The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-21
SOME WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
SUDDEN DEATH OF THREE NOTED
PEOPLES SHOCKS SOCIETY.

Some Comments Over the Career of
Ex-Gov. Shepherd-What the
Workers on the White House Are
DOing-The Engagement of the
Neice of Mrs. william Mckinley.
The Letters on Their Way to Sim
la-PersOnal Mention of Some
Well known PeOpIe-Other Mat
tiers of Interest.
Washington, D. C., Sept. 2O.-Three
times within the past week has the
grim Reaper brought mourning into
many Washington households. The
first death of local note was that of
Mrs. William NJ. Stewart, wife of the
senator from Nevada, who was killed
on Friday last, in an automobile ac-
cident, at Alameda, Cal. She was the
daughter of Ex-senator Foote of Mis-
sissippi, who was Governor of his state
before the Civil War. Mrs. Stewart
came to this city while a child, when
her father figured with some promi-
nence in the United States Senate, and
has spent nearly all her. life here. She
was educated in the Academy of the
Visitation, in Georgetown, which has
turned out so many elegant women,
and at an early age became the wife
of Senator Stewart. Peculiarly fitted
by wealth and breeding to become a
leader in society, she took her place
at the head of the foremost circle, and
for many years was famed for her ele-
CANT and delightful entertainments.
Stewart Castle" her Washington
home, (Which was recently purchased
and demolished by Senator Clark of
Montana), was one of the first and
finest residences to be erected in the
northwest section of the city, now the
most fashionable, where rents are
high-sky and hardly a foot of land can
be bought for love or money. She was
woman of business talent, superior
to that of most men, and, foreseeing
the growth of the Capital city in that
direction, she invested some of the
large means at her command in
Chem suburban palace, which has paid
for itself many times over in being
leased in absences of the family; and
finally, after many years, sold for ten
times it's original cost. There are
many things to be said in praise of
Mrs. Stewart, her tact, generosity and
kindness of heart. The length of
purse was never the only passport to
her hospitality. At her brilliant en-
tertainments one met the leading men
of the country the most distinguished
and beautiful women: and also met
many who were manifestly unused to
society-miners from the Far West and
rough and ready politicians who were
associated with Mr.. Stewart in the
early days, and friends and poor re-
lations" of them both. Early last win
ter Mrs. Stewart had a severe Illness,
and afterwards went to California to
visit her brother and assist GONZALES
cence by a change of climate. Her
health was completely restored and
she was looking forward to winter
in Washington, when death came in
such terrible guise, without a moments
warning. After selling Stewart Cas-
tie" the senator purchased another
spacious mansion in this city, 1900 f.
street, which has been closed for near
ly year, but was about to be reopen
ed for the return of Mrs. Stewart. Her
husband is at present at The Hague,
in connection with the Pious arbitra-
ton convention, as special counsel
Miss Bessie Stewart. the only unmar-
ried daughter, whose debut was ohron-
icled in these columns awhile ago,
passed through this city on
Saturday to the fuReral Of her mother
in California. Mrs. Stewards body will
undoubtedly be brought here for bur
ial.
On Saturday last, when the news
boys were calling "Extra!" "Extrai"
we thought 1t was war news from
Hayti or Panama, but were even more