Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-06-24
Space. W. m. M " h' -
NIIsS EmiIyE. Mason.

Emily Y. Mason was reputed TO DC thc mosl
beautiful! woman in the Northwest. Her fam
lily wore patrician and all her associations Wero
elevated. In 1888, when her father was Sec
rotary Of the Territory Of Micbigau.sho enjoyed
political as we'll as q social distinction, aad
later, when Michigan was erected into State
her brother, Stevens T. Mason, became Its
first Governor, and she presided over the
household and dispensed liberal and graceful
hospitality. The gubernatorial ma3slon was
the centre Of tho culture and fashion OF tue
Northwest, and Miss Mason was at the head OF
the society of the Wolverine metropolis:
While Miss Mason was disoharglug the al.
ties of first lady of the State, Major Lewis CaSs
was at West Point During his vacations lie
visited his home and was thrown much into tie
society of the brilliant Emily Ho was younger
than she, and if he was smitten by her beauty
and accomplishments he never summoned tho
courage to propose.
breaking un of the Mason homestead, and the
reverse that followed, obliged Miss Mason tu
look about for means OF support. ohe was 4
girl of proud, Independent spirit, and with Tic
remains of her property she purchased mar
business like practical woman. She developed
energy and commercial foresight, and soon ,o en-
loved prosperity. She supported herself az
her orphaned neees in elegant style, VOTE
hard, and acquired a competence.
At the outbreak Of the civil war her homo W."
one of tho most delightful in all Virginia. an
she was enabled to devote considerable por.
ton of time to literature. The war, however.
scattered her fortune to the winds, and lett her
all but destitute. She was now fully ma
tured woman, over 40yoars OF age, strong, re-
solutc. and energetic. Driven from her hoIn:
she went to Richmond and became nurse l.,
the hospitals Tho Federal prisoners VII
came uuder her ministrations were Objects OF
her especial care. =.
On the close of tho war she devoted herse!t
to the education Of Southern orphans. and
nublished several works Of an cducall)na!
character She dwclt in Washington lor Il
while, and her homo on Pennsylvania avenue
was the resort Of some Of the most brllliani
men and women in the capital. She occupied
position in ono of the Government offices Tor
time, and everywhere commanded respcc'',
and admiration. She finally took up her resi-
denoe in Paris.
MANY years before this Major Cass had cs.
tablished himself in the French capital. and
had become Erenchman 10 bis tastes and
methods Of life. The two mot, and the CON
ceaed passion of early years, rekindled ln the
breast of the old gentleman, led him to offer
Miss Mason bis hand and fortune, but she SAID
she had resolved never to marry, aud thc
Major asked her TO do him tho honor OF grant
ing him her friendship. Then, uotil his DEATH
which occurred rather suddenly, Miss Mason
was bis companion in that friendship in which
the French 10 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 cmbalmcd and brought
to Michigan. A plain tomb, to cost not more
than 5000 will mark the resting place OF Lewis
Cass, the self expatrlated dos0enaapt N oi NiGn T
bcoueaths to Miss Mason $4,000. three dla-
mond rings, which the testator dearly prIzed,
AID makes her the joint cxecutrix Of the loStru'
ment,-DctrOH NcOs