Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-08-09
WEALTH TO MISERY.
A Member of an kristocratic Vir-
ginia Family Dies In Want.
ANOTHER VICTIM OF SPECULATION.
The Strafge Stoyof Mrs. Mary lane Mar
quis' Life and Death-Her Days,
Begun in Affluence, End
in Poverty.


of the proudest and richest families in the
State of Virginia died last Saturday night,
amid squalor and misery, in a wretched
East Side tenement, with no one to close
her eyes in their eternal sleep but her hall
demented daughter. Mary Jane Marquis,
nee Morgan, was the name of this woman,
who had been reared in luxury, had mar.
ried prominent Virginia Statesman and
had moved in the same circle with ex.
ps4r r;A>-.s p- -l~o >..-~S.S>- .<lN. s.IN lfSrss-
bors the strange story when attracted BY
her walls, and they burst into the dead
room.
They saw her condition and met her
words with incredulous looks. But yester.
day afternoons papers published a brief
account of Mrs Marquis death, and this
last evening attracted to the miserable hole
a number of wealthy people, who had
known the old lady in her happier days
and had of late entirely lost track Of her.
A Miserable Hole.
\ reporter called at the dead woman s
lodgings at No 29 Second street late last
she had passed many a weary month with
her daughter, is through a dirty and tor
tuous hallway, far back from the street
The tenants were Congregated IN the yard
and apr cared TO belong 10 the poorest class.
Dirty urChins crowded the alleyway and
eyed the visitors curiOusly. Some OF them,
totally unmindiuI of the presence OF the
dead, yelled and shouted at the top OF their
lungs.
The chamber of death was devoid of
furniture, save couple Of rlckety chsirs
and an old broken down stove, and the
walls were dirty and bare. The window
panes had long been replaced by sheets OF
paper. The iCe.boX containing the remains
stood against the wall and the light shin
ing through the half open window fell
upon the features Of the dead. They were
indeed patrician features. Despite the
sunken cheeks, the wrinkles of old age
and woe, that face was only too patent.
Her History.
From a well.dressed gentleman and lady
who stood by the coffin a reporter obtained
a detailed account Of Mrs. Marquis career.
As already stated, she was a member Of
one of the best Virginia families. Her
father, once District Attorney OF West.
moreland county, was the owner OF con-
siderable property, including many slaves.
He was consequently able 20 surround his
daughter with every possible luxury and
TO give her a superior education.
In her 10Th year MISS Morgan became the
wife of Elijah Marquis, a widower and
prosperous coal merchant OF Rlchmon !.
There, already, lie had son, Andrew w.
Marquis. The fruit Of his second marriage
was a daughter--tne poor haltdemented
creature mentioned above.
Several years after her birth Marquis
died, and his wife, with her daughter and
stepson, came to New York city, where
they settled down. This WAS about thirty
wears ago. Mrs. Marquis unfortunately vas
not possessed Of any business capacity.
Ole qua Lhasrd house OII rory .hlhth
street and Second avenue, ana another IN
Broome street, and furnished them lavish
ly. Then she went into speculations. The
persons with whom she had dealings seem
TO have been dishonest, and in compare
lively short time they reduced her TO pow
erty. lie induced her to mortgage her
real estate 10 raise the wherewlthaI To start
him in business, and once in possession Of
the money he disappeared. lie has not
been heard OF since.
HeartIess CrneIIy.
In this way Mrs Marquis little by little
sunk into the deepest poverty, until al
last, q few months ago, she took refuge IN
the miserable hovel she has died in she
might have written to her many rich rcla'
tives and have been cared for by them. She
might have appealed Tor aid 10 any Ma
sonic lodge, her husband having been a
Master Mason and member Of the Grand
Lodge OF South Carolina. But she was too
proud to take either step, and the result IS
that she actually died Of starvation. Her
last days would seem TO have been render
ed more miserable still by tie heartless'
ness of her landlord This man, a wealthy
EllNnnpr
who does a thriving business at Mo. 100
Fourth avenue, has recently been threat
eninp the couple with eviction for not
paving their present months rent III ad'
vercP
- c'erk to them several times
.. - stir them up, as be called
even while the death rattle was
... in the dying woman's throat, her
daughter was ordered to pay or leave.
Yesterday when he heard th Mrs Mar.
ouis had died the LANDLORD srn' word tna'
he wanted the BODY removed rs soon As
possible, as he wished to rent the room.
A Decent Burial nj Least.
After Mrs Msruuiss death, the dlughter
decided to appeal to the officers Of the New
York Masonic Relief Fund. In connection
with this Dr. Arch r. tanning, vice presi.
dent OF the fund, said yesterday;
This is an organization maintained by
lodges in this city Tor the relief OF distress
ed Master Masons. their widows and or
phans. from other Jurisdictions. Late Sat
urday night woman came 10 our meeting
and presented diploma, which shows that
in 1917 Elijah Marquis, the husband OF
the dead woman, was Master Mason and a
member OF the Grand Lodge Of South Caro-
lima. Although this was hardly sufficient
evidence the brothers present delegated TO
me the duty OF looking after the case. Yes
terday. in company with Brother Freder'
ick Davis, visited the place and found the
old lsdy's body lying upon chairs. The
public dead wagon stood in front OF the
door end the officials were about to remove
the remains to Potter's Field. ! stopped
them al once and Immediately made ar
ranrements for decent burial. The dsugh
Ter was provided with money enough to
procure yictuals, and if worthy she will be
provided with situation. Mrs. Marquis
will be inferred in the funds plot OF Cypress
Hills 10 day. al an expense Of some 80,
which will be paid by Us. Her pride must
have kept her from appealing Tor aid, Tor
she must have known that she would have
beep relieved had she made her husband $
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