The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-06-27
LEWIS cAss,s ONLY SON.
Tho Romance In the Life Of the Host Beautiful
Daughter Of Michigan,
[Rrnrn the Detroit News

The Romance In the Life OF the most BeautlIul
Daughter Of Michigan,
From the Detroit News.l
Emily V. Mason was reputed to be the
most beautiful woman in the Northwest.
Her family were patriCian and all her as
sociations were elevated. In 1888, when
her father was Secretary Of the Terrific
ry of Michigan, she enjoyed a political
as we'll as social distinction, and later,
when Michigan was erected into State,
her brother, Stevens 7, Mason, became
its first Governor, and she presided over
the household and dispensed liberal
and graceful hospitality. The gubsrna'
orial mansion was the center of the Cul-
ture and fashion of the Northwest, and
Miss Mason was at the head Of the 30
ciety 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 smitten by her beau
ty and accomplishments he never sum-
moned 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 a girl of proud, indie.
pendent spirit, and with the remains of
her property she purchased market
farm in Fairfax county, Va, and began
business like practical woman. She
developed energy and commercial fore
sight, and soon enjoyed abundant pros.
perity. 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 time to
literature. The war, however, scattered
her fortune to the winds, and left her all
but destitute. She was now fully ma
tured woman, over 40 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 es'
pecial care.
On the close of the war she devoted
herself to the education of Southern or.
phans, and published several works of
an educational character. She dwelt in
Washington for awhile, 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 off.
Ces for a time, and everywhere com.
manded respect and admiration. She
finally took up her residence in Paris.
Many years before this Major Cass had
established himself in the French capi-
tai, 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 gen.
tleman 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 un.
til his death, which occurred rather sud-
denly, Miss Mason was his companionin
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. A plain tomb,
to cost not more than 5000, will mark the
resting place of Lewis Cass, the self-ex-
patriated descendant Of Michigan's great.
est son. The will of Major Cass be.
queaths to Miss Mason $4,000, three dia.
mond rings, which the testator dearly
priced, and makes her the joint execu-
trix of the instrument.