Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-12
ALLEGED TO Be MYTH
Mary Almarolia Declared to
Have Had No Wealth.
ESTATE TRANSFERRED
DEEDS MADE FOR THREE
FoURTHs OF REALTY.
Colored Decedent's Claim Before the
Courts Said to Be Without
Foundation.

The reputed wealth of the late Mary
Almarolia, sometimes called Mary Alex
ander, the aged colored woman who died
several weeks ago. is said to be mythical,
or up In the air. as a lawyer who is
familiar with the case, expressed it today.
AT the time of this womans death the
statement was published broadcast that
she had left to her heirs, Joseph and Lewis
Alexander, fortune varying from $42, 600
to $4,000. The Alexanders are young
white men, who were reared by the col
ored woman, and about the birth of whom
there Is said to be some mystery.
Affidavits which have recently been made
in relation to the suit ag<inst Mr. William
F. Hoffman and others In connection with
the settlement of the estate not only clear
up some of the alleged mystery, but also
make 1t plain, 1t is claimed that Mary
All1arolia died comparatively poor wo
man, her reputed fortune being fictitious.
Charles Grayson, colored who has been
mentioned as probable contestant of the
will OF Mary Almarolia sets forth in his
swCri statement that he is g. half nephew
OF the dead woman: his mother having
been her half-sister by the same father
He also brings out the important develop
ment that there is still living a daue liter
OF deceased by her Italian husband, named
l.ott!e Almarolia. who resides ut Vierna
va. This daughter, 1t is said, ,cs not
desire to court publicity by appe arin, il,
any contest that may be made for what
ever property was left by her mother.
Charles Grayson's Statement.
Charles Grayson. who was employed as
house servant by his alleged half-aunt
at her house. 116 Maryland avenue south
west makes an interesting statement IN
his affidavit concerning the mystery OF the
birth of Lewis Alexander, foster son of
Mary Almarolia. He says the father and
mother of the boy freI Icntly came to the
Maryland avenue house to see thei, Off
spring while Lewis was a little fellow list
| toddlng about. The mother would fondle
| h er child, give him candy ard express her
| soEcitude about having his garments nic ely
made and kept cleaniy. She was Il more
| +, equent visitor to the place than :7as tic
| father 1t is believed her visits did not
cease until after the mock burial of the
| child, which is alleged
The father, according to Grayson's state
ment was fine looking old man, who was
| known as the colonel" He always appeared
| to have plenty of money but would never
/ have his alleged child brought into the
room on the occasions of his visits to the
| Almarolia house. Grayson added that he
| and the other servants were required when
| the colonef' was there to lead the boy
back and forth before the door of the room
| In which he was seated, and that 1.-THE
| colonel would peep out at his SON." The
| affiant gives the name of Alexander's re-
puted father.
| This was about 1885. The alleged father
| always paid Mary Almarolia wei for the
| care of the boy, Grayson says
Clara V. Grayson, wife of Charles. has
| also made affidavit to the circumstances re-
| lated. and substantiating what her hus-
| band has sworn to. She claims to be a
| second cousin of the late Mary AlmaroIia
| and was also, she says, employed as a SER
| want at the Maryland avenue house Mrs.
| Grayson adds that "a married man. who
| was known as the colonel came occa-
| sionally to the house. and that she would
| lead Lewis past the door of the room he
! was in so he could see him."
Mary Almarolia's wealth"
In reference to the reputed wealth OF
| Mary Almarolia, statements to be filed in
the suit show that in 1861 Michael Sinner
| a free negro, and the husband of Mary pur-
chased from William B. Todd lot l. In
| square 946. which Todd had previously pur-
| chased at tax sale from the District OF
| Columbia, but title to which was in the
United States Sinner made some improve.
ments and resided on it until his DEATH in
1880. On Sinners death Mary Almarolia
became his sole heir, her brother having
died some time previously of smallpox
without issue, II is stated
AS early as 1887 certain persons holding
tax titles" to this lot applied to Congress
| to grant them the legal title, but were un