St. Landry democrat., 1878-07-06
Lewis Cass' only Som.
From the Detroit News.1

Emily V, Mason was reputed to be
the most beautiful woman in the North
west. Her family were patrlclan, and
| all her associations were elevated. LII
| 1898. when her father was secretary OF
the territory of Michigan, she enjoyed
a political as well 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 liberal and graceful hospl-
tality. The gubernatorial mansion was
the centre of the culture and fashion OF
the Northwest, and Miss Mason WAS at
! the head of the society OF the Wolverine
metropolis.
| While Miss Mason was discharging
the duties of first lady of the State,
! Major 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 smit-
ten 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 home
stead 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 she purchased
a market farm in Fairfax county, Va,
and logan business like practical
woman. She developed energy and
commercial foresight, and soon enjoyed
abundant prosperity. She supported
herself and her orphaned nieces IN ele77
CANT style, worked hard, and acquired
Il competence.
At the outbreak of the civil war her
home was one of the most delightful
in all Virginia, and she was enabl led to
devote considerable portion OF time
to literature. The war, however, scat
tered her fortune to the winds, and lett
her all but destitute. She was now a
fully matured woman, over forty years
of age, strong, resolute and energetic.
Driven from her home, she went to
Richmond and became nurse in the
hospitals. The Federal prisoners who
came under her ministrations were OBJ
jects Of her especial care.
| On the close of the war she devoted
herself to the education of Southern
orphans, and published several works
of an educational character. She
dwelt in Washington for a while, and
her home in Pennsylvania avenue was
| Ule resort OF some OF UIl6 ulOSL DrlllldnG
men and women in the capital. She
occupied a position in one of the
government offices for a 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 Frenchman
in his tastes and methods of life. The
two met, and the concealed passion of
early years, rekindled in the breast of
the 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 to 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 bis
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 self-expatriated
| descendant of Michigan's greatest son.
! The will of Major Cass bequeaths to
| Miss Mason $4,000, three ,diamond-rings,
| which the testator dearly priced, ard
makes her the joint executrix of the
| instrument.