Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-11

s. A. who before the opening of hos
tilities between the north and south
served under Gen. Robert E. Lee on the
frontier. but Joined the Union forces
and participated in nearly all the gem
eral engagements Of the Army of the
Potomac. in command of a company of
the 5th Cavalry.
Mrs. Baden occupies desk in the in
ternal revenue division of the Treasury
Department, and although of southern
birth and upbringing, she, with most of
the members of her family, was largely
in sympathy with the Union, and all
were intense admirers of Lincoln. Her
father, a prominent business man of
Baltimore and Washington, with his
residence in the latter city. was per-
sonal friend of the war President,
which brought his family into close
House.
my father. the late John Lewis
Yates of Maryland, was an old line
whig," said Mrs Baden. From this.
as you know. sprang the republican
party, and he did valiant service in the
campaign for Lincoln. He was SO
prominent in this respect, indeed. that
after his Inauguration President Lin
coin sent for him and offered him any
position he cared to choose in the fed
eral service.
MY father had, however, good
business Of his own, so that while he
appreciated Mr.. Lincoln's consideration,
he courteously declined government
admirer of the President and well
come visitor at the White House.
Through our friendly footing at the
Executive Mansion, although was but
a young girl at the time. 1 frequently
met President and Mrs. Lincoln.
X =
SIN those early days White House re-
ceptions were very informal affairs, and
I recall that at one of them a teamster
in passing, observing that reception
was in progress. and evidently struck
with the fancy to pay his respects. step
ped into the Executive Mansion. his
high boots on his feet and his whip in
his hand. The President shook hands
and greeted him cordially, as he al
ways did the honest laboring men. If
any of the soldiers came in from camp
they were sure of a warm welcome.
You ask what was my first impress
sion of President Lincoln. Well, to be
frank. thought him the homeliest man
he had been called. But that was only
the very first Impression; I never
thought he was homely after I saw him
smile. When Lincoln smiled you forgot
the LONELINESS and you saw only the
strength, the sweetness and the deep,
sad, searching eyes. I never saw eyes
like them; they looked right through
you.
81 saw President Lincoln first in 1861,
and between the many time 1 saw him
between that time and his death 1
never failed to be impressed with his
personality. 1t was sort of awe, but
not fear. I was not a forward girl, but
talked with President Lincoln with
out any consciousness Of timidity. He
seemed to try to set one at ease. I
learned to know him as the kindest and
most fatherly man in Washington.
His appearance was remarkable, as
all the world knows. He was very tall,
and he accentuated his height by
habitually wearing high silk hat and
long-tailed coat. 1 never saw him out
of doors without that hat and coat,
whether he walked or rode. He had a
way Of walking through the streets of
Washington. his head bent in thought,
his hands behind him, his shoulders
stopped little. This stoop caused the
skirts Of his coat to droop very low in
front, giving him a very odd appear
ance. Apparently deep in thought his
face often looked sad and troubled, as
though the weight OF the war were on
his shoulders.