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a I C ' 
 
 
 BIOGRAPHY 
 
 OF 
 
 MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 
 
 BY 
 
 M. L. WILSON 
 
 1904 
 
 AMERICAN TRIBUNE PRINTERY 
 
 NEWARK, OHIO 
 
T 
 
 
 )fls 
 
 
TO 
 
 MR. JAMES STEELE CATHERWOOD, THE DEVOTED 
 
 HUSBAND, AND TO THEIR AFFECTIONATE 
 
 DAUGHTER HAZEL, IS THIS BOOK 
 
 RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IN the preparation of this volume the writer 
 has felt his inability to do full justice to the 
 sterling qualities of character and brilliant 
 genius of this accomplished and successful writer. 
 But since the duty and privilege seem, in an 
 orderly way, to devolve upon him he has given to 
 it his best thoughts and has sought to give accur- 
 ate statements and convey correct impressions of 
 her struggles and attainments in her literary 
 career. 
 
 When he first met the little aspiring country 
 girl, her diffident manner, yet pleasing and reso- 
 lute countenance appealed to his most favorable 
 consideration. At that time he did not compre- 
 hend the volume of energy and aplomb wrapped 
 up in that apparently delicate frame. Neither 
 did he dream that the day would come when her 
 name would be enrolled among the leading liter- 
 ary writers of America; nor that he would live to 
 be called upon to write her Biography. 
 
 Whatever pleasure he derives from the good 
 fortune which made it possible for him to render 
 her some material assistance in her early struggles 
 is more than counterbalanced by the humiliating 
 thought that he could have — and should have — 
 done much more. 
 
 Herein is a lesson of infinite significance. The 
 
opportunity of beneficence comes to every one; 
 every day helpful possibilities confront every one. 
 If in no other way, in patience, in forgiveness, 
 forbearance, a loving or kind word or smile that 
 may brighten the gloom of some dark day. 
 Happy those whose thoughtfulness and will em- 
 brace such opportunities, thus enriching and 
 ennobling their own character. Churlish or care- 
 less those who disregard these occasions when 
 they come to them, and say: "Am I my brother's 
 keeper ?" All are in a degree remiss, but it is the 
 hope of the writer of the Biography of Mary 
 Hartwell Catherwood that her worth and accom- 
 plishments may come to the reader as a bright 
 and shining light along life's dark and brush- 
 encumbered way. 
 
 Credit should be given the Hoopeston (111.) 
 Chronicle for much of the matter relating to the 
 funeral obsequies. In all other matter due credit, 
 it is hoped will be found in the body of this 
 work, except in relation to that noble Christian 
 gentleman Prof. W. P. Kerr, to whom more 
 praise is due. Frequent visits to the college 
 during his administration gave evidence of his 
 helpful disposition to everyone, and especially 
 did Miss Hartwell often express her appreciation 
 of his kindness. 
 
 M. L. W. 
 
■^^^ 
 
 MRS. MARY HARTWELL, CATHERWOOD, 
 
 Born in Ljuray, Ohio, December 16, 1847 
 Died in Chicago, Illinois, December 26, 1902. 
 
CHAPTER ONE. 
 
 "Life's more than breath and the quick round 
 blood; 'Tis a great spirit and a busy brain. We 
 live in deeds, not in years; in thoughts, not in 
 breaths; in feelings, not in figures on the dial 
 Should we count them by heart throbs, He most 
 lives who thinks most, feels most, and acts 
 best." 
 
 In many of our Public Libraries, as 
 well as in the homes of the better class 
 of citizens in the United States and Can- 
 ada, may be found the literary works of 
 Mary Hartwell Catherwood. 
 
 Her mental endowments, supported 
 by a fixed purpose and indomitable will 
 broke down the barriers of poverty and 
 the restricting environment of her girl- 
 hood days, and through the wilderness 
 of opposing influences she battled her 
 way to "the promised land" of literary 
 fame. The encomiums of the press, and 
 
8 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 words of praise from the eminent in the 
 field of letters, attest her accomplish- 
 ments and merit. 
 
 MARY HARTWELL was the 
 daughter of Dr. Marcus and Pheba 
 Hartwell, and was born in the village of 
 Luray, Licking County, Ohio, Decem- 
 ber 1 6, 1847. Dr. Hartwell was of 
 Scotch-Irish ancestry, and came to 
 Licking County, Ohio, with his parents, 
 when he was quite young. His boy- 
 hood days were spent upon his father's 
 farm, but when nearing his majority he 
 followed his inclinations and took up the 
 study of medicine and surgery, chiefly 
 with Dr. Thrall, of Kirkersville, Ohio, as 
 his preceptor. He subsequently gradu- 
 ated from the Starling Medical College, 
 Columbus, Ohio, in the class of 1846. A 
 short time before completing his studies 
 and receiving his diploma, he was unit- 
 ed in marriage to Miss Pheba, daughter 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Thompson of He- 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 9 
 
 bron, Ohio, and engaged in practice in 
 Luray, in the same county, where he 
 lived for nearly ten years, and where 
 two children were born to them, — Mary 
 and Roxana. 
 
 About 1856 Dr. Hartwell removed 
 with his family to Milford, Illinois, 
 where he purchased a comfortable home 
 and continued in practice. Still young, 
 vigorous, and energetic, his fondest 
 hopes seemed in a way to be realized; 
 but the hard service, the broad sweep of 
 the bleak prairie winds, and incident ex- 
 posure, were too much for even his 
 strong constitution. He contracted a 
 severe cold, which resulted in pneumonia, 
 from which (on account, it is alleged, of 
 inexperienced medical attention) he died 
 within one year after locating at Mil- 
 ford. Taken from his little family at a 
 time when they so much needed his 
 strong and helpful spirit to counsel and 
 support them, his death was a calamity 
 which only those who have suffered 
 
10 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 such bereavement can fully realize. 
 
 Shortly after the death of her hus- 
 band, Mrs. Hartwell gave birth to a 
 son, who was given the name of Mar- 
 cus, for his father. The loss she had sus- 
 tained in the death of her husband, to 
 whom she had clung as does the ivy to 
 the oak, was more than the wife could 
 bear; and only a few months elapsed, 
 after her husband's body had been con- 
 signed to the grave, when she too sick- 
 ened and died, — leaving three orphan 
 children. The older two, Mary and 
 Roxana, though yet quite young, were 
 old enough deeply to feel their lonely 
 condition. 
 
 It may be remarked here that the 
 graves of the parents, in the little ceme- 
 tery of Milford, never lacked for care 
 from the subject of this Biography; and 
 in after years it was her custom to visit 
 the spot, once or twice each year, to see 
 that the graves were properly cared for, 
 and to decorate them with flowers be- 
 
MARY HAI^TWELL CATHERWOOD 11 
 
 clewed with memory's filial tears. She 
 also had a neat and appropriate monu- 
 ment placed at the graves. 
 
 The Children Are Taken to the Home of 
 Their Maternal Grandparents. 
 
 Upon the death of Dr. Hartwell and 
 his wife, Mr. Jesse Thompson, their 
 maternal grandfather, had himself ap- 
 pointed guardian of the three children, 
 and took them to his home in Hebron, 
 Ohio. Mr. Cyrus Hartwell, the doc- 
 tor's brother, was appointed adminis- 
 trator of the estate; but in the adjust- 
 ment of affairs and payment of inci- 
 dental expenses, it was found that the 
 children were left in very limited cir- 
 cumstances. 
 
 While enjoying the educational ad- 
 vantages of the pubHc schools in her 
 new home, there was little in it to en- 
 courage intellectual development, or to 
 favor the aspirations so firmly implanted 
 
12 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 in the mind of Miss Hartwell. Hebron 
 was her home for some years, including 
 all its joys and disturbing influences; 
 and while she avers that a literary spirit 
 possessed her from her earliest recollec- 
 tion, here is where her literary career 
 had its special unfolding. Her aspira- 
 tions craved a mental growth and 
 activity beyond the restrictions to which 
 she was subjected and the almost insur- 
 mountable obstacles that confronted her. 
 With ideality and sublimity largely de- 
 veloped in her mental composition, she 
 was constantly making verses, and a 
 Miss Sharer of Hebron, who was one of 
 her early school-mates, says: 
 
 "I think it was before Mary was ten years af 
 age that she wrote a poem for our school paper 
 (of which I was chosen editor), entitled, "Will- 
 etta," which was so remarkably bright for one 
 so youthful that I preserved the paper it was 
 written on, and have it to this day." 
 
 Mary was endowed with an inher- 
 ent force of reflection and comparison 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 13 
 
 which from the first beat against the 
 bars of expression with irresistible 
 force; and undoubtedly she maintained 
 a close proximity to the truth when an 
 inquirer once asked her, "How old were 
 you when you first felt the impulse to 
 write?" Her reply, given in a jesting 
 way, was, ''I think it must have been 
 when I was in my cradle." 
 
 She was neither slothful nor indolent, 
 but vivacious and happy in the partici- 
 pation of childish sports; yet inclination 
 and ambition made her a close and dili- 
 gent student at school, and when she 
 was but thirteen years of age she ob- 
 tained a teacher's certificate. Her youth- 
 ful appearance, however, prevented her 
 securing a position until the following 
 year. 
 
 The School-Teacher's Experience. 
 
 Miss Hartwell taught her first school 
 in Jtteey township, in her native county. 
 
14 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 The school-building stood in an old or- 
 chard near country road-crossings, and 
 was a one-story frame building. A 
 large stove occupied the center of the 
 room, and long wooden benches were 
 provided for seats, with sloping writing 
 places on each side. Here she earned 
 the first money she could call her own. 
 
