The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-18
AN AGED WOMAN N'SPLIGHT
Held Pending Enquiries Into Her
Mental Condition.
Miss Emma Chester Bnssctt. Adopted
Daughter ~of Former Doorl<eeper
of the senate-Fnew Many Public
Hen of the Past-Hcr Version of
How Samuel j. TiIdcn Was Heaten.

Over at the First precinct station is a
pleasant faced. neatly attired woman,
about sixty years of age, who is detained
pending an examination of her mental con-
dition By nature a woman of intelligence,
and possessed of marked degree of refine
ment, her case would attract more than
her interesting past, which she seems IN
no wise inclined to conceal.
She is Miss Emma Chester Bassett,
adopted daughter of Col. Isaac Bassett,
the former veteran doorkeeper of the Uni
ted States Senate. She was the daughter
of John Alexander Duncanson, she says,
and was adopted by Colonel Bassett forty
years ago. She is being held to await he
action Of the local authorities and it is
thought her case will be disposed of today.
She admits that on February s, 1898, she
was placed in St Elizabeth's Asylum for
the Insane. She remained there about
three months, she says, during which time
she was separated from the other patients.
She pays a high tribute to the late DR..
Godding. former superintendent of the
asylum, who she says, treated her with
marked courtesy.
Miss Bassett has a remarkable fund of
"reminiscences. Most of her life has been
spent in Washington. and the position of
Colonel Bassett. her adopted father, gave
her unusual facilities for making the ac
quaintance OF the public men of bygone
days. Since the death or Colonel Bassett,
five years ago. Miss Bassett admits that
she has experienced more than her share
of adversity, and has even been forced to
live in an almshouse
She sat in the little reception room at
the station last night and related alike
her joys and her woes to reporter for
The Times. Mingled in her story, which
is remarkable, are the names of men long
prominent in the history of the nation.
Ante-bellum days were recalled ard all
the gayeties of the Capital City at one
time were enjoyed by her.
There were recalled by Miss Bassett
last night many anecdotes of interest.
Roscoe B. Conkling. she says. was her
friend, as was George C. Gorham. former
Secretary of the Senate; General Hawley.
a United States Senator. and many others.
OF her parents the prisoner spoke but lit
tie At an early age she accepted the
name she now bears, and as Miss Bassett
she desires TO. be known. To the reporter
Miss Bassett exhibited photograph Of
Colonel Bassett. an excellent likeness of
the man who was known from one end of
the Capitol to the other for sixty-odd
years. There was also picture OF James
I. Christie. now dead, who for years was
deputy sergeant-at-arms of the Senate.
ITO James / Christie said Miss Bas-
sett. q was engaged. That was back in
the seventies when Hayes was inaugural
ed President, and wien Mr.. Christie met
his death. 1t was at the inauguration
ceremonies and Mr.. Christie. then an en-
ploye of the Senate. was in attendance
upon the President. The day was bleak
and cold. and sleet was falling. At the
ceremonies on the cast front Of the Capt.
toll when the President spoke, Mr.. Christie
shielded him with an umbrella and there
contracted cold which ended in his
death. Since then. with the exception Of
Colonel Bassett l have been alone.
Yes. l saw the Impeachment trial Of
Andrew Johnson President and attended
almost daily" continued Miss Bassett 1T
was a long siege, but interesting. and
crowds never failed to appear at the pro-
ceedings." Miss Bassett gave a descrip-
tion of the scene in the Senate Chamber
when the final vote was taken, which she
declared was most thrilling and impress
i've"
But there remained another statement
g. A.. nh
member the famous count IN the Hayes
Tilden contest" said the prisoner. will
always doubt the justice OF the final re-
suit. ! was in the Senate gallery that
day The apartment was crowded; all
present were breathless and excited
George C. Gorham was then Secretary Of
the Senate. He counted the votes before
the Senate in slow measured tones AS
the count proceeded a ballot dropped TO
the floor behind the desk, and it was not
recovered nor was 1t included in the
count. This ballot lost the election for
Tilden."
EARLY in January. 1896. after the death
o. Colonel Bassett" continued Miss Bas-
sett. Il left this city. where l had al
ways resided. l went to New London,
Conn There / had spent many summers
and was well acquainted. l remained
there several years but finally returned
here when funds became low. Shortly
afterward returned to New London, and
there entered the city almshouse for lack
of proper accommodations and means Of
subsistence Until three days ago l was
in that institution
Miss Bassett stated she had no definite
plans for the future She said she would
await the action of the police authorities
and then consult her friends. She says
she will endeavor to secure position in
the Government employ when Congress
meets.