Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1899 — EX-GOV. ALTGELD'S WIFE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

EX-GOV. ALTGELD'S WIFE.

Dislikes Social Functions and Loves Her Husband and Nature. Mrs. John' P. Altgeld, wife of the exGovernor of Illinois, is a tall, dignified woman, and, like Mrs. McKinley, is

somewhat of an invalid. Illness, not age, has silvered the hair that once was midnight black, writes a Chicago correspondent. This has only the effect of further softening a fac£ that is wonderfully pa-

tient and beautiful. Her eyes are gray, are delicate and her mouth expressive. Her face is a mirror which speaks for every emotion she feels. She has a poet’s sensitive appreciation of nature and at last has realized the ambition of her life, to live "near to nature.” For years she has tried to persuade Mr. Altgeld to move into the country, where they could have trees and grass and where “even the dirt is clean,” as she expresses it It is only recently, however, that her wish has been realized, and now she lives in a charming home in Rogers Park. She spends most of her time sitting on the broad veranda of her home, watching the leaves develop on the trees, which grow In abundance in that locality, weaving little Imaginary stories about the golden dandelions blooming on the lawn and breathing the country air, laden with perfume of lilacs and wild currants. The roses have already begun to bloom again in her cheeks, and she will soon be her old self again under the magic influence of her surroundings. Mrs. Altgeld has no children. She loves her home and prefers the society of her husband to that of any outsider. While she was the first lady of the State is was necessary for her to entertain and go into society, but she has no taste for that kind of life. She dresses quietly, with a slight dash of color here and there, “just for cheerfulness.” While she does not enter into politics, she takes a keen interest in Mr. Altgeld’s successes and failures, and it is safe to say she has even been the ex-Governor*s inspiration in everything he has undertaken.

MRS. ALTGELD.