 It was the custom in this district at 
 this time, and one that still prevails in 
 many rural districts, to pay the teachers 
 a stipulated sum per month, and board 
 them with the families for such a time 
 as accorded with the number of pupils 
 sent by each family to the school, — 
 which practice was called "boarding 
 'round." One evening, as Judge Green, 
 — one of the district school directors 
 (a^n'd who was also one of the best 
 known citizens of the county) who had 
 been instrumental in securing Miss 
 Hartwell the school, — was driving to- 
 ward his home, he overtook the young- 
 teacher. She was walking slowly along 
 
MARY HAI^rWELL CATHERWOOD 15 
 
 the frozen road-way, in an apparently 
 self-absorbed or dejected mood. The 
 winter night's shadows were falling; the 
 day had been a trying one, such as all 
 teachers will at times experience; weary, 
 hungry, and depressed, it is not surpris- 
 ing that in her lonely walk her dejected 
 appearance should indicate her mental 
 condition. But the sun always appears 
 brighter when it emerges from a cloud, 
 and human experience teaches that sea- 
 sons of depression, disappointment, and 
 sorrow are often the precursors of radi- 
 ant joy. It was Miss HartwelFs good 
 fortune to realize this, in this instance. 
 After bidding her a pleasant ''good 
 evening," Judge Green inquired where 
 she was going; to which the youthful 
 teacher replied, — 
 
 ''That's a query I've been trying my- 
 self to solve. I have just left the house 
 
 of Mr. ., which in order is the place 
 
 where I was to be entertained next, and 
 my reception was not in the least agree- 
 
16 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 able. I was not only coldly received, 
 but was told by the madam that they 
 could not take me, and that I must find 
 some other place. The family was seated 
 at the table, and I was neither invited 
 to their meal nor offered a chair." 
 
 "How did you feel just then?" in- 
 quired the judge. 
 
 "I felt that I was dismissed, and took 
 my leave unceremoniously. Now I am 
 puzzled about where next to apply." 
 
 The reply of the judge was such as to 
 drive away all gloom, hunger, and fa- 
 tigue from the young teacher's mind. 
 
 "Well, young lady," said he, "you 
 just take a seat in my buggy, and I 
 guess you will find some one ready to 
 receive you. I'm sure supper is waiting 
 at home, and you will be cordially wel- 
 comed by my wife and daughter." 
 
 It was, as he had assured her; and 
 with this family she always found a 
 home to which she could turn for 
 cheer, comfort, and assistance. Mrs. 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 17 
 
 Green became to her as a mother, their 
 daughter Seba as a sister, and Judge 
 Green ever after held her affection and 
 esteem as a father. 
 
 In a letter received from the latter he 
 says : 
 
 "On one occasion, when Mary was staying 
 with us, we drove to a near-by station to meet 
 an old aunt of mine, who came to make us a 
 visit. Mary and the children were with us. On 
 returning, the aunt inquired if these children 
 were all mine. I said 'Yes, all mine.' Mary told 
 me afterward how glad she was to hear me say 
 that, for now she felt she had a father. Ever 
 after that she called me 'father.' " 
 
 Had Miss Hartwell's inclinations led 
 her to adopt teaching as a profession, 
 she would have been eminently success- 
 ful, as she inherited those qualities which 
 insure confidence and respect from chil- 
 dren. As an instance of her good judg- 
 ment it may be related that during the 
 winter of 1863, when she had nearly 
 reached her sixteenth year, she engaged 
 
18 BIOGRATHY OF 
 
 to teach in a district in which there were 
 some mischievous boys who were hard 
 to control. In this school, as is usual in 
 such cases, there was one boy who was 
 the leader. He was older than the 
 
 teacher, and insinuated by his conduct 
 that he was too old and too advanced in 
 his studies to be instructed by her. He 
 also committed violations of order, es- 
 pecially indulging in sHghtly whistling 
 at his studies, which became infectious. 
 For a time she gave only general admo- 
 nition, which had but temporary effect. 
 Instead of showing anger, and resorting 
 to corporal punishment, or reporting to 
 the school-directors, she, one afternoon, 
 requested this young man to tarry after 
 school was dismissed. Then, when the 
 scholars had retired, she took a seat 
 near him, and in a kindly way told him 
 something of her life struggle and what 
 it was her ambition to accomplish. 
 
 ''Now, 'Con,' " she said, "I want to 
 teach this school successfully, so that I 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 1 
 
 can take a course in college and be pre- 
 pared for the work I hope to do. I know 
 you want to be a gentleman and not a 
 rowdy. Now, you can help me, or you 
 can spoil my dearest ambition, by mak- 
 ing me fail as a teacher. If I lose this 
 school, I may not be able to get another, 
 and I will not believe you want to spoil 
 my hopes by making my efforts here a 
 failure." 
 
 This appeal to the young man's reason 
 and better nature was successful. He 
 begged her pardon for all his miscon- 
 duct; and she not only had no further 
 trouble with the school, but he after- 
 ward did all he cotild to assist her, es- 
 pecially in mathematics, in which he was 
 most proficient, and which she always 
 confessed was her weak point at that 
 time. Now for the sequel. During the 
 summer of 1902, after a lapse of nearly 
 forty years, and after the publication of 
 "Lazarre," Mrs. Catherwood received 
 a letter from a prominent business man 
 
20 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 of Findlay, Ohio, referring to the above 
 incident, saying he was the blue-eyed 
 ])oy who attended the school of such a 
 place, and who gave her so much 
 trouble until she had appealed to his 
 honor and manhood. He said he had 
 watched her career, and read her books 
 as they came out, and was proud of her 
 accomplishments ! 
 
 The Biographer Makes the Acquaintance 
 OF Miss Hartwell. 
 
 It was when Miss Hartwell was about 
 fifteen years of age that the writer first 
 became personally acquainted with her. 
 As publisher of the ''Newark (Ohio) 
 American," he received from her some 
 short poems and local news items which 
 sparkled like the glint of a genuine dia- 
 mond. Some weeks elapsed, when, 
 upon invitation, she called at my office. 
 I was not prepared to see a person of 
 such youthful appearance, and told her 
 so. She was of medium height, hght 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 21 
 
 brown hair, dark blue eyes, slenderly 
 built, very plainly but neatly dressed, 
 modest and retiring to diffidence. The 
 interview terminated agreeably to both 
 parties, including an agreement between 
 us that she should continue her contri- 
 butions and correspondence. 
 
 In the early part of the summer of 
 1863, she wrote a poem entitled "Poca- 
 hontas," which so impressed me with its 
 bright thoughts and original concep- 
 tions, that, with her approval, I for- 
 warded it to the publishers of a chil- 
 dren's magazine in Philadelphia, and in 
 due time received a two dollar bill and a 
 fifty cent fractional note. This I handed 
 to her, and it was the first money she re- 
 ceived directly for her literary efforts. 
 Small as was this amount, it was ac- 
 cepted with as much delight as she ex- 
 perienced in after years, when her pro- 
 ductions were eagerly demanded, and 
 liberal cheques followed their accept- 
 ance. 
 
22 BIOGRATHY OF 
 
 In her early years Miss Hartwell wrote 
 little else than poetry, some of which dis- 
 closed the soul of genius , conspicuously 
 and w^hich afterward shone in her liter- 
 ary work; but believing she would find 
 more popular favor in the line of her am- 
 bition, I advised her to apply herself to 
 prose, and especially to ''story-telling." 
 
 Among her earlier poems, I have be- 
 fore me a copy of "The Voice," (then 
 published by the writer) for December, 
 1863, containing a poem entitled 'The 
 Broken Hearted," by Mary Hartwell; 
 also a copy of "The Newark (O.) Amer- 
 ican," bearing date July 8, 1864, con- 
 taining a touching tribute "To Ira M. 
 Marsh of Company H, 31st O. V. L, 
 who was killed at the battle of Ressacca, 
 Georgia, May 16, 1864, with whom she? 
 was intimately acquainted. Her first 
 story was published in "The American," 
 March 25, 1864, entitled "The Hospital 
 Nurse," and evinced the spirit of a suc- 
 cessful story wTiter. 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 23 
 
 Miss Hartwell was uniformly of a 
 bright and happy disposition; but there 
 were times when poverty and her en- 
 vironment griped her, and, so obstructed 
 the path of her aspirations that she 
 would feel, and give expression to, bit- 
 ter reflections and sadness. 
 
 In a personal letter which I received 
 from her March i6, 1864, giving evi- 
 dence that she had met with some un- 
 happ}^ experiences, she said, "I am 
 crossed and thwarted at every turn. I 
 walk in darkness, and the gloom over- 
 whelms me. If there is a God, why am 
 I given these desires to fly, and then 
 have my wings clipped? Has He given 
 me life, only to be cast down and tram- 
 pled in the mud?" 
 
 The reader, I trust, will pardon me if 
 I give a brief extract from my reply, a 
 copy of which I have preserved to this 
 day. 
 
 Newark, Ohio, March 17, 1864. 
 "I reply to yours of yesterday because I have 
 
24 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 the time and inclination. I am glad you tell ms 
 so frankly the feelings you entertain, even if 
 they are agnostic and pessimistic. I will not 
 undertake to mark out any dogmatic Christian 
 course for you. There is within each heart 
 that beats for a higher and purer life a monitor 
 directing, — a star in the East showing the way 
 . . . I only wish to say, you should not pre- 
 sume to speak so lightly of the Divine Being, or 
 dispute His agency in the world or your own 
 life, because you cannot have every pebble re^ 
 moved from your path. You say, 'His hand has 
 not lifted me up, but has cast me down and 
 heaped ashes on me. I must climb up, and if 
 I reach the top I must ascribe it to Providence!' 
 "Now, because your wisdom fails tO' compre- 
 hend the use of trials, or how they may be for 
 your ultimate good, you reject the workings of 
 a higher power. May it not be that you need 
 this discipline to develop that strength of char- 
 acter you require to lift you up, to pull you 
 through difficulties awaiting you in your ca- 
 reer? We must be patient, and let the good we 
 recognize be the door-way to let into our lives 
 things heavenly and divine, if happiness attend 
 our success. Sincerely you frriend, 
 
 "M. L. W." 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 25 
 
 This much is given in order to show 
 something of the workings of Miss 
 Hartwell's mind and the influences t(5 
 which she was subjected at this time. 
 Now, because it is germane, as well as 
 for its pathos and appropriate sentiment, 
 I introduce a poem which she wrote in 
 1867, — three years later. Its length is 
 excusable because of its evident self-ref- 
 erence: 
 
 REBUKED. 
 
 A suns€t view, a spreading land, 
 
 The girl could from that stile command. 
 
 She put the basket out of hand. 
 
 With brows as dark as brooding elf, 
 She leant, a slender weary ®elf. 
 Against the fence's jutting shelf. 
 
 The blood upon her finger-tips 
 
 Had oozed through berries' bruised lips; 
 
 Her eyes were blank with some eclipse. 
 
 "I know the meaning of to be, 
 Much else has not been granted me; 
 I hate this life! I will be free!" 
 
