The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-06-29
LEWIS CASS, ONLY son.
The Romance In the Life of the Most Beau
tiful Daughter of Michigan.


Emily V. Mason was reputed to be the mos
/ beautiful woman in the Northwest. Her tami
| " were patrician and all her associations wert
elevated. In 1898, when her father was secre
tary of the territory of Michigan she enjoyed
Il political as well as IA social distinction, ano
/ later, when Michigan was erected into state
her brother, Stephen L. Mason, became its first
governor, and she presided over the household
and dispensed II liberal and graceful hospitali
! ty. The gubernatOrlal mansion was the cen
ter of the culture and fashion Of the North
west, and Miss Mason was at the head OF the
society of the Wolverine metropolis.
While Mis-, Mason was diScharging the du-
ties of first lady of the state, Maj. Lewis Cass
was at West Point, During his vacations he
visited his home and was thrown much into
the society of the brilliant Emily. He was
younger than She, and if he was smitten by her
beauty and accomplishments he never sum-
moned the courage to propose.
The sudden death of Gov. Mason and the
breaking up of the Mason homestead and the
reverse that followed obliged Miss Mason to
look about for means Of support. She was a
girl Of proud, independent spirit, and with the
remains of her property bought markettarm
in Fairfax county, Virginia, and began business
like q practical woman She developed energy
and commercial foresight, and soon enjoyed
abundant prosperity She supported herself
and her orphaned nieces in elegant style, work
ed hard and acquired competence.
AT the outbreak of the civil war her home
was one of the most delightful in all Virginia
and she was enabled to devote considerable
portion Of time to literature The war, how.
ever scattered her fortune to the winds, and
left her all but destitute She was now a fully
matured woman, over 40 years of age, strong,
resolute and energetic. Driven from her home,
she went to Richmond and became a nurse in
the hospitals The federal prisoners who
came under her ministrations were objects OF
her especial care.
On the close of the war she devoted herself
to the education of Southern orphans, and pub
lished several works OF an educational charac-
ter She dwelt in Washington for while, and
her home in Pennsylvania avenue was the
resort of some of the most brilliant men and
women in the capital. She occupied position
i'm one of the government offices for II time, and
everywhere commanded respect and admir-
alton. She finally took up her residence in
Paris.
Many years before this Maj. Cass had estab
lished himself IN the French capital. and had
become F'renchman in his tastes and methods
of life The two met and the concealed pas
sion of early years rekindled in the breast OF
the ola gentleman lcu MIN 10 Oller MISS mason
his hand and fortune but she said that she had
resolved never to marry, and the ma jOr asked
her 10 do him the honor of granting HIM her
! Friendship. Then until his death, which Oc.
Cured rather suddenly, Miss Mason was his
companion IN that friendship in which the
French in the decline of life know so well how
to associate, and she closed his eyes and took
charge of his remains. Under the terms of his
will his body was embalmed and brought to
Michigan. A plain tomb to cost not more than
5000, will mark the resting place of Lewis
Cass, the selfexpatriated descendant of Mich
igan's greatest son. The will of Maj. Cass be-
queaths to Miss Mason $4,000, three diamond
rings, which the testator dearly priced, and
makes her the joint executrix of the instru
ment-DetrOit Free Press