Evening star., 1898-03-18
DIES A PAUPERS DEATH
Elise Herndon Stanton, Alleged Kalf-sis-
ter Late Secretary Of War.
Ladies Endeavoring to Procure
Funds to Pay for Burial Of
the Remains.

There died at the Homeopathic Hospital
yesterday afternoon Elise Herndon STAN
ton. a woman who claimed to be a half
sister of Edwin M. Stanton, President
Lincoln's Secretary of War. She died, as
she had lived here for several years, an
object OF charity, and efforts are being
made today by those who assisted her in
Efe to prevent her burial In potter's field.
There is said to be some doubt as to the
unfortunate woman having been half
sister OF Secretary Stanton. although it is
believed she came of the same family.
According to the story she told, she was
the daughter of James Stanton of Virginia,
whose first wife, her mother, was q Miss
Colville of the same state. Her mother
died, she said, when she was but three
months Of age. Her father removed to
Steubenville, Ohio. So she asserted, leaving
her with her grandfather. Beverly Stanton,
and she subsequently became a member OF
the family of IN uncle, Garret Stanton,
learning to look upon him and his wife
as her father and mother. Her father,
she claimed, married in Steubenville, where
she contended, her half brother, Edwin M.
Stanton, was born
The dead woman claimed that she vir-
trally never knew her father again, and
said she lived with her uncle until after
at Staunton. Va She was, she said, an
Intense Union woman. and after being i'm
prisoned for some time by the confederate
authorities, was permitted to go north by
Gen. Lee on the promise that she would
not divulge anything she had learned of
the strength and position of the confed-
crate forces. She and her aunt came to
washington, and, after her alleged half
brother had. as she contended, refused 10
secure her an appointment under the gov
errment, although offering her q home
with him. she personally appealed to Presi-
dent Lincoln, who she said, directed that
she be appointed in the Treasury Depart
ment.
Her Marriage Unfortunate.
She married, but her marital venture was
an unfortunate one, according to her story.
-a1a-DeEHrkfing frUm her husband, whose
name she even declined to take, she strug-
glad on as best she could, suffering many
misfortunes. These misfortunes caused q
temporary disorder of the mind and she
spent some time in st. Ehzabeth's Asylum
In 1857 she was permanently crippled by a
fall, and although she instituted suit
against ths District she never recovered
anything. During call at st. Elizabeth's
Asylum last fall she claimed that she was
elected by an attendant with such force as
to seriously inJure her. The matter was in
vestigated by Detective Wsedon, upon the
complaint Of her attorney, Mr.. Preston
Williamson, but, 1t is said. sickness pre-
vented her from appearing in court and
nothing was ever done in the matter.
For thu past two or three months she had
been confined to her bed, the object of
charity. About two weeks ago admission
into the Homeopathic Hospital was secured
for her, and there she remained until her
death. The hospital authorities are en-
deavoring to get information to her rela-
tives In Virginia. and number of ladies
are today sndeavoring to secure her proper
burial through the Grand Army of the Re-
public.