Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-11
A ROMANTIC CASE DECIDED.
The Wife Of Coiored Attorney Gets
$4,000 Worth OF Real Estate.

From the Baltimore sun.
One OF the most romantic cases that has ever
engaged the attention Of the supreme court OF
appeals OF Virginia was decided by that tribu-
nal yesterday. and under the decision Alice
Davis, the wife OF colored attorney OF WASH
lngton. becomes the legal owner OF $4,000
worth OF Virginia real estate. which was the
property Of her father, Mr.. Strange, who was .
wel-to-do ana highly respected white citizen
OF l-ynchourg. Alice was a natural daughter
OF Mr.. Strange, but her mother was a colored
woman, The girl was, however, treated M one
of the family by Nj. and Mrs Strange. The
father sent her TO Washington. where she re-
ceived a liberal education and qualified herself
20 become teacher. which calling she pursued
several years. The letters from father TO
daughter show the utmost Rfection-.'a ro-
mantle affection, indeed" one of the judges
said The father always promised that he would
literally provide for the girl. and his wife upon
her deathbed made him pledge her 20 do so. A
daughter OF the lawful wedlock married. aud
between her and her husband of the one part
and the natural daughter Of tho second part
there was no love, but the contrary. The father
gave Alice some property IN Washington. also
$4,000 worth OF real estate IN Virginia This
latter deed the daughter kept for several years
without putting IL on record. and then il Was
returned 10 her Gather on account of it's con-
tanning no consideration and a new deed was
drawn. with IS and great affection As the con-
slderations. Tins Was put TO record and when
the married daughter who. u subsequently
turned out, was provided for in the father.
wall 10 the extent OF SG0,0O0l found this out
she and her husband reproached MIR.
Strange. Ii made INN very unhappy.
He thought he could get Alice 70 re-
convey the property to him. Next MORN
ing, with an attorney at law who had prepared
deed OF conveyance, Mr.. Strange a feeble
old man, sought Alice. who was then at Chat
ham. Plttslyania county. The father was 10th
TO ask her 10 sign the deed. but the LAWYER
pressed him. He finally persuaded Alice 70
sign, and she did IL with reluctance. The
father gave the daughter S350 and a week
later he died Alice was not provided for IN
the viii. Judge Fauntlcroy's opinion was q
vivid presentation OF the case. He pictured
the poor old father driven by family influences
10 ask OF Alice reconyeyance, OF the heslta-
non with which this done and how the
girl (who was then tweniy-soven) Welded 20
her fathers fearful entreaties. without time 20
think. without time 20 consult any one and
signed away the provision which the old man
had made Tor her. The deed was set aside by
the supreme court because OF undue influence.
MRS. DAVIS WELL KNOWN az THIS CITY.
Mrs. Davis is well known IN this District and
was, up TO the latter part of 1857, a teacher an
the coiored schools under her maiden name OF
Alice Lee Strange. having charge Of one of the
schools near Howard University. She is fairly
educated and is well up in music, having been
engaged for some years giving lessons. and
since her marriage 10 John :. Davis a young
colored attorney of Baltimore. at the solicita-
ton OF her patrons has come to Washington az
stated times TO give lessons. There appears on
the records Of the recorder of deeds Office.
under date OF August "a. 1ss7. n deed executed
August Is from Thomas V. Strange of Lynch
burg. Va, conveying 20 Alice Lee Strange sub
lot 81. square 479. known as No. SOP street
northwest, the language of which is somewhat
peculiar. reading as follows: I'm consideration
OF the obligations growing out of the peculiar
and near relations existing between him and
the said Alice Lee Strange. which relations.
under sense OF duty. not only % her but to
his God, he feels bound to acknowledge aud
takes pleasure in needing: and also in consider
alton of personal kindness aud attention shown
and services rendered him by said Alice Lee
Strange, as well in consideration of the
earnest request made of him by his wife before
and in her last Illness and further. in consider
alton of the sum Of 50 in hand paid" he con-
views. &c.
Miss Lee Strange was married to Joseph 3.
Davis of Baltimore Nov. I, lsss. by Rev. Dr.w.
W. Patton AZ the Congregational Church, l0th
and q streets