Year: 1878

The Detroit NelDs gives the following
romantic history of the life of the most
beautiful daughter of Michigan, and the
only son of Gen. Lewis Cass:


emily V. Mason was reputed to be
the most beautiful woman in the North
west. Her family were patrician and
all her associations we're elevated. In
1888, when her father was secretary of
the territory of Michigan, she enjoyed
a political as well as a social distinction,
and later, when Michigan was erected
into a state, her brother, Stevens 7.
Mason, became its first governor, and
she presided over the household and
dispensed liberal and graceful hospi-
tality. The gubernatorial mansion was
the center of the culture and fashions
of the northwest, and Miss Mason was
at the head of the society of the VOL
VERNE metropolis.


While Miss Mason was discharging
the duties Of first lady of the state,
Major Lewis Cass was at West Point.
During his vacation he visited his home
and was thrown much into the society
of the brilliant Emily. He was younger
than she, and if he was smitten by her
beauty and accomplishments, he never
sunmond the courage to propose.


The sudden death of Governor Mason
and the breaking up of the Mason home
stead, and the reverse that followed,
Obliged Miss Mason to look about for
means of support. She was girl of
proud, independent spirit, and with the
remains of her property she purchased
a market farm in Fairfax county, Va,
and began business like a practical
woman. She developed energy and COM
mercial foresight, and soon enjoyed
abundant prosperity. She supported her
sell and her orphaned nieces in elegant
style, worked hard, and acquired COM
petence.


At the outbreak of the civil war her
home was one of the most delightful in
all Virginia, and she was enabled to
devote a considerable portion Of time to
literature. The. war, however, scattered
her fortune to the winds, and left her all
but destitute. She was now a fully
matured woman, over 40 years of age,
strong, resolute, and energetic. Driven
from her home, she went to Richmond
and became a nurse in the hospital.
The federal prisoners who came under
her ministrations were objects Of her
especial care.


On the close of the war she devoted
herself to the education of Southern
orphans, and published several works of
an educational character. She dwelt IN
Washington for a while, and her home
on Pennsylvania avenue was the resort
of some of the most brilliant men and
women IN the capital. She occupied
position in one of the government offices
for time, and everywhere commanded
resnecf and admiration. She finally took
up her residence in Paris.


Many years before this Major Cass
had established himself in the French
capital, and had become a Frenchman
in his tastes and method of life. The
two met, and the concealed passion OF
early years, rekindled in the breast of
the old gentleman, led him to offer Miss
Mason his hand and fortune, but she
said that she had resolved never to
marry, and the Major asked her to do
him the honor of granting him her
friendship. Then until his death, which
occurred rather suddenly, Miss Mason
was his companion in the friendship in
which the French in the decline Of life
know so well how to associate, and she
closed his eyes and took charge of his
remains. Under the terms of his will
his body was embalmed and brought to
Michigan. A plain tomb, to cost not
more than $500, will mark the resting
place of Lewis Cass, the self-expatriated
descendant of Michigan's greatest son.
The will of Major Cass bequeaths to
Miss Mason $1,000, three diamond rings,
which the testator dearly priced, and
makes her the joint executrix of the
instrument.