The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-06
A VERY SINGULAR SUIT.
THE EXPORT 10 PROVB THAT THE
OPHILUS YOUNGS rs ALIVE

OPHILUS YOUNGS rs ALIVE
The story Told by his wIfr. who Says she
Received seven BuIiets IN her Body D"r~
inR the War-WhRt his Brether Claims
Norvously walking the corridors OF a
broadway hotel yesterday morning. n tall mus
cular. grny-hairod woman OF 45 attracted tho
attention OF the guests. She WIS accompanied
by her daughter, n keen eyed. dark haired. in
teligent child OF II. and wore conspcuously a
gold medal secured by gold chain around her
mock. This she was proud to exhibit to amy one.
It bore the inscription on one side " Presented
to Mrs. Mary J. @. Miller by Abraham Lincoln.
Precedent Of tho United States for her untiring
devotion TO our unfortunate sick and wounded
soldiers. and her valuable aid to tho Union
cause during this war. Mnrch 10. 1863" On
the other side was engraved "A mark OF csteom
and respect richly earned. From Abraham
Lincoln President OF the United States and tho
volunteer soldiers OF the United Stntos Army
from 1861"
Showing this trium phantly to the writer. che
said; what do you think that's worth |
wouldn't take a million dollars for 1t. for Mr..
Lincoln placed II around my neck with his own
hand"
Then you nre Mrs. Mary J. @. Miller"
NO. sir. I am Mrs. Mary j. @. Youngs. Mr..
Miller was my first husband. and a warm friend
Of Mr. Lincoln. but is dead many years. Dur
ing tho war. while attending our sick and
wounded eoldiers in tho hosptas. married
Throphilus Youngs. and that is why am here
in New York-to secure my rights IA his widow.
to the control Of his property. which is now in
the hunds Of his brother. Henry Youngs. |
have been through hard fight. but am not
done yet, and am not discouraged. I've got
seven bullets ia my body. See. here s one in
my arm. Put your finger there and you can
feel IT, There is another in tho other arm. I've
another hero under my shoulder blade and
another in my side. The first | got at Fort
Sumter. and tho rest in other engagements. l
wouldn't tako $4,000 apiece for them. | was
called major in the ambulance corps.
and l am the only female Mason. ex-
cept Nine. Blavatsky. Do. you want
Cranston Laurie. chief Of the Statistical
department IN the Poet Oill'e IN Washington.
He has been in the department fory-three
years. and WAS appointed 10y Andrew Jackson.
What did 40 into the army lOrf To help our
brave soldiers; and spent 100000 IN doing II.
ana never received anything Tor 1t but that
medal. on. they know me in Washington. and
! always went into the War Department when |
llhuu, MhIe othrrs Hloou oulsl,le NhithE. Itl
YOU Mr.. Lincoln was good Trend ot nine.
SEQ. here arc his letters RECOMMENDING me.
Look here. what no eudorssd in a letter to
lively engaged in visiting various hospitals,
Her individual efforts have been uutiring and
have been productive Of much gooi.'"
The legal contest in which Mrs. Youngs has
become Involved at present centres in SurrO-
gate Calvin's court, In October. 1877. she pro:
duced before the Surrogate sufficient proof OF
her husbands death to be appointed in March.
ISIS, admin istrutriN Of his estate and guardian
81 their three children. Margaret Alice aged IL
william Henry, aged y; lhrophlus loungs,
aged Z. Several witnesses swore that they mad
seen the body ofner husbAnd. who was drowned.
! IN the Boston MorEue. Inc next step. after
getting her letters Of administration, was To
| commence an elr'tment suit aga INST her hus-
! bands brother Henry Youngs. who had pos
| session OF the property. The estate consists OF
! eight houses on Eighth avenue. house on
lots and one ON Fifty-third street b. sides other
property. VarlOusy estimated at from 500 .OO0
! to 100000, Thls property came into the pos
from wealthy uncle named Henry Noungs, OF
/ Goshen, y. \. As another means Of obtaining
possession OF her rights. she brought suit 10 re-
| move Henry loungs az executor and trustee OF
| the uncle's estate. In these suits she was
represented by C. Elliot Minor, OF Fields 4
! Minor. Henry Ioungs got an injunction re-
straining her from proceeding with these suits
until the determination 10y Surrogate Calvin on
! "A proceeding to have her letters OF administra.
| tiOn revoked, on the ground that her husband
rosaie TO decide is a motion by Mr. Chonte. tc
| determine. on the aflidayits presented whether
Iheophilns loungs is dead or 9lSe This h! wai
! ina three hours speech. and about a HUNDRED
afndavts we're read to the Surrogate
henry loungs has had detectives busily n
work since june. 1873 irving 70 find Theophi.
| lus Ioungs. without success. He has afadavits
! OF witnesses who say they have seen him, bu
! these witnesses are said by Mrs. Youngs to be
/ OF questionable veracity. and she points trium
phantly 70 the fact that Theophilus has nevei
! appeared TO claim his inheritance. Henry
| loungs holds receipts for i2.2OO paid 20 hi.
! brother IN small sums and also "A paper which
/ II Is claimed entities him TO all the property
| whether Theophilus is dead or alive. Mrs
loungs AYERS that the proceedings before the
| surrogate are merely 10 prevent her Showing
| ~ the courts the worthessness Of this paper
| She declares positively that she has NOT seer
| her husband since May. 1875 when he left hei
| IN Boston. promising 10 return the next morn
| ing. He is feet inches in height OF medium
| weight Hight com lcXion blue eyes has a large
! Yer plate. and is good mechanic. The afllda
Wits OF those who aver that they have seen The
! oPhilus loungs both dead and alive present on,
] 81 the most curious cases OF questionable iden
tlty on record. The witnesses who saw him
| awe are Just MS pos tive as those who saw hin
| pending before tho Surrogate Mr. Choate has
salu mat Tleophtlus is undoubtedly alive. bu
| Mr. MINOR always retorts, Why don't you pro
| duee him. then"
Meanwhile Mrs YounGs who has only limited
! means, ls awaiting anXiOusly the Surrogate (
decision. Even II ii is in her favor she mus
| await "a long litigation in the supreme Court in
! her suits OF eJectments against Henry Noungs
/ But she is sangunc. and talks with spirit o.
| what she believes to be her wrongs.
Mrs. 1oungs claims TO be a spiritual medium
ana apparently lifted one end Of n heavy piano
held seances in the White House ana evoked
answers from the spirit world for Mr.. Lincoln
and his family.
QuarrenIng Over = BrIbe.
! In tha hagpatya room, - ,ba atoo..o. ri... =.