Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-13


funds to erect a monument to finland his
tory has just seen her wish come true.
Harriet Lanes mother died when she was
about years of age, and about two years later
her father passed away. Then her beloved
uncle took her in hand and reared her. After
she had grown into beautiful womanhood and
her golden hair and violet eyes had spread
their charm, she met her future husband
Henry Elliot Johnston of Baltimore, when she
and Mr.. Buchanan were on a visit to Bed
ford Springs They were married in 1866, just
two years before Mr.. Buchanan's death.
Her husband died in 1883 and the two chill
dren born to her died before reaching their
majority. James Buchanan Johnston died at
the age of IS, while her other son, Henry FL
hot Johnston, died at IL at Nice.
Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston resided during
the latter part Of the last century at Eighteenth
and streets and in those days she found
time to collect the paintings that were destined
to form the nucleus for the National Gallery
Of Art here. Olden residents of Washington
remember her well, q Queenly figure, clad in
black velvet. wearing becomingly her choice
pearls and her dazzling diamonds. Sne ktld
a court of her own, reminiscent of those bril-
liant days Of ST to 81, at her residence here,
but her fame Travelled far, for she was a great
favorite Of Queen Victoria.
BY special invitation, she attended the
coronation Of King Edward VII, who as Prince
of Wales had visited her back in the days
bachelor President Of the Nation. 80, too. was
Harriet Lane the first maiden to serve as First
Lady Of the Land She died in Rhode Island
on July 8, 1903.
In her will she made provision for the monu-
ment that stands today in Meridian Hill Park
and she wrote the words that should be placed
upon it, quoting what Hon. jeremiah S. Black
had said Of Buchanan: 1.-THE incorruptible
statesman whose walk was upon the noun
tain ranges Of the law" Out of her estate.
estimated at more than 81 100000, she di-
rected that q Buchanan Memorial Fund be
established and as trustees for this money,
she named William A. Fisher of Baltimore,
Calderon Carlisle and E. Francis Riggs Of
Washington and Lawrason Riggs of Baltimore.
Gen. Lawrason Riggs who took prominent
part in the preparation Of the memorial, is
the only surviving trustee.
In her will Mrs Johnston decreed that II
Congress failed to provide a site for the erec-
ton Of q statue to President Buchanan within
Is years after her death, the sum OF 100000
land its increments' should 60 to the Harriet
Lane Home for Invalid Children of Baltimore.
Fifteen years after her death was marked by
July 8, 1918, and it was not until June q.
1918, within q week before the "deadline,"
that an act was signed, making provision for
the monument to be erected on suitable pub
lie site.
THE debates of those nervous. war-torn days
Of the middle Of 1918 reveal that bit
terness towards Buchanan has not died with
the. years. The late Senator Henry Cabot
Lodge Of Massachusetts, vigorously opposed the
erection Of statue to this man In this city
On Flag day. 1918. Senator Smith of Maryland
seeking to defend the memory Of Buchanan
told the Senate: ..
buchanan was confronted with enormous
difficulties when President Mexico, then, as
recently, was source Of deepest concern;
likewise Cuba. Every indication pointed to a
disruption Of the country, to q civil war,
that any President must have strained every