The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-27

Elizabeth Cady, as she was then, was
precoeious-perhaps self-reliant express
es it better She tells how, when she
was 10 years old her only brother died,
how her father grieved over his sons
death, and how one day he took her on
his knee and gave voice to the wish that
his DAT gnter was a boy" Then, Mrs
Stanton says she made up her mind
that, as she could not be boy, she
would try to aceasnplis'i what boy
could. Her first step toward this end
was to learn to ride her pony. She also
was inbued with a desire to master
Greek and she applied to her pastor, an
old Scotch clergyman, for instruction.
Being of an alert mind and olessed
with a good constitution she made rapid
progress in both undertakings She then
took UP Latin, mathematics and other
mannish studies. She had very pro-
ficient instructor in her brother-in-law,
Edward Bayard of Delaware. From this
gentleman she learned much OF poetry
and art, and also of physical culture.
1t was no trouble for her then to scale
four bar fence with the agility of i
college athlete.
When Elizabeth Cady was 16 she en-
tered Mrs. Willards seminary at Troy.
Before this she expressed a desire to go
to Union college, and fuel was added to
the flame in her breast when she was
made aware of the discrimination
eligible for admission to that famous old
seat of learning.
Mrs Stanton says that while she was
in the seminary she never forgot the
impressions she had formed in her faith
eFs office. She looked forward to the
time when she could go before the legls-
lature and do something for the cause
in which she had become so deeply in
tereSted
NET HER HUSBAND.
After leaving the seminary and return
ing home. Mrs. Stanton was thrown III
contact with her cousin. Gerrit Smith, the
I
interested in this movement, also, and
was forcibly struck with the similarity of
the conditions which oppressed white wo-
men and the slaves of the south. 1t was
at the house of the abolitionist that Mrs.
Stanton met the gentleman who became
her husband They went abroad on their
wedding trip. and attended the anti
slavery convention in England
Mr.. and Mrs. Stanton came back TO
America, and then followed one of the
most interesting episodes of her life. After
her return she had in company with 9th
ers interested in female suffrage, been
agitating the matter throughout the state.
She received permission from the legisla-
ture for a hearing on the subject of the
married woman's property bill Her &C
count OF the preparations she made for
her appt arance before the legislators at
Albany is interesting. Il would go.up into
the garret,' she said and rehearse my
speech every day" Her father heard that
she was going to address the legislature
and was incensed but she pleaded her
cause so earnestly that she Won him
over. Finally the momentous day arrived
This was in 1913. Mrs. Stanton spoke to
a crowded house. Her speech lasted tive
! hours, and when she was through sh'
was warmly congratulated by her hearers
Shortly afterward she had the satisfaction
of seeins the married woman's property
/ bill become a law.
In the same year Mrs. Stanton and 9TH
ers called the Woman's suffrage conven-
ton. the first ever held. Resolutions were
adopted and a list of grievances made out
The convention was the target for no epd
sef ridicule. Mrs. Stanton and her friends
: we're referred to as the cross old maids
Mrs Stanton had sons at the time.
Since that day Mrs Stanton has never
faltered has never relaxed her zeal in ths
ca use to which she is devoted.