The Leavenworth weekly times., 1875-07-29
aES. LINCOLN.

LES LlACDlN.
How the z-7resident's Wife Passes He,
Tine e. Bellevue Place some Of the Pc
Culiariries Of Her Mental Delusioa
A correspondent Of the Chicago Pos and
ifaL who has recently seen Mrs. Lincoln,
a, Batavia, IIIinois, where she is an occu-
pant Of Bellevue Place, or DR.. Patterson 8
retreat for the insane, writes a. follows:
After pleasant chat ON the topics OF the
day, inquired after the health OF Mrs.
President Lincoln, who is an inmate o.!
Bellevue place since her insanity was de-
cided by the courts Of Chicago. The doctor
was exceedingly reticent about that uDfor-
tunate lady, and while j professionally dep
recated his caution, could not but approve
of his delicacy. By degrees ! learned that
Mr.. Lincoln gave but little trouble, that
she rested we'll, and was quite satisfied with
her sUrruunders. \ carriage l. always II
her disposal, and she frequently drives out,
ALWAYS with the doctor and Mrs. Patterson,
or her own attendant, an attractive young
woman belonging TO the retreat. In re-
gard TO her riding Mr-. Lincoln is very ca
PRECIOUS. She will announce her intention
Of riding before dinner, then Postpone the
ride until afternoon, and again until eve
ming Of the next dav. She brought with
her to the retreat ten large trunks, which
have not been examined, but are supposed
TO contain part Of the miscellaneous collcc-
ton of purchases made during her stay a:
the Grand Pacific hotel, in Chicago. Short
ly after her arrival here, Mrs. Lincoln or
dered a mourning dress Of black French
cambric, quite elaborately made, white
basque and pockets, and a black and white
striped lawn remarking, "that every lady
needed cool toilets" She has never worn
them, or evinced any disposition to even
try them on, but rs soon rs
they were completed. she ordered
samples Of black alpaca, from which
to select suit; her mind was diverted from
this, as it was only form OF her malady to
accumulate material. Her dress is al all
times plain, even 10 shabbiness, and no one
could lie more Indifferent TO the effects of
the toilet. In one OF Ms. Lincoln's trunks,
at the retreat, are two very expensive doll
babies. She accounts for their presence by
saving she intends TO present them TO Robt.
Lincoln's little daughter, Of whom she Is
very fond.
| was anxious to pay my respects TO Mrs.
Lincoln in person, but IA she had positive
ly refused 10 see any visitors, even declin-
ing to leave her room when they are in the
house or grounds, | anticipated nothing
else than a refusal when ! semi up my card.
To the doctors surprise and my own, Mrs.
Lincoln sent down word that she ould he
very happy to see me in her room, and i
al once accompanied the doctor thither.
She occupies suit in the front of the
house, on the second floor. The attendant
sits in the small room, which contains a
single bed The larger room is Mrs. Lin
coins sitting and bed room 1t is very
plainly furnished. the same as il was prior
to her coming; an ordinary three-ply car
pet, oi pleasant colors, harmoniously blend
ed bureau, rocking chair and lounge,
and plain bedstead, with 4 very fine bed,
about which she Is very particular. Mis-.
Lincoln was seated in an expectant atti-
tude by the table As We entered the room;
she at once arose, shook hands with me
cordially, and begged me TO be seated, and
began at once TO inquire after friend. in
the city. She was dressed in ordinary black, |
half-worn, with white ruches edged with |
black, in the neck and sleeves; her dark |
hair, fast turning TO grav, was csrelessly |
coiiiered in a knot Al the back with coronet |
braid. She looked worn and i'll, her hands, |
Iingless ard uncared for, were never al rest. |
The
Tender grace Of 4 day that Is dead"
did not linser about her could plainly |
see in her lusterless ewes, and in the forced |
,f bar ,r.Jo.,a ,f "a, /
tered mind.
She was perfectly ladylIke in manner,
but rambling and diffiIse in her conyersa-
tion. She alluded nationally, however, to
the past; spoke ienderly of Mr.. Lincoln. |
once as .'my husband, and again as 'the
President Recalled memories of Noah |
Brooks, then her husbands assistant secre-
tary, with whom | had an old-time &C
quaintance, and remarked that he had been
for ten years engaged on the New York |
Tribune. Asked me with much earnestness
ii the murderer of Hon. Sharon Tyndale, of 1
had ever been discovered, and
then alluded feelingly to her attachment to
Judge Bradwell's family. As l rose TO
leave she took handsome bouquet from
a crystal vase on her table, and asked me
TO accept it. As she shook hands with me
at parting, | thought / could perceive in
the diplomatic bow and smile a return of
the old society manner, and my heart was
full for the woman who sat down silent and
alone in her solitary room, TO keep imagin-
ary company with senators and ambasSa-
dors in the light of that gracious, kindly
smile, long since hidden beneath the coffin
lid. it is one of the mercies vouchsafed
her, To live life over again with her loved
little Willie and rollicking, boy
ish Tad-to sit at the head of the table and
hold familiar conver~e with them all. 1t
has been urged that this is development
Of her life among Spiritualists, but il is the
result OF scenes photographed on the brain,
which only the angel of death can erase.
Mrs. Lincoln did spend several months
Al St. Charles, in this State. under an
assumed name. and in the company
If a society of Spiritualists but it will
never be definitely known, how much
heir influence had TO do with her eclipse 4,
If reason. Nor does any one seem TO know
who the pock-marked man was who visited
Ter at her hotel, but he is presumed 10 be
prominent Spiritualist. No encouragement
5 held out that Mrs. Lincoln will ever be-
,ome permanently well, but she could not :
,e in better place for her complete res I
Grafton. Here she has no responsibility 4,
n thought or action. The noise and pam {
rama of the streets cannot bewilder her.
The injudiciousness of friends can not
each her; she is unaware Of the slightest 3
and can read, write, ride, or walk
II pleasure. She orders her meals as she
would at home, and is served in,her room,
" at the family table, as she prefers; her
on Robert visits his mother every week,
bringing her favorite grandchild nth him
reguently. Here at least, the poor lady can