The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-11-19
(steubeHyille o. Letter 10 the Pttsburg Dispatch)
sTEUBESVSLLEs sENsATEOS.
Claiming n DlsgrHeefnI Firth In order 90
Prove HIetrsIiIp 10 nm Estate Of a53O. .OOe--
An Old Lady COFrObrates the Tale.


A rather sensational story has been
developed lH this city to day. 1t is
not one OF the kind that Is usually
found In paper covers and read by
small boys without parents, or pretty
maidens, but one that will be read
with interest by older heads, who
are capable Of playing the part Of an
iconoclast. Your representative went
back with his informant to the year
1887, when there lived in this city
man named Watson Northrup,
member Of the firm of Armstrong and
Nsrthrup, who at that date manufac-
tured woolen goods on West Market
street. During the year n sister Of
Mrs. Northrup, a Miss Mcdonald,
from the East visited the family and
remained for some time. Miss Me-
Donald being quite an accomplished
young lady, had many admirers in
her circle OF acquaintances, and in
the course oftime married Capt. Rush
and returned 10 the East, where Mr..
Rush died. Mrs. Rush afterwards
married Mr.. Robinson and renewed
to Portland, Me-, where they lived
until his death, which occurred some
years ago. There being no children
Mrs. Robinson fell heir 10 an estate
valued at $50, 900. About two years
ago she died intcsiaie, and her neph-
ews commenced 10 Look efter the es-
tate.
Mr.. Northrup, when he lived In
this city had five sons, jeremiah,
Henry, John, George and Edwin
all his own sons: as everybody be-
lieved at that time. The family re-
moved TO Marietta, where Mr.. North
rup died in lSl4, when Mrs. \. moved
to Covington, KY, and lived several
Years, when she died. The family
by this time was pretty badly scat
tered over the country, jeremiah go
Ing TO ST. Louis, Mo-, accompanied
by John; George to Marquette, Mich,
where he Is to-day engaged in the
practice of medicine, and later all
were dead but the three above
named. Now il seems that John
puts In an appearance at this late date
and claims that he Is not son Of
Watson Northrup, but an iIlegitimate
child Of Miss Mcdonald, afterwards
Mrs. Rush, and later Mrs. Robinson,
and upon this ground claims to 5a
the rightful heir, and has entered
suit at Portland, Ne.
Being informed this afternoon that
AN old lady named Brown, living on
South Seveath street, in this city, who
was born in 1906, was the only living
witness 10 Johns statement, yo1r
represC NATIVE called upon the old
lady and Obtained the following ad-
ditipnal information She stated that
when Miss Mcdonald came TO this
city In 1897, 10 visit her sister, Mrs.
Nogthrup, she was cHsciense, and about
four months after her arrival sha gave
bi-th 10 n child, which her sister,
Mrs. Northrop, took rs her own in
order TO shield her from the disgrace.
Mrs. u. stated that she was the only
person present at the birth Of the
child besides DIR. Brown, and that the
child was raised in the Northrop fam.
lily as one OF their own, and grew up
with the family without the least
suspicion on the part of their most
intimate friends. Jeremiah North
rop, who claims TO be n full brother
Of Johns, makes light Of the whole
story. lie, however, has been in the
city for the past few days looking
after evidence in the case, and las
night returned TO st. Louis. Some
weeks ago, Mrs. Brown, the lady
above referred to, was taken TO Port
land, Me-, where her deposition wa:
taken as TO the matter stated in the in
terview. The case is now pending
In the courts of that state, and it i
stated that parties will be here short
ly authorized 10 take testimony.