Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1891 — FROM AFFLUENCE TO POVERTY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FROM AFFLUENCE TO POVERTY

m 4 Career as the Widow of Michigan's »Boy GoTormrr." There is living in Cleveland, in seclusion and poverty, a woman who claims that in her veins runs the

blood royal of Russia, who has been the wife of an American Governor and the hostess of an American President. She isMrs. Pauline Mason; widow of Stevens Ti Mason, the “boy Governor" of Michigan-. She was born in Pennsylvania seventy

years ago, of Russian parents. Her grandfather, General Reauffanoff, was Commander-in-chief of the Russian army under Alexander I. For service's to the French and Russians he was- granted a large estate, which latter became a part of Holland. The father ®t Mrs, Mason, according to the' story sto# tells, was educated at Zurich auMl became an associate of Alexander 11. of Russia. While she was yet a chiM Mrs. Mason’s father was killed: in an® accident and an unole cared' for her. This uncle was a professor of mining engineering in>ai Philadelphia institution of learning and oa® of his pupils was Stevens- Masons afterward Governor of Michigan. After Mr. Mason became Governor he employed Mrs. Mason’s uncle to study the mineral deposits of the Upper Peninsula of Miohigam Mrs. Mason, just graduated from ai convent, went with him and in Detroit met and married the young Governor. Mrs, Mason was well to do. until a- number of years ago she lbst all her property through the failure of hanks. She has since supported herself by the practice of medicine and is reputed to be skillful. She exhibits a letter written by Emperor Paul and two from Napoleon. She retains as heirlooms, articles from the Reauffanoff Castle and gifts from European potentates.

MRS. PAULINE MASON.