St. Landry democrat., 1890-01-04
A Strange Story.
WHICH COMES ABOUT THE CLAIMS FOR
CUMBERLAND ISLAND.

WHICH COMES ABOUT THE CLAIMS FOR
CUMBERLAND ISLAND.
Here is d strange story.
The legal entanglenents of Cumberland
island have developed story, the plot Of
which is rarely equaled in fiction. Sever
al days ago New York paper announced
a sensational suit brought in that State by
the Engels children to recover Cumberland
island, the gem Of the Atlantic, and mag
nifceut domain Of 40, geo acres off the
| Georgia coast
Their claim is that TIE island belonged
to their grandfather, Robert Stafford, Of
Georgia.
This was an attack on the title of the
present holders, among whom is Mrs. An
drew Carnegie, who has recently been ne
gotiating for the whole island, with q view
10 making there sUb-tropical preserve
that would rival the charms of the Garden
of Eden.
The announcement of the suit by the
Engels has aroused Mrs. Briggs, of Bruins
wick, Ga , who tells q remarkable story
which, if correct, would take away the
| claim of the Engels and vest it in 9TH
| ers.
To a Brunswick Times reporter Mrs.
| Briggs tells the story as follows
Years and years ago, my great grand
| father, Thomas Spaulding, came to this
country SIS general in the war with Spain.
| Hen settled on Cumberland, where his wife
| died soon after, leaving one child, lsom
! Spaulding, who also distinguished himself
| as military commander of great bravery
and extraordinary sagacity. For a num-
Der of years Thomas Spaulding mourned
the loss Of his companion and seemed to
find no pleasure in life. He avoided con-
tact with the public and was content to
live in seclusion with his little son.
FINALLY, however, change came over
him. He met beautiful and accomplished
young widow, Mrs. Stafford, who had re-
Gently come over from England. She had
one child, Robert. Their conditions in life
were similar. Each had been married and
death had carried away the cherished OBJ
iecCs Of their hearts. Each had been LETT
in possession Of little boy. These facts
were commented on, and feeling of
mutual sympathy grew up between them,
finally developing into love. short time
plighted for the second time, and Mrs
Stafford became Mrs. Spaulding.
The newly married people, happy in
sheir second love, lived together about two
years. when Thomas Spaulding died. God
blessed the union with one child, a little
girl named Jane. Thomas Spaulding left
no will, and hence his widow had things
her own way. She assumed charge of all
property, disinheriting her stepson, lsom
Spaulding. Not long after Mrs. Spauld- |
ing died. leaving her son, Robert Stsfford, |
sole heir of Thomas Spaulding's vast estate. |
In the course of time, 1psom Spauiding |
and Robert Spaulding began to look |
around for wives. Spaulding moved |
away from the old homestead, leaving |
Stafford in charge. Spaulding was en-
gagged to Miss Club and Stafford to a
Miss Nightingale. The formers marriage |
was shortly after contaminated. 1'he lat
ter's never was, because of the death of |
Miss Nightingale. Not long after the
death of Miss Nightingale, Robert Spauld-
ing became enamored with mulatto
woman named Jane Bernadie. He lived
with this woman for twelve or fourteen
years, and became the father of six half
breeds. Then it was that the people of /
Cumberland grew tired of such disgrace
full proceedings and ordered Stafford to
send the woman away. Stafford com
piled with their request by purchasing his
paramour from her owner, Mrs. Bernedie,
a French woman who owned large inter
ests in the island
"Robert Stafford then sent his mulatto
wife and six children north, stating to his
northern friends that his wife was dead
ana this woman was sent along as nurse.
Stafford remained on the island, visiting
his cn.,-3ren about twice year. Before
his deathA he sold his entire interest to a
man named Johnson.
''All of 5taford's children were girls, |
and the public is familiar with their his
tory after they went north. The were duly
educated and entered the first circles of so
ciety, where they were often alluded to as
the daughters Of the Georgia millionaire.
One of the girls married man named En-
gels, OF New York. She afterwards died,
leaving several children. These children
are the ones now laying claim to Cumber-
land Island under pretenses presumptuous
rs they are fallac.ous. "-AtJantG C0nStitu-
ton.