint. the navy yard and depot now at tEMare Island. He advocated the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands and & trans-pa- CHIC line Of steamers. He offered a Dill. 1852. for the construction. of a Pa cific railroad. but 1t was defeated Again and again he urged Its impor- tance and to his efforts isoafae the es- tablishment of the Pony Express across the continent.
 Mrs. Gwin and Patti.
 In 1857 Adelina Patti was in Wash ington and the project of giving a con- cert to introduce the young singer was submitted to Mrs. Gwin. She knew of the marveious sweetness of the girls voice and determined to make the con- cert social event in the city. She in- quced the President, Cabinet Officers ana prominent Senators to attend the concert which was a great 's,,ccess Patti never forgot this kindness. Wears later when. Mrs. Gwin was, a ~Coufed- crate" in Paris. Patti saw e great deal of her. and never forgot to express her gratitude for her start" in WashinT- ton.
 The Gwans lived in San Francis,o between sessions, but when in Wash ingten resided on Jackson street. near Stockton street, in the house afterward occupied by Dr. Poland. After the war the Gwins returned to California.
 For the Confederate, Cause.
 When the sectional war broke cut Senator Gwin espoused the Confederate cause. He went South. but did not en- ter the army. Mrs. dwin went to Hal timere. where daughter was at school. Baltimore was more or less a hotbed of Southern sympathy, and the govern pept, at Washington was very virilant