The Portland daily press., 1886-11-29
NAPoLEoN'S SECRETARY.
Death of Man Who Was Devoted
to the Great French General.

NEW YORK, Nov. 2S-The New YorB
World of today, publishes this story from
Detroit, Michigan:
On Tuesday Francis F. Palms of Detroit
was his fathers clerk on salary of $3.50
year. On Wednesday he became the he'll
to at least $4,O0O,OOO. His half sister, Clio.
thilde, comes is for like amount Together
they have become the possessors of the larg-
est property in Michigan.
When Waterloo put an end to the fortunes
OF Napoleon 1t also wrecked the finances OF
his devoted young secretary, Ange Palms ol
Antwerp, Belgium. just what led the
Pains family to Detroit no one knows, but
the father soon went to New Orleans where
he prospered. Only two of the family re-
manned behind--one of the sons and one of
the daughters
By d.nt of hard work and great business
foresight young Palms worked his way up,
BY the time he was 30 years old he was able
to take S2 600 out OF grocery firm and re-
tire. GlMhg his attention to farming lands
lie bought 10000 acres at 81 TO S1.25 an acre
and sold again for S25 an acre for the land
and another S25 for the timber. As many as
7J0 families in single county have owed
him for lands and not one has ever com
planned of him as a landlord. His invest
ments have reached as high as 100000 acres
alta time, and yet with only one clerk he has
been able to take the entire management OF
property valued at not less than $1,000,
600 at the lowest estimates.
Mr.. Palms married when he was about q
years old, and has one son, in giving birth to
whom his wife died. When he came to mar
ry second time the Step-mother would have
nothing to do with the baby. The boy there.
fore was sent to-his granfather at New Or
leans to be cared for. The boy grew up
among Southern influences and became a
genuine son of the South
Early one evening young Palms took his
stan1 in Detroit hotel Office to watch for
his unsuspeeting parent. Waiting until his
father had finished reading his letter he
started a little conversation, and ventured to
ASK " the iarmerg had aequaintances in the
aid 6fJrneff there, Ns Ife seemngiy ie-
luctant reply.
Indeed, returned the youth. might l
ask their names ?"
'.Palms-Ange Palms was my fathers
name," said the elder.
That is the name of my grandfather
said the young fellow, with slight tremble
in his voice.
Francis Palms was not surprised, because
nothing ever surprised him. Moreover, with
the thought ''this boy is my SON" came the
other, what shall do with him?" He ex.
planned that there was lion in the path of
his return to the parental roof. The result
was that the young man shook the dust of
Detroit from his feet, and returned to New
Orleans.
The breaking out of the war found him a
Louisiana planter, and the affianeed hus-
band of a beautiful Scotch girl. With the
first gun at Sumter he entered the Confeder-
ate army, and there he stayed until Lee:
surrender. His wife died, and for his second
wife he married Creole lady, who is now
the mother of six children.
Mr.. Palms, Sr., and his wife had separat-
ed by mutual consent She maintained a
large establishment in another part of the
city from the one in which Mr.. Palms lived
with their daughter for his housekeeper
The 100000 which she received from hei
fathers estate was spent with a rapidity tha
convinced her friends that her mind was moi
in sound condition.
About four years ago she died When Mr.
Palms returned from the funeral he had his
clerk write TO his son, offering him the posi-
| tiOn of private secretary to his father at
| salary of 81. 800, which he accepted, with th
result this despatch begins with.
| Miss Clothtilde Palms, the daughter of the
second wife. has attained unpleasant noto
riety because Of the offensive attentions O
| Senator Jones Of Florida. Having been in
| troduced to Miss Palms at the home of he
cousin, the Senator pursued her in all sort
| of ways, but he met with nothing but rebuff
| and in time became tired out.
Miss Palms goes into society occasionally
| She is not beauty, but is an intelligen
talker and is simple and unaffected in .ie
| manner. She has so often encounted for
| tune seekers that she can tell one a long wa
| off, and she has way of disposing Of then
| quickly. Her great devotion is the Catholi
church. 1t is rumored that at the time o
her fathers death she was preparing TO
marriage with DR.. Thompson, a brother Q
William G. Thompson.