The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-04-12
The Gaines Case.


The celebrated Gaines case has been
decided by the u s. Supreme Court in
favor of Mrs. Gaines, thus placing that
lady, after struggle Of many yenrs du-
ration, in possession Of property variously
estimated at from wo TO fifteen millions OF
dollars. The history in brief, Of this re-.
markable case is as follows:
Zulieme Carriers, beautiful French
girl, had been entrapped into a marriage
with a man named Jerome De Grange,
who represented himself to be a French
Count. On reaching Philadelphia she
discovered that De Grange was a married
man and coniectioner; Zuleme fled from
her seducer, and became acquainted with
Daniel Clark, one OF the early settlers oI
Louisiana, and man Of extraordinary
business tact and energy. This meeting
was in 1902 Clark soon after married
the handsome French girl, but the mar.
riage was kept secret, In 1906 Myra,
now Mrs. Gaines was born. Soon after
the birth Of her child, Zuieue became
anxious 10 have her marriage with Clark
made public, and she left for New Orleans
TO obtain proof Of her husbands vilIainy
Clark, now an influential politician, took
advantage Of her absence to pay his ad
dresses to Miss Cation, grand daughter o.
Charles Carroll. An engagement wat
contracted, but Miss Cation discovered
that Clark was already married, and thu
match was broken off. Mss Cation after
wards became the Marchioness OF Welles
lay.
On her return to Philadelphia, Zuliem
discovered this new blow TO her happiness
She at once set aboat proving her marriag
to Clark, but found that lie had destroye,
ali the evidences Of tbe fact that lay within
his reach. Poor and helpless she strug
gled on with her child until she met wit
DR.. Gardette, who learned her story
offered her his hand, and was accepted
Clark soon after sought reconciliation
with Zulieme, but was TOO late. He OBJ
tained possession of their child and had /
brought up by friend, every care being
taken Of her education. Clark bocam,
immensely wealthy. and on his death il
1913, left the whole Of his property TO hi
mother, naming Beverly Chew and Rich
ard Relf, bankers Of New Orleans, as hi
executors. About the year 1881, Myri
Clark, who had then become Mrs. Whit
ney, took steps to establish her legi.imac,
and obtain her share of the property
The case was holly contested, ant
dragged its slow length along until tn
unfortunate lady was beggared. He
second husband. General Gaines, pushe,
her claims with vigor. but without success
AS last resort, Mrs. Gaines, now agail
a widow, brought the entire case belor,
the United States Supreme Court, ant
here, at the last possible stage OF the con
test, she has become victorious.
Mrs. Gaines is now in her 6ny-fftl
year. enjoys good health, and has Kept u
her epiri;s and good humor throug hou
the thirty years desperate legal slruggl
in which she has been engaged. BY tn
decision she has established her legit
imacy, and become the possessor OF prop
erty of immense value, principally IN tn
city o! New Orleans. The Court, i
giving the decree, said that measure
wonld be at once taken to enforce tn
decree. The Louisiana act OF secession
does not affect the Gaines decision, as a
pending suits in the United States Cour,
in which residents Of that State were oon
cerned, were exempted from interference