The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-04
| SORTED MAIL
FOR 40 YEARS.
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Miss Blanche Berard Was Post
mistress al West Point.
NOW STRICKEN WITH PARALYSIS
Generals Grant, Sherman and Sheridan Often
Called on Her Her LIES Romance
Was 4 Sad One.
NOW STRICKEN WITH PARALYSIS

New York. Jan. 4.-Miss Blanche Ber-
ard. who for nearly forty years was post
mistress al West Point. and who is
known by nearly all the officers OF the
regular army, Was stricken with paraly-
sis late Tuesday night. at her home. on
IIackensack Heights. Hackensack. n. j.
She is I'm critical condition.
Miss Berard IS seventy-four years old.
She is the youngest daughter of the late
Claudius Berard. who was professor Of
French al the Military Academy from
l5l5 90 1886.
Administrations changed and political
upheavals drove office holders from every
branch OF the service. but Miss Berard re-
NAMED West Points postmistress from
the time OF her appointment until 1891
No one attempted to have her removed
until soon after the beginning OF Mr..
Cleyeland's first administrator.
Professor berard d.,d in 1876. leaving n
widow and several small children. When
his affairs were settled It was found that
little remained for his family. Friends at
Washington obtained the postoffice at
West Point tor Mrs. Berard and when
she died her daughter succeeded her.
RESISTED HER REMOVAL.
One morning carly In President Cleve-
lands FIRST term. formidable looking
letter arrived for the postmistress. 1t was
a notice OF her removal with Instructions
TO turn over the office To a new postmas-
ter, who would present credentials With
In twenty hours.
The appointee was a Newburg man and
a leading Hight in the state democratic
machine. lie was on time. with papers
showing his authority, but Miss Berard
refused TO give up the office until her
friends had chance TO see the president.
The Newburg man was inclined 10 take
forcibe possession, but when he saw sew
eral soldiers with fixed bayonets walking
In front OF the house he decided TO wait
When the appointment was published a
strong protest was made by the military
authorities. and petitions from all parts
OF the country poured in on the presi-
dent
Miss Berards friends began work at
once. and. IL Is said j. Pierpont Morgan
hurried TO Washington end used his
friendly offices. When President Cleye-
land learned the true situation he re-
scinded the Newburg mans appointment.
and the aged postmistress gained a signal
victory.
She was renominated in January, 1897,
for four years. and the senate quickly
confirmed the appointment Three months
later, on March IL, 1897, she resigned SO
as TO give her care TO her sister. who was
a confirmed invalid.
When Miss -Berard's father was pro-
fessor I'm the academy she was the reign
ing belle at West Point. Grant Sherman,
Sheridan and many other generals who
took conspicuous parts I'm the civil war
never failed TO call on her whenever they
visited West Point.
MISS BERARDS ROMANCE.
Early In life Miss Berard had a sad ro-
nance. She was a great favorite among
the cadets. but of all who visited the lit
tie cottage at the foot of the hill one
only was more than a friend. Soon after
he was graduated he was detailed to
West Point, and report had IL that he
and Miss Berard were to be married
1t was his duty occasionally to take a
troop of cadets through the mountains
Before going one day he called at the
Berard cottage. Miss Blanche went to the
door and saw him mount restless
horse She warned him 10 be careful He
turned I'm his saddle to reply, when the
animal plunged and the young officer was
thrown headlong. One foot was caught In
the stirrup and he was dragged a long
distance. lie died the next day. Miss Ber-
ara never gave encouragement TO anoth-
er suitor