The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-19
BETTE THOMAS LEWIS.
.xxrRAcrs rRox COURT OPINIONS
rho Facts in the Interesting Case set Forth
by Judge fauntieroy Are More Enter
ing Than Any Novel


Lewis. bright muiatto. keeps drug stor'
1T No. 20 west Leigh street.
Bette Thomas Lewis would be mistaken
for a white woman by any person who dic
not know her. She does not associate with
the masses of her race. The society in which
she moves is composed Of few Of the most
intelligent colored persons in this city, all Of
whom are well-to-do and who are generally
termed bright "mulattoes.
Fannie Coles. Bettie's friend and compan.
ion, lives with her. Fannie is the daughter OF
awhile man who was killed while defending
her honor by young Englishman ia Abe
marie several years ago. Fannie was present
when Thomas died. She was on the witness
stand for ok hours. and it was through her
evidence. which the finest legal talent IN VIZ
ginia could not successfully assaii, that the
case was won.
Judge Fauntleroy's opinion In the case
comprises sixty pages of closely written legal
cap paper 10 Is said by the legal fraternity
% DO a magnificent exposition OF the law In
the case and was spoken of by the concnr-
ring members ON the bench IA most compli-
mentgry terms After reviewing the history
of the case in the lower courts. and the ques-
tlOn raised IN the controversy 30 DO decided
by the higher court Judge Faunteroy pro-
ceeds % recite the facts IN the case as dis
closed by the record and concurrent testi-
mopy.
Ii Is written in a highly original style pecu-
liar for decision OF this charactei and reads
like the pages Of strong modern novel IL 10
interesting from beginning 10 end. but on &C
count of It's great length only extracts are
given herewith as follows:
Bette Thomas Lewis who. before her mar
riage, was Bette Thomas, is the only living
child Of the late William A. Thomas, q
wealthy retired merchant, who. at the age OF
seventy years and epfeebled by long sickness,
departed this life, intestate on the 4th day OF
January, 1889. at his residence IN or near 10
the city OF Richmond, possessed Of large
estate of both real and personal prop
erty, but principally personally. He never
married. but cohabited with woman OF half
white blood. formerly bis slave in the county
Of Pittsylyania. Va. by whom no was the
father Of two daughters. BETTE and an older
sister Fannie. who married and died soon
after tho late civil war without issue. Bette.
fhirty-fve years of age when her father died,
and Fannie were always recognized and 40
knowledged by William A. Thomas as his
children: they called him father; and be
called them and cherished and lived with
them az his children. The death of Fannie
was great grief 10 him. and. after that event,
bis whole aud devoted affection was centred
upon Bette as the daughter of his heart and
home" whom he loved passing we'll" and
rated except for the two years that he sent
her 70 boarding school. Soon after the ter
mination of the late war he removed 10 Rich
mOnd 20 engage In business. and be pur-
chased q small farm Just outside of the city
limits for home for himself and Bette, and
there they lived together for more than
twenty years, she presiding at bis table
and over his household affairs, and
ministerng to him in sickness and
In health, nursing and caring
for him with the constant assduities of a de-
voted and dutifui daughter, and lac providing
for her comfort and pleasure in every con-
ceivable form that lavish parental love and
large means could suggest. He built the
house in which they lived for her. and, ac-
cording to her directions. he planned and
furnished H. He occupied q room inter
communicating with Bettie's and. during his
long and languishing age, enfeebied by sick
ness and suffering. he preferred and toler.
sted no ministry but hers 20 his wants and
bis WEAKNESS. He provided for her an intel
ligent, agreeable liying-compRnion in his
house until her marriage TO John II. Lewis,
and, for many years previous and up TO his
death Fannie Coles, an educated. intellec-
tual woman-the natural and recognized
daughter Of the late John S. Coles, of Abe
marie county, was her household companion.
friend and roommate. He urged Bette 10
make trip 10 Europe with him. and for
eight or ten summers next before his death
he visited Saratoga Springs taking with him
Bette and Fannie Coles. aud there. as at his
own home. sitting and eating with them at
the same table. For Bettie's mother he pro-
vided a home, where for a time. she lived;
but this he sold; and at the time of his death
she lived at bis house with Bette, though the
proof IN the record is that he did not of late
years of his life cohabit with her. William
A. Thomas is represented by the witnesses of
the appellants as man honest. just, close to
bis interest, unusually prudent and of fine
business capacity, simple and frugal in his
habits. lie is described by the witness, br.
Ii. MCGUIRE. who was his attending physician,
chosen friend and adviser. as "a peculiar
character anyhow | think. too. he had
sOme little superstition about making
his will. / think it was dislike
that belongs 10 great many men to pro-
vide for death in any way" This peculiar
character, anyhow" cut of from social inter
course by the kind and circumstance of his
household afiiDties, lived. isolated in his
own home, almost absolutely without
social recognition or Intercourse. de had a
few business friends and no enemies. He had
no relations OF legal blood except some col
lateral kindred, who had never visited him in
health or in sickness, and whom he knew of
only by the importantly Of occasional beg
ging letters, of which he complained as an
annoyance saying here is begging letter;
the only use my relatives have for me is 10
get all out OF me they can, but If they expect
to get what / have when / die they will DO
mistaken" DR.. Mcclure says From some
things be said 10 me. / don't know what,
had an idea that he did not like his rela-
tives for l sometimes used these facts in
urging him 20 make his will.
Mr.. stephen B. Hughes the most intimate
and trusted friend of Mr. Thomas, said Il
have known Mr. Thomas since 1850. We
lived together in the same store for many
years, occupied the same room together and
were partners in business for about three
years. And these friendly relations con-
tinued up 80 the time OF his DEATH This wit
ness with very much other testimony
equally important in its bearing upon the
relations and affection existing between Mr..
Thomas and his daughter, Bette, says
They were of the most affectionate nature
that of father aud daughter. / have been
present when Mr.. Thomas was sick, and 1
have seen for myself. When Thomas was
sick he usually sent for me. / was, several
years ago. sent for TO see Mr. Thomas |
found Thomas. as / thought. quite sick, and
asked Thomas t. allow me TO send him a
trained nurse. and he said, No, that be pre-
ferred Bette TO anybody else 1t was during
that sickness that Thomas first told me that
Bette was his daughter. Ii was during that
spell OF sickness that Thomas told me at his
death Bette Lewis would be amply provided
for"
Mir. Thomas speaks more than once of his
intention TO provide amply for Bette ut his
death. lie said. She was the only one
ever heard him say he WAS going TO make
provision for. Thomas used 10 get his mail
at our store and have heard Thomas reuark