The sun., 1884-11-30
THREE LIVING NxsrREsSES OF TEE
WHITE HOUSE.

be able to construct n epocinl cabinet" OF
most distinguished ladies for this purpose.
trio OF women who have served In the capacity
OF mistress OF the Executive Mansion In tho
time when tho Democratic party was at tho
helm. 1t is an interesting fact. and ono per-
haps not generally understood. that while thorc
aro mono OF tho Presidents Of ante-bollum
days yet living. there are no less than three
lados left to us who wore social hoads OF the
White House In the times preceding tho Re.
publican dynasty Mrs. Polk. Mrs. Tyler and
Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston are still living.
Mrs. Tyler, the Bride OF the White House."
still lives In Richmond. q brilliant woman OF 81
or 5S. near tho Gravo OF hor husband nado In
1861 still unmarked. q rcrroach to the State
OF Virginia. whose Legislature pledgod itsof
long ago to erect over 1t q suitable monument.
Mrs. Polk. who was the next lady occupant
OF the White House. still lives at Polk Place.
In Nashville now In her 82d year we'll
preserved Intelligent woman. waiting patiently
the summons to join her husband. who was
called from her eide thitry-flve years ago. three
months after the close OF his Administration.
and whose romans lie beneath marble tenn
pie on tho grounds Of her prosont homo. Mrs.
Harriet Lane Johnston. handsome woman OF
50. whose relgn as mistress OF tho White House
during tho Administration OF her uncle anu
adaptive father. James buchanan. is spoken OF
as one OF the most brilliant In the social his
tory OF Washington. is a resident OF Baltimore.
having married Mr.. Henry Elliott Johnston Of
that city ia 1866. two years prior to the death
OF her uncle the ex-Frcsident.
III President Cleveland wants to do Crncc-
full thlng" said a gentleman. commenting upon
the fact that these three women Of tho White
House in ante belum days still live. lot him
invite Mrs. Folk. Mrs. Tyler. and Mrs. Harriet
Lane to assis, him in his frat reception after
tho inauguration. 1t would be graceful ac-
ton. and would recall u food OF interesting
memories."
And so it would. Mrs. Polk. who was spoken
Of by a travelled Enslish lady as surprising
In dignity and attractions any Of thre.. gueens'
Harriet, Lane. tne brilliant mistress OK tho
White House "@miroa and @ hcnernI nr;a by tTo Two
and veil still hangs IN tEs Grssn Room pointed
ever crnced that establishment as its mistress.
remember en- her well" s said u an old employee ,
June @ sinco in she came here rs tho brids OF Prosi.
dent Tyler. 1t was Joyous event, but ro-
lied fsa Sr Tsa se
fore. tie mangled remains OF her father had
been brought from the steamer whers he had
remember the bursting OF the reacemaker2
No. there are not many now In Washington
Mp sad H eSsHt w.t. ei."'.i, the Frssdsnt had met
Miss Gardiner here and their engage
Mr.. Nh Gardner Of Long Island. were visiting
Washington. stopping at one OF the hotels here.
when they we're invited BY the Pr PaosIdsn, to
Ct the Navy. the President the Secretary Of
War; and some others who we're going down
odly. and was considered entirely safe. On the
tory results. and as tho boat was nearing Wash
ington on the return. all were called on deck to
tho 81 s ,Ss Sn h% NJ frdurr bn %sat ssa tan
deck. and, the President was about to go when
Miss Gardiner pIayfully hid his hat: preventing
ssif i' . Presidential husband. Tor when the gun
the Navy and Miss Gardnsr's father. the cries
Of the wounded carrying the news S to those be-
That was an awful expor rionco for that young
girl, Her fathers remains were brought here
The WSs ssse@y MSase q End bs N % r win nsSa hse
Their funeral took place in tho East Room.
In the presence OF q, very large nsscmblage.
diner and the President. which had been set
for the following summer. was very quiet one
ana ali Y"k ber aEan
ple;sly by surprise when the guns began firing
here She 0 was sss Seanu soues ss as
Xna, you VIII SEQ BY her portrait In the Green
You remember Mrs. Polk. then, II your rec
Very well indeed She was handsome and
lillian oDee % saa to her ne during n one q her Ars
hsn aa ps sSs RS
some concern.for she, was deeply religious
TomhRhMwhss hhS wTs when he 10, repbtisd Well
spProPrI.te rsmark: for for i seoms that every
| And YOU remember Harriet Lane well2"
,u oh. yes; that was only little white ago
"GSa ssoH
| say 80. A beautiful. accomplished. aueenly
Bnch.er as ssos sS s4d %Sa
loved with the most earnest affection. 1t was
ss masS o s one sor sns HS
When % 1 she came ca I" to tho Wits House S seen ali
having been for years with her uncle nt tho
court court 81 81; Jamess' ' especially @ honor.d and
fond q her though he used to Ike sS 10 tease ssss
her with some auiet, Good-naturcd stories OF
her sirlish DAYS, when she was quite romp.
| ! remember how no used 70 tell about her beat
about her Wheeling IL load Of wood through the
to some poor old woman. She had many adj
mirers. and many offers of marriage. Mr.. john
Poor woman. she is lonely I've enough m ntS now ' hor
husband nni both children dead"
=. Mrs: Johnston tliarriet Lane, was here, a
daughter OF tho late Judge Jers Black. She is
| In deep mourning for her husban and chill
| dran. a ost within tho rast two years. She
reco we'd few friends. being occasionally seen
| on tho streets driving a handsome tenn which
| She managed with all the old time grace and
precision recalled OF her by those who knew her
| here a quarter OF Il century ago.
>, Mrs. Tyler. whose daughter was married nt
Richmond a few days since. is PRESIDENT OF that
| city. where she has lived pretty much Nil the
| time since leaving tho White House. She is.
although native OF New York. a Southern
woman in habit OF life and thought. having ns
did her husband. the eeX- Pres dent, sympnthiled
with tho Sout th in tho struggle OF 1865. She
has threo living children. one tho daughter ro-
Gently married, another practising physician
q repute In this city. third who resides at
| Richmond and Is engaged upon u literary work
upon tho history OF the Tyler family.
OF the trio resides at Nnshvilie. within easy
view OF the grave Of her husband. who died
there forty-nve wears ago. Mr.. Justice Mat
thews. who Is warm personal friend, who Wis
| lts her every time his duties take him there
| speaks OF her as tho same bright. thoughtful
intellectual woman MS when she loft the White
House. Her faculties at the advanced age oil
~ are stu wcll preserved. and she is honorod
by al. distinguished mon visiting her often