Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-10


O'CLOCK THIS xoRSISa-rHE NEWS CAME US-
ExPEcrEDLr TO THE WHITE HoUsE-rHE
STORY OF HER FATAL ILLNESS.
At an early hour this morning the Presidents
carriage stood in front Of house No. sl4
18th street northwest, on the bell handle of
which hung flowing piece Of heavy black
crepe Mrs. Scott Lord had died at s:l5 o'clock.
and Mrs. Harrison, her sister, had hastened
thither at once from the White House with
their aged father, DR.. Scott, too late to attend
her sister in her last moments. The end was
very sudden and, although recognized as a
strong possibility, unexpected. 1t was known
that Mrs. Lord was in a most dangerous condi-
tion, and last night her physicians had almost
ceased to hope for her recovery. Her malady
was q complex one, based on malarial
fever, contracted during the early part
OF the summer. As soon she
was able to move she and Mrs. Harrison went
ia Nantucket in the hope that a change of air
would be beneficial, but after a few weeks
stay they returned, Mrs. Lord stopping in New
York for some time. She was brought back
here several weeks ago and since then has
been slowly sinking under general dissolution
OF her vital forces, caused by the malarial in
nuences. A week ago she was better and Mrs.
Harrison had almost concluded to go to Chi
cago with the President, but Friday afternoon,
Just before the departure of the party, she
changed her mind and decided to remain.
She has been unremitting in her attentions at
her Invalid sisters bedside, visiting her several
times day. When she left the house last
evening the patients condition was far from
encouraging, but the word that came fast to
the White House this morning announcing Mrs.
Lords death was a sudden shock.
HER ILLNESS AND DEATH.
Mrs. Lord, who was absent from the city
during the summer, returned here in a help
less state two weeks ago, November 26, and was
carried Immediately to her old home at Miss
Darrelrs house. Mrs. Lord rallied from the
effects Of the journey from New York and had
with her Mrs. Dimmick, her widowed daughter,
and Mrs. Lieut.. Parker, also daughter, who
were In constant attendance upon her. DIR.
Gardner OF this city was her medical adviser.
Mrs. Lord grew worse and had good and bad
days, and her friends were fearful for her life
Mrs. Harrison, as stated above, did not 60 to
Chicago with the President, but remained to be
near her sister, and has spent most of her time
at her bedside since she came to the city. For
the past three days Mrs. Lord has been visibly
sinking. Last night Major and Mrs. Richard
Parker spent the night with her, and when
they went home this morning at 7:30 o'clock
Mrs Lord was peacefully reposing in sweet
sleep. Half an hour later she had passed away.
Lieut. Parker and Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Dim
mick were with her. She was conscious to the
last moment. Yesterday DIR. John Scott, her
father, took leave of her, and DIR. Townsend Of
the Church of the Incarnation visited her and
administered spiritual consolation. Mrs. Lord
belonged to the communion OF st. Johns
church. Mrs. Harrison and DR.. Jno. Scott
drove down to the house on 18th street as soon
as word was received at the White House and
remained there until IL o'clock, when they re-
turned home.
The relatives expect to bury Mrs. Lord here,
and a lot in Rock Creek cemetery will be Sc
lected this afternoon for the interment No
arrangements have as yet been made regard
ing the funeral. Mr.. Russell Lord, the hus-
band of the deceased, is buried in Honesdale,
Pa, where she spent her happy married life.
The Presidents son is named for Mrs. Lords
husband.
Mrs. Lord had very severe attack Of fever
during the winter of l6s7-'S8. After the nomi-
nation Of Mr.. Harrison and during the summer
OF 1888 she spent much Of the time in Indian
apoiis with her sister, and it was an exciting
time. Mrs. Lord accompanied the Presidents
family here in March and assisted Mrs. Harri-
son with the duties at the White House during
the spring months. When she went away for
the summer to the northern coast she was not
well and was stricken with a fever at Nam
tucket, from which she never recovered.
Mrs. Scott Lord was gifted with all the social
graces, and had gentleness Of manner that
disarmed rudeness and reassur ID diffidence.
Her sweet face was the index o. the beautiful
Christian soul that dwelt within, the loving
heart and the generous sympathies that en-
deared her very tenderly to her friends. In
addition to these she had the brilliant intel
lectual qualities that completed and rounded
out the perfect personality of a rarely gifted
woman.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
The death Of Mrs. Lord made the White
House more quiet and gloomy than usual to-
day. Everybody spoke in lower tones Mrs.
Harrison went back and forth from the man.
sion to the house on 18th street several times
during the day attending to some OF the pre-
liminary details of the funeral
A telegram was sent to notify the President
OF the melancholy event, with orders to the
telegraph company to find him wherever he
might be on his way here from Chicago, whence
he left this morning for the east.
SOCIAL EFFECT OF THE SAD EVENT.
It is, Of course, unknown as yet just to what
extent Mrs. Lords death will affect the winters
program at the White House, for the program
itself had not yet been seriously considered 1t
is quite certain however that the New Year
reception, which is an official event, with the
President as its central figure, will take
place usual, with the probable excep-
ton that Mrs. Harrison may not be present.
There is but little doubt also, that the other
official receptions and dinners, such as are
given each season by the President in his
capacity as chief magistrate. will not be inter-
rupted by this event, although all of the affairs
that may take place will undoubtedly be more
subdued in tone than usual. 1t would, in
fact, be impossible for any such be-
reavement TO interfere with what has
come to be regarded not merely as a social
matter but as a part of the machinery of the
government In foreign countries q death
ha 1hars nf 70 ly