Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-07
SERVICES TO BE PRIVATE
Prominent Member Of Washington
Social Set Dies Of Apoplexy.
HER ESTATE WORTH $so, 600, 600
Family Home Formerly Scene of
Many Hospitable Functions.
Two Daughters Abroad.

Funeral. services for Mrs. Mary Theresa
Letter, widow of Levi T. Letter, who died
suddenly about 1 o'clock yesterday aft
ernoon of apoplexy at her home, 15OO
New Hampshire avenue, will be held at
3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, at the res
idence, Rev. Roland Cotton-Smith, rector
of ST. Johns Episcopal Church officiating.
Interment, which will be private. will be
in Rock Creek cemetery, where Mrs Lett
er's husband is buried.
Mrs Letter was stricken while at lunch
con and death ensued within few min
utes. DIR. ]. B. Gregg Custis was in the
house at the time but his efforts to re-
Mrs. Letters son, was summoned from
his office. He reached the Dupont Circle
home after his mothers death.
Illness Began Ten Days Ago.
About ten days ago Mrs. Letter suf-
fered an attack of grip and since that
time had been confined to her home. She
appeared to. be on tho road to recovery
and had made plans for trip to Atlantic
City. She was to have left for the New
Jersey resort within few days to re-
cuperate.
Mrs. Letter seemed to be in good health
yesterday morning when she arose, but re-
manned In her room with a trained nurse
who had been In attendance since her re-
cent illness. About o'clock Mrs. Letter
ordered her lunch brought to her. room.
She had just started. the meal when she
was stricken.
Daughters Notified.
Immediately following Mrs. Letter 8
death cablegrams were, sent to her two
daughters in England, Mrs. Colin Camp
bell and the Countess Of Suffolk. Up to
noon today a reply had only been received
from Mrs. Caapbell.
For many years Mrs Letter had been
one OF the most prominent figures in
Washington society, and her magnificent
home at the north of Dupont Circle was
the scene OF many social gatherings
1t was there that one Of the most
brilliant receptions ever seen in Wash
tngtons was held following the marriage
OF her daughter. Mary. Letter, who is
now dead, to Lord Curzon OF Kedles-
ton, later Viceroy OF India Miss Nancf
Letter and Col. Colin Campbell Of the
HI1tish army ana Miss Daisy Letter sad
the g 3 Earl Of Suffolk were se-saiatssss
The Letter home at 1900 New Hari,p-
shire avenue was the ffrst Of the fine
homes to be built about Dupont Circle.
WIN LAe -e4ccpt1On OF the famous
Stewart Castle. which has since been
pulled down. In that day none Of the
beautiful homes which nov flank
Massachusetts avenue from Dupont
Circle to Sheridan Circle had been built.
Sheridan Circle existed only on the
map.
The Letters formerly lived In Chicago,
where Mr.. Letter had various business
interests and afterward formed a part
nership with Marshall Field and Potter
Palmer. When they first came to Wash
ington to reside they leased for a time
the home Of James G. Blaine, on 10Th
street. The Letters were the pioneers Of
the colony OF wealthy non -oficial resi-
dents Of Washington which has served
est residential city Of the country
Her Visits in Europe.
Following the marriage of her daugh-
tiers, Mrs. Letter visited England often.
Among her interesting experiences was
her visit to India. accompanied by her
youngest daughter. while her eldest
daughter, with the viceroy. was a CEN
trail figure OF the magnificent court at
Simla. 1t was on this trip to India that
Miss Daley Letter became acquainted
with the Earl of Suffolk, whom she aft
erward married.
It is understood that Mrs Letter leaves
an estate valued at approximately $35. :
cU0.OOO. Under the will left by Mr.. Lei
ter she and her. son, Joseph Letter, were
made the executors OF the estate. valued
at. that time at $25.0O0, ,0UO. and Mrs. Lei
ter was given about $15.O0000O. Since
that time the estate has increased great
ly in value. 1t consists largely in Chica-
go real estate and business properties.