LETTERS

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FOR THE BIRDS Great article about birds and wildlife habitat (“What do the birds tell us?” Jeanne Townsend Handy, Feb. 6). Thank you for sharing!

I have a question about a bird sound that has me stumped. It is a bird that is heard in the background in many movies. In particular, in the movie Shawshank Redemption, you could hear it when Morgan Freeman was in the field digging up a box planted there by his recently escaped prison friend. This bird is used frequently but I can’t identify it. Perhaps you can help.

All the very best and keep up the great work. Graham and Ednita Murdock Springfield

MOST JURORS WILLING I found James Krohe’s column about jury service disappointing and inaccurate (“Trial by jury,” Jan. 30). Jury service is embedded in our country’s history and fundamental to a truly democratic society. As a trial judge for 17 years, I found most jurors very willing to serve. A small number made it clear, initially, they were not happy to be summoned, but, to the person, every juror who actually served on a trial reported they found the experience rewarding and recognized the importance of jury service.

It is not true jurors “gauge the inclinations of others” and then vote for the verdict that will get them out of the room the fastest. I have found jurors who deliberate the fate of a fellow citizen take their role very seriously. They discuss the evidence responsibly and weigh the views of fellow jurors so as to reach a just verdict.

Do jurors make a sacrifice to serve? Of course they do, but when members of our military are called away from home and loved ones to protect our freedoms, is it too much to ask our citizens to commit a couple of days to jury service to preserve the democracy we all enjoy? I believe most people would answer that question with a resounding “no.” Carol Pope, justice Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District Springfield

THE PEOPLE’S MUSIC Thanks again Tom Irwin for your consistent support of local music, most recently expressed in your article praising open mics (“The open mics are open,” Feb. 6). There are some of us who consider open mics with their homey, simplistic sound and fast paced variety to be the “major league” of local entertainment rather than the “minors.” I see open mics as the people’s music, with never a dull moment, fast paced, with eclectic selections from different styles and artists. I know there are many music snobs who disrespect music other than slick, polished “professionals.”

My first exposure to live performance music was hearing the fat lady sing at church and I developed a love for simplistic music of different styles and talent levels. Famous performer Bob Dylan comes to mind as a mediocre singer who had an extremely successful career beginning with open mics in the coffee houses of Greenwich Village, New York.

I would like to see the open mics expand to all ages and nonalcoholic venues here in Springfield. Open mics are a win-win deal for businesses – free entertainment, built-in paying customer base, and some even charge covers to the performers, as well as the patrons. Michael J. Hart Springfield of the president’s grandchildren survive today, despite the fact that Tyler left office in 1845.

Woodrow Wilson followed a similar path as Tyler. His first wife, Ellen, died of Bright’s Disease on Aug. 6, 1914, leaving her husband despondent. He recovered, however, and married Edith Galt, a jeweler’s widow, at her Washington home on Dec. 18, 1915.

Their courtship and subsequent marriage was the talk of the nation and the subject of much press. One misprint in the Washington Post, though, caused a few laughs. Writing about one of the couple’s dates, the Post reported that “The president spent much of the evening entering [entertaining] Mrs. Galt.”

“She was quite a contrast to the first Mrs. Wilson,” remarked Dr. Bushong. “She was never shy or reserved, and loved public attention. Wilson and Edith had much in common, like golf and riding in automobiles, and they became inseparable companions.”

When Wilson endured a debilitating stroke in 1919, Edith Wilson became what Dr. Bushong called “a secret president,” handling many executive duties.

Several presidents entered the White House as widowers. Thomas Jefferson lost his wife of 10 years, Martha, in 1782 and never remarried, though his later relationship with slave Sally Hemmings has been the subject of much speculation.

Andrew Jackson’s wife, Rachel, died 10 weeks before her husband was inaugurated, leaving him with both a heavy heart and a vengeful motive. Believing his wife had been slandered by his enemies, he swore revenge on all who had wronged her.

Others who lost their wives before their terms and never remarried were Martin Van Buren, Jackson’s hand-picked successor, and Chester A. Arthur. Benjamin Harrison’s wife, Caroline, died on Oct. 25, 1892, in the final days of her husband’s failed reelection bid against Cleveland.

Harrison, however, remarried in 1896 to his wife’s niece, Mary Dimmick, also known as “Mame.” Twenty-five years his junior, Mame had been a fixture at the White House as her aunt Caroline’s assistant. The union mortified Harrison’s adult children, who refused to attend the ceremony.

The only president who was never married was James Buchanan, whose vivacious niece, Harriet Lane, handled the duties of First Lady during his term.

“When a president does not have a wife, he loses not only a spouse but a political partner,” commented Dr. Bushong. “Since there is not a First Lady to fill the social role for entertaining, those presidents usually brought in a female relative like a daugther, daughterin-law, or niece, as opposed to a First Lady, to handle that end.”

Tom Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville. He may be reached at 217-710-8392 or [email protected].