Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/333

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Part Taken by Women in American History


a great interest in legislation putting the rights of womankind on a much more just basis than had hitherto existed. It is owing to her efforts and those of some of her intimates that a law was enacted by Congress which wiped out the hideous monstrosity of a father having power through his will to bequeath away from the control and care of the mother who bore it, a minor child. On June 29, 1906, while accompanying her husband, who was then commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, on a tour over the United States, and while being escorted around the city of Helena in an automobile ride, there was an accident, resulting in the upsetting of the machine and the fatal injuring of Mrs. Tanner, who died on the spot forty minutes later. By the personal direction of President Roosevelt and because of the great interest she had always taken in behalf of the veterans of the Civil War, a beautiful plot was assigned to her in the National Cemetery at Arlington alongside of the main thoroughfare, near the auditorium, where, on each recurring Memorial Day, the waves of oratory and music will roll above her last resting place. This seems all the more appropriate by reason of the fact that prior to her time, interment in the National Cemetery of wives or widows of private soldiers had been prohibited. Against this prohibition she had made strong protest, and had secured the kindly and favorable interest of General Robert Shaw Oliver, assistant Secretary of War. After her death General Oliver, while acting Secretary of War, issued the order which annulled the long time prohibition. There her remains were laid to rest on the 5th of July, 1906, and over them her husband's comrades erected a beautiful memorial. With large work, well done on a high plane, her place, as one of those women because of whose living the world is better, is secured for all time.

MRS. LUKE E. WRIGHT.

Wife of the ex-Secretary of War was Miss Kate Semmes, daughter of Admiral Semmes, C. S. N. Mrs. Wright is one of the many charming Southern women who have served in the official social coterie at Washington. Mrs. Wright is an experienced hostess and versatile woman, and wherever her lines have been cast she has taken a leading place in society. Mrs. Wright is the mother of three sons, who were in service during the Spanish-American War; and two daughters, one of whom is Mrs. John H. Watkins, of New York, and the other, Mrs. Palmer.

AMEY WEBB WHEELER.

Mrs. Amey Webb Wheeler was born in Providence, Rhode Island. Her father's name was Henry Aborn Webb; her mother's, Amey Gorham Webb. She is descended from Roger Williams and Gregory Dexter. Married June 24, 1881, Benjamin Ide Wheeler, the distinguished university professor. Mrs. Wheeler lived in Germany for four years; one year at Harvard (1885-6); at Cornell University, 1886-99, and since 1899, at Berkeley, California.

MRS. MARTIN.

The wife of a former instructor in the Harvard Aeronautical Society and later instructor in the Grahame-White School of Aviation in France. Though