The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-07-24
THE SISTERS SAD STORY.
Their Father Was Once Ire asurer of
the United States-The Misfortunes
of Their Lives.

Their Father Was Once Ire asurer of
the United States-The Misfortunes
of Their Lives.
From the Washington Post.
The sad cases Of the Misses Selden, who
were taken from their home at 1888
Eleventh street, to st. Elizabeths insane
asylum on Friday, has awakened universal
sympathy in the community. both among
the general public and by those who knew
them and their family connections. Tnev
belonged to one of the Oldest families in the
di-trict, and in the days when the best
society was ruled b.. the native families
theirs occupied a leading position.
Virginia, the eldest of the ladies', had
always been recOg lZed as a remarkable
oman. Strong of will, she was proud,
hauguty and reserved. Her face was
almost MadonnS-like In It's contour and pla-
cId.ty of eXpresSio her hair was of the
richest brown, and pair Of beautiful ewes
of the same colo caused nervous twitc
In the heart OF many gala t in the DAYS
OF the 10 x ago, when, as the daughter of
t le treasurer of the u uted States, and by
virtues OF her own beauty aud acco nplsh-
ments, she was popular belle in capital
society.
the second daughter, Lille, was looked
VI on as the particularly clever girl of
very clever family. Sac was Of a literary
turn of mind, aud was better read tnan the
vast majorities of you ladies. She pos
Sessed an interes ing face, and while not as
handsome as her sisters, had a power of
conversation aid charm Of manner which
endeared her to all
TIE youngest, Florence, who is now about
p years old, is n beautiful wo nan, pos ess-
ing that rare combination of brown ewes
and golden ualr. So much did she resem-
BILE tue " ell-known picture of the turbaned
Beatrice dl Cenci that rela i've once pre-
sentet her with portrait Of tue latter set
in brlliantS.
All three have refused many offers of
marriage, and in recent years nave led a
life OF seciusl m, stunning the best society,
IN which tey previously novel. Their
father, William Selden, was treasurer of
the United States Tor f. ty YEAR, and the
secluded life Of the daughters BEGAN With
his death, their mother having died lust
previously. The iather died with a ca cor
of the eye, and during his long and terrible
illness his three daughters were he m 5
devoted of nurses Whe the grave had
closed over him Miss Virgil il became mo.
rose to such an extent tn t it developed into
mela cholla, and her depre>s Of spiri
was communicated to her younger sisters,
especially to Miss Lille
Virginia had a trDng sense of the pro-
prleties a an incident occurred some
years ago which wounded he prou nature
AID caused her to shut herS4l up sJil more
CLOSELY from the world Her half brother.
William, married a Miss Shriner, and tne
marriage was kept secret for several Months.
That her half bro he 5 wife should have
beed using card with Miss engravet o
II while she as n married woman 80 shocked
Virginia that total eStrangement re-
suited between her and'her half brother and
his wife
Recently another brother, who was looked
upon as somewhat wild young man, took
position as a MARKER in billiard room, or
in some such capacity. This the ladies
looked upon as a disgrace to their name
and family, and it has preyed on their
miuds ever since
About two years ago the sisters opposed
the marriage of another brot Ter. The
marriage did not tahe ace ami a estra lge-
melt followed, but whether 1t has since
continued is not known, for neither friends
nor rela ives nave as a rule bee aole TO get
into the hou'e, a ID nothing a. all has bsen
known of them by their co nections.
The house in which they lived is a hand
some four ST Try one, elegantly furnished.
but the front blinds, with one exception,
were always closed, and I building mad
fuIereal aspect. The one exec ton was the
wi dow at which their brother Carey sat,
day aud night, for some years before hi,
death