Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-11-26
MRS. sIYRA CLARK GAINES.
An Interesting Beminiscence.

In the last number of the Observer
the Rev. Charles Rockwell contributes
the following article III relation to this
celebrated woman:
PtStaonl's Magazine has an article en-
titled "The Romance Of the Great
Gaines Case.n This case Is truly said TO
have been the most remarkable IN the
records of the courts 10 this county,
Commenced in 1884. 1t has been IN every
court in Louisiana, and seven times be-
fore the Supreme Court OF the United
States, until, In 1868, there was final
decision IN favor of Mrs. tdsiDes, after a
continued succession of suits for the pc
riod of thirty-four years, making her
now the richest woman In America.
She Is aRid, at the ege of siZty-thres, 20
be a-ehatinIag and still beautiful wo-
| man, whose years seem not over forty.
As the parents OF Mrs. Gaines were mar
| ried privately; did not live together /;
were both of them afterwards married
to others and the will in her favor,
made by her father in 1913, when he
died, was destroyed by interested parties
while she w6s the reruted daughter Of
another-hence the time which passed
before she knew who her parents were
with the destruction Of the will and the
necessity Of proving it by those who saw
or heard it read alone; these facts have
made the case one OF great intricaey and
interest. Millions Of dollars have been
expended In conducting this suit, cover
ing, as 1t does, claims TO large part Of
the ground on which New Orleans is
built, and with thousands OF owners OF
this property, Mrs, Gaines has, Ia con-
Quoting this case, expended the fortunes
Of her two husbands, Mr.. Whitney and
Gen, Gaines, with sll she could obtain
elsewhere; and when money was want
ing, she once, for two hours and haif,
spoke before court, and gained her case.
Having, as friend, an aged elder in
one OF the largest Presbyterian churches
In the State Of New York, who was an
uncle by marriage Of Mr.. Whitney, the
first husband OF Mrs. Gaines, and she
having often been e guest at his house,
/ lately visited him, when ne told me
the following facts:
Mr.. Whitney, whose family lived 10
Binghampton, New York, first met Miss
Clark, then known as Miss Davis, while
travelling. Her reputed father, who
lived in the State Of Delaware, strongly
objected to the marriage, having selee-
ted another as 3 husband for her.
She then told him that IL she could not
have Mr., Whitney she would marry no
one else. at this her foster father, Col
Davis was very angry, and said, "ThaDk
God, there is none Of my blood in your
viensl9 This was the 1rst clue she had
to guide her in learning her true parent
age. Her husband, Mr. Whitney, coon
commenced suit for her estate, in which,
such were his prospects OF success, that
those who held it offered him seven mill
lions Of dolisrs to reiinQuish his claims.
His uncle told him by all means to ac-
oept the offer, ss that amount was
enough for any man to have. He said
Z" No, but Will have the whole" With
8 view to efieeiing this object, hs re-
turned TO New Orleans, and there died OF
yellow fever, after 3 sickness OF q few
hours, in 1885, having been married in
1882. His wife was thus left widow
with two daughters end son. One
Gaughte. is dead, ss also another, the
child Of Gen. Gsi0es. The surviving
daughter married at the Gost5, separated
ffofa bsr husband, aud bas 5iD9e mar.
Fied 3 gentleman in South Carolina, with
whom she is now living. The son is in
an asylum. During ;he progress Of her
suits, Mrs. Gaines has. in New Orleans,
several tiMes nsITo9iF escaped assassi-
nstion. Pistol shots lave been aimed st
her, and once q ball passed through her
bonnet. Her autobiography would be q
work Of the highest romantic interest.