The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-01
THE WIDOW OF GEN. THOMAS.
Her Quiet Life In Washington-Her Hus-
bands Long Absence from Home.


Mary Logan Tucker. in New York World
Mrs. George 81. Thomas is . modest lady who
has lived q very quiet life since coming to Wash
ington, but in . short visit made her . few days
ago she told me many things of herself and the
Generals services which are Of interest Her
house 10 on ], near Nineteenth street, the loca-
ton 10 very desirable. and selected because she
had 80 many old friends residing near
the Danas, Hagners and others. The
house is OF modern architecture and
swelled front, with brown-stone trimmings. A
few steps lead up to the door. which was
opened by an old-style negro woman in calico
and spotless apron. The hall 10 not spacious
which seemed to give a welcome to one. From
this you step into the pxrlor to the right and
this opens by an archway into the library or
sittine-room, that again into . bright. sunny
dinine-room- The p%ortieres being all draped
i SsSE; to the si mouse. Small a sss1ss with e Ss@si bike
a-brac. easy-chairs with dainty handiwork
pinned upon them, essels with silk scarfs draped
over them, cabinets and all the tasty furnish
ipgs OF q modern home were seen. In one corner
photograph of Gen. Thomas, lovingly twined
with sprays Of ivy, and quito near this was .
huge glass bowl filled with callas. On q eide
wall, draped with an American flag. hung q
huge crayon Of Gen. Thomas, which Mrs. Thorn
as prizes most highly, and one which has . little
history connected with it.
Mrs. Thomas IL somewhat lame, owing to an
accident q few years ago, being thrown from .
carriage. but as she entered she seemed quite
tall, with . strong face, ono denoting decision
and great character. She has q very kindly
eye. and dark lair upon which she wears a very
pretty white cap, giving her q very motherly
appearance. She was dressed in deep mourn
ing. not only for General Thomas. but owing
to the recent death of q niece Her sister.
Miss Kellogg has always made her home with
Mrs. Thomas, and but for her she would be en-
tirely alone. The Generals family all being
Southernsrs, Mrs. Thomas could find little OF
congeniality among them. She told me the
General read Of the fall of Sumter on the cars
and started at once for the froIt. From that
until u%n af sas th. ni fall OF i iAsl.nt. D'W when as she
joined him at Nashville, and from that short
visit not again until after the fall Of Richmond.
In a very feeling way, she said: "No one can
ever knew what / suffered in those days. Ispent
my winters in New York city, and when / heard
the boys crying their papers, would send out for
them and then be afraid to haye them read for
fear Of the news they might contain. Finally,
when they were read to mo, every one
would say: Now, Mrs. Thomas, you must feel
better but I would be so sick and weak 1 would
DO obliged TO 60 to bed. So tho days repeated
themselves" asked her if she had any of the
relics Of General Thomas's military life which
me that az one time she had them all
in her old home in Troy, N. Y, but
being almost surrounded by fire on one
occasion made her realize the danger of their
papers to the War Department. his flags to
West Point and the Military. States Service
rooms on Governors island and the remainder
of the collection to various Institutions. until
she has very few with her. The Generals
service swords hang upon q large velvet shield
one. presented by q Kentucky regiment, rests in
q large mahogany case.