The Washington herald., 1911-01-05
EMINENT SOCIAL POSITION
AIDED POLITICAL SUCCESS

In his family and social relations there
was a side that was little suspected by
his business acquaintances. The greatest
trait that he displayed in this way was
the devotion to his daughter Katherine.
upon whom he lavished q wealth Of af-
fection and love. He gratified every wish
that she expressed from childhood. and
gave to her a depth Of paternal love that
lay unsuspected to many. Nor did his
sons receive a less share Of fathers af-
fection, though less demonstratively ex-
hibited.
The kindly social aspects of his life were
developed by the great social power which
his wife. Halle Davis Elkins. has SO long
and so successfully welded as a pro-
nounced society leader. From the time
when. as Secretary OF War. under Presi-
dent Harrison Mr.. Elkins occupied So
cial position OF official eminence in WASH
ington, the contributions which Mrs. Ell
kins has made to the social life Of the
city have been as important as they have
been uninterrupted. 1t Is, said OF that
early period that Mrs. Elkins. by her tact.
beauty. wealth. and attractiveness. had
more to do with making the social fea-
lures Of the Harrison administration ia
nous and conspicuous than did any other
single entertainer.
Utterly devoid of fads. possessed Of a
world of good sense. and endowed both
mentally and physically to lead in So
ciety. it is hard to exaggerate the valu-
able contributions that she has made to
the political success that has marked
the long career of Senator Elkins. The
only weakness that Mrs. Elkins has dis
played. If such it may be called, has
been her passion for the collection of
china and silver. for which she has long
been famous. Her collections in both of
these departments have long been world
famous.
In the beauty and privacy of the beau
tiful West Virginia home. which was
affectionately named ''Halliehurst," after
his wife, there has long been the kind
liest dispensing of charity AMONG the
miners Of the region that has .endeared
both Senator EIkins and his family to the
hearts of the rough recipients. Every
year. on the Fourth of July, it has been
the custom to give reception and an
entertainment to these people and their
families in the mountain home. where
there was both the bounty and regard
displayed by the Elkins family quite
equal in generosity, sincerity, and kindli-
ness as ever that of the stately homes"
of England that have been the type of
hospitality for so long.
1t was in this beautiful home that Sem
ator Elkins had passed the greater part
Of his later life. The health of Mrs. FL
kins has required almost annual visits
during the summer to Europe, to the
baths at Carlsbad. whittier she has gone
with her daughter Katherine. In these
intervals. Senator Elkins had passed the
summed in the Pidst of his large busi-
ness interests and in the mountain re-
treat. In winter the home in Washing
ton has been the scene Of the greatest
social activity. This season has passed
with an unwonted quietness. and, indeed,
almost the only social event that Mrs.
Elkins has attended was a luncheon last
ween at the home Of Mrs. Burrows.
Annoying to Senator.
There is little doubt that the anxiety
and annoyance that the repeated re-
ports regarding the contemplated mar
riage Of his favorite daughter Katherine
with the Duke Of the Abruzzi great
ly preyed upon the Senator's mind for
more than a year. 1t was a subject upon
which he always displayed the utmost
impatience when questioned. and one
which he could not bear to discuss.
The oft-revived rumors in the face of
his sincere and earnest denials were an
noying in the extreme, and during the
later days have done much to overtax
a waning strength.
Two social events that were especially
dear to his heart were the giving Of
annual dinners. the one to the West Vir-
ginia delegation to Congress, and the
other in honor Of his eminence Cardinal
Gibbons. These were of such long estab-
lishment and were of such hospitable
promptings that they were looked for
ward to by the host with probably as
keen a delight and Anticipation as by
the several guests. Both were looked
upon in the social calendar as fixed
feasts that it Yas joy to observe.