Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-10-19
DEATH OF MRS. GAINES MOTHER
en ROMANTIC LIFE.

mother oil Dr. Gardette, OF NeW Orleaiis, 'uu VI
Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines. She died at the resi-
dence Of her son, DIR. Gardctte. at the advanced
age of seventy-eight years. The Della of the
Goth, has the following notice OF this remarkable
woman:
The lady was the heroine of that intensely in-
teresting romance in real life, which was devel-
oped in the celebrated lawsuit of Mrs. Gaines.
Her maiden name was Zulime Carriere. She
was born in the old French colony of Biloxi
Her parents were emigrants from the land of
poetry and romance-the favorte home of the
roubadours-Provence The blood Of the Clip
sey race, which in the early days of Louisiana,
settled along our sea coast, and whose lovely
daughters were the special object of the admi-
ration and love of the gallant French cavaliers
who established the first colonies, mingled with
that of the poetic Provencal. From such stock.
it is not remarkable that Zulime Carriere should
have derived extraordinary personal beauty
The charms of herself and her three sisters, were
universal themes of admiration in the colony Of
Louisiana. The warm and genial climate, and
luxurious atmosphere of the sea shore, ripened
these charms into full maturity at very early
age. Zulme had hardly emerged into her teens
before her hand was sought by numerous suit
ors. The successful aspirant gained his point
--as Claude Menotte in Buwers play did-by
holding an imaginary coronet or other insignia
of nobility, before the eyes of n beautiful, but
unsuspectng girl of Mirtcen. She was caught
by The glittering bait The French nobleman
soon dwindled into Il confeclioner, and what was
worse, a married man, who had never been di-
vorced. He was arrested and tried by an ecce-
siastcal Court in this city, for bigamy-was
convicted, and sentenced to be punished, but af-
forwards escaped, and was no more heard Of
Thus ended Zulimes relation with Jerome De
Grange.
Pending this proceeding, and after the discov-
cry of De Oranges previous marriage, there
grew up an intimacy between Zuime and Dan
iel Clark, then leading man in this colony-of
very popular character, and agreeable manners.
Clark was just the gallant, chivalrous man, to
espouse the cause of an unprotected and wrong
ed woman.
1t is said-but as from this point starts the
protracted litigation which has recently engaged
so much of the time and attention of our Courts
we must be understood as giving the version re-
lated by the deceased lady herself and her friends
that Clark, having met Zulime in Philadelphia:
and satisfied himself as TO the eXistance Of De
Oranges bigamy, and the consequent nullity of
his marriage with Miss Carrere promptly offer
ed her his hand and heart, but suggested the pru-
dence of keeping their marriage secret, until
they could complete the proof of De Oranges
crime. They were married Of this marriage,
but one witness was living when the suit was
brought by Mrs. Gaines, and that was the Sis
ter Of Zulime. But there were corroborating
circumstances, upon which the proof of the real
| ity of such q connection was rested. After her
marriage to Clark, in 1902, Zuime returned to
New Orleans, to take further legal proceedings
to invaidate, or rather, authenticate, the illegal
ity of the marriage with De Grange. A suit was
brought for this purpose in the Civil Courts Of
the Territory, and judgment was obtained
against De Grange. In the meantime, Clark had
advanced in years and honors. The gallant you'll
of 1902, had become the ambitious politician anc
millionaire.
AS the popular man Of powerful party, ht
was sent a delegate of the Territory to Con
gress. Here he soon forgot the poor Creole
girl, and began to mediate more brilliant mar
riage connection. The object of this aspiration
was the lovely Miss Cation, of Maryland, grant
daughter of Charles Carroll, of Carollton, whc
afterwards became the Marchioness of Weles
ley. She was great belle, and Clark's fin
manners, distinguished position,and great wealtl
no doubt, rendered him desirable match for s,
brilliant and accomplished beauty. They wer
engaged; but some stories of his enemies caus
ed sudden termination Of their relations. Oh
hearing of his courtship of Miss Cation, the un
fortunate Zulime again went to Philadelphia t.
procure proofs of her marriage with Clark. Blu
alas! Clark, it was alleged, under the influenc
of reckless ambition, had made way with thos
proofs, and poor Zulime again found hersel
the victim of mans treachery. In a feeling @
desertion and helplessness, alone among stran
gers, whose language and habits were foreign t
her, she accepted the hand of DR.. Gardette, VIII
generously and magnanimously, relying on he
truth and sincerity, united his fate and fortun
with hers. FLom that period her life flowe
smoothly on in the discharge of her duties as
wife and mother.
Shortly after her marriage with Gardett'
Clark had suffered his severe rebuff from tn
lovely Miss Cation. In spirit OF true penitenc
he hurried to Philadelphia, saw Zulime, and d'
clared his determination to proclaim their ma
riage. But it was too late. She informed hi
that she was Mrs. Gardette Clark was deepl
distressed at this, and exhibited sincere pen
tence. He sought to atone for his desertion {
| the mother, by kindness to the daughter, wh
was born in 1906, of this secret marriage. Th
: was Myra Clark. She was placed in charge I
an intimate friend Of Clark, Col. Davis who raj
ed and educated her as his own daughter.
: was not until she had reached maturity, thi
Myra discovered the secret of her history
Since then, as Mrs. Whitney and as Mrs. Gaine
, she has prosecuted her claim to the property
Daniel Clark, as his lawful heir, with zeal, ca
ncstness and energy, which have rarely bee
4 =. II