The Coolidge examiner., 1934-05-11
ses, a, a family Of Eve children.

eldest of family OF Eve children.
Il would be pleasant 10 be able 10 record the
fact that II was a case of love at frst sight FOR
Cadet Whistler and Anna McNeill. But that is
doubtful for soon after be vas graduated from
West Point be was married. but not 10 Anna
Mcneil shortly afterwards young Whistler was
left a widower and early ln the SOs he again
met the motherly older sister OF his clASsmAte
William Gibbs Mcneil. and married her. In 1893
Whistler resigned from the army and the next
year 20 George Washington Whistler and Anna
MAthildA Whistler was born a son 20 whom
given the name James Abbott McNelll Whistler
thus perpetuating the name OF his uncle. James
Abbott the Detroit trader a, Fort Dearborn, as
well as his paiernal and maternal families the
McNeills and the Whistlers.
After George Washington whistlers reslgna-
ton from the army he rose TO emnence an
engineer and In 1912 he went to Russia to enter
the service Of the czar In the construction OF the
railroad from ST. Petersburg to Moscow winning
for himself from Czar Nicholas the decoration
Of the Order OF 81. Anne. To Russia with him
went his wife and their two sons OF them
n slender. weak lad. aTectlonately known 10 his
mother as jamie" And Jamie" he was 10 her
10 the end Of her days. even when he became
world-famous painter. For the close tie be-
tween the mother and the son who TO im-
mortalze her on canvas began during this Rus
sian experience.
She nursed him during those bitter years and
when they were ended In the death OF Major
Whistler and when the widow and her two sons
were reduced TO poverty. she brought them out
OF the land OF SHOWS back 20 her sunny North
Carolina. When Jamie" grew up he decided 10
follow the profession OF his father and become
a soldier. He secured an appointment TO West
Point In 1852, but his career there was short
one. In fact II lasted only two years
But the loss TO the military world. II indeed
II was a loss. was the gain OF the world OF art
After leaving West Point Whistler went TO Paris
resolved 10 become painter and his career In
that role is too well known 10 need further
comment During the years he was rising 10
fame his mother was In Europe, also. not with
him always but nearby In case he should have
need OF her. For somehow her little Jamie"
never seemed 20 grow up enough to be without
his mother. In 1890 Whistler left London for
three years more OF study in Paris and his
mother returned to America for last visit with
her relatives in North Carolina. For Whistler
had decided never 10 return TO his native land
TO live. So his mother was going 10 wind up
what few affairs she had there and then return
10 London. where they would live on the scant
means which the could provide.
While she was visiting In Cumberland and
Bladen counties in North Carolina the storm OF
the Civil war broke and her return TO Europe
was postponed indefinitely. Finally early In 1854
came word from her that he had returned
TO London and established himself there So
she announced her intention OF Joining him.
But no matter how much her relatives told
Anna Mathilda Mcneil Whistler that il would
be impossible for her to 20 to Europe now, her
only reply was the calm statement that her
Jamie" needed her and she going. And 20
she did. Somehow she arranged to take passage
m a CnufpfprgTp blocys 10
arrived safely in England.
There she lived to the end Of her days, the in
separable companion OF the man who came to be
hailed one Of the greatest painters in the
world.
By Western Newspaper Union.