Bessie Behan

Her father was Gen. William J. Behan, a prominent southern merchant and sugar planter who served as Mayor of New Orleans.

Bessie's mother, Kate Walker Behan, was the city's social leader and philanthropist.

[1] The most coveted social honor in New Orleans in that era was to be chosen queen in the Mardi Gras Carnival.

The books and the complete set of the Southern Historical Society papers belonged to Lewis' parents.

[5] Her jewels from the Rex Ball, Carnival of 1891, were donated to the Louisiana State Museum in 1929.