From Our Archives the Petticoat Affair Share Your

A4 SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019 FROM OUR ARCHIVES LNP | LANCASTER, PA o celebrate 225 years of Lancaster newspapers, we present this week- ly series of 52 front pages from throughout our history. Many feature events that would shape the course of world history. Some feature events of great local importance. Still others simply provide windows into the long-ago lives of Lancaster County residents. Make sure to check in every week, and enjoy this trip through time with LNP. 1831 COVER 9 OF 52 THE PETTICOAT AFFAIR SHARE YOUR The big issue seizing the constant disagreements over tariffs and Berrien sparring over where this LNP MEMORIES nation’s interest was not a war and the growing fear of secession correspondence came from, whether The newspaper has been or violent conflict – it was a from the South. Using the Petticoat it was true and how it affected a part of the fabric of spat in President Andrew Affair as an out, Jackson replaced his the dismissal of Jackson’s cabinet. life in Lancaster County Jackson’s administration that would entire cabinet, with the exception of Interestingly, Blair had recently since 1794, when the eventually lead to the dissolution of Postmaster General William T. Barry. become a member of the so-called Lancaster Journal started Jackson’s first cabinet. Known as the “Kitchen Cabinet,” a new, informal publishing in a tavern at “Petticoat Affair,” a simple argument This all brings us to the front page of group of advisers brought on by the the site of the current over potential sexual improprieties this edition of the Lancaster Journal, president to replace his old cabinet. LNP offices. What were predated similar presidential scandals which features correspondence In stark contrast to later political some of your favorite by 150 years. between former Attorney General John rivalries, both Blair and Berrien take stories and features over M. Berrien and Francis P. Blair, the large strides to not appear out of turn the years? Were you a In 1829, Secretary of War John Eaton editor of the short-lived Washington in the midst of essentially calling each newspaper carrier? Did married Peggy O’Neill, shortly after Globe newspaper. A month before other liars. you appear in a story? the latter’s husband, Navy purser John this edition went to press, The United Share your memories B. Timberlake, died of pneumonia. States Telegraph newspaper included Though the language used might with us by sending email Vice President John C. Calhoun’s wife, text saying that there was proof that be different, this correspondence to LNP225@lnpnews. Floride, soon headed up an informal the families of Calhoun, Berrien and highlights what would continue to be com. We hope to use as shunning of O’Neill due to the belief others had refused to accept the a theme throughout politics up to the many stories as possible that she had not waited long enough Eatons into their social circle. The current day – politicians and reporters in future editions of after her prior husband’s passing to reprinted correspondence in the arguing about the truth and the ways the newspaper and marry Secretary Eaton. Calhoun was Journal, which takes up the entire in which it is discovered and parceled LancasterOnline. already raising Jackson’s ire with right side of the front page, finds Blair out to the public at large. SOURCES: OWLCATION.COM/HUMANITIES | RESEARCH: KIM GOMOLL | WRITING: KEVIN STAIRIKER READ MORE: BIT.LY/LANCLIFE225.

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