The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-04
WANDERING MARY.
Romantic Story Of a Young Lady
Found in the Cars.
RUNNING AWAY FROM ADOPTED PARENTS.
E1eireSs to Sixteen Thou.
sand Dollars.
ACTION OF THE LAW COURTS

RICHMOND. Va, Feb. q 1875.
Philadelphia rejoiced about six months ago in
the possession OF Virginia female waif In male
attire, in search OF q fortunes but now Richmond
IL agtated by the unexpected advent Of rum
away "heiress." from the city OF Brotherly Love.
via Trenton, N. J. All that has transpired OF tho
history OF this "heiress' develops quite q series
OF romantic revelations NOT the least OF which II
tue TACT that certain parties In Trenton, wh0
formerly had control OF her. ana certain other
parties here who now have possession Of her,
are each endeavorin9 by every imaginable means,
the one to reclaim her. and the other 10 retain her.
now MARY RAN AWAY.
Nearly month ago some gentlemen returning
here from New York on one Of the night trains
were attracted by the detected air, thin clothes,
and the solitary and friendless demeanor Of Q
young girl IN the same car, whose age could noe
have been more than nfteen. she had black eyes,
DARK hair. handsome and regular features and
far complexion. but her face was expressive or
great trouble. ana evident mental tribulation.
These gentlemen soon approached her, and found,
alter some cautious and careful coaxing thas
her name was Mary Henbest that she was
born In Philadelphia, had been an orphan
for ten years, but was bound out by
some benevolent institution to Mr..
Demmur. OF Trenton, N. j., with whom she had
been living; that this Demmur and his wife mad
treated her cruelty ana shat she hal accordingly
run away, resolved never to return to nim again.
She further related that the worthy Demmur was
not 30 bad In his treatment OF her as his wife, who
used to make her do oil the cooking. make tho
fres go to market, wait on table, wash up tho
dishes and often feed the horse; that sne had no
chance to obtain an education. and, having heard
great deal OF this city, she made up ner mind to
live an orange nd Hsa wS s %
rich woman to return to Philadelphia and
with so much franKness, seeming truthful
ness and innocence. mixed with her tears,
tnat the parties to whom sne related her sorrows
became interested In her, and they very Kindly
offered their services TO look after her and see
tnat she ala not iall into improper hands. Ac-
TOOK charge or her and placed her under the car0
OF the Board oil Directors OF tho Spring Street
and reformation OF abandoned women, where she
remained until within few days since. 1t was
Pnliadeiphia and trenton that all the airi said
about her early life and history was strictly and
s1cspsns ne crus whch Mr. Dem
muir positively denied. and which he further quail.
ms ~ s %aS s s
same as though she was their own daughter, IN
he n,a adopted s and mad
VIZ
NARY AND ara WEALTH.
But the great additional information that was
Sssn wrttssn on the susjscs was that sne was an
.'helrsss" 70 some $4,000 worth Of property and
~ the on tug
ss n nary q
promptly removed from the .iHome" to the care,
Of private family. but. win also ssd. 20 guard
more e9sctually against ner being kidnapped ~
and sgains. Returning to wnom sns was most saot:
oughly decided and positive In her refusal.
About two weeks ago Mr. John psmmur. Of rren.
ssa. 2: sSs s"s s:1. s S.% q ~
Unitsd states Commissionsr but before this ns
suasion, artince aud force. She was not Wiling
to 60, and consequently the ofacers under whose
then returned 70 Phlladcl pna ana sent one Of the
girls brothers here 70 get her, but he failed also.
soon as the latter was positively assured OF this
the case was brought before United States Com.
beng represented by counsel. and the al.
rectOrs OF the Spring Street Home by counsel
as e ns M o. case V was 10
by counsel Tor Demmur that he could act under
authority OF law Of Congress oLl5oa, ana On acs
as tue Fugitive Slave law. In response to tnti
counsel TOR the Richmond parties explained ana
that the Fugitive Slave law had Desn repealed. aud
there was now NO statute under which Mary could
ther argument being advanced to sustain the
claims OF Mr.. Demmur. the former master OF the
the latter parsonage being left to her own choice
unnes itatinRly elected to remain with her new
not now exist esther practcaiiy, tneorsticsly or
even legally.
1t appears that In November 1870 Demmur ap.
piled to the Home Tor Destitute Children. Catho-
tic institution OF Philadelphia, for child which he
told her antecedents were good; parents deads
that she had relatives who took no care OF her;
i've years or age; had once been adopted by .
gentleman who Jailed In business; she was re-
remained. Demmur TOOK her ana d"p prossssd ts
have treated her well, but she tells quite diner.
s had no
MARY's RICH UNCLE,
naued HenDest, died In Philadelphia: In his life
time he had never contributed the smallest
amount 70 the maintenance OF MARY or her sister
and Jour brothers. By his wi WIN, after making :
the establishment or an asylum for infrm peopes
but the WILL having been made within thirty days
to bequests It was declared void, and the entire
fortune reverted to his heirs. Mary's portion was
tween 5000 and $4,000 net. Two Of lary's
brothers sold out their portions 70 speculators.
y ca% s 70 ZEE '9s q
them desired to haye himself installed e guar.
S wire ossn n
Subsequent Information from high legal authority
IN philadelphia 6,ete1 that MArg'S fortune VIII
amount 90 SIC, 0C0 ana upwards.
Mary IL now very closely watched on account Of
apprehended efforts to "Charley Rossn her on -
Trenton. or some other locality.
NARY's NUMEROUS rnlRNps.
It H. curious to note the Interest that has o..
tacnsd to rbis wandering waii slpce It became
known she was to come i6to the possession OF the
snug little sum or $4,000. All parties, actuated
take care OF Mary. Mr.. Demmur, OF Trenton,
wants her back 40 his "adopted dauRhterW nef
the full measure OF their family afection: az she
Catholic number OF gentlemen here Of that
relteiouo denomination are anxious that nno
should onter ST. Joseph's Orphan Asylum here,
where sne would be educated by the sisters; and
lastly, the parties here who have control Of her.
are determined she shall be Tree to exercise
ner own jud0ment as to whore she shall
sn o T not 60 Pax s0sr
brought there BY rorce 10 settled. the various IN,
terviews had with nor upon the visits or Mr.. Dem,
muir 10 reclaim her, prove that c0ncluslvely. WnuD