The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-12
SEEKING A LOST ESTATE.
Mrs. T.. BeauchnmP Hughes Hard
Task mt New Orleans.

Task at New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS. Feb. u.-Mrs. L.
Beaucnamp Hughes a wealthy and we'll
known lady Of Washington. d. c.. is in
the city at the Grunewald Hotel on an
errand Of unusual aud romantic interest.
Briefly told, she comes for the purpose OF
making legal claim to eleven pieces of
valuable property on st. Charles Avenue.
near the choicest residence district
Mrs. Hughes is over eighty years OF
age. but stili Possesses remarkable vitality.
and with her snowy hair, bright bIack
eyes, and fine aquiiine features she makes
striking and aristocratic figure. This
morning she outlined the purpose OF her
visit
Il came to claim eleven pieces OF resi-
dence property owned by my husband.
the late David NJ. Hughes" she said.
Mr.. Hughes was native OF Louisiana
and lived here in New Orleans for a num-
Der Of years before the war. He owned
three large plantations and a quantity OF
other real estate scattered all through this
section. among which were the lots (
have already referred 10.
After leaving here" she continued, "ha
went North and became interested in the
Third Avenue Railroad In New York. OF
which he was president for several years.
At the same time he acquired a number
OF other important interests and was au
exceedingly busy man. so busy. in fact.
that he thoroughly undermined his health.
For considerable period we lived in Mil
waukee. where Mr.. Hughes took an active
part in the management OF several rail-
road lines. Meanwhile he had no time 10
devote TO his Southern holdings. and I
doubt whether he gave them more than q
passing thought
AT last he broke down physically and
We were forced to go abroad for his
health. We lived for twenty years at
Nice, and during that long interval he
was unable to give any special attention
to his miner American affairs. His death
occurred thirteen years ago. and since
then 1 have been resident OF Washing
ton.
mfr. Hughes had a large sum OF money
on deposit in Europe at the time OF his
death and the greater part OF IL was ap-
propriated by dishonest agents. have
since been robbed and piundered In other
ways and feel that il now behocves me
10 look up the odds aud ends Of his once
extensive estate. | knew in q general
way, of course, that he had property In
New Orleans, and have been here twice
endeavoring 20 locate II and straighten
out the titles. Ny last visit was three
my daughter. and was then informed that
my efforts would be futile. owing TO the
absence OF essential documents, including
the original deeds.
Since then | have made every effort to
find the missing papers. and three months
ago they were discovered in New York. I
have now the deeds TO all the eleven lots.
and | anticipate no trouble in establishing
my claim. | do not care to state the ex-
act. location OF the property. but don't
mind saying that 1t is well this side OF
Carrollton and at very desirable point
on st. Charles Avenue. My daughter has
died since I was here before. and | am
now all alone in the world. but although
/ am eighty-one years old think / still
have energy enough to defend my rights
Mrs. Hughes stated that she hae placed
her case in the hands Of attorneys and
that they were now engaged In looking
into the details OF her title. Exactly
what steps she would take In her effort
tc regain possession of the property she
was not yet prepared to state. she is
accompanied by a young woman co'npau-
ion. and with phenomenal energy f,h one
Of her years. declares that she win give
the details of her contest her personal at
tentioG from start to finish
las soon as | get through with thess
st. Charles Avenue lots" she said. 80 pro-
pose to look up some other property which
my husband owned In this vicinity"
Mrs. Hughes proposes to remain in New
Orleans until the matter is settled one
way or the other. and has made prepara-
tons for sn extended stay. IN CONVERSE
ton with the reporter she intimated
strongly that fraud had been resorted to
in keeping the title deeds out Of her pos
session so long that In the event OF q
contest before the courts there would
probably be some sensational deyelop-
ments.
The venerable lady Is . well-linown fg-
ure in Washington life. and owns two
OF the handsomest mansions in the Capt.
tai Her own home. which has been open
but little since the death OF her daughter.
is crowded with beautiful brie-a-brac and
art treasures collected in many lands.
During her long residence abroad she was
presented at most of the courts OF Eu-
rope aud enjoys a wide acquaintance in
the most exclusive circles Of continental
society. She is a woman of unusual in-
teIlectuaf powers. and her varied and
tive life has furnished her with an mex
haustibe store OF "reminiscences and anec-
dcte. Her husband was understood 90
have left her an estate of several mill
lions. but as she herself stated. il has
been seriously depleted since his death.