The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-03
OF THE LATE MRS,
FREDERICK DOUGLASS
Death of the Widow of Negro
Leader Recalls Incidents of
Marriage and Later Life.
FAMILIES

Washington Letter, in Chicago Post.
The death of Mrs. Frederick Douglass the
other day at her home in the Anacostia
suburb of the capital, recalls to public notice
the woman who made herself conspicuous
about twenty years ago by marrying the
famous negro leader. She was Miss Helen
Pitts. a white woman of refinement and
fascinating manner, and a college graduate
of unusual attachments. Though forty-fve
years of age at the time of her marriage,
she was still a very striking-looking wom-
an, being tall and slender, with expressive
brown eyes, abundant dark hair and a skin
of that peculiar marble whiteness so seldom
seen. OF course, there was a great deal of
talk at the time-not altogether on account
of the marriage-and many of her former
friends refused TO recognize her, as well
as Nh. Douglass's grown-up children and
their "colored' associates. Thus for years
she had little society of either race. except
abroad, where gossip did not reach and no
color line" exists. She first came to Wash
ington from the small village of Richmond,
n. Y. (Which used to be called Pittston,
having been named and settled by Mrs.
Douglass's ancestors), to enter one of the
departments as a government employe.
which position she resigned to become Mr..
Douglass's amanuensis and typewriter when
he was recorder of deeds in the District
of Columbia.
Just when the mischievious god Cupid got
In his work between the APPARENTLY I'M
matched pair will never be known. For
years Miss Pitts went in and out of the
Douglass home Familiarity during the life
time of the first Mrs. Douglass, who, by the
way, was a very worthy and strong-minded
woman, though a very black one, about
Mr.. DouglasSis own age.
MARRIAGE A GREAT SURPRISE.
When the second marriage took place, a
year after the first wife's death. nobody
had been let into the confidence of the
couple. and the news came to the immediate
relatives like a thunderbolt out of a clear
sky.
No doubt that was the wisest plan, from
the viewpoint of the bride and groom, for
the marriage would certainly have been pre-
vented had it been within the power Of the
relatives on both sides TO do so.
Miss Pitts's uncle, who had paid for her
college course and from whom she had ex-
pectations of future wealth-a man of prom
inence in western New York. a noted aboli-
zionist and a lifelong friend of Douglass
turned his back on the niece when he
learned of what he denounced as the 'un-
natural union" Her own father, another
devoted abolitionist, never forgave her and
died estranged; and most of her relatives
and girlhood friends (all advocates of civil
rights and vehement friends Of the negro,
theoretically, 1t would SEEM mislaid the
jewel consistency, and promptly cut her ac-
quaintance. Her mother and one sister
alone stood by her. After the death Of her
father and consequent financial difficulties
both came TO live with Mrs. Douglass, and
the mother died in the home of the colored
son-in-law.
1t is said that Mr.. and Mrs. Douglass
were very happy III their married life and
cared little for the storm of criticism they
had stirred III. In time friends gathered
around them again, including some of the
white relations who were at first most Bit
ter. and who came to love and respect Fred
Douglass when they got acquainted with
the soul of the man beneath the black skin.
But the black family never forgave Mrs.
Douglass, and so bitter is still their feel
ing against her that. if they could. thev
would have prevented her being buried
last week by her husbands side I'm Roches-
ter cemetery. They are now talking of a
suit TO try TO get possession OF the consider
able property left by their stepmother.
AT the time of Mr.. Douglass's death. some
ten years ago. he bequeathed to each OF
his children-twO SONS and a daughter. all
middle aged and married-what he consid-
cred their generous portion, and left the
homestead and a smaller share of money
TO the wife.
Mrs. Douglass took active part I'm her hus-
bands life. She went with him on a Eu-
ropean tour, and stories OF the time said
lldL lLt1 = Will IlURn nOSIl-
tally in the highest circles of European
cities.
WERE LOVED IN HAITI.
Later she went with him when he was
made minister TO Haiti. When he was sent
as commissioner TO the worlds fair at Chi
cago by the Haitian government, she ac-
companied him. The memory OF their life
in Haiti was a wellspring Of pleasure dur
ing the lonely years of her The
Haitians loved them both, and never tired
Of contrasting his sturdy old age, his
rugged, strongly marked black face, sur
rounded by bushy. snow-white wool, with
her comparative youth, colorless complexion
and shining brown hair. Their home in
Haiti was a typical one in that latitude
large and low, surrounded by broad piazzas
and embowered In palms and tropical
foliage. The second time the Douglasses
s.;.- II.t.t tA.w, III 0...-a - -