The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-13
The Gaines viii Case.
DECISION AT LAST IN FAVOR OF MRS. GAINES.
= THIRTY. SIX YEARS OF LITIGATION.

On the 2Sth Of May, 1s41, Myra Clark Gaines,
wife of Major.General Gaines, Of the United
States army, tired Of 'the laws delay" and
of "the insolence Of Office, rose in the Circuit
Court room of the Southern District Of Louisi-
ana and said, II thank God that can go be-
fore the United States Supreme Court, where
will be heard and have justice done me.
Twenty-seven years of litigation OF doubts and
fears roll by. On Monday the United states
Supreme Court, in the case of Gaines against
the City of New Orleans, decided in favor OF
the plaintiff, and to-day Mrs. Gaines is probably
the wealthiest woman of America. Thlrty-slx
wears ago she began the action now terminated
IN her favor, and out Of which other actions
have arisen. The history Of the suit is as fol-
lows .;
She claimed to be the daughter Of Daniel
Clark, then deceased. Mr.. Clark, her father,
was born IN Sligo, Ireland, and came to this
country on the invitation Of a rich bachelor
uncle, who mads him his heir. To the great
wealth left him he added greater wealth, and
a golden tide flowed into his Golfers. In 1902
he marriedZulma Carriere. She had separa-
ted from previous husband when she learned
that he had wife still living. On this account
her marriage with General Gaines was quiet
one. Myra Clark was born Of this marriage
Disagreements arose between Mr. and Mrs.
Clark, and IN 1907 they separated. No public
acknowledgment Of her marriage was ever
made, and Mrs. Clark again married. In 1878
Daniel Clark made vii wherein he recogniz-
ed thelegitimacy Of Myra, and devised to her
his immense property. Yet OF this VIII MS
,n
reared By Mr. Davis, and knew nothing of
her parents or her rights. In 1882 she mar
RED VIM. W. Whitney. In examining some
old papers, BY mere accident he obtsined an
intimation. Of his wifes parentage end claims.
The following is schedule Of q portion OF Mr.
Clarks property in 1888:
p cotton estate and lands inherited from
his uncle Col. Clark. 2oU,uo0
Two cotton plantations devised to him In
1872 by Mr.. wilkins, with 100 negroes on ~, nm
each OF them: :.................... %OU'ooo
S,S po;nt tsu sT,gar U nlantation I 100000
The Maiso1 Rouge Grant ............. 100000
in Washita. Observation-Disclosures. " 49, 10000
= NH miles above New Orleans. s................ $4,000
= 60 60 miles niles above @ New orleans. .......... eO&O
Lands bought Of ". Simpson, on the Mis-
ilsnspa iesns A.e., 00 mne. .oo'. ~ 10000
ss J5dUs m Polo peiot o ~ . @ $1,000
Nsw sS91sg nT1ssDs gOaH boueht in isIs... $4,000
ranSa m, Bavn, Teche $4,000
lands m Rayon Iafourche- - $4,000
Lands ON Aux de Plaquemine. ............ WUu9
1fa sanS snSuaaha acres oi eo'a a ~ Da,o 100000
SgssH River ss . ..................... - % $1,000
One hundred and ten thousand ;.cres OF
land ON Amitie and Conetie Rivers, and
East Baton Rouge. l,09V,ooo
nSeg sesy onsshita nSdsaaa RiVer liver .'' $4,000
ifre1 fre@Sex lS o. Orleans. .o.. . - 10000
Debt dre from Chew l. Relfto Mr.. Clark, at
Ibis death. iVV'ooo
Aas.G, R.1s Hs0' uo M ~ M @ 100000
Aaea Chew Sa e1sss Rsif uas ~. . ..a $4,000
DUtS ny ceeW FeH. $4,000
~, s5 137 0O0