The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-04-17

by the Decision of sea- Gs
T maiden sat upon the knee 1 !, =
Hite, a California gold ~. a Job
eight years ago, and s so' hal
clared Gonna noe Cha" 'v ~sn
with equal gravity, reptile. snl L., p
Gonna Tonga" has beer ds.,.l A'a
legal wife of the Million.
owner, though with the IS, d
comes annulment of the ms, ss''al''
which she prayed. Thus r." u
cided one of the most mt, NJ Oe'a
ever tried in an American as y
one which has attracted '. ~
throughout the United st.,. Sueaa
dian marriage under the oIa AZ
has been declared valid. ana ). 'a
sequence John r. Hite wifi 20
upon to share his millIons -, az
woman who, in times of atv.,,s
occupied his humble miners s sss'a
administered to his wants -.
when wealth lay at his tas,
thrown aside, as a CASTOR y.,~..l
have her place usurped bv
woman. wy
The other day Judge JOSEPH , :.
before whom the celebrated c,.s
tried, handed down the lonploos,
decision. 1t not only makes
Mrs. Hite in the eyes Of the world
allows her $50 monthly alimoDv
ing further action for a divi,,.'
community property and gives !" n
attorneys $4,000 in fees. Tbouss !.
decision does not so mention Il I. n
vious that Hite's subsequent ms,,'1
to Celia Nougues, who nursad NJ
through a critical illness. is iDv,l1
Next will come a suit for the vn.|
share of the wealth the millionaire N
amassed, and doubtless long dssu n
stubbornly contested appeals WI
may drag along for years in court N
history of this unusually Interssp,|
case, at points, is as dramatic AZ N
early life OF John Hite and .Iur}
was romantic. In 1853. Hits Al
muscular and handsome southsr,l
came to California and drlited M
Mariposa county. Re was fsvo5
in the mining camps, and when be I'd
a pretty young Indian woman into h,
cabin, after the irresponsible iashbI
of the early days, there were none \
question his right. She followed M
about on his prospecting tours, and 1
was her keenness which located d
spot, which, from Hite's first prlR4t
ing, developed into the great Hite MID
and made its owner a millionaire.
This pretty Indian woman died d
a younger sister, Lucy" survived I'd
though she was then the mistress
another's cabin, Hite induced hg
come to him. and he gloried in y
ownership of the prettiest squav in n
county. Then, after a time, those b
dian words were spoken which nslH
to Hite, 81 am your wife" and to d
girl, 81 am your husband" Lucy gl
old and Hite tired Of her as his vsaH
increased. Finally, in 0ctoher, "
years ago, the millionaire married
former nurse. casting off Lucy Ina
came the suit for acknowledges .
wealth, the decision Of which has ~
been handed down. The action "
for divorce on the ground OF inhdeiN
naming Cecilia Nougues as co-resFa
ent, though she had gone through
marriage ceremony with Hite, iof
mony and a division OF commull
property. In answer Hite declared
had never married Lucy" dlsclan
her title to wife" declaring oe-
Hite was his lawful wife and denvi
the existence of any community pl'
erty. The divorce action was begun
l.
Mariposa Sept. rs Of this yeai'
subsequently was transferred y
Francisco.
A bitter legal struggle ensuse
intense did the conflict wage 'n''
engendered hard feelings amohs a.
attorneys, and at one time 'n' a..
was banded in the court room, o nl,'
ed at Attorney w. w. Foote Oh n.'
counsel, who had charged in a sung
speech, that blackmail was OelnS
tempted. The scene at the tin'
one of excitement, heightened y "a
of gums" assassination anu y.
similar expressions Finally 'u' a
was ended and Judge Jones i' ~ 4,
Mariposa county to prepare o. Snors
sion prior to this time the SUPP !,
court was appealed to to maA' . -
allowing Lucy" alimony anu !, Sa n
funds out of Hite's hoard WIN ,,ot
to prosecute her case. us mat
was denied, on the grounu, 10. ' 4
plaintiff must first prove he I lssa IoI
to wifehood, but now that Jun .Ss Vi
opinion establishes this fact 'D' "
an will receive the money