Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1880-03-23
A White House Incident.
THE OLD WOMAN FROM TENNESSEE WHO
WANTED TO INTERVIEW THE
PRESIDENT.

Washington Correspondence Chicago Times.
AS the Times reporter walked into the
White House this morning, he saw the
usual number of people sitting around
the different rooms. Some were there on
visit Of sight seeing, and others came
on different errands. There was about
the same number there that are to be
seen almost any day, waiting fer an Sin
terview" with the President. The man
witt claim and the soldier after n PEN
sion were on hand, as usual. The regu-
lar members were there who call almost
every day simply to ''pay their respects"
to the Chief Magistrate Of the land.
Seated over in far corner of the wide
lobby which runs through the house, in
front of the Presidents door, was an old
woman. about seventy-iive years of age.
Her hair was almost as white as snow.
The deep wrinkles in her face showed
that her life had not always been free
from troubles. Her large black eyes
seemed all that was left of her youth.
She was dressed very poorly. Her blue
calico dress and faded bonnet indicated
that, whatever she might have been, she
was now in want. After remaining
quietly seated for some time, and observ-
ing that other callers were transacting
their business, she summoned up cour-
age to leave her retired seat in the lobby
corner, and, walking up to the messen-
ger at the Presidents door, she made
known her wants and told her story in
such simple and affecting manner that
even the hard hearted German was OBJ
liged to listen.
She wanted to see the President. She
had come all the way from her humble
homes in the mountains of Tennessee to
obtain pension for her son, who had
been wounded in the late war and was
now almost helpless. She got together
the small earnings and saving of q few
years of hard work, and made her way
as best she could to Washington. She
knew no one. Every face she saw was
strange. Her money was almost gone,
but the justice of her errand kept her up,
and she went to work. She had a hard
time finding some person to Interest him
self in her and her troubles. Every one
to whom she applied was too bucy, or
could do nothing. At last. when size was
on the verge Of despair, and lad almost
decided to walk back TO tennessee and
die In poverty, she found member from
that State who, as she says, "had heart
large enough is permit him to help me
and himself and family" He got her
claims In shape to be considered, but
that was all he could do. She was then
without penny, and had no means Of
getting back to her home. In sheer des-
peratlon she called at the White House.
She hardly knew what she came for;
,hc only knew that The man who ruled
there was President. She knew that he
was powerful and rich, and she asked
the messenger to let her ask of him the
means to return to her home.
She was shown to seat In the recep-
ton and her card taken; but, as the
President was busy with his usual calls
from Congressman, Cabinet officers, and
others, she found no chance to see him.
The old woman then told her story to
the writer and to everyone who would
listen, and asked them TO aid her In get
ting funds enough to take her home,
where her crippled son was waiting.
The clerks, visitors, and everyone about
the halls and Offices Of The Executive
Mansion contributed TO the old lady's
fund, and quite sum was realized.
She said that II almost broke her heart
TO ask aims, for Il wns but few years
ago when she was able 10 help others IN
stead of asking assistance for herself.
The old lady then left, and rs she went
down the stairs she swore that IL Proyi-
dcnce did not send her the means TO buy
ticket she would start that night and
walk TO Tennessee.