The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-04-01
THE MYSTERY OF A WILL.
TWENTY YEARS IN SLAVERY.

When the reputation of New Orleans as a
future emporium had travelled across the
water, and strangers from all parts of the
world began to flock here, gentleman re-
valent fever and came to this city to pay
court to Dame Fortune. Fifty years ago, the
Fourth District was not what it now is. The
palatial residences and beautiful gardens
there now were not dreamed of. and even at
Jackson street open commons stretched
away, leaving the eye to wander off to the
old Delachaise plantation. Of a thrifty dis
position, the gentleman had saved some
money, and, accordingly, invested it in a
square of ground, which has since become a
very centre of refinement and wealth.
He purchased some slaves, and after put
ting up a dwelling, which still stands, he
went through the groove of quiet life, and
one spring morning as the hooking birds
were holding carouse in the neighboring
orange trees, he gently stole into the other
world and out of this. He had a tavorite
slave, a house girl, who was deaf and dumb.
for whom he had kindly feeling, and when
made her a legatee. He gave her one lot OF
ground, and her freedom when her eldest
daughter should arrive at a certain age.
The rest of the square was given to an old
maid relative who had followed him from
the West Indies. Time rolled on, and this
maiden lady knowing little Of business
asked the advice and counsel of relative
of hers who was then engaged in business
here. and who now is a wealthy retired
merchant.
This merchant began gradually to assume
more and more the management of the
old lady's affairs, and it was not long
before he was master in the premises. He
paid the taxes, rented out portions of the
square for tillage, and hardly gave the
heiress the necessaries of life. At last
the time was fast approaching for the old
slave and her three daughters to become
free, and something had to be done to pre-
vent it, He therefore sent the Oldest out of
the State and sold her, for she was the only
one who knew anything concerning the will,
and so the track would be hidden. The
mother and three daughters he kept in
slavery over twenty years, and retained
possession of the lot donated to them by
their dead master. The war came ON, and
after the emancipation proclamation the
daughters and old dumb mother remained
about the old place long time.
In 1866 the old slave died, and the three
daughters went out as servants. Years
passed on, and it was only through a gar
rulous old lady who had been, over a
quarter OF century before, a witness to
their masters will. that they learned of
their ownership of the ground and their
bondage through fraud. They have now
obtained legal advice, and their attorneys
are preparing to sue the retired merchant
for the land and fifty Thousand dollars
damages, for keeping them in slavery for
eighteen years. 1t is said that great interest
in their behalf is shown by some prominent
families up town. Rolling in luxury, their
hard task-master has laughed at their de-
mand for the ground, and will make no
reparation. The lawyers are hard at work,
searching through old dusky manuscripts,
finding out aged witnesses, and our courts
will soon have a cause celebre.
1.-The mills of the gods grind slowly,
But they grind exceedingly hne."