The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-06
MRS, PALMER DIES
Rich Chicago Woman Passes
Away in Florida.
Famed as Leader of Women in
Society and Politics.

Sarasota, Fla. May 6.-Mrs. Potter
Palmer of Chicago. is dead at her
winter home here.
Mrs Palmer died of pneumonia.
She had been ill some time. Several
days ago her family was summoned
and medical specialists came mere
from the north. She died last night.
The body will be taken to Chicago for
burial, leaving here tomorrow.
For years Mrs. Palmer had spent
her winters at her home here, which
is considered one of the most beautl-
full in Florida
Mrs Potter Palmer was one of the
first women prominent III society to
become actively interested in public
affairs. Gifted with wealth, culture,
and beauty, she was pioneer in the
movement which eventually led to the
agitation in favor of women being
given .he right of suffrage in many
states. She was the friend of working
women and was instrumental in 1888
ir organizing the Chicago Business
Women's club which had a member
ship of severa. thousand. Perhaps
the most notable achievement of her
public career was as chairman of the
Worlds Columbian exposition in Chi
cago in 1893.
Displayed Ability.
ir discharging her official duties in
i this position wor her worldwide at
tention and commendation- -
1t was largely thru her efforts that
Il woman's building. devoted ex-
clusively to exhibiting women's work,
was made a feature Of the worlds
| fair. 1t was the most substantial
recognition of woman's work ever ac-
corded by a large exposition at that
time. and Mrs. Palmer was gre eted as
{. leader of the new movement for the
advancement of women's intef ests.
President William Mckinley appointed
her the only woman member of the
7 ationai commission for the Paris ex-
position in 1900. AS reward for her
efficient service in this position she
was awarded Legion of Honor medal
ty the French government.
For many years Mrs Palmer was
| the undisputed leader or Chicago
society. For years her elaborate ball
OF. each recurring New Years eve was
regarded the apex of the Chicago
social season.
Mrs. Palmer was born in Louisville
i, 1850, a daughter of Henry H Hon.
| ore, a representative of distinguished
family of. French origin resident in
America since Colonial times. She
and her sister Ida, who later married
Col. Frederick Dent Grant, U. S. A,
son of General u. s. Grant, were
society bellies in Louisville in the early
days
| Mrs. Palmer was educated at a con-
| ent at Georgetown, D. c., and shortly
2 fter her sraduation was married in
/ 1871 to Potter Palmer, a Chicago mill
/ lionaire, who was many years her
senior He built a palatial residence
! on the Lake Shore drive which cost
more than million dollars. Two sons
were born as result of the union,
i Honore Palmer and Potter Palmer.
| When Hnnnre Palmer raacha1 b;c
majority he entered politics and served
| two terms as an alderman in the Chi
cago city council. Mrs. Palmer per-
sonally directed her sons first cam
paign for alderman.
Entertained the Sums
| One night near the close of the cam
paign she surprised her social friends
/ by giving an informal reception at her
residence to five hundred members of
! the Tw .nty-first Ward Marching club,
who, led by band, paraded to the
home Of their distinguished hostess.
vited guests were habitues of the
! lodging houses and saloons in the
south end of the ward. Mrs. Palmer.
dressed in an elaborate evening gown
stood at the. door and shook hands
with each member of the club and
! thanked him for his efforts in her
! sons behalf
| When Potter Palmer died in 1902
Mrs. Palmer for years devoted her
time to the management of his estate
which was valued at $8,000,OO0.
Mrs. Palmer had spent the winter
| at Sarasota. There was no indication
of serious illness in letters received by
friends here who said she had planned
returning shortly to Chicago to aid in
war work. However, relatives were
lmysteriously called to her Florida
home a few days ago