The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-04
4 WHITE HOUSE BIRI.
Mrs. wilcox Was Gal ed "Sunshine' ny
President Jackson.

There is still living in Washington une who
was the iayori,e child Of the White House when
her mother was directing the social side Of the
administration OF Andrew jackson This woman,
although advanced in years, gave a whist party
at her home in Washington a few evenings
ago. The entertainment, lasted until . o'clock
in the morning and the hostess stood and babe
her guests good morning. She did not com
plain OF feeling weary, but ON the contrary was
as animated in manner and conversation as
her daughter.
Mrs. Mary Emily Donelson wilcox is the daugh.
ter Of Andrew jackson Donelson, nephew 81
Andrew jackson. When Mrs, Jackson was
i'll Jackson invited his nephew and wife to come
To the White House To live. While they were
there Mary Emily Donelson was born. She
WAS the second child born in the historic build
ing, the first was her sister She became the
favorite Of Jackson, and was christened by him.
And that was the first christening in the White
House. 1t occurred in the East room Jack.
son held her in his arms and one Of the witnesses
was h, Il. Lee, then a Lieutenant in the Army.
Afier the death Of Mrs. jackson, Mrs. Donslson
was in charge of the social affairs Of the White
House until JaCkson's last administration closed
Mrs. Wilcox was known in Washington So
ciety in her childhood as the Sunshine Of the
White House That name was bestowed upon
her by jackson. She and her sister had their
places at the Presidential table, and in order
to get them there on time jackson resorted 10
a bit OF strategy. lie usually had a box Of candy
al his plate, and the first child Ia ge, To her place
received the prize. The consequence ives Tint.
in, the words Of Mrs. Wilcox, there was always
a foo,race 10 the Ia able"
When The cornerstone OF the Treasury Building
1 WQA Ia nj Il "A n IL AIN Ia an1agt.l "a -. l
several articles In the box placed IN the corner
stone. one was a III which he Gu, from the
head Of "Sunshine" When Jackson returned
To the Hermitage Sunshine" went with him
Speaking Of her life there. Mrs. Wilcox saws.
w hen jackson relred to the Hermitage he re
celyed many newspapers by the daily stage Ne
had a box on the road, some distance from the
house, ana the stage always stopped there To
deliver his mail. Some Of the Newspapers sent
70 nun Wsrr SUI unirendly, lie tod us which
1nng them to him. | asked him what We should
do with them, and he replied, on. make kites out
oil mem, ana tha, was what We die;
Nheil MI DoneIsOn WAS appointed Minister
to Prussia by President Polk his children went
abroad with HIM. They returned from Eurore IN
l I@bin; q and d soon after "SLnshine, married Gen
Mississippi. The wedding was 10 have been IN
the " hite House, but II was learned that the town
hhd turned out to see the event, and her father
iotbaqe the ceremony AT the Mansion. Ii 0.
CURED in her fathers house. which stood On tho
slta now occupied by the National Theatre. Her
huSband was alterward in Congress from Texas.
ana CURING the war WIS n Senator in the Rich
mohd Government, and died in the Confederate
capital before the close Of the cuutICi
Mrs. IlCoN has always had the friendship and
esteem o' every administration since the lermlnH.
ton Of that OF Jackson. Grar,appGn,ed her t,an,
latoI for the Post Office department \; one time
she lost her place on account Of politicians, Who
called her a rebel When Arthur beca me Press
dent he reinstated her, placing her In the Treasury
department, where she remained until two years
ago. Then She resigned for the purpose, as She
stated II, to devote myself 20 l~Itefntur. want
10 write \ history ~ the noted men and women
81 " ashinEtun. "f the time when knew them "
l know ! am not young, she adds. but am
not as oll as some people whom | mectin the street
cars think ! am
Mrs. Wilcox II said to he one II the best whist
payers IN WashlhgtOn, and her home is the scene
81 frequent rubberS. She has PLAYED with nil IN.
notable whistles perts. n nd witt all NJ he prominent
men OF her time She relates with auimauuu
many 81 the incidents ofCameS at which the states.
men II her time appeared.
MIS- wilcox has been a resident Of Washington
since the death of her husband IIer children. a
son ana daughter, live with her. She has aI
ways been = welcome guest at the White House
IN all administrations.