Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-05

The Energetic Regent Of the Mount vernoI
Association Passes Away.

The Energetic Regent Of the Mount Vernon
Association Passes Away.
Mrs Manchester Laughton, who had such O
large circle OF friends in Washington and who
was 80 widely known because Of her active in
terest as q regent Of the Mount Vernon Asso-
citation. died yesterday at her country residence
o. Torresdale, Pa. She had been seriously ill
for some weeks. SO i'll, in fact. that her daush-
ter. Madame de Pedroso. was cabled TO return
home at once from Madrid, where her husband
is attached to the Spanish court as an import
ant member Of the diplomatic corps Of tina.
country. Fortunately the Marquis and Madame
de Pcdroso we're able, by taking passage on a
qaick Atlantic liner, to reach New York a
Few Gays ago, and they fastened to Torresdale
where they found Mrs. Laughton conscious.
put very low. Since the beginning Of the week
the attending physicians had given up all hope
OIL saving thu II patient, who WAS suffering from
complication Of internal troubles. SO that
when death came it was not unexpected tC
those around her. Her health was, at the best,
never very strong, but it not until q COM
paratiVeiy recent date that her condition de-
veioped symptoms of an alarming character.
Last summer Mrs. Laughton contemplated
visit to Europe to join her daughter. but she
had to give up the trip by advice of her physi-
clan.
The deceased was the daughter of the late
Charles Manchester, for many years one of
Phlladelphias best known citizens From the
fime that she was young girl she occupied an
enSiable position in the social life of that city.
When the Mount Vernon Association was or
ganlzed for the purchase of Washinston's
country home abe was appointed to represent
pennsylvania on the board of direction, under
the title Of vice regent, and the honor thus
bestowed upon her bore good fruit, for
from that time she evinced the deepest
interest In the aims OF the association, and. In
1873. was elected its regent. She remained I'M
IL tie very last the leading spirit OF that band OF
energetic women. She was twice married her
first husband being H. Bergmanns, the Belgian
diplomatist. Some years after NJ. Bergmanns'
death she was married to Mr.. j. Scott Laugh
ton, who lived but short time, dying in Al
g1ers, whittier he and Mrs. Laughton had gone
to spend winter. She leaves one daughter,
Madame de Pedroso (nee Bergmannsl.
Mrs. LauShton had travelled extensively
abroad, and her unusually large circle of
friends was by no means confined to this
country. Nowhere however, was she better
known and more popular than in Washington,
where, in her attractive winter home, she
often received Americans and foreigners Of
note. She was a very welcome guest at the
White House during number OF administra-
tions, and one of her closest friends was Mrs.
Cleveland. Mrs. Cleveland and Mr.. George
w. Childs stood sponsors when Mrs. Laugh
tons first grandchild, daughter of the de
PedrosOs, was baptized. Although making her
winter residence in Washington, she kept up
her home ties by spending great portion Of
each summer In the picturesque Manchester
mansion at Torresdale. Here she was near her
relatives and some of her intimate friends.