The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-25
Ending ora Remarkable Lawsuit.

A very remarkable lawsuit, which has
been for somo time pending in the
courts OF Kentucky and Indiana, was
brought to a termination day or two
ago by the agreement OF the parties to
the sult to compromise.
Some years ago n German gentleman
named Gustavus Schurman resided in
Louisville. He was the possessor Of n
considerable amount OF property, lived
in good style, drove fine horses, sported
a footman in livery, and claimed to be
u German nobleman. He was married
to German young lady, had young
and interesting family, and to all appear.
ances was prosperous and happy. But
as in SO many families, there was n ghost
in this one, the secret Of whose existence
did not come to light until the death OF
tho principal actor in this little social
drama.
Gustavus was a resident Of Aix.la. Cha
pellc, little city in Rhenish Prussia,
pursued the business Of cloth manuiac.
turer, and was what might be considered
well of, his real and personal estate
being worth about 100000. He loved,
or thought he loved a Indy named Amelia
Eberhardino Coll, daughter OF ono Of
the royal counselorS, and in 1S45 he pro
posed marriage, was accepted, and tho
marriage ceremony was performed in
that year. An ante.nuptial contract
was entered into between the two, ac-
cording to tho code Napoleon, which
was in forco at Aix.la. ohapelle, by which
in case OF the death Of tho husband be-
fore tho wife, she became entitled 10 one.
, eighth in fec simple OF his entire estate,
md one.iourth OF tho cstate during her
| life time, besides having community
Of interest In all acquisitions TO tho com.
mon fund after marriage, which commu-
nifty Of interest would entiLle her to
one half.
Tho two lived happily together ior
some time, or apparently SO. The life Of
tho wife, however, was soon rendered
wretched by tho discovery that another
had supplanted her in her husband's
affections. This however, was not or
actly tho case; IL was she In reality, who
had taken the place which nnture had
assigned to another. Schurman had in
his employ number Of factory girls, ,one
Of whom, Catherine Bengels, was pos.
sesscd Of more than ordinary beauty,
The impressible young bachelor, was
smitten with her beauty, bat the inexor'
Rblo laws Of society governing the little
Rhenish provincein which he livSd held
over him terror Of prescription which
prevented him from doing that which
his heart prompted. IIeloyed Catherine
Bengels and his love was returned, but
he married Amelia z. Coil, who brought
to him proud name and m extensive
dover. But for the crime which schur-
man had committed against his nature
he was amply punished.
His married life was unhappy, while
his love for the lowly Catharino Bcngel.
became moro intense, now that Il was
impossible for them to be legally united.
They met clandestinely, and tho inter.
course coming to tho knowledge OF the
unhappy wife, she became depressed be.
yond masure, upbraid Cd her husband
with his perldy, and threatened divorce.
This rendered the husband desperate,
and, openly avowing his attachment,
took Catherine Bepgels into his domi.
cile. Becoming diacoutented with this
condition Of things, schurman decided
upon cmigratins to America, and came
to this country. Ho returned In 1S49,
and gathering together what property ho
could, departed in 1850 for the United
States, in company with Catliarine Ben.
gels. Before his departure, his wife in.
stituted suit for divorce.
On the arrival OF Schurman in Amor.
lea he proceeded to Louisville, where ho
took up his residence, and sued for di.
yorcc from his wife Amelia. which was
granted when he Immediately married
tho woman who had cloped with him.
Gustayus Schurman purchased real
estate in Indianapolis and Louisville, and
by his tact aud business management in.
creased his wealth to over million OF
dollars. At the time OF his death he had
seven children, two by his first wife and
five by his second wife. In making his
will he left his Prttssian property to his
two German heiis aud his American
property to his American heirs.
The first wife Amelia, learning OF the
death Of her husband, obtained posses.
sion by legal process OF tho Prussian
estate, and sued for her sharc, rs per
marriage contract, Of tho descendants
estate in America. Her son, Gustayus
+. schurman, represented her with pow
er Of attorney, and tho ablest lawyers in
tho city were employed to prosecute tho
case. The pleadings werc voluminous
and as vast amount OF property was IN
yolved, great interest was manifested in
the result. 1t appeared, however, thnt
as the case progressed tho plaintiff weak
enel somewhat in enforcing her claims.
Being in foreign country, and copies
OF proceedings in foreign courts being
frequently rendered necessary as testi-
mony in the American courts, she be.
came wearied and finally agreed to a
compromise, in lieu ofall claims, for tho
sum Of one hundred thousand dollars.
A cnppey Arv,1rn A postor oor-o