The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 85

GOVERNOR'S MAY 24, 1964 -LOUISA AND HARRIETT THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR to lin May many, Wright 11, Prussia. where SEC. 1867, His he in son was 5-PAGE Berlin, Ger- 17 Joseph A. Wright Became A Widower Twice While In Office First Wife Transformed Him From Country Bumpkin By MARY WALDON (10th in a Series) It is said of Louisa Cook Wright that her the 10th Governor was a threeway episode shared by her Saviour, by Joseph Wright and herself. Louis a was a devout Methodist "indef atigable laborer for the Lord." romance with of Indiana Mary Waldon She could be counted on to contribute a fervid "Yes, or 'Amen' when revival meetings grew to an ebullient peak.

William Cook and his wife, parents of Louisa, were prominent, well-to-do farmers from Montezuma, Ind. William was one of the first settlers in Parke County. They were proud of their zealous daughter who was opinionated and intelligent and accustomed to having her own way because of her righteousness. Louisa wore a cloak of piety and ruled the roost with a gentle hand of steel. JOSEPH A.

WRIGHT, who was to become Louisa's husband and the 10th Governor was quite the opposite in background from his choice for First Lady. Joseph was the son of penniless Quaker parents who lived at Bloomington. He determined when he was very young to do everything in his power to get an education. He was as good as his word and paid his own way through "state university" by ringing the college bell, gathering nuts and selling them, working as a janitor and laying bricks. It was Joseph's good for-tune when he met Louisa.

He had become interested in poi- itics and spoke at public meetings whenever asked. He was short, stocky and gesment audiences and tured to the amusewildly. was considered a bit of a country bumpkin. But Louisa saw something besides a ludicrous public speaker. She detected a spark of greatness in the clumsy, unsophisticated Joseph and he in turn felt a need for her intelligent perceptiveness.

were married in November, 1831. With Louisa's help Joseph became suave, dignified, cool and 1 deliberate and she also saw to it that he became a loyal Methodist. PHILIP M. CRANE who wrote a thesis on Joseph A. Talbott Cummings of Fort Lauderdale is a great-greatgrandson of Louisa Cook Wright, 10th First Lady of Indiana.

His family once lived at 2850 North Meridian Street. He has a son, Lawrence Greene Cummings, 21 years old; a daughter, Louise Talbott Cummings, 19 years old, and a daughter, Victoria Josephine Cummings, Louisa Cook Wright was happy at Rockville before she became ill with malaria. Joseph practiced law in this Wright for "partial fulfillment of requirements for degree, Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of History and Indiana University in 1963" says, "Joseph became SO moved after attending church with Louisa that he couldn't sleep at night and spent the rest of the night on his knees praying." Joseph continued reading law and practiced at Rockville while Louisa oversaw the upbringing of their daughter, Nancy Bryant, whom they adopted in 1832 and the only child of their own. John Cook Wright who was born the same year. Nancy was the daughter of Judge William Bryant, a good friend.

They were poor but Louisa's family helped out with provender from the farm. Louisa made out very well. With Louisa's coaching, Joseph won election to Congress and later was elected Governor of Indiana in 1849. LOUISA DEVELOPED the ague and was unable to go to Washington with her husband. There are many forlorn DOWNTOWN EASTGATE GLENDALE SOUTHERN PLAZA ferrisons The dotted Swiss look: newest look for junior cotton knits Something new, something different, something exciting for your sun-fun wardrobe! Of cool cotton knit loomed with a woven pin dot, they, look exactly like dainty Dotted Swiss.

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They flattered him and flirted and were gay and carefree. Joseph had forgotten that the world could be anything but bleak and melancholy and watched their pretty feminine goings-on in pleased amazement. With gentle, graceful Harriet Burbridge he immediately felt at ease and suddenly became aware that life could take on a new meaning. He became SO captivated Harriett that he was reluctant to let her out of his sight and regained the twinkle in his eye and learned to smile again. She promised to marry him before his visit ended.