26 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 She looked along the purpling sky. 
 The soul of genius in her eye; 
 Then threw the blanky mantle by. 
 
 Oh, tints and glows of dying day, 
 We never feel what thou wouldst say. 
 That thus the claimed may pass away. 
 
 A voice came in from all around — 
 Was centered to one silent bound — 
 God's voice hath never need of sound. 
 
 She felt the spell of Majesty; 
 
 "I will that thou should'st toil for Me; 
 
 I labored once beyond the sea. 
 
 "My wounds have borne their crimson fruit, 
 Whose seeds must in each heart take root. 
 Be like Me, — wounded; like Me — mute." 
 
 The girl her sad rebuked face 
 
 Raised from the crumbling stile, to trace 
 
 In lighted clouds His robes of grace. 
 
 She took her heavy basket up; 
 Her heart was like a lily cup. 
 Dew-filled, whereof might others sup. 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 27 
 
 *'0n God's good time," she said, "wait I, 
 For He will shape my destiny; 
 His gifts can never buried lie. 
 
 "I have been pitiful with pride. 
 He leads me; I am by His side. 
 I will be meek — I will abide." 
 
CHAPTER TWO. 
 
 "Genius cannot always be imprisoned; She will 
 burst the doors and flash her splendors on the 
 world." 
 
 Miss Hartwell Enters Granville Female 
 Seminary. 
 
 Miss Hartwell's energies were now 
 strenuously directed towards the ways 
 and means of securing a more thorough 
 education. She felt this necessity so 
 deeply that the subject was scarcely ever 
 out of her mind. Without money and, 
 as yet, few friends, young and inexperi- 
 enced, she could see no door-wiay open! 
 to her longing desire. Yet in her impul- 
 sive, determined way, she said: 
 
 "It must be! I feel it as essential to 
 mind as bread and meat to the body." 
 Up to 1865, she had received only such 
 educational advantages as the public 
 
30 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 schools of that day and her Hmited spare 
 time and candle-light afforded. 
 
 The Granville, Ohio, Female College 
 was at this time one of the best con- 
 ducted and most popular educational in- 
 stitutions in the state, and was under 
 the management of Prof. W. P. Kerr. 
 The writer took occasion to inforui 
 Prof. Kerr of Miss Hartwell's worth 
 and ambition; and her foster father. 
 Judge Green (now an octogenarian, and 
 citizen of Battle Creek, Mich.) person- 
 ally interested himself in her behalf. He 
 called upon President Kerr, and as his 
 own daughter would enter the school at 
 the same time, he made an arrangement 
 by which Miss Hartwell should be given 
 a four-years' course at the expense of 
 the instituion, until such time as she 
 could liquidate the debt by her Own ef- 
 forts^*-the institution in the mean time 
 being protected by a life-insurance pol- 
 icy. This custom had in other cases 
 been adopted for the purpose of assist- 
 
MARY HAJRTWELL CATHERWOOD 31 
 
 ing those who came well recommended. 
 
 Miss Hartwell's studious habits and 
 close application resulted in the comple- 
 tion of a four-years' course in three 
 years. She not only did this, but later, 
 by her own exertions, paid the debt she 
 had incurerd in so short a time, that, 
 upon receipt of the last and final pay- 
 ment. Dr. Kerr wrote her a very com- 
 plimentary letter, in which he said she 
 had done better, and paid her debt more 
 promptly, than any one educated at the 
 institution upon that plan. She was 
 graduated with honors, but generously 
 relinquished the valedictory to a much 
 esteemed schoolmate. The Granville 
 Female College with its beautiful cam- 
 pus was sold in 1902 to the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church and is now occupied 
 as an old ladies' home. 
 
 During her college years Miss Hart- 
 well was burdened with solicitude for 
 her sister Roxana and her little brother 
 Marcus. In 1867 the writer took Rox- 
 
32 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ana to Cincinnati, placing her in care 
 of the captain of a steamer bound for 
 New Orleans; there she was met by a 
 friend, and by him placed on a 
 steamer for Galveston, where she ar- 
 rived safely, was received by her great 
 aunt, Mrs. Roxana Harrold, and found 
 a pleasant home. Nothing could induce 
 the grandparents at Hebron to part 
 with the boy, and he remained with 
 them until he was twenty-one years of 
 age. 
 
 The following letter gives further in- 
 formation of those whose welfare the 
 subject of this biography had in her 
 thoughts and affections: 
 
 Latoiurell Falls, Oregon, July 29, 1903. 
 Mr. M. L. Wilson: 
 
 Dear Old Friend — I can hardly find words t(j 
 express the surprise and pleasure your letter 
 gave me. I suppose my dear sister has told 
 you of the death of the great-aunt and unci© to 
 whom I was sent when you took me to Cincin- 
 nati on my way to New Orleans and Galveston. 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 33 
 
 We afterward removed to San Francisco, where 
 I met and was married to Mr. J. T. Smith. Soon 
 afterward we came to Oregon. We now have a 
 beautiful island home, on the border of tne 
 Columbia River, near this village. . . . My 
 brother made his home with us for a few year^ 
 past, but now has a residence of his own. 
 Sincerely yours, 
 ROXANA HARTWELL SMITH. 
 
 Of a naturally devotional disposition 
 and a devout admirer of the beautiful 
 and sublime, it could not but be, that 
 notwithstanding her previous want of 
 faith, a religious vein should now assert 
 itself in Miss Hartwell during the asso- 
 ciations of her college life. While at- 
 tending the Granvile school, which was 
 under the directory of the Presbyterian 
 Church, she united with that denomina- 
 tion; and it was here, in 1867, she wrote 
 the poem already given. 
 
 On the completion of her college 
 course, and in possession of her diploma, 
 Miss Hartwell realized that she had not 
 yet finished her education, but that she 
 
34 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 had only taken one more step on the 
 iip-reaching ladder of her ambition. She 
 was impressed with the fact that grad- 
 uates of our educational institutions 
 have only made the necessary prepara- 
 tion for matriculation in the World's 
 University. On that Commencement 
 day's closing exercises of 1868, she 
 stood upon the rugged cliffs of Parnas- 
 sus, facing a busy throng into which she 
 must enter, and alone carve her way to 
 fame and fortune, if they were ever to be 
 her's. Confronting her was a debt of' 
 eight hundred dollars. How was she to 
 meet the ocean tide of life with so frail 
 a barque? To a heart less strong there 
 might have been faltering and failure; 
 but to one who had already acquired 
 courage from the buffeting of earlier 
 days, and who had overcome difficulties 
 from her infancy, the heart-beats only 
 came the quicker and the purpose only 
 grew the stronger. 
 
 After a few weeks, during which she 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 35 
 
 devoted her time to some literary work, 
 and to the pleasures of home-life with 
 the family of Judge Green (with whom 
 it had been her custom to spend part of 
 her vacation days during her college 
 course), Miss Hartwell, with her room- 
 mate. Miss Anna Hoff, through the in- 
 strumentality of Mr. William Lyon, a: 
 member of the School Board, secured 
 positions as teachers in the public 
 schools of Granville. Dr. W. C. Davies, 
 who was Superintendent of the schools 
 at that time speaks in especially high 
 praise of Miss Hartwell's scholastic qual- 
 ifications, and of her social and literary 
 accomplishments. Judge Swartz, of 
 
 Newark, Ohio, says he became quite 
 well acquainted with Miss Hartwell from 
 being one of a class in German to which 
 she belonged. 'The characteristics," he 
 says, "which impressed him most 
 strongly, were her wonderful memory, 
 vivacity, and charming manner as a con- 
 versationalist, commanding both atten- 
 
36 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 tion and respect." Mr. Frederick Clat- 
 worthy, now of Evanston, Illinois, re- 
 lates that he was a student of Denison 
 University, contemporaneous with Miss 
 Hartwell's attendance at the ''Lower 
 Sem.", and says: 'The Granville Fe- 
 male College never graduated a 
 brighter, truer, or more aspiring girl 
 than Mary Hartwell. She was full of 
 that kind of lofty ambition which, to the 
 observing, always gives promise of a 
 successful life. A splendid example she 
 was for boys and girls who, despite early 
 bereavements and disadvantages, re- 
 solve to win by character, ambition and 
 industry." 
 
 After the expiration of the school- 
 year in Granville, Miss Hartwell and 
 Miss Hoff accepted similar positions iri 
 the public schools of Danville, Illinois, 
 the former devoting her leisure hours to 
 newspaper correspondence and other lit- 
 erary work. 
 
 In the meantime, Miss Cornelia Hart- 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 37 
 
 well her father's sister, had been 
 married to Mr. Allen T. Cather- 
 wood, of Hoopeston, Illinois, and 
 another sister of her father, now Mrs. 
 Hattie Devolt, resided there; and it was 
 while Mary was on a visit to her aunts 
 that she made the acquaintance of her 
 future husband. 
 
 In 1873, Miss Hartwell made a trip to 
 Galveston, Texas, for the purpose of 
 visiting Mrs. Harrold (her great-aunt) 
 and her sister Roxana. But it is as well 
 to let the letter she writes to her fostef 
 sister, Mrs. Seba Virginia Taylor, tell of 
 this. Her letter is dated Galveston, 
 Texas, February 14: 
 
 I have been here some time, and shall return 
 by way of Mississippi River. I came down here 
 by rail, via Mobile. My impressions of the re- 
 finement and culture of society here would not 
 be pleasant reading. My trip, however, was 
 sujp'erb. . . . Have been down toi the beach, 
 and collected many beautiful shells. O, Verge, 
 nothing can describe the sea! I lie awake every 
 
38 BIOGRATHY OF 
 
 night looking at long strips of it, glittering in 
 the moonlight, until I fall asleep. . . . This 
 is an awfully expensive place toi live in. I will 
 not try to enumerate the various expenses, but 
 it is enough to ruin a poor man to pitch his tent 
 here. My sister Roxy is so improved you would 
 hardly know her. . . . 
 
 Sincerely your friend, 
 
 MARY. 
 
