The Detroit times., 1909-02-17
Miss MASON DIES
N GEORGETOWN,
AGED 50
Mas SISTER OF FIRST GOVERNOR
or MICHIGAN PARALYTI
STROKE HURRIED THE END or
EvENTFuL CAREER.


Emily Virginia Mason, sister OF tho
nrst governor OF Michigan. died at her
home In Georgetown last night. She
suffered q paraiytic stroke several
months ago and had failed in health
rapidly since then. She was SO years
old.
Miss Mason, author. traveller and
phiIanthropist. was one OF the most
btriking figures In the United States.
Despite her advanced age she took
broad and intelligent interest In pub
lie events almost TO the end OF her
bventful life. With her erect figure.
abundant snowy hair and large, bril-
liant dark eyes, she was OF striking
personality. She always maintained
that a single life for a woman was the
broadest and happiest as well as the
most independent
WeIl-known Author.
Miss Mason was the author OF a
Life OF Gen. Lee. and the compiler oil
! book of Confederate War Poems,
while she contributed at intervals 10
The prominent magazines. She was an
interchangeable traveller, having crossed
The ocean so odd times, spent 20 sum
hers travelling over the continent, and
making her home In Paris. where she
net the Empress Eugene. for ID win
bers. In Rome she was identified with
southern colony, of which Miss
Emily Harper OF Baltimore. and Gen.
John c. Breckenridge. OF Kentucky,
we're members, and with the latter
Vas granted a special audience with
Pope Plus TX, who dubbed her the
tAmbassadress of the Southern Con
ederacy."
In Spain she knew well the Mar
iuise de Calderon, dame d'honneur TO
he Infanta; and stayed at the Hotel
le Ia Paix with the earl OF Roslyn,
Who came with his grand suite bring
ng wedding gifts, magnificent dia-
hond bracelet, and scimiter with gold
lcabbard set with sapphires and tur-
luoises. to Alphonse father or the
Present king) and Mercedes, from
hueen Victoria and the Prince OF
Males. now King Edward OF England.
bhe also witnessed the gorgeous pa
teant at the marriage of the royal
lair, having a full view OF them in
heir glass coach drawn by eight white
arabian horses, and later attended
he same church with the queen.
Catholic Cnurch Gets Drcss.
She was also introduced at the Aus
rian court, where she moved in the
post exclusive court circles. describ-
hg the manners OF the imperial arch
luchesses, with whom she lunched and
lined, as resembling in their simpli-
dty those OF we'll bred Virginia WON
in. Her court dress of crimson velvet
vas afterwards worn at a ball in Rich
nond, and finally presented TO a Ro-
nan Catholic church where 1t was
brought into sacred vestments.
In Miss Mason's drawing room in
Ter Georgetown home were portraits
II FIVE generations of her family in
luding that of George Mason. of Guns
on Hall, author of the Bill of Rights;
stephen Mason, first United States
enator from Virginia; her brother, the
boy governor of Michigan" and her
liece, Miss Kate Mason Rowland, the
sell known writer. Her mother was
Miss Moir OF Williamsburg, whose
bther was first cousin of David
boir, the poet friend OF Burns.
Native Of Kentucky.
But though of Virginia parentage
ne was a native of Lexington, KY,
There she was born October 10, 1915,
Shile her father was marshal OF the
bate. When she. was few weeks
l6 the family returned TO Virginia,
emaining there Is years, when they
emoved. TO Washington. Miss Mason
las known every president from Mon
pe to the present day. She was also
huch with her brother while he was
pvernor Of Michigan, receiving at the
Executive mansion, and taking a prom
bent part in the oficial gayeties gen
rally.
During the civil war she was active
y engaged in hospital work at the
puth. being at the head OF the Geor-
sia division of Camp Wynder hospital.
nth 500 men under her care To
heer respondent patients she prom
Bed to take an interest in their chill
ren should they be left fatherless. and
lfter Lees surrender, while living in
baltimore. 80 confederate orphans
banned this pledge. These, with the
assistance OF her church and a large
md influential acquaintance. she sue
eeded In providing for. Ten were
bken in charge by wealthy southern.
lrs in ST. Louis. TWO being educated
4 the convent OF the Visitation OF
hat city. Some went to friends OF
fss Mason in New London. Conn.
md the remainder found homes in
baltimore.