St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1912-05-18
CONVICTION YEARS AGO.
(By j. M. Tate.)


olden times lady by the name of
Sterling. She was the wife of an
English sea captain, and had drifted
to Covington in the early fifties, and.
when left a widow, she supported
herself and three children, two girls
and q boy, by keeping hotel, which
she managed very successfully for
many years. Being very tall and of
q commanding personality as we'll
as taking an active part in the af-
fairs of the town, she obtained the
soubriquet of Mayor of Cov;ngton.
Many transients came to her hotel
as well as parties from New Orleans
seeking board for their families in
the country where they would be
free from the much dreaded yellow
fever. In those days, before the san
ttary bath room became a part of
every home, it was the custom for
ladies and children, and oftener par
ties of young girls, to resort to the
river for a bath. And merry zines
they would have. But now, nous
avon changer celia tout"
On one occasion Mrs. Sterling
with her three children and some of
the boarders, among them a lady
and her children, resorted to the riv-
er for their evening bath. For a
time all was fun and merriment
when suddenly a cry of distress was
heard. Looking around Mrs. Sterl-
1ng's little boy was seen sinking un7
der the water He had ventured out
too far and had gone into one of
those treacherous holes so numerous
in that beautiful river. The lady
who was with Mrs. Sterling at once
went to the rescue. But being I'M
able to swim was at once in great
danger herself. Mrs. Sterling TAX
ing in the situation at glance, went
at once to their help, and, taking the
struggling lady by the arm soon had
her in safety. saying as she did so,
madam, you are the mother of
children. My boy will only be a loss
to me-" When she returned to her
boys help he had sunk to rise nc
more.
Mrs. Sterling continued to run her
hotel and take care of her two child
rem all through the Civil War, and
her husband having been a Mason
the Masons in Covington always
helped her by ordering supper from
her whenever they were going to
have a royal time. An amusing
incident occurred on one of these oc-
casions which is worthy of mention
When the guests were all seated at
the table, each one eager to begin
on the tempting viands spread before
them, one gentleman think to start
things moving, picked up knife
and proceeded to cut one of the
cakes. But Mrs. Sterling rose to the
occasion and in her commanding
way, but with all graciousness, reach.
ed forward and took the knife from
his hand saying as she did so per.
NIT me, sir, to cut my own cake in
my own house." In the laughter that
followed the gentleman joined as
heartily as the rest.
Mrs. Sterling continued to live ir
Covington for many years after the
war, and her hotel was one of the
few landmarks in the old town unit
it finally fell victim to the fire
which destroyed all the business
section of Covington a few years ago
Her girls grew up, but one dice
just as she had reached womanhood
The other married and moved away
from Covington. She left one child
Mrs. Sterling continued to live al
alone in the old home until she was
laid to rest in the old cemetery il
C0vingtOn.