The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1907-06-08
LIVES FOR OTHERS
MRS. FEARN, OF WASHINGTON,
TRUE PHjLANTHROPIST
Her Mission the AmeIioration of the
Condition of the B!ind-Queen
of Roumania Her
Close Friend.

A fascinating and forcible philan-
thropist whose mission and it's appeal
is unique, is Mrs. Walker Fearn, of
Washington, grand dame Of queenly
| mien, who has spent most of her life
at European capitals. Mrs. Fearn's
late husband was United States minis
ter to Roumania, in which interesting
country the couple became intimately
identified with Carmen SYLVIA" Eliz-
abeth, the beautiful, the good, the bril-
liantly endowed queen, perhaps the
most remarkable woman in the world,
possessing almost every talent and
every grace.
The queen of Roumania found a
ready sympathizer and coadjutor in
her various humane enterprises in the
charming American, the two women
being confidentially en- rapport. Mrs.
Fearn and Carmen SYLVIA, the royal
poet and philanthropist, worked hand
in hand, Mrs. Fearn's especial enthu-
siasm being enlisted in the queens
wonderful mission to the blind. There
are 10000 of the sightless in the small
country of Roumania, and for the
amelioration and uplift of the condi-
ton of these unfortunates the queen
is building an especial city, "Vatra
Luminoasa" luminous hearth"
where every possible physical and edu-
cational advantage will be afforded the
beneflciaries. Mrs. Fearn, since her
return to America, is pursuing the
same line of humane endeavor here as
was inspired by her friend, the beauti-
full queen of Roumania, with whom she
is in constant communication. Mrs.
Fearn is consecrating, gratuitously the
best efforts Of her life to the relief of
the blind, her philanthropy being ex
pressed Immediately in a wildly inter-
esting lecture that she gives called "A
Mission of Love to the Blind" with
stereopticon views taken from init
mate home scene and royal glimpses
at the Roumanian capital. Mrs. Fearn
wears during her lectures, wonderful
native Roumanian costume, a court
dress presented to her by Queen Eliz-
abeth. heavy in embroideries of silver.
A long, white flowing veil winds grace
fully at the back. Mrs. Fearn, one of
the effective social factors of Wash
ington, entertained an appreciative
company of friends charmingly at her
home in Massachusetts avenue, with
talk about her work, and illustrations
and a rich collation.. Her own pic
turesque Swiss maid also wore a beau
tiful ROumanian costume Of the ap-
propriate class. Mrs. Fearn, formerly
Miss Frances Hewitt, was born in
Louisville.
Most of her early life was spent in
New Orleans. She is starting on tour
at once to carry her beautiful message
to other parts of the country, going
first to Cincinnati, where she will be
the guest of her lifelong friend, Mrs.
Longworth. Then Kentucky, Tennes-
see, New Orleans, Texas, Indiana and
other sections will have the privilege
Of hearing this charming woman who
has consecrated her life gratutiously,
without the slightest remuneration, to
so noble and benign cause. At her
lecture at Rauschers to a tremendous,
fashionable audience, Mrs. Fearn was
introduced by the Rev. DR.. Couden, the
blind chaplain Of the house of repre-.
sentatives. A recent autograph mes
sage from the queen of Roumania to
her sympathetic friend reads, Bring
light to the blind, my dear Mrs. Fearn,
and make their life shine for all those
whose minds eye is not yet opened.
Elizabeth