 After returning North, Miss Hartwell 
 wrote many short articles, chiefly stories 
 for children; and subsequently going to 
 New York, she wrote for "LesHe's" and 
 other Eastern publications, making her 
 home, for most of the time, at Newberg- 
 on-the-Hudson. Sometime later she 
 was induced to go to Cincinnati, where 
 she wrote for the ''Ladies' Repository," 
 and "Golden Hours." But here, too, 
 her letter to her friend, Mrs. Taylor, 
 will best give an account of her doings: 
 
 17 Smith Street, Cincinnati, O., 
 July 9, 1875. 
 Dear Verge — I suppose you think me a wretch 
 for my neglect, but I am not. I think of you, 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 39 
 
 if I do not write you. You see I have such a 
 busy life I can't keep up correspondence except 
 with my publishers and "my boy." My sister is 
 now in San Francisco. Miss Osborne and I 
 came here in May. She edits "Golden Hours," 
 while I write for it and for New York publica-* 
 tions, and receive many compliments from New 
 York editors. Do you see my second book, "Be- 
 fore I die," now running in "Hearth and 
 Home?" 
 
 How are the grandfather and mothers Conine 
 and Green? I wonder if all those good old folks 
 have forgotten me? MARY. 
 
 Miss Hartwell's success with her chil- 
 dren's stories, and stimulated by the ad-^ 
 vice of friends, determined her to de- 
 vote her talents and energies to the pro- 
 duction of matter for more advanced 
 readers. In this she was persevering 
 with her usual success, when the "panic" 
 of 1873 to 1877 drove many pubhshers 
 out of business, among them some of 
 those who gave her most employment. 
 The result was that she was compelled 
 to find new mediums for her mental ef- 
 
40 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 forts. Time was passing, but in its on- 
 ward flight it always had some promis- 
 ing event in store for her, and she cheer- 
 fully accepted a lifetime engagement. 
 
 Her Marriage. 
 
 The acquaintance which Miss Hart- 
 well had made while visiting her rela- 
 tives in Illinois resulted in a life-attach- 
 ment; and on December 2y, 1877, she 
 was happily married to Mr. James Steele 
 Catherwood, the ceremony taking place 
 at the house on the Perkins farm near 
 the village of Hoopeston, Illinois. 
 Shortly afterward they went to Fairfield, 
 Indiana, where Mr. Catherwood's bus- 
 iness demanded his attention. While 
 here, Mrs. Catherwood again remem- 
 bers her girlhood friend to whom she re- 
 lates her changed circumstances. Un- 
 der dajte of February 17, 1878, she 
 writes: 
 
 We came directly here, where Mr. Cather- 
 wood was in business, and we now expect to 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 41 
 
 remove to Indianapolis in about six months. . . 
 My sister Roxy now lives in Oregon. When in 
 Cincinnati I met our old schoolmate, M — T — . 
 She was quite polished and accomplished, but 
 restless and anxious to find independent work. 
 I thought of the difference between us at school, 
 when she had everything and I nothing, and 
 now I with plenty and she with &o little. 
 With all the old school-day love, 
 
 MARY. 
 
 Remaining but a few months in Fair- 
 iield, Mr, and Mrs. Catherwood removed 
 to Indianapolis, where better opportun- 
 ities were presented for promoting her 
 literary interests. In addition to her 
 other literary work, she accepted the 
 position of dramatic critic for the "Re- 
 view," edited and published by Mr. Geo. 
 C. Harding. She took an active interest 
 in the organization of literary societies 
 and in stimulating the public pulse along 
 practical and profitable Hues. In this 
 way she became widely known, and 
 formed the acquaintance of many of the 
 brightest minds, deepest thinkers, and 
 
42 . BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 popular writers of the country. Hon. 
 Benjamin S. Parker, who at that time 
 filled the office of American Consul at 
 Sherbrook, Canada, met Mrs. Cather- 
 wood here, and was pleased to take a 
 personal interest in her welfare and as- 
 pirations. He invited her to pay him- 
 self and family a visit at her earliest con- 
 venience. 
 
 It was not long afterward that she 
 availed herself of this invitation, and 
 while enjoying the hospitality of this 
 family she had the satisfaction of wit- 
 nessing the celebration of ''St. John's 
 Day," July 17, 1884. The fine display 
 of this unique and attractive event pro- 
 vided her with much information for her 
 contemplated work, "The Romance of 
 Dollard." In the procession was a 
 "float" representing Dollard and his six- 
 teen men, and it was this which sug^ 
 gested to her the idea of portraying this 
 character in this story. She spent somd 
 months in the Dominion, studying char- 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 43 
 
 acters and scenes which she subsequent- 
 ly utilized, portraying representative 
 personages, and enlivening her work 
 with historic incidents of recognized ac- 
 curacy. 
 
 Among those whose agreeable ac- 
 quaintance and friendship she was fortu- 
 nate in securing in Indianapolis was Mr. 
 James Whitcomb Riley, the poet. He 
 highly valued her friendship, and al- 
 ways retained an interest in her person- 
 ally and in her writings; from him, she 
 used to say, she gained much informa- 
 tion and encouragement. 
 
 During her residence in Indianapolis 
 Mrs. Catherwood wrote a number of 
 sketches for Lippincott's Magazine, and 
 one for the Atlantic Monthly. She was 
 especially gratified when she had gained 
 recognition by one of the high-grade 
 magazines, and thereby her ambition 
 was greatly stimulated. 
 
 It was hard to dispel from her mind 
 the consciousness of the few advantages 
 
44 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 for improvement afforded to her brother 
 still in Hebron. So while Mr. and Mrs. 
 Catherwood were making their home in 
 Indianapolis, she made a visit to He- 
 bron and induced her brother to returri 
 with her, and for some time he was pro- 
 vided with advantages he stood greatly 
 in need of. He subsequently went 
 West, joining his sister Roxana in Ore- 
 gon. 
 
 In 1882, Mr. and Mrs. Catherwood 
 again changed their place of residence 
 from Indianapolis to Hoopeston, Illi- 
 nois, to which place her many subse- 
 quent years of residence and remarkable 
 talents have given national fame. 
 
 Mrs. Catherwood's vitalized sensibil- 
 ities would sometimes see her charac^ 
 ters imaged before her as in the mirror 
 of her mind and often before describing 
 them. 
 
 It is a recognized fact in art, that, be- 
 fore the picture or sculptured stone has' 
 taken outward form it must be wrought 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 45 
 
 within by the genius of the soul. On 
 one occasion Mr. Catherwood said to 
 her: 
 
 "Where did you get the character o5 
 LeRosignol, the dwarf-girl, in 'The 
 Lady of Fort St. John?' " 
 
 ''\¥hy/' she replied, looking with that 
 straight and earnest gaze which she had 
 when wishing to express her idea plainly, 
 'T was sitting here and she came into the 
 hall and w^alked right up to my side; she 
 stood right there," pointing with her fin- 
 ger and out-stretched arm ''on the regis- 
 ter." 
 
 Mrs. Catherwood Goes Abroad. 
 In 1 89 1, taking her httle daughter 
 wdth her, Mrs. Catherwood went abroad 
 for the purpose of collecting material for 
 a new story. In her journeyings she vis- 
 ited England, Scotland, France and Ger- 
 many. This journey occupied some 
 months, and was fruitful in gleanings of 
 historical matter which she afterward 
 utilized in her works. 
 
46 BIOGRATHY OF 
 
 During the Exposition in Chicago, in 
 1893, a Congress of Authors was assem- 
 bled, at which Mr. George W. Cable pre- 
 sided. He delivered an address on ''The 
 Uses and Methods of Novel Writing," 
 and was followed by Mrs. Catherwood in 
 an elaborate paper on 'The Technic of 
 Fiction, or Form and Condensation in 
 Novel Writing." These were occasions 
 she highly enjoyed, not only for the lit- 
 erary, but also for the social advantages 
 it afforded her. Her circle of friends was 
 constantly widening and it is no strain- 
 ing of the truth to say that among the Ht- 
 erati of the country few writers held a 
 higher place in public favor than did 
 Mrs. Catherwood, even at this time. But 
 she found it necessary many times to de- 
 cline opportunities and invitations on ac- 
 count of her domestic duties and literary 
 work. To say that she delighted in gen- 
 eral housework would not accord with 
 her positive expressions, and yet it is 
 well known to her intimate acquaint- 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 47 
 
 ances that she was thoroughly compet- 
 ent, and when these duties devolved 
 upon her, they were discharged with 
 punctilious efficiency from the culinary 
 to all other departments ot domestic 
 work. 
 
 Her Loyalty to Friends. 
 In reply to a letter she received from 
 Judge Green, Mrs. Catherwood writes: 
 
 Hoopeston, Illinois, December 7, 1888. 
 My Dear Friend — 
 
 I have never forgotten your kindness to me 
 when I was a very miserably situated girl. I 
 would very much like to see you all again, 
 though I am afraid I cannot have that pleasure 
 this winter, as I am just now boiling my' notes 
 down to the beginning of my next book which 
 will be my winter's work. Can not Mrs. Green 
 and you come and make us a visit? . . . 
 
 One of the most enjoyable trips partic- 
 ipated in by Mrs. Catherwood, with her 
 husband and daughter, was in August, 
 1889; and as her letter speaking of it, 
 written to Mrs. Taylor, contains other 
 matter of her personal experience, I give 
 
48 BIOGRATHY OF 
 
 a liberal extract from it. It is dated 
 Hoopeston, III, August 12: 
 
 I have a little while to rest before the book 
 proofs of "Tonty" come in. We are starting, 
 next Monday, on another trip through Canada. 
 Expect this time to go as far as Grand Pier, in 
 Nova Scotia. We go down the St. Lawrence by 
 steamer from Kingston (Old Fort Fontenac), 
 direct to Quebec; thence to Ste. Anna de Beau- 
 pre; thence up the Saganaw River through New 
 Brunswick. 
 
 I read two chapters of "Tonty" before the His- 
 torical Society of Chicago last month, and there 
 met Mollie Fargus and her husband. She was 
 anxious to have me meet at her hous-e others 
 of the old Granville girls living in the city, but 
 my time was limited, and I could not promise. 
 I also, on another visit to Chicago, gave parlor 
 readings from "Bollard," and was pleased to 
 meet Miss Harriet Hosmer, the sculptor. We 
 must sit down together and have a comfortable 
 talk sometime. . . . MARY. 
 
