Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/298

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Women from the Time of Mary Washington
265


Europe for diversion and resignation by change of scene. Congress, in 1870, voted her a pension of $3,000 a year. After her return to the United States in 1880, she again took up her residence with her sister, Mrs. Edwards, in Springfield, Illinois, but her mind was so unsettled that it was found necessary to place her in a private asylum. Congress increased her pension to $5,000 and added a gratuity of $1,500, so that she might be properly provided for. She paid little attention to anything, her mind seeming to be a blank as to what was going on about her, and on the night of the 15th of July, 1882, she was stricken with paralysis and died on the 16th, and her remains were deposited beside those of President Lincoln and her children in the Lincoln monument vault at Springfield, Illinois.

ELIZA McCARDLE JOHNSON.

Eliza McCardle, wife of Andrew Johnson, was the daughter of a widow. She was a beautiful girl who had had some opportunities of education and was considered quite an advanced scholar. She was married to Mr. Johnson when seventeen years of age and entered with much enthusiasm upon the labor of assisting him in the acquirement of his ambition. He was a poor boy, his chief capital consisting of high aspirations and indomitable energy. While he was struggling with poverty as a tailor his loyal wife knew no abatement in her energy and vigilance in taking advantage of every opportunity to advance her husband's fortunes. They resided in Greenville, Tennessee, near a college, and the intercourse with the students in the college served to keep alive Mr. Johnson's eagerness for the acquisition of an education. Mrs. Johnson being very popular with these young students, they made many visits to their modest but hospitable home where, without knowing it they aided Mr. and Mrs. Johnson in their