Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-07-17
BLUE-BLoOD Welded NEGRESs.


Cincinnati Commercial Tribune says
"The strange infatuation of white
man for a negress, his cutting off from
his rich, influential and blue-blcod
Kentucky family, and the denial of the
property rights to his offspring are
three acts of an unusual Kentucky
drama which have stirred exclusive cir
cles of the Blue Grass four hundred.
'cNot many years ago G. ID. Wilgus
and his brother, J. b. Wilgus, stood as
two of the leading citizens OF LeXlng-
ton. The former was wealthy con-
tractor and builder and the latter, an
influential banker. Their families
moved in most exclusive society cir
cles and are today regarded as Of the
Kentucky aristOcracy, The former had
son. one of the leaders of his set,
who was regarded as an exceedingly
good catch by mothers OF ma
riageable daughters,
1Bnt the bellies of Lexington
somehow lost their charm to him
when his father took into his man
sion as houscmaid colored girl
of some II years. She was grace
fuI of form and an octoroon. From
the hour of her advent into the
wealthy builders spacious house u.
d. Wilgus, jr., was changed
man. Balls, parties and receptions
grew monotOnous to him. One day the
Girl was missed, and few weeks later
Young Wilgus went to Chicago. There
he met the negro girl Annie, and few
days later his family were horrified to
learn that he had, under the laws OF
Illinois made her his wife. This was
in September, 1891. From that day
Wilous was cut of from his family.
Friends in the neighborhood say the
blow killed his father.
"The wealthy builders fortune was
divided among his heirs, and bis son III
Chicago was not cut of, as was expected,
he sharing with his sisters share and
share alike. Young Wilgus and his
duskv bride settled in Chicago, and later
resided in Detroit, Mich, and Indian
apolis, finally returning to Chicago'
where he died in 1897.
'During his life he had sold all his
interest in his fathers big estate, but 1t
now appears it was without the knowi-
edge Of his negro wife, as all the transfer
no1ees are minus her signature. This
! being the case, if the legality Of their
marriage can be established in Kentucky
then she and their child, also named IT,
/ d Wilgus, are entitled to a DOVER 10Y
which she is noN sung.
at Is a case of unusual legal interest,
Involving the rights of dover OF negro
,von,en whose husbands are white men,
tho marriage contract having been made
nnder the laws Of another State, which
did not forbid marriage between those o.
different races.
at is the first case involving ina
ouestion decided in Kentucky, anC
Iudge Watts Parker, if sustained, vii
co down as a guide for such future mat
r;monial entanglements. Judge Parke
deciJad that such a widow was not en-
filled to dowes. the cOse being submit
ted ON an agreed statement OF Facts, H'
said that while the marriage was lega
in the State it was made it was not iega
in Kentucky, as it was contrary TO tn
spirit of both the law and institutions o
the State, and that to recognize Such
contract would be to foster di'regar'
far the laws of the State.
aTbe grave of young Wilgus, 50 son mis- i
r,ided by such 9 strange love, is side b
EIDE with that of his father II the beautl !,
f,' Sd Texington cemetery. 1t is the famil
burying lot, but no stone marks the la la
resting place of the man who so slnne
T. AGAINST the social laws of his country