Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-09-10
kyra Clark's Early Life.

nblamae Place, half century ago tho
hon} of Colonel Samuel b. Davis, is where
MrsIMyn Clark Gaines spent her girhood
dnysl 1t is n beautiful suburban residence,
perdted on one of tho high hills that rise to
the vt of the city of Wilmington. Tho
SURF hndings arc perfect Tho view from
tho proad pinzza is n magnificent one.
Standing there and looking eastward
ihrolE,h the elm trees that stud the sloping
lawrE ono has view that is strikingly
beau &ful. You look down on the city
spre p ont below like n panorama, and n
loved section of country stretches away
on e4 Der side for miles and miles up and
dow he Delaware River. The mansion
and krlnuds have Undergone but slight
chouEes since Myra Clark WAS prattliug
chldY about the place. The old Grecian
architecture hns not been altered and the
oxtcInal appearance of the binding is ex-
nctld the Same MS first designed. 1t is now
the lFopcrty of Senator Bayard, who makes
1t hs Delaware home, and has resided here
for obnny years.
This was the home of the celebrated
itigant until she reached womnnhood. She
was brought here when quite child by
Colonel Davis. He was n friend of her
father and he was made hor guardian.
Whom Daniel Clark, the proud Southern
plauter had married Myra's mother ho was
not willing to acknowledge his wife before
the korld, and for some reason not clearly
explincd sent the future Mrs. Gaines to
Cothel Davis. Here she remained uncon-
gcioIs of the mystery surrounding her
hir J. until she married William Whitney,
of New York, her first husband, and started
out INTO the world with him to lay bare the
secrjt of her birth aud BATTLE for her right
FIJI Inheritance. In all tho strange cx-
perionce of this brave and indomitable
woman there is no incident more interest
ing, romantic, and characteristic than her
marriage with Mr.. Whitney, tho father of
hc' sou, whose tragic death in Washington
- hort time ago has occasioned such gen.
err interest In it is revealed but nm early
e, tuee of her spirit and pluck, which sho
Shove no such remarkable extent in after
yeav Although Mrs. Gaines has figured
prom emily in tho newspapers for more
tfoScoro years, tho story has never
n nblshed. 1t will be found inter.
VIZ she camo to Delamore Place from
her ihcr's plantation in Louisiana, the
chic Nyr Clark was too small to know
thatSer father had ordered her sent away
10 known by another name. Sho was
at o1e taken into Colonel Davis house,
holt (s one of his own children. AS she
90 up she was taught that no was her
i&h and, Of course grew to regard him
as ch. Colonel Davis was Of an old
\ Ii,
VIA distinction in tho Revolutionary war.
h father was in the war of 1872, aud won
graf State distinction in his defense of
Le YES at tho Delaware Brcakwater whom
de british attacked tlst place. lie had
thr' sons, and he named them peculiarly,
thnwgh State pride. One was named
Del ware, another Sussex, after the lower
,oupty in the State Ohe one in which he
W Iorn), and tho third Kent, after the
~ ole county. 1t was saying here dur
n tho life of Colonel Davis that he should
20 had another son, whom he could have
cd after Newcastle, the upper county
then he would have had tho State aud
three counties represented by name in
100 hmily. Colonel Davis was very rich,
ouu lived at Dclamore Place in magnificent
style. In society no and his family were
lelders. aud his homo was the scene of
much gaiety. 10 was also man OF intel.
hgeaee aud education, but had an mperous
WIN aud hot temper.
Ia this social atmosphere the girl grew
INTO beautiful woman of many ACCOM-
p Rmeuts aud full of grace and vivacity
Slo had many suitors, but turned deaf
car to all their plcadngs until she met
Whitney, wealthy New Yorker of much
learning. They grew TO love each other,
and met much when Myra was Away from
hone, ttsaily Whiknsy came - Whining
ton to ask Colonel Davis for Ne hand Of
Inc opposed DAUGHTER in marringc. He
Naa coniiisnt of success aud not prepared