The Atlanta Constitution (Georgia)
19 July 1897, Page 5 [continued]
Wife No. 4 on the Scene.Indeed!
Upon the death of Mrs. Pitts, Marvin located in Cordele. Before going there he married a young lady in Atlanta. In Cordele Marvin abandoned his profession, which he claimed to be medicine, and he organized a bank, using the estate of his last wife, Mrs. Pitts, as a nucleus.
The bank prospered. So did Marvin. Joseph Bivins was engaged as private secretary and the bank made money for its president and stockholders.
Marvin's past life had been an exciting one. He had lived at a fast and furious pace and his constitution, once strong and sturdy, failed. Gradually the strain began to tell and his death will be easily remembered. It occurred in Cordele not many months ago. His body was embalmed and placed in the parlor, where it was visited by his widow.
Mrs. Marvin found a balm for her grief and she became the happy bride of Secretary Bivins, whom she had known in her husband's bank and who had often called at the Marvin home, both socially and upon business connected with the institution of which Marvin was president. Courtship followed and ripened into wedlock.
The Past Becomes Present.
The wedding tour ended, Mr. and Mrs. Bivins returned home. The family was a happy one and the little home was furnished luxuriously with the fortune which had been inherited from Marvin and which he secured from Mrs. Pitts.
Mrs. Bivins died. Death came from a fatal malady and Bivins was left alone, but with his wife's estate.
Out of the west came a dashing young man one day, who called at Cordele. He asked many questions, then left. This youth was Francis G. Marvin, who called at the law offices of Judge Hopkins & Sons, in Atlanta, and claimed a one-half interest in the estate which had been left to Bivins.
Young Marvin claimed he was a legitimate hear [sic], being the son of Dr. Marvin as a result of his marriage with Miss Annie Blakely, in Springfield, Ill. The claim was filed in Dooly superior court and the tedious litigation began. There were all kinds of allegations filed and cross bills entered, but the case was gradually winning in favor of the boy.
A few days ago a compromise was made between Bivins and the plaintiff. Bivins gave him a deed to a large amount of Atlanta real estate, keeping for himself the remainder. The property is located on Whitehall and Smith streets and is worth a good fortune.
Marvin, the younger, has secured his title and last week returned to his home in Kansas. The legal contest was one of the most sensational which has ever been conducted in Dooly court and will be handed down to history as one of those peculiar cases without a parallel in the courts.
This story unfolded with a lot of sensational details, some of them which might not be true. *Gasp!* I know, we have been hearing for some time about how old newspapers are a great resource for family historians. And that is absolutely correct. However, we must remember they are not perfect sources. The information provided must be followed up on, and more evidence must be gathered to prove or disprove whatever genealogical problem we are trying to solve...so here's one more for the series >>> The One Where I Hope Not to Burst Your Bubble
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