The National tribune., 1899-01-05

Louisiana it went into the laws and customs
of France and Spain, and even the Spanish
Inquisition was grayely reviewed by one q
the Justices of the Supreme Conrt. in an
opinion Of marked ability and research.
The story properly begins with a young
Irjshman, named Daniel Clark, born near
Sligo about 17G6. He had wealthy uncle
living in New Orleans, whom he joined, and
in 1899 the uncle died, leaving him all his
property. Louisiana was then French
territory, and Daniel Clark held the i'm
portant position Of United States Consul at
New Orleans After the acquisition OF
Louisiana Re represented the Territory in
Congress for two years, and died in 1913
During his life he passed as a bachelor,
but was known TO have liaison with a
Creole woman of remarkable beauty, Zulime
des Grange, whose Teputed husband Jerome
des Grange, was in Europe. Two daughters
were born Of this relation-one in Philadel-
phia in 1902, the other-Myra, in New
Orleans about 1905. The latter was adopted
by the family Of Col. Davis, friend Of
Clark's, and went with the family to
Philadelphia to live, where she was known
as Myra Davis
In 1880 Col. Davis was member of the
Pennsylvania Legislature He sent home
from Harrisburg for certain papers. In look
ing for them. Myra came across some letters
which partially revealed her birth and par
entage In 1882 she married W. W. Whit
ney, of New York, who began Investigations
in regard to his wife Col. Davis told him
all he knew, and gave him letter, which
told Of will made by Clark in 1913, Just
before his death, in which he acknowledged
Myra as his legitimate daughter, and be-
i,.aI oil 81,
will dated May II, 1911, and duly probated,
had been bequeathed to his mother, Mary
Clark, and disposed of by her executor As
New Orleans had been growing rapidly in
those years, the property had increased fully
fiye-hundredlol lold in value, and included a
large portion of the richest business section
of the city.
Whitney and his wife went to Matanzas.
Cuba, saw the writer of the letter, and after
collecting other evidence, instituted suits
for the recovery of the property. Then
began 40 years of the most exciting litiga-
ton, first IN the lower courts of Louisiana,
then in the Supreme Court of the State, the
circuit Courts of the United States, and
h1aily IN repeated appeals to the Supreme
Court OF the United States. Both sides Sc
cured the aDlest counsel that the country
afforded, and spared no money to prosecute
the case.
The first witness for the claimant was Mrs.
Harper, who had nursed Myra Clark as
an infant, and remained a member of the
family. She testified that four weeks before
his death Clark showed her the will he had
made in favor of Myra, and allowed her to
read it from beginning to end. 1t fully
acknowledged the child's legitimacy, and
bequeathed her all his property. Baron
Boisfontaine testified that Clark had told him
of the contents of the will, and acknowledged
the child. On this and similar evidence the
Supreme Coslrt of Louisiana, in 1856 ordered
that the will, of which no vestge had been
produced, should be accepted, and supplant
the former will
The City of New Orleans and other de-
PENDANTS replied TO this that the laws of
Louisiana prohibited man making devises
to his adulterine bastard. If Daniel Clark
had been single man, and Zulime des
Grange single woman he could have de-
vised to their child, but Zulime was then the
wife of another man. 1t was further alleged
that at the time Clark's estate was insolyent,
and in fact ever remained so.
This brought up the whole question of
Zulime's relations TO Jerome des Grange, the