Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-29
LEWIS CASS'S ONLY SON,
The Romance in the Life ofhe Most Bea,ti
JMt Daughter of Michigan.


fW Daughter of Michigan.
detroit News.
Emily V. Mason was reputed to be the
most beautiful woman in the Northwest
Her family were patrician and all her
associations were elevated. In 1888, when
her father was secretary of the Territory of
Michigan, she enjoyed political as we'll as a
social distinction, and later, when Michigan
was erected into State, her brother, Stevens
L. Mason, became its first governor, and she
presided over the household and dispensed O
liberal and graceful hospitality. The guber-
maternal mansion was the centre of the cul-
ture and fashion of the northwest and Miss
Mason was at the head of the society of the
Wolverine metropolis.
While Miss Mason was dischareinp the
duties of first lady of the State, Major Lewis
Cass was at West Point. During his vaca-
tions 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 summoned 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 girl of proud, Independent spirit, and
with the remains of her property she pur-
chased market farm in Fairfax county, Va,
and began business like practical woman.
She developed energy and commercial fore
sight, and soon enjoyed abundant prosperity.
She supported herself and her orphaned
nieces in elegant style, worked hard, and ac-
quired a competence.
At the outbreak of the civil war her home
was one of the most delightful in all vir-
Djn nd G a LODI %<l
siderable portion of time to literature. The
war, however, scattered her fortune to the
winds, and left her all but destitute. She
| was now fully matured woman, over 40
years of age, strong resolute, and energetic
Driven from her home, she went to Rich
mond and became a nurse III the hospitals.
The federal prisoners who came under her
ministrations were objects of her especial
care.
| On the close of the war she devoted her
self to the education of Southern orphans,
and published several works Of an educa-
tional character. 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 in one of the gov
eminent Offices for time, and everywhere
commanded respect and admiration. She
finally took up her residence in Paris.
Many years before this Major Cass had
established himself in the French capital,
and had become a Frenchman in his tastes
and methods of life. The two met, and the
concealed passion of early years, rekindled
in the breast of the old gentleman, led him
to offer Miss Mason his hand and fortune,
but she said that she had resolved never to
| marry, and the Major asked her O do him
the honor of granting him her friendship.
Then until his death, which occurred 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. plain tomb, to cost not more
than 5000, will mark the resting place of
Lewis Cass, the self-expatriated descendant
of Michigan's greatest son. The will of
Major Cass bequeaths to Miss Mason &c.
600, three diamond rings, which the testato
dearly priced, and makes her the joint
eXecutrlx of the instrument.