The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-02-12
WASHINGTON SOCIAL LIFE AS PIC
TURED BY AN OBSERVING LADY.
Mount Vernon to be Free to Visitors -
Funeral of Secretary Windom---
Other Interesting Items.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Feb. ?, 1901.

of it's most trusted officers, and al
over the land hearts throb in deepest
sympathy with the family so unex
pectedly plunged into such agony o
grief. Secretary Window babe good
bye to wife and daughters on Thurs
day and went over to New York tC
meet the board of trade at its annua
banquet, and make an address. The
programme was carried out to thai
point, and then an unseen, unbiddeI
guest stepped in with silent tread, anG
ere the assembled throng could CUES,
the presence. Death lead him away
forever. Quietly, painlesSly, he "fel
on sleep;' but who cau describe the
scene? A moment before words oil
deepest import had fallen from his
lips. The wisest counsel had
been given i'll financial mat
tiers, the well trained brain
had evolved sound methods and
he lips uttered sound words. In an
instant the vital spark was extln-
| gui-hed; life ended here and the lite
immortal begun. Secretary Window 5
| was Il lif" WGr Ivy OF emulal ion, Il man
of rictest integrity, high honor, lof y
aims. pure and true il all tie relations
OF life-a christian man, which is the
highest t. ne of manhood. His public
| life is before the world and there is no
blot upon its fair pages. A gentlr, cOur
| tesy market hi manner always, and
| his dignity of character was pro-
| nounced. An innate chivalric sense
! inspired him at all times. and his rev
erence for wOmanhood was shown in
II manner now SO rarely seen. H.
never entered the elevator to ascend
to his own room in the treasury with
ont remOvin" his hat in the presence
of the chairwuGlen, whether white or
colored.
1t was sad cortege that passed slow
ly up the avenue on Fridty bearing
the remains to the home from whence
assurance. President Harrison rode
in the procession, and his coiorless
face showed plainly the shock he had
sustained in the 10 S OF this one of his
official family, who was peculiarly
near to him, and whose friendship he
SO highly priced. The grief stricken
wife and daughters are overwhelmed
How could they dream as they stoOd
in the brilliantly lighted mansion of
the postmaster general and received
the greetings extended to them on
every hand, that this awful pail was
at that moment gathering to enfold
| them2 Mrs. Window had declined
L A. I'M TO frN hA
cabinet dinner in honor of the presi
dent, on account of the secretary alb.
spnce in New York, but attended tne
Mrs. Harrison was too indiSpOsed to be
present the president had with
drawn soon after dinner, but
returned in a very short time
and requested TO see Mr.. Wanamaker.
So soon as the postmaster.general Look
ed into The pale, agitated lace of the
President. he read the story of some
calamity, yet was far from guessing
the truth, when the President, burst
ing into tears, t. Id of the death OF
secretary Window. 1t was like a
thunderbolt from Il clear sky. With
great delicacy they managed to have
Mrs. Window conveyed to her OWL
home before breaking the awful in
telligence. Let a veil be drawn over
the scene; such grief should be sacred.
President Harrison remained at the
residence until o'clock in the morn
ing, when the household had grown
calmer in Il measure.
The funeral services will he held at
the house privately for the family,
ard continued at the church of tne
Covenant, for VIII ch cards of admi sion
| will be Issued. The iuternent will be
made at Rock Creek cemetery.
While the shadows fall heavily on
| some hoarthstones, the sunshine sheds
it's golden blaze on Others, and the
boon of life is granted i'll extended
mPa, ure.
Major William b. Lee, who has
| been in the government service con-
| tinuouslv for fOrtv years. has iuSr Gel
| ebratei his S6th birthday He is one
| of the old st erkS in the war DEPART
| ment. AID among his colleagues is af-
iectionateIy known as 'Uncle Billy"
| His natal day was Ob'erved 10y hi.
fellow clerks in very appropriate
manner. A handsome basket of flow
ers was presented and several other
| valuable gifts. Major Lee was born
| in France while his father was serving
! as minister to that country.
FREE ADMISSION TO THE AMERICAN
| MECCA.
Representative Brosius OF Penn
| sylvania, made move in the right di-
ection when he introduced series CT
resolutions in the house the other day
pro- esting against the charge of an
abundance fee at Mount Vernon,
and recommending hat congress make
arrangements with the board OF re-
gents now controlling that historic
spot, to substitute eX-union soldiers in
| place of civilians, as guides, guards
and attendants. such appointments to
be made on the recommendation of the
president of the United States; also
requesting an appropriation by con
yress so that under regulated pass
| system visitors may he conveyed on Il
government steamer, 70 he grounds OF
Mount Vernon. free of charge.
| Doubtless there are hundreds and
thousands of good patriotic people.
whose feet have never 1rod the soil OF
Mount Vernon. simply because they
could not afford the 81 entrance fee. Ii