The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-22
"a Christmas Tragedy and Romance

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bcdient that affection could suggest
was planned to divert her.
Her condition excited general sympa.
thy, and touched by IT the brilliant
Maria Mayo afterward the wife OF
General winfield Scott, persuaded her
to make her d visit Mt her lovely home,
The Hermitage, on what Is now the
Hermitage Road near Richmond,
bringing her daily lii an elegant car
riq 5ri and fSnr n see !ar parents;
tolquote tile, diary. struck the Only
chord. her love for music. TO which
sllc could respond" Miss Mayo played
tile harp. and inducing her to accom-
pnny her upon the piano, they prac.
ticcd regularly together, Caroline do
lighting Itlcflardtby expressing q wish
to take lessons upon the harp.
n Seeing the benefit OF change. he car.
ried her.to New York, buying Tor her
handsome jewels. inherited by her
grandchildren. and stopping in Phila-
delpliia grntitied her longing to visit
young Madisons grave. Upon their
return to Richmond he presented her
with hnrp, upon which, under Mins.
Rtvardl's Instruction, she coon learned
to play.
The following summer was spent by
MISS Homassel at Woodberry Forest,
the home OF her betrothed's parents.
now the site OF a boys school and we'll
known to city refugees from summer
heat There she was given daugl,.
ters welcome, making frequent visits
to President and Mrs Madison at
Montpelier tnow owned and occupied
BY Colonel William Dupont). where sl1.
was also received as q member OF the
family.
A beautiful young girl, possessing
wealth and accomplishments, did not
luck admirers, among the most assid-
uous being Richards family physician,
Or. Philip Thornton, a great. grandson
OF Mildred Washington (the aunt and
godflothsr OF Washington. and the
partner Of Dr. Watson. whose home,
corner of Sixth and franklin Streets,
50 still standing. Caroline's heart.
however. az she told them. was buried
IN the grave OF her betrothcd.
Dven, says the diary, ION that aw-
1ui night at the theatre, when sur
rounded by those eager for q place
%. beside me. l felt how empty It all was.
Ihen came that friShtful scene. when.
tnere was contention between DR..
thornton and Charles Hay as 70 who
should save me. All was flame. smoke
and confusion. The stairs were broken
down, those who were upon them.
among whom was my Aunt Gailego,
lying beneath. piled one Upon another
u crushed and palpitating mass.
one Of sallDe Converts numerous
ADMIRERS. Lieutenant Gibbon, or the
navy son OF Major Gibbon. the hero
OF Stony Point, made desperate efforts
10 save her. They were seen for .
moment together. then lost In the
CLOUDS. Bearing me through the crush
20 window. DR.. Thornton broke out
the shutter, and letting me down his
ength and mine. was caught by my
Hay" ~ , aiAes
of Miss Homassers party only her.
sell and Mr.. Galleeo-who even,ual,y
uled from the stock-escnped inimrv
her account Of the condition 81 tbc
ha., SWING some idea of the: conpre-
henslve results OF the disaster.
tsaiy aunts nephew. George Dixon ),
she says. persisted IN the flames as
ma my Uncle Gallego's wife and adop..
60 daughter. sallie Convers. the lily OF
me valley In the bouquet of RIch.
nond beauties. Lucy Madison, my be.
trothed's sister. who was staying with
me. mad her wrist DEDICATED.
ply aunt was thrown from n win.
low and her ankle sprained. Her niece.
isosahha Dixon. was cut and bruised.
ss. NY uncle, the last to escape, hal
his thigh broken and his ankle dis
! located. a double injury, from which
he never recovered. Placing him upon
a mai tress. DR.. Thornton had him car
rled home by the mill hands, and dur
ing the three months OF suffering
which followed remained by his side
every night.
II was this devotion, according 20
MISS Homassel's diary. which led 10.
.helr marriage the following spring,
although the world said 1t was from
gratitude to him for having saved her
life. They Were married April %. 1872.
the bride wearing Mrs. Gallego's
pearls. "a gift from the heart-brokcn
husband. and being attended by Maria
Mayo. Lucy Madison, Betsy Gibbon and
Agnes Nicholson. a wedding Journey
followed, as did a visit to President
and Mrs Madison in Washington, thu
tic between herself and young AIali-
sons family remaining unbroken 10
the end.
For six years. during which two
daughters Were born to them. thu.
couple lived with her parents. pr.
Thornton erecting at tho Natural;
Bridge shot tower, highly commend-
ed by Thomas Jefferson in numerous
letters to him, presented by his de-
scendants. From 1t he hoped to realize
fortune by furnishing supplies for
the prosecution Of the War OF 1872.
then in progress. Peace, however. was
suddenly declared. and shot falling
from s6 to 81 a bag. he lost heavily
SA crisis. marking the beginning OF
Mrs, Thornton spiritual life was
reached by her on hearing a sermon
fi.9m the I,ev. John Rice. of the Preshy-
terian Church, preached on tho ami