The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-15
Death Of Mrs. Jacob Thompson.

A wide circle of friends in this and the adj
Joining States, embracing all that is best IN
public and social life. will learn with regret Of
the death Of Mrs. Jacob Thompson. widow Of
one Of the most distinguished of the public
men of the South. q gentleman WHO served
many years in Congress and rs Secretary of
the Interior in the Cabinet of President
Buchanan. and subsequently, as one OF
the trusted commissioners of the Con-
federate States Of America. Mrs. IhOmp-
son was her husbands companion
during his services in the National Capital
in Canada aud Europe. and was his most eff
Client aid - a social leader. especially IN WASH
iugton. where she entertained most, II not
al. Of the great. men who were in the service
Of the Republic from the closing years OF the
careers OF the great tllumvrate-Me Webster
Clay and Calhoun-to the last days Of Bucha-
mans administration Mrs Thompson was
there witness OF the political eXcitements
which ensued upon the repeal of the Missouri
comprimise and the agitations against
slavery, the secession from tho Union
Of the Southern States which formed
the Confederacy and afterwards in
the South Of the civil war, the terror Of the
days Of reconstruction. surviving her husband
10 witness the encouraging revival OF Memphis
from the decimatiOns of epldemlcs. and 20
continue one Of the first and most beloved
and respected of the social leaders of the city.
Mrs Thompson. amidst all of this varied and
unusual experience. preserved in a wonderful
degree the equnnimity and set-polse which
distinguished her in her Younger days Con-
sderate. thoughtful and solicitously tender
with those who were nearest and dearest 10
her she was 20 the world always and on all
occasions the well-bred lady, carry
ing with her an air Of dstlnc-
ton and n reserve impenetrable save
10 them whom she trusted and loved. A true
Christian she carefully Observed all the COM
nd mi 90 ha oh md .Ia
was charitable in the double sense Of compass
sion for the poor and in contributions for
their comfort and the support of the aims
giving agencies Of the parish TO which she adj
hered. Mrs Thompson was characterized
through her life by high sense of all her
duties and obligations as wife and
mother. and as nelghbOr and friend.
Her experiences in the great world
OF Europe had the effect Of broadening
"A naturally amiabe character and of deepen
Ing for her the meaning Of the word charity.
Keenly thoughtful and sensitive. She was not
sOured by the prosecutions 10 which her nus
band was unJustly subjected, or the sorrOws
that crowded IN upon her life: on the contrary.
she kept her sympathies fresh and pure. and
10 the last was easily aroused to an interest
even N her casual acquaintance and in q e
events that were current She did not linger
with the past. She lived in the present. and
for those dependent upon her in any way or
NtsiNc wa h4ii'i anu ''lNlHtlht'. one WIS a
womanly woman: loved her home and its sur
roundings; loved the church: loved the South
and the Southern people, and, though never
demOnsiratlye. was as earnest IN that love as
any Of the millions who gave "a profounder
meaning TO the word patriotism during the
civil war By q devotion 10 the cause OF the
Confederate States such As has never been
equalled by any other people in history OF
all the Southern women who We're contempt
raries and shared with Mrs Thompson the
distinction Of being social leaders in Washing
ton few now survive. Those who do are the
last of a regime ~ noted for it, brilliancy, wit
and grace rs that other and older social con-
dition which persisted on the scafold with
Marie AntOnette. Nashville American.