The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-06
Jessie BENTON FREMONT
The Widow of the Famous Path
finder" at Home in the West.
Her Pretty Cottage in Los Angeles
ifornin-Incidents Connected with
the Early Life and European Trav-
els of This Noted American Woman

In the decline OF her life Mrs. Jessie
Benton Fremont. widow of the famous
pathfinder" and first candidate of the
Republican party for President OF the
United States. is living quietly in a pleas
ant home in the environs Of Los Angeles,
Cal The home was a gift from the wo-
men of California, a token of their ten
der regard, and they are happy in knowing
the wife of "the Pathfinder" and the
daughter of "old Bullion" is in their
midst, loving and beloved.
The Fremont cottage is one OF the
points of interest in Los Angeles. The
grounds are full of tropical verdure. while
the blossoming of The rarest roses and
brilliant effect of towering. climbing vines
add greatly - theic beauty. The home is
filled with handsome old furniture and
collections Of -1reign travel as we'll as
many portraits and mementos of Gen.
John c. Fremont. Miss Bentons first ap-
pearance In the really fashionable world.
was when, at fourteen. she was chosen as
one OF the eight bridesmaids for the we'd
ding of the elderly Russian Ambassador,
Count Bodisco. Count Bodisco's bride a
beautiful girl of sixteen, was being edu-
Gated with Jessie Benton at the George
town Seminary. that dignified, upper-elass
finishing school near Washington, where
many young women of Southern families,
daughters of Senators. army and navy off,
GERS. were fitted for future social tri-
umpns.
At this famous wedding. where money
was spent freely as water, Henry Clay
gave the bride away and the guests in
cluded such men as President Martin
Van Buren,. the English Minister. Henry
Fox: James Buchanan. then Senator;
Cheyalier De Martini. from The Hague;
FarrEsut. then young and a long list OF
Cabinet officers all the Diplomatic Corps.
and navy officers with their beautiful
wives and daughters. 1t was a wedding
OF full dress. of brilliant uniforms
blazing with jewels and in its stateliness
included q whole science OF ceremony.
Jessie Benton, says an exchange. mar
Tied for love while very young. and from
the time Of her marriage until the death
of General Fremont she shared with him
most happily every trial. every success,
every rise and every reverse of fortune
Both were in exulting youth when FIRE.
mont had the certainty that on the Ca
huenga Plain he had completed the long
hopes and great aims OF wise men and
secured that ocean frontier that now
gives US a country from sea to sea-
While abroad in 1928 Mrs. Fremont's
iiic iSduS ike d ldlIy tale. Sne was IN
London in the early days of Victoria's
reign. To her the doors of the throne-
room were open, and for two hours she
watched in line with other diplomatic
ladies, the beautiful procession of Eng
lish women as they made their obei-
sance before the Queen.
In Paris Mrs. Fremont felt much at
home. life there seeming but an amplifica-
ton OF her old French life in st. Louis
From her beautiful residence a the
Champs Elysee she witnessed the official
entrance OF Louis Napoleon as Emperor,
the day so memorable to all the rulers Of
Europe, and rich in that vivid personality
with which French history is 50 inves ed
During all their stay abroad the Ere
mcnts ever met royalty and took part
in many brilliant ceremonies not only in
bcGdcR and Paris. but in Denmark
tria, and other foreign countries
Few women have met more Distinguish
ed men and women OF her time both at
home and abroad than Jessie Benton FIRE.
mont, and her memories are rich with the
vivid personality OF famous characters in
American, French, and English history in
many of their domestic, political, and
military aspects.