New-York tribune., 1907-12-30
MRS. SEMPLE DEAD.
President Tyler's Daughter Erpares
in Washington Home.
Iron The rribune Bureau


Washington Dec 2s-Mrs. Letitia Tyler Sempe,
a former mistress Of the White House, died at the
Louise Home in this city, yesterday She was
eighty-six years old. She was the only sur
viving daughter of President Tyler. and at the
time of her marriage to Mr.. Semple. In 1892
was a famous Virginia belle. Her husband was
the nephew and adopted son of Judge Senpie'
of Williamsburg, Va, and the young couple were
living at Cedar Hill. a Colonial mansion near that
town when Mr. Tyler was elected President or
the United States Mrs. Tyler was an Invalid
when she became mistress of the White House, IN
1sn, and it became necessary for some younger
woman of the family to assume her social ophsa-
tons. Mrs. Semple and her elder sister, MIS-
Jones' were housekeeping in Virginia, and were
therefore unable to remain permanently In WASH
ington, though each made frequent visits 10 the
national capital Robert Tyler, the eldest son. hau
recently married, and. he was not settled IN
life. it considered best that he continue IN
the family, and that the task and honor or repre-
senting Mrs Tyler should be delegated to his proe
After the death of Mrs Tyler Robert decided 10
practise law in Philadelphia, and as Mr Seinpio
happened that time to be ordered 10 sea as
purser in the United States navy. and Mrs sefnpie
was at liberty to live in Washington her father
invited her TO the place of executiVe
hostess. She accepted the duty. and was the hrst
lady of the land" until President Tyler married
Miss Julia Gardner, of New York, In 1874
Jeffersonian simplicity still ruled under the Tyler
regime. In those days the President gave dinner
though the drawing was open informally
every evening the guests departed early and the
family retired at 10 O'Clock. public levee was
held once a month. but all hospitality preceded oy
cards of invitation was regarded private al
fair of the Presidential family, with which the
outside world and the public press had nothing
to do.
Mrs. Semple and her husband were not congenial
and they separated years before the iatters death
Like most Virginians, Mr.. Semple joined the Con-
federacy when his state seeded and he died short
ly after the close of the Mrs Sempe found III
necessary maintain herself after the death OF
her father. and she was teaching school In BaItI-
more in the early COS when W. W. Corcoran,
who had been a personal friend Of President Ty-
Ier's, heard of her circumstances and invited her
to be q guest at the Louise Home, which ne nad
founded as memorial to his daughter Mrs Sem
pie accepted his offer and had lived at the nome
ever since.
More than a half century divides the young
golden haired chateIaine of the White House from
the aged woman of yesterday. The gulf Is bridged
by memories so wonderful to seem the stuff tnat
dreams are made Of A tangible evidence that they
are indeed real memories is the card that Mrs
Roosevelt has sent regularly to the one-time first
lady, inviting her TO be a guest In the Blue Paror
at each White House reception.
President Lyon G. Tyler. of William and Mary
College Williamsburg. Va. was Mrs Sempies
half brother.