Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-07-19
EVENING STAR.
NDAY.......-......J July IA, lS7S,
MRS. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Pecultartties OG Her IuSmmtsv-Nep

~ BMef I0SWmtuV-HeR
life ~ BellevtIie Insane Retreat.
lady correspondent OF the Chicago Post
ard Mail has just visited Belleville Insane
I eat. near Chicago. Mrs President Lin
cnln being one of IFS inmates. From DR.. x.
j Hstterson. who has charge OF the Retreat
tie fair correspondent harmed that Mrs Lin
coin gave but little trouble, that she rested
vel and was quite satisfied with her sur
roundings. A carriage il always at her dis
pCsal, and she frequently drives out ALWAYS
with the doctor and Mr.. Patterson. or her
eWs attendant. a rather attractive young
woman. beloI ging To the retreat In regard
10 her riding Mrs Lincoln Is very capriciols
She will announce her intention ofriiing be-
fore dinner, then post pone the ride until az
terioon, and again until evening or the next
day. She brought with her 10 the Retreat
ten large trunks, which have not been exam
ined, but are supposed To contain part of the
miscellaneous collection OF purchases male
during her stay al the Grand Pacific hotel. in
11HICago' SHORTY after her arrival here, Ms.
Lincoln orlered a morning dress OF black
French cambria, quite elaborately made
white basque and pockets, aud black and
white striped lawn, remarkiug that every
lady needed cool toilets She has never
worn them, nor evinCei any diSpo> ition 20
even try them on. but rs soon they were
completed. ordered samples OF black alpaca
from which In select \ suit her mind was di-
Nefttd from this, as n was only "a form Other
malady Ia accumulate material Her dress
Is al all times plain even TO ShaDhinpSS. ana
no one could be more Indifferent To effects OF
the toilet. In one Of Mrs. Lincoln's franks
AZ tle r. treat, are two very expensive doll
Say ing She intends - present them TO Robert
IIDcoln's little daughter, OF whom she j.
very fond.
was anxious to pay my respects q Mr..
Lincoln n person, but as she has positively
refused 10 see any visitors. even declining 10
leaNe her room when they are in the house or
grounds, | anticipated nothing less than a
refusal when / sent up my card. To the doc
! tors surprise and my own, Mrs. Lincoln sent
| down word that she would be very happy TO
| see me IN her room, and At once accOmpa-
| nied the doctor thIther. She occupies "a suite
I in The front OF the house, on the second floor.
The attendant sits in the small room, which
I contains single bed. The larger room is
| Mrs. Lincolns sitting and bedroom. 10 is
| very plainly furnished, the same as IL was
| prior 10 her coming; all ordinary three ply
SarTet, of pleasant colorS, tremendously
| bleLdedi bureau, Tocking-chair and lounge,
| and PLAIN bedStead. with a very fine bed
about which she is quite particular. Mrs
LINCOLN was seated i'm an eXpectant attitude
by The table a. we entered the room: she at
once arose To inquire after friends in the
CITY She was dressed i'm ordinary BLACK
| halfwOrn, with white ruches edged with
Dlack. III the neck and sleeves: her dark hair,
| fast turning gray, was carelessly coifl;Al i'm a
knot at the back with coronet braid. She
locke" LOO worn and i'll, and her hands, rngless
Tender grace of a day that is dead"
ana mol llnger about her. could plainly see
| In her lusterless eyes, and in the forced com
| pCsuTe OF her manner. evidences of
SHATTERED MIND.
She was perfectly ladylike in manner. but
rambling and diffuse i'm her conversation.
She alluded nationally. however, To the past;
SPOKE teIdeTly of Mr.. Lincoln. once as my
husband, and again as 1.-The President" Re-
called memories of Noah Brooks. then her
husbands Assistant Secretary. with whom
had an Oid-time acquaintance, and remarked
that he had for ten years been engaged on
the New York Tribune. Asked rne with
much earneStneSs If the murderer of Hon.
Sharon Tyndale, of Springfield hal ever
been discovered. and then alluded very feel
mgiy TO her attachment 10 Judge Bradwell'S
family. AS rose to leave she took hand
some boquet from crystal vase on her table,
ana asked me 10 accept it. AS she shook
hands with me at parting, thought / could
perceive in The diplomatic bow and smile 4
return ot the ola society manner. and my
heart was full for the woman who sat down
silent and alone in her solitary room, to keep
imaginary company with Senators and Am
basSadors in the light of that gracious, kind
ly smile, long since hidden beneath the coffin
lid. 1t is one OF the mercies vouchsafed to her
10 i've life over again with her loved ones
dear little Willie and rollicking boyiSh Tai
10 sit at the head of the table and hold IA
mllIar, converse with them all 1t has been
urged That this is a development OF her life
among splritualists, but il is the result of
scenes
PHOTOGRAPHED on TUE BRAIN,
which only the Angel of Death, can erase.
Mrs. Lincoln did spend several months at ST
Charles, in this state. under an assumed
name, and in the company Of a society of
spiiitualists, but it will never be definitely
known how much their influence had 10 do
with her eclipse of reason. Nor does any one
seem To know who the peck marked man
was who called on her at her old hotel. and
hold long consultations with her, but he is
presumed Ia be "A prominent Spiritualist. No
encouragement Is held ont that Mrs. Lincoln
VIII ever become permanently well, but she |
could not be I'm a better place Tor her complete
restoration. Here She has no responsibility
OfthOught or action. The noise ard panorama
OF the streets cannot Devil Ter her. The in
righteousness OF friends cannot reach her; she l
Il Unaware OF the slightest res traint, and can
read, write, or walk at her pleasure. Sheer |
ders her meals as she would At home, and Is |
served IN her room, or al the family table, as
she prefers. Her son RoOert visits his moth
eIs every week, bringing her favorite grand |
Guild with him frequently. Here, az least, |
the poor lady can find-n not the fading |
pleasures and brief triumphs of life-itS per- |
fect peace-the peace that paSSeth under
stanGing-the rest ofnature and God.
a DEFAULTING BALTIMORE AND ONO /
OFFICIAL. 1t will be remembered that /
some months ago Henry 8. Rich. Columbus