New-York tribune., 1902-05-23
DIES GOING FOR MEDICINE.
MRS. l.. NJ. SPENCER, WHO PAINTED POR-
TRAIT OF VAN BUREN, KILLED
BY APOPLEXY
JOHN WANAMAKER.

Mrs. Lily Martin Spencer. artist. died sud
denly yesterday in her studio. at the southwest
corner of Columbus-ave and Northumberland
ffth-st., the result of a stroke of apoplexy.
She was seventy-1ve years old.
Mrs. Spencer had been in i'll health for several
days. but had continued at her work from time TO
time as her strength permitted. Yesterday she
was at work in her studio, which forms part of
the apartment used by her a home About l
O'Clock her daughter. Miss Lily Spencer. went into
the studio and suggested il time for her mother
to take her usual midday medicine. Mrs. Spencer
agreed to this. and turning. left the studio. Her
daughter went a front room, while Mrs. Spencer
went to the bathroom for the bottle containing the
medicine.
A few minutes passed. and then Miss Spencer
heard sound as Of body falling and groans
coming from the bathroom. She to the room
and found her mother lying in semi-conscious
condition the floor. Blood was flowing from a
wound on the forehead. caused by the fall. Miss
Spencer sent for physician, but when he reached
the apartment ten minutes later Mrs. Spencer
dead.
Mrs. Spencer was a widow, her husband, Ben
jamin Spencer, dying few years ago. Besides her
daughter she leaves son, John F. Spencer.
Coroner Scholer went TO the house and issued
death certificate
Mrs. Spencer was born in England. but came TO
this country when five years old. Her parents
French. Soon after their arrival in this country
the family settled in Marietta, Ohio. When yourg
girl Ms. Spencer exhibited artistic talent, and
offered to send her abroad 10 study. This offer
refused because, ii is said. 1t made on the
condition that she study from the old masters and
abstain from all original work for a period of
years.
Later on Mrs. Spencer married and came here,
where she opened studio under the patronage
Of Mr. Longworth- Her paintings were exhibited
and won many medals and honOrs. She numbered
among her patrons many pro nlLont men, states
men and generals and uonS her friends many
were Martin Van Buren, whose portrait she paint
ed; Stephen A. Douglas, Generals Grant, Mcclellan
and Sherman, and Colonel Robert G. IngersOH and
William Cullen Bryant.
One of the principal works produced hv Yrs
Spencer alegorical painting representing
Truth UnveiIing Falsehood" This picture Won
a medal at the Centennial Exposition in Phil 4tel-
phia in 1876 Large sums have been offered for 1t,
but the painter refused tFem. and the picture was
in her studio yesterday at the time of her death;
1t is said that as high 5000 has been offered
for tbs painting, and a similar ote-, according
a statement last evening 10 Coroner Scholsr,
was recently made TO Mrs Spencer by Jona Wsna-
maker.
Mrs Spencer worked regularly at her painting painting
UP to few weeks ago, when her health failed
Then she worked on Sc emingy being unable TO
IT is said. thar she ought not to paint for some
time, but she still did little each day Among her
most recent paintings are portraits of Mrs Ben
jamin Harrison, Elizabeth Cady stanton and the
late Robert @. IngersolL
Mrs Spencer was known for her private phtlan-
throPiCal WORK.