Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-13
Of land, eside other presents of sub

OF land, eside other presents OF a sub
stantial Character.
Mr.. andMrs. Moore at once became the
centre OF IN exclusive coterie OF friends,
and 1t wa natural that the birth OF an
heir shOull have been an occasion of real
congratulstion, and in seeking name for
1t, not onh should the father be remem-
bered, but q compliment should be be-
slowed upDn trusted friend of the tami-
ly-Judge CORTLAND Montgomery. The
child then was named Hugh MONTGOMERY
Moore
For twenty-one years following but lit
Tie happened to disturb the happiness OF
Inc friends thus introduced to the public.
Business prospered with them, in conse-
quence OF which they continually grew
richer. Young Hugh Montgomery Moore
at Il was as fine specimen Of manhood
as evel lived. His parents had planned
1or hin marriage which should add
DOth fotune and prestige TO the family,
and never dreamed that the young man
could think otherwise than they did them
selves. 1t was terrible interview, then,
In which Hugh informed his father that
he had already set his heart upon one
who. while not so wealthy or exclusive,
was yet one of the noblest types of Amerl-
can wonlanhood-Miss Margaret Crane,
of Hamilton, o. In spite of all that father
or mother could do young Moore married
the girl of his choice. This led to still
other MISUNDERSTANDING, which con-
Vlnced the son that he could not hope for
reconciliation With his father. He had
final Interview with his father, when,
with his wife, he disappeared, and for
many years the name of Hugh Montgom-
cry Moore was never mentioned, and his
existence was wrapped in mystery.
Mr.. George W. Crane had LETT Hamil-
TON q IN GpQk hia fortuna in the Snnth
and settling in Augusta, Ga, entered up
on career OF promise. Great was his
surprise then, when he discovered that
his sister and her husband had reached
Augusta, and greater still when he was
informed that Mr.. Moore had resolved to
abandon his family name, and to assume
that of CORTLAND Symmes-the first in
honor of the friend for whom he was
christened. and the second In honor OF his
mothers family. This, then, was the
CORTLAND Symmes who, in 1912, set up
as tutor In Georgia, and whose elegant
manners won all hearts. His wife did
not take kindly to the malarial climate,
and IN a year death claimed her. With
the death Of the fair girl, for whose love
Mr.. Symmes had dared the parental
frown. the last tie was broken and there
was no mark by which Symmes OF Geor-
gia could be identified as Moore Of OHIO.
In time grief gave way TO new love,
when Mr.. Symmes married Miss Claren-
tine M. Harris, the daughter Of the noted
Judge Harris, a family Of wide social and
political influence. The lady was In
formed by her husband Of the story Of his
life.
In the summer of 1854 an expected
family event gave joy to the couple, and
resulted in the opening of correspondence
with certain friends in Ohio, preparatory
to a long wished for reconciliation with
the family. Mr.. Symmes felt that upon
the birth of his child such a reconcilia-
ton would be certain. While anticipat-
ing this joyous reunion MIR. Symmes fell
victim to yellow fever. Three months
later posthumous son was born at the
cost of the young mothers life. With her
dying breath Mrs. Symmes directed that
the correspondence had by her late hus-
band with his friends In Ohio should be
buried with her. and that the child, bear
ing the name by which she had married
her husband, should be reared as a men,
Der of her fathers family.
Judge Harris, on behalf of his grand
child, at once began suit in the Ohio
courts to establish it's claim to a share in
the large estates which had been left be-
hind by the old Cincinnati merchant,
Hugh Moore. This property had passed
through probate, and was, much OF it, in
the hands Of third parties. The prelimi-
nary suits were gained, and the identity
of the child established, when, for some
cause, the whole matter was dropped.
Thus it continued from 1855 until March
of this year.
1t seems that the child grew up as a
member of Judge Harris family at Wood
hill, Richmond county. No reference was
made to the family tradition, because it
vas felt to be Improbable, and the Har-
rises were too proud people to press
themselves upon Others. 1t was not I'M
I'll young CORTLAND Symmes had reached
mans estate that the matter was recalled
in such a way as to claim his attention.
He was paying his addresses to lovely
girl whose hand he sought in marriage.
Initiating the example Of his father, he
made her the confidante of his story be-
fore becoming his wife. It was at the So
lloitatieE of Mrs. SYmmes. that the recent
suit for the recovery OF the Ohio estate
was begun. She urged 1t not only as a
matter of Justice, but to set right the
family history, so that in the future no
nisconstruction might arise. This, in
brief, is the roma ntic family story OF
3eorgia's newest j Judge, Hon. CORTLAND
SYmmes.