The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-19
WILLARD FILLMORE'S GRAVE.
In Obscure Corner OF a Buffalo Cemetery
None OF Ills Family Living.

In an obscure corner Of Forest Lawn
Cemetery, with little TO distinguish II from
hevhundreds of other silent mounds that
dot this city Of the dead. is the grave OF
Willard Fillmore, former President OF
the United States and now almost forgotten
though he lived In an age just back over
the threshold OF the present generation
He was the most prominent member OF
the Fillmore family. which is now extinct
and was one Of the leading men OF Buffalo
the State and the nation forty-hve years
ago In spite Of the fact that he was at
one time the chief executive of the greatest
nation, says the Buffalo Neus, in his own
city and in the hatints he loved so we'll his
memory has almost faded.
To-day Castle Inn on Niagara Square
is pointed out the homs OF Millard Fill
more and one room ia kept with the same
furnishings that adorned IL during his
OCCUPANCY But this is not the house that
is Of greatest historic interest. as the great
est part OF Fillmore's life was spent in the
old homo at $50 Franklin street.
Fillmore was an ideal husband and his
devotion 10 his wife was a matter OF COM
ment, as was likewise his extreme courtll-
ness On one occasion he was invited
with his wife to the home of friend TO
spend social evening. Previous to gong
Mrs Fillmore had plucked bouquet from
her own conservatory and on her arrival
she was mortified TO find she had forgotten
it, Fillmore noticed it and without making
any one the wiser he slipped out OF side
entrance, and going to his home procured
the flowers and greatly surprised his wife
by presenting them TO her.
II is a fact not generally known that Mill
lard Fillmore was the founder of the mag
nifcent library that adorns the White House.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Fillmore were lovers Of
books ard reading was one Of their chief
recreations When he took up his residence
at the White House there was not even so
much as a Bible in the house. Fillmore
resolved TO change this. and one Of his
fret acts was 20 ask an appropriation from
Congress for library. II vas Immediately
granted.
In 1853 Fillmore married a second time,
taking for his bride Mrs Caroline c. Mcln-
tosh Tho wedding took place in the old
SCHUYLER mansion In Albany When he
returned 10 this city with his bride he pllr-
chased the house on Niagara Square. the
part nearest Niagara street and Delaware
avenue being the original mansion lie
lived there TO the time Of his death, but
did not again take up the practice OF law.
as al that time there was tradition that
il was not in keeping with tho dignity Of
former President to enter upon any busi-
ness
rather unpleasant incident occurred
during the progress Of the civil war when
the Fillmore residence on Niagara Square
was attacked by an angry mob. II hap
pened OH a night when all the city vas
celebrating a Federal victory and every
home was draped with the American hng.
A crowd OF Young boys of rather lHwless
incliuations surged through the streets.
cheering and shouting in their enthusiasm.
Some youngster noticed that no colors
adorned the Fillmore mansion and nno-
Gently SHE'D stone in that direction. II
was like dropping match IN powder
barrel Every hoodlum In the crowd
stopped and picked up a handful Of mud
and sent IL in the direction OF the house.
IL took less than two minutes to plaster
the handsome residence of the former
President from gable to foundation. and
ever after the flags on the Fillmore mansion
we're the first to be flung to the breeze in
celebration OF victories
Back in 1913 huge iron basket was used
to cross the Niagara Gorge while a bridge
was in process of building. Miss Jane
Redfeld. young lady OF leading Batavia
family. declared her intention OF crossing
the gorge in the basket. Rather than let
the Young woman go alone, Fillmore entered
the basket and accompanied her on the
trip The basket is now preserved in the
collection Of the Buffalo Historical Society
Willard Fillmore was the first president
OF the Buffalo Historical Society. first chan
ceror Of the University Of Buffalo ard presi
dent OF the Buffalo Club. He suffered
stroke Of apople1y and died suddenly on