The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-09

a Ditch or for Dissection.
From the Philadelphia Times.
Paris, Jan. Slight has broken upon
the origin of Vera Douglas, the famous
American, beauty, once of New York, who
died here at Christmastide, abandoned by
her Grand Duke Vladimir and all her
rich admirers, save one.
She was the daughter of a small far
mer in Mitchell, Canada. The Times cor
respondent was able to supply the author
tiles with full information as a result of
his efforts to save the dead woman from
the disseeting table.
Her real name was Vera Maria Doug
las She had married an adventurer who
called himself Malakoff, and who is now
I'm Jail in. Algiers. Her parents fondly be-
lieved her to be a real Countess and a
person of consideration in London and
Paris society. Their letters were directed
to Nine. la Comtesse Malakoff."
The Times correspondent cabled this
message to her father, Stephen Douglas,
Mitchell Ont: Madame Malakoff died
here to-day Can you identify her? Else
all property will be seized by state"
on Dec 2S, came the answer: Madame
Malakon is my daughter, Maria Douglas.
Am writing"
There was evidence that these simple
people, not knowing that the daughters
triumphs were of the underworld, were
about to leave their home for Paris ex-
pecting to see the Exposition under the
most brilliant auspices Had it not been
for the malady that killed her immortal
prototype, Camille, they might have en-
1oyed their tour in the shadow of a Grand
Duke of Russia.
A Letter From Vera.
Here is a letter Vera wrote to the
Grand Duke Vladimir when ne was here
five weeks ago:
1T was at this season last year that
we loved each other so madly.
do YOU remember the crowds that
lined up when we came out of the opera?
Do you remember Monte Carlo. the
Riviera, the sweet moonlight nights on
our dear yacht, only one year ago?
Come and see whether you can recog-
nize me- am so constantly i'll now that
sometmes-as tonight, for example,
feel discouraged.
But l shah get well, and then 1 Will
go back to my country and be good.
Meanwhile, come and comfort your poor
Vera"
the dying woman's invitation She her
self did not know she was dying, but
others did. She had run her race, and
her adorers had sought other shrines.
Her friend Anna Robinson, the actress,
who had shared her triumphs in Paris,
was reported at this time to be lying at
the point of death in New York, and this
added to Vera Douglas melancholy. She
died on Dec. 26, alone with servants.
saved From Potter's Field.
Vera Douglass exploits in life haunted
her after DEATH for her body was deemed
not sufficiently respectable to be given
sanctuary in the American Church. Mem
bers of Dr. Morgans congregation pro-
tested against it,
The Times correspondent, after discov-
erng her identity. notified Bodngton &
Kelly Of No Boulevard des Capucines,
a firm of English attorneys. who acted
for r. H. Henning, a rich Australian,
living in London.
Though he was not with Vera Douglas
in her last days, Henning exhibited more
fidelity than her other admirers. lie was
really fond of her and was in the habit
of coming to Paris TO see her every month
or so. on learning that your correspond
ent had discovered her parents he sent $500
To his attorneys here to insure respectable
treatment for her body pending the decis-
ion Of her relatives.
The Rev. Dr. Morgan, pastor OF the
American Church In Paris, lent himself
al first to these arrangements, fully know
ing the melancholy history of the dead
girl Bodington & Kelly say that he con
scented to allow the body 10 remain in the
morruary for a month in consideration of
an advance payment of 81 francs. Thith-
er. accordingly, il was taken, but instead
of The treatment contemplated by Mr..
Honning it was thrust into rough pine
box and put aside.
Christmas Christian Charity.
The Rev. Dr. Morgan told your corre-
spondent. in an answer to an inquiry. that
unless the body were taken away at once
II would be turned over to the admins
tration OF public charity to be buried in
a ditch or else find It's way to the dis
sectiug table
Certain ms mbers of the church had pro
tested against the presence of Vera Doug
las even in death. They pointed out that
four respectable Americans were lying in