The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-09-12
Lewis Cass' Only Son.

Emily V. Mason was reputed to be the
most beautiful woman in the northwest.
Her family were patrician and all her
associates were elevated. In 1888, when
her father was secretary of the territory
of Michigan, she enjoyed political as
well as a social distinction, and latter,
when Michigan was erected into state,
her brother, Stephen 7. Mason, became
its first governor, and she presided over
the household and dispensed liberal,
graceful hospitality. The gubernatorial
mansion was the center 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, Ma or
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 had the
courage to propose.
The sudden death of Governor Mason,
and the breaking up of the Mason home
stead, and the rcverses that followed,
means of support. She was girl of
proud, Independent spirit, and with the
remains of her property she purchased u
market farm in Fairfax county, Virginia,
and began business like a practical wom-
an. She developed energy and CONNER
cial foresight. and soon enjoyed abundant
prosperity. She supported herself and
her orphaned nieces in elegant style,
worked 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 de-
vote considerable portion of her 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 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 objects of her special
care.
On the close of the war she devoted
herself to the education of southern or
phans, and published sveral works of an
educational character. She dwelt in
Washington for a while, and her home
in Pennsylvania avenue was the resort of
some of the most brilliant men and wom-
en- in the capital. She occupied a posi-
ton in one of the government Offices for
a time, and every where commanded re-
spect 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 becomea Frcnchman in his tastes
and methods of life. The two met, and
the concealed passion of early years, re-
kindled in the breast of the old gentle
man, led him to offer Miss Mason his hand
and fortune, but she said that she had re-
solved never to marry, and the maj or ask
ed 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 friend
ship 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 enbalmed and brought to
Michigan. a plain tomb, to cost no
more than 5000, will mark the resting.
place Of Lewis Cass, the sclf-expatri-
ated decendent of Michigan's greatest
son. The will of Major Cass bequeaths
to Miss Mason $4,000, three diamond
rings, which the testator dearly prised,
ana makes her the joint executrix Of the
instrument Detroit Neios.