Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-09-27
WT5EETJNG W. VA MONDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER 81, 1886.
AN OLD WOMAN CLA1AsRoYALTY.

AN OLD WOMAN CLAINIsRoYALTY.
Another Secret Of the Life Of "Genticman
George" Suggested.
LONDON, September 26.-Caroline
Guelph, an aged woman, appeared ct the
Camberwen Workhouse yesterday and
asked for relief, supplementing her answer
to the usual request for her name with the
information that she was the daughter OF
George ". She is handsome old lady,
despite her years and evident struggles
with poverty, and bears unmistakable
traces of high breeding, Her hair is sill
very white, her carriage stately and her
features undoubtedly those Of the Guelph
type
She was found in scantily furnished
room in house located on fairly gen.
tee, street, upon which was nailed sign
board imparting to passers-by the informa-
ton that persons wishing clothes men
ded could fiud facilities for the gratifica-
ton of their desire within. The bed,
which occupied one cornor of the room was
of the most primitive description, known
as a straw shakedown" and was placed
upon the bare floor for want of bedstead.
he old lady had just bought tifty-six
pounds of coal, which the boy who deliver
ed it, and who preceded your correspond
ent in his ascent of the dark, narrow stair
way leading so her room, placed in a
locker.
She greeted me with the utmost polite
ness, and with the manner Of gentle
woman placed for me the only chair the
room afforded, seating herself upon the
coalbox. Learning the object ofmy visit,
she walked to the door and locked il to
prevent intrusion, and resumed her seat
with an expression of inquiry upon her
face
''You claim, understand, that George
" was your father"
Eyes, do; and, moreover, can prove
it, Why, only two years ago the Queen
visited me at Vauxhall and listened TO the
whole of my story. Her attendants sug-
gestcd the propriety of sending me c5o0,
but, rs have since received nothing, |
conclude that her Majesty has forgotten
ME.
II am positive that my visitor was the
Queen, for she herself told me 80, and
was also similarly informed by different
members of the suite attending her. The
Prince Of Wales, afterwards George w.,
contracted a morganatic marriage with my
mother in Germany, where was born. |
was christened in St. Peters Church, at
Vienna, and the Duke of Westminster has
in his possession the certificate showing
that was born January IL, 1916. ! do
not remember my father, nor have ! any
recollection of ever seeing Queen Caroline.
"When was five years of age, ! was
handed over to the care of Mrs. Spanton,
who was paid large sum of money to
adopt me. The Spantons had in their pos
session great many letters and docu-
ments referring TO me, excluding my moth
cr's marriage certificate. These the Duke
of Westminster obtained from the Span
tons by caiolery, first promising them
money, in expectation of which the Span
tons surrendered part of the papers and,
aitcrward, failing TO fulfill his promise,
frightened them into relinquishing the
rest by threats.
''In addition 70 the fact that | am the
lawful daughter of George ~ ! am en-
titled, rs the nearest relative of the Duke
of Brunswick, TO money amounting to
e2O, 900, 900 sterling. The Duke of Bruins
wick made love 10 me while ! was living
with the SpantOns on their farm in Suffolk
and made me an offer of marriage, which !
refused have written to the Emperor
William, of Germany, begging him 10
assist me in obtaining my rights, but have
received no answer 10 my appeal. The
late Duke of Bedford had in his custody
some of my papers, and the present Duke,
upon succeeding to the title, transferred
them to the keeping of the Due d 'Aumale,
TO whom he gave 200 annually to pre-
serve them and prevent their falling into
other hands, fearing, no doubt, that it
would not he well for him to be known to
the Queen rs their custodian.
This say rs ! sit face to iace with Al
mighty God. have no proofs now, but
though they are beyond my reach. they ex-
list and they in whose possession they are
do not dare destroy them. Sooner or later
they must come to light. In quest of
these proofs went 10 the house
of the Marquis of TavistOck, the ell
dest sou of the Duke OF Bedford, but his
servants were ordered to shut the door in
my face. Still hoping TO obtain some
proof that am what claim Ia be, went
again, and this time was admitted by the
order of the MarchiOness Of Tayostick, TO
whom explained the object Of my visit.
She treated me very kindly and expressed
her belief that had been been shamcfully
deprived Of my rights
Being thus left powerless TO secure my
rights, or even to provide myself with the
actual nectsSaries of life, | Was compelled
TO apply at the workhouse for relief
In conversation with the authorities at
the w0TkhOusc your correspondent observed
what he considered TO he one of the most
singular features of this poor woman's
case. Accustomed a. they are 10 having
all sorts of Munchausen tales concocted for
the purpose of working upon their feelings,
and inclined as they are TO receive every
story with n copious sprink'ing Of salt, the
relieving officers give full credence TO the
wOman's statements.