The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-28
Mr.. MINERS THREE FAMILIES.
Legitimate and Iiieritimnte Children Con-
tending for mn Estate.

From ne Nao York nnes.
PLArNFrELD, N. Y, May A.-In October,
1875. Phoebe Dennlson, Oldest daughter Of
iIro ",S Madison county, elcped with
her fathers hired man, Daniel Miner Main,
and was ma,,lsd to- I'm at MN SnSdh,I aS
been In the employ Of Mr.. Dennson but a short
time, aud was 10 every way uDsuited 10 pc me
some Girl, and for that day considered unusually
accomplished The parents OF the girl, howev'
err. having opposed her choice In every way, ac-
certsd the situation after the marriage ana pro-
vlled for the couple on their return home
week subsequent to the elopement.
After living at the homestead a year or so,
Main and bis wife removed to this village, ard
subsequently to Edmeston, where DennisOn
gave them astert op z farm. For time things
neglected his wife for other women, on whom
he wasted her money for several years; when
all tho property they held in common, took tho
proceeds, and, In company with a notorious
woman named Catharine Hooker. with whom he
had maintained an intimacy Tor long time, lett
tho vicinity IN 1893, leaving his wife AMI seven
small children destitute Of the commonest ne
knowledge they had Of Mains whereabouts I'M
I'll -four or Ave years since, although vague ru-
mors that he was living with Catharine Hooker
In northern Pennsylyania, and prospecting, were
Me ntime the deserted wife, aided by her
father, reared her large family, aud had the sat
leading positions, and form advantase9l, ma.
In 1871 Thomas J. Main, brother OF the faith
les husband, received a letter from the latter,
dated waymart, Wayne county, Pa, and he soon
thereafter proceeded to that place to see Daniel
and learn something az to his condition. lie
found him living near the above village on ane
fern, under the name OF Daniel Miner. On the
farm were two houses. In one Main was, was then
whom he had three children. Catharine Hooker,
with whom he left Edmeston, was living In the
other house. and was also the mother OF three
other children, Of whom Main was tho father
For twenty-six years he had maintained these
two Legitimate families, living at times with
CartharIne and then with Rachael. The latter
woman he had met In Dundan, susquehanna
county, Pa, before he settled In Wayne county,
and sue had been one Of his mistresses ever
since. Another of his farms was occupied by a
son OF his by Catharine Hooker, whose oldest
son, James Miner, had been raised by hachael
When Thomas Main appeared at his brothers
the latter was greatly affected, and begged tue
former not to reveal to any one his true name
as no one but Catharne Hooker knew ANYTHING
OF his true name and family IN New foIk state.
II introduced Thomas as HE hall brother. lie
was greatly changed, and vsibly suffering from
sorrow and remorse. He was sulicitous to know
whether his children were good and smart, and
wept long and violently when told that his wife
was dead. lie told his brother that the memory
Of the past haunted him nt2ht and day, and that
he would give all he was worth to live IL over.
1t was his intention. lie said, To make all the res.
titution to his wrODged family that he could
On the ith Of January, 1873, Daniel Miner died,
II IL said, In great agony ana Gazing on III. ueau
vile for forgiveness. "A snort Tune tneTehltei n
document purpottlng to be the last VIII and tes-
lament OF Daniel Miner was entered In the Rez.
isters once at Hunesdale the county seat OF
| Wayne county, and letters Issued thereon. By
its provisions one Of his farms was left To
Rachel Ryder during her life, and 10 20 to
james Miner, the son OF Catharine Hooker. on
| the death Of Rachel. The other farm was be-
| aueathed to two sons OF Catharine. and the per-
| sUnM property was divided among the other
| children OF the two women.
On hearing OF the death OF their father his
| children In New York State resolved to look
IA at at lIHrlt 4 al
| county. where he found the situation as above.
| From Information he received he was convinced
that the will was not the rational act OF his late
| father, rut the result Of Influence brought 10
bear on his mind, NJ the time unsOund. The
| Will WIS dated on the 26th Of December 49,
| eight d iys before his father died. Proceeding
| to break the will were ut once begun, and th'
| case came 20 TAI 10 NJ the term Of the WAYNE
| County Court lust ended. Ii resulted adversely
to the legal heirs Of Main. but tue case u to b'
| carried TO the SIlreWe Court, where ~ Is con
| Gdenuy expected the judgment VIII be reversed