The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-04-26
PERSONAL.

Jonn EVans, WHO WAS appointed d0yernOr OF
Colorado by Lincoln in 1862 and known all
over the country as a leading Methodist, has
written Archbishop Ireland letter Of thanks
for his address to the Loyal Legion in New
York.
Gen. John A. McClernand, of Springfield,
speaking of the Reunion of the blue and the
gray at Shiloh, says the position of the sew
eral commands in the fight was readily located,
though the increase in the size of the timber
made start rather difficult. He reports the
improvements made by the Government in
connection with the country as contributing
agreeable aspects to the place.
Mrs. Orville Grant sister-in-law to Gen.
Grant, lied in East Orange, N. j., last week.
Me-Gen. o. o. Howard has been writing a
book about Isabella of CASTLE, based largely
upon studies made during a recent journey in
Spain.
In sorting over some old papers Col. Walter
French, the File Clerk OF the House of Repre-
sentatiyes, discovered the following interesting
letter:
To the Honorable Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentaiives.
SIR: i herewith most respectfully present to the
honorable House of Representatives an applica-
ton for a pension. ] a widow of a President
of the United States whose life sacrificed in his
country's service. The sad calamity has very
greatly impaired my health, and by the advice OF
my physicians have come over to Germany to
try the mineral waters and during the Winter to
go 10 Italy. But my financial means do not per-
NIT me to take advantage of the urgent advice
given me, can live In a style becoming the
widow of the Chief Magistrate of great Nation,
although live as economically as possibly can.
In consideration of the great services my dearly
beloved husband has rendered the United States and
of the fearful loss that have sustained by his un-
timely desth-his martyrdon. may say-I respect
fully submit TO your honorable body this petition,
hoping that yearly pension may be granted 10 me
SO that may have less peouniary care. remain.
most respectfully. Mrs. A. LINCOLN.
Frankfort. Germany.
The letter is on a sheet of heavily-bordsred
note paper, and covers three sides The in
dorsement on the back shows that it was re-
ferred by the Speaker to the Committee on
Invalid Pensions on Jan. % 1859 Congress
acted in the matter with due deIiberatiou, as ID
was not until July IA, 1870, almost IS months
after the receipt of the petition, that the act
was approved giving Mrs. Lincoln pension OF
$4,000 year.
The will of the late Gen. Fl. w. Sloeum has
been made public. The value of the estate is
approximately 100000. The will is a very
short document. In it only two public be-
quests are made. 1t directs that S., 900 be paid
to the Children's Aid Society and 5000 to the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chill
dren. All the residue of the estate, both real
and personal is left to Mrs. Slocum and the
three children. The Generals watch, swords,
and private letters and papers are left to Fl. w.
Slocum, jr.
The house in which was born Edward Ever.
EFT, the Tooth anniversary of whose birth was
celebrated in Boston recently, is still standing
al Five Corners" Dorchester, Mass. 1t is in
the old Colonial style of architecture, ressm-
bling the Vassall House in Cambridge, where
Lengfellow lived, and the home Of James Rus
sell Lowell in Elmwood.
One hundred years ago Benjamin Franklin
left q fund of s., 900, which he directed should
be put at interest and left to accumulate for a
century. When that time had come round,
according to his directions, half of the money
thus accumulated should go to some good pub
lie purpose for the benefit of the people of Bos.
ton. The other half was to be put aside, as in
the first case for another century, at the end
of which time the State and city should be
equal partners in the fund. Now, arising from
that S.. 900 there is an aggregate of something
near 500, 0O0 half of which the trustees will
use to build and equip an industrial training
school, of which Franklin would surely ap-
prove. if he were living now. The Board of
Aldermen and three ministers of the Oldest re-
ligious societies in Boston are the trustees.
Americas oldest frigate is the Constellation.
It is still in service, and was built at Gosport
Va, 1895, and rebuilt in 1854 While she was
cruising in the Pacific Ocean, about 20 years
ago, she rescued from drowning the late Capt
NAT" Richards, of New London, and his crew
of whalemen. Capt. Richards. who died about
four years ago. was of the luckiest and
most adventurous of whalers.
Miss Emily T. Gerry, the daughter of
signer of the Declaration of Independence, is
still living in New Haven. Conn. She passed
her Goth birthday last week. Elbridge Gerry
had six daughters and three sons. One son
died young. James T. Gerry served in the
United States Navy, and died aboard the ship
ogwar Albany, about 40 years ago. The third
son was Thomas Gerry, the father of Commo-
dore EIbridge T. Gerry. daughter married
James T. Austin, who was Attorney General of
Massachusetts,. The only other married daugh-
ter was the wife of Gen. Townsend, a Pay
master in the United States Army. Her son
served in the civil war and won the title of Ad-
jutant- General Her grandson is DIR. Georgs
Townsend, a New Highlander. DR.. Townsend
is Commodore Gerry's cousin. and represents
the only other branch of the Gerry family.
OF the four spinster daughters Miss Emily T.
Gerry was the youngest