Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-09


The name of George H. Williams will call
up many interesting "reminiscences to the
minds OF men who sat as members of
the Senate during President Grants admin
lstfation and to many others resident In
Washington at the time These will re-
member Judge Williams as a man OF rare
sagaclty and unquestioned political infiu-
ence they Will remember him as ex-senator
from Oregon ex-judge of the Supreme Court
ex-Cnited States Attorney General and mem
Der or the commission which secured with
England the Treaty of Washington" es-
tablishing the northwestern United States
boundary through the Canal de Haro 1t
was Judge Williams greatest desire to be-
come chief justice of the Supreme Court
He secured the Endorsement of President
Grant, but the Senate declined to confirm
the nomination, and the coveted plum fell
into the grasp of the late lamented Morri-
son K. Waite.
Removal to Portland
Neither the Judge nor his beautiful wife
cared TO remain long in Washington after
their legal and social aspirations were so
completely crushed out They soon remoy-
ed TO Portland. where the judge sought to
forget exist and die. He still retains his
wealth, but his political sun has set His
WIFE, determined to shine in some role, has
Tor the past few years eXiled herself from
society and has devoted her entire energies
to building up the religious order of Truth
Seekers, of which she is the acknowledged
head.
Now the palatial family home of the Will
liamses on what is known as Mob Hilr' in
Portland has been turned into a meeting
place for the Truth Seekers" and every
afternoon and evening. rain or shine a
stream of solemn-faced men and women
may be seen entering the residence to hear
the words of truth" spoken by their
prophet Situated on a slight elevation
the Truth Seekers Tabernacle" as the de-
voices call Mrs Williams house. commands
a charming view of the entire city. Stretch
ing to the east and west on either side of
the placid Willamette river is network
of residences brick buildings, towers, shade
trees, bridges and moving steamers.
Every morning at 10 o'clock Mrs. WILL
Jams receives all visitors who wish religious
consolation or seek advice concerning their
souls. few days ago / called on Mrs
Williams during her visitors hour" My
ring at the door bell was answered by Mrs
Williams in person. l gave her my card
and was Immediately admitted. Down the
richly frescoed hall to the right were fold
irg doors. which opened into spacious
drawing room. Arranged In rows We're
chairs and in one end of the room was a
room.
You're welcome" said Mrs Williams
cordially, but don't care to talk to news
paper men. The Lord would be displeased
for 1t is not His way of work. He labors in
quiet way and does not allow the result
of his labors to be heralded in the press"
Those who remembered Mrs Williams If
teen years ago would no doubt recognize
her now for the years have dealt gently
with her. and though her hair is white and
there are faint traces of "crow's feet" about
her eyes il would he difficult matter to
guess her age. She is still a handsome
woman-large slightly inclined to be portlv
ders and an easy. pleasing walk. I hardly
bod TIVE To make replv To her remarks
when she added encouraginqlv:
Talk With Mrs. Williams.
'If you wish to talk with me as Truth
Seeker ! will talk with you. Many news
paper men have called upon me within the
past five years. but I have refrained from
talking to them. l have no fear however
that anything will ever be written concern
ing me. for the Lord has said that IL shall
never he. / can state instances where ar
ticles have been written about me and nv
work, but Christ who is invisible but
everywhere. performed miracles. and the
articles were never published NV name
in connection with this. my life's work
never will be-"
Mrs. Williams surveyed me Eeenly for a
moment. as If to read my thoughts, and
then added firmly:
Il feel at liberty TO talk with YOU how
ever. for / know that should YOU ever at
tempt TO write a line concerning what T
have said today your hand would imme-
diately become paralyzed: your thoughts
would he stolen from you. and, II you per-
sisted. You would either be rendered a luna
tic or be stricken dead II you write a line
concerning me you do 1t at your own risk,
ana the consequences are ter-r-r-ible"'
After a long grafton, in which she COM
pared herself to the Apostle Paul. Mrs Will
liams uuieted down little and said almost
piteously though not nenvishly. f~- II would
be impossible for her to be pecvish:
81 don't know what would have become
of me If Judge Williams had been elected
chief Justice when he was nominated BY
President Grant. / sought for him thai
position zealously. for to be the wife of a
chief justice would be better than the pres.
dency. because it would be fol life A good
deal has been said concerning me and the
Grants which is not altogether true; but II
is all past now. The fall was a great one.
but it has been for the best In humbleness