Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1878 — LEWIS CASS’ ONLY SON. [ARTICLE]

LEWIS CASS’ ONLY SON.

The Ronunce in the Life of the Moat Besutlftal Daughter of Michigan. [From the Detroit News.] Emily V. Mason was reputed to be the most beautiful woman in the Northwest. Her family were patrician and all her associations were elevated. In 1838, 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 T. Mason, became the first Governor, and she presided over the household and dispensed a liberal and graceful hospitality. The gubernatorial mansion was the center of the culture and fashion of the Northwest, and Miss Mason was at the head of the society of the Wolverine metropolis. While Miss Mason was discharging the duties of first lady of the State, Maj. Lewis Cass was at West Point During his vacations 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 summoned the courage to propose. The sudden death of Gov. Mason and the breaking up cf the Mason homestead and the reverse that followed obliged Miss Mason to look about for means of support She was a gjrl 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 commercial foresight, and soon enjoyed abundant prosperity. She supported herself and her orphaned nieces in elegant style, worked hard, and acquired a competence.

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 hospitals. 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 in Pennsylvania avenue was the resort of some of the most brilliant men and women in the capital. She occupied a position in one of the Government offices for a time, and everywhere commanded respect and admiration. She finally took up her residence in Paris.

Many years before this Maj. Cass had established himself in the French capital, and had become a Frenchman in his tastes and methods 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 that 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 S2OO, 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 $6,000, three diamond rings, which the testator dearly prized, and makes her the joint executrix of the instrument.