New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-01-14
THE COURTS.
THE JUMEL ESTATE CASE.

CHARLES o'CONOR OPENS FOR THE DEFENSE.
In the Jumel estate case, yesterday, Judge
sbpman admitted as evidence Major Ballous record IN
"the King Henry book" Of the birth of George wash
ngon Bowen and stated that he reserved the right 10
give should he see fit to do So his for admitting
it, Counsel for the plaintiff then closed his case In
chief and, in opening the case for the defendant MI
o'Conor said, In part
lam surprised the plaintiff has rested his case In
chief without producing the most important Wines
Mrs VandervOOrD used the former trial; Dut Ior
some prudential motives doubt IL has thus been Deen
closed; and appears to me TO be very extraoruhary
policy. You have had, gentlemen OF the jury very
special statement Of this from the plalnti c0u,
sell and you have listened to scraps OF evidence picked
up here and there relative 10 this oase nut all you mus
far know about it Is. that George Washington Bowen
claims to be Nine JuIneps iliegltimate son. and tnere
FORE entitled 60 her estate Now, propose to give you
clear history of the entire matter, and ot those COIL
The principal person referred to in this drama is Mr..
Jume Frenchnan, who as early as 1885, had business
relations with this country He was man holding q
OF the French power in santo Domingo Mr. Jumel came
TO live in this country BY 1910 or 1911 he had amassed
large fortune and he purchased the property In ques
ton. He retired person from that time TO the day
Of his death, May o. 1887 and he married Eliza b. Jumel
It has been hnted that she loose woman when
believe that a man like Mr. Jumei would
marry woman Of such character.
No living person knows anything about
Nine Jumel's early life but 1t is not denied that she
was native OF Providence, r. L. place noted for the
beauty of its women Her father always under
stood, was John Bowen, captain, who was lost at
sea- Her mother was Phebe Bowen and her maiden
name was Kelly 1t was also generally understood that
her origin was obscure; and the first mat we know OF
her. her statements is that she was married TO
Mr. Jumel. In 1888, she was married TO a man re-
nOwned for good and for evil Aaron Burr ana she oD-
tanned divorce from him on the ground OF nhdellty'
She died in 1865.
the person in the drama is, as shall call her,
Mary Junel. She was, at q very early PERIOD member
of Madam Jumels family; and 10 understood that
she was her adopted daughter, though she was some
times called niece" She lived with Madam Jumel t
1892 when she was married Nelson Chase the defend
aut, then young lawyer She lived with hun tlil Nay
sI3 Yhen she died. She left daughter Eliza, who was
educated IN France, and who was married To Paul L.
Perry. That lady is now In court.
Mr.. O'Conor here referred to Mme. Jume'S insane
period Qhe last year OF her e when she had as 1t APP
peared mania for making wills, and gave abrief his
tory of the celebrated suit growing out OF Of those
wills. That suit compromised as will probably be
remembered by Chases paying about $4,000 Returning
to the history Of the case, Mr. OConor said in part
lam surrounded with bandtti Of liars and suborners
OF witnesses who trying TO get this mans property
away from him and, among them all have discovered
a little truth.
After a few more remarks relative to Mime. Jumeps
adopted daughter the Court adjourned till to-day, at IL
o. NJ when hIr. 0'ConOr will resume.