The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-04-08
MILLARp FILLMoas.s GRAVE.

Cemetery, with little to distinguish II
from the hundreds OF other silent
mounds that dot this city Of the dead,
is tie grave of Millard Fillmore, form
er 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 Fill
more family. which is now extinct, and
was one of the leading men Of Buffalo,
the state and the nation forjyave years
ago. In spite Of the fact that he was at
one time the chief executive OF the
greatest nation, says the Buffalo News,
in his own city and in the hannts he
loves SO wen his memory has almost
faded
Today Castle Inn on Niagara Square
IS pointed out as the home OF Millard
Fillmore. and one room is kept with
the same furnishings that adorned it
dun. ng his occupancy But his is not
tho housr that Is Of greatest historic
interest, as the greatest part of Fill
more's life was spent in the old home
at $50 Franklin street.
Fillmore was an ideal husband and
his devotion 10 his wife was a matter
Of comment, as was likewise his ex-
! trcme courtliness. One one occasion he
was invited with his wife to the home
of a friend to spend a social evening
Previous to going Mrs. Fillmore lad
j plucked a bouquet from her own con-
servatory and on her arrival shv was
mortified to fud she had forgotten t.
Fillmore noticed il and without max.
ing any one the wiser, he slipped out Of
side entrance, and going to his home
procured the flowers and greatly sur
priscd his wife by presenting them to
her
II is fact not generally known t-at
MIlard Fillmore was the founder Of
tht magnificent library that adorns ths
White House. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fill
more were levers Of books and reading
was one of their chief recrcatons.
When he took up his residence at the
White House there was not even SO
much az a Bible in the house Fillmotr
resolved TO change this, and cne of his
first acts was 10 ask an appropriation
from congress for a library. It was ins-
me lately granted.
In 1858 Fillmore married second
tiu,e. taking for his bride Mrs. Caroline
c. Mcintosh. The wedding took place
IL the old Schuyler mansion in Albaty.
When he returned to this city with bis
bride he purchased the house on Mig
are Square, the part nearest Niagara
sreet and Delaware avenue being the
original mansion. He lived there to
the time Of his death. but did not again
take up the practice OF law. as al tina.
time there was tradition that 81 was
not in keeping with Ile dignity of
ioymer president to enter upoa any
business.
rather unpleasant incident occur
red during the progress Of The civil war
when the Fillmore residence on Mag.
I ara Square was attacked by an ansr5
mob, Il happened on a night when al
the c';y was celebrating a Federal VIC.
tory AID every home was draped vita
tho American flag. A crowd Of young
boys Of rather lawless inclnaticas
sureed through the streets, cheering
and shouting in their enthusiasm. some
\ youngster noticed hat no colors adorn-
/ ed the Fillmore mansion aud Innocent
ly SHE'D a stone in that direstion. II
was like dropping a match In a powder
barrel Every hoodum in the crowd
stopped and picked up a handful OF
mud and sent II in the direction of the
house. II took less than TWO minutes
/ u plaster the handsome residence of
the former president from gable 10
foundation, and ever after the flags on
/ the Fillmore Mansion were the first t.
be flung to the breeze in celebration OF
victories.
Back In lS4s huge iron baske was
used TO cross the Niagara Gorge while
a bridge was is4.process Of building.
Miss Jane Redheld, a young lady Of
leading Batavia family, declared he.
intention Of crossing the gorge in the
basket Rather than let the young wo-
man go alone. Fillmore entered the
basket and accompanied her OF thc
trip. The basket is now preserved ia
the collection OF the Bunalo Historical
Society.
Miliard Fillmore was the FIRST presi
dent Of the Buffalo Historical Society.
hrst chancellor Of the University ef
Buhalo. and president Of The Dunalo
Club He suffered a stroke Of apopieAy I
end died suddenly on MsreD 8. 1874
New York SUI.