Litchfield enquirer., 1848-03-30
MlSCGI lAMY.
From the Blue Hen's Chicken.
THE EARLY LIFE OF MRS. GAINES.

Z
has for long tim. past excited the interest
of the people of this c"untry, We think il
will not he 0ninleres,ing to give our readers
a slight sketch Of her early life. Mira
Clark, (now Mrs Gaines) Who is well
know TO our citizens, having in early life
resided here, was horn in New Orleans. Her
father, Daniel Clark. (well known in the
political and commercial history of LOUIS
ania.) being partner of Col. Davis, OF this
coRUty. Her father died, and when only
few months, old, she was adopted by Col.
Davis, and brought up as his own child. A
man by the name of Rolph destroyed her
fathers will, and there is every reason to
believe forged one, giving to himself the
whole of the immense property of her father
consisting of nearly the whole of the new
part of New Orleans, (ai tina, time worth
near Eve millions of dollars, aud now worth
much more.) She lived in entire ig norance
of her parentage for a long time. The first
idea she had of her paren,age, was being
taln'ed by a girl at school with the fact
that Col. Davis was not her father. At
forwards she discovered il from some pa
pers which she found, while she was look>
ing for some documents which she was 10
send to the Colonel al Harrisburg, they at
that time living in Pennsylvania. Some
time afterwards she visited the Sulphur
Springs, Virginia, and while there, on ac-
Count Of her carriage breaking, she became
acquainted with young man named VIM.
Whitney, son Of Gen Whitney of New
York. Soon afterwards, he visited her in
Philadelphia. but the Colonel not appro>
wing oil the match. he was forbid the house.
Col. Davis soon af.ef moved to Delamo
place, near Wilmington, and Miss Clark not
being permitted to See her lovel, she cores
ponded with him. .>-: -t. ,t
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 se>
cret, and punc,ually delivering the letters
into the hands Of Miss Clark, aud seaaingA
hers 10 Mr.. Whitney in return. Miss
Clark was ny This time fully acquainted
with her parenlage and the immense estate
Of her father. At last she received letter
from Mr.. Whitney. urging her BY all she
held true and the love she bore for him, To-
elope with him. The plan was laid and the
time fixed. Mr.. Whitney was 10 be a,
New Castle, where she was 10 join him.
None was lei into the secret bu. Miss will
hanson. To prevent detection, Miss Clark
called all the dogs together about Colonel
Davis place that evening, and put them in
one OF the outbuildings, and locked them
all up. At last the night came, and ter
rible one I, was tO--the wind howled, the
rain poured In torrents, and the darkness
was only now and then Illuminated by fear
full flashes Of lightning. Undaunted by the
raging elements, Miss Clark stepped from
her bedroom on the balcony. and by means
of a pillar of the balcony or rope. managed
10 reach the grouAd in safety, and immedi-
ately ran as fast as she could TO Whining
ton. I, was fearful night for girl SO
small, so young and delicate. TO venture
abroad alone, aud unattended. On her
way, If possible. the rain became heavier
and the flashes Ct lightning more vivid.
Al last she reached the residence of Mr.
Williamson, drenched with rain. and The
TOD of her band ,hox beat 10 ny the violence
of the storm. Miss Williamson was wal
\ ting alone in the passage to receive her
/ the low knock. at the door was given, the
key softly tunnel, the door opened, add Miss
Clark pulling or Der little kid slippers
which were wet throngh, softly ascended
the stairs, SO as motto alarm the rest OF Inc
family. The ladies employed themselves
until morning in dryi0g, as well as they
were able, Miss Clark's clothes. AT the
first dawn of morning they stepped out, and
hack being procured, she departed FOL
New Castle. Miss Williamson gave hel
S5-all she had, as at the time she left Col
Davis she had not dollar.
At New Castle, Miss Clark met her low
er and they started for Baltimore where
they were met by Miss Williamson, ~he
acted as bridesmaid on the secession Of thei'
marriage. Immediately after her marriage
Miss Clark, whom We SHAH now call mrs
Whitney, "a, about Aun,ing up facts 20 re-
la.ion 70 heia birth. Threats we're used
and ever okstacle made use Of 70 presen
! BET HcS hrs, care YEAS 10 find her mother
aud after long search, she was At last dis
, covered, We believe, in the island d Jana
, ca. She almost Immediately recognized
her daughter. and gave her The marfias'
cer.,fcaR Of her husband, Daniel Ciars
: from whom she had been separated SOM
4 time before his death. Proceedings wer'
, Immediately commenced. but for Will