Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-23
LEWIS CASS'S ONLY soy.
Tie Romance in the Life Of the Most
Beautiful Woman IN Michigan.

Detroit Free Press: 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 a political
as we'll as social distinction, and later, when
Michigan was erected into a State, her broth
er, Stephen 1. Mason, became its first gov
ernor, and she presided over the household
and dispensed a liberal and graceful hospi-
talltY. The gubernatorial mansion was the
center of the culture and fashion of the north
west, and Mas Mason was at the head of the
society of the Wolverine metropolis Wien
Mas Mason Was dlscharging the du,.Ies of
the hrst lady OF the State, Major B.-His Cass
was at West Point. During his vacations he
visited his home and was th.roWn much into
the society OF the brilliaGt Emily. He was
younger than she, and i he was smitten by
her beauty and Accomplishments he never
summoned tAe courage to propose. The s1d-
den deatn OF Governor Mason and the break
ing up OF the Mason homestead and the re-
verse that followed Obliged Miss Mason to
look about for means of support She,
was a glri OF proud, independent spirit, and
with the remains of her property she pur-
chased market farm in Fairfax county, Vir-
gina, and began business like a practical
woman. She developed energy and CONNER
ciai foresight. and soon enjoyed abundant
prosperity. She supported herself and her
orphaned nleces In elegant style, worked
hard, and acquired a competence. 81 the
outbreak of the civil war her home Vas one of
the most delightful In all NirP, mia, and she
was enabled to devote corsIderable portion
OF time to literature. The war, however,
scattered her fortga.e TO the winds. and left
her all but desltate She was now a fully
matured womar, over forty years Of age,
stroae, resoiute and energetic. Driven from
her home, she went to Richmond and became
q in f1a al he
oners who came under her mInistTatiOn were
objects of her esp cIal care. On the close of
the war she devoted herself to the education
OF southern orphans, and published several
works OF IN educational 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 government Offices for
time and everywhere COM
manded respect and admiration.
She finally took up her residence IN Paris.
Many years before this Major Cass bad estab>
hshed himself IN the French capital, and Dad
become Frenchman in his tastss and
methods of life. The two met, an, the con-
cealed passion of early life rex. odled in the
breast OF the old gentleman, and led him to
offer Miss Mason his hand and fortune. but
she SAID that she has. resolved never 10 marry,
and the major esked her to do him the honor
of granting 4lm her friendship. Then until
ms ms death, Which occurred rather suddenly,
MISS Macon was his companion In that friend
shlr In which the French, in the decline Of
life, know so well how 10 associate, and she
closed ais eyes, ana took charge OF his body
Under the terms OF his will his body was
embalmed and brought to Michigan. A plain
tomb, TO cost not more than two hundred
dollars, 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 six thousand
dollars, three diamond rings which the tes-
tator dearly pnzed, and makes her the Joint
executrix of the instrument.