The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-05

TRIAL OF WICKLOW pl,ErENDEn.

Many Interesting and extraordinary
trials occurred IN England during the
eighteenth and nineteenth centuries OF
Tichborne case-probnbly tho most
striking Of nil--hns already been dis
cussed. Scarcely loss SO was the pre-
tension that William George Howard
was the rightful Earl of Wicklow,
and tho trial In an attempt to estab-
lish his claims Is still remembered by
the older Inhabitants of tho United
States. T.
On the 22d Of March, 1860, william,
the fourth Earl OF Wicklow. died with
out male Issue. His next brother. the
Honorable and Reverend Francis low
ard. had died during tho late earls
lifetime. after being twice married.
by his first marriage no had had three
sons. mono OF whom had survived; but
one son blessed his second nuptial. and
he claimed tho pcernge at his unclc's
death.
y rival. however, appeared to claim
tho title In the person OF William
George, an Infant, who was repre-
scented by his guardians as the son
of William George Howard. the old
est son OF the Rev. Francis Howard
by his first marriage. and Miss Ellen
Richardson. AS to tho birth OF the
former claimant there could be no
eldest half-brothcr had been married
as stated: but the birth of tho in
FAINT was disputed. and the matter WAS
left for trial before tho House Of
Lords.
William George Howard was married
to Miss Richardson In February. 1868
Approaching that his uncle was des-
tined to die without an heir. and that
IL would be greatly to his advantage
10 have a son. he arranged an lntri-
cate scheme of deception. The How
ards went TO live with family OF
moderate means on Burton Street.
Nothing unusual TRANSFERRED for Il short
time. After Mrs. Howard had her plans
fully made She returned suddenly to
her home ono day while her husband
was abscnt in ireland, and announced
that she was III and that n certain
doctor be aent for. Mrs. Bloor, with
whom she resided. was party to her
scheme. Mrs. Howard had secured
child from its mother Mary Best. n
pauper. then an occupant OF one of tho
lyiny-in wards OF tho workhouso
hospital.
This child, when the opportunc t!me
came, was pal,ncd off as the heir to
the title and estate OF the Earl OF
Wicklow. The House OF Lords heard
the evidence. Mrs. Wagner, Mrs. Bloor
and her sister, Miss Rosa Day. were
placed In the witness box ana gave
their evidence clearly and firmly. and
agreed with each other In the story
which they told. Much evidence was
produced to show that the birth had not
taken place. DR.. Baker Brown and
another medical man deposed that they
had professionally attended n lady
whom they swore 10 as Mrs Howard.
and had found circumstances negativ-
Ing the story of the confinement.
Louise Jones. servant who lived In
the house on Burton Street after tho
hi r- !, of hn INF MT v7f1 I'm hal
seen or heard OF its existence. After
the hearing of this evidence the case
was postponed.
On It's resumption Mira. Howard pro-
duced witnesses to show that she was
in Staffordshire during the whole OF
that period IN August. 1864, to which
the evidence of DIR. Brown and other
medical witnesses related.
AT ,he sitting OF the court on March
l. 1870. Sir Rounded Palmer Lord
Selbourncl. who represented Charles
Francis Howard. the other claimant
produced complete evidence of how the
pauper baby was secured. taken to tho
Burton Street house, the head nurse
and assistant nurses being produced
to swear positively that Mrs. Howard
was tho lady who took away the child
from the hospital.
Then Mary Best stu further startled
the court and added mystery to the
case by affirming that the child that
was taken away was not hers. but
that 1t had been given TO her while
In tho workhousc, and that she had
fed and clothed II at her own expense
Tho court delivered judgment on the
3lst OF March. 1870 when the Lord
Chancellor announced that their lord
ships had come to the conclusion that
Charles Francis Howard had made out
his claim, and was entitled to vote
at the election Of representative peers
for ireland as Earl of Wicklow; and
that tho infant claimant, the son of
Mrs Howard, had failed In establish
ing his claim TO that privilege. lie
said the real difficulty that surrounded
the case was In proving the birth Of
the child OF William George Howard
without the evidence usually forth
coming OF such an event No dissent
was afterwards taken against this rule.
but n perusal OF the complete story
OF this remarkable case reads like
one OF the greatest romances that has
ever been written.