 In 1894 Mrs. Catherwood again went 
 abroad, accompanied by her husband, 
 their daughter and Miss Palmer. She 
 had received and accepted a commission 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 49 
 
 from The Century Company to visit 
 France, and make a particular study of 
 the Hfe associations of Joan of Arc. The 
 papers on the subject appeared in The 
 Century Magazine, contemporaneously 
 with Mark Twain's series on the same 
 subject in Harper's Magazine. Her ex- 
 perience is best told in the preface of her 
 book, 'The Days of Jeanne D'Arc:" 
 
 "This book is tlie outcome of many months 
 of patient study and collection of material in 
 America; the rejection of much of this in Paris; 
 of journeys over the Maid's country, following 
 her path from Domremy to Rouen, in voitures, 
 in carts, and on foot; of careful study of the 
 fifteenth century, — and, at the risk of creating a 
 smile, I will confess it is the result of a Divine 
 hint." 
 
 While on this tour she contributed a 
 very practical article to The Atlantic 
 Monthly on 'Trench Roads and Road 
 Makers," which elicited special consider- 
 ation. This article was copied or refer- 
 red to by the press in many sections of 
 the country. 
 
50 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 The party upon this tour had many 
 interesting experiences in their coming 
 in contact with the people whose man- 
 ners and habits had so little changed 
 since the days of Jeanne De Arc. In some 
 instances where, contiguous to the fam- 
 ily living room was the abode of do- 
 mestic animals, no cleansing properties 
 appeared to have been utilized since the 
 house was first inhabited. But nothing 
 of conditions, toil or discomforts could 
 deter Mrs. Catherwood from closely in- 
 specting, and jotting down her points 
 and specifications. She might be deeply 
 absorbed for a few moments but after- 
 ward would turn, comprehending the lu- 
 dicrous features of her companions — an- 
 swer the joking remarks — and get as 
 much fun from the situation as any of 
 the party. She spoke the French lan- 
 guage fluently and the interesting inci- 
 dents often called for the exercise of her 
 decided characteristics and the fun-lov- 
 ing disposition of her husband and 
 daughter. 
 
CHAPTER THREE. 
 
 We live in the lives of those we make better.— 
 George Eliot. 
 
 For more than twenty years, Mr. Jas. 
 Steele Catherwood has been prominently 
 identified with the business and pro- 
 gressive interests of Hoopeston and vi- 
 cinity, and for over fourteen years a 
 member of the firm of Wallace & Cath- 
 erwood. During the first year of Presi- 
 dent Cleveland's administration (1885) 
 Mr. Catherw^ood was appointed Post- 
 master of Hoopeston, which position he 
 creditably filled for several years. 
 
 In Mr. Catherwood's happy marital 
 relations, in his business and political in- 
 terests he always found responsive and 
 helpful encouragement from Mrs. Cath- 
 erwood; while upon his part no sacrifice 
 was too great which could in any way 
 promote the pleasure or success of his 
 
52 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 devoted companion. So it was but nat- 
 ural that her best work was done after 
 her marriage. 
 
 In 1899, the demand for her work was 
 such that it was found necessary, not 
 only that she might be in closer touch 
 with her publishers, but also provide 
 more desirable educational facilities for 
 her daughter, for Mrs. Catherwood tO' 
 establish a temporary home in Chicago. 
 To this her husband cheerfully gave ap- 
 proval; but as his business connections 
 made it impracticable for him to accom- 
 pany her, he was obliged to content him- 
 self with weekly visits or oftener to the 
 city. For the first winter, Mrs. Cather- 
 wood, taking her daughter with her, 
 took rooms at The Beach Hotel, sending 
 Hazel to school at Lake Forest. The 
 following year she changed to The Plaza 
 Building in Lincoln Park and placed her 
 daughter in The Young Ladies' School 
 at Kirtland. Finding that it would be 
 desirable to secure more ample and com- 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 53 
 
 modious apartments she established her 
 home at 4852 Washington Avenue, 
 which remained her city home to the 
 time of her death. 
 
 In the meantime Hazel had entered 
 the Kenwood department of the Chicago 
 University, and Mrs. Catherwood's 
 niece, Miss Naomi Catherwood, who 
 was taking musical instruction, became 
 one of the family. Here, with her busy 
 brain and pen Mrs. Catherwood was 
 very happily situated and enjoyed the 
 visits of her husband, with whom she 
 ioved to talk of her work, and whenever 
 she had opportunity read to him what 
 she had written. 
 
 During the warm months the family 
 always took their outing to some cool 
 summer resort, usually Mackinac Island 
 and vicinity, where invigorating recrea- 
 tion, sports and games supplied that va- 
 riety of mental and physical diversity 
 Mrs. Catherwood so much needed and 
 heartily enjoyed. She took much pleas- 
 
54 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ure rowing and fishing upon the lake 
 and her enthusiasm broke out in raptur- 
 ous glee when she would take upon her 
 line a large fish. She would turn sar- 
 castically to her husband and say, "You 
 tell me how to fish will you!" or to her 
 daughter with "Now Hazel you need not 
 think you can teach your mother how to 
 fish!" The hills around would reverber- 
 ate with rippling laughter, and should 
 still retain sacred memories in their lofty 
 cliffs and flash them on the rippling wat- 
 ers below. 
 
 The strenuosity of her disposition was 
 shown not only in close application to 
 her work, but also in the zest and earn- 
 estness in out-door sports and games. 
 She played with as much vigor and spirit 
 as she worked and her vivacity in society 
 secured to her many warm personal 
 friends. 
 
 Few writers, if any, gave more con- 
 scientious thought to the subject in 
 hand, or worked with greater persistence 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 55 
 
 or more tireless energy than did Mrs. 
 Catherwood. She put her whole heart 
 and mind into all the surroundings of 
 her theme as if she were living amidst 
 the scenes she represents and felt the 
 heart-beat of every moving figure. When 
 expostulated with, by her husband and 
 friends for not taking more rest, she 
 would use the old adage, ''I would rather 
 wear out than rust out." Her accom- 
 plishments and influence were rapidly 
 growing as her energies and genius were 
 liberated into ever enlarging spheres. In 
 her social relations as well as in the work 
 of her pen, she aspired to be useful and 
 to give genuine happiness to others. She 
 was for many years, as her time would 
 permit, an active worker in the Univer- 
 salist church and Sunday School of 
 Hoopeston, and in the community stim- 
 ulated social and literary organization 
 for mental improvement. 
 
 Two children had been born to Mr. 
 and Mrs. Catherwood — the first being a 
 
56 BIOGRATHY OF 
 
 boy, who died in infancy. Later a 
 daughter was born, November 7, 1884, 
 who Hved to be a light and comfort to 
 her parents. In her book entitled 
 "Mackinac and other stories," Mrs. 
 Catherwood has inscribed this dedica- 
 tion, "To my daughter Hazel, the com- 
 panion of all my travels." 
 
 The Mary Hartwell Catherwood Club. 
 
 In 1895, there was organized a literary 
 society entitled The Mary Hartwell 
 Catherwood Club of Hoopeston, Illinois, 
 On the second year of its existence Mrs. 
 Catherwood was chosen its President, 
 which position she held up to the time 
 when she found it expedient to estab- 
 lish her temporary home in Chicago. 
 
 November 7, 1902, a banquet was giv- 
 en by this organization, at the home of 
 Mrs. Charles W. Warner, in honor of 
 the seventeenth birthday of Hazel, Mrs. 
 Catherwood's daughter. On this occa- 
 
lURY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD bl 
 
 sion Mr. Dale Wallace, the business part- 
 ner of Mr. Catherwood, read a very in- 
 teresting paper, which the following is a 
 brief extract: 
 
 "I have been requested to contribute a briei: 
 article covering the career of Mary Hartwell 
 Catherwood trom childhood to the presnt mo- 
 ment. I comply cheerfully, for the subject is an 
 interesting one." 
 
 The paper then briefly recounts the story of 
 her birth and early struggles as has already 
 been noted and continues as follows: 
 
 "Poverty develops genius. Wealth begets in- 
 dolence. Show me a child born in luxury, and 
 I will show you, as a rule, a creature of ease, 
 laxity and languor. Ambition is deadened and 
 energy is not required. If Mary HartwelFs 
 father had left her in an independent financial 
 condition, the world might have been deprived 
 of her splendid genius. 
 
 At the age of ten she was given a home with 
 her Grandfather Thompson at Hebron, Ohio; 
 and placed in the public schools of that village. 
 At the age of fourteen, being thrown on her 
 own resources to obtain proper clothing, she 
 was teaching school in order to prepare the way 
 for entrance into the Female College of Gran- 
 
58 BIOGRATHY OF 
 
 ville, Ohio. Here she subsequently entered and 
 completed a four-years' course in three years. 
 When she retired from that institution she was 
 eight hundred dollars in debt. Her uncle, Cy- 
 rus Hartweil, hearing of this agreed that if she 
 would pay this debt in four years by ber own 
 efforts, he would make her a present of five 
 hundred dollars. She did it. So did he. 
 
 While still a little girl in pinafores, and pig- 
 tails down her back, she contributed poems to 
 the local papers in Newark, O. She loved the 
 wild and weird in nature, and often roamed in 
 the woods alone to dream. Like Joan of Arc, 
 she would hear voices and songs and rippling 
 laughter, and the verses would come tO' her 
 without effort. An elderly gentleman of rare 
 prescience remarked that while her poems were 
 very beautiful, her field lay in prose story tell- 
 ing, and advised her to try it. Then she began 
 "seeing things" as Riley says. The ambition 
 implanted in her being by the eldei Hartweil 
 took entire possessioa of her, and tbe future 
 unrolled before her. She forcshadov/ed her des- 
 tiny. She believed her career had been unveil- 
 ed. If vigor and vim, tireless energy, unceasiUi^ 
 perseverance, economy and privations would en- 
 able her to win, the indomitable determination 
 had her within its grasp, and she started on thb 
 voyage, determined to never cease until she had 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOGD 59 
 
 reached the goal. Did she win, my friends? Did 
 the little homeless orphan, who mastered a 
 four-years' course in college in three years by 
 working nights, Saturdays and holidays — did 
 she win? I say to you that Mary Hartwell 
 Catherwood's name will be emblazoned in glit- 
 tering gold on the scroll of fame long after you 
 and I are dead and forgotten. 
 
