The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-09-30
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suffraglsts Rejoice.

suffraslsts Rejoice.
The suffragists OF Iowa viii be
somewhat elated over the news which
has come from war-ridden Europe,
over the disposition Of her vast for
tune by the will OF the late Baroness
De Bazus, Mrs. Frank Leslie. wom-
an Of much prominence in this coun-
try. Another fact adding to the be-
quest is that . CORNER Iowa woman,
Mrs. Caroline Lane Chapman Gait, is
named as the arbiter of distribution.
Mrs. Frank Leslie.
Baroness De Bazus was before en-
tering her career as matron, Marion
Florence Follin. She was born in the
old French quarter Of New Orleans
and was Of Huguenot descent. She
was educated in literature and the
classics and spoke Italian, French
and Spanish. She was married first
to E. G. Squier, afterward United
States minister to Peru, but separat-
ed from him and married Frank Les
lie. After the death of her second
husband, she was married to William
C. X. White and divorced him.
The title Of baroness, it is said she
took, she claimed, because she did
not approve OF the policy of the pub
locations which bear the Leslie name
and did not wish to be identified with
them. Her aunt, she asserted, trans
mitted the title to her. After the death
of Mr.. Leslie she assumed charge of
his business, and, it is claimed, paid
off his debts OF more than $50, 900,
and added to the fame Of the Leslie
Publishing company.
Mrs. Gait declared in New York
when questioned on the subject, her
only definite understanding regard
ing the funds was that Mrs. Leslie did
not provide in her will that the mon
ey to be used for the promotion Of
frage organization, or to be used in
any specified way. She left the mon
ey to be used for the promotion of
woman's suffrage as Mrs. Cats
judgment should direct, 1t was said.
How or where the money will be
used, Mrs. Gait will not attempt to de-
eide until the will is submitted to
probate.
Carrie Chapman Gait.
Carrie Lane Chapman Gait is ma
tive Of Wisconsin, where she was
born, and came with her parents to
Floyd county, Iowa, when she was
seven years Of age. Her maiden
name was Carrie Lane and her early
education was acquired in the public
schools of Charles City. She taught
several terms and was elected princi-
pal Of the high school OF Mason City.
Miss Lane pursued her studies for
some time at the Agricultural college
Later she was chosen superintendent
of the public schools of Mason City,
serving two years, when she married
Leo Chapman, editor Of the Republi-
can. She became a partner in the
and associate editor Of
the paper. A few years later they re-
moved to San Francisco, Calf, where
Mr.. Chapman died. Mrs. Chapman
thin secured q position on one Of the
city papers and is said to have been
the first woman editor in San Fran
cisco.
While there, it is said, she became
deeply impressed with the wrongs of
working women and gave lectures on
"Woman's Rights and Wrongs" She
soon became deeply interested in
woman's suffrage and the advance
ment and social betterment Of women.
In 1891 she was married to George
w. Gait. She had become one OF the
most prominent advocates Of the suf-
frage reform and when the office of
national organizer was created in
1898, Mrs. Gait was chosen to that po-
sition. She soon acquired national
fame as one of the most eloquent and
successful advocates of the suffrage
movement When the venerable presi-
dent of the national association, Su-
san B. Anthony retired, Mrs. Gait was
by common consent, chosen to sue
coed her, when she located In the city
of New York.
Value Of the Legacy.
It is certain that the fund thus de-
vised will reach large amount, but
the exact sum cannot now be deter
mined. Mrs. T. H. Wrenn, Of Brook
Ign, N. Y, q niece Of Mrs. Leslie,
said she believed 100000 to be a
fair estimate Of the estate. She re-
fused to comment on her willingness
to forego her share Of the money IN
order to help gain votes for women.
This kind of questioning would lead
to the inference that there might be
a contest for the fortune between the
near relatives of Mrs. Leslie and the
suffragists. But whether there is any
foundation for this inference, re-
mains for the future to solve. There
is always something of large import
in this land OF plenty, and
Iowa comes into the limelight with
the prominence Of former talented
resident Of the state, whose 1ame be-
gan here.