The Helena independent., 1894-12-09
INTO THE NOBILITY.
Louise Melisse corbln, Born In Log Cabin
In Helena, Becomes Countess Of
otord.
HER HUSBAND NEPHEW OF AN EARL
The Latter Dies and Capt Robert Horae.
Walpoe Succeeds 10 His Unee's
High Title.

helena has contributed one OF her
carly born 20 the nobility OF England.
by the sudden death OF the enrl Of
Oxford. in England, Capt. Robert Hor-
ace Walpode. his nephew, becomes heir
10 the title. Capt Walpole's wife.
Louise Melisse walpole, nee Corbin, be-
comes the countess of Oxford The
countess was born back In the COS in
little log cabin on what ls now Grand
street, and on the site OF the present
Helena hotel, The early age at which
she left here makes Il doubtful II many
of her own age have a very distinct
recollection OF her. Her father, Daniel
c. Corbin, and her brother Austin Cor
bin, both now Of Spokane. are well
known 10 most Of the old-tlmers, and
the younger Of them thought so well
OF his birthplace that he came here some
weeks ago to take part in the capital
celebration.
Daniel c. Corbin, the father OF the
present countess Of Orford, was one OF
the pioneers OF Helena. coming here, it
is said, from Denver. He and his fam
lily occupied a log cabin on what is now
Grand street. In those days the Corbin
house was considered a very desirable
residence. and there were born Louise,
now countess Of Orford. and a younger
sister. Mr.. Corbin was one of the
founders Of the First National bank
and for years Its cashier. He came of n
family of financiers. his brother, Aus
tin Corbin, being the great New York
banker. Daniel Corbin, besides being
a well equipped banker, was also Gu
gagged In mining and other enterprises
and was we'll fixed in worldly goods
Mrs. Corbin was not in good health
and IL became necessary TO send her
To Europe to get the benefit OF the
waters of Carlsbad. She took her two
daughters with her and they We're
consequently educated and spent most
OF their time in Europe. Young Aus
tin remained here with his father, and
went with the latter when he left for
New York. There Daniel Corbin was
associated for some time with his
brother. Austin, in railroad enterprises.
Going TO Spokane later, Daniel Corbin
engaged in railroad enterprises there.
and became one of the foremost citi-
zens Of the thriving place.
Louise Corbin met Capt. Walpole in
Europe and in 1855 they were married
In Paris. Capt. Walpole and his wife
made visit TO the Yellowstone Ma
tiOnal park during the past summer.
While there the idea occurred to Mrs
Walpole that she would like to see the
place of her birth. and husband and
wife extended their trip to Helena
Here they stopped at the Hotel Helena,
the magnificent structure on the site
of the cabin where the countess OF Or
ford first opened her eyes to the world
Daniel c. Corbln, though wealthy is
not reckoned among the multi-million-
aires OF the United States. At the time
Of the marriage of Louise Corbin and
Capt. Walpole. the lady's father was not
rated SO wealthy as now. So IL was
love match, pure and simple, and a
Helena born girl enters the first rank of
the English nobility. not by reason of
her wealth. but because OF her natural
graces that brought a gallant soldier
to her feet.
The younger sister of the countess is
also married and living in Spokane, as
is the brother Austin.