The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-04

~ past eighty years. and ending her |
IL days in a home for aged negro |
women in this city, is one Of the 1
most remarkable characters Of her day. /
and a few pages from her Hamatic his |
tory reads like the production of a |
vivid imagination instead of a vital bit /
of history in the most troublous time
this country has ever known.
Eliza beth was born a slave about lS2Z, |
and became such an expert needlewo- |
man that, when only a little past thirty |
years old. she bought her own freedom !
receiving some assistance from friends
in ST. Louis. and the freedom of her
mother and her only son.
in 1850 "Keckly.'' as she was called, |
came TO Washington. and II was when
she had her dress fitting establishment
at SSS Twelfth Street, that Mrs. Lincoln
and all the great women Of that time
visited her to consult about their cos
TUNES for official events.
A dress bearing Keckly's stamp was
sure 10 make the green-eyed monster
blink many a time in those days OF
voIuminous skirts and quaint fichus tied
over the breast-as well as giving an
uncomfortable feeling 70 the husbands
broidered waistcOat pocket.
Mrs. Mclean First.
Among Keckly's first customers was
Mrs General Mclean. a friend of Mrs
Lfncoln's. The McLeans lived opposite
the old Wizards. and it was to that
famous hosiery that Mrs. Mclean was
invited to a great banquet That ever
momentOus question Of sOmething-or
nothing-to wear puzzled the pretty
danes Of 81. for Mrs. Mclean drove in
great haste to Keckly to inform her
OF the fact, and beg her relief.
Keckly declares now. with a wave Of
her long shapely yellow hand. that her
apartments at 3sS Twelfth Street were
literally full OF work. but Mrs. Mclean
cajoled her into taking her material,
which she had carried along, promising
that IL she would takc II she should do
dressmalSing for the new lady Of the
White House, Mrs. Lincoln. Suffice. The
costume was finished and carried home
in time to create the usual discomfort
in the minds Of the ladies' who eraced
the festive board In company with her.
A few days passed without realizing
on the promise. but the following San
day Mrs. Mclean sent Keckly a note
asking her 10 call at o'clock that af-
ternoon- AS she gave no reason for
the unusual request. Keckly procrasti-
ANNNNNf e-AAA -AA AADL 81 LAAL4A ALt LOllOW-
ing Monday morning at O'Clock. That
was the morning Of Lincoln's inaugural,
and the streets were crowded with peo-
pie. especially about WIZARDS Eotel.
where the President stopped. and from
which he was to start for the Capitol.
Waited for Mrs. Mclean.
Once there. Elizabeth found Mrs. Nc
Lean absent but concluded 10 wait her
return. Presently an aide on the STAFF OF
General Mclean called to tell her that
she was wanted at Wizards Hotel.
Keckly recalls with some mirth her
good friends anxiety about her delay in
coming. and Fastening 20 meet her told
her that she had discussed the moment
Gus question OF dressmakers with Mrs.
Lincoln, and that lady had requested
Mrs. Mclean 70 send KecIxly to her
without delay. Elizabeth was at once
show to Mrs Lincoln's apartments.
where she met for the frst time the
woman whose lie was TO be so inseD-
arably interviewer with her own.
An engagement was made for Eliza
beth-Lizabeth. as Mrs. Lincoln ever
after called her-to be at the White
House the following morning. With con-
siderable triumph-there were several
other dressmakers waiting-Kecl,lv
secured the prize. and measuring Mrs.
Lincoln for her gown. carried the goods
home 10 be fashioned after the tnez 1---
vailing style.
Deed of Careless Waiter.
This was the day after the Inaugural
ton. and by way Of explaining why
dress was necessary in such precipitous
haste. Mrs. Lincoln told how an awI,-
ward waiter had dropped coffee on the
mauve silk gown that she intended to
wear 70 the first reception following the
Inauguration, and this incident had left
her without a suitable gown.
Mrs. Lincoln further said that II
Keckly fitted her well and was rea-
sonable in her cha-ges-they were poor,
Just having come from the West-she
might take all OF the White House dress
making. at the same time giving Eliza
beth a blue watered silk waist for Mrs.
Grimsly. 70 be worn on the same occa-
sion. After the first fitting Mrs. Lin
coin grew a bit whimsical. as Keckly
declares she ever after proved 10 be,
and as the reception was changed from
Friday night 20 the following Tuesday,
she dispatched a messenger from the
White House 10 inform Keckly Of the
change. and TO have her alter the style
Of her gown.
From that time on she not only made
every dress that Mrs. Lincoln wore dur
ing her stay I'm the White House. but
dressed her for every levee. Mrs. Lin
coin always preferred going 70 her
rooms in Twelfth Street 20 be fitted. a.,
this becoming known to the public |
many a curious crowd awaited her
there. Keckly had an old-fashioued
Southern sense Of suiting ones actions