New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-18
MARY ABIGAIL DODGE DEAD
SHE WAS STRICKEN WITH PARALYSIS
ON SUNDAY-HER CAREER.


wenham Mass. Aug 17-Miss Mary Abigail
Dodge C'Gan Hamiton) died at 500 o'clock to-
night. Miss Dodge. whose remarkable recovery
from a shock of paralysis at Washington oc-
Cured about year ago was stricken again at
her home in Hamilton Sunday morning while
at the breakfast table. She apparently in
her usual health when she arose While eating
brea kfast she was seen by her companion to fall
forward, and before she could be reached she had
become unconscious The family physician was
hastily summoned and he pronounced II another
shock She remained unconscious till she died.
Mary Abigail Dodge born in 1880. in the vii
lage Of Hamilton. Mass. where she reared and
received the greater part Of her education. When
young woman Of twenty-one she went TO Hartford
and was Instructor In physical science In the High
School Of that city. After remaining In Hartford
some years Miss Dodge went TO Washington. where
she accepted the position OF governess In the family
OF DR. Gamalel Bailey, and during this time be-
came a contributor to his paper THE National
Era" Even then her newspaper articles were
marked by the witty and aggressive style which
was characteristic OF the later works OF TINS DRILL
liant writer From 1866 to 1867 Miss Dodge was one
of the editors OF "Our Young Folks a popular
magazine for children published In Boston.
Her frs; publication in book form was In 1867 I'M
der the title OF Country Living and Country Think
ing" being largely selections from her newspaper
contributions This followed by Gala Days
"A New Atmosphere" stumbling Blocks Skin
mishes and Sketches" RED Letter Days in Apple
thorpe" Summer Rest" Wool Gathering
"Womans Wrongs" "A Counter lrrltant' Bat
tie Of the Books" "woman's Worth and Worth
Iessness." Little Folk Life" Child World
Twelve Miles from Sermon" and Nursery Noon
ings" in yearly succession. from 1867 until 1870
Though always keeping her house in Hamilton
Miss Dodge had lived much OF the time since
1876 in Washington. wnere she made her Whit
home with Mr.. and Mrs. Blaine. She was a cou-
sin OF Mrs Blaine and regarded as one OF the
family. the Blaine children growing up arouh1
her and being especially fond Of her. Brilliant
writers are not always brilliant takers out MISS
Dodge was a brilliant talker. and in MI Blame
drawing room was magnet attracting the cIe'-
crest men and women at the National capital This
was very marked during the Administration OF
President Harrison when Mr.. Blaine was premier
in the Cabinet 1t the winter following the
great sorrow that fell the Blaine household by
the death Of the son and daughter that MISS Douse
originated a series Of Sunday afternoon talks on
the Bible. II not strange that the Rresldeh'
and his wife, the Vice President and his wife ana
many others in sympathy with the Borrowing fam
lily Of the Secretary of State should have been at
tracted by this brilliant womans study or the 81
bic and practical Interpretation. But diplomats OF
all creeds among the most interested anu
formed a large part OF the little congregation that
gathered ABOUT MISS Dodge those oulludS oANS4
Moons.
The efforts OF Miss Dodge in behalf Of Mrs May
brick a woman OF American birth imprisoned in
England the charge OF the murder OF her hus-
band. are so recent as be well known all over
the world. The most vigorous and able articles
written by her in the last three or four years nave
been for the release OF this unfortunate woman in
whose Innocence. from first 10 last. Miss Dodge
believed
The last literary work done by Miss Dodge was
writing the life OF Mr.. Blaine. 1t was shortly
after his death that Mrs. Blaine gave this trust
her cousin whose ability. lifelong association
and friendship well fitted her to write Of this great
statesman. Mr.. Blaine had Oequeathed to MSS
Dodge. as a personal gift his private letters and
She had been busy all winter at her home
in Hamilton this work. and had given her
self no time for a visit TO Washington until over
visit. to enjoy with the Blaine family the early
spring. which had always been delight to her in
years past Mss Dodge Gid not. probably. realize
that she ". tired and worn from close work. She
sudden change from cool weather at home 10
cessve heat at that time in Washington affected
her at The day after her arrival though
bright and seemingly well. she complained Of the
terrible hot weather but more in he way OF dis
comfort. The following morning she was COM
petely Frustrated and a long illness followed.
Among later books written by Miss Dodge, not
mentioned above are: Sermons 10 the Clergy.
First Love Is Best" What Think Ye Of Christi
pressibie Book" In 1871 Miss Dodge wrote series
Of vigorous articles for The Tribune civil Service
Reform which attracted wide attention and were
read with special interest in Washington. She
liable of her middle name Abigail and Hamilton,
her birthplace.