Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-04-30

Donna Daniels and James Mortimer
/ Chuna were married in ST. Leo's Church
/ to-day by Father Ducey. The recep-
ton was from O'Clock 10 midnight at
No. rs West FOrty-Seventh street.
This announcement is simple in itself,
bu> an unusual interest attaches TO it
Wien the fact is known that the bride
is none other than Donna MadiXXa,
whose suit against the estate OF William
b. Daniels, a Colorado millionaire, is
still pending in the courts. She is his
widow and is suing for her portion OF
his great wealth.
Beautiful and accomplished, fearless
and mistaken in the face OF overwhelm-
ing odds, with rare personal charms,
donna MaiixXa. with all OF her alleged
eccsatriCitjes. is one of the most strik-
ing figures that ever played a part in
romance in natural life. Had she lived
il a heroic age, the present day novel
lists. who are working that field, would
find in her the subject for an absorbing
story, full of rapid action and human
feeling. plotting and Contemplating,
and mingled with all the captivating,
but battling personality of a lovely We
man.
As the Donna herself tells the story,
she was born in Madrid how long ago
is not vitality essential TO this story. Her
mother was the daughter Of Count Jose
Miguel MadiXxa. a grandee OF CASTLE,
whose wealth was probably c0mpaSsed
in $40 .O00,009. Her mother fell in love
with an American and, despite the OBJ
iections of the Count, married him.
She was disinherited, but happy. withal.
Two children were the result of the
union. The Donna's sister became the
wife of Marquis Duret de Brie, whose
home is in Paris, where the mother is at
present staying.
The Donna was brought to this coun-
try when only nine years old. When
only seventeen she married William B.
Smith. 4 professor OF technology al Har-
ward. He was one Of the pioneer sur
veyors of the Northern Pacific railroad.
Two children born to them died. The
Smiths lived happily together for five
years, and during that time resided in
} Toledo and Fitchburg, Ohio. Then the
| Professor died. and. moved by the same
/ restless. ambitious spirit that marked
her subsequent career, the Donna went
10 Boston and there studied medicine
| She met Nathaniel Abbott. commits
sion merchant OF Salem. and he loved
the dark-eyed young widow at first
sight. They were married shortly af-
;erward. but only lived together year
and a half. when she secured q divorce
on grounds Of cruelty and infidelity.
The ssaid residents of Salem even
| now recall Nathaniel Abbott's dash;ug
wife No scandal could be told of her,
it's true. but the most the descendants
of which burners could bring against
her was that she was gay" And she
in turn cared little of what they
| thought. She called them mossbacks
| and turned with great satisfaction to
! driving fast horses Then, too. she ere
! ated something Of sensation by APP
pearing in a bathing suit that Nara
gansett Pier would consider eminently
proper. and going daily to swim at
| Jupiter Point
After her divorce she went to Denver
and Daniels fell victim TO her charms
He was a member of the firm of Daniel;
/ & Fisher. and. il is said. silent part-
rcr of II. B. Clafin. The Donna estab-
lished a home Of great magnifiecence
and spent money lavishly. 1t is told
that she often spent 81 500 for a single
dress. She had host of admirers. but
/ always kept them al a proper distance
| Even her enemies admitted that. But
/ Daniels nevertheless complained OF
what he called her Bohemian habits
she entertained royalty and smoked
cigarettes.
Daniels secured a diyorce-througf
perjured testimony. the Donna and hel
friends declare He made her a settle
men, Of $4,000. and this was spent in
Europe She returned To Denver and
! got $4,000 more II was then that she
showed that she was 4 fearless aud de.
\ termined woman. She had an appoint
/ ment with Daniels at his home. but
/ whom she arrived there he had left fci
Hot Springs. Arkansas. The maid tried
! 10 bar her entrance, but she forced hel
way in and went upstairs.
Daniels confidential man. named
/ Richards. ordered her out. but she re-
| fused 10 go. He went out and returned
with three cowboys. He called hel
| downstairs and she was about TO obey
/ but anticipating his design. she fed
back TO the room and locked the door
/ Then men tried 10 break in. but she
VFent 20 q bureau. AMI securing her hus-
hands revolver. threatened to shoot
through the door. and they desisted
Then an attempt was made 10 get a.