The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

A STRANGE STORY
In Regard to the Late John S. Carlile.

Special Dispatch to the Cincinnati Commercial.

During the late days of slavery John S. Carlile was a prominent politician in Virginia, holding offices of importance to the nation as well as important State offices. He was a man of means, and kept slaves. Among these was one known as Sarah Smith. She was a most attractive colored woman, being possessed of a beautiful form and endowed with a mind far superior to that of any other female slave in her portion of the State. Senator Carlile purchased her in 1861 at Clarksburg, and made her a domestic in his family. She remained with the Carlile family in that capacity till freed by President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, when she went to Parkersburg to live. There she remained for about one year, when Senator Carlile called upon her and entered into an agreement with her to the effect that she should return to his family and be a domestic for one year. As compensation for her services he agreed to provide her a home at the end of the year either in Cleveland or Detroit.

After the year had passed one W. L. Camden came to Cleveland at the instance of Senator Carlile and purchased a place on Spruce street, then owned by Mr. Clark Juren, still a resident of the Forest City, but instead of having the deed for the property made out in the name of the freed slave, had it made out in his own name, and subsequently transferred it to Carlile.

Sarah Smith, soon after the purchase was consummated, came to Cleveland and took possession of the place, where, according to report, she was occasionally visited by her old master, who appears to have had a strong attachment for her though he never gave her a deed of the home, notwithstanding her repeated requests that he do so. Her old master used to contend that it was better for her to have a life lease of the home, but she wanted a genuine deed. However, the ex-slave continued to reside in the house, making improvements to the premises till it became a very pleasant home. Thus fifteen years passed away.

Financial embarrassment overtook Carlile and he died a few years ago insolvent. Then Gideon Draper came forward with what he claimed to be a deed from Carlile to him for the premises.

During the past year or more Sarah Smith has been paying rent for the place. Camden now threatens to have her ejected if she does not continue to pay rent as he stipulates. The old slave has in her possession a letter written by Senator Carlile, showing his strong attachment for her and that the property was intended for her. She also has more proof of the relations which existed between her and her master. Persons speak of two children who it is contended are the fruit of an unlawful relation which existed between these two. One of the children is the young slave lady and the other a young man, who will soon graduate at school with honor.

The case has been laid before some of the best lawyers in the city and they are of the unanimous opinion that Sarah can secure a valid title to make her home secure in court now. She therefore brings suit against Camden to quiet title.

On account of Carlile's prominence at the time the relations existed and the peculiarity of the case is sure to attract considerable attention.