"Gentle" Lady

Lucy Webb Hayes, wife of Rutherford B. Hayes, became First Lady in 1877. She was thought to have a gentle and winning face compared by one writer of the era to a "Madonna". The writer wasn't too far off as Lucy gave birth to eight children, five of whom survived. Lucy swam with the sharks as Washington was at the time full of critics who focused on the pretensions and extravagances of Washington society. But she kept her simple ways about her and was praised for her quiet dignity and ladylike simplicity. She did not dress ostentatiously, nor did she frizz her hair or powder her face, as was in fashion at the time. Still, Lucy had her critics.

The wife of Maine Senator James G. Blaine, Harriet Blaine, directed her frustrations with President Hayes toward Lucy. It seems the President was not taking Senator Blaine's advice and Mrs. Blaine resented him for it. So she took up a campaign of ugly rumors against Mrs. Hayes. She told everyone who would listen that the White House was dirty and that Lucy traveled with the President to keep people from insulting him.



As only luck would have it, Mrs. Hayes was inadvertently seated next to Mrs. Blaine at a concert. Mrs. Blaine huffed and puffed and moved to another seat. Lucy turned to a friend who had accompanied her, and said in a loud whisper, "Who was that stout old woman in purple?" So much for Mrs. Blaine. Right on, LUCY.

On their inaugural evening, the President and Mrs. Hayes were faced with a large number of overnight guests, all of whom were distinquished, some even royalty. Lucy had them draw straws for who got the State bedroom, considered the best. Lucy's tact was more noticed than the fancy furnishings of the White House on that occasion.