Evening star., 1924-10-31
Calls Self-Styled Son
Of Ex.President Fraud

10 the Editor OF The Star
For number Of years the news
papers Of the country have published
from time to time as a news item
story of a man living in Jackson
vile. Fla, named Edward James
Monroe. who states that he is 109
yeaeB OLD, and that he is the son of
President James Monroe. 1t is ap-
parently a story that appeals to the
sympathies of a patriotic public, and
recently in New York City q sum of
money has been raised by a great
patriotic society to help this man,
who also claims to be a pauper, on
the ground that a son of Monroe
should not be allowed to suffer.
About year ago society was
formed in Washington. D. c., which
was named THE Society of the De-
scendants of James Monroe" 1 was
elected its first president, and my
cousin. Minor Fairfax HeiskeI Gou-
verneur Of Baltimore, is its first vice
president. The object of the organ
ization is to perpetuate Monroe's
name name and fame. 1 regret to
say that, although every descendant
of Monroe Is enrolled, our society
barely numbers 20 members.
1t has been aptly said that people
enjoy being fooled. Admitting this
fact, however, am unwilling to
have history falsified in connection
with the life and character of James
Monroe. He lies buried beneath a
beautiful mausoleum in Hollywood
Cemetery, Richmond, Va, erected by
his own native State, in token of
gratitude and appreciation of his
long and faithful services. 1t will
be remembered that a pilgrimage was
made to his grave by p.-ons from
all over the country only last De-
cember, on the occasion of the an
niversary of 100 years of the Monroe
Doctrine. James Monroe cannot rise
and defend himself, consequently his
descendants must speak for him and
keep sacred and green his memory.
In plain. unvarnished language, the
man, Edward James Monroe of
conscious impostor. The facts of the
case are as follows: Monroe married
in early life Elizabeth Kortright of
New York, and she died one year in
advance of him, in 1880. This man in
Florida named Monroe has stated in
print that he is Monroes son by his
third wife, and he has also stated
his mothers maiden name. 1t can
be readily seen that Monroe. who
was at the time an old man, broken
in. health, could not possibly have
t"lCc III Ohc year, dHu III
such a limited space of time had a
child born by a third wife.
But to get right down to the NOR e
practical facts of the case, I have
positive proof in my possession that
James Monroe never had son. Both
of his children were daughters. His
older daughter, Eliza, married Judge
George Hay Of Virginia, and she has
left but few descendants. His
younger daughter, Maria Hester,
married Samuel L. Gouverneur of
New York. and she, by the way, was
nearly 20 years younger than Mrs.
Hay. After Monroe's death in 1881 q
certain sum Of money was due his
estate from the United States Gov
ernment, and Samuel l. Gouverneur,
who was his nephew by marriage, his
son-in-law, private secretary and
finally his executor, made an affidavit,
of which have a copy, in which he
states under oath that Monroe's only
children were the two daughters
which have named. also have in
my possession copy of Monroe's
will, in which he states he has but
two children. The old man in Florida,
therefore, cannot be a legal son of
President James Monroe.
ROSE GOUvERNEUR HOES,
President of the Society of the
Descendants of James Monroe.