The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-04-06
From Me Deiosrdre Blue Hcn's Cicken.l
THE EARLY LIFE OF MRS. GAINES.

AS the case Of this extraordinary woman
has Tor long time excited the interest OF
the people Of this country, VIC think il will
not be embarrassing TO give our readers u
slight sketch Of her early life. Maria
Clark, (now Mrs. Gaincs,) who is well
known to our citizens, having in early life
resided here was born in New Orleans, her
father Daniel Clark, (wcll known in the
p"lit'ca al mud commercial history OF Louis
lana,) being a partner Of Col. Davis of this
county. Her father died, and when only
n few months old, she was adopted by Col.
Davis; and brought up as his own child.
A man by the namo Of Ralph destroyed his
ia.her's will, and there 10 every reason "a
believe forged one giving TO himself the
whole OF the immense property Of her "a
Their, consisting Of nearly tho whole Of the
new part OF New Orleans, lat that time
worth near .frc millions Of dollars, and now
worth much morc.) She lived in entire
ignorance Of her parentagc for long time.
The first idea she had Of her parcntnge,
was being tauntcd by girl at school with
the fact that Col. Davis was not her father.
Afterwards she discovered il from some IA.
pers which sho found, while looking Tor
some documents which she was TO send 10
the Colonel at Harrisburg, they nj that time
were living in Pennsylvania. Some time
afterwards she visited the Sulphur Springs
Virginia. and while there, on account Of
her carriage breaking, she became nc-
qualntcd with ayoung man by tho name Of
VIM. Whitney, son Of Gen. Whitney Of
New York. Soon afterwards he visited
her in Philade phia, but the Colonel no,
approving of tho match, he was forbid the
house. Col. Davis soon after moved IL
Dclamorc plnce, near Wilmington, ard Miss
Clark not being permitted to sec her lover.
she correspondent with him.
To prevent detection, her letters were
directed to Miss Mary Ann Williamson,
(now tho wilc cf Rev. Cory Chambers, OF
this city, daughter Of our late Mayor and
Post Master, she carefully keeping tho Sc
crct, md punctuallv delivering the letters
into the hands Of Miss Clark, aud sending
hers to Mr.. Whitney in return. Miss
Clark was by this time fully acquainted
with her parentage and the immense estate
Of her father. At last she received lei.
ter from Mr.. Whitney, urging her by all
she held true and the love she bore him, 10
clopc with him. The plan was laid and
the time fixed. Mr.. Whitney wns to be mt
New Castle, where she wns TO Join him.
None WINS let into the secret but Miss VIII
hanson. Toprevcnt detection, Miss Clnrk
called all the dogs together about Col Dn-
Wis place that evening, put them in one of
the outbuildngs, and locked them all up.
At last the night came, aud terrible one
It was too; the wind howed, the rain pour.
cd in torrents and the darkness wns only
now md then Ilumincd by tho fearful fash
es Of lightning. undaun.cd by tho raging
elements, Miss Clark stepped from her bed
room on tho Balcony, and by means Of a
pillar OF the balcony or rope, managed to
reach the grour! ia safety, nnd immediate
y ran as fast as she could to Wilmington.
Il was fearful night Tor n cir! so small, so
young and delicate, to venture abroad.
alone, and unattended. On her way, If
possible, the rain becnsnc heavier, and the
flashes 81 lightning moro vivid.
Al last she reached tho residence of Mr..
Williamson, drenchcd with rain, and the
top Of her handbook beat in by the violence
Of the storm. Miss Williamson was whit
ing alono in tho passage to receive her;
tho low knock at the door was given, the
key softly turned, tho door opened, and
Miss Clark, pulling or her little kid slip
pers. which were wet through, softly asccn-
ded the stairs, so as not to alarm the rest Of
the family. Tho ladies employed them
selves until morning in drying, as we'll ne
they were able, Miss Clork's clothes. At
the firs, dawn of morning they stepped ont,
and hack being procured, she departed
for New Castle. Miss Williamson gave
her oil the money she had, S5-as nj the
time she lofl Colonel Davis she had not
dollar.
Al New Castle, Miss Clark met her Low.
or and they started Tor Baltimore, where
they wcro met by Miss Williamson, who
acted as bridesmaid on the occasion OF their
marriage, Miss Clark, who we shall now
call Mrs. Whitney, set about hunting up
facts IN relation TO her birth. Threats
were useds and every obstacle made use ri
to prevent her. Her first care was 70 find
her mother, snd nIicr long search, she
was at last discovered, wo believe, ia the
Island Of Jamaica. She almost immediate
~ recognized her daughter, and gave her
The marriage certificate Of her husband,
Daniel Clark, from whom she had been
separated some time before his DEATH
Proceedings were Immediately commenced,
but for awhile with small prospect Of suc-
cess. Threats were not only made against
herself and husband, but against any one
who should advocate their cause.
Il was With difficulty lawyer could be
procured to plead her cause; even tho very
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