The Washington herald., 1909-04-11
MRS. TAFT AS 4 TEACHER
Building in Which White House Mistress Taught
School Is Still Standing

young women and men got Up what they
called the "COterie" or Salon. One
member of this was her sister. Maria
Heron. Another was Miss Alice KEYS.
now Mrs. Howard HOLSTER William II
Taft was a member. so was Howard HoI-
lister. Then there was Thomas A Mack.
an iron man. now in New YORK in busi-
ness. There also were Prof White and
others.
These young folks net weekly and dis
cussed questions Of moment There were
boat rides and other entertaining features.
II was in these meetings undoubtedly thar
William Taft and Miss Heron discovered
two hearts that beat as one. Dame Ru-
NOR says that this Is where the romance
began. and IL led on 10 the altar The
salon met IN the several houses OF the
members and gave the astute young law
yer chance 20 see what sort OF a home
maker Miss Heron might make VIII
Tart as a result married Miss Heron and
HOLSTER too Miss Keys.
An Early Day Prediction.
In those same days Of teaching school
this quiet young woman. who attended so
strictly q her own business. was '.fn So
ciety in Cincinnati Il is recounted now
how, among other places. she spent an
afternoon AZ the home Of Mrs. John I.
Stetunius- one OF the aristieratic families
OF the Queen City Among others. Mrs.
George II. Peadleton. wife of the Senator
vas there. Mrs. Pendleton was a woman
who knew the world. had net diplomats
and their wives In Washington. and else
where. but she is quoted as being partic,l-
larly struck with the lovely manners and
sweet demeanOr OF Miss Heron.
What a first lady Of the land she might
make she said 10 a friend IN speaking
Of her that evening That was almost
thirty years ago.
Miss Heron had abundant time fo-
both social and pedagogical duties. Schoo1
then lasted from until 2 with a noon
recess or perhaps half an hour She came
{ I'D N the old Walnut Hills cable. now a
memory. or else. oftener than that. she
Iook tne horse car through the park.
nat was faT pieasanter. fer II was bur q
snort wax from her home on Pike street
almost around the corner from the Taft'S
present residence. 10 the foot OF TIE in
cline Then up the hiH. al whose fop the
RookWocd pottery. labor OF love OF Mrs
bellamy Storer. was later 20 arise. and
through Eden park. where the elder
!-ongworth had his vineyards years be-
fore. she passed.
Changes Of Quarter Century.
A quarter Of a century later. little did
the woman dream. from the great water
tower then unbuilt IN the park. fireworks
wcGid CLEAN 70 welcome her husband
when he came 20 receive the news OF
nomination TO the Presidecy. That was
in lSS2- In 1908. in this park. crowds
/ thronged the bluffs overlooking the Ohio
/ 70 watch the nigh, Examinations for Taft
on bis notification day.
But the young school teacher rode in
the poly horse car and chatted with the
grizzly old driver now a memory TO
many. and perhaps. while the horses
stopped 10 rest under the naples. picked
a handful Of red clover. as 50 many did
! In those days
After the third year Miss Heron gave
up school teaching. Il wasn't so verv
long before she changed her name 10
Taft
Ihe house where William n. Taft was
married IS still intact. occupied By John
( Heron Il stands almost across from
! Charles P Taf.s where notification day
ceremonies were held