The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-05
Ann Chase of TamDicO.

| Auc uotsIu Vi MIS-. ANN CnaSo, VIE OF the
Hon. Franklin Chase, late United States Con.
sul-General at Tampico, last week, in Brook
lyn, has brought to mind incidents of re.
| markable career. She was born of Protestant
parents, in the North of Ireland, in 1909 In
| 1918 she lost her father, and the widow, with
| the children, emigratea to the United States
in 1924 end settled in Philadelphia, where the
eldest son speedily established successful
mercantile business. His sister Ann refused
to be supported in idleness, and insisted upon
aiding her brother by keeping his books
In this way she became versed
in mercantile affairs and fitted for
the public station which she subsequently
adorned. In 1882, with her brother she re-
moved to New Orleans, and thence, in
August, 1884 to Tampico, where she became
acquainted with Mr. Chase, to whom she was
married in 1886. In 1916, during the Mexican
War, on account of his official character as
United States Consul, Mr. Chase was COM
PEELED to leave the City of Tampico, but with
his concurrence Mrs. Chase remained to pro-
tect the Government property, the records of
the consulate, and the interests of the Ameri-
can people In his absence an Infatuated
mob attempted to tear down the flag
that foated over her residence, where
upon Mrs. Chase assembled to the house
top, and declared that no one
should touch that flag except over her dead
body. With revolver tn hand, she defied
them. That flag had such priceless value in
her memory that she never parted with it, and
her husband draped her casket in its folds
when her remains awaited removal to the |
final resting place. When Mr. Chase left |
Tampico, in 1916, he confided to his wife all |
his plans, and authorized her to use his for
tune for their contamination. So successfully |
did this brave lady carry them out, that she |
with Commodore Conner, then |
the United States feet in the |
Gulf of Mexico, and the City of Tampico
through her instrumentality was surprised |
and taken by the American forces without ex-
penditure of life or treasure. The letters
written to Mr.. Buchanan, then Secretary
Of State, detailing her plans, created a CON.
Tiction in his mind Of the capture of the city
before its consummation. In honor of Mrs
Chase's agency in this important event, and
Is token of their appreciation of her hero
SIN, the army named the Fortress of the city
Fort Ann, and the ladies of New Orleans pre-
ented to her service of plate. Mrs. Chase
emained in 'Tampico as her residence until
81, when her husband resigned his position
nd took up his abode in Brooklyn. During
he many years of her residence in Tampico,
lrs. Chase dispensed with great iberality a
racious hospitality to all Americans who Wis
-" Suas oA.y IL laval, AlAulary VI civil
fe. Upon her last voyage home to the
United States little child stumbled and fell .
yer the hatchway of the steamer. With j
bravery and forgetfulness of
elf Mrs Chase sprang to the rescue and sue r
eeded in saving the life of the child-as
vents proved, at the expense of her own for
ne then received an injury, disregarded by
er at the time, which produced cancer Of
lie breast, of which she died. Although her =
lfferings were intense she never murmured, r
nd when informed that an operation had be- r
'me necessary, she said she was ready
i'd, refusing anasthetics, submitted without =
lnching. although the operation was sunu- =
lally prolonged.-N r. Tribune, 3Oh uH.