The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-12-13
IN TIE WHITE HOUSE

IN IRE WHITE hObSL
Was a woman of rare attainments, Aba
gail Fillmore. She was one of the rep
resentatiye women of the day, of high in
tellectual culture, and possessing in large
degree the quality of common sense. She
was the daughter of a clergyman, who
died in her infancy. Her maiden name
was Abigail Powers. She was born at
Bemis Heights, Saratoga County, n. Y.
When nine years old her mother moved
to Cayuga County. Abigail was studious
and industrious, and soon was a help TO
her mother She made rapid progress,
and became teacher at an early age. 1t
was here in the District school that she
met the lad, Willard Fillmore, who was
apprenticed to the carding and cloth
dressing business. A few months school
ing was part of the emoluments of his
position.
Miss Powers was of great assistance to
young Fillmore; for he fretted at the po-
sition which fettered him, and the mid
night oil often found them porting over
their studies and delving into the hidden
receses of knowledge. In the course OF
time they were married, moved to Aurora,
n. Y, and set up housekeeping in a small
house, Mr.. Fillmore being the architect
and builder.
Mrs. Fillmore resumed teaching with
her housekeeping, while Mr.. Fillmore
practiced law, untrammeled by household
demands, for Mrs. Fillmore provided for
all domestic necessities. Two years later
he was sent TO the Legislature Hand in
hand they worked from obscurity to en-
inence. But no dream of a home in the
White House ever doomed up before them
in their life in the little cottage at Aurora
and went it came that she occupied the
position of wife of the President, she
would have preferred the seclusion the
| little home gave her and the unalloyed
hanninpSS II broupht with
The first great want Mrs. Fillmore met
was that of books; when she entered the
White House not a book was found there
in. Mr.. Fillmore asked for an appropri
alton from Congress for that purpose and
got it. The library at the White House
was established by Mrs. Fillmore. In
| this room they had their few household
goods and home comforts; here her daugh
ter had her piano, harp and guitar, and
here they received the informal visits OF
their friends. Mrs. Fillmore was always
present at public receptions and state din
ners, but it is generally believed that al
no time was she so happy as on the Sc
of March. 1853, when the official career
was ended.
| A journey had been planned through
| the Southern States, but shortly befor,
the day Of their departure she was taker
very i'll, and died at Wizards Hotel il
| March, 1853.
1t is said of Mr.. Fillmore's devotion t,
| his wife that he never destroyed a lin,
she ever wrote to him, and that he care
fully preserved the little notes she sen
him on business to his office.
| In testimony of respect to the memor,
of the deceased the public offices wer,
| closed, both Houses of Congress ad
journed, and many marks of respect wer
adopted. She was buried in Buffalo
Mr.. Fillmore lost the support of Il yer,
large proportion of his party in the Nortl
by signing the Fugitive Slave law. Thi
can be said to be the only unpopula
measure of his Administration. His puri
ty as Il public man was unassailable
] That ghost OF n second term, that s,
often leads men into policy instead o
principle, has proven the death-knell o
more than one political aspirant
The night OF March 3 found the Cant
tol in an uproar with bands of music
thunder of guns and the heavens illumine,
with fireworks.
The closing hours of Congress hrough
the same rush, crush, push and confusion
that is often seen in the dying hours O
Congress.
The hands Of the clock pointed to 10
the gavel fell end with it the hopes o
many. The 10th Congress was q thin
of the past. The voices of John @. Cal
houn. Henry Clay and Daniel Webste
had been heard for the last time in tn
halls of that Congress; the shadows hat
fallen upon the Capitol. and the end wa
lnot Yeti