The herald., 1895-08-16
A BIG ESTATE IN DANGER
Strange Claim of a Rouse Point
Woman
JAY GOULD'S FIRST WIFE
For Such She Alleges Herself, Is
Moving
His Sister, Mrs. Ashae1 Hough Of This City,
Denies the Story Flatiy and Says
There II No Foundation

In the Chicago Chronicle Of Wednesday,
August 7th, there appeared an exhaust
i've, carefully worded article, purporring
to be founded on another article in
New York paper, to the effect that GER
tain Mrs. John Angel, now living at
Rouse's Point, N. y. had started the
wheels OF the law toward establishing a
claim made by her that she was the first.
and therefore the only, wife OF the late
lamented Jay Gould.
The story goes on to relate that at the
tender age Of Is she (then Mary Brown)
had married Jay.or more properly Jason,
Gould, had lived with him but short
time and had returned with a babe to her
fathers home at Rouse's Point. IN which
place she has ever aince lived. The de-
struction of the marriage certificate by
the irate papa at the time OF his daugh-
ter's return, the growth OF the latter's
daughter and the lXtter's marriage and
removal to the west, whore she still lives |;
her own subsequent marriage to John
Angel. who is taking an active interest
in furthering his wifes interests in estab-
fishing the claim; also that Rev. Dr.
Clayton, the minister who performed
the first marriage ceremony in 1853. at
Champlain. N. y. still lives; as does the
servant who was called in as witness to
1t, and both are ready to testify when
needed-all these things are duly set
forth in the story, together with dire
representations regarding the upsetting
of the entire estate, which would be
thrown into On inextricable tangle should
this claim be found to be fact; to say
nothing of the invalidation of all titles,
deeds and conveyances made during his
life and the illegitimacy of the children
by Jay Gould's marriage with Miss Ellen
Miller in 1862. The same article states
tnat we'll known lawyers in New York,
as we'll as q local attorney at Rouse 8
Point, and specialists on testamentary
law have been retained and taken into
consideration.
:dence q Herald reporter called last even
ing on Mrs. Ashael M. HouRh in her
home. No. 1049 Orange street. Mrs.
Hough 10 a sister Of Jav Gould and
upon. .beins sho wf1 the .Asticle in questio
shE read 1t slowly and carefully from be-
ginning to end. When she had finished
she folded tho paper and handed 1t back
to the scribe with patient smile and in
response to query regarding the truth
of II she replied: II know II to be false
In every particular; there Is not shred
of foundation IN fact, on which to build
such story, or make such claim and
1t is either done by the papers for sen-
.ation or BY these people with intent to
black mail"
Continuing. Mrs. Hough said: Eat the
time this article refers to my brother and
/ we're both living ut our old home in
Roxbury. Delaware county. New York.
1t is little town and the morals of
Young people were looked after more
carefully then than now. So l can say
and I know what l say is so. that my
brother never had any such experience In
his life. Noobdy has ever been able to
say truthfully anything against his NOR
al character. don't believe any man
ever had bettcr one." Altar moment
spent in thought, Mrs. Hough h:again said:
II know that story is false in every par
ticular; il there was shadow of truth
in this claim why hasn't it been brought
rp before. instead uf having waited unit
SO long ufter the will has been adm tilted
to probate and the estate divided' 1t is
rreposterous and l know the whole thing
TO be absolutely without foundation"