Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-05-25
The Early Life of Mrs. Gaines.


As the case of this extraordinary woman has for a
long time past excited the interest of the people Of
this country, think it will not be uunteresting
give our readers slight sketch of her early life.
Mira Clark, (now Mrs. Gaines,) who is we'll known
to citizens, having in early life resided here
born In New Orleans. Her father, Daniel Clark,
(well known IN the political and commercial history
OF louisiana being partner of COL Davis, of this
county. Her father died, and when only few
months old. she was adopted by Colonel Davis, and
brought mp his child. A by the name of
Ralph destroyed her fathers will, and there is every
reason to believe forged one, giving to himself the
immense property Of her father. consisting of nearly
the whole OF the new part of New Orleans, lat that
time worth near FIVE millions of dollars and now
worth much more.) She lived in entire Ignorance of
her parentage for long time The first idea she had
oil her parentage, being tainted by girl at
school with the fact that COL Davis her father
Afterwards she discovered it from some papers which
she found while she was looking for some documents
which she was to send to the Colonel Harrisburg,
they at that time living in Pennsylvania. Sometime
afterwards she visited the Sulphur Springs Virginia,
and while there, account of her carriage breaking,
she became acquainted with young man by the name
Of VIM Whitney, son of Gen. Whitney, of New
YORK. Soon afterwards, he visited her in Phiiadel-
phia, but the Colonel not approving OF the match, he
was forbid the house. Colonel Davis after moved
to Delomo place, near Wilmington, and Mss Clark
not being permitted TO her lover, she correspondent
with him.
To prevent detection, her letters were directed to
Miss Mary Ann Williamson (now the wife of Rev.
Cory Chambers of this city) daughter of our late
Mayor and Post Master, she carefully keeping the
secret and puncualy delivering the letters into the
hands of Miss Clark, and sending hers to Mr.. Whit
ney in return. Miss Clark by this time fully
acquainted with her parentage and the immense
estate of her father. At last che received letter
rom MIR. Whitney, urging her by all she held true
aud the love she bore 10 him. to eope with him. The
plan was laid out and the time fixed. Mr. Whitney
n ha Cast olo 81, l.
None was let into the secret but Miss Williamson.
ITO prevent detection, Miss Clark called all the dogs
together about COL Davis place that evening" and put
them in one of the outbuidings, and locked them all
up At last the night came, and terrible it was
| too the wind howled, the rain poured in torrents
and the darkness only now and then illuminated
by fearful flashes of lightning Uundaunted by the
raging elements, Miss Clark stepped from her bed
room on the balcony and by means of pillar of the
balcony rope, managed to reach the ground in safe
ty; and Immediately fast she could to Will
mington. Ii was fearful night for girl so small,
young and delicate, to venture abroad alone, and
unattended. On her way if possible the rain became
heavier, and the flashes of lightning more vivid.
4 At last she reached the residence of Mr.. William
son. drenched with ran, and the top of her handbook
beat in by the violence of the Storm Miss William
son waiting alone in the passage to receive her;
the low knock at the door giyen the key softly
turned the door opened and Miss Clark pulling off her
little kid slippers, which wet through, softly
assembled the stairs not to alarm the of the
family. The ladies employed themselves until morn
ing drying, well as they able Miss Clark's
clothes. AT the first dawn of morning, they stepped
| out and hack being procured, she departed for
New Castle Miss w :siiiiianson gave her all the
. money she had, $5-as at the time she left Colonel
4 Davis's she had not dollar.
II At New Castle, Miss Clark met her lover and
they started for Baltimore, where they met by
Miss Williamson, who acted as bridesmaid on the
occasion of their marriage. Immediately after her
marriage, Miss Clark, whom shall now call Mrs.
Whitney, set about hunting up the facts in relation
to her BIRTH Threats used, and every obstacle
made use of to prevent her. Her first to
find her MOTHER and after long search, she was at
last discovered, believe in the island of Jamaica.
She almost Immediately recognized her daughter and
gave her the marriage certificate of her husband,
Daniel Clark, from whom she had been separated
sometime before his death. Proceedings i'm
mediately commenced, but for a while with small
prospect of success Threats not only made
against herself and husband but against any one who
should advocate their 1t with difficulty
a lawyer could be procured to plead her cause; even
the very best Judges the bench the feed council
the other side. and generally supposed to be under
the influence of bribery.
Finally, her husband was thrown into prison in
New Orleans, during the prevalence of the fever, and
afterwards she imprisoned with him. with small
child at her breast. Whitney died, not, how
ever without strong suspicion of foul play. She
afterwards released, and though widow, still prose-
cuted her suit with determined resolution. So gar-
ngly the partality of the judges once displayed
that the crowd in could hardly contain their
dignatpn. Her life was two or three times attempt
ed. Her first acquaintance with General Gaines
when she was fired at, and part of her dress shot
away. General Gaines came and offered her his pro-
lection, and she soon afterwards married him. Her
opponents dared not the same means with a Gen
eral in the United States Army they bad already
done with her first husband, private individual. 1t
havo hoon 0rlar sfO
or there is not the least doubt they would have done it.
After going through so many courts we now learn
!, that the suit has been decided in her favor. The
: value of the property is now near twenty millions of
, dollars. Mrs. Gaines is about forty years of
age, about five feet high, has sweet expression OF
!. counenance, rather q French cast-she has at the
ii same time indomitable resolution, every crcum-
; stance of her life has shown she is very charitable
= and warmhearted and never orgets her old friends
She even remembers with gratitude the services
n of her early friend, Qormerly Miss williamson now
Mrs. Chambers, and assures her that when when she
into her estate She viii her for her
mi former kindness. As stated she has recent
a ly presented two of her friends with $1,000 each
- We suppose her bequest Mrs. Chambers will be
No considerable. We understand she will visit hel
n in Washington. Is not the life Of this prosecuted
4. lady indeed of deep romance! Will 1t not in
20 future be given to the public in historical novel;!
70 Delalcare Blue Hen and Chickens.
II II NoRwALK AND SANDUsKY BANKs.-We uuderstan,
(says the Cleveland Plaindeaer of Tuesday, that th
r. run upon the above banks has been to the tune
about twelve thousand dollars per day for the last lei
days arr at last advice continued undated. 1t ap
ie pears the State Banks commenced the run and tn
Brokers and the people have contributed to help
along. The Stockholders are determined to susfn Il