The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1891-06-27
OFFICIAL PAPER OF MCLEAN co.
Death of Mrs. Frances James.
From Eau Claire (Wis.) News, June Is.


Rainford James, the famous English now
elist and historian, and grandmother of
cx-City Atty V. W. james, died Mt her
home, All Pin street, at $50 o'clock Tues
age, she was in comparatively good health
until two weeks ago, when it was evident
that she could not rally. Death came
while she was asleep.
Mrs. James was born Oct. IL, 1900, and
was the daughter of DIR. Thomas, a cele-
bratcd English physician. She was mar
ried to Mr.. james in 1928. They spent
twenty years together in various parts of
Europe, min2ling with the shining lights
of the republic of letters and witnessing
many notable events.
Mr.. james filled with distinction the
position OF h~istorlographer royal during
the reign of William ". The French rev.
olution of 1880 found them in Paris. Mr..
and Mrs. James arrived in tho gay capital
on the night of the issuance of the famous
ordinances of King Charles X. which had
much to do with provoking the first upris-
ing. Mr.. and Mrs. James determined not
to remain, but it was difficult to leave, az
almost all the available carriages had been
hired. Mr.. James proceeded to theP alais
Royal to secure a passport, and, as he reach
we're being slain by the populace. He
obtained a passport, however, the last that
was issued until the trouble was over. AS
they passed the Louvre on the way out of
the city M unit of Mr.. James, who accom-
panied them, insisted upon stopping to
view the famous gallery. This aunt of
Mr.. James had witnessed the horrors of
the first French revolution. had refused an
offer of marriage from R~obespierre, and
was not to be easily lntimidated. Mr.. and
Mrs. James entered the Louvre, but. before
they had gone through the gallery, the
trio were turned ont by the Swiss guarda.
Half an hour later the insurgents stormed
the place and massacred the guards. They
reached England in safety.
After a lumber of years spent in travel
ing in France and Italy, Mr.. and Mrs. James
and their children came to America in
1852, Mr.. James having been British consul
Mt Norfolk, Va, and they subsequently
lived at Richmond, Va, tho consulate
having been removed thither in 1856.
They also lived 1t Lennox, Mass. In 1858,
Mr.. James was appointed consul general
for the ports of the Adriatic, me they took
up their lcsidence at Venice, where Mr..
James died in 1860, and where he lies
buried.
-Four years after the death Of her distin-
guished husband, Mrs. james came to
America, remaining some months with her
daughter in New Hampshire, whence shs
came to this city, where her son Walter
resided, having lived here ever since.
She retained to the last a lively interest
in current affairs, and though physically
afflicted, her mental faculties remained
unimpaired.
Mrs. James was the mother of eight
children, of whom but two, a son and
daughter survive. One son died in the
service during the war. The surviving
son is Charles l.. james of this city, who
inherited in a large degree his fathers
literary tastes. The surviving daughter
is Mrs. Florence Williams, of San Fran
cisco, Cal.
Mrs. Jsmes died on the 31st anniversary
of her husbands death.
Within the past three or four years Mrs.
James has had several severe illnesses,
from which she recovered, though her in
firm condition prevented her from appear
ing on the streets. year ago, recovering
from an illness, she presented Christ Epis-
copal church i'll this city a handsome desk
to be used at the alter, a gift which had
long been contemplated.
Mrs. Walter James, and Mrs. G. l..
James. of this city, are daughters-in-law
and Fred James, of Minneapolis, a grand
son.
Mrs. James death probably removes
the last of that coterie of distinguished
people of letters and society, who were
contemporary with Sir Walter Scott, Lord
Byron, Joanna Baltic, Felicia Hemans,
Duke of Wellington. She also had met in
society the beautiful Carlotta, the mad
widow of Macmillan, tho Emperor of
Mexico.
The funeral services were held at the
residence FRIDAY morning at 10 CLOCK.
The solemn rites of the Episcopal service
were read by Rev. G. A. Cummings. The
remains were inferred in Lakeview Gem
etery.
Mandan Pioneer: This will be the great
est season that North Dakota ever had if
we keep on getting rain, and if the hot
winds don't come. This fact is conceded.
There is a generally accepted theory that