 She wrote a short serial for Frank Leslie — 
 "The Mill Scott Million," and received her first 
 check. Oh, the joy of that first check! The 
 happiness wrapped up in that first commercial 
 recognition of her brain work was far and 
 away beyond the size of her check. Wasn't 
 that a ray of sunshine through the rift of 
 clouds that had hovered over her from the day 
 of her mother's death? Then she began con- 
 tributing to the lesser magazines^ — Lippincott's, 
 Wide Awake, Golden Hours, Wood's House- 
 hold, Youth's Companion — all short stories. 
 The Wide Awake Company published four of 
 her short juveniles that met with immediate 
 popularity and have since become classics. 
 Then she was requested to contribute to a mag- 
 azine called "Outing." She demanded a deposit 
 of $25 in advance, which was cheerfully com- 
 plied with. She forwarded the story and in due 
 course it was returned, scratched, interlined 
 
60 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 and obliterated, with a request to make some 
 alterations. The demand was unjust, end she 
 knew it. But her carefully prepared manu- 
 script was practicaly ruined. She refused to 
 comply with their demand and also retained 
 the retainer, which was entirely satisfactory to 
 the publishers. Some time later they request- 
 ed her to submit them another, and this one, 
 proving exactly in harmony with their ideas, 
 they accepted and remitted promptly, but de- 
 ducted the $25 which they had advanced on the 
 other article Then there was an earthquake, 
 but it was not destructive. 
 
 As. Mrs. Catherwood is present this evening I 
 feel perfectly safe in announcing that she was 
 born in 18 — 47. Thirty years later she was 
 married in the house on the Perkins farm, 
 northwest of this city. Then a few years later 
 came her baby boy, who remained to bless the 
 union but a moment, then passed on to the 
 higher life. It was during this period of sor- 
 row following that she conceived "The Ro- 
 mance of Bollard," in the preparation of which 
 she lived for a time in Canada, and was about 
 three years in getting it ready for the publish- 
 ers. I doubt if there is a person in this audi- 
 ence who knows that the publishers to whom 
 she first submitted that beautiful histOTical ro- 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 61 
 
 mance declined it, but such is the fact. Har- 
 pers returned it. It was then for the first time 
 that Mrs. Catherwood faltered by the wayside. 
 Her heart was cracking and breaking uio into 
 bits, and she was thoroughly discouraged. And 
 it was here that her husband came in with on.8 
 of his beautiful songs: "Never Give Up the 
 Ship, Mary," and said "Go down to New York 
 and beard the lion in his deji," and in a tew 
 days she was in the office of the Century, 
 proud, independent and defiant, but quaking 
 inwardly. She submitted the work to Mr. Gil 
 der, the editor, who inquired as to the nature 
 of it. 
 
 "It is a serial — an historical romance." 
 
 "V[y dear madam," exclaimed the kind cia 
 man, "don't you know that we can't use tha^ 
 class of work here in New York?" 
 
 She arose, and there was a glow of potent 
 fervor in her voice. 
 
 "Mr. Gilder," she said, "will yon do me the 
 favor of reading that manuscript?" 
 
 "I will send it out to our regular reader and 
 when it is returned then I will read it. But 
 there is just as much chance of your being 
 struck by lighting as there is of the acceptance 
 of your work and publication as you desire it. 
 Why, we have here in our safe enough manu- 
 script of that nature to last us five years." 
 
62 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 Richard Watson Gilder had been up against 
 propositions of various kinds in his long expe- 
 rience in the publishing business, but he did 
 not know Mrs. Catherwood. 
 
 "I have no manuscripts to lie in your safe 
 for five years," replied Mrs. Catherwood. "I 
 want this published while I am living, and not 
 later than next October or November." 
 
 "It will be several days," said Mr. Gilder, 
 "before we can give you a reply; you need not 
 be at the trouble and expense of remaining in 
 New York. Leave me your address and I will 
 write you." 
 
 "I will remain in New York, Mr. Gilder," she 
 said, "until you accept or reject that work." 
 With this she departed for the time. In a few 
 days Mr. Gilder notified her that the "lightning 
 had struck," advising her to call at the o^3ice 
 and get her cheque. 
 
 That publication elevated her into a con- 
 spicuous position among the literary people of 
 the United States, and the demand upon her 
 pen from all the leading publishing houses was 
 so great she was able to only partially meet 
 it. She was called the Parkman of the West, 
 and as Francis Parkman was the most famous 
 historical writer and romancer of the past gen- 
 eration, no greater compliment could have been 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 63 
 
 bestowed, upon her. She received a personal 
 letter of congratulation from that eminent man, 
 complimenting her accuracy for detail and cor- 
 rectness of data, and expressing a wish to make 
 her acquaintance. "It is so rare," he remarAed, 
 "in our latter day historical romances to^ find 
 the historical facts so accurately portrayed." 
 This was one of Mrs. Catherwood's most con- 
 spicuous characteristics. Her descriptions are 
 perfect and from nature. Her facts are derived 
 from personal observation and contact. Her 
 characters, with few exceptions, are real. We 
 all love history, and when we can have it inter- 
 spersed with fascinating romance we love it all 
 the more. She loved to visit the ruins of the 
 forgotten past and live over again in her im- 
 agination the- tragedies and comedies enacted 
 there. If there were an old hermit toi be found 
 in the vicinity — Indian, Frenchman, English- 
 man or American — she would spend hoursi with 
 him, pulling historical chestnuts out of the 
 coals with the tongs of retentive memory. And 
 thus she broadened into the field which she has 
 occupied for two decades without a succesisful 
 rival. 
 
 Seventeen years ago this night, Mrs, Presi- 
 dent, the subject of this sketch was blessed b: 
 the arrival of a daughter, and Hazel has indeed 
 
64 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 proven a blessed comfort to her mother. We 
 are celebrating the aniversary of that happy 
 event. Cheerfulness, ambiticn, energy, deter- 
 mination, all oame rushing back to her upon 
 the advent of the little sunbeam. And then 
 followed in due course some of the most re- 
 markable productions of historical romance in 
 the whole scope and range of American litera- 
 ture. 
 
 Did you know that Mrs. Catherwood in her 
 earlier career contributed columns and columns 
 of stories tO' various publications under a nom 
 de plume? Do any of you remem^ter reading 
 short fiction sketches written by one "Lew- 
 trah?" the name Hartwell spelled backward? 
 Did yon ever read the novel "A Woman in Ar- 
 mor?" Mrs. Catherwood is not at ail proud ol 
 that work. 
 
 But from Tonty to Lazarre, the record is 
 without a blemish. Lazarre is the last and 
 greatest and brightest of the whole galaxy. It 
 is the climax of her career. She may write 
 another as good, but none better. * * * * 
 
 Those of us who knew her best will remem- 
 ber her not only for her literary attainments^ 
 but also for her home accomplishments. As a 
 wife, as a mother, as a neighbor, she was an 
 exemplary character. There was no envy there. 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 65 
 
 no jealousies, no bickerings. Because of her 
 great renown as a gifted author, w© feel hon- 
 ored to have been classed among her intimate 
 friends. And our babies of a few years ago, 
 who were her "Rosebuds" in the Sunday-school 
 will some day be proud of that distinction. * * 
 It required a struggle for Mary Hartwell 
 Catherwood to give up her home and sever the 
 friendly ties in this city. She was married 
 here, her children were born in this city, and 
 her little boy sleeps in Floral Hill. She loved 
 the people, she loved the town, she loved the 
 country. But she in early life mapped out her 
 career, and she felt that she had not yet 
 reached the zenith, and could not with the lim- 
 ilied resources at her command. So she re- 
 solved, very reluctantly, to leave us for a time, 
 and climb the heighta of fame. She is alm<5St 
 at the top, and when she reaches the summit 
 she will come back to us, and when she comes 
 we will all extend to her the glad hand and cor^ 
 dial greeting of true friends. 
 
 "In all my wanderings round this world of care 
 In all my griefs— and God has given my share— 
 I still have hopes my latest hours to crown, 
 Amidst these humble bow'rs to lay me down; 
 To husband out life's taper at the close, 
 And keep the flame from wasting, by repose. 
 I still have hopes, for pride attends us still, 
 Amidst the friends to show my book-learn'd skill; 
 
BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 Around mj' fire an evening group to draw, 
 And tell all I felt, and all I saw; 
 And. as a hare, whom hounds and horns purs^ie, 
 Pants to the place from whence at first she flew, 
 I still have hopes, my long vexations past, 
 Here to return - and die at home at last." 
 
 In all her busy life, her wanderings 
 and associations, Mrs. Catherwood 
 never forgot those who were her friends 
 in the days of her youthful struggles. 
 Chief of these was Judge Green and his 
 family. The following letter evinces her 
 loyalty in this respect: 
 
 4852 Washington Ave., Chicago^, 111., 
 Nov. 19, 1901. 
 Dear Father Green: 
 
 Seba tells me that you have just passed your 
 eightieth birthday, and I feel that you would 
 not have full acknowledgement for all your 
 good worlds in a long lifetime if I did not add 
 my word. 
 
 Do you remember riding with Seba and me 
 to Pataskala one day? Meeting some one, you 
 introduced me, saying, "This is my other 
 daughter." I never forgot it, nor any of the 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 67 
 
 other kind things that Mother Green and yon 
 did for me. You have thought I forgot, be^ 
 cause I live such a busy life; so many people 
 make demands on my time, outside my own 
 family — to which I always devote myself first. 
 
 I was sorry, indeed, to hear of the death of 
 Mother Green. I meant to go on purpose to 
 see you both. The days rush by so fast; so 
 many letters to write, soi many friends, so 
 many engagements to meet, when I am not shut 
 up from the world at my work, — ^these must 
 plead for the apparent negligence. I do remem- 
 ber and care for the friends of my early days. 
 
 With much love and wishes for you many 
 remaining happy days. 
 
 Your (foster) daughter, 
 MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD. 
 
