Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-10
Il. Death-Bed Marriage Legal:-An In.
terPSting Law-Suit.

From the indianapolis Herald, Jan 29l
An interesting case Is now pending in the
Circuit Cont, involving some nice points OF
law IN relation 70 the solemniZation OF the mar
rage ceremony. Some years since a prori-
cent eItizen, MI. andrew Fuqua, died pos
tessed OF considerable property. BY his will
his wife by second marriage came into pos
session OF all his property, which she was TO
hoid during life, IN case she remained a widow
Al her death, II unmarried, the property would
revert 10 her husbands relatives. If she mar
rled, however, one half the property was 10 he
hsTs 10 dispose OF as she might think proper.
Mrs. Fuqua was hOpelessly Ill with some lung
CIsease, and two days before her death was in
dUced by her brother TO marry, that she might
thus acquire the title in fee simple 10 half the
property, which she could then deed 10 her
own relatives, instead OF allowing her hus-
bands heirs to inherit il.
Her brother had been a captain in one OF the
Indiana regiments, and induced one of his men
20 play the role OF husband in the death bed
marriage, il consideration of $50 paid down
The arrangement was made, the purchase
money paid over, and the dying woman, una
bic 10 SIT up in her bed, was married TO the
heaTtleSs aGyenturer. who cOuld thus make
merchandise and a mockery of the most solemn
sacrament recognized in the civilized world,
the ceremony being performed by minister OF
this city, who, 1t would seem, could not have
been altogether ignorant Of the nature OF the
Transaction. At any rate, the husband, after
the ceremony, left the house, went on a spree
with his S5DUs and never saw his wife again,
who died two days after. He never slept q
night beneath he- roof The action was brought
py Mr.. fuquas relatives 10 contest the validity
Of the marriage. The best talent is employed
on both sides, and the case will undoubtedly
prove one Of great interest to the public as well
as the legal fraternity.
The AGAssIz observation-disclosures Fish
The Boston Journal says: The last steamer
brought tie intelligence that Professor Ag;ts-
sIZ's explorations on the main stream of the
Amazon alone had res ulted in :he discovery of
DO less than eleven hundred and sixty three
species of fish, which is a greater number than
exists IN the Mediterranean. In the great
branches OF the Amazon-the Madeira % 10o
miles long, the Purus. a 400 miles long1 the
Rio Negro, TapoJos, Tocantius. lea and Jupu-
ria leach more than a thousand miles long) II
is estimated that there several hundred
more species differing from those of the
main stream Alfred X. Wallace, (author
Of the Amazon and Rio Megro,D and Henry
Bates, ('naturalist the Amazon,D who
explored the Amazon and branches for seye-
raj years, estimated that the number Of species
OF nsh in the great river and tributaries was
almost fabulous M. Wallacs's fine collection
was burned At sea, and thus England was de-
priyed Of the result of long and patient labors
In Great Britain, France, and GERMANY q
great interest is manifested in these discoveries
OF Professor Agassiz. Hitherto only seventy
species OF Amazonian fish were sent 10 the
geological Museum al Cambridge, and those
were forwarded by Rev. J. q. Fletcher. in IsG2
These species were all examined and classified
by MI Putnam, OF Salem, then one of Pro-
lessor Agassiz's assistants and all other fish
sent from Southern Brazil in Isf2 't3 and "a
were acknowledged in the annual reports We
mention this because unfounded rumors have
fed fish, from the Amazon, remaining in the
Museum AZ Cambridge"
FREAK OF A MANIAC.-A young woman Ia
boring under an alteration OF mind ATTEMPTED
10 destroy herself a few nights since III Month
cello, Florida. When discovered, the unfor-
inmate woman was sitting on feather bed, en-
TelOped in flames, while, with hands clasped
together, she petltIoned the God OF heaven and
earth! Upon entering the room the rescuers
heard voice, IN tones OF rapture, issue from
the names, d" - amt this glorious Amt I 4
martyr - The fire wa. promptly extin-
ruished, when IL was found that the poor lady
aust have been burning for some time for from
her waist down every yestig- of clothing was
destroyed, Notwithstanding she was dressed m
heavy wOollep fabrics, and had on 4 broadcIoth
cloak. The character OF clothing she wore was
all hat projected the upper portion of her
body. She died shortly afterwards. The flesh
upon The lower portion of her body aud limbs
was actually baked down, and rotwithstand-
ing, We are assured, she did not appear 10
suffer pain. Prom all the circumstances at
tending this truly IameRtable tragedy, it is
evident the unfortunate maniac premeditated
clothing from her own home, destroyed her
autrOtypes and letters, and after all was
ready sct fire 10 her clothing changing in a
wardrobe IN her rooIn,l and then deliberately
lgnItIng herself jumped into bed.
OF Illinois has Justrevealed the thickest coal
VEN on record.
sg-The Lowen mills employs 1850 females
No wonder the noise is greai.
HTTbsre were SS.JDu Germans emigrarsd IN
this country last year.
a1~A man in Cincinnati reImguished all
claim 10 his wife for $50 down and signed a
paper 10 that effect.
1IAmong the contributions TO the literature
Of the late war " hich will soon be iyen TO the
public il a Memoir OF Meagher's Irish Rri.
gads, IN the Army Of the Potomac" by Cap
tain w. +. Lyons.