He returned a few months later to Kentucky and they were married. Joseph, now 45 years old, was a kind, indulgent man who showered attention and gifts on Harriett and seemed to try to make up for his lost years by making every minute of the day something to be treasured. Once again there were gay parties at the Governor's Mansion. Society all over town came to life and Indianapolis was in the midst of a happy era. Joseph puttered in his experimental garden and Hattie catered to his every whim.

Joseph's joy was unlimited when he learned the following year that he was to be a father again after 20 years. That fall Hattie returned to her home in Kentucky to await the birth of her child. She sent word that he was the father of twins, Joseph Albert and Harriett Burbridge Wright. Life was brimming with blessings. Everything seemed to be progressing as it should when suddenly a messenger delivered word to Joseph saying Hattie was dead.

A stunned, broken Governor went to Kentucky to bury Hattie and see his twins for the first time. In a daze he agreed to leave the twins with Hattie's brother, Oscar Burbridge, until he could make other provision to take care of them. For the second time in three years Joseph returned to an empty Governor's Mansion to resume duties now meaningless. Good Hannah, always Joseph's bulwark in troubled times, came once again and his daughter, Nancy, came from Iowa to care for him and assist at receptions. Whenever they mentioned leaving, Joseph broke into tears.

Nancy went with Joseph to Kentucky to the twins back. The household couldn't stay gloomy very long with two chubby, demanding babies to keep the place in an uproar. Nancy and Hannah vied to see which would happily, the babies. It was difficult to decide who really was the first lady for the rest of Joseph's -Nancy, Hannah or tiny Harriett, but all the citizens in Indiana voted unanimously for small Harriett and the Governor did, too. Joseph was married again in 1863 to Caroline Rockwell Davis in New York City.

He was 54 years old and no longer Governor. He died John Cook was with him in Berwhen he died. John Cook Wright married Louisa A. Wiley, Nov. 26, 1861.

Their daughter was Catherine L. Wright who married William H. Talbott in 1863. Nothing is known of the younger years of the twins after their father left the Governor's office. Joseph Albert Wright Jr.

died at the age of 22 in Seattle, Wash. He is buried in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was unmarried. His twin sister, Harriett Burbridge Wright, was married when she was 24 years old to Richard Brinton. She died Oct. 16, 1923, in Overbrook, Pa.

She had four children, Josephine Lapsley Brinton, Alberta Wright Brinton, Helen Carson Brinton and Harriett Burbridge Brinton. State Library records at Harrisburg, have no information concerning any living descendants of Harriett Burbridge Wright. Miss Mamie D. Larsh, retired attorney, who handled the estates of John C. Wright and his wife and their granddaughter, Mrs.

Catherine Owen says, "John C. Wright, the Governor's son, was a very shrewd businessman. "He acquired a vast amount of valuable property in Indianapolis and dealt in gold mine stocks. "The John C. Wright family lived next door to the Presbyterian Church on Vermont Street.

The house is no longer standing," Miss Larsh continues in a low, friendly voice. "Catherine Owen was a beautiful girl and was married several times. "I am co-trustee for her estate which includes The Fletcher Trust Building at the corner of Market and Pennsylvania Streets," Miss Larsh concludes. M.W. DOWNTOWN EASTGATE GLENDALE SOUTHERN PLAZA Juniors have a ball wearing our Beach Party Swimsuits They're the most! Gay, pert, pretty! Full of fashion verve in figure-flattering 2-piece styles juniors wear so well! Left: oxford plaid cotton in red or blue teamed with a pleated tutu skirt of white Arnel triacetate sharkskin.

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The little city was notorious for its many victims who suffered from the disease with its murderous chills and fever. One letter begins: "Dear husband, I suffer much. My chills has returned on me. "When you left I have now given up all hope of ever gitting up for when I look at what I suffer and what it does for me I know spring will close the matter for me. "I want you to live as happy as you can I don't think you think muttch about my health.