 Mrs. Catherwood sometimes yielded 
 to solicitations, and gave readings be- 
 fore literary societies in Chicago, In- 
 dianapolis and elsewhere, but was oblig- 
 ed to decline many urgent requests. 
 While Mrs. Taylor, — her foster sister, — 
 to whom she was much attached, was a 
 resident of Union City, Indiana, an ef- 
 fort was made by the literary societies of 
 
68 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 that place to secure Mrs. Catherwood 
 for a reading, but were unable to do so. 
 A special meeting was then called, and 
 designated "Mary Hartwell Catherwood 
 Afternoon," at which Mrs. Taylor read 
 a paper on "The Author of Lazarre." 
 Her intimate acquaintance with Mrs. 
 Catherwood from the time the young 
 schoolteacher came to her father's house 
 and she and Miss Hartwell entered 
 Granville Female Seminary together, 
 enabled her fully to justify the expecta- 
 tions of her auditors, in her interesting 
 reminiscence of "the author of Lazarre." 
 Comparatively few of her acquaint- 
 ances knew that Mrs. Catherwood was 
 present at the trial of Czolgosz, the as- 
 sassin of President McKinley. She se- 
 cured a ticket of admission through 
 some influential public officials, under 
 an assumed name. While not condon- 
 ing the great crime, her sympathies were 
 deeply touched for the young criminal 
 and for the civil and political conditions 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 69 
 
 of the country which made such crimes 
 possible. She saw in the case a tragic 
 story which she was loth to relinquish 
 the production. 
 
CHAPTER FOUR 
 
 "That each bright act that's nobly done, 
 
 Has its own part in moulding 
 An image, fair as sculptured stone. 
 Although beyond beholding." 
 
 Notwithstanding her devotion to her 
 home duties, social requirements, and 
 the extensive correspondence with pub- 
 Hshers and friends, Mrs. Catherwood 
 found time for many deeds of benevo- 
 lence and unostentatious usefulness. 
 
 In adition to her earlier contributions 
 to various publications, her children's 
 stories, her travels in search of historic 
 facts and data, she has produced vol- 
 umes which will take their place beside 
 the classic literature of the nineteenth 
 century. 
 
 'The Romance of Dollard," which 
 was first published by The Century 
 Company, attracted much attention, and 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 71 
 
 reached its seventh edition in book form. 
 
 This book contains a very compli- 
 mentary preface by Mr. Francis Park- 
 man, the Historian. Other works of 
 acknowk'dged merit are: "The Story of 
 Tonty," "The White Islander," "The 
 Days of Jeanne D'Arc," "Heroes of the 
 Middle West," "Dogberry Bunch," 
 "Old Caravan Days," "Rocky Fork." 
 "Secrets of Roseladies," "The Lady of 
 Fort St. John," "Old Kaskaskie," "The 
 Choice of St. Castine," "The Spirit of 
 an Illinois Town," "Little Renault," 
 "Bonny and Ben," "Mackinac and Lake 
 Stories," "Spanish Peggy," and last, but 
 not least, "Lazarre." 
 
 The last-named work has had a won- 
 derful sale, and is the result of the inter- 
 est she felt in the early I^rench settlen 
 of the New World. So strikingly did 
 its dramatic features appeal to Mr. Otis 
 Skinner, that he not only undertook its 
 dramatization, but produced a play of 
 such merit that it received high praise 
 
72 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 from the press wherever it was pre- 
 sented. 
 
 Many years had now passed since the 
 wTiter of this Biography had written to 
 or heard from Mrs. Catherwood person- 
 ally, and in March, 1902, he concluded 
 to write her, reminding her of early inci- 
 dents in her literary career, and mod- 
 estly inquire if she had forgotten him. 
 
 After some weeks he received the fol- 
 lowing reply: 
 
 My Dear Mr. Wilson: 
 
 Do not think me an ingrate. I was so glad 
 to hear from you, and had so often thought 1 
 should like to- know where you were. But 
 when your letter came I was in the Woman's 
 Hospital undergoing a severe surgical opera- 
 tion. Engagements crowded before I was 
 really able to meet them, and I have scarcely 
 gotten even with them yet. 
 
 Just now, as the time approaches for our an- 
 nual exodus north for the summer months, I 
 am very much taken up with the play which 
 Otis Skinner is bringing out with magnificent 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 73 
 
 setting, for production in September. He read 
 the play to me Sunday afternoon. I think he 
 will make a fine Lazarre. 
 
 Indeed I do remember that first money you 
 put it in my way to earn, and that it bought 
 shoes. I remember also several five dollar 
 bills, and one sum of twenty dollars, which 
 you loaned me on indetinite time, of your own 
 motion while I was struggling through Gran- 
 ville College. If I were to pay compound inter- 
 est on the sum, it would swamp me. Have 
 pity, therefore, and tell me how I may best 
 straighten up long arrears. 
 
 Our little daughter is seventeen years old 
 and has just graduated from Kenwood Insti- 
 tute (affiliated with the University of Chicago). 
 I do not know where Annie Hoff (Mrs. Rob- 
 erts) now is, a® I have not heard from her for 
 a number of years. She married and removed 
 West and so was cut off from her old friends. 
 I am glad you can feel it was worth your 
 while to help me in the start. I had such a 
 pull that many a time I felt that I was willing 
 to lay down to die, but got up again and went 
 on. Now I believe I have the best publishers 
 in the world and they with me believe that my 
 new book (now begun), is going to be maturer 
 than "Lazarre." 
 
74 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 My sister and brother are now both in Ore- 
 gon, in comfortable circumsUinces I have just 
 buried in San Francisco the old aunt who took 
 my sister in Galveston. For more than ten 
 years she has been my charge. . . . What- 
 ever sins are charged to my account, it shalV 
 never be said I am ungrateful. 
 Sincerely yours, 
 MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD. 
 
 In his response to this letter, the 
 writer assured her that he had no finan- 
 cial claim to present, and was more than 
 compensated by the receipt of auto- 
 graphed copies of her published works. 
 In writing, July 25, 1902, from Dover 
 County, Wisconsin, where, with her hus- 
 band and daughter, she was taking her 
 usual summer vacation, she says: 
 
 "I am working here in my long out-door 
 study, and playing between whiles. Otis Skin- 
 ner has just written me that "the play" is all 
 ready, and rehearsals will begin in the Grand 
 Opera House in Chicago early in August. Mr. 
 Catherwood, who is taking our daughter and 
 making some visits in Illinois, will join me. 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 75 
 
 with her about the fourth of August. It is like 
 you to say I owe you nothing. I realize that 
 no money payment could wipe out the debt I 
 owe you. 
 
 As always, with sincere gratitude and re- 
 spect, 
 
 MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD. 
 
 The drama "Lazarre" was first pro- 
 duced in the Opera House at Green Bay, 
 Wisconsin, September 8, 1902, at which 
 time Mrs. Catherwood was present and 
 the next letter the writer received from 
 her was dated 
 
 4852 Washington Ave., Chicago, 
 October 7, 1902. 
 Dear Mr. Wilson: 
 
 Your photograph just received, and I am 
 both astonished and delighted to see how lit- 
 tle you have changed. It is the same kind 
 man who used to take an. interest in the lit- 
 tle struggling school -girl. She has lately had 
 some strange experiences; she has seen the 
 children of her brain become flesh and blood, 
 and theaters crowded to the doors to se-e 
 thenL" 
 
76 BIOGRATHY OF 
 
 The report of the first appearance of 
 this play read as follows: 
 
 "One of the most interesting events in dra- 
 matic history was the first production of Otis 
 Skinner's new play 'Lazarre/ based on Mrs 
 Mary Hartwell Catherwood's romance of 'The 
 Dauphin.' Not the least interested spectators 
 in the large and fashionable audience were six 
 Oneida Indians from the Oneida Reservation, 
 including Shenandoah, the famous chief. Rev. 
 J. W. Merrill, and Superintendent J. C. Hart, 
 of the local Indian post. Another interested 
 spectator was Mrs. Josephine Phillips, adopted 
 daughter of the late Eleaser William®, — La- 
 zarre, — ^the founder of the Indian mission here, 
 and the alleged 'lost Dauphin' of France, — who 
 is believed to have escaped from the temple in 
 Paris, and to have grown up in this country 
 among Mohawk and Oneida Indians." 
 
 The success of "Lazarre," and the 
 ready sale her book met in all parts of 
 the country, was highly gratifying. The 
 author's sky, even amidst her physical 
 sufferings of the year, shone bright in 
 the sun-light of her achievements and 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERV/OOD 77 
 
 in the hope of the speedy attainment of 
 her fondest ambition. She was now 
 working up a new historical romance 
 under the title of 'Tippicanoe," — to em- 
 body incidents connected with the New 
 Harmony Colony in Indiana, founded 
 by Robert Dale Owen, Both she and 
 her publishers believed that she would 
 produce a work that would equal, if not 
 surpass "Lazarre" in worth and popular- 
 favor. She could not realize that her 
 malady would have a fatal termination 
 so soon, and continued to devote her 
 mental and physical energies to the 
 work in hand. Living in the glow of 
 her fertile genius and in the warm at- 
 mosphere of her happy family and social 
 relations she was beaming in the happi- 
 ness of present achievements and the 
 glow of a hopeful future. 
 
 ''On one occasion previous to her last 
 illness," says Mr. Catherwood, "as I was 
 compelled to take a business trip West, 
 just before my departure, Mary and I 
 
78 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 took a drive of several hours. Althoiig] 
 at the time her feet and ankles were 
 painful from rheumatic trouble, she gave 
 expression to her hopeful spirit by say 
 ing, 'Never mind, daddy; by this time 
 next year you can be with us all the 
 time.' " When he returned from his 
 journey after an absence of about three 
 weeks Mrs. Catherwood was confined to 
 her bed. A second operation was deem 
 ed essential on account of cancerous 
 growth and other complications. It was 
 hoped that her vigorous constitution 
 would withstand the severe nervous 
 strain and that she might be spared a 
 little longer to her friends; but it couk' 
 not be. Her suffering at times was so 
 great that her physicians were com- 
 pelled to use opiates. Her patience and 
 fortitude were remarkable but she re- 
 alized at times the possible termination 
 of her illness and on one occasion when 
 her husband was standing by her bed, 
 she awoke from a slumber and looking 
 
MA%Y HA%TWELL CATHERWOOD 79 
 
 up into his face exclaimed, 'Tapa, must 
 I die?" Then she sank again to slum 
 ber, until her spirit took its departure. 
 
