The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-24
PRESIDENT TYLER's DAUGHTER.
Mrs. Letitia sempls Once Mistress Of the
White House.

Living in the big brick building known as
as the Louisa Home. in Washington, Is a white
haired woman who was tho mistress Of tho White
House moro than half a century ago BY tho
world at large her existence has been forgotten
nor would the mention Of her name, Mrs. Lettia
Semple. recall any memory 10 the ordinary
reader. II was as Lctitia Tyler that she
FIRST become known 10 Washington society. In
the days when the Capitol City scarcely more
than q country village. containing a few hno
public buildings separated by long stretches
OF nearly bottomlcss mud. She was tho second
daughter Of Pres Idont John Tyler and she was
Virginia belle in tho days when that the clear
est title TO beauty that could be bestowed In this
country .Tylcrs administration seems long way
back TO most Of us. II seems strange TO think
that this serene faced woman. who is still active
and vigorous, knew and talked with Webster
and Clay and Calhoun and tho other leaders Of
that period which prolific Of great men.
Webster she saw often and sho describes him
as a man OF imposing presence which made its
power felt In any assemblage.
AT the time Of our coming TO Washington"
said Mrs Scmple in recalling her White House
was too poor to admit Of her taxing active charge
Of tho duties naturally devolying upon the wife
Of the Ny T Ss ss6 and had our
my youngest sister was only a child. There
fore by common consent, the wife OF our brother
Robert became the mistress Of the White House
so far the public side OF the life there WAS CON
cerncd However. my other sister and myself
were there good part Of the time This arrange
ment continued until after my mothers death,
which occurred In the White House. Then my
brother established himself In law practice in
Philadelphia and his wife wished to make her
home there. Meanwhile my husband had been
appointed q paypastcr in the navy and az that
led 10 his being away from home great part Of
the time, came hero to take charge OF my father
household and remained until 1874.
There were no great social entertainments
In the White House during my fathers term
My mother i'll health and later her death forbade
that. For the most part we lived openly hos
ptably and unprctentiously, In fact. lust as We
had been accustomed 10 do at home in Virginia
l remember thatit was customary during the SEES
sions of Congress TO entertain guests at dinner
in tho White House twice week The first
dinner was usually attended by about twenty
prom nent public men, the personal and political
what larger scale. II usually included membe
Of the Diplomatic Corps and the number Of guests
was generally about forty. But these dinners
were always very simple affairs and they ended
at what would be considered now q ridiculousy
carly hour Then on other evenings II was Gus
tomary for the Presidents family TO be inform
ally at home, that is TO receive calls from friends
and acquaintance. But even on these occasions
the visitors always departed before 10 o'clock
Al that hour tho White House was closed and the
family retired,
Although Mrs, Scmple is nearly so years old
she takes active interest in all current affairs
She receives many invitations from people in pub
lie iie in Washington.