The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-28
The Great Gaines Case.

k1om tue new orleans Dtit lee. 10.
The decision by the Supreme Court Of Louisiana
dered yesterday by Chief Justice orrck concarrcd
In by Justices Spoord and VOORHEES, is one Of the most
momestons events that has occurred in our judicial
history The litigation commenced and prosecuted with
such extraordinary tenacty and energy, by the plaintiff
Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines goes back more than twenty
five years. Kept in guorsncc of her real poution and
rights during childhood, and UNTIL indeed, she had
advanced years into womanhood she discovered,
sho, tly after her marriage with Mr.. Whitney her first
husband the mysterious circumstances OF her birth and
history With the first glimpse Of those facts her whole
quiet and gentcncss this lady suddenly emerged into one
peculiarly trying to feInale-one, indeed, full OF
the conviction 4 her being the lawful child and heir Of
the ordy Daniel Clark she entered upon tho
cuton of her claims with intense dcv Ition zeal and
nestness, which are without parallel. Triumphing
obstacles, embarrassmsnts and difficulties that
her faith knew tltsrDg and her courage and orttude
shrunk from no sacrifices The web which enveloped
her fortunes she determined to unrave; and with the
perseverance, Of Aachne, she has steadily unwound its
myriad threads 1t was not the desire for money-for
fotuLe-whch prompted and sustained this remarkable
devotion. THE instinct o. honor and pride u blood that
all mankind feel fr reference to tho circumstances Of
their BIRTH their origin, their descent from the worthy
bosom Of this lady She desired to yndicatc the purity
Of her origp-to establish her stdtps-to redeem the
reputation Of those to whom she Owed hes existence
supported her under terrible burden Of csappoint-
onts and rebus The claws delays" so fata 70
Innocent victims, had terrors for her SOUL Antnus
lie che from every disappointment with removed
nope, me ana fnWaiteu III one tosm Ol 0ctacn,
she revived her claims In another. Driven fr
conrt, she found ut least temporary refuge in some
other. With the faith-amost the superstition-of the
aehymist, she thrcwed her fortunes, her mean hcs
vgor the very best years If her life into this crucse
which abe kept burning and simmerng before her
II appref ended that life would exhaust ITSELF Its
usual limit be passed. she would approach the sou
ton OF SO intricate and extensive litigation.
The great event Of yosterioy bns called "psuse" in
this Arkabe struggle These astonishing labors and
have at last reached their utim ltu and the
long fooled petitioner heroic suppant for justice may
clns to her bosom the vincauon by the very highest
authority, Of the justice and rights OF her claim.
The last will or Daniel Clark charged to have been do
sta oyed-,hc will OF 1918 recognizing the legitimacy OF
MyIa Clark Gaines creating hey his universal legaee
has been ordered by tho Court Of Last Resort 10 this
STATE TO be admitted OF probate and execued The ef
feet Of this mandate I'LL be to give AIRS Gaines the
highest title Of the largest estates in the United
States estate Of millions The property Involved in
this litigation consists mostly Of plantations and
OF of the best city property. II generally held
by eahy persons The city Of New Orleans has sold
with full warranty, Large portion u this property, aud
will he liable therefor
OF the Eve Judges of the supreme mt, three
the decision; Judge Buchanan excused himself
hs, ing been engaged In Of tho suits brought
by Ms Gaines and Judge lea sustained his own deci
| sion.