 Her Death 
 
 Mrs. Mary Hartwell Catherwood 
 (wife of Mr. James Steele Catherwood), 
 died at her Chicago home, 4852 Wash- 
 ington Avenue, Friday evening, Decem- 
 ber 26, 1902, at 5:30 o'clock p. m. This 
 was the evening previous to the twenty- 
 fifth anniversary of her marriage. The 
 primary funeral services were held in St. 
 Paul's Episcopal church in Kenwood, 
 Rev. Herman Page, Rector, officiating. 
 Although Mrs. Catherwood had still re- 
 tained her membership in the Universal- 
 ist church at Hoopeston, she had made 
 the Episcopal church her place of wor- 
 ship while in the city. 
 
 Only the closest and most intimate 
 friends were expected on this occasion, 
 among whom were Otis Skinner, Ed- 
 ward B. McKay, Lorin A. Davis, Ed- 
 ward Charles Bay, and Mrs. Deming. 
 
80 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 Mr. Catherwood and his daughter led 
 the way into the church, followed bv 
 Mrs. Robert Parkinson (their long-time 
 friend), and Mr. Catherwood's nephew 
 and niece, Robert and Naomi Gather 
 wood. 
 
 At the conclusion of the services here, 
 the body was taken to the Chicago and 
 Eastern Illinois Railway station and 
 conveyed to Hoopeston, accompanied 
 by the friends. On the arrival at Hoopes 
 ton, they were met by the lady members 
 and ex-members of the Mary Hartwell 
 Catherwood Club, accompanied by their 
 husbands, who acted as honorary and 
 associate pall-bearers. The casket was 
 conveyed to the residence of Mrs. C. H. 
 Catherwood, where her many friends: 
 called to view the remains, to pay their 
 respects and to mingle their tears of 
 sympathy with the bereaved. 
 
 The regular funeral services were held 
 at Hoopeston on the following day. 
 
 At two o'clock on Sunday afternoon 
 
MARYHARTWELL CATHERWOOD 81 
 
 the hearse and cortege moved from the 
 residence of Mrs. C. H. Catherwood to 
 the Universalist Church, where the reg- 
 ular funeral services were held. 
 
 The casket was placed in front of the 
 altar, surrounded by banks of flowers, 
 wreaths, and exquisite floral designs. 
 Chief among these was an open book of 
 white roses, presented by the Mary 
 Hartwell Catherwood Club, bearing on 
 the left page the initials ''M. H. C. C," 
 and on the opposite page "Finis." 
 Another was a handsome wreath of au- 
 tumn leaves, from her publishers. Floral 
 contributions were presented by James 
 Whitcomb Riley, Otis Skinner, and oth- 
 er literary friends. 
 
 Possibly the most pathetic and touch- 
 ing incident in the ceremony was the 
 banner of "The Little Rose-Bud Class." 
 This banner was made by Mrs. Cather- 
 wood's own hands when she had charge 
 of the little Rose-Bud Class in the Sun- 
 day School at Hoopeston. 
 
82 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 The choir sang "Lead Thou Me On," 
 followed by Scripture reading by the 
 pastor, Rev. J. L. Everton. Rev. T. B. 
 Fisher, of Peoria, Illinois, who had been 
 pastor of this church when Mrs. Cath- 
 erwood was a regular attendant and a 
 teacher in the Sunday School, spoke 
 tender words concerning the Hfe and 
 noble character of the deceased, saying, 
 among other things, "She had finished 
 the work required of her, and added her 
 share to the life and joy of the age. In 
 her home-life and in her social Hfe she 
 was a benediction, and wielded a power 
 for good wherever her associations had 
 been." 
 
 At the conclusion o-f the church cer- 
 emony, the funeral cortege repaired to 
 Floral Hill Cemetery, where all that was 
 mortal of this noted author, this devoted 
 wife and mother, this beloved friend and 
 neighbor was consigned to its earthly 
 resting place. 
 
 The associations indelibly connected 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 83 
 
 with this sacred shrine will perpetually 
 renew for those who loved her, hallowed 
 and ever green memories, fragrant as 
 garlands on the heavenly shore. "Dust 
 to dust" is written of the body, but not 
 so of the spirit, — not of the living, puls- 
 ing energies which inhabit the body. So 
 long as the earthly form was capable of 
 giving expression to the qualities of the 
 living spirit within the body it was hers 
 to use, enjoy, and for the happiness and 
 good of those who belonged to her 
 world. We who knew her best did not 
 base our appreciation of Mary Hartwell 
 Catherwood upon external appearances, 
 but from noble qualities of the immortal 
 spirit which found expression through 
 the body for earthly use. But when the 
 body failed"— The life did leave it" to 
 engage in the higher services of the 
 spirit-world. The vital energies and gen- 
 ius which she gave to the world, illum- 
 inated by her inherent goodness and 
 truth of themselves are immortal; and in 
 
84 BIOGRATHY OF 
 
 that world these are the garments she 
 will wear, while her pulsing emotions 
 are no longer restricted by earth's limi- 
 tations. To us she is still imaged in the 
 bodily form ; yet it was not the body, but 
 the being within that bodily form which 
 she expressed in life and gave to the 
 world, that inspired our love and admi- 
 ration. Not only by her genius, but 
 also by her fidelity to all, by her mother- 
 love devotion, by that steadfast attach- 
 ment through a quarter of a century of 
 wedded life. 
 
 "She has made her life sublime; 
 
 And departing leaves behind her 
 Foot-prints on the sands of time," 
 
 The parting may be bard below, 
 For human ties are knitted so; 
 But Faith and Hope shall be our trust, 
 With self-desire consigned tO' dust; 
 For now her earthly work is done. 
 Whose seeds will ripen in the sun, 
 While radiant in her work we see 
 The gifts of heavenly majesty. 
 
CHAPTER FIVE 
 
 Brief Extracts From Some Obituary 
 Notices. 
 
 From among the hundreds of sym- 
 pathetic letters and obituary notices of 
 special interest I feel justified in append- 
 ing the following: 
 
 From Ja.mes Whitcomb Riley, 
 
 "Mrs Oatherwood was a dear friend of mine. 
 I first knew her in Indianapolis, and lier death 
 is a great shock to me. I had a high appre- 
 ciation of her fine mental endowment. Her 
 death, to my mind, is a distinct loss to the 
 fraternity of letters." 
 
 From Mr. H. K HolvUnd 
 
 of Indianapolis t Ind* 
 
 "My feelings over my personal loss are such 
 that I cannot give a carefully thought-out ap- 
 preciation of Mrs. Catherwood's worth, and 
 
86 BIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 society's loss. I heaird from her daughter, tell- 
 ing me of her mother's condition, and saw 
 from her letter that the child did not realize 
 the seriousness of her mother's illness. In 
 spite of this, the news of her death is a shock 
 to me. . . . 
 
 "She was a great lover of nature, and saw 
 all of its heauties with the eye of an artist. 
 She would go into raptures over a sunset, and 
 clap her hands in childish delight at the dis- 
 covery of the first spring flower. 
 
 "Mrs. Catherwood was a mother by instinct. 
 It was a benediction to go into her home. Her 
 love went out to every one, and every thin^ 
 good. She was thoughtfulness, gentleness, snd 
 self-sacrifice personified. She had her full 
 share of trials, but met them with a high 
 courage, and bore them with unending pa- 
 tience." 
 
 From Mr. Ed'win Scott 
 
 "Mrs. Catherwood took a place among West- 
 ern writers that cannot be filled, and the un- 
 finished work she left will be incomplete to 
 the end, 
 
 "It is not generally known that Mrs Cather- 
 wood, in addition to her other accomplish- 
 ments, was a poet. The vivifying power of 
 
MARY HAm-'WELL CATHERWOOD 87 
 
 her prose was due, almost wholly, to the infu- 
 sion of poetic thought; so that it would have 
 been astonishing if she had not written verses. 
 In fact, she wrote many in her early life. One 
 of special merit, now that her mortal part has 
 been laid under the trees she loved, is called 
 
 My Secret 
 
 If you knew my secret, you would not believe it; 
 
 If you knew my secret, you would laugh at me. 
 Once I was a tree: how my life did leave it. 
 
 That I cannot tell at ail. But once I was a tree. 
 
 Wide I spread my branches, with all the leaves a-shaking; 
 
 Oh, but it was'mighty to wrestle with the storm! 
 Deep I struck my roots, and feared not any quaking; 
 
 There I hid my heart's best blood, to save and keep it 
 warm. 
 
 Still I want to ripple, with the rythmic motion; 
 
 Still I strike my roots so deep they never can be moved; 
 Oh, I want to sing the song the angels taught the ocean. 
 
 And the ocean taught the forest, for the forest was beloved. 
 Give me room to grow In; let me shelter creatures; 
 
 Let the autumn strike me golden; let the winter strip, 
 I forget that flesh has given me human features. 
 
 Still the Dryad spirit is laughing on my lip; 
 
 For I was a tree, with hill-sides for my pillows; 
 I once was a tree, glad in the rushing rains. 
 Oh, I want to sing the songs that the angels taught the 
 
 billows. 
 When I see my forest kin, the sap leaps through my veins. 
 
 "This singing lyric strikes a sympathetic 
 chord, and those who read Mis. Catherwood's 
 
88 BIOGRATHY OF 
 
 romances understandingly will not doubt that 
 it is a vital bit of her own personality." 
 
 Mrs. Catherwood was one of the most 
 widely read novelists of the country and 
 was a devoted admirer of the section h 
 which she was born. In some of her 
 early stories especially, she indicated 
 this by the subject, or in the clearly de 
 fined characters or scenes of historic 
 facts. "Rocky Fork" is a well-known 
 portion of her native county, while "Old 
 Caravan Days" represents the long line 
 of white, canvass bow-covered wagons 
 which meandered, in early days along 
 that great thoroughfare — The National 
 Pike. 
 
 To all who knew Mrs. Catherwood 
 personally, and appreciated her noble 
 character and brilliant genius, the words 
 of Hobart-Chatfleld-Taylor will find a 
 oneness of sentiment and feeling. He 
 said: 
 
 "Mrs. Catherwood's death was a great shock 
 tO' me. She occupied a unique place in Amer- 
 
MARY HARTWELL CATHERWOOD 89 
 
 ican literature, because of her inclination to- 
 ward the historic features regarding the early 
 settlement and exploration of the Middle West 
 and Northwestern portion of America. 
 
 "Her books appealed to mo with peculiar 
 force, and I think they have earned for them- 
 selves a prominent usefulness. I have known 
 Mrs. Catherwood for some years and have a 
 distinct personal sorrow in her sudden death." 
 
 The End. 
 
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