Evening star., 1934-09-02
WHEN DUELING SETTLED
WASHINGTON DISPUTES
Little Known Incident Involving Presi-
dent Lincoln as Duelist Recalled
by Noted Journalist.

great harnlike mansion Of the British
Minister at N street. past diplomatic
row, the car line sweeps around Du~
pont Circle, almost touching the side
Of Senator Blaine's new house. It
then crosses the bridge into cid
Georgetown. At the ege of George
town the street car horses are
changed. and q new driver takes you
up hin and down until at the head
Of the line, facing the big Georgetown
convent. he drops you almost into the
country's edge. Within O stones
throw Of the convent, lound Mrs.
MeiklehaIns residence, an old-fash.
ioned two-story frame, with a great
porch looking toward the west. It
was partially shut out from view by
q high whitewashed fence which
separated its large yard from the
muddy street. Going through q gate
that sagged on its hinges, I crossed
the lawn, mounted the steps ind rang
the bell. A gray haired servant wom-
an led me into the parlor, took my
card and, returning in a moment, told
me that Mrs. Meikleham would see
me at once.
While am waiting let me ten you
something about the room. 1t is q
large square one filed with furniture
that would make a lover Of antiques
cradly covetous. Some Of the chairs
have come from the Jefferson tnher-
itance Of Monticello, others from the
houses of other great men Of the past,
and those two wide-armed comfort
able mahoganies were used by Louis
XVI and were presented 10 Mrs.
Meikleham by her uncle, Gouverneur
Morris. just beside the jamb of the
fireplace hangs q bag beautifully en-
broidered. the clasp Of which was q
present from Dolly Madison, who
really loved Septimia when she was q
girl and was often at the White
House, and who gave her first lessons
in the art of embroidery. The prints
on the walls, the antique tables, the
embroidered chair covers, all have a
history and If each could speak, It
could tell volumes Of the unwritten
legends Of the great men Of the land.
As was thinking thus. Mrs.
Meikleham entered. A tall well formed
woman with q fine, open face, bright
blue eyes and rosy cheeks, she looked so
rather than 10 years Of age. Her
face is plump and almost free from
wrinkles. Her forehead Is broad and
high, partaking somewhat Of the
characteristics Of her grandfather,
and her auburn hair, the same color
as Jefferson's, and as yet not greatly
mixed with gray, is combed down
behind her ears in the good old style
Of the past. As I looked ct her I
thought her one Of the handsomest
old ladies I had ever seen. Her cos
tune correSponded with the refine
ment of her face and her surround
ings. A black cashmere dress, simply
made, was finished at the neck with.
white kerchief which was tucked In
at the bosom, and o pretty lace cap
was worn atop her auburn hair.
Mrs. Meikleham greeted me and
talked freely about her congressional
bill in sweet, strong voice. She was
much hurt and disappointed by the
action of Congress. Not that she felt
so on the basis Of q refused charity.
She did not ask for the appropriation
ON that ground, she said. As far a.
that was concerned she was willing
to take her chances with the rest Of
suffering humanity, but she thought
q eight had been cast upon the name
Of Jefferson, whom she referred TO es
being the civil father Of his country
as much as Washington Is the military
father. She felt that O gift from the
people of the United States 10 one Of
Jefferson,s descendants was due by
the country in gratitude for what it
had received.
And then she talked about her cir
cumstances, more In response to my
questioning than voluntarily, and I
felt ashamed for my country as she
told the story which bears out the old
saying about the ingratitude Of re-
puhlicS.
Septimia Meikleham's mother was
Martha Jefferson, the Presidents ia
vorite daughter, who was with him
during the whole Of his life, who ad-
ministered the honors Of the White
House while he was present, and who
took care of him In his old age until
he died at Monticello, leaving large
estate to be swallowed up by the debts
he owed. Two years after Jefferson's
death, Martha Jefferson's husband,
Thomas Mann Randolph, Ex-Governor
Of Virginia, died and left his wife
with IS children to care for, most Of
whom were at the most expensive age.
OF these Septimia, then IA, was the
eleventh child and the seventh daugh-
ter. The circumstances Of the family
were such that Martha jefferson was
thinking Of opening female seminary
at Monticello, but before the thought
became action, the two States Of South
Carolina and Louisiana had presented
SIC, 900 each to her, and on this money
she lived to the day Of her death,
when the remainder was divided
among the flve daughters then living.
The family dwelt for some time In
Washington, and during Andrew Jack
sons administration Septimia was O
great favorite at the White House.
Mrs. Meikleham met her husband In
Cuba, where she had gone as O girl
to benefit her health. He was an
eminent doctor from Glasgow, well
known TO scientists. After she mar
ried him she lived well and money
was plenty. Her husband died on the
high road to fortune, but left no es-
tate. After his death, Mrs. Meikle-
ham lived for some time abroad. It
Is only a few years ago that she re-
turned here and settled In the house
where she now dwells. She has two
grown daughters and Q son with her
now. One Of the daughters Is q clerk
IN one Of the departments, her wages
keeping the family. The other daugh-
ter Is IN fra1 health and the son has
asked for q place under the Govern
ment, but has been refused. Truly,
these are hard lines for the the
descendants Of one Of the greatest men
America has ever seen.