"I suppose you think me vary extravedent with money. I can't help it. You were always complaining at me. "JOHN IS ASLEEP. He said you must send him some money.

"I must stop for my chill is coming on. It is bad for me to be sick without you. I never wanted to see you half so bad in my life. "I must bid you farewell nothing more remains, "Your wife, Louisa Wright. Before Joseph was elected Governor Nancy had been sent West to stay with relatives and John C.

went to Iowa and stayed with his Aunt Hannah, his father's sister. Louisa never presided over the Governor's household because of her illness. She died May 2, 1852 after Joseph had been in office about three years. Before his mother's death, John returned to Indianapolis and went into business and Hannah, Joseph's sister, came to the Governor's mansion and looked after Louisa and acted as hostess at the social "levees." When Louisa had been in better health, hospitality had been byword in their household with guests always coming and going. Mrs.

Harold Owen Easter is a great great granddaughter of the 10th First Lady of Indiana. She lives in Berkeley, with her daughter, Lucia Louise. Mrs. Easter, a widow, raises cockers and poodles as a hobby and writes, "My mother died in 1945 and is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery. My father and a sister and brother are living in Florida." Sorority Makes Convention Plans Iota Chapter of Sigma Delta Tau Sorority will be hostess group to Alpha and Zeta Chapters at the organization's annual convention June 6-7 in the Forty and Eight Chateau Club.

Members are planning a Mardi Gras theme for the dinner and dance scheduled for the night of June 6. The afternoon meeting June 7 will be held in the Arsenal Savings and Loan Association branch, 2915 Lafayette Road. LOUISA COOK WRIGHT is buried in the old Montezuma Cemetery at the corner of Madison Street and Strawberry Road. The stone is inscribed: Louisa Wright, Wife of Joseph A. Wright, Daughter of William and Nancy Cook, died at Indianapolis, Indiana, May 21, 1852, Aged 42, Leaving a beloved son John C.

Wright. After Louisa's death Hannah Benton stayed on and they had social levees every Saturday night to dispel Joseph's loneliness. The disheartened Governor smoked one cigar after another during this time when he was almost in a state of shock. He tried valiantly to stop for he knew Louisa would not have approved but he never conquered the habit. He played whist by the hour and always seemed to lose.

It was a gloomy household. Nothing seemed to compensate for the loss of Louisa. Lucia Louise Easter, greatgreat-great granddaughter of Louisa Cook Wright and Governor Joseph Wright, is 16 years old and attends Berkeley High School at Berkeley, Calif. Trading Stamps Used To Aid Hospital Patients Washington, D.C. (WNS)President Johnson and all other economy-minded government people have an interest in trading stamps, just like the ordinary American housewife.

It seems even the government gets trading stamps when it buys gasoline and other items. The stamps are turned over to military and Veterans Administration hospitals for exchange for items not ordinarily provided, such as lawn chairs, television sets, radios, table tennis sets and golf clubs. During 1960-1963, more than 4,000 books were filled with stamps. And there is another bonus to this stamp business: V.A. doctors say it is good occupational therapy for patients with stiff fingers to paste up the stamps.

Linda Ann Soots To Be Married First Methodist Church at Carmel will be the setting for the June 7 marriage of Miss Linda Ann Soots and Joseph Allen Moffitt. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mrs. Warner W. Grace, 6509 North Michigan Road, and Ralph C. Soots 6063 Knollton Road.

Parents of the bridegroomto-be are Mr. and Mrs. George C. Moffitt, River Road, Carmel. Washing Unneeded Dislike pan-washing? If you are broiling a fair number of chops or a large steak you can, of course, line the broiling pan with foil and place the rack over that.

But to broil two to four chops, or small steak, all you need is a small rack and a pan to fit under it fashioned of a double thickness of heavy foil. Charge Plate.