The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-04-18
INCIDENT IN THE GAINES CASE.
A Scene in n New Orleans Court Thirty
Ave Years Ago.

~
sented scene Of rare and curious in
tersst
It was on tho occasion OF u deeply
interesting trial OF Il suit wherein lady
| was defendant. and who, In the absence
| Of her counsel. assumed the task OF con-
Quoting and arguing her own case. Inc
Indy YVES then In tho full bloom OF
matronly beauty. Petite OF tlgure. put
graceful and symmetrical. with lace
of rare Intelligence and vivacity, OF fair
md rich complexion. with eyes OF Gipsy
brightness. but mellowed by feminine
aeneitiyenees and emotional intensity.
with an abundance Of rich auburn hair
tastefuly arranged, elegantly and fash"
ionably attired, and speaking in tones
Of peculiar melodiousness, but with n
thrilling ehrnestness and emphasis,
her appearance in tho character OF
an advocate and counsellor, In u court,
where females aro 50 rarely seen,
and from which ladies shrink with
so much repugnanoe and horror, could
not but excite profound interest in the
usual attendants Of court proceedings.
The room was crowded. There was n
full representation of the bar-the other
courts being vacated lawyers, CLERKS.
and even judges desertlng their seats
and thronging into the First District
J Court to swell the large audience which
had been called to that centre OF attrac-
tion by the slvery tones Of O woman's
voice. Judge A. M. Buchanan presided
in the First District Court. He was u
gentleman and jurist, Of high spirit,
quiet temper. positive In his opinions.
but generous, honest and courageous In
his bearing md utteranoes on the bench.
The lady advocate addressed herself
to D jury Of grave, sedate, thoughtful
citizens. Sitting near enough to aid the
speaker with suggestions and with
papers. was toll, aged, military gentle
man, clad In the full uniform Of d gen
eral Of the U. s. army, who appeared to
be entirely absorbed in tho argument.
} and to watch with intense interest every
gesture. utteran 3e and expression of The
lady speaker ever and anon glancing
: around at the lawyers seated ut the
table, at the presiding judge and at the
quiet, thoughtful faces Of the jurors.
Over six feet In height, with remarkably
erect and somewhat stiff carriage, with
face indicative Of great power of will,
and eyes flashing with courage and de-
hance of aii oppoaers, with iron gray
hair, brushed straight up. from broad
brow-and standing erect IN the
fashion OF Andrew Jackson--it needed
but tho yellow belt, gold trimmings
and sword by his side, to proclaim the
position and identity of this veteran
He was no less parsonage than Major
General Edmund Pendleton Gaines, the
Senior General in our army, the hero ol
the defense Of Fort Erie in 1912, one ol
the most gallant affairs Of the war with
England, and Of many other victories
the bosom friend Of Andrew Jackson
and the trusted agent Of Thomas Jeffer
son, to arrest the person and thwart the
plan OF conspiracy which Aaron Bur-
= came to this State In 1906 to put in ope
ration.
The lady who addressed tho Cour
. under his protection was his wife, t.
whom General Gaines had not beer
- married more than two years. She hat
remained for come years widow, afte
;, the death OF her first husband, who ma.
\ be said to have offered up his life in thu
defense Of her claims to recognition al
j., the legitimate daughter and heir Of I
- notable individual who played 80 con
; spicuous part In the early history 0
I. our city and State. This parsonage wa
= Daniel Clark, high-spirited, enterpris
= ing, dashing Irishman, who ha'
: achieved large fortune and grea
! prominence in the affairs OF this terri
+ tory, previous to the war Of 1914. Edu
). Gated in ignorance of her origin an
f. parentage, the lady In question neve
J. discovered any trace OF her lineag
q until she had married Mr.. Whitney, he
d first husband. He entered zealousl
o with her on the prosecution OF he
claims, and thereby became involved II
many difficulties and vexatious suits
Finally he died OF yellow fever, an
some years afterwards the widow mar
ried that distinguished soldier Ger
Edmund p. Gaines. In forming thi
alliance the gallant veteran assumed, a
one Of the most sacred duties Of hi
life, to devote all his energies and mean
II to the maintenance Of the claims OF hi
q wife and the vindication Of the homo
"a and character Of her father, who ha
II been his intimate friend.
l. 1t was in the discharge of this obliga
tion Gen. Gaines now appeared in coul
to support his wife in the prosecutio
Of her case. The lawyers retained fo
" " her had been involved in quarrel wit
is the judge and had retired from th