Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-15

extremely low nec.ed and sleeveless formal eve
ming gowns. Her taste in dressing was exec
lent. her dresses of the richest, most elegant
and becoming of materials which were cut
regal, stately lines that added great dignity
to the occasions which she graced with her
presence.
Her beauty, gTaciousnesS and vivacity won
people to her and SKI greatly she admired
for the cordial natural simplicity of her man
ner that people forgot that neither her hair
dressing nor her clothes according To the
styles in vogue. People who remember Mrs
Hayes as mistress of the White House claim
that her personality dominated moment of
MEETING that her clothes received secondary
attention. BY the time they noted the
glamour of Mrs. Hayes smile and cordial greetx
ing invested them with her individuality. All
chronicers of the social doings of the Hayes
administration give enthusiastic descriptions
of the elegance and tasteful gowns worn by her
when First Lady of the Land.
This administration was noted for its large
number of gay parties for young people. Mrs.
Hayes kept the White House filled with young
ladies. giving countless parties teas and lunch
cons for them, one of the most elaborate being
q luncheon for so. She loved to attend we'd
dings, making it a point to be present when
any Of her girl friends or proteges became
brides.
Sunday was day of rest, quiet and church
going, the President and his wife frequently
walking to Foundry NJ E. Church then located
on the corner of Fourteenth and G streets.
Possessing strong. sweet voice, Mrs. Hayes
loved TO sing and inaugurated Sunday evening
concerts at the White House. The latter grew
in popularity from the family circle to Include
the Cabinet and many Of the leading officials Of
the administration. Vice President Wheeler
being good singer and his wife pianist the
choruses soon became regular functions
In addition to all of the formal state ban
quets receptions and luncheons and the parties
for her woman and girl friends. Mrs. Hayes
made it practice to receive informally each
evening any and all who chose to call. She
loved the home of the Presidents-loved to have
people appreciate the building and the quaint
bits Of furniture and china that had come from
each administration.
Among the many stories illustrative Of Mrs
Hayes kindness toward any one in need, sorrow.
distress or perplexity those of her interest in
old soldiers are the most frequently related.
To Charles Richard Williams in his Life Of
Rutherford Hayes we are indebted for the
following:
Mrs. Hayes was never afraid her dignity
would suffer when chance of a kind act
offered. One day Sir Edward Thornton the
British minister, with some English friends
called at the White House AS the visitors
entered the Blue Room, what was their sur
prise to see Mrs. Hayes sitting the floor,
needle and thread in hand while before her
half reclining on the central divan sat an
old ordnance sergeant. The callers were
about to retire when Mrs. Hayes looked up
and laughingly babe them stay. She
from the floor, shook hands warmly with the
veteran and parrying his thanks assured
him his uniform perfect. The
incident was characteristic of her instant
and self-foTgetful kindness One of her
hafor Il
Soldiers Home veteran of the battle Of
Fort Stephenson cat Freemont) in the war
Of 1912 named William Gaines. Subse-.
quently Gaines received a pension for his
service in the War of 1912 and in the Mex
lean War, and a complete full dress uniform
was ordered sent to the White House for
him.
He was brought in from the Soldiers
Home that day to don his uniform and be
photographed. Having put the uniform,
Gaines discovered that the sergeant's stripes
for the Touser seams had been sent loose to
be used at the wearers discretion. He was
greatly distressed at the thought Of being
photographed without these stripes Mrs.
Hayes had come down to the Blue Room to
greet him and at once sent for a needle and
thread that she might herself stitch them
on. She was just finishing the task when
the British minister and his friends entered
and saw the Mistress of the White House in
so unusual posture. When they heard the
story OF the old veteran they only admired
Mrs. Hayes the more"
Lucy Ware Webb born at Chillicothe
Ohio, August g. 1881. She was the daughter
Of DR.. James Webb, native of Lexington. KY,
and Mrs Maria Cook Webb, whose father Isaac
Cook. was Revolutionary soldier of Connects
cut, who migrated to Ohio DR.. Webb particle
pated in the War of 1912, afterward settling
in Chillicothe, where he was a successful
physician. Having inherited a number Of
slaves from his father and having decided to
send them to Liberia, he went back to his old
home for the nllrnose of ki,,cr