The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-15

MS. Pickens and Mrs. sprhgue Both
Died Within n Week.

From the Birmingham Age-Hrelad.
Washington, Aug 12.-The death of Lucy
p. Malcombe Pickens, wife of Francis W.
Picl1ens, senator from South Carolina, and
South Cardinals war Governor r-clqs a
life as striking as that of Kate Chase
Sprague. What the latter was to Washing
ton in her palmiest days, Mrs. Pickens was
10 the Confederacy, and in fact to the en-
tire South. Unlike Mrs. Sprague, Mrs.
Pickens retained her power and influence
TO the last Her word had almost as much
weight in politics of her own state at the
close of her life, had she cared to exert
it, as when, known as Lady Pickens, she
presided at the executive mansion In o
lumbla during the eVentful days of the
Confederacy.
Born about the same time as Kate Chase
the Two entered society az Washington and
for a few months were rival bellies in this
city. 1t is strange coincidence that both
should have died almost within week
of each other, and that their last days
should have been spent in homes of the
same name.
Edgewood, s c., was famous before the
war and pictures Of it now are to be seen
on walls OF many Southern homes. 1t is
one of the last homes TO be left standing
with its ten rooms fronting on a long
porch, its wings in the rear and count
| less little houses. the remnant of the
slaves quarters, tho house of Gov. Pickens
| is an object of Veneration among the
| Southern people, and of great interest to
| the Northerner who seeks the climate Of
| South Carolina in winter.
The private graveyard of the family is in
sight of the house and here the PiclSens
| and their household have been buried for
| generations. The old place has been kept
in order to this time and it was the wish
of Mrs Pickens that it should remain I'M
| divided, as left by her husband, until her
youngest grandchild should come of age.
| II was the boast of Gov. Pickens that he
| had married the two most beautiful wo-
men of the South. His first wife, the
mother of Mrs. Butler. wife of Gen. Nj. C..
| Butler, was a famous beauty in her day.
1t was not until his daughters were grown
| that he sought a second wife.
| When he proposed 10 the beautiful Lucy
| Malcombe she told him she would marry
| him If he secured the mission to ST. Pc
tersburg. Buchanan had just been in
augurated and from him Gov. Pickeus Sc
cured this post and shortly after welded
his wife
| Wealthy. beautiful, with a grace and
charm Incompatible Mrs. Pickens at once
took an exalted place at the Cars court.
Both she and her husband were conspicu-
Gus persons and as a witness of their pop
ularity there stands to-day in Edgewood a
marble bust of the old Car, with an in
scrption of the gift carved upon its base
by the imperial order. IL was during their
stay in St Petersburg that the only
daughter, Eugenia Olga Neva was born.
The christening of the infant was a royal
affair. the Duchesses Olga and Neva stand
ing as godmothers TO the little one and the
car himself being present to bestow mis-
| blessing upon the child. When the South
Caroinian left the Russian court to throw
his fortune with those of his state in the
impending conflict gifts We're exchanged
in parting and the portrait of Mrs. Pick
ems was presented to the Gar by Senator
Pickens and is suA pointed to ia one Of the
royal palaces in Russia as The Beautiful
| American"
Before reaching this country Senator