Evening star., 1936-09-06

ate, and when he came to Washington
for his second session. in the Fall Of
1924, he took Rachel with him, trav-
cling in style in his coach and four.
They stopped at the same hotel with
Gen. Lafayette (Which was Gadsbys
Franklin House, at the corner of I
and Twenty-frst streets and the
place was packed with people all day.
Mrs. Jackson spent many lonesome
days at the Hermitage, their home in
Tennessee, when the general was
away with the Army; she did not
want to go to Washington to dwell
in that palace. and on Wednesday
morning, December IT, 1928, while in
the midst Of her household duties,
Rachel had a severe heart attack,
which lasted until the twenty-second.
when she passed away, aged 81, on
the eve, almost, of her husbands
Inauguration. 1t was soon announced
that Mrs. Donelson, the generals
niece. would 90 the honors of the
White House.
THE first recorded appearance Of
Peggy in national annals occurred
at the Union Tavern in Georgetown,
when she was young girl, upon
which occasion Mrs. Madison dolly
Madison) awarded her the crown for
the best exhibition Of the pupils Of
dancing academy. She was aston
ishingly pretty, lively impudent, and
NJ az 20
ern she was public pet, and spoiled
favorite of all the gentlemen.
At the age Of IS. already a celebrated
belle, the talk of the town, having
become enamored Of a certain Capt.
Root, she attempted to elope with
him one night by climbing out of her
window. Mr.. O'Neal was duly en-
ragged and so packed her off to New
York to school at Mrs. Nau's, under
special care Of no less a parsonage
than Mr.. Dewitt Clinton, If tradition
is to be believed.
Shortly after her return from New
York to the tavern she married John
Bowie Timberlake which was on juno
Is, 1916. when the marriage license
in Washington was issued. Mr.. Tim
berlake was a handsome gentleman
who had seen service in the Navy as
purser. and was temporarily in
business ashore The Undertakes
settled down at the tavern and had,
in due course of time, two daughters,
Virginia and Margaret, and a son
who died in infancy.
Maj. Eaton was now also living at
the tavern, and although Mr.. jackson
subsequently stoutly maintained the
falseness of such gossip. basing his
opinions on his knowledge of Mai.
Eatons character and the majors per-
sonal friendship for the Undertakes,
there went forth in the town the rumor
that Mrs. Undertakes virtue lacked
that constancy which should have
been its chief adornment. and that
Maj. Eaton had had every opportunity
to familiarize himself with this fact.
1t was more than a rumor; it was q
conviction shared by the whole Of
Washington society.
IN 1922, Timberlake returned to the
Navy. 1t was the major who acted
as bondsman. and now Timberlake
was away frequently at sea, and the
rumors increased. Six years elapsed,
and then one day in 1928 it was
learned that Mr.. Timberlake had cut
his throat at Port Mahon in the
Mediterranean aboard the frigate
Constitution. His accounts as purser
were said to be in bad shape, and it
appears that he was defaulter. How
ever, it was Immediately reported that
his act was caused by his realization
OF his wife's infldelities, but Gen.
jackson insisted that this was ridicu-
lous, as letter he had received from
Timberlake. written only three weeks
before his death. had referred to Mai,
Eaton as his dear friend.
Not many months after the death
Of Timberlake. which occurred on
April 2, 1928. the major went to Mr..
Jackson and announced his intention
OF marrying the widow. jackson, who
was then President-el elect, was de-
lighted at the news, as it would put
stop to the many rumors linking
their names; and so, on January /,
1929, they were married in George
town. He was 40 years of age and
she was go Peggy was now a noted
beauty, of medium height, gracefully
proportioned, famous for her Greek
profile, her wealth of dark curling
hair, and the delicate loveliness Of
pink and white complexion.
About two months after the mar
riage of the Eatons Mr. Jackson-who
was to be inaugurated the 4th of
March-in the latter part of February
announced the following cabinet:
Martin Van Buren,, Secretary Of
State; Samuel D. Ingham, Secretary
Of the Treasury; John H. Eaton. Sec
retary of War; John Branch, Secre-
tary of the Navy; William T. Bar,
Postmaster General. and John M.
Berrien. Attorney General. John C.
Calhoun of South Carolina was the
peoples choice for Vice President.
Maj. Eaton had long been Andrew
Jackson's warm personal friend, had
served in the wars with him, and had
helped to pull the strings which ele-
vated the general to the White House,
but as soon as people realized that
Peggy O'NeaPs husband would be o
cabinet officer storm of indignation
swept over official Washington. As
to Peggy. the old general swore that
she was as chaste as an angel.