The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-05-03
Mrs. GaInes's S35,OOO,OOO.

Mrs. Gaines's ss6, 10000
A dispatch from New Orleans an
nounces thas Judge Billings, OF the
United States District Court at that
place, has rendered decision in the
case Of Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines, who
claims several million dollars worth OF
property in that city, in favor Of the
claimant. This is a phase Of one Of
the longest and most interesting law
suits IN the annals of American juris-
prudence. The history of the case is
briefly as follows: Mrs. Gaines is the
widow Of Gen. Edmund Pendleton
Gaines, and was born in New Orleans
In 1905. Her father, Daniel Clark,
wa born in the county of Sligo, Ire
land, In 1866, and, emigrating to New
Orleans, inherited considerable prop
erty from his uncle in 1899. Before the
acquisition Of Louisiana he was Amer
lean Consul there, and represented the
territory in Congress in 1906. In
August, 1918, Daniel Clark died, and
his property was disposed of under a
will dated May 20, 1911, which gave
the bulk Of his estate to his mother,
Mary Clark, who was then living In
Germantown, Pennsylvania. He was
also supposed to be bachelor, but was
known TO nave had a liason with q
very beautiful Creole, Zulime des
Oranges. Two daughters were born of
this connection, one at Philadelphia in
April, 1902, and the other, MYra, at
New Orleans in 1905. The latter was
taken 10 the house Of Col. Davis, a
friend OF Clark's, nursed by Mrs.
Harper, and grew up in Philadelphia,
where she was known ss Myra Days.
In 1880 Mr.. DAVIS, being then a mem
Der Of tine Pennsylvania Legislature,
sent home for cer'ain papers, and, in
searching for these, Myra discovered
some letters which partially revealed
the secret of her birth, and laid the
foundation of the lawsuit which has
since become famous.
In 1882 Myra married w. w. Whit
ney, Of New York, who, in following
up the discovery made by his wife, Sc
cured from Col. Davis an old letter
which gave an account of a will made
by Clark in 1918, just before his death,
giving all his large estate to Myra, and
acknowledging her as his legitimate
daughter. Mr.. and Mrs. Whitney went
Immediately to Cuba, and there, after
q long search, discovered the writer OF
she letter, and, with the aid of the evil
dence given by him, began suit in New
Orleans for the property of DAME
Clark, which had in the meantime be
come immensely valuable, and included
. great part Of the present business
quarter Of the city. On the trial o
this suit the Mrs. Harper above men
toned testified that four weeks before
bis death Clark showed her the will h'
had made in favor of Myra, ana &C
knoWledged the chIld's Legitimacy. Bar
on do Boistontaine testified that Clarl
had made the same statements to him
On this and other corroborative evi
dence tho lost will was received by thu
Supreme Court of Louisiana on Febru
sry 16, 1856, as the last will and tesla
mept Of Daniel Clark, though tn
document itself could not be found
The objection was then interposed tina
by the laws of Louisiana u testato
could not make devises to his adulter
inc bastard. On this point, however
two sisters of Mvra's mother testified
that Zulime dcs Oranges was privatel,
married to Clark in their presence, il
Philadelphia, IN 1903, by a Catho oil
priest, It having been learned tina
Zulime's reputed husband, De
Oranges, had another wife living, ant
was therefore not legally married. Il
another suit growing out of this diff
Guilty the United States Supreme Cour
decided that the marriage and legiti
macy Of Myra were established.
In the meanwhile Mr.. Whitney died
and his widow married Gen. Gaines
whom she has also outlived. Assisted
By the General, Mrs. Gaines continue,
her litigation, and, in 1856, in tn
Supreme Court of the United States
hled bill in equity to recover valuabl
real estate, then in the possession of tn
city Of New Orleans, and decision il
her favor was rendered in 1867. TIL
value of the property claimed was estl
mated in 1851 at $35, 900, 900, of whicl
HEs. Gaines had up to 1874 obtained
possession OF some SO, 900, 900. M.
merous actions Of ejectment agains
Individual parties have followed, ant
Il ID no doubt Que of these that Judg
Billings has now decided in Mrs
Gaines's favor.
The heroine of this romantic story i
o little, black eyed lady of over seven,
o., who still retains traces If iorme
uneommon beauty. She is well edu
Gated, quick aud courageous. He
long and varied experience in he lay
courts has given her legal education
Of no mean character. On several &C
casions ana notably in thu Sipr' III
Court OF the United States "a 1861, III
has pleaded her OWL cAus- pct ona't
and with ten-rk al" -u,,ss Tia, .uS
% the time OF G-u,Tai ua.sr>'s irrin
veal ny woman, she ha, often been 1
financial straits, tor she has spent sew
srsl large fortunes in prosecu ing h,
claims. The writer has often Seen her
~ recently as 1871, walking the street
Of New Orleans in the plainest cloth' s
and with her inevitable little blacl
bag on her arm, looking far more lik
cook in search Of place than Ink
the heiress to $S5, 600, 900. The prop
srty now known as the Houn as Plan
tAtions and belor giny to Nj. Johl
Burnside, of New orleans, was at on
time part oNhe Gaines estate, and wa
sold, with the slaves on it, to Gen
Wade Hampton, of South Carolina, il
iete, for $500, 900. When Mrs. Game
succeeds in getting possession of al
the property awarded her, she will b
the wealthiest person in New Orleans
and perhaps the richest woman in tn,
world.