The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-17
Striking Figure in the Ma
tiOnal Capital Removed.
ACTIVE AND INTERESTING LIFE
Wrote Book of Confederate War
Songs, Life Of Gen. Lee, and Con-
tributed TO Prominent Magazines.
spent Much Time in Paris, Having
Crossed the Atlantic Many Times.

ans life removes one OF the most stTik-
ing figures in the National Capital Her
activities, her associations with promi-
nent men and women Of the nation. her
long and useful career. and her beautiful
character, make her passing worthy OF
more than casual notice.
Miss Mason had been in falling health
for several months, but her condition did
not become serious until few weeks ago
With her at the tine OF her death were
her niece. Mrs PeysOn Wise. OF Rich
nond. Va; Miss Kate Mason Rowland.
niece, and her intimate friends. Miss Mary
Perkins and Mss Decosta
To BE Suried in Baltimore.
The funeral viii be held from the Cathe-
draI in Baltimore. the day 10 be named
later
Miss Mason's death was due 20 the In
flrmities OF ole age. and was FASTENED By
4 paralytIc stroke a few weeks ago
Miss Mason was born October Is, 1sl5, in
Lexington. KY. and. despite her advanced
age. she was in full possession Of her
faculties. conducting personally, until her
last illness. her domestic affairs. taking
broad and intelligent view OF public
events, and retaining her hold on society.
Her appearance alone. with her erect Ag-
ure. abundant white hair, arranged as she
had WON Il for ffJy years. and her large
and brilliant dark eyes. would have
singled her out Everybody knew her the
cars stopping al her door in the middle OF
g block 70 take her on. and the conductors
carefully assisting her.
She always maintained that 4 single life
for q woman was the broadest and hap
pest. as well as the most independent.
Still az eYsnt q her day was the arrival
Of q friend, who came regularly TO pay
his respects. leaving some token OF fruit
Or flowers. new book. or bottle OF choice
wine wher- in proof Of ''5he eternal
feminine, her eyes would brighten and
her manner become more animated
Frien6 Of Mrs. cambridge.
Last SUMNER Miss Mason visited her
friend. Ms DandTidge. daughter OF
Zachary Taylor. mistress OF the White
House during his administration. at her
home IN Winchester. Va She was Is
corted from Washington by a young man,
who became 50 engrossed By her CONVEX
Estion that he PASSED Harpers Ferry. the
point where they were TO change cars
without beng aware Of Il and, discover
Ing his mistake several stations beyond.
they were obliged To get out and await a
return train
Her attractions were. indeed. such as 10
survive mere youth. and her O'Clock
teas, when her friends gathered IN winter
Ground her open Ere, and in mild weather
n Ter rose garden TO the left Of the house,
r7l-T7 sfr-T rcf- On .
DAY anniversaries these gatherings sweT3ed
20 receptions. when her sister. Mrs.
Robert Chiffon, Of Richmond, widow Of
Lees chief - staff, was always with her.
Miss Mason was the author OF d life
OF Cen Lee. and the compiler OF a book
az Confederate war songs, while she con
tri5uted at intervals 10 the prominent
magazines. She had crossed the ocean
upward OF fifty times. spending twenty
summers n foreign travel. and making
Paris. where she met ire Empress Eu-
genie, her headquarters Tor ffteen win
tiers In Rome she was identified with
the Southern colony. Of which Miss Emily
Harper. Of Baltimore. and John c.
Breckenridge. OF Kentucky. were mem
bsrs. IN Spain she was associated with
James Russell Lowell, then American
Ambassador. Witnessed the gorgeous
a Inc
present King. and Merce5es were mar
RED and stayed az the same hotel with
the Earl OF Rosiyn and his grand suite
who came bringing wedding gifts 20 ths
royal pair from Queen Victoria and the
Prince Of wales. now King Edward Of
England She was introduced ST the
Austrian court. where she moved in the
most exclusive circles. Iunching and din
ing with imperial arch duchesses Her
court dress, Of crimson velvet. was after
ward worn AZ an assembly ball in Rich
Iond. and finally presented 70 a Roman
Catholic church, where Il was converted
into sacred vestments
IN Miss Mason's library in Georgetown
there were portraits OF five generations
OF her family. Including that Of Georg.
Mason. author OF the Bill OF Rights
Stephen Mason. the first United State.
Senator from Virginia; her brother. tht
boy governor OF Michigan" and be-
niece. Miss Kate Mason Rowland, IN.
weII-known writer.
Born in Kentucky.
Although Of Virginia ancestry, however
she was born IN Kentucky. while he,
father was marshal OF the State. When 4
few weeks old her family returned 4
Virginia. remaining until she vas fifteen
when they removed 10 Washington, Mis-.
Mason having met every President. IN
GLIDING Lincoln. from Monroe TO the pres
ent DAY. She was also much with be
brother when governor Of Michigan, tax
ing part IN the gayeties there.
During the civil war she was engage,
in hospital work in Richmond. being q
the head OF the Georgia division at CAM
Wynder Hospital. with 500 men under he
care To sOOthe respondent patients shi
promised 10 look after their children Fl
the event Of their death. and after Lee
surrender, when living IN Baltimore
thirty Confederate orphans claimed thI
pledge.
These, with the help OF her church an,
a large and influential circle OF friends
she succeeded in providing for. Ten wer
taken IN charge by wealthy Southerner
living IN St Louis. two being educate
at the Convent OF the Visitation. OF tia
city. Others went 10 New London. Conn
and the rest were cared for in Baltimore
All turned ont well, reaching maturIt
and being self-sUpporting. OF marryinl
and becoming heads - 1sn!lies-
Taught a Girls school.
In the fifteen winters Miss Mason va.
In Paris sne taught a girls school
Mrs Peyton Wise, OF Richmond. Va
widow OF Gen Wise. IS her niece: Mrs.
John J Mason. widow Of her nephew.
prominent lawyer and one OF the officer
OF the famous Confederate cruiser Shen
andoah, lives in Baltimore
Other relatives are sister. Mrs Rober
Chiltoa. OF Richmond, Va; a niece. Nh
Edward Wright. OF Newark. y. J.
daughter OF her brother. the first gov
ernor OF Michigan; DR.. Robert F Mason
Of Washington, D. G. who attended he
n her last sickness, Beverly r Mason
OF the Gunston Institute; DIT. william