Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-01-18
sQ|UAW IS A WIFE.
WILL SHARE IN MILLIoNAIRE's
ESTATE.
Rom.nce of the Old Gold Days In Cali.
fornia Recalled by 4 Bitterly Con-
tested Suit That Has just Boon Closed,
by the Decision Of Court. a

fornia Recalled by q Bitterly Con-
tested Suit That Has just Boon Closed
by the Decision Of Court. q
Indian Lucy, who, as a dusky-hued
maiden, sat upon the knee OF John Il.
Hite, a California gold miner, twenty
eight years ago, and solemnly de-
clared Gonna me oha," while Hite,
with equal gravity, replied, "Meenee
Gonna longa," has been declared the
legal wife of the millionaire mine
owner, though. with the declaration
comes annulment of the marital tie, for
which she prayed. Thus has been de-
cided one of the most unique cases
ever tried in an American court, and
one which has attracted attention
throughout the United States. An In
dian marriage under the old statute
has been declared valid, and >as a con-
sequence John r. Hite will be called
upon to- share his millions with the
woman who, in times of adversely.
occupied his humble miners cabin and
administered to his wants, but who,
when wealth lay at his feet, was
thrown aside, as cast-off garment, to
have her place usurped by white
woman.
The other day Judge Joseph P. Jones,
before whom the celebrated case was
tried, handed down the long-looked for
decision. It not only makes Lucy
Mrs. Hite in the eyes of the world, but
allows her $50 monthly alimony, pend
ing further action for a division OF
community property and gives to her
attorneys $4,000 in fees. Though the
decision does not so mention, it is OBJ
vious that Hite's subsequent marriage
to Celia Nougues, who nursed him
through a critical illness, is invalid.
Next will come suit for the wife's
share of the wealth the millionaire has
amassed, and doubtless long delays and
stubbornly contested appeals, which.
may drag along for years in court. The
history of this unusually interesting
case, at points, is as dramatic as the
early life of John Hite and Lucy
was romantic. In 1858, Hite, tall,
muscular and handsome southerner.
came to California and drifted into
Mariposa county. He was a favorite
in the mining camps, and when he took
pretty young Indian woman into his
of the early days, there were none to
question his right She followed him
about on his prospecting tours, and it
was her keenness which located the
spot, which, from Hite's first prospect
ing, developed into the great Hite mine
and made it's owner millionaire.
This pretty Indian woman died, but
a younger sister, Lucy survived, and
though she was then the mistress of
another's cabin, Hite induced her to
come to- him, and he gloried in the
ownership of the prettiest squaw in the
county. Then, after time, those In
dian words were spoken which meant
to Hite, Il am your wife," and to the
girl, IT am your husband" Lucy grew
old and Hite tired of her as his wealth
increased Finally, in October, two
years ago, the millionaire married a.
former nurse, casting off Lucy" Then
came the suit for acknowledgment and
wealth, the decision of which has just
been handed down. The action was
for divorce ON the ground of infidelity,
naming Cecilia Nougues as correspond
emit, though she had gone through the
marriage ceremony with Hite, for ali
mony and division of community
property In answer Hite declared he
had never married Lucy" disclaimed
her title to wife," declaring Cecilia
Hite was his lawful wife and denying
the existence of any community prop
erty. The divorce action was begun in
Mariposa Sept. Is of this year, but
subsequently was transferred to San
Francisco.
A bitter legal struggle ensued. So
intense did the conflict wage that 1t
engendered hard feelings among the
attorneys, and at one time the ''lie''
was banded in the court room, direct
ed at Attorney w. w. Foote of Hite's
counsel, who had charged in singing
speech, that blackmail was being at
tempted. The scene at the time was
one Of excitement, heightened by talk
of guns" assassination" and other
similar expressions. Finally the case
was ended and Judge Jones retired to
Mariposa county to prepare his deci-
sion. Prior to this time the Supreme
court was appealed to to make an order
allowing Lucy" alimony and sufficient
funds out of Hite's hoard with which
to prosecute her case. This motion
was denied, on the ground that the
plaintiff must first prove her legal right
to wifehood, but now that Judge Jones'
opinion establishes this fact the wom-
an will receive the money.
Boy Choirs Abroad.
From the Baltimore Sun: My prin-
cipal object in England was to make
a tour of the cathedral towns to hear
their music and study their choir
methods. The training of the bovs,