The record-union., 1898-04-01
GENERAL FITzHUGH LEE.
GLIMPSE OF THE HOME LIFE OF
THE CONSUL-GENERAL.
Interesting Chat With the P1ucky
Daughter Who Is Proud OF
Her Father.


eral Fitzhugh Lee, the United States
Consul at Havana. Down in Virginia
they worship him. And in one house
in Richmond he is admired, worshiped
and idolized, all at the same time.
That house is General Lees home.
Mention the name of Fitzhugh Lea to
any man in Richmond, i don't care
who he is, and you will readily lln-
derstand that l have not exaggerated
the esteem in which he is held by his
fellow Virginians. / was down there
last week, and l know what 1 am
talking about. We of the North can
scarcely realize the depth of feeling
calls forth.
The old Virginian will at once prick
up his ears when you say ''F'itz" Lee.
Why, what's the matter? Anything
happened to him, suh?"
Not that know of. Do you know
him?"
Know him? Well, reckon Didn't
vote foh him foh Governor of the
State and elect him, too? I shouldn't
be surprised, sub, to see him elected
President of the United States befoh
many years go by He is a great
man, suh a great man The id Span
iards had bettah be careful that moth
ing happens to him down in Cuba.
Why, do you know, sub, that if any
thing should happen to 'Fitz' Lee down
there the State of Virginia would de-
clare wah all by herself, suh and in
wade Cuba the next day Yes, sub.
We are all powerful fond Of 'Fitz' Lee
THE LEE HOME IN RICHMOND.
While in Richmond l called at the
Lee residence and was given a delight
full glimpse of the home life of Gen
eral Lees family / was ushered INTO
the parlor and found it to be a typical
Lee room On the wall hung a large
painting of General Robert E. Lee A
miniature Of him was on the old fash
Toned mantel, and the faces of the 9TH
er Lees We're everywhere strewn about.
In one corner stood an old spinet.
The furniture was in white and gilt,
covered with golden damask. Every
thing was in perfect taste.
/ was received by the Generals eld-
est daughter, Miss Ellen Lee, a dainty
young woman, slight Of form, with a
wealth OF auburn tresses, flashing eyes
and the unmistakable Lee chin, be-
speaking courage and determination.
was naturally curious to know how
the members of the family regard the
Generals absence on a mission of such
grave import. 1 asked Miss Lee if she
did not feel anxious, knowing the dan
gers of her fathers position.
mot at ALL" replied the daughter of
the house Of Lee IT don't know why
| it is, but we just don't. Perhaps it is
| because he always writes to us Jolly,
cheerful letters None of us feels at
all alarmed about him, and we are look
| ing forward to his safe return. Here
| is an interesting picture he sent u.s."
THERE. ARE LETTERS GALORE.
Miss Lee took from the mantel a
small photograph of the Maine enter
ing the harbor at Havana. 1T was sent
to all of u.s." she explained, "but
have appropriated it by writing my
name on the back You know, [ am
very fond of photography. I have a
camera myself and take almost every
thing 1 see''
DO you get many letters in reference
to your fathers mission?" I asked
Yes, indeed we get any number ev-
cry day. Some of them are most af-
fecting in appreciation of my fathers
work, but some of them are more than
1unny IN their warnings and misgiv-
| ings. But we only laugh at these
we can't help feeling proud of the
| appreciation Of my fathers work as
expressed in some of the letters sent
TO US and in so many of the newspapers
OF course, we feel doubly proud that,
as a Southern man who fought for the
IConfederacy, my father has been able
to show how truly patriotic and de-
| voted the Southerners now are to all of
| the United States. This thought has
come to US by word of mouth and in
some stanch letters from persons whom
| we never knew.
| And some of the people I meet do
| make the strangest remarks. Only the
other day some one said to me: Do
you know, l heard your father was
assassinated the other day.? But I
only laughed, for what could I say?
1t Will not be long now, we hope,
before he returns to us safe and sound.
but meantime we have not the slight
est m1sgivlngs as to his safety, and
after all he is but doing his duty"
TRUE SOLDIERS DAUGHTER.
One would scarcely look for so he
roic spirit in the little woman sit
ting before me. But the fire in her
eye and the enthusiasm of her voice
betokened the daughter of a soldier.
ready to see him do his duty at any
cost. 1t is not remarkable that she
should idolize her father and perhaps
1T IS no more remarkable that all who
know him love and honor him.
Later L ran across Dr. Jones of the
Post-Dispatch." 1 asked him if he
| knew General Lee edo T know sEitz .,
he iterated everybody in Richmond
calls him "Fitz'O. why, I've known
him all my life. 1 had a letter from
him the other day, and he is just as
jolly as ever, though no one knows bet
ter than he the constant danger in
which he stands
Fltz' is splendid fellow, and the
most genial soul alive and the bravest.
He ought to be our Senator now. and
| would be had the people of Virginia
been able to decide the matter, but you
know he was beaten by political tricks.
Perhaps it is better SO, for had he been
in the Senate he would not have been
sent to Cuba and gained 50 much
honor for himself and for Virginia"
ALL VIRGINIANS LOVE HIM
This evidence of idolatry is not con-
fined to Richmond TT is apnarent all