The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-29
GEN. FREMONT'S WIDOW.
Her California Home, and RecOlIec-
tiOns of Victoria and Prince Albert.
Chicago Record.


lions of Victoria and Prince -AIbert.
Chicago Record.
The name of Jessie Fremont calls up
many memories To the memorable presi-
dental campaign of 1885 1t gave a flavor
of romance that kindled the chivalry in
many a young voters nature. The union
of the Rocky mountain hunter and the
high-sprited daughter Of "Old Bullion" as
her father, Thomas H. Benton senator
from Missouri. IS affectionately called, as
much the principles the new party en-
bodied gave feryor TO the famous free-soil
campaign.
There are those of to-day who will be
glad to know something of the beautiful
life that is now so peacefully lived under
the shadow of the Sierra Madre mountains.
1t was my privilege TO visit Mrs. Fremont
in her lovely home at Los Angeles this
summer, and to hear from her own lips
some of the incidents which have enriched
her life. Although Mrs. Fremont has oc-
cupled prominent positions all her days and
IS known through her publications, yet She
mas been 50 retiring that comparatively few
people are familiar with the ever is of her
later life.
IF you knew" said Mrs. Fremont, chow
often l am obliged to refuse unknown in
tervjeWers Won Vould NOT he e,1rnrised that
l avoid publicity.
The Impression has gone out that de-
cline to see them on account of 'feebleness,'
which fortunately is not true. 1t is because
| do not want my prive life OPEN
A man came who asserted his right to
an interview on the ground that his mother
In-law had named me at my birth in st.
Louis for their favOrite clergyman, when
the truth is mine is a family name and
was born at my grandfather'S house in
Virginia.
But Miss Fremont. the devoted daughter
stands like wall of adamant between her
mother and merely curious people, and it is
only by special grace and favor that this in
sight into the circle of the home is granted
The interview from first to last was eX-
tremely felicitous. Mrs. Fremont was in
her most gracious and communicative mood
and her intellect was clear and comprehen-
S1Ve. Words came readily, sometimes elo-
quently, as though her heart would gladly
pour out its best treasure. Her lovely eyes,
not yet bereft of their youthful luster, were
bright with emotion
She told me something of her eventfu
life, of her home in Washington, where for
thirty years her father. as United <. ties
senator. lived out the honorable principles
which have crystalliZed into history. But
with characteristic reticence she withheld
the graceful part she had borne in that his
tory; how at that time she was an ac-
knoWledged belle of the old regime, and that
in her were centered the finer qualities of
long line of illustrious ancestry, of which
she might well be proud. More than this
was apparent-the gifts and graces inherited
from the famous men and women of the
ola common, so renowned Tor beauty, Gull
ture and refinement still cling TO Mrs. FREE
mont.
Il love Washington" said Mrs Fremont
There is an agreeable form of society, a
repose and elegance, also spirit of tolera-
ton from the varieties of people meeting
there that like very much In fact. Wash
ington is the drawing room of the Nation,
/ would have preferred to spend my days
there, but the political conditions after 1866
made 1t unpleasant, ana we went to New
York, where we lived nearly thirty years,
with Occa SiOnal long visits to California
and to Europe
The Queens jubilee brings back to me
our first visit to England. 1t was In the
early days of her reign; Prince Albert was
still living, and l was presented to court
and royal state. She made beautiful pic
ture, and her countenan &c and manner
showed that she entered into the preS,enta,
much handsomer than a man need be- wore
a white and gold uniform, and the two
completed the truly royal picture.
Il saw them both a few evenings later
to even better advantage. Each time the
Queen made the same impression of
womanly goodness. combined with look of
power, a simple and unconscious manner,
but that of unquestioned authority.
I'VE were there in the height of the sea-
son, and had been presented at the East
remain through the whole ceremonies,
which were over two hours in length. at
that time no sorrow had touched the
Queen. She was surrounded by those who
loved her most-Prince Albert her mother,
and all the nearest members of her family
while in London General Fremont had
a delightful recognition by the Duke of
Wellington, and L suppose that, except
Nansen, no one has reused more interest
ical Society than the general From them
he received the founders medal"
General and Mrs. Fremont, with their
family, spent a year il Paris, and from
their house on the Champs Elysee they
witnessed many stirring scenes, among
them the official entrance of Louis Napo-
hnl =
charmingly recorded in Mrs. Fremont )
Souvenir of My Times" One paragraph
may be recorded:
phere of perfect harmony and most lovely
surroundings into the fine palaces, and had
nowhere a jar to the sense of complete
ness
Mrs Fremont belongs to that class of
favored women who are born TO give social
pleasure. She has an ease and grace of
manner that puts all at their best when in
her society. In the course or this interview
she remarked:
Il have not lived for any design pur-
pose. but just for home and to be happy.
My father and my husband had the intellect
and purpose. and l have gone along in the
wake of their big ships. When Admiral
Porter was in command of the Western
river fleet he had the gunboat Benton for
his flagship, and he named his tender for
nee, for, he said: You have always sailed
close to your father and your husband
and so l have, and now on me has fallen
their mantle. an inheritance of the good
Il have no feeling that is provincial I
belong to the whole country. but in Cali
fornia I will end my days, because of the
warm remembrance here Of the general and
the kind friends who have gathered around
me soothing and life-giving as the climate
itself
The beautiful home where Mrs. Fremont
now resides was presented to her by the
ladies of Los Angeles as a token Of their
tender regard. Congress also, in recognf-
ton of General Fremont's valued services,
granted her pension of 5000 year. All
the year around the house Is veritable
bower of bloom. and as she sits on the
helotrope-shaded veranda the perfume from
that and rose and violet and orange bios
SONS envelop her like a cloud of incense.
And there loving and beloved, having
lived beyond the time allotted to humanity,
vet with a mind unimpaired, Mrs. Fremont.
with sweet serenity. awaits the opening Of
the beautiful door that some glad day will
usher her into life.
The wandering Hindoo.
New York Independent.
The Swami Vivekananda had better come
h.